New Paltz High School’s Dagi Tadesse captured a gold medal at this weekend’s New York State Athletic Association track and field championships. Tadesse became the school’s first track state champion since Cora Butler five years ago. Tadesse cleared a school record 15-0 in the pole vault on his second jump to win the title. He eventually missed three time at 15-3. Tadesse joins a short list of New Paltz athletes who won State titles over the past 25 years — Jackie Seabrooks in the girls long jump, Alex Brown in the boys shot put, Steve Umbro in the boys 400 hurdles, Dan Busby in the boys 3000, Sean Bramley in the boys discus and Butler, who doubled in the girls long jump and triple jump.
And other than Tadesse, the Huguenots did quite well, as Blake Olsen finished fourth in the boys 400 hurdles in 56.03; Morgane Kuyl seventh in the girls 400 hurdles in 66.58; Tajay Pearse ninth in the boys 400 in 51.58; the girls 1600 relay team of Orla Clasby, Ana Kimber, Morgane Kuyl and Danielle Wilson seventh in 4:05.89; and Kaela Santos 12th in the girls shot put with 33-3 1/4 and 13th in the discus with 88-4.
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