Bellmore, NY - Representatives from the Nassau and Suffolk County Track Coaches Associations, NSCHSSA, and USATF Long Island have come together to select the All Long Island athletes for the 2021 Outdoor Track and Field season. Performances from throughout the season were analyzed, discussed, and debated with an emphasis placed on achievements attained in this season’s championship meets.
Three athletes were selected for each individual running and field event to comprise 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All Long Island. Athletes who could have qualified for selections in multiple events were assigned one selection in their most outstanding event. The committee has also awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All-Long Island selections in the 4x100, 4x400, 4x800, and distance medley relay.
The 2021 outdoor track and field season was a shortened campaign for our athletes, but one that still brought many tremendous performances and memories with it. Of the performances highlighted, two athletes stood out over their peers in Nicholas Lourenco (St. Anthony’s HS) and Alexandra Kelly (Rocky Point HS) each of whom were selected as the Most Outstanding Athletes of the Season.
Nicholas Lourenco spent most of his season flying through the air in the pole vault. His top vault this season of 16-7, attained at the Flying Circus Summer Festival, allowed him to finish the year ranked NY #2 and US #15 in the event. Alexandra Kelly also spent her fair share of time soaring through the air, although much closer to the ground. She finished her season with the top triple jump performance in the state at 42’ 0.25” (US #7) and the second-best long jump performance in the state, leaping an incredible 19-10 ¾.
On the sprints side, we recognize Melissa Cunningham (St. Anthony’s HS) and Jermaine Thompson (Connetquot HS) as our performers of the season. Cunningham was a threat everywhere from 100-400 meters with a state best time of 24.79 in the 200m. Her 100m performance of 12.07 was the second best from a NY State athlete this season and she was also a sub 60s 400m runner going 59.65. Thompson echoed these rankings on the men’s side as his 21.56 200m performance was NY #1. He showcased his speed in the 100 as well with a 10.78, 6th best in the state this season.
Distance runners also shined on the Island this spring. With many top-quality athletes to choose from, the committee decided to recognize Gavin Ehlers (Westhampton Beach HS) and Alexandra Stasichin (Massapequa HS) as the best on Long Island. Ehlers, who was selected as the Most Outstanding Cross-Country athlete earlier in the year, transitioned his success from the course onto the track. His times from this season included 4:16.43 in the 1600 (NY #3), 4:20.53 in the mile (NY #5), and most impressive his 9:05.59 in the 3200 (NY #1). Stasichin was one of the most versatile athletes we have seen in several years winning three events (800 – 2:13.23, 1500 – 4:54.64, 2000 Steeple Chase – 7:28.90) at the Nassau County Championship Meet helping Massapequa HS to the team championship. She also saw time this season competing in the long and triple jumps!
Finally, in the field events, we have selected Soledad Jean (Half Hollow Hills East HS) and Travis Roux (Northport HS) as our performers of the season. This season, Jean was a triple-threat in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Her high jump launch of 5-8 ½ was the highest of the season in NY State, while her other personal bests of 18-11 (long) and 38-1 ½ (triple) ranked her fifth. Roux similarly finished as the state leader in the discus (184-0 ¼) and third overall in the hammer throw (194-11). He was also a standout in the shot put throwing 51-3 on the season.
In conclusion, the committee would like to recognize Port Washington HS (Nassau), Huntington HS (Suffolk), St. Anthony’s HS (NSCHSSA) as our selections for the boys’ teams of the year in their respective competitive sections. On the girls’ side we have selected Massapequa HS (Nassau), Sachem East HS (Suffolk), and Kellenberg (NSCHSSA) as the teams of the season as well.
The Long Island Track and Field Coaches Association would like to congratulate all our All-Long Island athletes on their memorable and successful outdoor track and field campaigns. Future All Long Island selections for track and field will be made annually after the conclusion of each season.
Complete listing of Boys and Girls Spring Track & Field Teams found here