Farmingdale's Luke Ferraiolo wins county title, sets school mark in 800 meters at Nassau Class AAA track and field championships
Luke Ferraiolo of Farmingdale wins the boys 800-meter run at the Nassau Class AAA track and field championships on Wednesday at Syosset. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
When Farmingdale’s Luke Ferraiolo crossed the finish line, he had to take a moment to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Over the last two years, Ferraiolo struggled with injuries, battling a herniated disc and hip tendonitis. All he hoped for was to be healthy for his senior track and field season, but what he’s accomplished is much more than he ever expected.
Ferraiolo won the 800 meters in 1 minute, 54.41 seconds at the Nassau Class AAA Championships on Wednesday at Syosset High School.
He didn’t just earn a county title, he broke the school record (previously 1:55.44), and earned the super standard, qualifying him for the state championships, scheduled for June 13-14 in Middletown.
“I can’t even believe this right now, it feels like a dream,” Ferraiolo said. “These are goals I’ve wanted to accomplish since the seventh grade. I never thought this season would go so well considering my injuries, so I’m really just ecstatic.”
“I’m so happy he’s been able to overcome all these setbacks he’s faced, and now, he’s really shining,” Coach Tom Londino said. “He’s been such an amazing teammate and leader on this team these last four years.”
This will be Ferraiolo’s first state championship appearance, and he hopes to continue to add to his repertoire before he graduates.
“I hope I can get another big [personal record] at the state championships,” Ferraiolo said. “That would just be the icing on the cake for my career at Farmingdale.”
Ferraiolo wasn't the only one feeling high-school-career altering joy on this day.
Just one year ago, Baldwin’s Nigel Wright finished last in both of his individual events. That only motivated him to come back stronger. Wednesday, the senior won the 100 (11.13) and the 200 (22.47).
“Last year, I got dead last in both events,” Wright said. “It feels even more amazing to win today, because I’m coming off of a hamstring injury and it’s only my second meet back.”
Wright finished just .01 of a second ahead of teammate Brandon Thweatt in the 100. Another teammate, Jordan Williams, was third in 11.36.
“It’s a brotherhood,” Wright said. “We’re very consistent, we don’t miss practice, and we’re always pushing one another to be our best.”
Thweatt won the 110 hurdles in 14.90.
“I was honestly feeling a little nervous, because I was a little tired from earlier events,” Thweatt said. “But, it feels really great to win.”
Baldwin also won the 4X100 relay in 44.30 and took the team title with 100 points.
“On paper, we probably aren’t supposed to win,” Wright said. “But we haven’t been doing what we’re capable of, and now we’ve fixed that.”
Syosset’s Gavin McGann took home the 1,600 (4:23.93) and 3,200 (9:36.22) titles. It meant more to the senior to be able to do it on a track he knows so well.
“I feel great, especially after the 1,600, which came down to the wire,” McGann said. “But it’s even more special because I did it here.”
Port Washington senior Lukas Derasmo left it all on the line in his final county championship meet. He retook the lead in the final lap to win the 3,000 steeplechase in 10:08.43, earning back-to-back county titles.
“To be honest, I was really scared in the moment,” Derasmo said. “Last year I won, so I knew there was that expectation for me. I knew I had to perform for myself, and for my team, and I was fortunate enough to be able to come through.”
Elsewhere, Freeport's Dorian Boyd won the 400 in 49.39 and Massapequa's Christopher Cordero won the 400 hurdles in 57.04.
In the field, Herricks' Kenneth Ramdayal won the discus (163 feet even) and the shot put (56- 1 ½).
“Coming here and winning both events is definitely a huge achievement for me,” Ramdayal said. “Even though it was raining, I trust in my training, and it all came together.”
