The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ track and field team cobbled together a splendid season, compiling a 5-2 record while showcasing some very impressive seventh and eighth grade athletes.
Finley was coached by district physical education teachers Michael Marinello and Carrie Postel. The squad consisted of 35 talented and motivated young women.
“These girls worked hard each and every day to better themselves in their different events,” Postel said. “They had an internal drive to beat their previous times or distance.”
Finley bested Bay Shore, Babylon, East Islip, East Northport and Brentwood and fell to West Islip-Udall and West Babylon.
“Our best team accomplishment came when we competed against Brentwood,” Marinello said. “The girls pushed themselves really hard to beat them.”
The roster consisted of seventh graders Angie Amador Martinez, Hevin Benitez-Huntley, Landry Flynn, Jazmyne Greene, Rebeca Guardado-Flores, Abigail Hopson, Chloe Hunt, Ariana James, Ariella Katigbak, Andrea Mani-Munoz, Jannel Marroquin, Tinia McGee, Aayana Morman, Neurdia Osias, Hannah Song, Kaylee Splendorio, Elizabeth Stair, Mia Thompson and Giana White.
Eighth graders on the team included Emely Cruz, Megan Donaghy, Natalie Dunn, Briana Florvil, Lauren Gennarelli, Kendall Germain, Alexis Joseph, Tessie Maerz, Markella Markotsis, Ni’Tiera McGee, Renee McKean, Katie Meagher, Maryuri Nunez Gomez, Jillian Panos, Abigail Pawlak and Theresa Rivera.
“This was a great group of girls with a lot of talent,” Postel said. “We are looking to have another successful season next year with our seventh graders returning.”
Finley’s top athletes by event included:
Long jump: Megan Donaghy, Jillian Panos, Lauren Gennarelli
Triple jump: Kaylee Splendorio, Landry Flynn
High jump: Renee McKean
Shot put: Tessie Maerz, Andrea Mani-Munoz, Jannel Marroquin,
Discuss: Natalie Dunn
55m hurdles: Renee McKEan, Ni’Tiera McGee, Neurdia Osias
55m dash: Aayanna Morman, Tessie Maerz, Brianna Florvil, Arianna James
100m dash: Angie Amador
400m dash: Alexis Joseph, Lauren Gennarelli
800m run: Megan Donaghy
1500m run: Jannel Marroquin, Kaylee Splendorio, Kendall Germain, Ariella Katigbak, Natalie Dunn
