Blue Devils Excel During Expected Rebuilding Season

The Huntington varsity boys’ winter track and field team outperformed expectations to finish third in the Suffolk championships and send senior Jahmar Francis to the state championships.

Coached by Ron Wilson, Eli Acosta and Haidee Ganz-Bonhurst and captained by Francis, David Dax, Nikolai Lulewich, John Genova and Ethan Goleski, the Blue Devil roster totaled 43 athletes.

Wilson called his squad “a team that never stopped working. They competed at every meet.” An exciting group of underclassmen meshed well with talented seniors during what was considered a rebuilding year.

Capturing All-League and All-County honors were Christian Delgado, David Dax, Jahmar Francis and Nikolai Lulewich. All-League recognition was garnered by John Genova, Max Carino, Titan Elysee, Eric Heinz, Carlos Marroquin, Dominic Mattio, Yovanni Rivera and Nicholas Rosan.

The Blue Devils were led by Francis (long jump, 600m, 4x200m relay, 4x400m relay), Dax (55m and 4x200m relay) and Lulewich (55m high hurdles, high jump, 4x400m relay).

“Jahmar Francis has been a major part of our success since his seventh grade year when we pulled him up,” Wilson said. “He ran the first leg on our relay that won the county championship that year. He has won countless county, state and national titles while competing for us.”

Dax and Lulewich were also praised for their contributions to Huntington’s indoor track program. “David has been our top short sprinter. He’s the lead leg on our relay because no one has fast feet like David. He is the heart and soul of our team, motivating everyone to do their absolute best. Niko is also hardworking and always looking to improve. He stepped up to be a part of our relay team and did an awesome job competing in multiple events at every meet.”

Looking ahead to next winter, Wilson is especially optimistic about the prospects of freshmen Eric Heinz, Colby Curran and Joe Rivers and sophomore Titan Elysse.

“Eric has shown great improvement and has developed a passion for track and field,” Wilson said. “He is a distance runner that will peak some interest in the upcoming years. Titan also continues to grow in the sport. He competed in multiple events and will return as one of our top middle distance runners.”

The Blue Devils will also be looking toward Curran, who was in the top five of all freshman throwers in the state this winter. “He plays lacrosse in the spring, so we look forward to seeing him back with us next winter,” Wilson said. “His teammate, ‘Big Joe Rivers’ placed a close second behind him and will continue with us in the spring season. We are looking for him to do some great things here in Huntington.”

Wilson is looking forward to the spring season, which begins on Monday, March 11 .