Huge strides for Malverne

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Malverne’s top-ranked 4x400-meter relay was set to compete on the national stage – having earned an invitation to the New Balance Nationals Indoor track and field tournament in February. But a late-winter injury to star sprinter and anchor Jordan Graham caused the Mules – No. 1 in the state at the time of the event among small schools in the 4x400-meters – to pass on the Nationals invite.

Graham – top-ranked in the state for Division II in the 400-meter dash – appears to have fully recuperated, making up for lost time with a slew of wins to lead Malverne to its very first division title, and help vault the Mules to a program-best runner-up finish out of 18 schools at the Section VIII Class 1A County Championships May 24 at Cold Spring Harbor High School.

“He’s turning it up right now,” Malverne coach Onix Salva said of Graham – winner of both the 200- and 400-meters at the Section VIII Division 4B Championships May 14 at Cold Spring Harbor, who headed a Mules trifecta in the 400-meters at County with a winning 49.87, ahead of junior Rashad Teachey (50.41) and senior Donovan Ishmael (51.20) in second and third place. “Jordan did what it took to come back strong. It shows how much he wants to win and cares about his teammates.”

After taking titles in the 4x100- and 4x400-meters at Divisionals – with seniors Timothy Bosques and Jordan Eveillard, and juniors Louis Ridley and MacKendsy Dormeus running the former; and Graham, Teachey, senior Khevon Pinnock, and Ishmael the latter – Malverne, using the same crews, improved its time in both events (44.91 and 3:24.27) to replicate the feat at County.

“The guys are getting faster every race,” Salva said. “A lot of people are surprised by how we’ve performed in these championships. I always knew we had the talent. People think Malverne and think only of the 4x400. Now we’ve got the 4x100 too. And the team bond is at an all-time high. Everyone’s feeding off that energy.”

Graham and Teachey each met the state qualifying standard in the 400-meters (50.54) at County, which means either runner can make the cut with a second-place finish at the State Qualifier May 31 and June 1 at North Shore High school. The same is true for Bosques in the 100- and 200-meters after meeting the standards (11.34 and 22.84) earlier in the season – as was done by Graham and Teachey, who will, however, forego the two races at the Qualifier to focus on the 4x400- and 400-meters.

“It’s going to be fun watching Jordan and Rashad at qualifiers, and then, I truly believe, at state,” Salva said. “Rashad’s coming into his own. He’s setting up a good season to springboard him into next year. Timmy came over a little late from baseball, but he worked to get his timing down, and he’s really helped our 4x100.”

Added Salva: “We’re looking forward to capping this great season with a county title. I truly believe this is the year we’ll bring one home.”