H-ton Coach Named
LI Track Athlete of Year
Shawn Anderson practices what he preaches. After a sensational year of training and competing, the Huntington High School alum and Blue Devil coach has been named Long Island Track & Field’s Open Male Athlete of the Year.
Anderson is the head coach of Huntington’s boys’ cross country and girls’ spring track teams and the assistant coach of the girls’ winter track squad. He’s a resource for both girls’ and boys’ teams during all three sports seasons.
A member of Huntington’s Class of 2001, Anderson enjoys training and competing. The past 12 months have been his “best year yet in terms of competition, training and results,” Anderson said. “I won a number of track and road races over the summer and set personal bests in the mile (4:30), 10k (36:25) and marathon (2:55).”
Anderson can often be seen running along Huntington’s roadways. “I still compete, but really just do it for fun,” he said. “After high school, I ran for two years at Monmouth University, but never really had that drive to succeed. I took a lot of time off and six years ago I was 185 lbs.” That’s 45-50 lbs. heavier than he currently weighs, depending on what he chooses for his racing weight.
The Huntington alum earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice at Monmouth in 2005. Anderson is currently studying full-time for a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Molloy College and using his remaining athletic eligibility on the track team there. “We just set a school record in the distance medley relay, on which I ran the 800 leg and got close to breaking two minutes again in the 800, running 2:00.8.” Huntington track stars Ellyn and Tara Byrnes and Taylor Moreno went to watch their coach compete.
When Anderson completes his Molloy College graduate program in social studies and special education for grades 7-12, he will possess state teaching certification. It’s an achievement he’s looking forward to.
Over the years, Anderson has enjoyed fruitful relationships with Dennis Walker, his high school track coach at Huntington, Director of Athletics Georgia McCarthy and current coaching colleagues Ron Wilson and Debra Cheskes. He’s always looking to improve himself and help the athletes he works with in any way possible.
“The truth is, the reason I train is to lead by example for our athletes,” Anderson said. “Coaching, more than anything, has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience in my life. I honestly don’t think I would have had the success last year that I did if it wasn’t for the Huntington athletic program and the opportunities afforded me as an athlete and coach. Georgia and Coaches Wilson and Cheskes have believed in me and given me the opportunity to blossom as a coach and Coach Walker has been a mentor to me ever since I was little. For that I am thankful.”
LI Track and Field presented Anderson with his award at the organization’s annual banquet at the Hofstra University Club. The event drew dozens of track officials, coaches and athletes.