Blue Devil Boys’ Track Back in Big Way
The Huntington boys’ track and field team made the most of its first home meet in several years by streaking by Rocky Point, 97-35 before a small crowd on a chilly afternoon.
The Blue Devils were forced off their own track for a period of several years due to the deteriorating condition of the facility. But, with a new synthetic surface installed and striped, Huntington is back and in a big way.
Against Rocky Point, Quillian Respass won the 100m (11.4 seconds) and 200m (23.5) sprints to pace the Blue Devils. Chris Glasser captured the 110 high hurdles in 16.2 seconds and took the 400 intermediate hurdles in 1:02.3. Stevens Merilan swept to victory in the 400m dash in 53.3 and Brian Cotter easily won the 1600m in 5:10, a full 18 seconds ahead of his nearest opponent.
“The weather was a bit cold, but our athletes were still able to show off in front of the crowd,” Huntington head coach Ron Wilson said. “It was a great performance by all.”
Walter Stephens looked impressive in taking the triple jump (38’7.5”) and the high jump (5.0 feet) and Fritz Barreau bested teammate Eric Santos in the shot put, 44’6 – 41’. Santos won the discus with a throw of 135’5”.
Huntington’s Josh Daves edged teammate Jake Gayle in the long jump by three inches with a leap of 19’3.5”. Rookies Eric Szilagy and Chris Sandoval also shined. Szilagy finished second in the triple jump and 1600m run and Sandoval was second in the discus.
The 4 x 100 relay team of Josh Daves, Emmanuel Dume, Gayle and Respass finished first in 46 seconds flat. The 4 x 400 relay team of David Acton, Cotter, Glasser and Merilan also crossed the line first, finishing in a swift 3:48. Dylan Payne, Stevenson Gabriel, Szilagy and Nick Thompson placed second in the 4 x 800 relay in 10 minutes even.
Blue Devil Notes: Dume finished one-tenth of a second behind Respass in the 100m dash and was third in the 200m dash. . . Daves was one-tenth behind Respass in the 200m dash and was third in the 100m dash . . . Barreau was third in the discus . . . Sharif Jarvis was third in the 3200m run . . . Payne was third in the 1600m run to give Huntington a sweep in the event . . . Hector Vega was third in the 110m high hurdles . . . It was Huntington’s first home meet in about four years according to Wilson.
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