Lady Spartans tear up track

Nassau Class A champions Treyanna McKinney and Uzoamaka Aniagba are just two of nine girls set to represent county runner-up Valley Stream North at the state meet this Friday and Saturday at Vestal High School.

McKinney, a senior, took the 100 High Hurdles in the county and state qualifier meets, edging Wheatley’s Ariel Friedman each time, and also led off the Lady Spartans’ winning 4 x 100 relay at the qualifier on June 3 at Westbury High School.

“Treyanna is a great all-around athlete who quietly goes about her business,” coach Mike Frazer said. “It was nice redemption for her. She’s got quite a rivalry going with the Wheatley girl, who beat her at counties last year. Treyanna won by a few strides this time.”

Frazer has high hopes for the sprint relay, which in addition to McKinney, includes juniors Chell Burke and Samantha Staffa and sophomore Shanice Johnson. Their time at the state qualifier was 50.75 seconds. “We’re looking for a medal,” he said.

Johnson was North’s leading point producer during the regular season, which saw the team compile a perfect 14-0 meet record and win its sixth straight conference title. She was the Class A runner-up in the 200 (25.7) and 400 (1:00.3) and finished third in the 100 (12.6). “She has a lot of talent and hates to lose,” Frazer said. “She’s so competitive.” Johnson, Staffa, junior Danielle Berman and sophomore Angelique Jean-Charles comprise the 4 x 400 headed to Vestal.

Under the watchful eye of throwing coach Pat Frazer, the Lady Spartans took first, third and fifth in the event at the county championships. Aniagba, a junior, has been rising up the shot put ranks since last spring and won the Class A title with a heave of 37-feet, 5.5-inches. “She made a huge improvement from last year when she was throwing in the 33’s,” Mike Frazer said. Junior Sarah Craig earned All-County (top three) in the shot (third place) and discus (runner-up) after winning the shot title during the winter season, and sophomore Ariel Desir placed fifth.