Susan Wagner Falcons Make History with Track and Field Sweep

Susan Wagner High School has made history by winning both the boys’ and girls’ team championships at the Staten Island High School Indoor Track and Field Championship, held on March 2, 2024, at Ocean Breeze. This remarkable achievement marks the first time a school has claimed both titles in the meet’s history, solidifying the Falcons’ dominance in local track and field.

The girls’ team secured their fourth consecutive Island title, while the boys’ team emerged victorious with a total of 127 points, outpacing second-place St. Joseph by-the-Sea, which scored 95 points, and former champions Monsignor Farrell, who finished with 82 points. Head coach John Padula praised the collective effort of his athletes, stating, “Today was pretty good. The kids stepped up in a big way.” He emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting that they earned points in nearly every event.

Outstanding Performances Fuel Boys’ Victory

Key to the boys’ success was sprinter Jeremy Walters, who had an exceptional day, winning the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.48 seconds and the 300 meters in 34.77 seconds. Walters, currently the top athlete in New York for the 60-meter hurdles, was recognized as the boys’ track MVP. Reflecting on his performance, he said, “I had a really fast time coming in for the hurdles, so I knew that if I was just calm and patient, I could easily get the win.”

The Falcons also benefited from strong performances in the field events. Philip Dalgin won the shot put with a throw of 41 feet, 4 inches, while Tharidu Hewabajgamage secured victory in the pole vault at 12 feet, 6 inches. Additionally, Wagner’s 4×200-meter relay team, which currently leads the PSAL rankings, clocked in at 1:32.88. Coach Padula expressed optimism about their potential for further success, stating, “Our goal for the 4×2 is to win states and win nationals.”

In the field events, Jace Lawless of St. Joseph by-the-Sea was recognized as MVP for his long jump of 21 feet, 6.50 inches, placing him among the top ten in New York State. Coach Chris Mancusi noted that adjustments made in training significantly improved Lawless’s performance.

Girls’ Team Shines with Stellar Performances

The girls’ competition saw the Falcons dominate, finishing with an impressive 158 points. The team was led by standout performers Alana Burton and Kyla Shimonov, who shared MVP honors. Burton won the 55-meter hurdles and finished as runner-up in both the 55-meter dash and long jump, while Shimonov claimed victory in the high jump. Burton credited a mental shift for her improved performance, stating, “I was kind of in a slump because I was too worried about people in the lanes next to me. This time my coaches told me to focus on my lane, and that really helped.”

Other key contributors included the 4×800-meter relay team, which won with a time of 10:26.28, and the talented sophomore duo of Malina Rodriguez King and Milani Jackson, who triumphed in the 1,000 meters and 600 meters, respectively. Coach Padula expressed confidence in the future of the team, noting, “A lot of our really good girls are on the younger side; I think we’re going to really continue to build through that.”

In a remarkable display of talent, freshman Maeve Heck from Tottenville claimed her first individual titles, winning both the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:59.56 and the 3,000 meters in 10:30.09.

Other individual champions in the girls’ events included Coryn Nestor-Hubert from Notre Dame Academy, who won the 55 meters and 300 meters, and the Curtis 4×200-meter relay team, which finished in 1:51.02.

The meet showcased not only the prowess of the Susan Wagner Falcons but also highlighted the depth of talent across Staten Island high schools. As the season progresses, both teams look poised to continue their strong performances in upcoming competitions.

For a full list of results, visit ny.milesplit.com.