Bellport boys win at Loucks

The Bellport boys and girls track teams traveled North to White Plains to compete in the 57th Running of the Loucks games.

The weather report for the weekend looked grim. That didn’t keep away some of the best athletes in the Northeast from making the trip.

The boys kicked off the meet by capturing first place in the SMR sprint medley relay. The skies opened up just before the sound of the gun. Senior Ray Kreamer got us the early lead with a fast 200 meters; the baton made its way around the oval with sophomore John Uyi, who keep stride with the front pack.

Sophomore Desmond Escobar awaited the handoff and turned in a 50-second 400 meter, only to hand off to senior Vincent Pitre. Pitre, who will run for U Albany next fall, battled with the defending champ and a few others, but with 200 meters to go, poured it on and was not going to be caught.

It took a personal best of 1:55.6 from Pitre to secure the victory. The time of 3:31 would set a new school record and qualify them New Balance Nationals to be held later next month at Franklin Field at Penn State. This was also the eighth fastest time in meet history.

Next up, county championships, where they will compete in their main events and then get together to run the 4x400 relay. The Lady Harriers ran Friday and Saturday.

Coach Jennings hopes to stay dry. Nevaeh Pedraza placed third in the long jump. Her jump of 17 feet, 11 inches, would tie her own school record.

Pedraza would then go off to showcase her speed in the 100-meter dash by running a blazing 12.34. That would be good enough for ninth place out of more than 150 runners. It would also earn her second place on the all-time list at BHS.

Pedraza will be taking her talents to The College of Staten Island for the fall. Freshman Jocelyn Fitzgerald ran herself into the record books. This was not only her season best, but she captured second place all time by turning in blistering 7:36.1 in the 2000-meter steeple chase.

The meet wrapped up with the relays, and while team Bellport—Ava Cooley, Shania Creary, Arielle Ross, Nevaeh Pedraza—didn’t have the best race, they are still the team to beat.

They are ranked  No. 1 in the county with a time of 49.21. Go Bellport!