Track and Field has been a staple of the North Shore school district for almost 20 years. With a dominant 223-0 record in league meets since 2007, the girls’ varsity track and field team has been nothing short of a dynasty.
Neal Levy, head coach for the girls’ cross-country and track and field teams, took over the coaching job at North Shore in 2002. When he took over the program, there was only one girl on the cross-country team and no track and field teams. Levy said his athletic director challenged him to try and develop the program, and they haven’t slowed down since.
“I started at North Shore in fall of 2002 as the junior varsity soccer coach. When I started there was only one girl on the team, and they hadn’t separated the programs yet. There was one team,” Levy said. “The athletic director said to me if I get enough kids to come out for the team, they’ll separate the programs. That spring and the following winter we won the county championship, and from then on, we had enough kids and support, and they split the program, and I became the girls’ cross-country and track coach.”
Once the programs split, the dynasty began. The team struggled early but in 2006 the girls won their first county championship in cross-country. Since then, they have dominated, winning 17 county championships in 19 seasons with one second place finish during that stretch. Levy said motivation has gotten them to where they are today.
“Everyone always asks me what goes into practice and what we do here. The way I look at it is that I am not necessarily looking for the most talented child, I am looking for the most motivated,” Levy said. “I wasn’t a great runner in high school and had a coach in college give me a chance on a team and I take that same approach. I believe that anyone could be good with the right training over time."
During this historic run, Levy has been recognized by both Nassau County and New York state for the job he has done with both the girls’ cross-country and track and field teams. Levy received numerous coaching awards including the National Federation of State High School Association Section One Coach of the Year, and New York State Coach of the Year for cross-country.
Levy said the honor recognizes not just his success, but his continued dedication to both North Shore and the sport of cross-country in Nassau County.
“After winning the New York State Coach of the Year award, I was then nominated for the Northeast Coach of the Year award and I am currently waiting to hear back on that,” Levy said. “The award isn’t just based on the success, I am also the coordinator for Nassau County cross-country, I host a lot of track meets and give money to the Nassau-Suffolk Autism society.”
Success certainly does help Levy’s case, as he just won his 40th county championship at North Shore in 23 seasons. Chris Zublionis, the superintendent for the North Shore School District, said that the stability and leadership that Levy has brought to North Shore helped build this program to where it is now.
“He knows that it isn’t all about winning and that it is about developing these students, and I think he understands that process is important,” Zublionis said. “I call him the Bill Belichick of track, because he has really created a dynasty here.”
The district has only had two state championships, both coming from the girls’ cross-country team. Zublionis also talked about the pride the district takes in the track and cross-country programs, talking about the success he has seen from students both in the district and outside after graduation.
“This has been a great source of pride for the district. We have had several students letter and win county and state championships with this program and some going on to run in college,” Zublionis said. “Everyone is welcome to join to which is something we are very proud of that we see most with the track team and that’s something we as a district strive for in all of our sports.”
