Relay win helps Connetquot take dual meet

Whenever League II track foes Connetquot and Sachem East hook up in a dual meet, it usually comes down to the distance events.

Yesterday's meet was a little different from the norm as host Connetquot displayed some serious versatility in a 73-68 win over the Flaming Arrows.

And it all came down to the 4 x 100-meter relay as Connetquot's team of Rashaad Barrett, Brian Lorensten, John Stallworth and Matt Grossetto secured the win, taking first place and tying a school record time of 44.6 seconds.

Zach Krause and Tyler Murtha, two of Suffolk's best distance runners, are the first names that usually come to mind when Connetquot track is the topic of conversation.

Krause and Murtha each did their part, taking first in the 3,200 and 1,600, respectively, and running the third and anchor legs of the winning 4 x 800 team.

But it's not all about the distance events anymore at the Bohemia school, which improved its League II mark to 4-0.

"In the past, we've been very weak in the other events," Krause said. "This year's been amazing."

SEE PHOTOSConnetquot 73, Sachem East 68

Krause, who usually runs the 3,200 and 1,600, didn't have to run in the 1,600, which he attributed to Connetquot's depth in other events.

It was the same for Murtha, who didn't compete in the 3,200.

"Last year, Tyler had to do four events and that killed him," Krause said. "It's nice to not have to go all out every race and pound it for the win."

Several of Connetquot's athletes set personal records, including Conner Olsen with a pole vault of 12 feet, 6 inches, Grossetto, who took first in the 100 in 11.2 seconds and sophomore Kevin Chery with a triple jump of 42-3.

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Barrett won the long jump in 20-1, and Stallworth took the 400 hurdles (60.4).

"In the past, it's been all about Murtha and Krause," Grossetto said. "They're great, but we're definitely better than people give us credit for."

Sachem East (1-3) also showed its versatility with first-place finishes in the 800 (Ryan Scarpelli), the 200 (Morgan Genoino) and the 400 (Greg Markfelder).

But the Thunderbirds were too much for the Flaming Arrows in the end.

Connetquot coach Matt Frenz is pleased with his program's development.

"Krause and Murtha and our entire distance crew have been the foundation of our school district for many years," he said. "This past year alone, we've come a long way in the sprints and the field events."

Connetquot's ability to score in multiple events could make it a factor at the Division and county championships.

"We're in the conversation, but you still have some big-time schools," Frenz said. "You have Longwood and Northport, who we have next week . . . We're coming along and it's not just distance."