Freeport makes impressive strides

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Freeport’s girls’ track & field team is racing toward a big finish in 2018 and beyond.

A young Lady Red Devils squad placed third in the division championships in mid-May and then shined at the counties last Friday. Freeport now has eyes on a berth at the upcoming state finals in Syracuse.

“They have been working very hard,” said first-year coach Jahn Scott. “I’m very proud of them.”

Freeport placed first in the 4x400 meter relay event during the Class AAA county championships at Long Beach High School Friday after also capturing the Division Class A1 title. The relay team comprised of freshman Eneyro Omokeni, sophomore Alexandria Yarbrough, junior Nakacee McNab, and sophomore Lizbeth Marine and ran away from the competition to become county champions and reach the state qualifiers event this week at North Shore High School.

“They are strong runners,” Scott said of the relay team. “There was nobody really near them.”

McNab and Yarbrough also produced third place in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and 200 meters, respectively, to round out big All-County days on the Long Beach High School track. Sophomore Quincy Easter also stepped up on the big stage with a third place All-County placement in the triple jump.

Freeport hosted the Division 1A Championships in rainy weather on May 16 and placed third as a team. Yarbrough earned division titles in the 100 meters and 200 meters with Easter taking home the triple jump crown.

McNab received All-Division accolades for he strong finishes in the 400-meter individual medley and 400 meter races. Janiya Cooke excelled on Freeport’s home track that day as well with All Division placements in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Efe Omokeni and Kyla Jackson received All-Division accolades in the long jump and triple jump, respectively. 

“The team is very young and should be strong for the next couple years,” Scott said. “This has been a very big season for them.”

Freeport will next look to build on the success achieved at the division and county meets during the state qualifiers at North Shore High School paced by the four by 400 meter relay team of Efe Omokeni, McNab, Marine and Yarbrough, The four by 100 relay team of Cooke, Cowan, Easter and Efe Omokeni will also lead the charge toward trying to reach the state stage at qualifiers scheduled for Wednesday and Friday on the North Shore High School track. Red Devil track & field athletes who qualified for individual state qualifier events include Mia Almonte (800 meters), Melissa Moreno (100 meter high hurdles), Easter (triple jump Jackson (triple jump) and Efe Omokeni (long jump). 

Scott hopes to have a contingent headed to compete in the state championships on June 8-9 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. The Western New York journey would provide another bonding opportunity for a close-knit team.

“They are a very close group,” Scott said. “They are very supportive of each other.”