VSN track teams runners-up in Class AA

Both Valley Stream North spring track and field teams had their title runs end at the Section 8 Class AA Championships nearly two weeks ago, but the Spartans did produce some county champions among the six athletes heading to the New York State event this weekend at Syracuse.

The girls’ team had won the previous four county championships before a runner-up finish to Calhoun 94-75.33 on May 21, while the boys were denied a third straight title as they too placed second to Manhasset 81-68.66. The boys won the conference after an undefeated regular season – the girls were second after going 13-1 – and both groups captured the Division 3B meet on May 7.

Despite the disappointment at the counties, coach Mike Frazer still called the 2024 outdoor season a success.

“When you look at it, we’ve got 11 All-County kids, runners up in the county meet, both division team titles and sending six kids to the state championships,” he said. “I’d say that’s a pretty good year for sure.”

All of the county champions came from the girls’ side. Senior Moanna Thelusca was the top discus thrower at 113 feet, 2 inches and she placed second in the shot put behind senior teammate Nattaly Lindo, who tossed the heavy ball 39-0.75 on her final attempt to claim the title.

Lindo won the discus and shot put events at last weekend’s state qualifier and will be representing the school in both events. Thelusca will be competing in the discus at Syracuse.

“This is the 1-2 punch that most coaches of track teams dream of,” Frazer said.

The Fessler sisters finished 1-2 in the high jump, with freshman Paige besting senior Brooke. Both got as high as 5-2, but Paige was awarded first by virtue of fewer misses, and both will battle each other again in Syracuse.

“She had a breakout season this year,” Frazer said. “Paige is also a hurdler, so she scored third place in the 400 hurdles, she also scored in the 100 hurdles. So you combine that with a 5-foot-5 high jump, which ties our school record, so we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do over the next few years.”

The female Spartans also had three top-six finishers in the pole vault with junior rookie Chantelle Gamory and senior Gabriela Bonilla tying for third and sophomore Zady Munguia earning a sixth-place tie.

On the boys’ side, sophomore pole vaulter Michael Muoio finished tied for fourth at the counties with a height of 10-06 but went on to win last weekend’s state qualifier after clearing 12 feet.  Matthew Olivencia finished third in the pole vault and Zaiden Jackson also finished in a three-way tie with Muoio.

Senior Raphael Baez was the second-best high jumper at the counties at 6-6, the second time he reached that height this spring and six inches better than his track debut last winter. He will be joining Muoio in Syracuse. 

Sedgeley Duperval placed second in the long jump and third in the 400-meter dash with a season-best time of 50.26 seconds.