State qualifier paces Hewlett

Led by its first state qualifier in more than 25 years, Hewlett’s boys’ cross-country team enjoyed a tremendous year capped by a regular-season division title and runner-up finish to Manhasset in the Nassau Conference III championship meet.

“The boys ran great and did their part,” Bulldogs coach Stephen Honerkamp said. “Manhasset’s top five just ran a little better.”

Senior Neil Cohen, who has the University of Pittsburgh and Northeastern University on his radar, paced Hewlett by qualifying for the state meet. He placed 18th in the Section VIII championships/state qualifier on Nov. 6 at Bethpage State Park, completing the 5K course in 16-minutes, 47.8-seconds, one week after logging third place in the conference race with the identical time. “Neil ran in pretty good company,” Honerkamp said. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment to make the state meet. I’m proud he got there.”

While Cohen picked up All-County accolades, Brian Chambers, Lamar Letts and Rodrigo Ulloa were All-Conference by virtue of their Top 15 finishes in the conference meet. Chambers, a sophomore, was ninth in 17:47.1, Letts, a junior, was 13th in 18:08.7, and Ulloa, another sophomore, was 15th in 18:14.9. Freshman Dmitry Baptiste, who won six races during the year, battled an injury down the stretch but still managed 18th place in the conference meet and All-Division honors.

As for the Lady Bulldogs, sophomore Nicole Fudrini emerged late in the season and “took her talent to a new level” at the conference championships, Honerkamp said. She placed sixth in the meet with a personal-best time of 21:27.6, gaining All-Conference status in the process. 

Senior Marsha Cohen’s hard work over the summer paid off. She shaved more than two minutes off her time from 2009 and was All-Division after placing 23 rd in the conference race in 22:51.1. Rounding out the top five were sophomore Amanda Kaufman, freshman Shana Farkas and sophomore Liza Ganz.

“All five girls ran well,” Honerkamp said. “We’re hoping the performance is a springboard to a good winter track season.”