Huntington High School’s boys’ winter track and field team wasn’t able to accomplish all of its pre-season goals, but the medals it did win and the stats it put on the board were impressive by any standards. Six Blue Devils captured All-State honors as the team continued its long record of excellence in the relays.
Huntington’s 51 man roster was coached by Ron Wilson, Eli Acosta and Haidee Gantz-Bonhurst and captained by Julio Martinez, Quincy Chery, Matt Armstrong and Jahmar Francis.
The Blue Devils finished third in the league standings, and second in Suffolk.
All-League honors were garnered by Matteo Armstrong, Julio Martinez, Quincy Chery, Josiah Melendez, Andy Suazo, Justice King, Nikolai Seferian, Nikolai Lulewich, Nick Seitz, Erik Flores, Nick Grover, Johan Fajardo and Keegan Malone.
Julio Martinez, Johan Fajardo, Jahmar Francis, Nick Grover, Nikolai Seferian, Matt Armstrong and Quincy Chery captured All-County recognition.
Martinez Armstrong, Francis, Grover, Chery and Seferian went on to win All-State medals in the 4x400m relay.
Wilson was happy with his team. “These young men performed well in just about every event from the first meet of the season to the last meet at states,” he said. “Unfortunately, injuries caught up with us late in the season. We are extremely proud of the progress these young men made this season. Their outstanding performances have once again brought national prominence to this school and community.”
Wilson said he would love to see “some sort” of running club at both Woodhull Intermediate School and Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School “so we can get more athletes interested in track and field. Our numbers at Finley Middle School also need to improve.”
As the season drew to a close, Wilson rededicated himself to the program’s mission. “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 our league and county championships and make it to the state championship and win there as well.”
Huntington’s top athletes included:
Julio Martinez: Senior
“Julio has developed into a phenomenal short and long sprinter for us,” Wilson said. “He’s hardworking and is always looking to improve every time he steps out on the track. He was our top sprinter this year and was a finalist for one of the coveted trophies that go to Suffolk County’s top track and field athletes. He ends his season as the Suffolk County No. 2 in the 300m dash (35.38), which earned him a trip to the state championship in this event. Julio was the talented anchor leg for both of our relay teams, which were among some of the best teams in the country this indoor season. His best split came at the pre-national championship meet when he split 48.96 in the 4x400m relay. His best split in the 4x200m relay was 22.04.”
Martinez has offers from Stony Brook University, Binghamton University, University at Albany and New Jersey Institute of Technology. He has not made a final decision on where he plans to attend college.
Jahmar Francis: Sophomore
“Jahmar Francis has emerged as one of the top 600m (1:24) runners in the county and arguably in the state,” Wilson said. “Such great potential in this young man. If he works hard in both the classroom and on the track, he will have an opportunity to go to any school of his choice. He ended his indoor season as the county champion in the 600m. He was our lead and sometimes second leg in both the 4x400m and 4x200m relays. His best 4x400m relay split was 50.56 and 4x200m relay split 22.9.”
Matthew Armstrong: Junior
“You’re just not going to find anyone that will outwork Matt,” Wilson said. “Matt is a major part of our success this indoor season. His versatility and strong work ethic has made him one of the county’s top athletes. He never complains. He ended his season earning All-County and All-State honors with our relay with a best 400m split of 53.61. His best 1000m time was 2:39.28, which ranked him seventh in the county and his best time in the 3200m run was 10:16. He will be ready to break 10 minutes next indoor season in the 3200m run.”
Quincy Chery: Senior
“Quincy was poised to be one of the top performing athletes this past indoor season,” Wilson said. “Unfortunately, he injured his knee early in the season and that pretty much kept him sidelined at the beginning. However, he came on strong toward the end of the season helping our relays reach the state and national championships. His best 400m split in the 4x400m relay was 50.26 and 4x200m relay was 22.7. We are most certainly aiming for a more impressive spring season for Quincy. He returns as the top 400m hurdler in the county and one of the top five in the state.”
“This was a talented group of athletes that believed in one another,” said Wilson about the team. “They gave their best efforts at every meet. I’m very proud of their accomplishments this season. They made coming to practice enjoyable for me. They lost the league title, but came back a week later and placed second in the county championships.”
Looking ahead to 2022/23, Wilson sees a good team on the horizon. “Next winter we will still be young, but with experience,” he said. “We will continue to be one of the top 400 meter programs in the county, arguably in the state. We are super excited about our young athletes and how they matured and grew in this sport.”
