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Health & Fitness

Blue Devil Girls' Cross Country Reaps Honors

The Huntington High School girls' cross country team flourished this past season.

 

Huntington sophomore Suzie Petryk turned in a sensational season to lead the Blue Devil girls’ cross country team to a second place finish in the league standings under head coach Debra Cheskes.

The 17-member Blue Devil team won four-of-five dual meets and placed fifth in the Division Championships. “It was a great group that worked hard at practice and meets,” Cheskes said. “They put in the summer miles needed to be ready for the season.”

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Petryk earned Suffolk All-League, All-Division and All-County honors. She covered the three-mile course at Sunken Meadow State Park with two of the fastest times ever recorded by a Huntington runner, crossing the finish line in 19:50.5 against Hauppauge and in 19:28.8 against Bellport. Cheskes said Petryk is a “natural runner” and is both “talented and driven.”

Senior Kerri-Ann Giambruno and sophomores Rachel Boisclair and Kiara Roman captured All-League recognition. Sophomore Sara Stewart also compiled a fine season.

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Giambruno and Roman were both praised by the coach. “Kerri is a great leader and captain,” Cheskes said about Giambruno, who captained the team along with junior Caitlin Yabroudy. “Kiara is a terrific hill runner who uses her strengths to attack the course.”

Boisclair and Stewart also played key roles in Huntington’s success. “Rachel had a breakout year and has great potential,” Cheskes said. “Sara is a hard worker who puts in the necessary miles during the off-season to be successful.”

The Blue Devils topped West Babylon, Riverhead, Comsewogue and Bellport in league meets. Huntington’s only loss came at the hands of Hauppauge. “This was one of the most successful years in team history,” Cheskes said.

Huntington was first in the sophomore race at the Nassau Coaches invitational and took second in the varsity race at the Suffolk Officials Invitational. The Blue Devils finished third in the sophomore race at the Jim Smith Invitational.

“Three of the top four runners will be juniors next year,” Cheskes said. “This strong base will guide the team.”

Blue Devil Notes: The Blue Devils will say goodbye to seniors Kerri-Ann Giambruno, Margaret Petryk, Molly Prep and Adelia Witt . . . The county championships were cancelled as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

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