Blue Devils Finish Third in Frosh Championships
These kids don't back down to anyone. Huntington High School freshmen Infinite Tucker, Exayvian Crowell, Cameron Knox, Michael Lonergan, Kyle O'Brien, Renato Aguilar and Devin Bitenas were splendid at the Suffolk Frosh/Soph Championships at Longwood as the Blue Devils finished third in the team standings in a tough field at the 37-event competition.
There were many fine performances, but Tucker had the best day of all the Blue Devils. In the 110m high hurdles, the Huntington teenager was seeded fifth behind Crowell, Spencer Payton and Mike Linburner of Longwood and Jesse Scanlon of Southampton. The lineup produced a sight to see.
"What a race," said Ron Wilson, Huntington's head coach who can tell a great story. "Payton has been the No. 1 freshmen hurdler all year long. Crowell has been hot on his trail as the No. 2. When the starting gun sounded for the finals, they all pretty much broke out of the blocks at the same time. Crowell got off to a difficult start and couldn't regroup. Tucker, on the other hand, had a slight lead over Payton going over hurdle No. 5. Tucker clipped hurdle six and seven and was nipped at the wire for the gold by Longwood's Payton who finished in 16.50 seconds while Tucker finished in 16.82. Crowell finished in fifth in 18.14."
Tucker went on to finish second in the 400m dash in 54.08 seconds to earn a second silver medal, but his day was still not yet complete. His leap of 5'8 in the high jump gave him still another silver medal. In the 400m intermediate hurdles, the teenager was nipped at the wire by Longwood's Payton, who crossed the line in 58.46, but Tucker's time of 58.50 seconds was good enough for an incredible fourth silver medal.
Huntington's throwers held their own, too. Cameron Knox got off a toss of 36-feet in the shot put to claim fourth place and a bronze medal. Michael Lonergan's best throw of 34-feet didn't gain him a spot in the finals, nor did his discus toss of 90'6, although it was a personal best. "He's a big kid that's definitely going to help in the future," said Wilson about Lonergan.
In the distance events, Kyle O'Brien ran 4:54 to earn a bronze medal in the 1600m run. Obrien was eighth in the 3200m run in 11:06.
Final team standings: 1. Longwood-63.50; 2. West Islip-58; 3. Huntington-38; 4. Bay Shore-37; 5. Southampton-31.75; 6. Central Islip-30; 7-Northport-28; 8. Sachem East-26-50; 9. Connetquot-25; 10. Eastport-South Manor-22.50; 11. Mattituck-19; 12. Comsewogue-16; 13. Half Hollow Hills East-11; 14. Bellport-10; 15. Bayport-Blue Point-8; 15. Shoreham-Wading River-8; 17. East Hampton-6; 18. Half Hollow Hills West-5; 19. North Babylon-4.75; 19. East Islip-4.75; 21. Port Jefferson-4; 22. Amityville-2.75; 23. Riverhead-2; 24. Middle Country-1.50; 25. Smithtown West-1; 25. Rocky Point-1.