Wantagh track teams thrive

The Wantagh boys and girls track & field teams thrived in championship meets this spring.

Eight Warrior athletes achieved personal records at the Nassau Class AA Championships on May 23 at Glen Cove High School. Eleven Warriors also earned All-Division honors after placing in the top three for their respective events at the Division 3A Championship on May 15 at Hewlett High School.

“The coaches are extremely proud of all of their athletes for making fantastic progress throughout this spring season and most of all for coming together as a team,” Wantagh girls coach Kristen Ford said. 

Noel Polack earned All-County honors in the 100-meter hurdles with a third place finish at the counties. The girls 4x400 meter relay with Bella Delacruz, Casey O’Connor, Tess Duignan and Stephanie Tracy placed second at the county meet and were within five seconds of breaking the school record after placing first in the division championships. Three other athletes qualified for the New York State qualifier meet held at North Shore High School including James McVeigh (3200 meters), Savannah Palas (shot put) and Brian Tretter (discus).

“This year’s team was filled with amazing hardworking athletes and it is amazing to see them all improve,” Wantagh boys coach Patrick Frazer. “Every one of our athletes showed improvement throughout the season and it is all because of their amazing work ethic.”

Duignan shined at the division meet with a first place in the 800 meters and 4x400 meter relay. Bryan Murphy also placed first in the 800 meters to earn a division championship. All-Division honors were also rewarded to Manny Putrino, Kyle Graham, McVeigh, Tracy, O’Connor, Polack, Palas, Tretter and Delacruz. 

“Track is a special sport where it is cut and dry if you improved throughout the season,” Frazer said. “You just have to look at the clock or measuring tape.”

The coaches fostered close relationships with many of Wantagh’s track & field athletes throughout the 2016-17 school year since a large number also compete in cross country in the fall and indoor track during the winter.

“The amazing thing about track and field is that many of these athletes we get to work with for one season into the next,” Frazer said.

Ford credited the leadership of the graduating seniors who helped guide Wantagh to success on and off the track. Four seniors will be competing at the collegiate level next year including Rocco Piccirillo (Marist), Grace Sullivan (Washington & Lee), Charlie Dohert (Manhattanville) and McVehigh (University of Tampa.) 

“They made a considerable impact on the Wantagh track & field program,” said Ford of the senior class.  “They have set a high standard for our future track athletes and will be missed.”