Johnson, Reynolds, many more state champs

CALEDONIA, N.Y. -- Repeating the same feat two days in a row in track and field isn't the easiest thing to do.

That is the challenge several of Long Island's top athletes will face on Day 2 of the state track and field meet at Caledonia-Mumford High School near Rochester.

Baldwin's Leshawn Johnson (discus, 178 feet, 7 inches), Kings Park's Brandon Reynolds (shot put, 53-6) and Longwood's Joe Payton (400 hurdles, 53.6 seconds) will need to repeat Friday's performances.

You can include Bay Shore's Jessica Gelibert (400 hurdles, 1:00.72), Carle Place's Joanna Koronios (discus, 146-0) and Riverhead's Melodee Riley (triple jump, 39-9).

Each of the aforementioned athletes won state public school titles. Each returns Saturday with the hope of capturing a Federation medal.

Johnson won the Division I discus title. "I can't get a big head about things," Johnson said. "I'm going to prepare for [Saturday] just like I prepared for today and try and take care of business."

Riley, who won the Division I triple jump, concurred. "I'll just rest and stretch a little," Riley said. "You don't want to change anything now, because it can really mess you up."

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Koronios, who won the Division II discus and has been fighting lower leg and foot injuries all season, said she is going to put more emphasis on her spinning. "It's been difficult, but I've been pushing through," said Koronios, who set the Nassau record in the discus (150-6) this season. "I've been working more on technique and spins to compensate."

The Garden City girls 4 x 400 team of Laura Jaeger, Emma Gallagher, Taylor Hennig and Michelle Gallagher won the Division I title in 3:47.88 and Mercy's Kayleigh Macchirole, Olivia Schumann, Sasa Vann and Lauren Woodhull took the 4 x 400 Division II title in 3:57.42.

Southampton's Nicholas Collazos, James Cowell, Owen Laub and Adrain Simioni teamed to capture the 4 x 400 Division II title in 3:22.84.