Ward Melville Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty introduced Leah Jantzen, who works as a mental health specialist with student-athletes in Ward Melville, at a recent Section XI Athletic Director’s meeting.
Leah discussed her program and how to implement a mental health program in other schools.
Thanks for speaking with our ADs, Leah!
Southampton recently hosted an autism awareness and acceptance night during a varsity boys basketball game.
A highlight of the night was watching the Unified Athletes perform on the court during halftime.
The gym was decorated by community service club students and parent volunteers. About $6,000 was raised for the Flying Point Foundation for Autism.
Great work and community support, Southampton!
Connetquot alum Joseph Apisa — already a three-time national cheerleading champion with the University of South Florida — has been named to USA Cheer’s 2024 National Coed Premier Team.
He was one of 32 men and women selected from colleges nationwide to the team.
Section XI is saddened by the passing of Bob Salamone, the long-time baseball coach and physical education teacher at Eastport High School.
Coach Salamone coached baseball from 1975 to 2007. Retiring in 2007, he ranked seventh all-time with 407 wins in Suffolk County.
His teams made 22 consecutive playoff appearances from 1986 through 2007. They won 12 league and Suffolk County titles, five Southeast Regional Class D Championships, and a New York State Class D title in 1986. He was a 12-time league coach of the year and was named Suffolk County Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2006.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Tony Toro was a constant presence in Suffolk County track and field for more than 60 years. We lost the coaching and track visionary in early January. He was 77.
As an athlete, he was a two-time Suffolk County Class A champion in the mile in 1965 and 1966. He also set a county record in the 1,600 at 4:26 in 1965 at the county championship.
As a coach, he led Longwood to 15 league titles and six county championships across three decades. He later coached at St. Anthony’s.
In 1999 he te developed Just-In-Time Racing to track athlete times at events and publish them on a website that revolutionized the statistical analysis and record-keeping for the sport, especially on a local level.
He was also the Section XI cross-country and track and field coordinator for more than 20 years.
Tony is survived by his wife, Lynn, and his daughter-in-law, Krystina.
Congratulations to North Babylon (Division I) and John Glenn (Division II) for winning the Suffolk County Dual Meet Championship in their respective divisions!
Photos courtesy Ray Nelson
The Division II finals and Division I semifinals are set for the 2024 Section XI Dual Meet Championships.
Head to Bay Shore High School to catch the action on Saturday, January 20.
The Division I semifinals between 1) North Babylon and 5) Whitman, as well as 3) Connetquot and 7) East Islip, will happen at Noon.
The Division II finals between 1) SWR and 3) Elwood/John Glenn is at 3 p.m. The Division I final is also at 3 p.m., and the matchup will be determined based on the outcome of the semifinals earlier in the day.
The Bayport-Blue Point girls’ winter track and field 4×4 team crushed a school record and took the top ranking in New York with a recent performance.
Ava Brogan, Ansley Brogan, Sophia McInnes, and Maggie Yost ran the event in a clip of 4:02.18. This broke the school record held since 2006. Remarkable!
Shelter Island School District received the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row.
Todd Nelson, assistant director of the NYSPHSAA, presented a banner to Shelter Island Athletic Director Todd Gulluscio, his coaches, and his student-athletes, who should all be proud! Congratulations!
