Relay leads West Hempstead track

With lacrosse, baseball, and softball garnering much of the attention in the spring, track and field athletes tend to fly under the radar. However, West Hempstead track and field performers took center stage at the Nassau County Championships held at Mitchel Field.

Despite having just a handful of athletes at the county meet, the Rams were atop the leader board after the first day of competition. While a lack of depth makes it virtually impossible for West Hempstead for compete for a team championship, the Rams earned 56 points, good enough for a respectable fourth-place finish in Nassau Class A.

Senior Tayvon Hall earned county supremacy in the long jump, and finished third in the 100-meter dash. Hall, who battled injuries a year ago, previously set a personal record in the long jump with a leap of 23’ 7 1/2” as a sophomore. Junior Enrique McFarlane picked up second place in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11:64.

Head coach Rob Gewirtz was very pleased with the team’s accomplishments. “We did really well, though we don’t have the numbers that most of the other schools have,” Gewirtz said. “To be among the leaders after the first day is impressive. It’s very gratifying.”

Junior Donovan Steele had a terrific showing in the field events. Steele, who competed in track and field for the first time, blew away the competition in the discus with a toss of 145 feet. His throw of 45’ 5 1/4” in the shot put was good enough for second place.

Gewirtz credits assistant coach Jeff Carr for Steele’s rise to prominence in the field events. “Jeff did a terrific job with Donovan,” Gewirtz said. “If Donovan continues to work hard to improve, I expect him to be one of the front runners to get to the states next season.” 

The highlight of the event came in the final of the boys 4 x 100 meter relay. McFarlane, who was running the anchor leg, found himself trailing when he received the baton. But he caught Roosevelt’s Raymond Jones and out-leaned him at the wire to exact a little revenge on the county champion in the 100 meters. The team comprising McFarlane, Hall, Kevin Bedard, and Kareem Harris won the event in 44.30. Roosevelt was clocked at 44.31. Cadeem Harris was an alternate in the event for West Hempstead. 

The narrow victory by the Rams was a big factor in determining the county champion. Roosevelt was edged by Valley Stream North. A first place finish in the event would have given the Rough Riders the county title.

Junior Nina Boria represented the girls well, finishing first in 100 meters with a time of 13:03. Boria narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet. She finished in fourth place. The girls program is coached by Keith Bosch.