Rausch sets pace for Oceanside

Senior Ryan Rausch set the pace this spring for Oceanside’s boys’ track and field team, finishing second in the Nassau Class AAA championship and the state qualifier meets in the mile.

“Ryan peaked at the right time,” Sailors coach Mitch Bickman said. “He’s been a strong runner in past years and he broke through as a senior. He had a successful winter and carried it over to the spring.”

Rausch set a personal best in the 1,600-meter event at the county meet May 24 at Cold Spring Harbor, placing second behind Calhoun’s Tim Campbell with a time of 4-minutes, 24.3 seconds to earn All-County honors. Campbell was just a few strides ahead of Rausch, who pushed to the front during the second lap and nearly held off all challengers. 

“I know Ryan was very happy with his last two weeks,” Bickman said. “He was also the leader of our 4 x 800 relay.”

Oceanside senior Charles Artino was fourth in Class AAA in the Shot Put with a top throw of 46-feet, 11-inches. He came less than an inch away from All-County honors and made huge strides since last winter, Bickman said. “Charles had a great spring,” he said. “His goal last winter was to break 40 feet. This winter he came up to 44 and decided to stick with track for the outdoor season. He got better and better and is headed to Molloy College.”

Also headed to Molloy is senior Michael Pignotti, who specializes in the Pole Vault. Injuries and limited practice time hindered Pignotti’s spring, but he still cleared the bar at 10-6 at the county meet and was in the 12-foot range all year. “He has great technique and a strong upper body,” Bickman said of Pignotti. 

Freshman Brian Benesch was one of many underclassmen able to impress in their first varsity season, Bickman said. Benesch is following in the footsteps of his brother Jeff, a recent Oceanside graduate who excelled in cross-country and distance events. Brian was sixth in Class AAA in the 1,600 in 4:34.0 and ninth in the 3,200 in 10:08.2. Both times shattered his previous personal bests. “Brian has an outstanding work ethic and a bright future,” Bickman said.

Sophomore Robert Kelly and freshman Joseph Kocaj both broke five minutes in the mile and are expected to be factors on the cross-country course in the fall. Seniors Jordan Carelus, who led the Sailors in the 400 meter run, and Nigel Ulmer, who was the team’s top hurdler, were also steady contributors throughout the campaign.

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