Emily Mackay and Parker Stokes go for titles at USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Oregon.
Union-Endicott graduate Emily Mackay led the way during a Section 4 reunion on a big stage on July 31, joining former Maine-Endwell standout Parker Stokes in earning shots at American titles.
Mackay had the top time in the women's 1500 meters at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The former Binghamton University All-American and 2024 Paris Olympian was fastest among 34 runners, finishing in 4:04.23. Mackay was runner-up in the 1500 at last year's Olympic Trials and advanced to the semifinals of the Olympics.
A top-three finish in the finals would qualify Mackay for the World Championships, to be held Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo.
Mackay was joined in the 1500 prelims by two other former state champions from fellow Section 4 school Corning-Painted Post who were both also All-Americans at the college level.
Lindsey Butler, a national champion at Virginia Tech, had the 13th-fastest time of 4:07.59. She was fifth in heat one and faster than two qualifiers for the final. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three-fastest times, advanced to the final.
Jessica (Lawson) McGorty was 29th-fastest in 4:16.37. She was an All-American at Stanford.
Mackay, Butler and McGorty ran in separate heats.
Stokes 12th in prelims
In the men's 3000 steeplechase, Stokes posted the 12th-fastest prelim time and was among 16 competitors to qualify for the final.
Stokes turned in a time of 8:22.6, which put him sixth in the first of two heats. The top five runners from each heat, along with the next four-fastest times, advanced to the final.
He was the NCAA champion in the 3000 steeplechase last year at Georgetown.
How to watch Mackay and Stokes in the finals
The final of the women's 1500 is scheduled for 5:03 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Aug. 2.
The 3000 steeplechase final is set for a 5:49 p.m. Eastern start Aug. 2.
NBC will provide coverage from 4 to 6 p.m. Live streaming will be available on USATF.TV, a pay service.
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Former Section 4 stars compete in prelims at USA Track Championships
Category: General Sports
