Abasolos lead Long Beach runners

Both the Long Beach boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams finished middle-of-the-pack in the Nassau Conference II championship meet at Bethpage State Park, placing seventh out of 14 schools.

“The boys performed up to their ability and we’d had a really young girls team do well,” coach Greg Milone said. “There was a lot to be pleased about.”

Junior Eric Abasolo and senior Shaun Bogart paced the Marines and finished 1-2 most of the year. Junior Peter Morelli, sophomore Christopher Rincon and junior Carlos Benavides rounded out the top five. The team went 8-5 during the regular season.

Abasolo was first to cross the line for Long Beach at the conference meet, finishing 28th in 18-minutes, 14.8-seconds. “Eric has fantastic work ethic and loves to compete,” Milone said.

Bogart, who was 42nd in the conference with a time of 18:41.5, “came alive this season” according to the coach. “He was as focused as I’ve ever seen him,” Milone said. “He was a great leader who led by example.”

Morelli (18:50.5), Rincon (18:58.6) and Benavides (19:45.6) all scored consistently for the Marines in regular-season meets.

“The boys didn’t qualify for the county meet, which was a goal, but they were competitive in every race,” Milone said.

With an influx of five freshmen, the Lady Marines went 7-6 during the regular season and set the tone for a bright future. They were led by freshman Joy Abasolo, Eric’s younger sister who placed an impressive 19th in the conference meet in 21:45.2. 

“Joy’s an intense competitor and was a consistent No. 1 for the girls’ team,” Milone said. “She looks effortless when she runs.”

Senior Megan Cabasino served as team captain and its No. 2 runner. She placed three spots behind Abasolo in the conference meet with a time of 22:27.0. Freshman Shelby Saroka was next in 24:06, followed by another freshman, Melissa Ward, in 24:21.5. As she did all year, senior Rainne He (25:35.5) finished in the top five to score for the Lady Marines.

“It’s exciting to see all the new faces on the girls’ team,” Milone said. “There’s a lot of potential.”