Girls track preview

NASSAU

LARGE SCHOOLS

With a strong mixture of experience, youth and depth, led by sprinters Taylor Hennig, Jenna DeAngelo and Laura Jaeger, as well as distance and middle-distance specialists Jen and Stephanie Gerland and Emma Gallagher, Garden City is poised to win its sixth straight indoor Class A title. The Trojans are strong in the jumps with Alexis Yeboah-Kodie and Mary Kate Wallace.

Heather Sweeney, (long jump, 17-8½ and triple jump, 37-5) will lead Massapequa into contention with Shannon McBrien, Catherine Young and Lauren Lavoro (distance, middle distance) and Andrea Bourgal in the 300.

Uniondale has talent returning in 55-meter hurdlers Brittney Webley (8.5) and Adrionna Powell-Lawrence, long jumper Tawanda Francis and sprinters Camille Crayton and Kadesha Roberts.

Farmingdale has an excellent field events crew with Christina Vargas and Vanessa Pepe (long and triple jump) and Jada Clinton in the high jump.

SMALL SCHOOLSNorth Shore is more than equipped to win its third straight county title, especially with its distance quartet that includes defending Millrose Mile champion Samantha Nadel, Brianna Nerud, Jessica Donohue and Elizabeth Caldwell. It won't be all about distance for the Vikings as Lea Farrell and Raquel Fossett will be counted on to excel in the sprints.

Jayla Therancy (55 hurdles, high and long jumps) along with Shari Weiss and Katie Hochberg in the pole vault and jumps are Hewlett's best. Kathleen Kennedy (300) and Cara Butcher (distance) will lead Plainedge.

Versatile senior Emily Cranmer will compete in the sprints and long jump for Island Trees, and Danielle Medellin will run the hurdles and triple jump.

Shanice Johnson has run 7.2 in the 55 and will lead Valley Stream North with racewalker Kelly McConnville and Angelique Jean-Charles (high jump).

Locust Valley returns Grace Murphy and Taylor Bleistein in the 800 and Stephanie Mysholowshy in sprints and the shot put.

SUFFOLK

LARGE SCHOOLSBay Shore has reloaded after its streak of 10 straight large-school championships was snapped last season. The Marauders have Suffolk's top hurdler in Jessica Gelibert and a strong triple-jumping quartet led by Alexis Barrau (36-41/4).

Northport edged out Bay Shore by 3.5 points to take last year's county title. They have two of Suffolk's best in Sarah Ronde (7.41 in the 55 meters, 18-1/2 in the long jump) and Brigid Brennan (10:30 in the 3,000).

Rachel Paul (2:53 in the 1,000) leads an experienced Sachem East squad, and Brittany Sepe (36-7) is Suffolk's top returning shot-putter.

Ward Melville could be a sleeper come championship time. Caroline O'Hea (4:36 in the 1,500) paces a strong distance core, and Jeana Esernio will be a contender in the 55 hurdles (9.04).

Copiague has two standout sprinters in Janel Francis and Ashley Arquer (both 7.54 in the 55 meters).

SMALL SCHOOLS

Kings Park is the defending small-school champion and returns a deep team. Jumper/ hurdler Kayla Coelbel (9.07 in the 55 hurdles) and Kathleen Naeher (1:38 in the 600) are back.

Bayport-Blue Point is led by the distance duo of Katie Saroka (11:14 in the 3,000) and Courtney Dooley (11:23). They also return shot putters Jordan Collins (33-5) and Jesse Drake (33-3).

Sayville brings back Melanie Trinkwald (9.38 in the 55 hurdles) and Breana Lindquist (7.85 in the 55).

Islip has Sara Conway (5-0 in the high jump) and a junior hurdling trio led by Sidnee Compere (9.68).

Don't count out Miller Place and its distance depth. The Guevara sisters -- Tiana (4:42 in the 1,500) and Talia (4:54) -- and eighth-grader Lauren Nolan (5:07) will make them tough to beat.

Christine Eisenberg (5:03 in the 1,500) leads Hauppauge, and transfer Jessica Volpe (7.71 in the 55 meters) could make an immediate impact in sprints and long jump.

Other teams to watch include Glenn with Kaitlin Whitehorn (5-5 in the high jump) and Shoreham-Wading River, led by Shannon McDonnell (1:36 in the 600).

CHSAA

With depth in nearly every event, particularly in the 1,000 with Olicia Williams and Alexander Russo, Victoria Ciotti in the 1,500, St. Anthony's could be the team to beat in the CHSAA.

Shot putter Natalie Jean, who threw 36-9 ½ at the Loughlin games, Ordine Belot (triple jump, hurdles), Katie Cavanaugh (hurdles) and distance specialist Ashlin Conroy leads deep and talented Kellenberg.

St. John the Baptist has one of Long Island's top pole vaulters in Emma Cleary, who's cleared 10 feet this season, as well as Chelsea Penn in the 600.

Holy Trinity is led by distance star Caroline Brown, sprinter Lauren Carlino and 5-2 high jumper Alexis Harris.