Glen Cove runs towards new goals

The Glen Cove boys track team looks ahead to next season after a year where it fell a bit short of their expectations and goals. However, the program is resilient and will look to reload and reconquer Nassau Conference III-B in 2018. 

There were many bright spots for Glen Cove this spring, including the emergence of freshman James Poncet. “Poncet was one of those guys this year that really performed well,” head coach Matt Carbone said. “He’s going to play a big role for us next year in order for us to be successful.” That very role, Carbone had mentioned, looked poised to be the 400-meter race.

Now a rising sophomore, Poncet looks to continue to grow, both in athletic ability and strength heading into his second year of high school of running at Glen Cove.

Edison Muriello, another outstanding athlete from this track and field bunch will also play an integral role for this team to be successful in the near future.

Rising senior Wilson Guillen, who had success as a junior, was highlighted by Carbone to be a contributing force in the next season. “He’s going to be a senior and will be one of those guys returning that will be looked to,” Carbone said.

The wealth of talent and athleticism does not just stop on the track, but also extends to the “field” aspect as well. Carbone was adamant about his shot-putter’s and discus thrower’s abilities. “I’m very excited about how we’ll fair next year in that department,” Carbone said. “We have some talent there so I’m looking forward to that.”

Along with the success stemming from those areas, when asked about what the most flourishing or thriving race for the Big Red had been in 2017, Carbone said: “The 4x4 race was our strongest event this year. Our 4x4 relay did an outstanding job and it was definitely a strength of this team all year long.”

One of the more successful runners who will be graduating this year is Michael Thurmond, a senior who is one of Glen Cove High School’s various athletic college commits. Helping his team to a handful of victories this past year, Thurmond is a special athlete that will be missed by his teammates and coaches alike. Both an outstanding track athlete and football star, Thurmond has decided to take the pads off and focus on track for the foreseeable future.

Although success has already been achieved by this bunch, Carbone makes it very clear that a promising future for the program is right over the horizon. 

Even with a team next season that is laced with young talent, Carbone says that he finds that in the town are taking to track and field at a younger age. A teacher at the local middle school, Carbone says that there are some stellar athletes poised to attend the high school that could very well be the track stars of the future. “There are a few kids I can see really coming in and making an impact,” Carbone said. “Watch out.”