H-ton Boys’ Track Rebuilds with 47 Athletes

The Huntington varsity boys; spring track and field team rebuilt its ranks to 47 members, including 17 first time letter award recipients. The Blue Devils finished fifth in the county meet standings.

Coaches Ron Wilson, Eli Acost and captains Kyree Johnson and captains Eric Heinz, titan Elysee, Wilmer Benitez, Robbie Campbell, Matthew Ross and Banny Soc Concua led the team.

“We were a young, less experienced team,” Wilson said. “The team worked hard during the week in practice and got better.”

Wilson offered his thoughts on the team’s top performers:

Robbie Campbell: (All-State in pentathlon; top events were 400m, triple jump, high jump, 4x400m relay) “He works extremely hard and in one season of pentathlon was one of the state’s top performers,” Wilson said. “He has great leadership abilities. The younger athletes follow his lead.”

Titan Elysee: (Top events were 110m high hurdles, 400m intermediate hurdles, long jump, 4x400 relay) “He was the top performing athlete on our team,” Wilson said. “He was unbeaten during both league competition in both the 110m high hurdles and the 400m intermediate hurdles.”

Eric Heinz: (Top events were 800m, 1600m pentathlon, 4x400m relay) “Eric is a sensational athlete that continues to thrill fans with his awesome performances,” Wilson said. “He does it all. He’s the hardest working athlete on the team. He won the elite Golden Buddha at the Loucks Invitational.”

Jean Riboul: (Top events were shot put and discus) “Jean was our top performing thrower,” Wilson said. “He’s hardworking and never quiet. We wish we have more of him.”

Both Campbell and Heinz qualified for the state meet in the Pentathlon. “They put together a great day of performances at the state qualifier, placing second in their respective events and hitting the state standard,” Wilson said.

Looking ahead to next spring, the coach said Huntington should return an experienced squad. “They went through some tough battles this year and should look to be ready to lead the charge for county and state titles,” Wilson said. “Campbell and Heinz both return. Adan Ntambwe, Michael Grover, Arturri Landau, Wilmer Benitez, Joe Rivers and Zach Matthews all return and should be competitive in their events.”