Oceanside makes strides on track

Track and field is a unique endeavor, Oceanside girls’ track coach Aaron Greenspan says, because every competitor’s true opponent is the clock or tape measure. As in anything else, there is a distinction in finishing first or second or third, but real achievement is measured in minutes and seconds and fractions of seconds. Runners assess their performances in loftier terms; they simply want to run as well as they possibly can every time they come out of the blocks, and it’s the clock that tells the tale. In other words, they repeatedly race against time.

In this way both the girls’ and boys’ Oceanside track teams had a very successful seasons. Most runners achieved personal bests in their events, the teams improved as their respective seasons progressed and both peaked at the end of the season. 

“You can’t discount improvement,” Greenspan said, and improvement was one of the goals he had for his team. “The thing we try to do is get the kids to understand how to improve. It’s a process.”

Junior Katie Ryan, the team’s best distance runner, led the way on the girls’ side. After a strong season she finished in sixth place in the state qualifying meet in the 1500-meter and in fifth place in the 800-meter. The Lady Sailors also got contributions from Laura Dwyer (400-meter hurdles), Kayla Davenport (800-meter), Rachel Goldstein (sprints and triple jump) and Jazmine Palmer (shot put). In all, 66 girls participated. Greenspan said that in addition to showing continual improvement, the team is working towards another goal: being competitive in each of the 17 events in track and field.

“There is an intrinsic value to running track,” he said. “Most of the kids who run track grew up playing another sport. I’m so pleased with the progress they’ve made.”

It was much the same on the boys’ side, where the Sailors got contributions from several athletes. Over 50 kids participated, among them Cam Kelly (mile and steeple), Joe Kocak (800-meter), Marc Butterman (200-meter and 400-meter) and Brian Benesch. Butterman, a senior, earned all-county honors and also achieved a personal best when he broke the 50-second barrier in the 400-meter. Benesch earned All-Division accolades and also anchored the Sailors 4-x-800 relay team, which also included Richard Gold, Carlton Hyde and Gracias Claude. Benesch started the season by winning the 1,600 in a tri-meet with Uniondale and Freeport on April 17. He also led the 4-x-800 relay team to victory. Junior Ryan Hayes is a shot putter with potential.

Like Greenspan, Sailors coach Mitch Bickman liked what he saw from his team. “They are a close-knit group of guys and then did well this season,” Bickman said.