The Jericho Jets Track Team successfully completed its first outdoor track season, which culminated in a series of six evening meets held "under the lights" at Mitchel Field and Sachem High School.

The first phase of the outdoor season concluded with the Junior Olympic Qualifying Meet held at Ward Melville High School on June 17. A hardy and dedicated group of young Jericho Jets ventured out into the midday 98-degree sun, hoping to qualify for the Regional Junior Olympic Championships and each of them achieved their goal by finishing among the top six competitors in their events

During their first season of competitive track and field the Jericho Jets have concentrated on the sprints and jumping events. But on this scorching June day, 9-year-old Michelle Bogdan and Josh Elguera demonstrated courage and determination by running the 800-meters, two laps around the track. Josh's time for the metric half rule was 3 minutes, 32.5 seconds for third place, while Michelle crossed the finish line in fifth place in 3 minutes, 35.5 seconds.

The Jets' sprinters did themselves proud. Sub-Bantam Rebecca Shinners garnered her first ribbon of the season, taking sixth place in the 100-meter dash in 21.7 seconds, while Marissa Terrasi maintained a smooth pace in the Sub-Bantam 400 meters and took fourth place in 1 minute, 47.3 seconds.

Mollie and Hannah Rosen continued their season-long impressive sprinting, each running 17.5 seconds in the Bantam 100-meter dash with Hannah nipping Mollie for third place. Mollie reversed the order in the 200 meters with a personal best of 36.7 seconds for fourth place, while Hannah ran 37.3 seconds for fifth.

Newcomer Eric Drachlis, a long-striding 9-year-old, ran a blazing 34.5 seconds for second place in the Bantam 200 meters, while 8-year-old Jason Shinners ran 37.8 seconds for third place in the Sub-Bantam 299 meters. Jason also took sixth place in the 100-meter dash. Max Rosen got off to a fast start in the Midget class 100 meters and finished with a second-place medal in 17.7 seconds. Max' 37.9-second 200-meters was good for fourth place.

After all this hard work, the Jets' qualifiers were anxious to travel to Maine for the Regional Junior Olympic Meet. Parental discretion overruled youthful enthusiasm, however, and the youngsters saved their energies for the "Summer Series" of track meets.

Notwithstanding the fact that many of the Jets were away pursuing other activities during the summer, a solid contingent of runners and jumpers competed in the meets held on six balmy Thursday evenings during July and August.

The summer meets are a joy to participate in (or to watch, for that matter) with competition ranging from 3-year-old toddlers literally toddling 55 meters down the track, to an 80-year-old, many times national masters champion sprinter, who amazed the crowd with his speed. During the meets the competitors develop a camaraderie with each other, with young runners often being called out of the stands to fill in on a relay team. Personal bests are achieved, new skills are acquired and new events are entered.

Many of the Jericho Jets turned in truly outstanding performances during the summer. Six-year-old sprinter Cory Bogdan was a consistent winner in the 55-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, while Jason Shinners maintained his outstanding record at 100-, 200-, and 400-meters, highlighted by a time of 36.7 seconds at 200 meters in the Summer's final meet on Aug. 17. Sixth-grader Max Rosenberg got his first taste of track and field over the summer, long jumping over 12 feet and clearing an impressive 4 feet, 1 inch in the high jump. During the season's final meet, Dr. David Rosenthal, an "over 60" National Masters bronze medallist in the triple jump, taught Max Rosenberg, Erin Sinnot, Hannah Rosen and Mollie Rosen triple jumping technique Now these youngsters have a new event to master and, next season, to compete in. Mollie, Hannah and Erin can add this to their sprinting, long jumping and relaying activities.

Among the youngest runners, Glen Hyams, Josie Savarese, Jordan Elguera and Alex Elguera had an opportunity to experience competition that, hopefully, will spark an interest in track and field.

Interestingly, many of the Jericho Jets summer competitors came in family groups. Siblings Heidi and Victor Trinklein did well in the long jump and 100-meters and showed potential in the hurdles during practices. Kathy and Josie Savarese often practiced in "tandem," running side by side. Michelle Bogdan returned from summer camp in time to join brother Cory for the last summer meet. Making the most of her opportunity, Michelle ran an outstanding 37.2-second 200-meters and then followed that with the 800-meter run and a leg on the 400 relay. Rebecca and Jason Shinners didn't miss a meet or a practice over the summer. Marissa and Marc Terrasi sprinted distances ranging from 55 meters to 400 meters. Ryan Sinnot ran the 55-meter dash, while sister Erin ran the sprints, relays and long-jumped. Some families participated on a "bi-generational" level. Alex, Jordan and Josh Elguera were joined on the track by mom, Jenny, who received an honorary Jericho Jet T-shirt for her distance running efforts. Chet Bogdan often took son Cory and daughter Michelle along on runs while training for the Triathalon. Jericho Jets Coach Dick Rosen trained with Mollie, Hannah and Max and has been a season-long participant in the Masters 100- and 200-meter dashes.

During their first season, the Jericho Jets had over 50 youngsters participate in practices or in actual track and field competition. After a short "break," practices will resume in preparation for the coming indoor season. Anyone interested in training with or competing with the Jericho Jets Track Team, or who would like further information, should contact Richard Rosen at 931-0771.