Suffolk & Nassau girls track preview 2012

SUFFOLK

DIVISION I

Bay Shore is led by hurdles/mid-distance star Jessica Gelibert. The Marauders also boast extraordinary triple jump depth and will look to Kelsey Palomino, Alexis Barrau, Anisa Toppin and Imani McGhee to provide scoring.

Northport is strong in nearly every event. They are led by jumper / sprinter Sara Ronde, distance runner Brigid Brennan and hurdler Stephanie Quinn.

Sachem East has Rachel Paul, who will be a force in anything 400 meters and up. Kelly Maranchuck leads a deep walk crew, and Brittany Sepe headlines the throwers.

Sachem North features the Michta sisters -- walker Katie and high jumper Kristie. Kelly Lavan anchors the distance squad.

DIVISION II

SEE PHOTOSTrack athletes to watch

Kings Park returns pentathlete Kayla Koelbel, as well as Kathleen Naeher (middle distance) and walker Stephanie Saccente.

North Babylon has a strong 4 x 200 team (Alena Gannon, Shiloe Gardner, Ashley Mandat, Tori Thompson). Long jumper Teena Mobley has already reached 16-11.

Copiague has a trio of sprinters and jumpers in Janel Francis, Ashley Arquer, and Ashley Jackson. Cypher McCloud will compete in the 400.

Islip has Sara Conway, who is strong in the triple jump, long jump, and high jump.

DIVISION III

Miller Place has great distance depth with Tiana and Talia Guevara and Lauren Nolan. Hannah Greenfield will contribute in the hurdles.

Bayport-Blue Point returns thrower Jordan Collins, distance runner Katie Saroka and sprinter Bailey Walker.

Sayville has hurdler Melanie Trinkwald.

Shannon McDonnell (mid-distance) leads Shoreham-Wading River.

NASSAU

CLASS AAA

Brittney Webley, Adrionna Powell-Lawrence and Crystal Green highlight a very strong Uniondale hurdle core, and Camille Crayton and Timaya Forehand lead the sprinters.

Massapequa returns a strong team led by Heather Sweeney (pentathlon), Catherine Young (distance), and Andrea Bourgal (400). Megan Porr has already thrown 106 feet in the discus.

MacArthur should contend with hurdler/pole vaulter Kristina Romano and sprinter Heather Van Patten.

Hempstead returns sprinting depth led by senior Noveka McKay and Tatyana Gadson.

Other teams to watch include East Meadow with Amanda Ashe (distance) and Great Neck South with thrower Jocelyn Harris.

CLASS AA

Garden City has a rare mix of youth and elite talent. Freshman Emma Gallagher will be a threat in the 800, senior Taylor Hennig will contend in the 400, and Jen and Stephanie Gerland will compete in the distance events.

Hewlett has Nicole Fudrini (distance), and Heather Kaminer and Amanda Kaufman lead the hurdlers.

Clarke returns Kaitlyn Kieser (long jump, triple jump), Tristynn Mercedes (distance), and Nicole Hertzberg (high jump, middle distance).

Joanna Capitelli and Jennifer Addamo should contend in the hurdles for Division.

CLASS A

North Shore is stacked with distance stars. Samantha Nadel is fully recovered from a late winter injury, and Brianna Nerud looks to make a national impact in the steeplechase. Elizabeth Caldwell and Jessica Donohue provide depth.

Sprinter Shanice Johnson returns for Valley Stream North, as well as Anointing Onuoha in the long jump and triple jump.

Manhasset has Tara Belinsky in the throws and Mary Welsh in distance.

Friends Academy has a good distance core led by senior Kelsey Margey.