The Huntington boys’ indoor track and field team’s 4x400m and 4x200m relays teams both shined at the Ocean Breeze Invitational at Staten Island last Saturday. Both of the relay teams are currently ranked No. 1 on Long Island and No. 2 in New York State.
At the Ocean Breeze Invitational, the 4x400m relay team consisting of CJ Kiviat, Isaiah James, Anthony Joseph and Johnathan Smith easily vanquished the field, finishing first in the time of 3:20.89.
The 4x200m relay team consisting of Nasir Youngblood, CJ Kiviat, Anthony Joseph and Johnathan Smith finished second in a time of 1:31.41. The Blue Devils were edged by Samuel J. Tilden by about one second in the race for the championship.
In other action:
- Eric Sands threw a personal best of 49-06.00 in shot put to place fifth in a field of 35.
- Nasir Youngblood placed seventh in a field of 73 in the sophomore 55m dash in a time of 6.89 seconds.
- Isaiah James finished second in a field of 66 in the sophomore 800m run in a time of 2:01.75.
- Eric Sands placed ninth in a field of 42 in weight throw with a distance of 45-02.50 feet. Gary Barash placed 17 th with a throw of 37-09.25 feet.
- Seventh grader Jahmar Francis placed sixth in a field of 38 in the freshman 400m dash in a time of 55.51 seconds.
Blue Devil Girls’ Basketball is Rolling . . .
Paige Lennon connected for a three-pointer.
The Huntington varsity girls’ basketball team is rolling. The Blue Devils took down visiting Smithtown East on Saturday, 40-27 in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. It was an impressive performance by any measure.
Huntington trailed the Bulls 11-9 after eight minutes, but went on a 12-0 second quarter run to seize a 21-11 halftime advantage. Smithtown East was never able to recover from the deficit.
The victory improved Huntington’s record to 7-5 in league play; 9-7 overall. The Blue Devils have four league games remaining over the next two weeks.
Huntington junior Abby Maichin turned in another great effort with 17 points, seven rebounds and six steals. Emily Plachta had nine points and eight rebounds. Christie Baade had four points and made her presence felt under the boards on both ends of the court. Paige Lennon dropped a three pointer. Laurel Bonn, Charlotte Maggio and Holly Wright all had two points. Jordan Forte scored a point from the free throw line.
“We are definitely on a hot streak as a team right now,” Maichin said. “Everyone is feeling really good about how we are playing and we need to keep this up to take us through the rest of our season. Everyone has been playing to their potential and contributing to all aspects of what we need to do to win. If we continue this, we will be set for a successful run in the playoffs.”
CJ Kiviat Continues to Impress . . .
Huntington sophomore, CJ Kiviat has proven to be one of the very best middle distance runners in Suffolk County. He won the 600m sophomore championship in 1:28, which is one of the top overall times in the county. A week later he captured the League III 600m title by running a time of 1:24. “He is a vital part of both of our 4x200m and 4x400m relays,” Blue Devil head coach Ronald Wilson said.
Trevan Meagher Soars in High Jump . . .
Huntington sophomore Trevan Meagher is enjoying a wonderful season with the Blue Devil indoor track and field team. He won the Suffolk sophomore high jump championship. The teenager’s best effort this winter has been a 6-00.00 jump. But he hopes to soar higher; much higher.
H-ton Wrestlers Pin Cold Spring Harbor . . .
The Huntington wrestling team captured a non-league dual meet victory over visiting Cold Spring Harbor, 48-27 in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School gym.
Samir Rathore, Charlie O’Rourke, Ryan Baker, Robert Smith, Jon Koumas and Kaleef Riley all won their matches by pin. William Burton and Tazadon Smith both won by forfeit.
Senior Johnathan Smith among Best in USA . . .
Senior Johnathan Smith has excelled this winter for the Blue Devil indoor track and field team. He is among the best runners in the nation in the 300m, 500m and 600m runs and his efforts on Huntington’s 4x200m and 4x400m relay teams have led both of them to be ranked No. 2 in New York State. He has also been outstanding in long jump.
Blue Devils Fall in Double Overtime . . .
The Huntington boys’ basketball team dropped a thrilling double overtime verdict at Smithtown East last Friday afternoon, 72-69.
Huntington trailed 23-12 after one quarter and 43-27 at halftime. The Blue Devils then went on a 32-16 second half run to send the game into overtime.
