Cross Country Teams Look to Conference Championship

Both the Port Washington boys and girls cross country teams are looking to Saturday, when they compete in the conference championship at Bethpage State Park.

On Oct. 19, both the boys and girls teams won division titles.

Girls Head Coach Robin Cooper said it's been "an amazing season." The team, she added, consists of "a special group of girls. They are all friends, athletes, mentors. We have chemistry, intelligence and talent."

Top 5k runners include Seniors Sara Giraldo, with a time of 20:32, Sarah Shlafmitz, 21:23, and Reid Mergler, 21:31, and Blake Mergler 21:59.

The boys team has won three straight county titles and is stacked with runners who can complete a 5-kilometer run under 20 minuets.

"They are a very young team – there are no seniors," said head coach, Jeremy Klaff. "However, they work very hard and compete with the best of them.  I'm very proud of all of them."

Among the top runners are juniors Taylor Titcomb, Ryan Schwartz and Paolo Bertolotti.  Titcomb came in first place at the meet last week in Bethpage State Park.  He is ranked in the top five runner positions in Nassau County, with a time of 16:29 for a 5 kilometer run. 

Ryan Schwartz has a 17:42 time for a 5 kilometer run.  He's been with the team since 8th grade, and described Bethpage as "not very hilly, it's more flat….it's also soft, which slows people down." 

Paolo Bertolotti spoke about the team's closeness, stating: "We're a family, our friendship is great and it helps us win."  His time is 17:43.

This is the Vikings' sixth straight banner year.  They are ranked as one of the top three cross country high school teams in Nassau County.

Boys Soccer to Enter Playoffs

It was Port Washington vs. Plainview JFK in boys soccer on Monday, where the game ended with a final score of 0-0 on the Hawk's home field. Port Washington will now enter the playoffs.

The game was spent mostly near the goal of Port Washington.  The Vikings' defense was at peak performance, holding back Plainview from scoring the entire game.  Vikings' senior goalie, Lucas Joannou, is credited with multiple saves.

"They play really hard, they kept us in the game, backed us up….we made a real effort and I'm very proud of all of them," said Port Washington's head coach, Don Fish, on his team's performance: 

Towards the end of the game, Plainview attempted to score a goal four times.  Joannou blocked all four, ensuring their placement in the playoffs. 

Joannou had this to say: "I'm just doing my job.  I owe my teammates for their hard work."  

The schedule for the soccer playoffs is to be announced. 

More Playoff Teams

Boys soccer isn't the only Vikings team to make the playoffs. In the Class A semifinals, girls field hockey will take on New Hyde Park on Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m. on the turf field. In the county quarterfinals, boys volleyball will challenge either East Meadow or Long beach on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. in the Schreiber gym. And  girls volleyball will play in an away game on Nov. 2 – time and opponent to be announced.

Adina Genn contributed to the reporting.