The Port Jefferson School District’s men’s track team captured the league championship title at the Suffolk County Winter Track League Championships held at Suffolk Community College on Jan. 25. The team won with a score of 125 points, defeating second-place Shoreham-Wading River who scored 86 points and third-place finishers Bayport-Blue Point who finished with 84 points.
Seniors Danny Gross and Justin Bove helped lead the team to victory. Danny won the 55-meter hurdles, placed third in the long jump and helped the 4x200 relay team complete a second-place finish. Justin placed first in the 600-meter run, second in the 55-meter dash and helped the 4x400 relay team to a second-place finish.
Junior James Burke was a triple winner with victories in the 1000-meter run, 1600-meter run and the 4x800 relay for which he was the anchor. For the relay, the team finished first and was also comprised of senior John Albinson (who also placed fifth in the 1000-meter run), junior Matthew Keresztes and sophomore Justin Julich.
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Other outstanding achievements included senior Cihad Akkaya who placed second in the long jump, third in the triple jump and fifth in the high jump and senior Eric Keresztes who placed fourth in the 55-meter hurdles, fifth in the triple jump and was a member of the 4x200 relay. Junior Alden Mohasci finished fourth in the high jump and took sixth place in the long jump and 4x400 relay. Junior Doug Crawford secured a fifth-place finish in the 600-meter run and 4x200 meter relay. Sophomore Billy Witrock finished second in the 300-meter run and 4x200 meter relay and Justin Julich, also a sophomore, finished third in the 3200-meter run, in addition to being part of the winning 4x800 meter relay.
The Port Jefferson Royals will be competing for the County Championship, followed by the State qualifier meet to be held on Feb. 8. Furthermore, James Burke has qualified to be one of ten high school runners nationwide to compete in the Millrose High School Mile as part of the 106th Millrose Games to be held at the Armory in New York on Feb. 15.
