Boys and Girls Track: Farmingdale 2011 Preview

The boys of Farmingdale track have conquered three of the last four Nassau County championships and expect nothing less for the upcoming season. With a very experienced staff of coaches and a diverse mixture of athletes, their journey to this year's championship looks very promising.

After taking third place last year, the girls of Farmingdale track are more determined than ever to revamp and advance further in this year's match-ups. Opposite from the boys team, the younger competitors bring a heap of talent to this year's squad.

So far in the young season, the girls have already broken school records and are looking to continue their victorious streak. With a new field coach, the field events are improving.

"We have a new field coach with us so the events are getting much more attention than they have in the past, and I can spend more time with the runners," said Head Coach Katie Dunne. "Everybody is benefiting."

"The winter season is more of our practice to get ready for the spring," Dunne added. "We don't work too much on where we finish as a team but progressing each girl along."

Boys Coach: Walt Henning (18th year as head coach, 25th year as coach), assisted by John Berardi

Key Players:

• Bradley Amazon, runner
• Nick Bellacosa, runner
• Michael Elizee, runner, pole jumper
• Adam Davies, runner, long jumper

Position Breakdown: With a very large roster, the Dalers entered the season well prepared. "We're pretty balanced this year," said Head Coach Walt Henning. "We have about 90 kids, and it's pretty mixed between grades 9, 10, 11 and 12."

Junior Paul Iaccarino, a leading pole vaulter, broke his leg and cannot compete for the remainder of the season. Looking to fill in for Iaccarino will be either Adam Davies or Steven Nau. Davies is also one of the Dalers' top runners. "Paul Iaccarino took third place in the county championship last year," Henning said. "We're hoping for Adam Davies or Steve Nau to get us those points in the counties."

Bradley Amazon, a senior at Farmingdale, is another one of the team's main runners. Amazon will primarily be running the 600-meter and 1,000-meter events. "He really is a very good competitor," Henning said of Amazon.

Nick Bellacosa is another highly anticipated relay runner, mostly participating in the 300-meter race. Michael Elizee, who competed in the state championships this past year, contributes to the team as both a runner and pole jumper. Jeziel Roman and Jason Pierre are two of the top long jumpers this season.

The team's upperclassmen are the essence and backbone of this year's competition. It will be mostly seniors and juniors contending for championship spots. "We have some good younger players, but I don't know if they'll fit in for the county team."

Expectations: "We won the county championship this past spring, and actually won three in the last four years," Henning said. "Our goal as a team is to win the county championship. If we don't win the counties, we didn't do our job. It's very early in the season and we have to improve. Where we are now, we don't want to be in February, and that all comes with practice and hard work."

Key Meets:

• Dec. 23 @ Nassau Community College, 5:00 p.m.
• Jan. 8  @ Farmingdale High School, 8:00 a.m.
• Jan. 11 @ St. Anthony's, 6:30 p.m.
  

Girls Coach: Katie Dunne (18th year), Harry Penny (1st year)

Key Players:

• Susan Agguire, runner
• Jennifer Cajou, long jumper
• Stephanie Charalambous, runner
• Christina Vargas, high jumper
• Gina Raspanti, runner

Position Breakdown: The lady Dalers have key players from varying grades. As far as upperclassmen go, seniors Susan Agguire and Jennifer Cajou are expected to go very far this season. Agguire specializes in hurdles, while Cajou is fit for the long jump,  and 55-meter race.

"They are definitely our two top seniors right now," said Head Coach Katie Dunne. 

Sophomores Gina Raspanti and Stephanie Charalambous deliver tremendous performances on the distance end, each running a variety of relays.

"Our freshman and sophomore class is very talented," Dunne said. "Last year was a huge freshman class, very talented, and this year also so hopefully it is a new trend."

Expectations: "I would like to get atleast one of our girls up to the state championship," Dunne said of the team's future plan. "I definitely expect Susan Agguire to make it to the top three, to be all county in the hurdles, and I think Jennifer Cajou could be the county champion in long jump or triple jump. We should have girls qualifying in just about every event for the county championship."

Key Meets:

• Dec. 28 @ Suffolk Community College, 6:00 p.m.
• Jan. 8  @ Farmingdale High School, 8:30 a.m.
• Jan. 11 @ St. Anthony's, 6:30 p.m.