Girls track preview

Running for the first time in the girl's 1000 meters event, Holy Trinity's Caroline Brown takes first in a time of 3:01.69 during the Christmas Classic indoor track meet at St. Anthony's. (Dec. 22, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
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.
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).
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).
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).
SMALL SCHOOLS
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.
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