North Boys Cross Country Team Shows Improvement

By Chris Omeltchenko

The Great Neck North Cross Country Team ended its season at the Teddy Roosevelt meet held at Bethpage State Park Nov. 3. Sophomore Jason Berke, was North's top runner this year and placed 36 with a time of 19:20.9. Freshman Mike Yellin was next placing 54 with a time of 19:45.3. Senior Jordan Yellin was next with a 63 placing and a time of 20:02.7. The top 7 runners were freshman Ben Marino, followed by sophomore Alex Roberts, junior Steve Raciti, and sophomore Scott Abraham.

North Boys Cross Country Team at conference championships. Left to right. Alex Roberts, Mike Negari, Jordan Yellin, Ben Marino, Mike Yellin, Steve Raciti and Jason Beske.

North ended its conference season with a 9-7 record in the 17 team conference. Coach OMO notes an improvement from the 1996 team where they finished with a 5-9 record. "We lost 4 out of our top 5, from the 1996 squad and we improved" stated coach OMO.

The team's goal is to peak at the conference championships, which were held Oct. 25 in the rain. North had a subpar day according to coach OMO. Berke paced the team with a 40 place finish and a time of 18:48.6. Mike Yellin was next placing 50 in a time of 19:21.7. Jordan Yellin was next placing 60 in 20:01.1. Marino placed 64th in a time of 20:15.0. Roberts was next placing 20:18.2 and 68th place. The team placed 11th. Bellmore JFK won the race with 46 points. In the junior varsity race, Abraham led the team with a 21st place and a 20:50.9. Senior David Kaslow was right behind Abraham with a 24th place finish in 21:21.6. Freshman Brian Krypel, senior Adam Bolour, and freshman John Keremdian rounded out the top 5. The team placed 4th. Lynbrook was the winner.

North loses seniors David Kaslow, Jordan Yellin, and Mike Negari. All three seniors served as captains this year. Other seniors graduating are Andy Bassaly, Adam Bolour, Allen Sun Coach OMO cites more consistency, in competing, and a stronger summer training base for strength. The future looks bright with a strong returning nucleus. Freshman Josh Gersman, sophomore Aaron Katz, and Roy Hakimian round out the 17 man squad for the 1997 season.