H-ton Girls’ Cross Country Compiles
4-2 Mark
Senior Suzie Petryk and sophomore Marina Ruzic helped lift the Huntington High School girls’ cross country team to a 4-2 record this fall. The Blue Devils finished second in the league, fifth in the conference and 10th in Suffolk.
The 11-member team was captained by seniors Carol Cimetta and Sara Stewart. “It was a wonderful group; hardworking and with a strong desire to improve individually to help the team,” head coach Debra Cheskes said.
The Blue Devils defeated Bellport, Kings Park, East Islip and West Babylon. Huntington dropped meets to Eastport-South Manor and Hauppauge, the latter by one point.
One of the finest runners in Huntington cross country history, Petryk holds several school records. The teenager captured All-League, All-Division and All-County honors this fall. “Suzie is naturally gifted and a hard worker,” Cheskes said.
Ruzic, who earned All-League recognition, turned in the eighth fastest time in the program’s history this season, surpassing the mark of 20:39 set by Christine Brandon in 1980. The teenager covered the three mile distance in 20:22.32 at the Suffolk Frosh/Soph Championships on October 24. “Marina worked hard all summer to run amazing times,” Cheskes said.
Stewart also sparkled as a runner and leader. “Sara is a great captain who motivates the entire team,” Cheskes said.
Senior Kiara Roman closed out her Blue Devil career in fine fashion. Cheskes said the teenager “is the best hill runner I’ve ever coached.”
Sophomore Louise Koepele is still another runner dedicated to the sport. She reduced her 5K time by nearly 30 seconds between the Suffolk Coaches Invitational on September 27 and the Section XI Championships on October 31. “She’s a great athlete who works hard to improve,” Cheskes said.
Freshmen Hannah Hughes and Alexandra McKenzie, sophomore Hannah Baptiste, junior Sabrina Mills and senior manager Ellaha Nadi rounded out the Blue Devil roster.
Huntington finished second out of 16 teams in the varsity C race at the Adidas Shore Invite in Homdel, New Jersey, third in the Suffolk Coaches Invitational varsity race, fourth in the senior race at the Jim Smith Invitational and fifth in the Nassau Coaches Invitational varsity race.
Cheskes was especially impressed with the team’s performance in the 5000m Adidas Shore Invite. “The girls never ran on the course before nor even had a chance to preview it,” the coach said. Petryk took fifth place out of nearly 140 runners in a time of 20:51.72. Ruzic (19th in 22:03.99), Stewart (25th in 22:15.68), Roman (32nd in 22:44.10), Koepele (40th in 23:15.29), McKenzie (44th in 23:29.91) and Cimetta (107th in 26:14.56).
Ruzic, Koepele and McKenzie are the top runners that will be returning to the team for the 2015 season.
The Blue Devils are looking to build their ranks. “Recruitment is a top priority,” Cheskes said. “Within the last two years nine athletes have graduated, but only four new athletes joined the team.”