Sports

Boys Track and Field: DiResta sets Riverhead pentathlon record

Riverhead's Steven Reid, left, leans forward at the finish line to nip a Copiague runner for victory in the 4x100-meter relay. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk)
Riverhead’s Steven Reid, left, leans forward at the finish line to nip a Copiague runner for victory in the 4×100-meter relay. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS

To say that Ryan DiResta had a good track and field meet would be putting it mildly. The Riverhead High School senior produced personal records in four of the five events that make up the pentathlon. No wonder he not only finished first in points, but he also set a school record in the process in the Division Championships at Comsewogue High School on Friday.

DiResta ended up with a total of 3,159 points to top the Suffolk County Division II field. That shattered Riverhead’s previous record of 2,791 that was set by Yves Perodin in 1993, according to coach Steve Gevinski.

“This is like a big achievement for me,” said DiResta, who is in his second year of competing in the pentathlon.

DiResta’s nearest competition came from Smithtown East senior Ben Lebit, who had 3,010 points.

To help him reach the top, DiResta put up personal-best numbers in the 110-meter high hurdles (second in 17.07 seconds), the high jump (second at 1.83 meters), the shot put (fourth at 11.03 meters) and the 1,500 meters (second in 4:36.00). He was also second in the long jump at 6.22 meters.

DiResta’s fine showing, along with victories by triple jumper Curtis Flippen and the 4×100-meter relay team, helped Riverhead to a third-place team ranking with 74 points. The only teams to finish ahead of the Blue Waves were Huntington (99) and Eastport/South Manor (86).

The most thrilling race of the day might have been Riverhead’s triumph in the 4×100 relay. In a photo finish, Steven Reid III leaned his head forward at the finish line to nip a Copiague runner by the slimmest of margins. After a review of the photo confirmed the victory, the Blue Waves screamed and jumped for joy.

The team, which included Andrew Smith, Jacob Robinson and Marcus Reid, Steven’s brother, was timed in 43.27 seconds, nipping out Copiague by 1/100th of a second.

On Wednesday, the first day of the meet, Flippen, a junior, covered 43 feet 4 1/4 inches to take first place in the triple jump.

Riverhead pole vaulters Kyle Gevinski and Brendan Krumbiegel finished in a four-way tie for second place, clearing 11-0.

Another Riverheader, Troy Trent, threw the shot put 54-1/2, good enough for second place.

Steven Reid III and Robinson turned in third-place finishes, with Reid’s time of 11.39 in the 100 and Robinson’s 50.09 in the 400.

EXHAUSTED KELLY TRIUMPHS IN 400 Bishop McGann-Mercy’s Dale Kelly was exhausted following the Division III 400-meter final, and for good reason. The junior had won in 50.02.

Shoreham-Wading River senior Matt Gladysz flew to victory in the 800 in 1:59.18.

Mattituck junior Jack Dufton took second in the pentathlon with 2,683 points. Dufton capped off his meet with a winning time of 4:24.25 in the 1,600. He was also first in the high jump (1.73 meters), second in the shot put (9.77 meters), tied for third in the long jump (5.62 meters) and sixth in the 110-meter high hurdles (19.95).

In the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, McGann-Mercy’s Alex Frabizio came in third in 57.63.

Shoreham’s Brendon Frances ended up third in the shot put with a throw of 45-0.

Amityville won the team title with 123 1/2 points. Shoreham (24) was ninth, McGann-Mercy (16) was 14th, Mattituck (8) was 17th and Greenport/Southold (2) was 19th.

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