Hannon runs state’s fastest 100

There’s nothing like second chances.

Just weeks after being disqualified in the 100-meter final at the Nassau championships, Valencia Hannon, a junior at Elmont Memorial High School, won the women’s 100-meter race at the state championships, which were held in Rochester on June 11. Hannon ran the 100 in 11.88 seconds — a personal career record, as well as this year’s fastest state 100 time. Hannon also won in the 100 at last year’s state meet.

The current state record is 11.4, set in 1997 by Keyon Soley, of Uniondale.

“I just focused on swinging my arms and lifting my feet,” Hannon said about the race. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy; I knew I had to execute.”

After coming off of the blocks, Hannon was behind other lead 100-meter runners — including Klarissa Ricks, a senior at the Academy of the Holy Names, and close competitor of Hannon’s. Ricks was in the lead in the beginning of the race, but Hannon picked up speed midway through, and inched beyond her.

“I finished much stronger than I started,” Hannon said. “I was just focusing on my lane and on what I had to do.”

Valencia’s mother, Veronica, ran along the sideline during the race, rooting her on. “I think if they would have timed (Veronica), she would have been clocked at 11.88,” said Hannon’s father, Doug Hannon, laughing. He added that Hannon was “blown away” when she saw her time, after finishing the race. “She put so much time into training for this one race,” he added.

Hannon’s parents and older sister, Valentina, Elmont residents, attended the meet.

In addition to the state meet, Hannon won first place in the 100 at the state qualifier in Westbury on June 2, running in 11.94 seconds, as well as the 200 in 24.37.

Instead of running the 200 at the state finals, Hannon purposely false started so that she could be disqualified from the race, and better prepare for the 100. A false start was necessary because, at state, runner’s aren’t permitted to pull themselves out of any scheduled races unless they are pulled from every race.