Rob DeFilippis took Kevin Bryne and Molly McNamara up to the New York Armory “looking for something special.”
He and his Red Bank Catholic runners got it Saturday at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational.
Bryne turned in the fastest 1,000-meter run in the country this winter, 2:26.78, and McNamara broke her own Monmouth County record.
Byrne’s mark is the 18th fastest all-time in the country.
“He’s dialed in,” DeFilippis said of Byrne. “The 1,000 is tailor made for him. It’s right in his wheelhouse.”
Byrne, a junior who has run the fastest 800 in the state (1:56.40), followed Zavon Watkins of Liverpool, N.Y., through consistent 29+ second quarters for the first 800 meters. Then, he ripped off a 28-second in the last 200 to beat Watkins (2:27.59) for one of the biggest wins of his career.
It has been a big indoor season for Byre. Besides his state-leading 1:56.40, he’s run 4:19.76 for the mile (fourth fastest in the state). At the Millrose Games on Jan. 29, his 1:56 anchor split brought RBC’s 4×800 team up to fourth place in the Metro 4×800 Relay.
McNamara lowered her own 1K record at the Armory when she finished third in the girls 1,000 (2:53.43). She took three seconds off her old mark set last year. Her time is No. 3 in the country for 2010.
“It was a good weekend of 1,000s,” said DeFilippis.
McNamara has also had a very good indoor season. Her 2:15.75 for 800 meters is No. 10 nationally.
Next, Byrne and McNamara will turn their attention to winning state titles at the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championships at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River. The meet was originally set for Friday (Feb. 12),but, last weekend’s major snowstorm pushed back the dates of the state sectional championships to this weekend. The Non- Public A State meet has been rescheduled to Feb. 19.
Bryne will focus on the 800 at the State meet. McNamara will run the 800/1,600 double for the Caseys who have a chance to win the state title.
DeFilppis listed Immaculate Heart, Monsignor Donovan and Pope John as the other Non-Public contenders.
The Meet of Champions is now Feb. 27 in Toms River.