Comeback Fuels St. Anthony's Boys Track

Call it a comeback.

James Adegbite left after his freshman year. He attended Deer Park High School as a sophomore, only to return to the Catholic track power in the fall.

He was rewarded Saturday at the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA track and field championships in South Huntington. Now a junior, Adegbite blazed to victory in the 100- and 200-meter runs as well as the 4 x 400 relay.

“This feels good,” Adegbite said. “I put a lot of mind to it. I was really determined to do this. So I gave it all I had.”

The Friars took the top three spots in the 100. Adegbite won in 11.14 seconds, edging out teammates Maston Ellerbe (11.61) and Stanton Ridley (11.65).

Adegbite also won the 200 in 22.62, finishing just ahead of teammate Eric Slater (22.91). The 4 x 400 relay team of Adegbite, Warner Cooley III, Peyton Hazzard and Gene Kum won in 3:26.17.

What makes Adegbite’s performance all the remarkable is that he didn’t even run for Deer Park in his year away from St. Anthony’s. But now all is well.

“I really like the environment I’m in,” Adegbite said. “I have really good friends here. You meet good people. I’m more motivated.”

St. Anthony’s dominated the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA Large Schools team championships. The Friars took the boys team title with 124.33 points, outdistancing second-place Chaminade (65) and St. John the Baptist in third (59.66). .

Up next is the CHSAA Intersectional championship next Saturday at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. The top finishers advance to the state Federation meet.

The Friars had several other winners, blanketing events with quality performers. Senior Warner Cooley III won the 400 in 49.07. Senior Peyton Hazzard took the 800 in 1:57.00.

Junior Cameron Black took the 110 hurdles in 14.90 and placed second (58.59) behind Kellenberg’s Dylan Rosser in the 400 hurdles.

Junior Christopher Pensa took the shot put in 46-0. Senior Christopher Hand won the discus (132-8) and placed second in the shot (44-4.75).

Junior the pole vault (13-9), once again besting the competition by a wide margin. Chaminade’s Conor Simon went 12-6 for second.

Brunoforte won for the second straight season.

“I wanted 14-7 [personal best], but I had some pole troubles,” Brunoforte said. “It just wasn’t enough to get me over. When I get on the right pole it’ll happen. This is a good test for next week.”