This year is different from past years for the Great Neck South Boy's Track and Field team. With the help of coaches and team captains the Rebels have become serious contenders in their division.

The primary reason for this is simple: they train and work hard. Practice is one thing nobody on the team takes lightly.

"This is the hardest working team I have ever been around," said team head coach Damon Reader. "They bring the desire and the will to work everyday. This is the mark of a championship team."

The team can be seen at practice every day including Saturday, some Sundays, and even on holidays. They never give up because everyone on the team understands that the key ingredient to a champion team is hard work.

"I'm convinced that giving in is the worst thing there is," said sophomore Nick Chu.

During last year's season, Andre Burnett, Danny Hu, Brian MacArthur, Ben Lavender and James Stultz were all-division, and Brian MacArthur, Tony Kosta, James Stultz and Danny Hu were all-county. With new strength coach Carmine DeLuca and top throwers (shot put and discus) Josh Chaplin and Jamal Shuriah, the team, for the first time in many years, can cover all its events.

Captains Brian MacArthur, Tony Kosta, Anish Parikh, James Stultz and Danny Hu lead the team every day through everything from the stretching to advice for racing. They are all responsible, smart, and know the joy of winning as well as the dread of defeat.

"Our captains set the tone with the work ethic," said Coach Reader. "Their leadership is what really separates this team from past years."

Along with Reader and DeLuca, the team is lead by coach Hudson Georges.

"They are great coaches because not only do they know a lot about track, they know a lot about life," said junior Steven Feiner.

The coaches gain trust and respect from the team because they are approachable and easy to talk to about anything.

On Tuesday, May 10, all boys' and girls' teams in the division will compete for the prestigious title of Division Champion.

The combination of talent, training, and leadership provide the necessary ingredients for a championship win. The Rebel's biggest rivals, Westbury and South Side, have already shown their strength and will be hard to beat.

"We just know that we have what it takes to win this," said sophomore Jeff Lugo, "and we'll give it everything that we've got."

This is the first time South High is hosting the Division Championships since the 1960s, making this meet the biggest track and field event in modern school history.

Coaches Reader, Georges, DeLuca, and the entire track team invite the entire community to come enjoy the spring weather and cheer the Rebels on as they attempt to break Westbury's six-year hold on the division championship. Refreshments will be sold.