“Around the Oval’’ Another State Mark at Ocean Breeze as Classical’s May Stern Aces the 400

R.I. Track & Field Foundation

     31 Jan. – One more Rhode Island state indoor record has fallen at the two-day Ocean Breeze Invitational on Staten Island, N.Y. (The Central High boys’ 4×400 relay set a new SR the day before.) On Sunday, Classical High senior May Stern won the girls’ 400 meters in 55.41 seconds. That time betters the previous standard of 56.30, set by Stern’s former teammate Maddy Berkson at the 2013 New Balance Indoor National Championships.

     In the Ocean Breeze race, Stern outkicked No. 3 U.S.-ranked D’Jai Baker, of Benjamin Cardozo High, who clocked in at 55.63 for second place in a 10-runner field. Stern’s previous-best quarter time was 56.60.

     “It’s one of the best tracks I’ve been to,’’ said Stern. “It’s banked and beautiful. Going in, I wasn’t sure what I was going to be able to do. The day before, I had helped my team win the [Headley] division championship. (Stern handily won the 300 meters in a time of 41.82).

     “I knew I was going against the best, but my main goal was to break the state record,’’ Stern said. “For the first lap I was in a pack of three, and as I passed the first lap mark I was in second. By the last curve I was neck with [Baker]. I passed her just as we reached the last straightaway.’’

     The Brown University-bound Stern is the defending state titlist in the 600 meters; a 1:38.22 at last year’s State Indoor Meet.