Thursday, October 1, 2026
There an oft-repeated adage in sports and in life that it isn’t how you start, but how you finish. For the Long Beach cross-country program, the phrase fit the 2013 campaign.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams were fair to middling throughout the season, but each put forth their best effort when running on the biggest stage, as many Long Beach runners posted their season or career best at the county championship meet.
Junior Matt McGovern finished the course at Bethpage State Park in 17:12.6 at the county championship meet, and advanced to the state qualifier meet. Fellow junior Steven Hurst and freshman Asa Euster also performed well at the county meet and competed in the state qualifier. Euster’s time of 18:19.8 at the county meet was his personal best.
Freshman Brian Thurston is another runner who gives the Marines promise in the future. Thurston, who posted a personal best of 19:06.8 in an early October meet, consistently put up solid times during the regular season.
Head coach Greg Milone is very optimistic about the future. “The boys struggled in the meets, mostly because of a lack of depth,” Milone said. “The top runners from our team were among those at the front at the finish line at just about every race. We have everyone coming back next season, so we’ll work hard over the summer, and be ready for a big season.”
The Lady Marines were led by senior Melissa Ward. The four-year varsity performer posted a personal best of 21:35.4 and crossed the finish line first in a dual meet with Mepham, and Great Neck South. Ward, who earned All-Conference honors, advanced to the state qualifier.
Senior Joy Abasolo, an All-Division honoree, was consistently among the top finishers in dual meets. Senior captain Jayne Hommel, another four-year varsity performer, put up her best time of 22.32.6 at the county championship meet. Hommel earned a trip to the state qualifier. The Lady Marines were missing senior Hope Henry who was injured and missed the entire season.
Milone is excited about freshman Isabella DeFrancesco. Her personal best of 23:03.5 at the county meet led to her finishing fourth among Nassau County Class I freshmen.
“After a tough year, we came out and fought hard in the biggest meet,” Milone said. “As a coach, that’s what you hope for. They saw all of the top runners there, and went out and competed with them. I’m very proud of the effort they gave, especially at the county meet.”
