Long Beach making strides

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Long Beach’s girls’ track and field team made strides this spring and is racing toward a promising 2017 season.

Despite having a young roster, several Lady Marine runners and field athletes performed well at the Nassau County Class AAA championships, which Long Beach hosted for the first time in program history. Head coach Megan Grahlfs said the improvement her team showed should pay dividends next year and hopes it leads to many competing on the state level.

“All our top scorers are returning,” said Grahlfs. “We are a developing team.”

Among next year’s returners who shined was junior Kelly DiResto, who earned All-Division in the 100-meter high hurdles. She also placed fourth overall in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles during the divisional meet at Great Neck South High School on May 17. Grahlfs is impressed also by her academic achievements, which includes a perfect score on the ACTs.

“She is very dedicated and a good role model,” Grahlfs said of DiResto, who also stars on the Long Beach girls soccer and indoor track teams. “She is very well-rounded.”

Amaree Johnson and Mary Sebedra also set high marks as juniors. Johnson broke a school record in the triple jump with a leap of 32 feet and 2 ½ inches during the third regular season meet. Sebedra, who joined the Long Beach track and field program for the first time this season, set a program record that same meet in the shot put with a throw of 31 feet and 1 inch.

“It was really exciting,” said Grahlfs of the record-setting day. “It sets a standard for other girls in the program.”

Zoey Lollis gave Long Beach a spark as a freshman. Coach Grahlfs is excited about her future and she qualified for the counties in the 100- and 200-meter races, which are among the hardest to compete in with so many talented athletes throughout the region.

“She really improved her time during the season,” Grahlfs said of Lollis. “She really worked hard.”

While Long Beach returns some key performers, Grahlfs also graduates important seniors who helped lead the team on and off the track. Meghan Maquet reached the counties in the pole vault and placed fifth overall for in AAA. Sarah Kelliher (3,000 meters), Kathryn Mannle ((1,500 meters), Madeline Fischer (triple jump) and Gianna Palazzo (triple jump) all played pivotal roles in keeping the program strong.

“They were positive leaders and good role models,” Grahlfs said of the departing seniors. “They were hard workers.”

While track and field is an individual sport, Grahlfs was proud of how team-oriented the squad was in constantly cheering for each other during meets and providing encouragement at practices. She said to take that next step as a program will require extra hard work with conditioning, and her athletes are poised through their strong attitudes to go the extra mile.

“It was very good team chemistry,” Grahlfs said. “There was a very positive mindset.”