Carle Place High School's senior standout, Ben Catalano, continues to earn the respect and admiration of track and field coaches throughout Nassau County. Ben capped off an outstanding spring track and field season last year by capturing the New York State Class "C" Championship in the 400-intermediate hurdles in Kingston, NY. During the summer, Ben earned a silver medal in the 400-IH while competing in the Empire Games held in Albany. The track and field coach for the Long Island team at the Empire Games was the very well-respected Dennis Kornfield. Mr. Kornfield is the boys' varsity indoor and outdoor track and field coach from Uniondale High School.

Since Carle Place High School does not have an indoor track and field program, Coach Kornfield and the Uniondale School District provided Ben Catalano an opportunity to train with their outstanding team. According to Ben, he was most appreciative of the tremendous welcome that he received from the Uniondale athletes. Ben also is very appreciative and wants to thank Coach Kornfield and both the Uniondale School District and Carle Place School District for giving him the opportunity to compete for the Frogs this past winter season. It was an invaluable experience which has provided him with an additional incentive to compete this spring and at the intercollegiate level next year. Ben is being recruited by St. John's University, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Towson University and by both SUNY Buffalo and Albany.

This past winter season, Ben Catalano won the "B" County Championship in the 55 meter high hurdles in a personal best of 7.8 seconds while competing at SUNY Farmingdale. Ben also earned All-County honors in the 300 meter sprint. Ben qualified for the National Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston but was unable to compete due to illness. Ben was diagnosed with a mild case of mononucleosis in early March which prevented him from attending this very prestigious meet. Fortunately, Ben is already on his way to recovery and has started working out with the Carle Place team. Coach Bob Tonner, who has built a superb track program at Carle Place High School, is excited to see Ben back on the track. Ben Catalano will challenge the 400-meter sprint record held by Mr. Bill Bennett (Class of '60) in a time of 49.7 seconds. Last spring, Ben ran a time of 50.9 seconds in this event and will continue to compete in the 110 HH, as well as the 400 IH.

Ben Catalano is a proven champion and has gained the support and admiration of the Carle Place school and community. Ben has represented his school well!