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Rocky Point High School

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Trevor Green. Photo from Rich Acritelli
Trevor Green. Photo from Rich Acritelli
Trevor Green. Photo from Rich Acritelli
Trevor Green. Photo from Rich Acritelli

By Richard V. Acritelli

Halfway through the daunting 5K cross-country course at Bowdoin State Park at Wappingers Falls on Nov. 23, Rocky Point High School Junior Trevor Green was running one of his best career high school races.  Competing with the top ten best runners from Montauk to Buffalo, Trevor, in his final race of the season, had a special moment.  Running hard through the hills that overlooked the Hudson River, Trevor utilized the massive downhill to strengthen his position within the second half of this race.  At the very end of this course, there was no letup in the mindset of Trevor to solidify his spot as one of the premier cross-country competitors in New York state.  After a grueling finish that saw him utilize a mighty kick around the fields and straightaway of this park, Trevor placed ninth in this race, and second overall from a talented contingent of Long Island runners.

I have been his coach for the last three years. Trevor is truly a special young man who is armed with a big smile and a can-do attitude.  This dynamic student-athlete is one of the finest athletes that has been my privilege to coach and see as an educator over the last two and half decades.  Going about his business in a quiet manner, this unique young man has cemented his athletic legacy at Rocky Point.   Over the last several months, this outstanding runner and swimmer has exhaustively been training for both sports. Trevor maintains the ability to run and swim at a high level and to also establish himself as a serious honor roll student.  Always embracing his training regiment, there are many days that Trevor is coming from one sport or heading toward another practice.  After pushing himself through numerous swimming strokes across this pool, this tenacious swimmer has a heart of steel, as he runs through the trails, fields and the “camel” hills within the Rocky Point Conservation Area.  He utilizes his strength to quickly defeat the opposition at both Snake and Cardiac hills at the Sunken Meadow State Park 5K Race.  Always observing the competition and understanding the times that he needs to earn, Trevor never takes a race lightly, as he understands that any runner can win at any given time.

This running philosophy has been cultivated over the last several years.  As a freshman, Trevor stayed with the best runners in the county and finished among the top five individuals to represent Rocky Point in the New York State Cross Country Championship at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School.  During the second half of this race, this 14-year-old kid realized that he had to adjust and elevate his aggressiveness to ensure that he finished in a top spot.  Beating several runners in the final mile of this hard course, Trevor placed 17th overall.  This freshman flashed a brilliant smile, was praised with heavy cheers, as he was the second highest Suffolk County participant in this exciting contest.  A week later and opposing the best city, private-, and public-school runners in New York, Trevor gained his first taste of racing at the challenging Bowdoin State Park 5K course.

The following year as a sophomore, Trevor continued to excel, as he earned his second all-league and division honors.  During the state qualifiers race, he upset some of the finest runners in the state as he won his first Suffolk County B Championship.  Coaching girls cross-country and track for the last three decades, Rocky Point High School Guidance Facilitator Mathew Poole has watched many of Trevor’s races and he observes that he “always runs from the front and I have explained to him over the years, there will be a time when you’re challenged at a pivotal moment.  When he won the Suffolk County Championship in 2023, I believe he realized this was happening and he refused to relinquish his opportunity.  Trevor is truly a warrior.”   For a second time at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, Trevor was near the front of the pack at a quick pace, but he had difficulties breathing, and this setback diminished his time and placement.  While it seems like this young man is always competing, Trevor expects to achieve his many athletic goals, where he places pressure on himself to do well.  Never one to forget about a rough outing, Trevor greatly learns from all contests and has become one of the most experienced and successful athletes on Long Island.

