Oceanside's Romeo hurdles to gold

Following an All-County winter season for the Sailors track and field team, Oceanside junior Anthony Romeo was challenged by his coach to achieve even bigger things this spring. Coming into last Saturday’s New York state 110-meter-high hurdles event, Romeo had just one more box left to check off.

“We set goals at the beginning of the season,” Oceanside coach Kevin Carbonetti said. “We kind of had a check list set up, and we just kept going down the list. We wanted the county championship, and he earned that. Then we wanted him to make the state meet, and he did that. The last thing on the list was becoming state champion.”

Romeo would not be denied from completing that list, as he finished with a time of 14.76 seconds in the 110-meter-high hurdles event to become a Division I New York State public school champion.

“I had a great time upstate and it was an amazing experience,” Romeo said. “Winning means that all of my blood sweat, and tears were worth it. I’m so proud of myself and amazed by the support I’ve received from Oceanside.” 

Carbonetti added: “It was unbelievable. He earned every second of it. He worked so hard, not just this season, but for the past three years. I could not be prouder of him.”

Before his finals victory, Romeo won a Nassau Class AAA title in the 110 hurdles event, then went on to finish in second in the event at the state qualifying meet. Carbonetti contributes much of Romeo’s success this spring to his ability to stay cool in big moments.   

“He is calm under pressure,” Carbonetti said. “Probably the calmest I’ve seen. He seemed very comfortable at the state meet. If he is nervous, he doesn’t show it.”

Making Romeo’s state title even more impressive was the fact that he won it as a junior, while going head-to-head against many more experienced competitors. 

“It is absolutely incredible,” Carbonetti said. “I think there was really only one other junior that placed in the Division I competition yesterday. They were all for the most part seniors this year. He’s really looking to repeat.”

Romeo may have a repeat on his mind, but before embarking another checklist, will focus on enjoying his most recent win.

“I put in a lot of long and hard hours at the school, and I felt ready coming into this race,” he said. “I would like to thank my coaches, trainer and parents for being there for me all the way through. I’m very motivated to carry on.”