The Livingston High School boys’ and girls’ track and field teams competed at the Coach Glynn Holiday Carnival at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island on December 28, 2022. Forty-two schools were represented, with hundreds of competitors in each event on the track and in the field. The building was packed and everyone was looking forward to finishing 2022 with great performances.
Leading the way for the boys’ team was junior co-captain Luke Petryna with an outstanding day on the track. Petryna broke the school record in the 200 meter with a time of 22.65, which earned him the gold medal and the third fastest time in the state so far this season. He also placed third in the 55 meter dash and anchored a second place finish for the 4x200 meter relay (1:33.81, NJ#6) with Brandon Dong, Chase Wade and Chase Kaufman.
Also taking home medals in their respective events were Chase Kaufman, who placed fifth in the 55 meters; Brandon Dong, third in the 200 meter; Ray Oji, fifth in the 55 meter hurdles; Matt Ho, third in the high jump; and John Ferrante, fifth in the shot put. All together, with three separate divisions – freshman, novice and varsity – the boys brought home 21 medals and many more personal bests.
The girls’ team was led by another dominating performance from Jessica Oji, who won the shot put with a throw of 41’4”. Oji has the top-three throws in the state so far, and she is looking forward to improving her marks throughout the season.
On the track, the 4x200 meter relay squad, led by senior co-captains Jadyn Kestenbaum and Monica Sharma, along with sophomore Allie Nankevill and freshman Nesta Oji, placed second with a time of 1:52.08.
The girls’ team brought home 12 medals in total among all three divisions.
“As we wrapped up 2022 with these amazing performances, the track and field teams are already looking forward to their next competitions at East Stroudsburg University on January 9 and the Freedom Games at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on January 10,” noted coach Raz Blau.
