Newsday Athlete of the Week is Sayville football's Tristan Vitale
Tristan Vitale of Sayville dives into the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown in the Long Island Class III football championship against Wantagh on Nov. 28. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
After the Sayville football team’s heartbreaking loss to Garden City in last year’s Long Island Class III championship, Tristan Vitale made a vow that he would never relive that feeling again.
“We texted the group chat over and over again, about how bad we felt,” Vitale said. “Losing last year was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced. The main goal was to get all my friends a championship this year.”
This year was different, and Vitale and the Golden Flashes finished the redemption story.
The Newsday Athlete of the Week rushed for 239 yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries in Sayville’s 42-35 victory over Wantagh in the Long Island Class III title game last Friday at Hofstra.
“When I got the ball, I just saw the Red Sea part in the offensive line, and I knew it was going to be my day,” the senior running back said. “I knew this year was my opportunity to go prove something.”
In the regular season, Vitale ran for 287 yards and three scores. But when the postseason rolled around, he rose to the occasion. Vitale ran for 530 yards and nine TDs in the playoffs, totaling 817 yards and 12 TDs for the year.
“He’s so resilient,” coach Rob Hoss said. “He became a leader, especially in the weight room. If you’re a coach, you want to coach a ton of Tristan Vitale’s.”
Hoss says Vitale’s numbers would’ve been more eye-popping if he hadn’t missed two games of the season after being selected to represent the USA lacrosse team for the Youth National Development program.
“I never had that in all my years of coaching, someone missing two games because of lacrosse,” Hoss said. “It was disappointing to hear, but it was an opportunity of a lifetime. I couldn’t let him pass it up.”
Even though missing two games of the football season was a disappointment, Vitale says representing his country was an honor he would never forget. “It hurt that I had to miss two games,” Vitale said. “But definitely playing and getting to play on that team was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to meet many people and coaches. It was phenomenal.”
Vitale is committed to the Salisbury University in Maryland for lacrosse. “Salisbury is an amazing program. They win the Division III national championship every year,” Vitale said. “I immediately jumped on the opportunity when I got the call.”
When he is not on the field for football or lacrosse, Vitale is a member of the student-athlete council, where they are planning to remodel the weight room and focus on athletes’ mental health.
Usually during the winter season Vitale joins the winter track team, but this year he is dedicated to hitting the weight room and getting ready for the lacrosse season. “I lost a lot of weight because of football, so I want to get back in the gym,” Vitale said. “I’ve been focused on lacrosse. I want to talk to someone about bringing the nets out so I can start practicing after school.”
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
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