Even before school opens in September, Syosset student athletes are out on the fields running, drilling, getting in shape and learning how to function as a team. The fall athletic season is now open and students in Syosset High School, South Woods Middle School and H.B. Thompson are playing football, soccer, tennis and volleyball and participating in swimming and cross-country competitions and cheerleading and kickline.

"Our boys cross-country team is aiming for its eighth consecutive county championship," said Athletic Director Gerald Barratta. "We have some incredible runners on the team."

Close to 800 students will be wearing Syosset athletic team uniforms this fall season, about evenly divided between the high school and the two middle schools combined, according to Barratta. If they continue to have the success of the teams before them, they can look forward to winning seasons. For the past two years, all of Syosset's varsity teams have made it to the county playoffs in the spring season and the district has been averaging about 30 All-County athletes each year.

With 105 players, football is the most popular sport and large-capacity crowds can again be expected at this year's Homecoming Game. scheduled for Oct. 9 against Massapequa High School.

"Syosset students enjoy sports and they enjoy successes as much on the playing fields as they do in the classrooms. We are fortunate that our athletes have the full support of the Syosset Board of Education and the entire school community to give them the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics," said Superintendent Dr. Carole G. Hankin. "We admire the hard work and dedication Syosset students demonstrate in athletics and take pride in their accomplishments. These experiences are extremely valuable in a student's education and can help students learn a great deal about themselves that will help them in making decisions about their future educational and career objectives."