In their last dual meet of the season, the Bonackers proved that the boys track program at East Hampton High School is back. They lost the league title 71–60 to West Islip on May 14, but finished the season 5-1. It’s an enormous improvement; the team has gone from last to nearly first, putting together the program’s best season in over 20 years.
“What a turnaround. They did a phenomenal job, these guys. I think we’ve only won five meets in the last six years, and to do it all in one year, is really something,” said Kevin Barry, the cross-country and winter track coach. “Good scheduling by the gods to have two undefeated teams on the last day. The kids ran so well, so many P.R.s today. That’s what you get at a championship meet.”
Before the meet, the team honored its seniors: Franco Palombino, Juan Torres, Sean Perez, Liam Knight, J.D. Uribe, Josiel Murillo, Kevin Quito, Steven Tlapanco, Eduardo Calle, and Max Bellenoue.
“What the seniors bring is unbelievable. We’ve had such great leaders. It makes life so much easier and you can do so much more when you have kids that are just totally invested,” said Sean Knight, the head track and field coach. “We are so thankful for their dedication, leadership, and effort throughout the season. They have helped set a new standard for our program.”
Liam Knight, the coach’s son, set two new time standards for the program, running the 400 meters in 49.9 seconds. That was a new school record, but it stood for less than 48 hours. Knight broke his own record at the East End Classic at home just two days later, running a 49.5 on Saturday. Before the switch to metric, the event was run at 440 yards. Justin Winter still holds that school record with a 48.1 set in 1982.
“Breaking 50 seconds in the 400 meters is a huge accomplishment,” Coach Knight said. “Liam’s performance shows the hard work, dedication, and toughness he has put into this season.”
Hudson Goulart, a junior, was lightning fast last Thursday, running 11.5 in the 100 meters and 22.7 in the 200 meters, placing second in both events, while also taking second in the high jump.
Marcus Oranksy, a junior, won the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and placed second in the 110-meter high hurdles. His brother, Max Oransky, a freshman, broke the five-minute mark in the 1,600 meters with a 4:59.
Zimmerman Levy, a freshman, ran personal bests in the 110-meter high hurdles and 400-meter intermediate hurdles.
“I think they did a fantastic job keeping their spirits up even though the whole meet they thought they were down,” Thomas Brierley, their assistant coach, said that evening, which also happened to be his birthday. “Franco in the shot did really well today. We took one and three in shot-put today and Franco P.R.’ed. It was a really good meet.”
Palombino threw a personal best of 45 feet, 9 inches to win the shot put, while Jake Daniel, a freshman, had a huge third place throw of 39 feet, 4 inches.
Sean Perez, a senior, and Jasper Samuelson, a sophomore, both had fantastic finishes to win the 800 meters and 1,600 meters, respectively.
Adrian Bello, a sophomore, took second in the long jump and first in the triple jump, followed by Aaron Torres-Garcia, a junior, in second.
Calle anchored the winning 4-by-100 meter relay along with Nelvin Suchite, Aaron Torres-Garcia, and Justin Herrera.
It was a fast day for East Hampton on the track, even though West Islip led in the field events. “We were a better track team. We actually scored more points on the track. Unfortunately, this is a track and field meet,” Coach Barry said. “But, we improved so much in the field events to make this interesting. It really was a great day for Bonac track. Most of them are coming back next season, so this will be fun.”
This season’s excitement isn’t over just yet. Freshman and sophomores competed Tuesday in a championship meet at Longwood High School. The boys will also compete in the county championships on May 27 at Kings Park High School. They will find out today who qualifies.
“We probably have one of the best groups going into counties that we’ve had in a while,” Coach Knight said. “We’re excited going forward.”