At the start of this past season, near West Point, Trevor ran in the Bear Mountain Invitational. As he was still getting into shape, he ran well and placed second on a new course that featured a major hill.  Quickly, he pushed himself to train in the distance, hills and track workouts that enabled him to place high in all his invitationals and gained a second undefeated dual-meet season.   Trevor was also a key motivator of his teammates, as this squad placed second in the league, and missed an undefeated season by three points.  Whereas he has won many races, Trevor is an approachable young man who is easy to coach and like.  Senior Matteo Gravinese is a two-time all-league runner and the captain of this team.  Running numerous miles with Trevor, he believed that his friend, “is not only an exceptional athlete but also an excellent teammate.  While others with his level of skill may have gloated or bragged, Trevor was always kind to those of all running abilities on our team.  I think this sportsmanship is what makes him the best athlete I ever met.”  Kristian Hald is also a senior captain and an all-league runner, who like Gravinese, has enjoyed running with Trevor.  He has observed the attributes of Trevor in being “absolutely the best teammate you could ever ask for.  His incredible talent is not all that he brings to the team, as he always expresses an important sense of comradery to his fellow teammates.  Trevor is a modest athlete, where he has taken first many times, but quickly, he will always enquire about how his teammates finished in our races.”

Just finishing this season several weeks ago, Trevor defeated an extremely tough opponent in Hartley Semmes from Harborfields to be crowned his second County B Suffolk County Champion.  While Trevor is always pleased with his running, he quickly starts looking ahead toward the next approaching contests.  For the second time in three years, he was an all-state runner who competed at Queensbury High School outside of Saratoga and Lake George.   Trevor did not finish as he expected, but he made all-state honors and was picked as one of the top runners to represent Suffolk County for the Federation’s/Nike Regional Race.  Although he was exhausted from this race and his swimming schedule, he prepared for the harsh course at Bowdoin State Park.  With a brisk chill in the air and the winds coming off the Hudson River, Trevor finished the season on a high note showing his dominance on a course that he only ran once before.  Long time Mount Sinai Track and Field and Cross-Country Coach Bill Dwyer watched this race, and he believed, “that Trevor is a great athletic competitor, who is strong and powerful, and even tougher within the hills of Bowdoin.  Adversity from the previous week at Queensbury High School made this talented runner that much more difficult to beat at the Federation/Nike Regional Race.” 

Constantly showing an outpouring of love and support toward Trevor are his parents, who make every race, where they enjoy not only seeing their son do well, but the other boys from this team as well.  Trevor’s mother Toby is an educator, who coached her boy when he was 5 years old in running.  On a regular basis, she drives Trevor to and from practice from these two busy sports.  Always looking at a calendar of meets and practice times, she drives her car with the license plate Team Green.  His father Anthony was a talented football player and runner at New Field High School, where he mentors his son, and helps him navigate the difficult waters of highly competitive sporting contests.  Looking at his son’s strenuous daily schedule, Anthony believes that, “it has not been an easy road.  Competing in swimming all year and finding time to run cross-country in the Conservation Area.  There are moments that my son finds himself exhausted from these two highly disciplined sports.”

Whereas it has been my chance to coach this fine young man in cross-country and to see him strive for greatness, to watch him swim is a special experience.  Since his earliest years, Trevor’s first love has always been swimming, where he has established himself as one of the best swimmers in the state.  Like in cross-country, in swimming, Trevor has many friends, where they speak about the different times that are needed through the events of this demanding sport.  Recently, it was my opportunity to chaperone his first race at Sachem East and to listen to these boys speak about this unique sport.  Quickly, you notice the bond of these young men and it did not take long for Trevor to establish his presence, as he quickly qualified for the New York State Swimming Championships.  After Trevor defeated his opponent, he quickly exclaimed that he had plenty of work to do to bring down his times.

It was a big family moment for the Greens, when Trevor learned that he would be accepted onto the University of Minnesota Division I swim team.  It has been the dream of this exceptional student-athlete to swim at this college level and to major in engineering. 

