The Huntington girls’ track and field team is off and running this spring with a new head coach and the same enthusiasm the Blue Devils are famous for displaying in every event.
Huntington is captained by returning veterans Nicole Abbondandelo, Nicole Arenth, Sophie Dellecave and Alliy Mckenzie. Mark Jackson has taken over as head coach from Shawn Anderson, who accepted a teaching position in Maine. Eric Santos is the assistant coach.
The team will compete in various invitational meets while also facing off against league foes Riverhead, Half Hollow Hills East, Smithtown East, Bay Shore, Copiague and Smithtown West in dual contests.
“We’ve been stuck inside [for most of] this season because of the weather, but we are still working very hard,” Abbondandelo said. “There is a lot of untapped potential in many of our underclassmen, which will be a huge asset to our team this season. We were put in a very competitive league with large schools so every point is going to count. I am confident that it is going to be a great season and we are going to have fun competing and pushing one another to their absolute best.”
The 53-athlete strong roster includes seventh grader Sophie Bradford; eighth grader Erin Ye; freshmen Isabella Algieri, Naomy Amador Martinez, Taylor Case, Jordan Cook, Giavanna Devoe, Marina Durand, Sarah Giarraputo, Kemberlin Hernandez-Veliz, Isyss Jones, Timmeree Koepele, Dejanae Linton, Gracia Renkewitz, Valerie Rogel, Ajenique Sainvilus, Sophia Severine, Ella Siepel, Lanaya Swazey and Alana Wallace; sophomores Alicia Brooks, Jai-la’ Bush, Megan Byrnes, Isabel Canales, Mya Davis, Grace Heuwetter, Lauren LoScalzo, Karley Matthews, Mia Redick, Royyele Sainvilus and Isabella Thompson; juniors Colette Baron, Hadley Clayton, Sophie Dellevace, Nephar Durand, Vanessa Hernandez-Gomez, Evelyn Hernandez-Veliz, Mackenzie Joseph, Yasmin Khilji-Neal, Grace McKenna, Haley Mortell, Kiara Rafailan, Keily Rivas, Erika Varady and Jenna Yabroudy; and seniors Nicole Abbondandelo, Nicole Arenth, Charlotte Brosoff, Niamh Condon, Alexandra McKenzie, Mardnie Mentor, Nicole Muszynski and Katie Seccafico.
“The team is very enthusiastic and looking forward to our first meet,” McKenzie said. “We hope as the season progresses to break some school records and lower our times.”
The divisional championships are set for May 21-22 at Connetquot. The state qualifier will be held June 1-2 at Comsewogue. The state championships are scheduled for June 8-9 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
“We have a great mix of great girls who are returning and who have just joined,” Arenth said. “There’s a lot of talent on the team, so I think we can accomplish a lot this season. Everyone has been working hard during our workouts and supporting one another. Although it’s bittersweet to know that my high school track career is coming to an end, I’m excited for what this season has to offer for us.”