Another Victory for Girls XC Coach Vin Ungaro

The Coach's Association recognized Bayport-Blue Point girls cross-country coach Vin Ungaro for his work with the team at the New York State Championship meet Nov. 12.

Ungaro was the 2011 recipient of the Don Bohlinger Oustanding Coach Award, an award he says is presented to the coach who might not have had the first place team, but who did a great job coaching based on how well the team does by certain standards, such as place in Division championships, place in county championships, improvement of individual or team times, etc.

"I am tremendously honored to have won such an award. I'm really glad because it really is a testament to how far the girls have come," Ungaro said.

The coach added that to him, receiving the Don Bohlinger award means the coaches across Suffolk County felt that the Bayport-Blue Point XC program did a great job this year and they wanted to give the team some recognition.

Bayport-Blue Point is a small district, Ungaro said, but he doesn't let that stop him from taking the team as far as they can go.

"Although I never like to settle for being just a 'good small school,' it was great to see us take fourth in the merge behind Ward Melville, Northport and Sachem East, three teams that were all selected to compete in the Federation Championships this Saturday, meaning they are three of the top teams in the State, with Ward Melville being nationally ranked," he said.

Ungaro added his pride in the fact that B-BP's own qualified to run in the Federation race as an individual and will be there to end the phenomenal cross country season she has had.