Blue Devils Cap Off Winter at State Championships

The Huntington winter boys’ track and field team capped off the winter season at the New York State Championships at Staten Island. While the Blue Devils didn’t win any medals in the three separate events, they did outperform where they were seeded and turned in very respectable results.

“Although we were a young team, they performed well at every meet,” head coach Ronald E. Wilson said. “Our relay team surprised the county when they upset top-ranked Longwood and Hills West with a victory at the state qualifier meet. Our younger athletes will return with experience.

Huntington had many post-season award winners, including:

All-League: Titan Elysee, Eric Heinz. Wilmer Benitez, Adan Ntambwe, Matthew Ross, Jean Riboul, Colby Curran, Robert Campbell, Dylan Michaelson, Braedan Kline, Zayvion McCoy

All-County: Titan Elysee, Wilmer Benitez, Adan Ntambwe, Robert Campbell, Eric Heinz, Colby Curran, Jean Riboul, Bany Soc Concua

All Sectional and State Qualifier: Titan Elysee, Robert Campbell, Eric Heinz, Wilmer Benitez, Adan Ntambwe, Colby Curran

Coach Wilson’s comments on the season:

“Eric [Heinz] was our top performing athlete, competing well during the entire season. Unfortunately, he was hit with the ‘sick bug’ late in the season and it definitely weakened his opportunities at states. His time of 1:22.73 ranked him No. 1 in Suffolk County and he was on the county championship 4x400m relay team of Robbie Campbell, Adan Ntambwe and Titan Elysee.” (His events were the 600m dash, long jump and 4x400m relay.)

“Titan [Elysee] was our top performing sprinter throughout the entire season. He was one of the county’s top 300m runners this winter season. He got hurt early in the season and returned toward the end to help his team capture a title in the 4x400m relay.” (His events were the 300m dash, long jump and 4x400m relay.)

“Robbie Campbell emerged as one of our top jumpers, mainly the triple jump. He exploded on the scene when he jumped over 40 feet placing at a meet in Pennsylvania. He also was our lead leg on the relay team.” (His events were the triple jump and 4x400m relay.)

“Jean Riboul and Colby Curran did extraordinarily well in both the shot put and weight throw. Their athleticism and strength helped the both of them garner post-season honors.” (Their events were shot put and weight throw.)