The Huntington girls’ track and field team keeps cranking it up one notch at a time as the Blue Devils work toward hitting their full stride.
Huntington turned in a well-balanced showing at the Red Raider Relays at North Rockland High School in Theils, NY. Competing in weather that included a mix of almost everything, Huntington’s athletes performed well. “We had an amazing two days,” head coach Shawn Anderson said.
Many of the Blue Devils nailed personal bests, including Jolena Smith, who tossed the shot put 32-01.25 feet for 13th place in a field of 68. Anna Gulizio notched a best when she won her 400m dash heat in 59.66 seconds, placing eighth in a field of 141 runners.
Nicole Abbondandelo continues to rebound nicely from an injury. The teenager finished 11th in a field of 37 in the 3200m run in a time of 11:33.27. Measuring almost two full miles in distance, the event tested the junior, who has been enjoying a solid return to the track. It was her first time running a 3200m race she coming back.
In other highlights:
1600m run: Louise Koepele raced to a season best time of 5:34.
Long jump: The wind and cold seemed to have a bit of an impact on the total results, but Rebecca Caballero and Marina Ruzic competed well, placing third and sixth, respectively. Caballero jumped 15-03 feet while Ruzic hit 14-11.
100m high hurdles: Caballero finished in a season best time of 17.88.
Pole vault: Mackenzie Joseph and Alexandra McKenzie both cleared eight feet.
Frsoh/Soph discus: Nephar Durand tossed 83-04 feet which placed her third in a tough field. Frosh/Soph triple jump: Mackenzie Joseph placed second overall with a leap of 32.75 feet. Sophie Dellecave was right behind in fourth place with an effort that measured 31-04 feet.
Frosh/Soph shot put: Nephar Durand clinched first place with a final throw of 31-09.50 feet, outdistancing the runner-up by more than one foot. .
Frosh/Soph distance medley relay: (800m-200m-400m-1600m) The team of Keily Rivas, Mackenzie Joseph, Sophie Dellecave and Hadley Clayton placed sixth in a time of 10:01.
High jump: Anna Gulizio turned in a stellar performance, clearing 4-10 feet to tie for third place. “Her approaches at five feet were very solid,” Anderson said.
Triple jump: Rebecca Caballero and Anna Gulizio matched each other jump for jump with Gulizio eventually finishing fourth (33-08.25 feet) and Caballero taking fifth (33-05 feet).
Discus: Jolena Smith took sixth place with a throw of 94-03 feet.
Distance medley relay: (1200m-400m-800m-1600m) The Huntington team of Alexis Pastorelli, Marina Ruzic, Louise Koepele and Nicole Abbondandelo took fifth place with a very solid time of 13:07.
“Despite having some off-weather at points, it turned out to be a great meet,” Anderson said. “This is April and we are already turning what would be worthy for season ending performances. As we build for the rest of the season, it will be exciting to see how everyone looks to improve and step up.”
