Blue Devil Girls' are League Co-Champs
The Huntington High School girls' track and field team knew it needed to win, but the pressure didn't bother the squad one bit as the Blue Devils toppled visiting Islip on Senior Day, 110-40.
The victory improved Huntington's mark to 5-1 and gave it a share of the Suffolk League V title. "The girls, assistant coaches and I are all very excited," said Jennifer Fudens, the Blue Devils' head coach.
Raynisha Witherspoon, Michelle Clearveaux and Joellen Ceide swept the shot put. Witherspoon, Clearveaux and Nina Cartwright also captured the top three places in discus to give Huntington an avalanche of points in the two events.
"The girls knew going into this meet that if we won we would be co-champs of our league," Fudens said. "There was a lot of pressure, but the girls were ready to run with pride and run for their team."
Savannah Richardson returned with a vengeance from a back injury, winning the triple jump by soaring 30'1.25 and grabbing second place in the high jump with a leap of 4'6. Jennifer Polster won the long jump by flying 15'5.25 through the air and also crossed the line first in the 100m high hurdles by covering the distance in 18.1 seconds.
In an impressive show of dominance, Suzie Petryk took first place in both the 1500m and 3000m runs. Alexandra Koumas placed in both the 800m and 1500 meter runs, gaining four points for Huntington.
Jontae Smith made her Senior Day count by setting new personal records in both the 200m and 400m runs. The teenager broke 60 seconds in the 400m, a season-long goal, by clocking in at 59.6 seconds for first place. She was second in the 200m in a time of 27.1 seconds.
Senior Katie Healy also sparkled on her big day. She won the 400m hurdles in 70.6 seconds and set a new personal record of 64.4 seconds in the 400m, good for third place in the event.
Sprinter Latoya Shand took first place in both the 100m and 200m dashes in times of 13.0 seconds and 27.0 seconds, respectively. Maliyah Davis, Nina Cartwright and Catherine Koumas captured first, second and third places in pole vault. Christine Simpson and China Celestin took first and third, respectively in the race walk. Kiara Roman came back strong in the 3000M to grab third place.
Huntington's 4x100m relay team of Samantha Glicker, Latoya Shand, Maliyah Davis and Jennifer Polster finished first in its best time of the season. Seniors Adelia Witt, Jontae Smith and Katie Healy, along with sophomore Rachel Boisclair took first place in the 4x400m relay in the team's best time this spring.
"We are all so proud of the girls," said Fudens, who is assisted by Kevin Thorbourne. "They worked hard all season long and overcame many obstacles. We had a great group of seniors leading the team and coaches that were dedicated to the success of the team."
Huntington's girls' track and field program continues to strengthen and establish a deep pool of talent. The Blue Devils are highly competitive and team members have shown a willingness to train hard in their respective events.
As a head coach, I could not be happier with the performance of the team and the heart that they have shown since day one," Fudens said. "In those crucial moments where we needed girls to step up, they always did. They ran, jumped and threw their hearts out this season and it showed!"