By:Brian Dessart
This has definitely been a year of firsts at East Rockaway High School. The varsity football team made it into the playoffs for the first time in 14 years; the varsity baseball team claimed a spot in the Nassau County Baseball Championships for the first time since 1992. Now, All-Conference football and basketball player James Murphy is headed to the New York State Track and Field Championships after his discus throw of 120 feet and 3 inches at the Nassau Track Individual Championships/State Qualifiers, at Kings Point, on May 29. The ironic part about his success is this is the first year that junior Murphy has thrown a discus at East Rockaway High School.
"I am excited as much as surprised. Training in the off-season for sports football and basketball have helped me grow physically and have helped me in my performance during this current track season," Murphy said.
Murphy was also recently nominated, by East Rockaway High School, for the Heisman award. The Heisman is presented to the nation's top male and female who exemplifies outstanding achievements in the area of athletics and academics.
"I feel honored to be recognized among all of the fine student athletes throughout the country," Murphy said, "and grateful that I have been chosen to represent East Rockaway High School."
Murphy, who is a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) received the track All-County title as his first place throw in the Nassau All-County Championships, at Mitchel Athletic Complex on May 22, was also enough to earn him the title of County Champion in Nassau Class C. He will be heading to the states on Friday June 8, along with junior Richard Cardus and sophomore Ksenia Ferrand. Cardus and Ferrand, also named as All-County champions, both qualified for the State Championships in the triple jump.
Junior Zak Krieger and senior Daniel Girace just missed the opportunity to join the others in the states, but their success this season is nothing less then commendable. Krieger and Girace both received the title of All-County; Krieger in the high jump and Girace in the shot put.
In order to have three athletes named to the state championships is a big honor within itself and shows how successful an athletic program can be.
East Rockaway varsity track and field, under the direction of coach Ed Faulkner, has seen much success this year as the increase in the number of students participating in the sport has been on a steady increase. This participation at East Rockaway is a great way for the students to get involved, and gives them a chance to show the talents that they may not know exist.
"I am very happy with the competitors this year. We have three going to the states and two barely missed going [to the states]. The numbers have really improved in the last few years and has shown in the improvement of the athletes," Faulkner said.
As the athletic success at East Rockaway High School continues it should always be remembered that this success does not come easy. These athletes put countless hours into their supreme performance, never shying away an opportunity to be on top.
(BEGIN ITAL)Brian Dessart is a freelance journalist for The Herald.(END ITAL)
