League-Title Baton Passed to Spring Season

Bayport-Blue Point coach Vincent Ungaro has been on a championship roll this year: In the fall, his girls cross country team won both league and Suffolk County titles. He followed that up in the winter, coaching the girls winter track team to another league title and a second-place finish in the counties.

So expectations were sure to be high for his spring girls track team. “Coming into the season, I knew we had a chance to be very good,” Ungaro said.

Just how good? Well, with their convincing win in their season finale on Wednesday against Southampton, Ungaro’s team finished atop League VII  at 6-0, capturing their first league title since 2006. They will now compete for a Suffolk County title in a two-day meet on May 24 and 26.

Winning coaches will point to senior leadership and underclassmen depth as keys to championships, so it is perhaps no coincidence that Bayport clinched their title on senior day, when 10 Lady Phantoms performed at home for the last time.

“It’s awesome, a great feeling,” said senior Brenna Darby, reflecting on the league title. Darby first ran varsity in 2007, a year after Bayport’s last league title. “It’s taken a long time to win one," she said.

“When you are trying to win a championship, you need your seniors to step up,” Ungaro said. “After winning [cross country and winter track] league titles, it’s nice and rewarding to win now, because you have a few different kids who come out for spring. There are a number of girls who ran all three seasons, but we get to share this championship with others too.”

For senior Eva Strobl, a league title has been on her mind for several months. “We’ve been talking about it since winter,” she said. “It feels so good to win. This year’s been the best by far. Everyone has felt responsible to get good times. It’s good to see the underclassmen step up.”

Two underclassmen whose performances have caught Ungaro’s attention are eighth-grader Taylor Darby and seventh-grader Kathleen Cibuls. Ungaro labeled each of them as “top runners” in their respective grades.

When the Phantoms compete in the Suffolk County championships, they will be among several schools who could win; Ungaro pointed to Mercy, Mt. Sinai, Shoreham-Wading River and Sayville.

“This will be the most competitive meet in 20 years,” Ungaro said, "and we have a shot to win it.”

Following the win against Southampton, seniors gathered for  pictures, and after a few moments, assistant coach Christopher Burke commented, “The [league] championship is over. Now back to work.”

Seniors

Allyson Boullianne

Brenna Darby

Gina DeStefano

Jenny Edward

Vanessa Sanchez

Emily Simo

Kelly Stelling

Eva Strobl

Aubrie Van Weele

Regina Zambrano