Ryan John of Valley Stream North finishes second in the boys...

Ryan John of Valley Stream North finishes second in the boys long jump with a mark of 21-10 at the 2022 NYSPHSAA Indoor Track & Field Championship at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on March 5. Credit: Errol Anderson

Newsday Athlete of the Year: Ryan John, Valley Stream North, Sr.

There wasn’t much stopping John this year. It seemed like every time he landed his triple jump, he won. And, for the most part, that was true. John was, far and away, the most dominant athlete in his main event on Long Island this season.

The Clemson-commit won both the state indoor (46 feet, 6¼ inches) and outdoor (48-1½) Federation triple jump championships. He threw in some long jump success as well, placing second at the state indoor championships with a mark of 21-10, and second at the state outdoor meet with a 22-11½ jump.

He also won the outdoor Division I triple jump (49-8 3/4) and long jump (23-3) championships, supplanting his status as the best athlete in large public schools in both events.  John finally broke 50-feet (50-1 1/4) in the triple jump — something that topped his to-do list — at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, placing second.

Suffolk Athlete of the Year:  Nicholas Lourenco, St. Anthony’s, Sr.

Nicholas Lourenco of St. Anthony pole vaults in the boys...

Nicholas Lourenco of St. Anthony pole vaults in the boys finals at the CHSAA Intersectional Championship held at Randall's Island, Saturday, May, 28, 2022, in New York. Credit: Louis Lanzano

A stress fracture in his back kept the Bay Shore native from pole vaulting for five weeks of the indoor season, but when he returned he jumped back to his usual status as best in the state. Lourenco won the state indoor and outdoor championships, clearing 15-6 in March and 16-7½  in June. He also won the pole vault at both the indoor (14-6) and outdoor (16-9) CHSAA Intersectional meet.

 Ryan Antwi of Central Islip, Josiah Brown of Holy Trinity and Gavin Ehlers of Westhampton. 

Ryan Antwi, Central Islip, Jr.

He placed third in the triple jump at the state indoor championships, going 45-3¼. Antwi won the Suffolk outdoor Class AA long jump at 21- 2¾, and the triple jump at 44-11¾.

Josiah Brown, Holy Trinity, Soph.

Brown was third in the 55 at the state indoor championships at 6.38. He won the 100 in 10.76 at the outdoor CHSAA Intersectionals.

Chris Davis, Whitman, Sr.

He’ll play basketball at SUNY-Geneseo next school year, but he was the king of the high jump this month. Davis won the state outdoor championship, clearing 6-7.

Brandon Dennis, Amityville, Sr.

Dennis placed third in the shot put at the state indoor championships at 54-3¼. He won the shot put at the Suffolk outdoor state qualifier, tossing 54-8¼

Gavin Ehlers, Westhampton, Sr.

The best distance runner on Long Island, Ehlers was fifth in the 1,000 (2:31.40) and seventh in the 3,200 (9:05.70) at the state indoor meet.

Colin Funk of Port Washington, Liam Going of Chaminade and Daniel Muccini of Chaminade

Colin Funk, Port Washington, Sr.

The best distance runner in Nassau, he finished third in the 1,000 in 2:30.95 at the state indoor championships, fourth in the 800 (1:54.78) and fifth in the 1,600 (4:14.27) at the state outdoor meet, and ran on the 4 x 800 relay that won the title at Nike Indoor Nationals.

Liam Going, Chaminade, Sr.

The Penn commit was near the top of all the big distance races this school year. He placed second in the 1,000 in 2:30.88 at the state indoor championships and third in the 800 in 1:54.04 at the state outdoor meet.

Parker Kim, Syosset, Jr.

He placed fifth in the weight throw at the state indoor championships, tossing 60-, 6¼. He won the hammer throw (185-4) at the St. Anthony’s Invitational in May.

Jayden Lyons, Kellenberg, Sr.

Lyons finished third in the 400 in 48.20 seconds at the state outdoor championships. The Virginia commit placed second in the 400 in 48.22 seconds at the CHSAA outdoor Intersectionals.

Daniel Muccini, Chaminade, Sr.

He was fifth in the high jump at the state indoor championships, clearing 6-2. He won the long jump, going 21-½  at the CHSAA outdoor Intersectionals.

Adam Namdar of Great Neck North, Paul Park of Manhasset and Jordon Quinn of Freeport. 

Adam Namdar, Great Neck North, Sr.

He placed second in the high jump at the state indoor championships, clearing 6-5, and second at the state outdoor meet, clearing 6-6. He cleared 6-7 and was third at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Ejike Onuogu, Commack, Sr.

He finished fifth in the 110 meter hurdles in 15.06 seconds at the state outdoor championships.  He won the same event at the Suffolk outdoor state qualifier in 14.99 seconds.

Paul Park, Manhasset, Jr.

He placed third in the long jump (21- 9 ¾) and fourth in the triple jump (45-2 ¼) at the state indoor championships.  He was fifth in the triple jump (42-7) at the state outdoor meet.

Jordon Quinn, Freeport, Soph.

Quinn was third in the 110 hurdles in 14.85 seconds at the state outdoor championships.

Myles Small, Holy Trinity, Sr.

He was fourth in the 300 in 34.42 seconds at the state indoor championships. He was third in the 400 in 48.50 seconds at the CHSAA outdoor Intersectionals.

Julian Smith of Ward Melville, Jermaine Thompson of Connetquot and Eddy Vu of Floyd.

Julian Smith, Ward Melville, Sr.

Smith came from the second-to-last heat to place second in the 800 in 1:53.86 at the state outdoor championships. He placed fifth in the 600 in 1:22.92 at the state indoor meet.

Jermaine Thompson, Connetquot, Jr.

He won the state Federation 200 championship in 21.64, and the Division I 200 in 21.22 this spring. He was also second in the outdoor Federation 100 in 11.01 seconds.

Eddy Vu, Floyd, Sr.

Vu was one of the top sprinters on Long Island this school year. He finished second in the 55  in 6.37 seconds at the state indoor championships.

Huntington 4 x 400 outdoor relay (Nick Grover, Quincy Chery, Jahmar Francis, Julio Martinez)

Once again, it was Huntington on top of a 4 x 400 podium. This time, they were winning the Division I title in 3:19.58 at the state outdoor meet.

Friends Academy 4 x 400 outdoor relay (Ben Martin, Jackson Brielmann, Logan Alvarez, Logan Mott)

They were the best small school team to run in a public school league this spring.  Friends Academy proved it by winning the state Division II outdoor title in 3:27.78.

Coach of the Year: Steven Lurie, Commack

In February, Commack entered the history books. In May, they stayed there. Led by Lurie, Commack won the Suffolk Large School indoor team championship - the first county title in their district’s history. They kept those vibes going by winning the Suffolk Class AA outdoor team championship.

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