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Lynbrook's Germanakos returns to state meet

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Back in 2012, Lynbrook track star Luke Germanakos underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which resulted in him being sidelined for his sophomore season. While he recovered, some suggested Germanakos not return to running, and instead put his focus elsewhere. 

“Some people were telling me that it would be difficult, and that rather than running, I should stick to lacrosse, because it would be less on my knee,” Germanakos said. “But, my heart was definitely set on running.”

It’s a good thing Germanakos listened to his heart. Now, a little over two years removed from the surgery, he is a defending state champion in track, and next week will have the opportunity to race for a second state title.

“I was worried about (him returning from injury), because he had major knee surgery, and I didn’t know if he was gonna be the same again,” Lynbrook coach Pete McNally said. “Now he just keeps on getting better. So I was shocked.”

Germanakos has followed up an outstanding junior season with more of the same so far in 2015.

On Feb. 4, he won the Nassau Class B championship race at 600 meters, with a time of 1:24.61. He also won the Class B 300-meter title, with a time of 35.94 seconds. A week later he won the 600-meter race at the State Qualifier meet, finishing with a time of 1:23.74.

According to his coach, the biggest thing that has allowed Germanakos to return to the top of his game so quickly is the amount of work he’s put in.

“With Luke the biggest thing is how mentally tough he is. It doesn’t matter how hard the workout is, he knows the pain is just temporary,” McNally said. “He’s so focused.”

Germanakos is currently preparing for the state championships, which take place at Cornell on March 7. Last season he earned the state title in the 600, and that experience appears to have given him plenty of confidence coming into this year’s event.

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