Port girls, Park soar to titles in track

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Not since 1984, when Bruce Springsteen was rocking America with “Born in the USA” had Manhasset High School had an individual state track champion, with Lloyd Means winning the high jump that year.

Finally in 2023, Means got some company. Paul Park, Manhasset’s extraordinary jumper, grabbed his frst state crown at the state indoor meet in March, leaping 46 feet, 11 inches to outdo all competitors and grab frst place.

Paul jumped 46-11 at the state, almost two feet farther than he had previously, to nab the title. He also competed in the long jump and came in ffth in state, leaping 22 feet, 5 inches.

On the girls side, the Port Washington team won its second consecutive indoor team title at the Nassau County meet, just besting Syosset in team points, 86-83. The Vikings’ Samantha Benson-Tyler won the 1,500 racewalk in 8:02.03, while Bella Lucas again won the triple jump, soaring 35 feet, 2.5 inches.

Benson-Tyler had the best fnish at states among the locals, fnishing 10th in the racewalk in 7:26.29.

North Shore’s Louisa Ludmar won a county championship in the 1,500 racewalk, in 7:52.2, and qualifed for states.

Ashley Carillo fnished third in the 1,000 and second in the 1,500 at counties, and went to states in the 1,000.