This season, the Wantagh High School Girls’ Varsity Track and Field Team has shown consistent growth and determination as the athletes beat personal records, and attend meets.
While the girls’ track & field team was small, Coach Finning stated, “Their hearts were big.” Encouragement, dedication, and a love for sport defined the season, as the girls consistently supported one another in reaching new heights. Captains Sophia Zanelotti, Riley Adams, Erin Burns, Emily Modica, Mia Spiteri, and Victoria Kurz led the way in building a season centered around growth, determination, and teamwork. The girls continued to improve in their respective events. “Our distance crew demonstrated incredible endurance and grit while competing in demanding long-distance races,” stated Coach Finning, also adding, “Our sprint crew brought tremendous energy to every meet with their explosive speed and determination.” The regular season ended on a high note, with Erin Burns earning All-Division honors in the 3000-meter run, and the 4×800-meter relay team of Riley Adams, Erin Burns, Ella Austin, and Katelyn Sutton placing third in the division. The girls also competed at the Nassau County Championship where Erin Burns was County Champion in the 2000-meter steeplechase run. Overall, Coach Finning left off with this note, “The Girls’ Track & Field team now continues on to the State Qualifier meet, where they hope to build upon the hard work and progress they demonstrated throughout the season. We are incredibly proud of every athlete on this team. Your growth, determination, and commitment to one another have not gone unnoticed.”
This season was defined by the boys’ talent, grit, and teamwork across every event. With the team largely made up of underclassmen, the upperclassmen stepped up in tremendous ways, stated Coach Finning, as they served as leaders and role models to the future of Wantagh Track and Field. Through their encouragement, leadership, and passion for the sport, captains Ian Frazer, Brady Wolken, Sean Hart, Bobby Friedmann, and Peter Raiano helped lead the team to new heights. Coach Finning emphasized, “The boys embraced every practice and meet as an opportunity to grow, resulting in tremendous improvement throughout the season.” The distance crew completed high-mileage training and intense workouts that fueled outstanding performances throughout the season. The sprint crew also showed incredible development over the course of the season. Our throwing crew, stated Coach Finning, worked tirelessly and continually pushed one another to achieve new personal bests and reach distances they had never achieved before. He also mentioned, “Although the boys faced challenges early in the season, their determination and work ethic led to an impressive third-place finish at the Division Championship by the end of the regular season”.
The team had several standout performances at the Division Championship, with Ian Frazer, Brady Wolken, Sean Hart, Ethan Chen, Brody Meyers, and Jason Newbert earning All-Division honors. The boys also had an impressive 4th place finish at the County Championship. Ian Frazer was County Champion in the 1600 meter run and the 3200 meter run, Ethan Chen was All-County in the 800 meter run, and the 4×800 meter relay team of Ian Frazer, Ethan Chen, Sean Hart, and Brody Meyers were County Champions.
Coach Finning finishes off by stating that, “Every member of the team contributed to this season by bringing a positive attitude each day and demonstrating a deep commitment to the sport. The boys’ track & field team now advances to the State Qualifier Meet, where they hope to showcase the results of all their hard work this season,” and “As the season begins to wind down, we say farewell to our talented seniors, whose leadership and dedication helped set the standard for the future of Wantagh Track & Field. We are incredibly proud of every athlete this season and look forward to what the future holds for this program.