After suffering a hamstring injury as a freshman that also sidelined him for his sophomore year, Darrell Turner couldn't compete for the opportunity to qualify for a state championship bid.

"I just wanted to keep pushing," Turner said. "Whatever state you are in doesn't define who you are. The days do get better. If you keep working hard every day, you will make it eventually."

This year was a different story. The Baldwin junior sprinter couldn't let his injury derail his chances to compete again. So, throughout the season, he worked hard to get to where he is now.

"This year, I was lucky to learn from my past experiences," Turner said. "Right now, I focus on the present moment and what's going on, not the past. Each day, you have to worry about moving forward, not what happened in the past."

Turner won the 400 meters in 49.24 seconds on the first day of the Nassau boys outdoor track and field state qualifier Thursday at North Shore High School in Glen Head, punching his ticket to the state championships, scheduled for June 13-14 in Middletown. 

"I've been working hard all season," Turner said. "I love the town of Baldwin, and it feels good to represent them. We work hard, and that's what Baldwin's about."

He set a personal record by one second, making the victory extra sweet.

"I feel good, but the work is not done yet," Turner said. "It's time to make it to states and finish up the season."

Elsewhere, Patrick Coll of Island Trees won the 400 hurdles in 57.02, marking a return to the state championships.

"This is amazing. Even though I made it last year, I did it in a faster time this year," Coll said with a smile. "I'll be in a better heat at states, so hopefully, I can run faster."

After placing 11th at last year's state championships, Coll was down on himself because he felt he could've performed at a higher level. But now, with his confidence skyrocketing, the senior is certain he can leave his mark on the track one last time.

"I was disappointed last year," Coll said. "I feel like I'm better this year. Hopefully, I can [set a personal best], unlike last year."

He added: "I'm glad I am back. I'm better this year, stronger, and I feel like I ended on a stronger note."

Garden City's DJ McDonough won the 800 in 1:53:69.

"Knowing I can come back out here and be consistent with my time is a great feeling," McDonough said. "I'm really looking forward to racing some of the best 800 runners in the state, getting some good times, seeing some people I haven't seen in a while, and competing at the top level."

In the field, Uniondale's Molenson Jnmary won the triple jump (46-4), Herricks' Kenneth Ramdayal took the discus (166-5), and Syosset's Jonah Kim won the pole vault (14-0).