In any other year the Huntington High School girls’ winter track team’s 4x200m relay would be the prohibitive favorite to repeat as the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s state champions. But this is unlike any other year in the past century, so the Blue Devils aren’t sure what to expect when the season begins on January 4.
Huntington returns five of the six runners who were responsible for winning the 4x200m public school state crown last March. Analisse Batista, Hope Bilkey, Oliva Conte, Caroline O’Rourke and Brianna Halbeisen are all back. Only Alicia Brooks was lost to graduation.
The winter season is usually held indoors, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the real possibility that training and competition will be outdoors in 2021. The impact this will have on the athletes and specific events is completely unknown. No final decisions have been reached, but the possibility is a good one.
Batista also won a state gold medal in the 600m run. She is a remarkably talented athlete and her teammates are equally spectacular. Huntington’s 4x200m relay time of 1:40.27 in the state finals set a new Section XI record in the event.
Huntington is coached by Mark Jackson and Eddie Santos. The Blue Devils are set to return a total of 30 athletes from last winter’s team that was among the best in Suffolk.
“I think it’s interesting going into this season with the anticipation of wondering whether or not we will be able to have one,” said Halbeisen, a junior. “Most people on the team have been working out, so I’m excited to see how we perform. I feel like our team has improved a lot since last year and has room for even more improvement throughout the upcoming season. I really hope we get the chance to show everyone what we can do.
Jackson expects to have a well-balanced squad with strength in the sprints, middle and long distance events as well as in hurdles, jumps and throws. The team includes a mix of veterans who already have several seasons under their belt and relative newcomers, who displayed eye-catching potential last winter.
Depending on how Jackson configures the respective relays, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Huntington can compete for multiple county titles.
Clarity about the winter season is expected in the coming weeks.