The Bayport-Blue Point girls varsity track team won major accolades at the county championships, including: Sophia McInnes (3000-meter county champion), Maggie Yost, Ansley Brogan, Ava Brogan, and Felicia Figlio (4x200-meter county champs), Caitlin Style (second in hurdles), and Sydney Leigh-Manuell (third in shot-put).

“Great athletes, great parents, great community,” said coach Vincent Ungaro about what was crucial to the team’s performance at the championships.

Overall, Bayport-Blue Point took the second-place spot for the small schools division, beating out local rivals like East Islip (fourth place) and Sayville (fifth place).

“The athletes were really looking to dominate this championship because we were defending champions from last year’s counties,” said Ungaro.

The team comprises a “good mix” (according to Ungaro) of seasoned seniors and juniors, with sophomores and freshmen carving out their talents and niche. Out of the 45-member track team, a third of athletes qualified in the league championships for the county. A tough league loss to Mount Sinai earlier in the season was also an impetus for the athletes.

“They really wanted to show what they were made of,” said Ungaro.

The team typically practices six days a week for two-hour sessions, right after school. This past Sunday was another meet for them.

“That’s the pace, just a quick breakfast and then we were off to compete,” Ungaro said.

The success of the team involves keeping oneself accountable for efforts given and always striving to do more.

“We talk a lot about time management and priorities,” said Ungaro. “We work to stay focused, keep consistent, and have attention to detail.”

Over the summer, the track teams hosts and coaches a two-week summer camp for students aged kindergarten through eighth grade, where they go over fundamentals like proper running form, establishing a first step forward correctly, and even age-appropriate hurdles.