George Starkie can see the finish line. The senior knows his running career has an expiration date, and it’s approaching fast.
He’ll be headed off to college – to SUNY-New Paltz – soon enough. And when he does, Starkie will leave his track exploits in the rear view mirror.
But those memories will be sweet. He made an unforgettable one Saturday at the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA track and field championships in South Huntington. Starkie, running the anchor leg of the 4 x 800-meter relay, held off all comers to help Chaminade win in a season-best 8 minutes, 1.18 seconds.
“We’d been pretty unhappy with our times considering how much work we put in and what we ran last season,” said Starkie, of Farmingdale. “That was a good race for us.”
The Flyers’ 4 x 800 relay team of Daniel Ebanks, Nicholas Grieco, Dillon Schwartz and Starkie edged St. Anthony’s (8:02.81). With Friars speedster Peyton Hazzard running the final leg, Starkie had reason for concern.
“Honestly I was waiting for him to pass me the entire time,” Starkie said.
It didn’t happen. The Flyers’ win was a highlight in a day that belonged to St. Anthony’s.
The Friars dominated the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA Large Schools team championships. St. Anthony’s took the with 124.33 points, outdistancing second-place Chaminade (65) and St. John the Baptist in third (59.66).
Up next is the CHSAA Intersectional championship next Saturday at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. The top finishers advance to the state Federation meet.
Chaminade junior did his part on Saturday. He won the 1,600 in 4:18.28, edging St. John the Baptist’s Brandon Camenzuli (4:20.57). Awad came back to take the 3,200 in 9:47.91, cruising to victory. Once again, Camenzuli was second (9:53.11).
“I did this indoors, so I knew I could do it outdoors,” said Awad, who won the boys track MVP. “And I’ve been running well to this point, so I was pretty confident. But I was still nervous. These guys are pretty good.”
Flyers junior Michael Rufrano took the high jump (5-10).
