West Islip Boys Track Break School Record

Colin O’Connor, after qualifying for the State Championships with a school record 54.63 in the 400 Hurdles, anchored the winning 4 X 400 relay team to break their own school record and finish in a dazzling time of 3:18.56.

The Lions silenced the raucous Ward Melville and Longwood crowd hoping for an upset in the event as Sean Sepe and Chris Nohilly started off with solid legs and then Dom Morgan and O’Connor went into overdrive to stun the opponents and ensure their crown and trip to the states. O’Connor will continue his track career at Johns Hopkins University, Joe Pinto at The Citadel and Dan Morley at Adelphi University.

The Lions were well represented at the meet by both the boys and girls teams across a number of events. Brooke Catalano, Jessica Ball, Kate Ball & Alison Capetta took 4 th in the 4 X 800 in a time of 9:28.59; Ball also placed 5th in the open 800 in 2:19.65.

This article and photos were submitted by West Islip Patch reader Pat Morley. Readers wishing to submit stories and photographs may do so by contacting local editor Kaitlyn Piccoli at kaitlyn.piccoli@patch.com.

Congratulations to all the athletes that competed: Fred Mathews (shot), John Hassler (pb 12’6”),Jesse Matera and Alex Carlin (pole vault), Nohilly, Morley, Vin Melia (open 800), Nohilly (triple jump) Scott and Craig Nelson (steeplechase), Andrew Alzman (110H), Morgan & Sepe (400m), Melia, Morley, Pinto and Mike Nowatarski (4 X 800), Morgan (long jump), Julie Laudenschlager (3000) Capetta and Marisa Gargaro (400M Hurdles).

Boys coaches, Jeremy Robertson and John Lavery, have the happy task of making room in the school trophy case for the latest plaque and to yet again revise a number of school records!