by Jeff Benjamin
Robbie Andrews, photo by PhotoRun.net
This is a busy weekend of track & field. On Saturday, February 18, 2017, the Ocean Breeze AC will host its first elite meet. As Jeff Benjamin notes, the meet is the beginning of small steps to bring a fine meet to the Ocean Breeze.
Two years ago, a world-class indoor facility came to Staten Island. Throughout that time, the Ocean Breeze Indoor Track and Field facility (under the stewardship of Lou Vazquez and Lauren Primerano) has hosted thousands of athletes from the youth up to the elite level. However, this upcoming Saturday’s Ocean Breeze Gran Prix is truly unique, in that it will gather athletes together in a first ever elite track and field meet, something never seen before in the facility or the borough itself.
Although small in scope, the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix is being set up as a potential springboard to develop over the next few years into a Top-Level, larger competition. But, as word has spread throughout the nation of the outstanding facility, some of those Elite Athletes have decided that the time to come is now. These athletes include Robby Andrews, Mikey Brannigan, Andrew Wheating and Sam Penzenstadler, among others, in the Bill Welsh Mile, which is considered to be the marquee event of the night.
Complete fields are listed here
http://www.oceanbreezenyc.org/sports/2017/2/14/2017-ocean-breeze-fields-announced.aspx?path=gp
For the first time, the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix will bring some of the world’s best track and field athletes to Staten Island, offering fans, athletes and spectators alike, the chance to get an up-close view of an elite track & field competition as well as some local fan favorites.
With a prize purse of over $30,000, the event will feature elite events for both men and women including: 60m dash, 60m hurdles, 300m dash, 600m dash, 1000m dash, mile Run, 4x800m relay as well as the pole vault and high jump.
In addition to the elite events, the schedule will also include the historically charged CHSAA George T. Eastment Boys 4x800m relay. Eastment was an outstanding coach at Manhattan College and Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn. The annual relay has been run since 1945 and the memorial rotating trophy, presented by the Manhattan College Alumni Spiked Shoe Club is awarded to the winner.
Local fans, in St. Peter’s will not only have a rooting interest but the Eagles, having posted the fastest time in the country at Ocean Breeze in early January are the pre-meet favorite. St. Peter’s is attempting recapture the trophy and bring it back to Staten Island for the first time since it last won in 1998 at Madison Square Garden.
Youth athletes ages 8-and-under will also be competing in the 55-meter dash for the title of “Fastest Boy” and “Fastest Girl” titles.
Ocean Breeze Grand Prix tickets are currently available online to purchase. General admission Tickets are $10 and general admission VIP ducats can be purchases for $40. (VIP includes premium seating and additional viewing platforms, drinks, and appetizers).
General Admission Super VIP are $100 and includes premium seating and additional viewing platforms, drinks and appetizers, as well as a meet and greet at the conclusion of the meet at the South Finn Bar and Grill).
General Admission is first-come, first-serve seating in the grandstand. For additional information including event schedule, awards, and hotels please visit the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix meet home page at http://oceanbreezenyc.org/news/2017/1/21/track-field-ocean-breeze-grand-prix-information-now-available.aspx#
You can also contact Jeff Benjamin at 1-917-692-8922.
