Lionel Williams, a senior track star at St. Peter’s in Staten Island, broke the 19-year-old national Catholic high school record in the 800 meters yesterday, running 1:52.29 at the third annual Marine Corps Holiday Classic at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory.

His time was three-hundredths of a second faster than the previous record (1:52.32), set in 1987.

In addition to being a meet record, Williams’ time was the fastest posted in the country this year, the fourth best in the history of the state, and the 16th fastest in U.S. history.

Police commissioner Ray Kelly and former mayor David Dinkins, both former Marines, were in attendance.