By TONY BELLISSIMO
The Eagles' 113 points was 28 more than runner-up Lawrence.
"I don't think Central's ever won an indoor conference title," Coach Mike Frazer said. "It says a lot about these kids and the hard work they all put into it. Hopefully this is the start of a long run of success."
Lanz captured the 1,000-meter run (2:45.7), the 1,600 (4:50.0) and the 3,200 (10:45.9) to account for 30 points, while senior Kurt Kinkead won the 55 hurdles (7.8 seconds) and the 600 (1:31.3) and placed third in the 300 (38.2).
"We have two standouts in Conor and Kurt and a tremendous support system around them," Frazer said. "We knew Lawrence and Farmingdale were going to be tough, but at the same time we felt we had a great shot to compete."
Lanz ran the 1,000 immediately after winning the 3,200, though his fatigue didn't show. In the mile and 2-mile, he inspired teammate Arturo Castro to a pair of runner-up finishes. Castro, a senior, went 5:01.1 in the mile and 10:46.3 in the 2-mile, the evening's longest event.
"We were counting on Arturo to get fourth in both of his events and he surprised us by finishing second," Frazer said.
The Eagles also got a boost from senior Ken Sepulveda in the high jump. The first-year participant won the event with a best of 5-feet-8. He also teamed with senior Shane Lloyd, junior Chris Rekawek and sophomore John Castaldo in the 4 x 400 relay, which finished third. Rekawek, Castaldo, Castro and junior Carlos Mery comprised the 4 x 800 relay, which finished second.
"I'm proud of what these guys have been able to accomplish, and we're looking to make some noise in the county and state qualifying meets," Frazer said.
Not to be outdone, the Central girls' track squad was runner-up to East Meadow in Conference II on Feb. 8. The Lady Eagles, coached by Mike Boccuzza, got strong performances from senior Tenile Bernard (first in the 55 hurdles and the 300), senior Christina Gonzalez (first in the 600 and 1,000) and sophomore Ellysha Delva (second in the hurdles and third in the 300).
Bernard also anchored the 4 x 200 relay that placed second and included senior Debbie Yang and juniors Melissa Alcoba and Amanda Presland. Gonzalez ran leadoff on the 4 x 800 that placed second. She was followed by junior Carrie Gurowitz, sophomore Nicole Miranda and junior Katie Goodwin.
"We're excited about the future of the boys' and girls' programs," Boccuzza said. "We had over 100 kids signed up for spring track."
