Copiague's Francis wins four events

In track and field, the quality of a victory is sometimes just as important as the win itself.

Enter Copiague's Janel Francis.

The versatile junior had arguably the best day of any individual at the Suffolk championships with victories in the 100 meters (11.99 seconds), 200 (24.57) and the long jump (18 feet, 3 inches) at the Division II championships Thursday.

Francis was also part of the winning 4 x 100 relay.

Her finishes in the 100 and 200 were career bests, and she had to overcome a 5-meter deficit on the final leg of the 4 x 100. It was an exhausting day for Francis, who said her training has prepared her for big moments.

"I practice hard, I eat right and I just come out and give it all I have," Francis said. "I was thrilled to be able to hit those times today."

The long jump wasn't a personal best for Francis, but after a day that included two sprints and six jumps and a relay, she'll take the win. "At that point, I just think about my board placements and jump as high and reach as far as I can," she said.

SEE PHOTOSSuffolk track and field championships

Francis' incredible performance wasn't enough to lift Copiague to the Division II title, though. That honor belonged to Kings Park, which totaled 105 points. Copiague was second with 70.

The Kingsmen were led by Kayla Koelbel, who won the 100 hurdles (15.89) and the high jump (5-0), Shannon Ahern in the 2,000 steeplechase (7:28.7) and Michelle Sygulski in the 1,500 walk (7:18.88).

Bay Shore took the Division I title thanks to an abundance of strong individual performances.

Jessica Gelibert was the big winner for Marauders, taking the 100 hurdles (14.75) and 400 hurdles (62.96), and being a part of the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays. Jennifer Halloran won the 1,500 walk (7:06.86) and Alexis Barrau the triple jump (37-2 3/4).

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You can add Longwood's Imani White to the list of standouts in Division I, with wins in the shot put (42-2) and discus (123-4).

White was a bit disappointed she didn't hit 43 feet in the shot put, but she's been pleased with her consistency. "I didn't have a great winter, so I was looking forward to making up for all of those bad throws," White said.

White's teammate Olivia Hallstein followed suit with first-place finishes in the 100 (12.18) and 200 (24.88).

Bayport-Blue Point took the Division III title with 121 points. Katie Saroka was one of the Phantoms' top individual performers with victories in the 100 hurdles (16.12) and 2,000 steeplechase (7:36.7).

Bayport's Jordan Collins was also a double winner, taking the shot put (35-2) and discus (115-2), and teammates Bailey Walker and Aubrie Van Weele won the 3,000 (10:55.11) and the pole vault (9-6), respectively.

Other Division III winners were Glenn's Kaitlin Whitehorn in the 100 (12.39), 200 (25.42) and high jump (5-5) and Shoreham-Wading River's Shannon McDonnell in the 800 (2:14.6) and 1,500 (4:50.52).