Boys Track & Field to Rely on Youth Movement

When any new sports season begins, teams can face any number of challenges. Schreiber High School's boys track & field team is faced with the daunting task of trying to follow up a season where the squad finished second in its conference and fourth in all of Nassau County. On top of that, coach Jeremy Klaff will not be returning to the sidelines this season after nine seasons with the team.

Klaff said he is proud of everything the team accomplished during his time with them, especially the tight-knit family appeal that has formed through the years.

"I've coached the team since 2001, and it's been a great run," Klaff said. "Our team has grown in the last decade, as we have had individual county champions in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200, shot put and high jump. We have also had five all-state runners and one state champion. We have won the Port Washington Invitational five years in a row and we have a lot of returning stars this season."

Taking over for Klaff is Christopher Baker, who said he is confident about the team following up its success from last season, despite being part of Conference I-B, one  of the toughest conferences on Long Island.

"I definitely have some great athletes and I feel we will be competitive," Baker said. "However, we are in an unbelievable conference with some great teams that have a tradition of excellence," Those teams include Plainview-JFK, Hicksville, Herricks, East Meadow, Calhoun and Baldwin.

Senior co-captain Marco Bertolotti is going be a threat in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter races, according to his current and former coach. Bertolotti, who ran at the Hispanic Games back in January and injured his back before making a second appearance at the Millrose Games, is now fully recovered and said he is looking to do everything he can to ensure the team's success.

"I think the team will have a very successful season," Bertolotti said. "While the team has a lot of underclassmen, a lot already have experience — the sophomores that ran track last year, and the freshmen who are coming off their own successful cross-country season this past fall."

Despite the hurdles of having new teammates and coaches to integrate, senior co-captain Andrew Minicucci said he is still very optimistic about the team's chances this season.

"I have a great feeling about this upcoming track season," Minicucci said. "Marco is an all-state miler and cross-country runner and Dean Goodspeed is an all-county high jumper who will definitely make his presence known in our division. I've also earned county honors in the 400 hurdles. We've got a chance to be very good."

Goodspeed, a junior in his third year on the varsity track team who specializes in field events, said despite the loss of key upperclassmen that he has great confidence in the younger members of the team.

"Yes, we lost a lot of experienced seniors, but with the loss comes a greater gain," Goodspeed said. "During the cross-country season, I realized the freshmen on our team are going to be great. They have proven themselves to be able to compete on the varsity level, and they can definitely fill in the shoes of our departing seniors. I can't wait to see how they do in the outdoor events. This season is going to be great for the team and myself."