West, East Boys' Track Athletes Shine at Stanner Games

Smithtown East and West boys’ track athletes had a successful Saturday at two separate meets — the Molloy Stanner Games at the Armory in Manhattan, and also at the Suffolk County Freshman-Sophomore championships at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood.

West had several top finishes at the Stanner Games, led by senior Fred Walter, who placed fourth in the invitational shot put with a throw of 49 feet, 2.5 inches. Matt Morganelli, meanwhile, placed sixth in the varsity shot put with a personal best throw of 44-4.

“[Our] veterans improved on their previous Hammer Squad performances as we head into the championship part of the season,” said West coach Peter Schieck.

East and West were well represented in the invitational 3,200 meters. East’s Rob Calamia placed seventh in 9 minutes, 47.63 seconds, followed immediately by West’s Mike Catalano, who also broke the 10-minute barrier, finishing eighth in 9:58.49. East coach Kathy Borbet praised Calamia’s effort, noting that it was not only a personal best, but also moved him to fourth on the “Best of Suffolk” list for the winter season.

Anthony Aprile and Pat Harty ran what Schieck called “blistering” times in the 300-meter prelims. Aprile placed 13th in 37.08 seconds, while Harty was 30th overall in 38.21 seconds.

West’s 4 x 400 relay team took a shot at the school record and almost got it. Harty, Aprile, Kevin Harty and Brennan Schneider finished 10th in 3:37.9, just off the school record of 3:36.2.

West’s Mark Valentino ran well in the varsity mile, placing 25th overall in 4:40.03.   Teammate Brennan Schneider jumped 38-3 in the triple jump.

In the 1,000-meter finals, East’s Gavin Shulock improved his personal best by three seconds with a time of 2:46.77. Schieck said Ginty also ran well with a 2:46.21.

At Sunday’s Freshman-Sophomore championships, West placed fourth in team scoring in each division. Pat McGuire won the 1,000 meters and Devin Mirenda won the long jump. Len Crawford took second in the 600.

West had third-place finishes in the hurdles (Adam Hymowitz), 600 meters (Brian Dugan) and long jump (Dustin Wade). Mike McCann and Mirenda went 4-5 in the high jump, while eighth-grader Nick Sabia placed fifth in the 3,200 in 11:07. Mike Wahl had a breakout day in the sophomore shot put with a throw of 39-11.75.  Dan Farrell gave the frosh squad a point with a throw of over 30 feet. Wade placed 6th in the 55 hurdles. All of West’s relay teams placed in both divisions.

“It was a balanced attack,” Schieck said. “We can't wait to see what this group does in the future.”

East had a champion in Donald Bradshaw, who won the sophomore 300 in 39.12 seconds. He also finished the 55 meters in 7.31 seconds.

Mike LaMana was sixth in the freshman triple jump and also went 16-5 in the long jump. Anthony Federico jumped 16-8.5. The freshman 4 x 800 relay team placed third and the sophomore 4 x 200 team took fifth.