Saturday’s meet marks the 28th edition of the U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center and includes some of the country’s and region’s top high school performers. Photos by John Nepolitan.

  NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 7, 2022 – The U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games, one of the nation’s largest and most recognizable indoor high school track meets, will take place this Saturday at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center. 

  The 28^th Annual U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games has been condensed to one day due to Friday’s snowstorm. All events are scheduled to take place on Saturday (Jan. 8).

  “We’re anticipating a very exciting and especially busy U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games this Saturday including   showcasing many of the region’s and country’s premier high school track & field student-athletes,” Armory Foundation Co-President Rita Finkel said. “Each indoor season the U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games is always circled on The Armory’s calendar as one of our biggest and most anticipated meets.”

  The U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games is high in energy and tradition with numerous athletes posting U.S. #1 marks each year. The mile races at this year’s meet will be one of only two chances for athletes to automatically qualify for the junior mile at the prestigious 114th Millrose Games later this month.

Many of the country’s top-ranked student-athletes are competing in the U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games, including:

 Boys

·           Gavin Sherry - Conard (CT): Eastbay Cross Country bronze medalist. US#1 outdoor 1600 for 2021 outdoor season. Running invitational mile.

·          Fitzroy Ledgister - St Peter's Prep (NJ): US#6 55m 6.38 at Energice Hall of Fame Invitational. Attempting to break NJ 55m state record of 6.26 set in 2011.

 Girls

·          Daphne Banino - Ursuline School (NY): NY#2 at 1000 meters. Eastbay Cross Country Finalist. Running Invitational mile,

·         Elise Cooper - McDonough School (MD): US#5 among freshmen for 55m.

Each year, the Air Force honors the Leaders of Tomorrow, 10 area student-athletes who excel in the classroom. This year’s U.S. Air Force Leaders of Tomorrow recipients are:

·              Jose Perez                               Manhattan Center for Math & Science HS

·              Fernando Diaz                        Susan Wagner HS (Staten Island)

·              Chrysanthemum Osorio          Dewitt Clinton HS (Bronx)

·              James Winston                        High School for Math, Science & Engineering (Manhattan)

·              Dijonay Carty                         Hempstead HS

·             Arielle Smith                          Medgar Evers College Preparatory School (Brooklyn)

·             Sergio Marroquin                   Martin Van Buren HS (Queens)

·             Kianna Reyes                          Holy Cross HS (Queens)

·             Kevin Colon                           Cardinal Hayes HS (Bronx)

·             Brinesha Derrick-Bain            Bishop Loughlin HS (Brooklyn)

“We are excited to partner with the Armory Foundation for another U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games. This is a privileged opportunity to observe and support the future leaders of America,” said Major Jason Wyche, Chief of the National Events Branch within Air Force Recruiting Service. “The hard times our country has faced over these past years cannot deter the competitiveness and resilience of the athletic youth. To be a part of such an amazing program that inspires so many young adults is an honor for the U.S. Air Force.” 

The U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games was created in 1994 to honor the Latino community and culture of the Washington Heights neighborhood. Washington Heights has one of the most vibrant Dominican American communities in the United States, and has produced notable cultural figures such as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cardi B.

The meet is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Complete information about the U.S. Air Force Hispanic Games, including reserved seating and the entire meet schedule, is available by clicking HERE. 

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.com or Armory.NYC.

About The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory – the proud home of the Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the U. S. Air Force Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoor, the Energice Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Marine Corps Holiday Classic. New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the Columbia & NewYork – Presbyterian Indoor Marathon Team Relay presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.com.

About Air Force Recruiting Service

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win - airpower anytime, anywhere. AFRS is looking to inspire, engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen to preserve the security of America. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.

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