Many Valley Stream High School District student-athletes are back in action, while others have renewed hope following a high-risk sports go-ahead from New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Friday.
Low- and moderate-risk winter sports began Jan. 4 when despite rising Covid-19 numbers, bowling, gymnastics, track and field, fencing, swimming/diving and air rifle began practice statewide. High-risk winter sports such as basketball, wrestling, hockey and competitive cheerleading can resume Feb. 1 if approved by the Nassau County Health Department.
Valley Stream is competing in all sports offered so far this winter, with everything but track and field a collective District team. North, Central and South High Schools all have boys’ and girls’ track. As of now, all meets will be virtual except for one tentative in-person event at Long Beach on Jan. 30.
“Practices are different with temperature checks and spacing everyone safely apart, but the kids’ spirits are high,” VSS track coach Nicole Bertrami said. “For them to have that camaraderie is so important.” Among the program’s top athletes are Julien Woodley, Elias Bonhomme, Kaitlyn Ross, Tori Daniels, Jade Hornick, Josh Osae and Jaden Sampson.
Nassau’s track and field schedules had to be revamped after the county was notified by St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington it would be unable to host meets inside its fieldhouse. Instead, Section VIII, the governing body for Nassau high school athletics, moved to Plan B — outdoor meets with a strong emphasis on being held virtually.