HHH Winter Track Preview

"Greatness is something we strive for, day in and out, rain or shine. It is expected of us at this point," said Hills West senior sprinter Justin Connor.  

As the fall sports slowly die out, and the winter season begins, this is the mindset of all of HHH West's winter track squad, as they try to become the first team in county history to win seven straight county championships.  

"It has never been done before," said senior sprinter Daniel McCord, "and we want to be the guys to do it. It is a goal that I think we can definitely reach."

Senior Abdias Myrtil, as well as returning seniors  McCord and Connor were named All-Americans last winter season.  "We are all surely looking to regain that status," said Myrtil, "but first and foremost is the team as a whole.  We want all the guys to feel accomplished, that's what leadership is about."  

Another leader, senior Justin Ma, added, "Our team unity is immense.  All of the younger guys look up to us and want just as badly as we do to reach that All-American status.  We are like a huge family."  

Ma, Myrtil, McCord and Connor make up the team's starting 4x2 and 4x4 relay squad, while other notable relays include the 4x8, which will be run by seniors John Battistelli, Kyle Fitzgerald, Kyle Sammis and junior Anthony DeMatteo.

However, no track team is complete without the shot-put squad.  "This is probably one of the best sets of throwers we've had in school history," said senior shot-putter Michael Crispi. "We have four to five potential 40-foot throwers, which makes us a real force to be reckoned with."  

Seniors Kenny Perrera and Michael Primiano also lead the shot-putters as an integral part of the entire winter track squad. Myrtil added, "It is a privilege and an honor to be a leader among so many leaders in their own rights.  I can guarantee that no other team on Long Island has as much heart and as much talent as we do."  

The road to the seventh county championship in a row won't be an easy one, but the men on the winter track team seem more than up for the challenge.

The season starts a week from Thursday, December 2. 

Schedule courtesy of http://sectionxi.org/
Off-site locations are listed in parenthesis under the game