Syosset girls garner first Nassau indoor track title
The Syosset girls indoor track and field team won comfortably over second place Port Washington. Credit: Kristin Frazer
Syosset had never won a girls indoor track and field county title.
That changed on Feb. 5.
Following an effort that included 46 points on the track, 43 points in the field and 14 points in the relays, Syosset secured its first indoor title, claiming the Class A crown at St. Anthony’s.
“The best part about it was how it was a complete team effort,” said Syosset coach Mike Spiteri, who took over in 2013. “ . . . That’s always a little bit more special where everybody’s kind of contributing. It felt awesome.”
Port Washington finished in second with 80 points.
Junior Jessica Alessi dominated in the distance events, winning the 3,000-meters in 11 minutes, 7.25 seconds and the 1,500 in 4:53.10. Both victories were decided by more than two seconds. Alessi also took second in the 1,000 in 3:02.87.
Spiteri had a conversation with Alessi before the meet about running three individual events, which is no easy feat. But if it came to scoring more points for the team, Alessi was on board.
“She’s selfless,” Spiteri said. “I can name maybe one other athlete that’s as tough as her.”
Seniors Nicole Wang and Tracy Freeman each earned crucial individual wins in field events. Wang cleared a personal-best 17 feet, 0.25 inches to win the long jump. Freeman tossed a personal-best 47-2 to win the weight throw, the final event of the night to ice the win for Syosset.
Class B 3-peat!
Calhoun embraced the motto “Why Not Three” throughout the season.
Despite losing graduated talent from its past two Nassau title-winning teams, the Colts felt like they had what it takes to secure a third straight team championship.
They proved that on Feb. 6 at St. Anthony’s, recording 105 points to claim the Class B crown and their third straight county title.
The Calhoun girls indoor track team. Credit: Kristin Frazer
“This one was really special for the team and I,” Calhoun coach Joe Migliano said. “We all knew what we could do, but knew it wouldn’t be easy. The girls demonstrated why track is a team sport and picked each other up the entire night.”
Freshman Alexa Zohar earned the county crown in the 1,500 walk with a personal-best 9:16.79. Senior Sophia Hines picked up titles in both the long jump (17-9.50) and triple jump (36-2.75).
Junior Dana Wauchope set both a school record and personal-best of 42-10.5 in the weight throw, finishing second.
“I love these girls like they were my own and words can’t express how much they mean to me,” Migliano added. “I couldn’t be any prouder of a team than I am now.”
North Shore a winner again
North Shore has experienced incredible success in all three running seasons — fall cross country, winter indoor track and spring outdoor track.
The Vikings’ Class C county title on Feb. 7 at St. Anthony’s marked their 39th across the three seasons since coach Neal Levy took over in 2002. They compiled 98 points — 40 more than the field, its greatest margin of victory in the Levy era.
The North Shore indoor girls track team. Credit: Kristin Frazer
“This season, we had a great group of kids that were really motivated,” Levy said. “ . . . We had a great diversity of events between field events and distance runners, which allowed us to be successful.”
Sophomore Joanna Kenney won the 3,000 in 10:32.55 and finished second in both the 1,500 (4:57.41) and the 1,000 (3:12.28). Kenney never ran in middle school but has quickly become one of the best in the county.
“She’s evolved tremendously over the last six months,” Levy said.
Sophomore Danielle DeMillio won the pole vault (7-7) and the Vikings won the 4 x 400 relay (4:22.58) en route to their first indoor title since 2020.
Ben Dickson joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.