Compiled by Joseph Vignolini

On Saturday, Jan. 5, Glen Cove High School's winter track and field teams went to the Manhattan Armory on 168 Street to compete in the Hispanic Games. The day marked the return of senior sprinter Rich Tarver in the 55-meter dash as he ran a fast time of 7.01 FAT (fully automatic timing) or a hand time of 6.7. This immediately ranks him in the best of the county. The day was filled with several athletes competing at events for the first time as well as several athletes getting personal best marks and times. "At 6:30 a.m. we left the high school. We arrived at the meet and competed. By 7 p.m. we are ready to leave and return home. After enduring 56 heats of the boys' 200m dash, 80 heats of the girls' 200 meters, 17 heats of a boys' mile we felt we competed very well.

"Long days like this are not easy, but when we have success like today it is worth it," said Coach Vignolini.

Also in the boys' 55-meter dash was Travis Watson (6.8), Jiraj Hampton (7.4) and Hung-I Liao (all personal bests). In the girls' 55-meter dash was Amanda Moretto (7.9), Geovanna Condello (8.0), Emily Keogler (9.5) and Adriana Amendolara (10.0). Amanda and Giovanna had personal best times that qualified them for the county championships. In the 55-meter high hurdles Tin Chin ran 9.3 (second in his heat), Allen Shin ran 10.8 and Lucia Son ran 10.6. Lucia and Tin have met the county championships qualifier time. The 400-meter run saw several competitors. Tin Chin (57.7) was second in his heat and Tony Condello (59.8) won his heat and a medal. Joe Mazza ran 104.1, Luis Bautista ran 1:07.0, Dan DeLaCruz ran 1:08.4, Casey Paganetti ran 1:09.9 and Chris Saviano ran 1:20.0. Becky Kelly ran the first 400m race for the girls' team in over four years. Her time of 1:15.0 is five seconds short of qualifying for the county championships.

In the mile Italo Naves ran 5:38.1 while in the 800m run Mike Biscardi ran 2:27.5. Running the 200-meter dash was Miguel Quinones (25.7 and third in heat), Will Ng (27.2 and second in heat), Allen Shin (26.7 and first in heat - won medal) and Joe Mazza (27.3 and second in heat). For the girls Amanda Moretto ran a personal best 29.5 while several other girls ran it for the first time. They are Gabbi Anastasio (34.5), Lahaina Laroche (31.0), Giovanna Condello (30.1), Sam Renison (33.2), Emily Keogler (36.8) and Lucia Son (33.2). The girls' Long Jump saw Sam Renison (11' 5.5"), Gabbi Anastasio (10' 3.5" and Lahiana LaRoche compete. In the boys' triple jump, Will Ng scored a personal best 37' 7" and Jiraj Hampton leaped a distance of 34' 6". Both marks are about 4 feet better than last spring. In the shot put Andres DeLaCruz threw a personal best 36' 1.5" throw, over 4 feet better than his previous best.

The Big Red will continue to improve at the next meet on Jan. 12 at the NYC 168th Street Armory for a last full day of competition at the Stanner Games. The rest of the meets will be held at Farmingdale University.