Huntington Track Strong at
Christmas Classic
Senior Tyriek Johnson blazed his way to victory in the 55m high hurdles as the Huntington High School boys' track and field team turned in a strong performance at the Christmas Classic at St. Anthony's High School.
Johnson crossed the finish line in 7.63 seconds, nipping St. Anthony's Cameron Black, who ran a 7.65. "It was an exciting race to watch," said Ron Wilson, Huntington's head coach. "Black looked to have had the race wrapped up, but by the fourth hurdle, Johnson's speed and form took over and allowed him to cross the finish line in first."
Johnson went on to win the long jump with a leap of 20'11. Huntington's Marquis Francis won the freshman division of the long jump by soaring 18'8.
Blue Devil senior Danny McQuade ran his best hurdles race of the season, finishing seventh in 8.67 seconds. Eighth graders Exayvian Crowell and Jahmik Curry placed second (10.25) and third (10.34), respectively, in the freshmen division of the hurdles.
"Crowell is really starting to learn from Tyriek," Wilson said. "He kind of resembles Johnson a bit, so Tyriek has taken him under his wing. He's a young man that is hungry for success out on the track. He is definitely going to open some eyes in the years to come."
In the freshmen division of the sprints, Kyle Davis placed third in 7.32 seconds and seventh grader Lawrence Leake placed eighth in 7.6.
Huntington shined in the throwing events, too. In the varsity division of the shot put, senior Trayvon Toney threw a season personal best of 47'10 to capture second place. Blue Devil junior Shaheem Lewis threw a personal best of 45'8 to place fifth. In the freshmen division, Matteo McNeil and Jimmie Nelson placed first and second, respectively, with throws of 45'5 and 39'10. "They were some very happy young men that evening, especially when they were presented with gold and silver medals," Wilson said.
In the distance races, senior Ryan Ackerman ran 1:32 in the 600m dash to earn a medal by placing sixth. In the relays, Huntington's freshmen sprint medley relay team of Giancarlos Puello, Marquis Francis, Kyle Davis and Brendan Wirth finished third.
The Blue Devils' 4 x 400m relay team of Ackerman, junior Pete Goldsmith, senior John Ceide and junior Thomas Boisclair gutted out a sixth place finish to earn medals.
Opposing coaches sent many compliments Wilson's way, who in turn gave credit to his hardworking athletes. The Blue Devils are hoping this turns out to be a special kind of season.