Massapequa Boys Winter Track Sets Sights On County Championship
Written by Ronald Scaglia, rscaglia@antonnews.com Friday, 25 January 2013 00:00
For seven years Massapequa Boys Winter Track Coach Rich Degnan has been on a mission to bring home the Nassau County Championship to Massapequa. Although the team has been quite formidable in recent years, Massapequa has not captured that elusive championship since 1969. However, Degnan and his assistant coach Keith Hinnant believe that this year’s team can end that streak.
“This is the best group of athletes that I’ve had in the seven years that I’ve coached in Massapequa,” he remarked. “We’ve always been one of the best four teams, but this team has a legitimate shot at winning the county championship.”
The county championship will be decided on Feb. 8 at St. Anthony’s. This season, Massapequa has already enjoyed much success. At the Hispanic Games, held at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City, Massapequa captured first place in the Varsity Boys’ 4 x 800 Meter Relay Final, defeating 32 other teams with a mark of 8:06.48, which set a Massapequa record. That qualifies the team for the 2013 Millrose Games to be held on Feb. 16. Ryan Cooney, Dan DeLuna, Mike Pulieo and Lars Vedlilago were the Massapequa athletes who earned the victory. According to the team’s coach, DeLuna is the top ranked 800-meter runner in New York State and broke a record at the Molly Stanner Games by running 1,000 meters in 2:32.41. DeLuna was also a two-time winner at a recent conference championship held at St. Anthony’s in the 600 meter and 1,000 meter events.
“Danny DeLuna is our team captain,” said Degnan. “He is one of the finest middle distance runners I’ve coached. He’s what most Division I coaches would want on their team.”
Not to be outdone, Ryan Miller, also a team captain, is the number two-ranked miler in Nassau County. Miller won three events at that recent conference championship, in which Massapequa placed second, losing to Farmingdale by a mere nine points. Also earning all conference distinction were Don Grupski in the 55 meter hurdles, Mike Puleio in the 1,000 meter and 1,600 meter competitions, and Kyle Smith in the 3,200 meter event. The team of Ryan Cooney, Joe Pinto, Anthony Tesorerio and Mike Puleio combined to snag the conference championship at that event.
Another team captain, Alex Mercado, established a new school record of 48 feet four inches at the Millrose Trials in the 25 lb weight throw, and has qualified for national championships in March.
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
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