Bayport’s Denis grabs 2 long-distance wins
All alone in front with wins in both the 3200 and 1600 meter runs is Dan Denis of Bayport / Bluepoint. (February 4, 2010) Credit: Newsday/Photo By Patrick E. McCarthy
Bayport-Blue Point’s Dan Denis doesn’t seem to rattle.
The senior distance runner won the 3,200 and 1600-meter runs at the Suffolk boys small school track and field championships at Suffolk CC-Brentwood last night.
His strategy for each race was different. In the 3,200, Denis took control with a little over a lap remaining to finish in 9:55.36. In the 1,600, Denis made his move with more than two laps left, finishing in 4:35.54.
“I really just run off how I’m feeling,” Denis said after the 1,600. “I felt good at that point in the race, so I just went for it.”
Bayport-Blue Point teammates Mario Buscemi and Zach Flood won the 1,000 (2:40.05) and 600 (1:25.59), respectively. The Phantoms’ 4 x 800-meter team of Flood, Buscemi, Mark Castilletti and Evan Haun ran to a first-place finish in 8:25.44.
Half Hollow Hills West had two first-place finishers. Dan McCord won the 55 (6.73) and David Friedman took the long jump (22-2¾).
Hills West was effective in the relays, taking first in the 4 x 400 in 3:35.21 and second in the 4 x 800. That versatility earned Hills West its sixth straight small school indoor championship.
“This shows the strength of the team, not just a few guys,” McCord said. “Our school should get recognized as one of the top teams on Long Island.”
Rocky Point’s Brandon Loomis won the high jump, tying a personal-best height of 6-6. Brandon Reynolds of Kings Park won the shot put (48-11¾) and Amityville’s Sancho Barrett took the 55 hurdles in 7.77.
Amityville had another first-place finisher in Victor Drew, who took the triple jump in 46-2½.
For Bellport’s Jaquan Holland, a first-place finish in the 300 in 36.01 was satisfying, though he was hoping to finish under 36 seconds. “I’m happy with a 36.01, but at state qualifiers I hope to break 36,” Holland said.
Holland, whose personal best in the event is 34.7 at the Armory earlier this season, attributed yesterday’s time to the surface at Suffolk-Brentwood.
“To be honest I probably don’t have to break 36 at the qualifiers,” said Holland, “but I want to do it for myself.”
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