VSN settles for runner-up stats

While ultra-talented Roosevelt ended Valley Stream North’s string of Nassau County boys’ track and field championships at three straight and seven out of eight years, the Spartans were a clear-cut second behind the Rough Riders in this spring’s Class A meet held May 20-21 at Westbury High School.

“Our boys hold a high standard, so unless they come home with the county plaque they’re not too happy,” VSN coach Mike Frazer said. “Roosevelt was the favorite and took care of business. They had some kids that won or placed second in multiple events, so their points added up quickly.”

North produced a county champion, a pair of Class A runners-up, and two third-place finishers. All five earned All-County honors. Junior Zavier Jean-Charles captured the High Jump crown a week after winning the event in the Division IV-A championship meet. His won the county title with a leap of over 6-feet. “As long as he performed the way he did throughout the winter and spring, he had an excellent chance to win it,” Frazer said.

Zavier’s twin brother, Stephan, was second in the county as well as in the division meet in the Triple Jump. “Stephan’s made a huge improvement every season,” Frazer said. “He competes well with the Roosevelt kids. He’s always in the 43-foot range.”

Jomar Pascal, one of the team’s few seniors, placed second in the county and division in the 110m hurdles behind Rough Riders standout Raymond Jones. Junior Peter Wilk and sophomore Jake Catalano placed third in the 3200m and 3000m Steeplechase, respectively. Wilk, the school’s leader on the cross-country trails, was also fifth in the 800.

North also had some notable finishes in the division meet. Eighth-grader Brandon James was second in the Long Jump, and junior Isaiah Paige was second in the 400 hurdles.

Lady Spartans take division meet
In winning their third consecutive division title and fourth in five years, the Valley Stream North girls’ track and field team had three athletes earn All-County honors in multiple events. Leading the way was Class A champion in the Long Jump, senior Anointing Onuoha, who recently signed an athletic scholarship to attend St. John’s University.

“She earned it,” Frazer said of Onuoha’s county title, which added to a resume that already included a state crown in the Long Jump in the winter of her junior campaign. “She’s a great athlete and in the top 10 of the class academically.” Onuoha also took second in the Triple Jump.

Like Onuoha, junior Elaina Hobbs has state meet experience and a trophy case that continues to grow. She was second in Class A in the High Jump, and third in the Long Jump. Sophomore Angeli Andre was second in the 200m dash and third in the High Jump, while sophomore Emily Martino took third in the 400m hurdles after winning the division crown in the event. Freshmen Tyesha Irving (100m hurdles) and Shantavia Destinoble (Shot Put) were division champs as well.