These skills have not gone unnoticed, as Trevor was selected for the USA Swimming National Select Camp.  During 2023-2024, Trevor, along with five other male swimmers, had the highest individual IMX Power Point scores.  For several years, as in running, Trevor constantly improved his times against the opposition in the pool.  As a seventh grader, Trevor made the Suffolk County Qualifier in 100 Butterfly and 200 Individual Medley.  As a freshman, he took third place in the county in the 100 Butterfly and Backstroke events.  A year later, Trevor was the Suffolk County Champion in the 500 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.By six seconds, he broke the 26-year record that was held at the Stony Brook University pool for the 400 Medley.  In a message by Swimming Managing Director of Sport Development Joel Shinofield stated, “as these athletes set their sights on LA 2028, we look forward to seeing them follow in the footsteps of Olympians who attended this camp, including Bobby Finke, Carson Foster, Lilly King, Katie Ledecky and Gretchen Walsh.”  Shinofield certainly hopes that this younger crop of swimmers in which he includes Trevor are possibly the future to represent the United States against foreign competition.  

Thank you to Trevor Green for always giving his very best in being a tremendous student-athlete to represent Rocky Point High School in cross-country and swimming.  The future is bright for this old-fashioned athlete, who after a major running race, will ride his bike to school or walk home after practice.  As he is still a junior, the University of Minnesota will gain a “winner” within every sense of this word through the work ethic, drive and character of this devoted competitor.

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Orchestral instruments. Pixabay photo

By Aramis Khosronejad

Carnegie Hall is a name recognized throughout the world as one of the most prestigious musical venues. Its tall, gold-gilded and historic walls have witnessed some of the world’s greatest musicians such as Tchaikovsky, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and The Beatles.

Now, three Long Island teenage musicians — Kaitlyn Choi, Joshua Lee and Yuuki Donnelly — join these legends’ esteemed ranks.

The concerts in question are part of the annual World Orchestra Week, known as WOW!, which is organized by the International Federation of Musician. Founded in 1948, the event aims to bring in talented young musicians from around the world to play on the sparkling stage in New York City. WOW! has certainly left quite the dazzling impression on its audience. New York Classical Review declared last Friday, Aug. 2, that “just one day in, and it’s not too soon to say it: WOW! really is a wow.”

Oboist Choi, 18, was a senior at Jericho High School as well as the valedictorian of her class, and will be part of the Harvard freshman Class of 2028. She was part of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America which is considered one of the most competitive and respected youth organizations for music, deemed by The New York Times to have “some of the best young orchestral players in America.” 

NYO-USA consists of musical prodigies from ages 16-19 and was founded by Carnegie Hall’s artistic and executive director, Clive Gillinson. Following her performance at Carnegie Hall, Choi will accompany NYO-US for a tour of South America and continue playing the oboe alongside her orchestra.

The other two teenagers that will represent Long Island on Carnegie’s distinguished stage this week are 15-year-olds, Joshua Lee and Yuuki Donnelly, who will play the double bass and violin, respectively. Joshua is a sophomore attending Locust Valley’s Portledge School, while Yuuki is a junior hailing from Rocky Point High School. They are both part of the National Youth Orchestra 2, which differs from NYO-USA, in its target age of 14-17 and musical repertoire.

Joshua and Yuuki are due to perform on Carnegie’s stage this Thursday night, Aug. 8. Choi played Monday night, Aug. 5.

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Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
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Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli
Alex Kelly competes in the long jump for Princeton University. Photos courtesy Rich Acritelli

By Rich Acritelli

“The goal is always to work the hardest.” Track and  field standout – Jasmine Moore

Rocky Point resident Alexandra “Alex” Kelly, a gifted, 20-year-old athlete, had the opportunity to compete in the 2024 Olympic Trials June 21. There, she was placed 21st in the Women’s Long Jump Qualification – Group 1. She has gained valuable knowledge watching the preparation of other top athletes on the national stage.

Reuben Jones, assistant women’s track and field coach at Princeton University, said, “Alex is one of the all-time most physically-gifted athletes I have ever coached in my 14 years in the Ivy League and the last eight with Princeton. Alex can raise her game to meet the level of any competition. Before she graduates, she can surpass the 22-foot mark in the long jump and the 45-foot mark for the triple jump.”

In 2022, Kelly graduated from Rocky Point High School as an honor student, with a 101 GPA, who enjoyed singing in the chorus and working as lifeguard at her local beach.

