Takekoshi Paces Blue Devil Girls’ Cross Country
Debra Cheskes knew it wouldn’t be a championship season, not with so many rookies on the roster. Still, the Blue Devil girls’ cross country coach was pleased with the effort and individual results of her eight-member squad.
Huntington, which compiled a 1-5 record in dual meets, was captained by Gabriella Mitchell and led by Celine Takekoshi. The Blue Devils finished fourth in the Jim Smith Invitational, sixth in the Suffolk Coaches Invitational and 12th in the Suffolk Officials Invitational.
Through it all Takekoshi shined. The sophomore earned All-League and All-Division honors. Freshmen Margarent Petryk, Kerri-Ann Giambruno and Amber Lindner were also impressive.
Cheskes called Takekoshi “a natural talent” who “quickly moved herself to the top of the county.” She posted the seventh fastest three-mile time in school history with a 20:34.1 against Hauppauge.
Petryk enjoyed a strong finish to the season, with major improvements in his times over the last few weeks. Giambruno used the year to gradually master the 5K course at Sunken Meadow State Park.
Lindner, who is a three-season runner, was also a standout. Cheskes called her a “strong runner” and said “her conditioning will carry over into the winter and spring seasons to see her compete among the top runners.”
The highlight of the season came at the Nassau Coaches Invitational at Bethpage State Park as Takekoshi finished second in the sophomore race and Giambruno (5th), Lindner (12th) and Petryk (15th) were among the top freshmen runners.
“I expect all of the team to return,” Cheskes said. “With the addition of a new freshman class, the team should continue to improve and become more competitive.”
Blue Devil Notes: Six of the eight Blue Devil runners were freshmen . . . The squad also included Wilmarie Aviles, Nicole Caputo and Samantha Martinez . . . Sara Goldenbaum served as the team manager.
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