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Timothy Kraycar will be looking to return to counties this spring for the Baymen. DREW BUDD
The Hampton Bays boys track team is hoping to offset the loss of three key members to graduation with a handful of returning athletes.
Darwin Fernandez, Kelvin Granados and Josh Pasca were all key runners for the Baymen who head coach Andrew Arbocus said could compete in three to four different events at each dual meet. Fernandez is now attending the University of Hartford on a track and field scholarship.
Arbocus is hoping that the return of Charlie and Maxwell Garcia, Eli Amos, Matt Papajohn, Luca Villano, Arents Hansen, Joffre Proano and Timothy Kraycar can all help offset those losses. Kraycar is a returning All-County thrower for the Baymen. Hansen and Villano will continue running long distance races while Amos will handle the sprinting events. Papajohn will compete with Amos in the 4x100-meter relay, the 200-meter dash, high jump and 400-meter run. Proano will compete in the pole vault, triple jump and 400-meter intermediate hurdles. The Garcias cover a number of events including the long and triple jumps, sprints and relays. Arbocus also said he has a number of freshmen on the team this season who are adding depth to the team’s sprinter contingent.
Hampton Bays will compete in League VII, which has had some significant changes over the past year. Southampton has moved down to League VIII while a pair of competitive programs in Mount Sinai and Miller Place come in from League VI, joining Bayport-Blue Point, Elwood-John Glenn and Wyandanch.
“The league races will be very challenging for us, since all the strong teams remained in our league and we gained two more,” Arbocus said. “Goals are to keep as many guys healthy as possible, win some dual meets, get the new guys some experience in many events, go to four invitationals — which are now back— and have fun.”
Hampton Bays lost its first meet of the season, 75-52, at home to Mt. Sinai on Monday. The Baymen are scheduled to compete at Glenn April 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Information on the girls team was not provided.