As an eighth grader, she was still somewhat new to athletics but still broke the long and triple jump records at the high school.

During COVID-19, every athlete was stopped in their tracks. But, being the positive individual she is, Kelly took this period in stride, and realized that it could be an opportunity for growth. She prioritized her leg health, and never stopped training.

For a time, Kelly ran the 4×100 meter relay, and while she liked this event with her teammates, she stopped running this discipline to devote more time to jumping. To stay in shape, she ran sprints and had a strenuous lifting regimen. All of this training paid dividends as Kelly kept establishing new jumping records, and finished first in New York State championships in the triple jump during the 2021-22 winter and spring track seasons.

Right before high school graduation, Kelly was New Balance Nationals champion in the triple jump, held at the University of Pennsylvania.

As this remarkable athlete successfully competed at the highest levels of track and field in high school, Kelly was aggressively recruited by Columbia, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stanford and both the Air Force and Naval academies.

For Kelly, Princeton University was the perfect distance away from home. She is majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology, and minoring in the history of science technology and medicine. Kelly is equally as dedicated to her academics.

During her freshman season, Kelly quickly cemented her presence on the Princeton team, as she helped the school earn three Ivy League titles.

This special athlete has some current time to see her family and friends, but she looks forward to her junior season when she will return to Princeton as a captain.

A goal-oriented student-athlete who has her eyes set on attaining her education and the pursuit of athletics brilliance, she will keep being a role model to other younger women and will surely continue to make the North Shore proud of her accomplishments.

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Rocky Point High School Commencement Day photos. Photos courtesy of Rocky Point school district.

Members of Rocky Point High School’s Class of 2024 began the next stage of their lives at the district’s annual commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 26. As the students proudly walked onto the school’s football field, the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” greeted them. The ceremony began with a welcome from Principal James Moeller, who thanked administrators, board of education members, educators, parents and family members for their collective guidance and support along the students’ path to success.

Student Renee Ortiz sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” accompanied by the high school band conducted by Amy Schecher. This was followed by Exhortation Speaker Parker Matzen, who shared the history and lessons he learned along with his peers. Moeller then expressed his pride in the Class of 2024, applauding their achievements in school and in the community. He tied Dr. Seuss’ book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” with the steps the students took to get to this point, sharing memories of serving as the middle school principal while they were there. He highlighted the inaugural Unified Basketball team as a true showing of Rocky Point community and pride, and spotlighted other athletic teams, academic accomplishments and achievements in the arts.

Superintendent of Schools Scott O’Brien spoke next, sharing the symbolism of Rocky Point’s mascot — the eagle. He noted that eagles are not just symbols of strength and freedom but also share valuable lessons about perseverance, growing stronger and more confident until they fly one day effortlessly across the sky. He stated that, just like Rocky Point’s esteemed mascot, the students have embodied resilience, strength and grace throughout their educational journey in Rocky Point.

Valedictorian Isabella Rooney and salutatorian Sofia Haviland each addressed their fellow classmates, sharing words of remembrance from their time spent in Rocky Point, as well as encouragement for their peers’ new journey ahead.

Board of Education President Jessica Ward then officially presented the candidates for graduation to all those in attendance.

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Photo from Rich Acritelli
Photo from Rich Acritelli

By Rich Acritelli

As Rocky Point High School special education teachers Jessica Gentile and Kristina Muratore sought new ways to enhance their life skills classes, Rocky Perk was started on March 17, 2023.The program offers students an opportunity to shop for needed items to make different types of coffee, refreshments and snacks. Started by using donations from staff members, Rocky Perk has seen substantial growth over the last year.

Muratore has been pleased with the progress of her students as “over the last few years our 12:1:1 program [for students with intellectual disabilities] has evolved into this outstanding experience that our students, staff and community has enjoyed. It warms my heart that everyone is able to see the daily talents of our students.”

