Garden City, North Shore favorites in Nassau
Michelle Rotondo of Garden City High School anchors her team to victory in the High School girls 4x800 relay event in the 103rd Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden. She crossed the finish line at 9:22.66 mark. (Jan. 29, 2010) Credit: James A. Escher
LARGE SCHOOLSGarden City could repeat as Class A champions thanks to a tremendous amount of depth in the sprints and middle distance with Michelle Rotondo (300), 600-meter runners Taylor Hennig, Jenna DeAngelo, Alexis Yeboah-Kodie and Katie O'Neill. Emma Gallagher (1500), Jennifer Gerland (3000) and Molly Josephs (racewalk) also return.
Massapequa was second to the Trojans last season and has an excellent chance to challenge for the top spot with distance stars Amanda Schmidt and Caitlyn Krug and jump specialist Heather Sweeney back. Shannon McBrien (1,000) also figures to contribute to the Chiefs.
Uniondale will make some waves with Adrianna Powell, Brittany Webly and Desiree Johnson-Green in the sprint/hurdle events and Monique Mitchell and Allana Richardson in the middle distance and distance events.
MacArthur has a lot of talent returning, including versatile athletes Kelly Clifford (jumps, hurdles) and Christina Romano (hurdles, pole vault, jumps). The Generals also return Nicole Santaniello (sprints, middle distance) and Maria Montefusco (sprints, middle distance) and distance runners Christina Coiro and Lindsay McLaughlin.
Other teams to watch include Elmont, led by sprinter Valencia Hannon, and Valley Stream Central with high jumper Joanne Imbert
SMALL SCHOOLS
Defending indoor Class B champion North Shore will be strong in distance events again with Samantha Nadel, Brianna Nerud, Elizabeth Caldwell and Molly Reilly. The Vikings could also be strong in the jumps with sophomore twins Brittany and Taylor Farkouh.
Valley Stream North, led by top sprinter Shanice Johnson, Kelly McConville (racewalk) and freshman long and triple jumper Anointing Onauha will be in the mix for the Class B title. Batina Mondelice (shot) and Tara McElroy also return.
Hewlett is led by Vanessa Pierre in the jumps and Natalie Herzberg (middle distance). McKerrah Knopf returns in the pole vault.
Distance runner Kira Garry leads Friends Academy, while Manhasset has its own 3,000-meter star in Mary Welsh.
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