July 30, 2018

The Huntington High School boys’ track and field program is humming. While this past season qualified as a rebuilding year of sorts, the Blue Devils were extremely competitive while laying the foundation for a future that seems exceedingly bright.

“We had a very young, but talented group of athletes who made a lot of noise in Suffolk County,” Wilson said. “They fought to the bitter end. Father of the modern Olympic Games Pierre de Coubertin once said, ‘The important thing in life is not victory, but combat; it is not to have vanquished, but to have fought well.’ I’m very proud of their accomplishments this season. Their hard work and dedication to the program was not in vain. It paid big dividends, earning a number of post-season honors.”

While Jonathan Smith, Eric Sands and Joseph Garetano will return for their senior seasons next spring as accomplished athletes, the team will continue to be dominated by exceptional underclassmen who are expected to help the Blue Devils contend for a county title.

“We said last year that this year would be rebuilding,” Wilson said. “It certainly was, but we still came away with some championships. Our ‘youngins’ stepped up and made a huge impact on our squad. To be quite honest, they gave more than what we expected. The next few years could really be a treat for us if we remain humble, stay healthy and work hard. I truly believe they will have quite a bit to offer next year.”

The top returning underclassmen look to be Aidan Heller, Andrew McKenzie, Isaiah James, Anthony Joseph, Jason Turner, Chad Rowe, Jr, Nasir Youngblood, Justin Stevens, Jaylen Bush, CJ Kiviat, Rhaliek Thomason, Josiah Melendez and Gary Barash. “These are all underclassmen who we depended upon to earn points this year.

“These young men performed well and should return with great experience,” Wilson said. “They should be a force to help lead this team. Again, one can never really tell year to year, but you can bet your bottom dollar that we will be competitive in every aspect of the sport.”

Huntington is one of the top programs in the state and nation and Wilson wants to keep it that way. “Our goal is to continue to teach the fundamentals of track and field to high school athletes,” he said. “To compete at a high level, win league and county championships and make it to the state championship and win there as well and continue to rank among the best in the nation!”

Blue Devil Boys’ Spring Track & Field Honors

All-League

1. Johnathan Smith: 400m Dash, 400m IH, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 4x400m Relay
2. Anthony Joseph: 200m Dash, 400m Dash, 4x400m Relay
3. CJ Kiviat: 4x400m Relay
4. Justin Stevens: 800m, 400m IH, 4x400m Relay
5. Isaiah James: 800m
6. Aidan Heller: 3200m
7. Nasir Youngblood: 100m, Long Jump, 4x100m Relay
8. Jason Turner: 200m, 4x100m Relay
9. Clay Jamison: Shot Put
10. Shateek Parler: Shot Put
11. Levi Leach: Shot Put, Discus
12. Michael Drake: High Jump, Long Jump
13. Jaden Bholan: High Jump
14. Mehki Harvey: High Jump
15. Nicolas Sanin: Pole Vault
16. Brian Pierre: 110m HH, 400m IH
17. Joe Garetano: High Jump
18. Josiah Melendez: 4x100m Relay
19. Jaylen Bush: 110m HH
20. Rahliek Thomason: Triple Jump

League IV Champions

1. Johnathan Smith: 400m IH (56.21), 4x400m Relay (3:26, best split 48.7)
2. Anthony Joseph: 400m Dash (50.7), 4x400m Relay (3:26, best split 50.1)
3. CJ Kiviat: 4x400m Relay (3:26, best split 52.9)
4. Justin Stevens: 4x400m Relay (3:26, best split 52.1)
5. 4x400m Relay: Stevens, Joseph, Kiviat, Smith (3:23)
6. 4x400m Relay: Youngblood, Melendez, Turner, Joseph, Smith (43.15; school record)

Division II Champions, All Division, County Champions

1. Johnathan Smith: 400m Hurdles – 54.98 (Division Champion), All County, State Qualifier
2. Clay Jamison: Shot Put – 51’4 (Division Champion)m, All County
3. 4x100m Relay: Youngblood, Melendez, Turner, Joseph, Smith – 43.15 (Division champion)
4. 4x400m Relay: Stevens, Joseph, Kiviat, Smith – 3:24.61 (All Division - 2 ^nd Place)
5. Michael Drake: Pentathlon 2,538 (All Division - 4 ^th Place), High Jump 6’2 All County
6. Mekai Butts: Discus 114’8 (All Division - 4 ^th Place)
7. Levi Leach: Shot Put 47’4 (All Division – 4 ^th Place), All County
8. Joe Garetano: High Jump 6’1 (All Division – 4 ^th Place)