Health & Fitness
Blue Devil Sports News
Huntington School Board members approved five fall coaching appointments during their public meeting this past Monday night in the J. Taylor Finley Middle School auditorium.
The appointments include Julian Watts (assistant coach, 7th grade football), Michael Bifulco (head coach, 8th grade football), Maria Canino (head coach, JV girls’ volleyball), Allison Conlon (head coach, JV field hockey) and Marissa Bergmann (assistant coach, varsity field hockey).
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Finley Sports Tryouts
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
J. Taylor Finley Middle School sports tryouts begin on Monday, September 9 at 3 p.m. Physical exams will be given by the school doctor on Tuesday, September 3 from 8-10 a.m. Student-athletes are asked to bring a copy of the health screening form signed by their parents to the physical exam. (Health screening forms can be downloaded from the Forms & Files page in the Athletics section of the school district website at www.hufsd.edu.
Students who had a physical exam performed by their private doctor are asked to bring the physical exam form along with the health screening form to the school nurse on either Wednesday, September 4 or Monday, September 9. Students can also requalify with the nurse during lunch periods on either of those days.
New JV Field Hockey Coach
Allison Conlon is returning to her alma mater at the head coach of the Huntington High School junior varsity field hockey team. Conlon was a member of Huntington’s Class of 2009.
Conlon holds a BS degree in elementary education and a MS degree in math from the University of Delaware. She recently coached Huntington players in a summer league and was a softball assistant coach at Newark High School in Delaware in 2011.
Boys’ Spring Track Outlook
The Huntington High School boys’ spring track and field team finished its season in third place in the league standings and fifth in Suffolk Division II.
“Next year will be a bit difficult,” head coach Ron Wilson said. “How can you replace a 6’8 giant in Shaheem Lewis and fearless Thomas Boisclair, who ran injured all season? We will return a few experienced athletes who earned All-League and All-County honors. We return one of the county’s top sprinters in state finalist Y’Majesty Allen.”
Also returning will be Exayvian Crowell in the hurdles and triple jump. Infinite Tucker is coming back after doing well in the divisional and sectional meets and Wilson is looking for him to improve even more. Tucker completed the pentathlon, which includes the high hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 1500m run.
“Our throwing program returns Matteo McNeil and fellow thrower Jimmie Nelson, who both placed in the divisional meet,” Wilson said. Sondy Jean-Baptiste will be back, too. He leaped 6’4 to place third in the high jump at the Suffolk state qualifying meet. Returning distance runners Scott Gulizio and Kyle O’Bryan are also on pace to help the Blue Devils.
Boys’ BB Coaches Set
The Huntington boys’ basketball program coaching staff is in place. The group includes varsity head coach Brian Carey, varsity assistant coach Tim Madden, junior varsity head coach Ed Lein, Finley Middle School-8 head coach Phil Lowe and Finely Middle School-7 head coach Richard Agnello.
Girls’ BB Coaching Staff in Place
The Huntington girls’ basketball program coaching staff has been approved by the Huntington School Board. It consists of varsity head coach Michael Kaplan, varsity assistant coach Marissa Bergmann, junior varsity head coach Roy Jiminez, Finley Middle School-8 head coach Phil Lowe and Finley Middle School-7 head coach Richard Agnello.
Fencing Coach Staff Returns
The Huntington fencing program staff is returning. It includes longtime varsity head coach Alan Kuver and assistant coaches Michael Fabio and Valinda O’Garra. Each of the coaches is a Huntington High School graduate.
Swimming Coaching Staff Appointed
After more than three decades as the Huntington High School boys’ swimming coach, Gil Smith still hasn’t had enough. The veteran pool mentor is coming back for another season as the Blue Devils’ head coach along with trusted assistant Margaret McConnell. Smith’s top swimmer is incoming junior Gunther Cassell, who is an All-American and two-time state champion.
Winter Track and Volleyball Coaches Approved
Ronald Wilson has been appointed as the varsity head coach of the Huntington High School boys’ winter track team. Debra Cheskes was approved to work as the varsity head coach of the Blue Devils’ girls’ winter track squad. An assistant coach for each of the teams is yet to be named.
Christopher Mooney is returning a head coach of the Finley Middle School boys’ volleyball team. Natalee Schaeffer has been appointed to work as the Finley Middle School girls’ volleyball coach.
Blue Devil Wrestling Staff
Huntington School Board members appointed Peter Fusco as an assistant high school wrestling coach. Michael Marinello was named head coach of the Finley Middle School wrestling team. Louis R. Giani will serve as Finley’s assistant coach.
Appointments for varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach will be made at a future meeting of trustees.
