Repeat track titles for VSN

Clinging to a three-point lead heading into the final event of the girls’ competition at the Nassau Class B track and field championships at St. Anthony’s High School on Feb. 3, Valley Stream North’s 4 x 200 relay had just one concern: stay as close to North Shore as possible.

“We knew we had to finish no worse than one spot behind North Shore in the last event to win the county,” Lady Spartans coach Tim Boyens said. “It was pretty intense.”

Manhasset won the relay in convincing fashion, with Clarke second. North Shore’s third-place showing wasn’t enough to leapfrog VSN, which finished a stride behind the Lady Vikings to capture the team title by the narrowest of margins — 102-101.

“Some kids rise to the occasion under pressure, and some don’t,” Boyens said. “All of our girls stepped up. I thought we’d have a chance to win if we exceeded expectations a little and North Shore dropped a notch.”

Sophomores Brianna Gordon and Tyesha Irving, junior Sabrina D’Aulisa and senior Kimberly Jelich ran the 4 x 200 for the Lady Spartans, who repeated as Class B champs. “You have to be well-rounded to win it,” Boyens said. “Our girls were so motivated after North Shore barely beat us for the conference title.”

Senior Elaina Hobbs came up huge for VSN by scoring 28 points in the jumping events. She won the county title in the high jump and was the runner-up in the long jump and triple jump. “Elaina is such a gamer,” Boyens said. “She’s at her best at the biggest moments.”

Hobbs and junior Luz Nin will represent the Lady Spartans at the state championship meet at Cornell University on March 7.

North racked up 18 points both in the 1,500-meter race walk and the shot put. Nin was second in the race walk, followed by senior Chelsea Polanco and sophomore Tara Canny. In the shot put, sophomore Shantavia Destinoble was second, freshman Florencia Desir, third, and junior Gariele Emeran, fourth.

Junior Angeli Andre tied for second in the triple jump and finished third in the long jump, while junior Emily Martino scored in three events, including the 55 hurdles and 300. Martino, Jelich, senior Nanami Ellis and freshman Brianna Williams ran a 4 x 400 relay that placed second. Irving was runner-up in the 55 hurdles. 

“I think the boys were just as excited about the girls winning as they were themselves,” Boyens said. “The program is like one big family.”

In the boys’ competition, seniors Peter Wilk, Isaiah Page, Zavier Jean-Charles and TJ Magno all qualified for the state meet. Wilk, Page, Magno and classmate Jesse DiMeglio made up the winning 4 x 400 relay as the Spartans also repeated as county champions.

Page (55 hurdles), Jean-Charles (high jump) and junior Jarred Times (triple jump) captured titles. Wilk ran second in the 1,000 meters, Magno was second in the 600, senior Koby Altine placed second in the shot put (44 feet), and senior Stephan Jean-Charles was the runner-up in the long jump.