H-ton Boys’ Winter Track Takes Off

Two weeks into the competitive season, the Huntington High School boys’ winter track and field team is already humming along with many fine performances in the record book.

Senior Y’Majesty Allen is back in the fold and is one of Suffolk’s top 300m runners. The teenager crushed a field of more than 60 runners in a crossover meet last Sunday, finishing first in a time of 37.59 seconds at Suffolk-West in Brentwood.

Allen has also returned to the high jump after taking a three-year hiatus from the event. On his first attempt he leaped 19’9.25 to place in the top ten along with three of his teammates, including sophomore Infinite Tucker (19’1.5), senior Marquis Francis (19’2.5) and senior and first time team member Troy Greene (18’7). 

Allen went on to anchor Huntington’s 4 x 200m relay team, which consisted of lead leg senior Mark Sanon, second leg Francis, and third leg Tucker.  “When the brother duo is on the track, they mean business,” said head coach Ron Wilson about Allen and Tucker, who are brothers.

“Tucker received the baton in third position and ran a great leg, keeping form and closed ground on Longwood, who was in first,” Wilson said about the 4 x 200m relay race. “Once he passed the baton to his brother Majesty Allen, you knew it was going to be a race from there. Allen was shoulder to shoulder with the anchor runner of Longwood coming out of the first turn. Once Allen hit the back stretch, he took the lead and expanded it to win the race by more than 10 meters. The relay team finished the race in 1:38.24, which is pretty good for the first time.” 

In last Sunday’s distance events, Huntington senior Nick Sherman shined brightly. The teenager won the 3200m in 10:17 with sophomore teammate Kyle O’Brien finishing second in 10:41. Both of the times were personal bests for the Blue Devil runners.

Sherman went on to place second in the 1600m run in 4:47. “He’s a tough, gritty kid that just keeps working and working,” Wilson said. “He never complains. He just nods his head and says ‘OK coach.’” 

Juniors Matteo McNeil and Jimmie Nelson, a pair of Huntington shot put specialists, have also turned in a series of fine performances, with several early season throws exceeding 40-feet. “They have their hands full this year with Smithtown West senior Benjamin Bonhurst, who is the leading thrower in the state with a toss of 62’8,” Wilson said. Longwood also returns seniors Dennis Russell and Corey Murphy, who have both thrown over 50-feet so far this season. But, Wilson feels his athletes are up for the challenge.

Huntington freshman Mark Rafuse, who is new to the track and field program, is quickly developing into a top notch sprinter, slicing 11 seconds off his time in the 600M dash. In his first meet with the Blue Devils, the teenager clocked a 1:49 in the event and then crossed the line last Sunday in 1:38. “That’s pretty impressive for a freshman,” Wilson said. 

Blue Devil freshmen Jonathan Schecter, Anthony Romano, Chris Cordeiro continue to show improvement in the 55m and 300m dashes. Junior Ezequiel Acevedo and sophomores Tareek Hamilton, and Tasean Betts will be working closely with the sprinters to improve their times.  Freshman Maxim Giordano and sophomore Renato Aguilar Chavez should bolster Huntington’s distance running corps. Sophomore John Arias is also expected to contribute in the sprints and long jump.

Returning to the throwing circle is sophomore Cameron Knox, who was last year’s freshman county shot champion. His best throw this season has been about 36-feet, but his goal to surpass 40-feet. “He’s a hard worker and with patience he will hit it,” Wilson said. 

Wilson is looking forward to the performance of a group of first time indoor season throwers, including juniors Erik Gabriel, Carlos Ramirez and Emmanuel Clerveaux. Eighth grade thrower Sam Bergman has already displayed “great promise in the circle,” the coach said. “He’s going to be the one to watch in the upcoming years.”   

Junior Sondy Jean-Baptiste has already cleared 6’2 in the high jump. “That is the number one jump in Suffolk County after just two weeks of competition,” Wilson said. Tucker and other Sophomore Jahmik Curry and Tucker are also expected to make waves in the event.