Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hewlett’s girls track and field team cemented its status as one of Nassau County’s premier programs this spring, capturing its second consecutive Section VIII Class AA outdoor championship.
The Bulldogs piled up 116 points at Roslyn High School on May 18 to outdistance runner-up Garden City (85) and complete a sweep of the 2026 county titles after also winning the Nassau Class AA indoor championship in February.
“It was just a great day from start to finish,” Hewlett coach Stephen Honerkamp said. “I think we ended up winning the first four events, which really set the tone.”
Junior distance standout Valeria Paez led the charge with a perfect 30-point performance, becoming the first Hewlett athlete to accomplish the feat at the county meet. Paez captured titles in the 1500-meter run, 2000m steeplechase and 3000m run.
Honerkamp praised Paez’s team-first mentality throughout the season.
“Just an unselfish, talented kid,” he said.
Paez took control of the 1500 around the midway point and pulled away for a victory of more than four seconds. She later dominated the 3000, moving into first around the sixth split before winning by roughly 26 seconds. Her steeplechase victory completed a remarkable triple.
“I would say the 1500 because that was the hardest race,” Honerkamp said when asked which title impressed him the most. “Beating the two Garden City girls in the 1500 was a big deal.”
Senior sprint star Nylah Phillips added two county crowns, winning the 400-meter dash in 54.39 seconds, ahead of Friends Academy’s Ariana Madeira (55.64), and the 200-meter dash in 24.16, finishing .35 seconds ahead of Roosevelt’s Esmia Thomas.
“She was just primed and ready and really went after it,” Honerkamp said.
Sophomore Jada Lawrence claimed the 400-meter hurdles title in 1:07.13, more than two seconds ahead of Bethpage’s Felicity Nuzzi. Lawrence also teamed with Phillips, Emily Piatrowski and Grace Kennedy to win the 4x100-meter relay in just under 50 seconds.
In the field events, senior Maree Dayling and junior Mila Profiloski delivered a crucial one-two finish in the pole vault. Dayling cleared 9 feet, 4 inches to take first, while Profiloski was second at 8-6.
The Bulldogs also received a major boost from junior Janae Lanos, who earned second-place finishes in the 100-meter hurdles and triple and long jumps.
Hewlett’s success continued at last week’s state qualifier where Paez and Phillips earned trips to the state championships. Paez shattered the school record in the 800 meters by three seconds with a time of 2:15.26, while Phillips qualified in the 400 with a time of 55.64.
“Nylah’s got a chance of winning states, and Valeria has a chance of getting on the podium,” Honerkamp said.