As part of the program, the students work in a hands-on classroom that has a stove, sink, refrigerator, washer and dryer to handle the rigors of Rocky Perk, which has strengthened independent living skills. The students have also created a menu for the cafe and will be expanding their repertoire with an exciting new vanilla raspberry spritzer, which will be offered to its customers sometime soon. 

Gentile glowingly identified the remarkable growth of her students as “they thrive on serving others through Rocky Perk and are independently functioning to ensure that different types of orders are properly fulfilled and delivered.”

But the life skills program does not end in the kitchen. Continuing to follow the best interests of her students, Gentile also spearheaded the implementation of the Unified Eagles basketball team led by the life skills students. The team is made up of players who have intellectual disabilities paired with mainstream student-athletes. Gentile credits the district’s athletic director, Jonathon Rufa, in being a driving force in establishing this new initiative. 

As the Unified Eagles, the team has played two games. Gentile firmly believes “there is a growth of confidence in her players, who have an iron sense of pride who have also forged unique friendships. I am grateful to be part of this amazing group.”

High school students Brett Condos, Sydney Woods, Sarah May and Ella Rau have assisted the Unified Eagles on the court. A talented athlete, Woods said, “I love guiding members of this team and watching them try their very best.” 

When asked about the future of this Eagles squad, it is the goal of Gentile to garner more school and public support to rally this wonderful group of players. When asked if she would again lead this team next year, Gentile said, “Heck yeah!”

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Rocky Point varsity cheer team. Photo courtesy RPSD.

The Rocky Point varsity cheerleading team placed first in Small Division II at the Universal Cheer Association National High School Cheerleading Championships on Feb. 9-12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. 

Throughout the weekend the team competed against over 90 teams. Competing three times with zero deductions in their routine. Rocky Point also won this award in 2020. 

Congratulations to the team members and coaches Samantha Ferrara and Jessica Fleischer, both winning a national championship in their first season. Coach Ferrara was a seventh grader on the Rocky Point varsity team when they won their third national title in 2014 under the tutelage of coach Anna Spallina. She is in an elite group of cheer coaches who have won a national championship as both a cheerleader and a coach.

Winning team members are Ariana Amato, Kaylee Gallino, Abby Rae Hughes, Samantha Morelli, Sophia Musraca, Caiden Palank, Alexis Polaski, Ella Reisinger, Reese Rogers, Alison Rubinetti, Callie Russell, Edie Sternkopf, Adrianna Tavolaro, Ella Velazquez, Avery Ward and Scarlett Ward. 

“This team continually displays tremendous effort and sets high standards for winning,” Rocky Point athletic director Jonathon Rufa said. “The girls began the year knowing that a national championship was possible for Rocky Point and they continued to gain confidence, power and focus throughout the season to achieve one of their championship goals.”

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Rocky Point 2023-24 girls basketball team. Photo courtesy Rich Acritelli

By Rich Acritelli

Since 2001, there have been many fine girls basketball players that have suited up for the Rocky Point High School team. But there has been a playoff drought for the 23 years that has been broken through this year’s Lady Eagles squad. Longtime field hockey coach Katie Bittner, who coached the junior varsity basketball team in 2008-09, recently took over and the positive results have been extremely noticeable.

After defeating Smithtown West Feb. 2, the girls earned a playoff seed that saw Rocky Point ladies enthused about this major achievement. Bittner explained that this success originated from the “importance of playing defense, hustling and showing heart on a regular basis.” This formula has worked, as Bittner was pleased with her team’s ability to utilize its unyielding defensive strengths earlier in the season against Westhampton Beach. This opposition was averaging over 55 points a game at the time, but was limited to 43, and Rocky Point lost by only three points. This week, on Feb. 12, the Lady Eagles again played Westhampton Beach, which is one of the higher-ranking teams in the county, was leading at halftime 27-25 and lost a hotly-contested game 50-41.