The teams battled to a 6-6 draw during the first extra frame. Huntington led 69-67 with 1:10 remaining in the second overtime, but the Bulls dropped a three pointer to go ahead for good. A pair of free throws with a fraction of a second left gave Smithtown East a three point victory.
Max Rentsch led Huntington with 21 points. Ian Ardell had 19 points and Chad Rowe added 11 points. Lex Colato and Dan Danziger both had eight points. Jake Costabile had two points.
Isaiah James Captures NYS Track’s Attention . . .
Huntington sophomore Isaiah James has captured the attention of everyone associated with high school track in New York State. He has been exceptional on the Blue Devil relay teams and is also turning in very strong performances in mid-distance races. The teenager won the Suffolk sophomore 1000m run championship and was runner-up in the league with a personal best time of 2:40. Last weekend he finished second in the 800m at the Ocean Breeze Invitational in a very talented field.
Booster Club’s Devil’s Den Needs Help . . .
The Huntington Booster Club’s Devil’s Den depends upon donations of athletic equipment and supplies to pursue its mission of outfitting young athletes in need. It needs more help now than ever with an especially high demand for lacrosse equipment.
Located in the basement of J. Taylor Finley Middle School, the 14x5 foot room is capable of serving any student-athlete in grades 7-12. One of the most successful of the Huntington Booster Club’s many initiatives, the Devil’s Den was launched with support from the late Assemblyman James D. Conte, who helped secure a state grant that was used to purchase start-up materials, including shelving, bins, hooks, posters and related items.
The Booster Club is putting out a call to community members and alumni for donations of new or gently used athletic items, such as bats, baseball gloves, golf clubs, shin guards, soccer balls, lacrosse sticks, cleats, sneakers, tennis racquets, sweat suits, etc. New socks and t-shirts are also sorely needed.
Parent Krista McDonald (516-967-4045 or kristamcdonald@optonline.net) is coordinating the Devil’s Den this year. Coaches can arrange to pick-up gear for athletes in need on their team by contacting Mrs. McDonald.
The Devil’s Den is kept neat and organized. While typically well-stocked, it requires a steady flow of donated gear. Folks willing to help are urged to look through their closets, basements and garages for unneeded athletic equipment and related items and contact Mrs. McDonald to donate the goods.
Those who would like to donate equipment can drop the items off at the Finley Middle School main office or the athletic director’s office at Huntington High School or by contacting Mrs. McDonald. Items can also be picked up at homes in the area.
The Booster Club is committed to assisting athletes who cannot afford to purchase the items they need to participate on Huntington’s sports teams. Coaches are keenly aware of the facility and are encouraged to contact the Booster Club if any of their team members need an item and cannot afford to acquire it on their own.
The mission of the Devil’s Den is simple: Maximize participation, provide student-athletes with an improved overall experience and contribute to a stronger foundation for the Blue Devil sports program.
Blue Devil Stadium Field Banners Available . . .
Blue Devil Stadium family and corporate field banners are available for purchase. Dozens of banners are currently affixed to the fencing surrounding the track oval that circle the turf playing surface.
The Huntington Booster club coordinates the field banner program. The high quality navy blue vinyl banners measure 9x4 feet and feature white lettering. Depending on when the banner is purchased, it will be displayed for one year (Either September through August or March through February.)
Family banners sell for $250 for one year or $600 for three years. Corporate banners are offered for sale at $500 for one year or $1,250 for three years. Those purchasing a banner are also listed in the Booster Club’s annual dinner gala journal as a supporter of the Blue Devil athletic program. (Families and teams can combine to purchase a banner.)
Those purchasing a banner can list three lines of text. The first two lines can consist of 25 characters per line with a third line maximum of 50 characters. (There is no requirement that all three lines of text be used.)
“Through the years, the Huntington interscholastic athletics program has played an important role in the lives of students and community members,” states the Booster Club’s field banner flyer. “We have a great opportunity for your family or business to show your support and advertise your name or business year-round, reaching thousands of Long Island families, athletes and consumers. To accomplish our goals we ask that you help us support our athletes at J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School by purchasing a banner, which will be displayed on the fence around of athletic field at Huntington High School.”
Many alumni have purchased banners. There are banners commemorating Blue Devil sports feats and legendary coaches. Each person has a different reason for purchasing a field banner.
Banner order forms are available on the Huntington School District’s website at www.hufsd.edu. Contact Booster Club President Timothy Pillion at tim.pillion@gmail.com or (631) 275-3264 for more information.
