Thursday, October 1, 2026
Of all the many milestones accomplished by North Shore’s girls track program, it had never won a state title in a relay.
Vikings running history was made again last Saturday at the state meet in Staten Island when the foursome of eighth-grader Tula Belle Gumm, senior Joanna Kenney, senior Chloe Connolly and freshman Sloane Bonvincino won the state championship in the 4x800 relay.
The winning time was 9:33.26 – an astounding 16-second improvement over their state qualifying mark two weeks earlier. The girls were not considered favorites but The Maroon 4 believed.
“Since (the state qualifier), we worked together in improving ourselves, not just personal times, but our practice and communication,’’ said Kenney. “The last week-and-a-half, we’ve been saying. “What are we going to do March 7th? Win States.’’
The title was spurred by a powerful opening leg by Gumm, who ran a personal-best 2:24, giving North Shore the lead it never relinquished.
North Shore’s legendary coach Neal Levy has had individual state titlists but never this type of relay glory.
“I’m very happy for her,’’ Levy said of Gumm. “Last week, she had a first tough race for the first time in an invitational. She’s our best starter and is most comfortable starting. She went out and ran amazing. She took the lead from the starting gun, never let up and handed off to Joanna in the lead. She was a huge boost for the team.’’
As a seventh-grader last season, Tula joined the spring track team. “We stayed very consistent with our practice,’’ she said. “I’m really proud of myself. My past races I have been very nervous. This race I feel like I felt more calm and relaxed.’’
That two relay runners are underclassmen bodes well for big things next year. “Her and Bonvincino are the next ones – so to speak,’’ Levy said.
Kenney, a Boston College commit who has been at the state meet since freshman year, was thrilled getting the baton. “Tula had a great start,’’ Kenney said. “My goal was to grow the gap. I’ve never won first place (at states) so it’s great to do it with this group of girls. We’ve worked so hard together.’’
Individually, Kenney had a fabulous race in the 3000 meters, finishing fifth. Her time of 9:40.26 is third-fastest in Nassau County history behind North Shore alums Samantha Nadel and Diana Vizza.
“I never could’ve imagined that’s where I would be my senior year,’’ Kenney said. “It feels like such a big accomplishment.’’
Indeed, growing up amidst Sea Cliff’s landscape has its advantages. While the winter team works out in school hallways and treadmills, running outside is the difference-maker. “I do a lot of the hill workouts in the winter,’’ Kenney said. “Sea Cliff is perfect for that.”
