Massapequa Boys Winter Track Sets Sights On County Championship

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Massapequa Boys Winter Track Sets Sights On County Championship

Written by Ronald Scaglia, rscaglia@antonnews.com Friday, 25 January 2013 00:00

For seven years Massapequa Boys Winter Track Coach Rich Degnan has been on a mission to bring home the Nassau County Championship to Massapequa. Although the team has been quite formidable in recent years, Massapequa has not captured that elusive championship since 1969. However, Degnan and his assistant coach Keith Hinnant believe that this year’s team can end that streak.

“This is the best group of athletes that I’ve had in the seven years that I’ve coached in Massapequa,” he remarked. “We’ve always been one of the best four teams, but this team has a legitimate shot at winning the county championship.”

Massapequa runners Dan Deluna, Ryan Cooney Mike Pulieo and Lars Vedilago established a school record in winning the 4 X 800 meter relay at the Hispanic Games in New York City.

The county championship will be decided on Feb. 8 at St. Anthony’s. This season, Massapequa has already enjoyed much success. At the Hispanic Games, held at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City, Massapequa captured first place in the Varsity Boys’ 4 x 800 Meter Relay Final, defeating 32 other teams with a mark of 8:06.48, which set a Massapequa record. That qualifies the team for the 2013 Millrose Games to be held on Feb. 16. Ryan Cooney, Dan DeLuna, Mike Pulieo and Lars Vedlilago were the Massapequa athletes who earned the victory. According to the team’s coach, DeLuna is the top ranked 800-meter runner in New York State and broke a record at the Molly Stanner Games by running 1,000 meters in 2:32.41. DeLuna was also a two-time winner at a recent conference championship held at St. Anthony’s in the 600 meter and 1,000 meter events.

“Danny DeLuna is our team captain,” said Degnan. “He is one of the finest middle distance runners I’ve coached. He’s what most Division I coaches would want on their team.”

Not to be outdone, Ryan Miller, also a team captain, is the number two-ranked miler in Nassau County. Miller won three events at that recent conference championship, in which Massapequa placed second, losing to Farmingdale by a mere nine points. Also earning all conference distinction were Don Grupski in the 55 meter hurdles, Mike Puleio in the 1,000 meter and 1,600 meter competitions, and Kyle Smith in the 3,200 meter event. The team of Ryan Cooney, Joe Pinto, Anthony Tesorerio and Mike Puleio combined to snag the conference championship at that event.

Another team captain, Alex Mercado, established a new school record of 48 feet four inches at the Millrose Trials in the 25 lb weight throw, and has qualified for national championships in March.

News

Proposed School Budget Is Under Tax Cap

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:00

Declining enrollment and

reserve funds are key factors

As voters in the Massapequa Union Free School District approach the Tuesday, May 21, budget vote, the proposed spending plan retains popular educational programs while keeping the rise in spending to 1.49 percent.

Despite what district officials call unprecedented increases in state-mandated employer pension contributions, as well as rising health insurance costs, the overall budget is up just over $2.7 million.

Rebuilding Together Long Island

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Rebuilding Together LI volunteers, sponsors from Long Island Board of Realtors and their associates from Albany, working on a home in Cedarhurst damaged by Sandy. After Massapequa resident Sol Goldstein and several friends helped finish building a house for a family 20 years ago for Habitat for Humanity, they had a question: “What do we do now?” They were all retired, had enjoyed working together and accomplishing something for a family in need, and wanted to do more.

“I was looking for something [to do] hands-on,” said Joe Botkin, of Williston Park, a retired principal, who had worked with Goldstein in building the home.

Sports

Coach of the Month: Vinny Zanfardino

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Vinny Zanfardino started his coaching career in 1997 when he stepped up to coach his daughter’s Little League team.

What started as a hobby turned into a full-blown obsession for Zanfardino, 48. Coaching became an outlet to do some good for children while staying close to the game he loves: baseball.

Golf Course To Be Named In Honor Of Colby

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

On Saturday, May 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will conduct a ceremony to officially re-name its golf course in honor of Joseph Colby, a resident of Massapequa Park who served as the Town of Oyster Bay’s 56th supervisor. The Honorable Joseph Colby was appointed supervisor in 1977 and was elected to that office five times in the following ten years. He was then elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1988, a post he held through his retirement from public service in 1992. The unveiling will take place at the main entrance of the course off South Woods Road in Woodbury.

“When the sign for Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is unveiled, it will celebrate an outstanding career in public service,” Supervisor John Venditto said. “Joseph Colby has always had the needs of the public as his top priority and has been widely respected for his innovation and responsiveness. This golf course will now forever bear his name as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.”