Oyster Bay students qualify for national track championship

Oyster Bay Central School District eighth graders Nicolette Lewis and Kaela Miley recently qualified for the middle school division of the New Balance National Track Championships to be held in Philadelphia beginning June 15.

Although these two student-athletes are in the eighth grade, they compete at a high level both in quad meets (four teams) and large invitationals. Kaela recently earned a medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the Autism Awareness Invitational, and Nicolette garnered three medals at the same event in the high jump, long jump and 100-meter hurdles. 

Kaela was able to achieve the standard for Nationals in two running events, the 100-meter and 200-meter runs, while Nicolette earned the standard in one running event, the 100-meter hurdles and one field event, the long jump.

“New Balance has added a few middle school events and we are very grateful for that,” their coach Kevin Cotter said. “It’s an opportunity to really see the future of track compete against one another at a high level. All season long these two compete against upperclassmen and they hold their own. We can’t wait to see them compete against athletes in their age group.”

The last time that Oyster Bay High School had a national qualifier in spring track was in 2016 when Alex Tosi competed in the steeple chase after winning the state championship. This year in winter track, Chris Tardugno and Nicolette qualified for the indoor championships in Boston.