(l-r) James Burke, Justin Bove, Jake Lovera, Dennis Walsh. Photo Courtesy of Brannon Burke
On May 31st and June 1st, Port Jefferson played host to the Section XI Track and Field State Qualifier. Top athletes from all of Suffolk County competed for the right to compete at the NYSPHSAA Championships, to be held next weekend in Middletown.
Port Jefferson sophomore James Burke was among those who advanced, as he won both the 800m and 1600m at the meet, as well as leading his team to a sixth place finish in the 4x400m relay.
Burke's time of 1:53.73 in the 800m puts him tenth in the state, and his 4:13.72 performance in the 1600m places him eighth. The latter time earned him a State Qualifier meet record.
The 4x400m relay, which consisted of Justin Bove, Noah Kirchner, Jake Lovera, and Burke, currently sits second in the state for Division 2, behind only Bayport-Blue Point. Their time of 3:24.37 was less than a second off the school record. Other high performers included Danny Gross and Cihad Akkaya, who both qualified in two events. Gross was the top Division 2 performer in both the 110 and 400 meter hurdles, and Akkaya claimed top honors in the Division 2 long and triple jumps. Jasper Rubin-Sigler and Dennis Walsh also qualified, winning the Division 2 100 and 400 meters, respectively.
Kirsten Crovello was the lone qualifier for the girls, clearing 4 feet, 10 inches in the high jump.
We wish these athletes the best of luck at the state meet, and for those continuing to compete, at Nationals in Greensboro in two weeks.