The winter season has finally come to an end and the boys track team is taking their break after one of the best seasons the school has ever had. A total of three school indoor track records were broken by this year’s squad and two others were very nearly broken as well. Captain Rich Schimmel (’11) stated, "We all went into this season with pretty big goals. Not only did we all reach them, we achieved goals we didn’t even think were possible. I could not be more proud of the effort we put in, and the results we got."

The team had Leagues on January 29^th. The league championships were probably the team’s best meet in a while, being that nearly everyone hit personal bests. That night, Brandon Ahl (’11) came within three seconds of breaking the 1600m race record. He hit 4:36, two seconds away from tying the record of 4:34. Although disappointed with this time, Ahl shouldn’t be upset considering that his name will still be on the record boards for the 4x8 record. Ahl, Brendan Ruppel (’12), Rob Festa (’12), and Rich Schimmel (’11) broke the 4x8 record a few meets before the League championships, hitting the time of 8:40.

The relay teams were the highlight of the night. The 4x2 team also broke a record during Leagues, but would soon crush it at counties. Their current best time is 1:37.9, but there’s a chance it will be broken at State Qualifiers. Along with the two relay teams, Rich DeMaio (’11) now also holds a spot on the wall for the 55m Hurdles. His record breaking time was 8.22 seconds. DeMaio is also on the 4x2 team along with Greg Piegari (’11), Paul Dequilfeldt (’11), and Frank Gravano (’11), putting him on the board twice. 

After a record-breaking meet, the 4x2, 4x4, 4x8, and many others continued on to counties, in hopes of bettering their times from leagues. The 4x2 and Rob Festa would continue on to State Qualifications. State Qualifiers were on Saturday, February 12. Festa, who made it for the 1000m ran a time of 2:47. The 4x2 team tied a previous time of 1:38. 

Overall, Lindenhurst was represented well by the qualifiers. After the spring season, the team will be losing a great number of seniors who have revolutionized Lindenhurst track. "The team will be losing a great group of seniors, but some younger runners are ready to step up to the plate," says Rob Festa. The seniors will go out with a smile on their faces though after one of the strongest seasons Lindenhurst Track has ever had.