The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ track and field team is dominated by seventh graders eager to show their talents. Early season reports indicate the team has the talent to compete with every opponent on its schedule.
Chris Helmke is the team’s head coach with Brian Reynolds serving as the assistant. The duo has been putting the team through its paces. There are many events to cover ranging from sprints and hurdles to distance and relays along with high jump, long jump and shot put, among others.
The early season roster includes seventh graders David Amaya, Robert Campbell, Cruz Chavez Ramirez, Michael DiVincenzo, Eric Heinz, Greyson Henderson, Townsel Henry, Cole Lima, Jordan McClary, Adan Ntambwe, Jesse Perez, Wesley Previle, Jostin Ramirez, Josue Umana Molina and Nathaniel Vereen Jr.; and eighth graders Max Carino, Gueniel Elysee and Jeremyah Leiva.
If any Finley boys’ track and field team ever had only three eighth graders on its roster in a prior season no one can remember it. It’s an usual occurrence, most likely another fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic that interfered with and in many ways undermined middle school level athletic programs across Long Island and the state.
All of that said, Helmke and Reynolds are determined to give team members a great experience and introduce them to a variety of events as the boys go about discerning their interests.
This marks the final athletic season for Reynolds, who is retiring at the end of June following a three-decade long career as a technology teacher in Huntington UFSD. Helmke plans to coach several more years and hopes to build the program and get more seventh and eighth graders involved in future seasons. Right now, both coaches are happy with the effort being shown by the team during after school practices.
Finley has a seven meet schedule with home contests against East Islip, Elwood and East Northport and away competitions at Oldfield, Deer Park, Kings Park and West Babylon. Finley’s home meets will be held at Huntington High School.