The Rocky Point girls are led by the aggressive presence of McKenzie Moeller who is committed to play lacrosse at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She has been a dominant point scorer who drives to the net and is a rebounder. Moeller scored 24 points against Smithtown West and enjoys the camaraderie of this group. The “comic relief” is senior Sarah May who was the team’s most valuable player as a junior and is a shooting guard who will dive for loose balls. Julia Koprowski is a point guard whose goal is to play basketball next fall in college. Rhiannon Donovan is a senior power forward who has also been a special player. She has found it has been immensely “gratifying” to be a part of a close-knit team that has performed well.

An all-state field hockey player and a lacrosse standout, Kylie Lamoureux has solidified her spot as one of the toughest female athletes in the school and as a determined leader on the basketball team. Her presence is felt playing defense, forcing turnovers and being a fiery player against the opposition. This junior, who will play lax at the University of Maryland, is a two-year starter and a shooting guard. Her good friend junior Fiona Vu, who will be playing lacrosse at Brown University, is a major three-sport athlete who provides key minutes off the bench as a guard and forward. Coming off the bench is senior Nicole Spadafina who is hoping to either attend Indiana University or Tulane. This guard brings the ball up the court and has hit some outside shots. Many of these girls have played together since they were children at the local church league and truly enjoy playing ball together.

The future looks promising with eighth grader Giuliana Tocci gaining valuable experience that will mold her leadership role. Sophomore Kaleigh Moeller is part of the youth movement that has helped push the Eagles toward making the playoffs. She is a forward who comes off the bench where she has played a tenacious defense and has gained many rebounds. 

Athletic director Jonathon Rufa is elated with the drive of this team to succeed this year and make the playoffs. Rufa identified these ladies as being a “hardworking, talented and coachable group of athletes, who are willing to do the little things to win,” adding, “The future of Rocky Point girls basketball looks bright with first-year coach Katie Bittner leading the way.” 

Rich Acritelli is a social studies teacher at Rocky Point High School, an adjunct professor of American history at Suffolk County Community College and curator of Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum.

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Rocky Point forward Max Wignall shoots in a non-league matchup against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
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Rocky Point forward Liam Conlan lays up for two in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Gordon Votruba banks two for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Jeremy Sanchez (l) battles Carter Baumeister for the rebound. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point forward Max Wignall shoots in a non-league matchup against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point guard Casmere Morrow shoots in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rex Baguinat scores for the Eagles in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point’s Max Wignall #23 blocks the shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Dylan McClelland battles in the paint for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
8th grader Tyler Lievre drives the lane for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
8th grader Tyler Lievre goes to the rim for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Jeremy Sanchez blocks a shot for the Eagles. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point guard Casmere Morrow lays up for two in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point senior Dominick Tocci splits a pair of defenders in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point forward Max Wignall shoots in a non-league matchup against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point guard Casmere Morrow drives the lane in a home game against Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon

With an injury-riddled starting lineup, the Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats had their hands full in a road game against Rocky Point where the Eagles defense was able to hold the Wildcats at bay. The Eagles offense pressed for all 32 minutes to win the nonleague matchup 55-40, Monday night Dec. 11.

Rocky Point guard Casmere Morrow topped the scoring chart for the Eagles with 17 points and forward Max Wignall added 13.

Shoreham-Wading River senior Gordon Votruba led the way for the Wildcats netting 11 points.

The win lifts the Eagles to 2-0.

The loss drops the Wildcats to 1-4. They will desperately need their bench to get healthy and will have to be at full song to make a postseason bid.

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Several Port Jeff runners participate in the Suffolk County cross-country championships held at Sunken Meadow State Park on Friday, Nov. 3. Photo by Bob O’Rourk
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Several Port Jeff runners participate in the Suffolk County cross-country championships held at Sunken Meadow State Park on Friday, Nov. 3. Photo by Bob O’Rourk
Freshman Mia Wickard clocked in at 19:24.51, the third highest finisher among Class A girls. Photo by Bob O’Rourk
Ward Melville’s Brian Liebowitz clocked in at 16:30.79, qualifying for the state championship in Verona. Photo by Bob O’Rourk
Smithtown West’s Douglas Antaky clocked in at 16:09.53. Photo by Bob O’Rourk
Commack’s Alex Walsh clocked in at 16:59.36
Rocky Point’s Trevor Green clocked in at 16:31.01, qualifying for the state championship in Verona. Photo courtesy Green’s family
The Northport Lady Tigers have qualified for the state championship in Verona. Right, freshman Mia Wickard clocked in at 19:24.51, the third highest finisher among Class A girls. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Samantha Rutt

Each year, the Suffolk County cross-country championships are held at Sunken Meadow State Park, where the county’s best teams toe the line. Runners race a full 5 kilometers, or 3.1 miles, around the park, winding meandering trails and climbing daunting hills.

