Talented youngsters pace North teams

Eighth-graders Gabriela Andrade and Gabriela Espino helped lead Valley Stream North’s girls’ cross-country team to a second-place finish in both the regular season (12-1 record) and Nassau Conference IV championship meet. North Shore took both titles.

On her way to qualifying for the New York State meet for a second consecutive year, Andrade posted the second-fasted 5K time in program history (19:32.5) while placing 13th in the county championships/state qualifier meet at Bethpage State Park Nov. 5. Espino was 18th in the state qualifier in 19:53.3.

“They were both All-County and their futures are very bright,” coach Mike Frazer said of the talented underclassmen. “It’s going to be exciting to watch their progress over the next four years.”

Seniors Victoria Ennab and Tara McElroy picked up All-Conference honors, and posted best times of 20:07 and 20:13, respectively, and senior Shanice Johnson, an All-State sprinter on the track, was consistently North’s No. 5 runner. Juniors Sydney Cano (21:11.9 in state qualifier) and Sarah Barnes both enjoyed a strong finish to the season.

North’s boys’ team captured its second straight Division 4-A regular-season crown with a 13-0 mark and placed second in the Conference IV meet. Senior Sam Catalano set the pace for the Spartans by finishing 14th in the state qualifier and advancing to the state meet. He earned All-County honors in the process.

Freshman Peter Wilk was a pleasant surprise, Frazer said, with a personal best 17:29.6 in the state qualifier and All-Conference honors. “Like the two eighth-graders on the girls’ side, you can’t ask for anything more from a freshman than what Peter gave,” Frazer said.

Jake Catalano, Sam’s younger brother, is a budding eighth-grader on the boys’ team with a time behind only Syosset’s Will Long for his age. The Spartans also got fine performances from seniors Thomas Bardabelias and Zach Bugge.