The Oyster Bay Boys track team has compiled some impressive team goals this season, while individuals on the team continue to pursue personal, school and, in one case, meet records. The Baymen’s conference record was 9-5, going undefeated within the division and earning an impressive win against Carle Place which has won the last 10 division championships.
Seniors Joe Jazwinski, Justin Nakrin and Tim Collery hope to join juniors Brian Dillman, Nick Gismondi and Chris Murdock in a return to the New York State Championships in Cicero New York on June 12-13. Justin Nakrin recently placed 2nd in the 2 mile at the Nassau Coaches invitational at Westbury High School with a personal record of 10:06.2. He was the top medal winner for the team, and hopes to break the 10 minute barrier in the 2 mile before the season is over.
Joe Jazwinski recently won the steeple chase in the Nighthawk, and Seahawk Invitational’s, nearly breaking a school and meet record at the Seahawk invite with a time of 10:16.7. He also ran a personal best of 4:32.2 in the mile at the Nassau Coaches Invitational. Jazwinski, planning to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, is hoping to qualify for the state meet in three events.
Chris Murdock has been dominant this season in the 800m, the 400m hurdles and most recently the 400m. Murdock has most recently placed 2nd at the Frank Maier Invitational in the 400m with an impressive time of 52.7. Chris is the only runner at Oyster Bay in recent memory to break the 60 second barrier in the 400 hurdles, and by season’s end he may be the only one to break the 2 minute barrier in the 800.
Nick Gismondi and Brian Dillman have helped the team at every meet this season in a variety of events. Nick has run in the 200m, 400m, 800m and all three relays. He is a sub 55 runner in the 400, and recently placed 5th at the Frank Maier invitational in the 800m with a personal record of 209.7. Dillman, a pentathlete specialist, is by far the team’s most versatile athlete. He has competed in the steeple chase, 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot Put and the mile. Collery, hampered by illness all season, has been steadily improving, running recently earning medals in the 400H at the Frank Maier and Seahawk Invitational’s.
Field event specialists Joshua Grant and Scott Buitenkant have significantly helped the team as well. Both athletes throw the discus over 100 feet. Joshua triple jumps 35 feet consistently which has been good enough to earn points at every conference meet. Matt Comack is the only Bayman this season to throw the shot put over 37 feet. He is in constant pursuit of a 40-foot throw.
The team competes in the County Championships May 19 and 20. Good luck, and congratulations on an already successful season.
The girls track team has endured a season of hurdles to overcome, including a schedule that has been affected by poor weather, and the fact that the track at Vernon has been deemed unavailable for interscholastic competition. These two factors, according to coach Tom Neary have caused the girls team to run 2, sometimes three meets in a week which can be very taxing on the athletes who make up his team.
Senior and team Captain Katelyn Collins has led the team in long distance competition, placing 4th at the Nassau Coaches Invitational, and being a reliable scorer in dual meets. Bound for the University of Miami, Katelyn’s leadership on and off the track will be greatly missed. She also anchors a very formidable 4×800 team which includes Maria Moreno and juniors Fiona Brunner and Alex Venuto. In the fields’ events, Ali Smith scores in the long jump, while Kelly Burke is the team’s high jumper. Kelly aspires to jump 5 feet by the end of the season.
Maxine Jann and Eliza Tappan continue to improve in 110 meter hurdles. Both competed in the Nassau Coaches invitational along with 400m specialist Vienna Ziatyk. The team looks forward to the improvement of underclassmen Mary Laughlin, Mariah Cody, Jen Maucher, Sally Finn, Adriana Henriquez, Megan Trepal and Brooke Mahoski.
Coaches Neary and Doxsee congratulate the team on a fine season.