Parents, friends and spectators alike lined the course on a sunny, brisk November afternoon. With a chorus of voices cheering, signs flaunting and cowbells ringing — a cross-country staple — a spectacle emerged as the races unfolded.

For the third straight year, the Northport Lady Tigers emerged victorious at the Suffolk County championships on Friday afternoon, Nov. 3.

Led by freshman phenom Mia Wickard, the Tigers earned 57 points over Ward Melville’s 104. Northport’s commanding win earned the team a spot at the New York State meet start line next Saturday, Nov. 11.

The Suffolk County championship meet is the state qualifier, sending the winning team and the top-five finishers — not from the first-place team, but from each class — to the statewide championship.

“Not sure if I could be prouder of this group of kids,” said Northport head coach Gregg Cantwell. “The girls’ dedication and the depth of our team was key for us on Friday.”

Wickard, Northport’s top finisher, placed third in the Class A race at 19:24.51. Rounding out the scorers were seventh graders Fiona King and Jane Tucker with juniors Kayla Forsch and Maggie Taylor, each running a personal best time.

“Our top six girls [including Cate Coronato] ran their best times on the course — a few by a lot,” Cantwell emphasized of his team’s clutch performance. “We now have six all-county ranking girls, which is the most of any boys or girls team, and I am extremely happy about that.”

Joining Northport’s Lady Tigers next week, the Cougar boys of Commack High School bested their Class A rivals, collecting only 64 points and extending their postseason journey.

“Our goal every season is to try and win a league, division and county championship,” Commack coach Paul Sleavensky said. “This is the first time in program history that we were the Section XI [Suffolk County] champions,” adding, “I’m extremely proud of their performance at the state-qualifier meet.”

The Port Jefferson Royals won the boys Class C race, tallying 19 points over Mattituck’s 62. Junior Colin Veit paced the Royals, earning the individual title, as all five of the high school’s scorers placed within the top six, marking an impressive victory for the team.

“I’m very proud of our team,” said Port Jeff’s coach Andy Cosci. “We have a nice tradition here in Port Jeff, being a very successful program over the years.”

He added, “It’s not easy to win counties, and the team has worked very hard since August to accomplish that goal.”

Smithtown West’s Douglas Antaky and Rocky Point’s Trevor Green, individual champions of Class A and Class B, respectively, will make the trip to the New York State meet. Antaky, a senior, outran his opponents, completing the course in 16:09.53. Green, only a sophomore, earned his first county cross-country title, defeating his competition while running a 16:31.01.

“My goal going into this meet was to break 17 minutes and place in the top five,” Green said. “I definitely was not expecting to win with the great competition in Class B this year.”

For runners advancing into the postseason, this week will involve preparation for the meets ahead.

“The focus for the next week and beyond is going to be that our toughest races are ahead of us and that we have a chance to do something special,” Northport’s coach Cantwell said of his team.

The NYS cross-country championship meet will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona.

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Rocky Point High School seniors Sofia Haviland, left, and Renee Ortiz. Photo courtesy RPUFSD

Two Rocky Point High School seniors are among dozens of students from school districts throughout the Town of Brookhaven who were lauded for achieving a grade point average of 95 or higher.

Sofia Haviland and Renee Ortiz have earned academic excellence awards as part of the town’s 10th annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration. They were recognized at a ceremony Oct. 6 at Town Hall by Brookhaven’s Hispanic Advisory Board members, Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and members of the Town Council.

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