Smith, Melendez key Elmont's big day at the track

It didn't take long for Elmont's Jaquan Smith to find his rhythm.

Fighting back against swirling winds, Smith ran to a first-place finish in the 100 meters at the Bulldog Invitational at Hewlett Saturday in a personal best of 10.4 seconds.

But it wasn't all about Smith. The junior sprinter praised his entire team for a successful day. Teammate Angelo Melendez took first in the 800 in a career best of 1:56 and was a member of the winning 4 x 400 relay team. Melendez was named the boys track MVP of the meet.

"So far, we're doing great," Smith said. "Most of us are good at individual events. Angelo was awesome and Kyla [Ridley] won her race, too."

As for his performance, Smith was pleased with his time in the 100. But he wants more.

"I felt good after the 100 today and now I'm aiming for 10.2 for the state [championship]," he said. Smith's previous best in the 100 was 10.7.

Smith said qualifying for the state meet in the 200 and possibly the 4 x 400 is also on his agenda this spring. So is winning a Nassau County championship.

"With Angelo, me and some of the seniors, we have a chance to really go somewhere," Smith said. "With Kyla, Valencia [Hannon] and Ashley [McCarthy], the girls could win, too."

There were several other outstanding individual performances, including Floral Park's Justin Wilson, who won the high jump in a meet-record 6 feet, 6 inches.

Floral Park's day in the sun didn't stop with Wilson as its 4 x 100 relay team took first in 42.2 seconds, which is the fastest time on Long Island this season and the fifth fastest in the state.

Roosevelt had a fine day in the sprints as Stephan Linton took first in the 400 (50.6) and Dale McDonald first in the 200 in 22.1 seconds.

The throwing events belonged to Lynbrook's Jamie Hirsch, who won the discus (130) and the shot put (46-1). Hirsch was given the boys field MVP award and he also won the Grand Prix hurdle award.

Wheatley's Kiernan Lang won the 400 hurdles (55.7), and Baldwin's James Lowe took first in the 110 hurdles in 14.9. RaShawn Providence took first in the triple jump in 39-4 and Massapequa's Spencer Nord won the pole vault (11-6).

Valley Stream South's Isaiah Corona took home the long jump title with a leap of 21-6½.