With only a few months of experience, Longwood junior Brett Wachter became the shot put champion at 52-11. In fact, five of his six throws were more than 50 feet. When he took up the event in November, his early throws were in the 36-foot range, according to weight coach Bernard Hanson.
Third-seeded Deer Park senior Chris Kauter won the 1,000 in 2:35.5. He defeated top-seeded Jason Prieto of Longwood (2:35.7) and second-seeded Andrew Janosick of Smithtown (2:36.6) in one of the most exciting races of the night.
Amityville junior David Barrett won the 600 in 1:25 after a three-way battle with James Roberts of Bay Shore (1:25.7) and Anthony DiCerbo of Kings Park (1:25.8). Last year, Barrett finished third in the 1,000 but was disqualified for stepping inside the track during the race.
In the biggest upset of the night, eighth-seeded Half Hollow Hills West won the 4 x 200 relay with Andrew Benedict, Bill Castagna, Adrian Anthony and Dave Ramsey finishing in 1:34.7.
SUFFOLK BOYS INDOOR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS At Stony Brook University State Qualifiers
55 Meters – 1. Shaun Hatcher (Copiague) 6.5. 2. Tim Moore (Bay Shore) 6.5. 3. Bill Graiser (Miller Place) 6.6. 300 – 1. Melvin Cullum (Bellport) 36.0. 2. Lucien Ilardi (Kings Park) 36.7. 3. Gerald Petica (Amityville) 36.7. 600 – 1. David Barrettt (Amityville) 1:25. 2. James Roberts (Bay Shore) 1:25.7. 3. Anthony DiCerbo (Kings Park) 1:25.8. 1,000 – 1. Chris Kauter (Deer Park) 2:35.5. 2. Jason Prieto (Longwood) 2:35.7. 3. Andy Janosick (Smithtown) 2:36.6. 1,500 – 1. Chris Miltenberg (Glenn) 4:19.9, meet record. 2. Adam Moskowitz (Harborfields) 4:27.2. 3. Rich Velazquez (Bellport) 4:32. 3,000 – 1. Jay Borbet (Smithtown) 9:23.8. 2. Tim Kelly (Smithtown) 9:30.7. 3. Pat Gildea (Sachem) 9:32.8. 55 Hurdles – 1. Ian Smart (North Babylon) 7.3. 2. Chris Leonidas (Smithtown) 7.7. 3. Erik Ambroise (Longwood) 7.7. 4 x 200 Relay – 1. Half Hollow Hills West (Andrew Benedict, Bill Castagna, Adrian Anthony, Dave Ramsey) 1:34.7. 4 x 400 Relay – 1. Kings Park (Mike Robustelli, Tim Moriarty, Lucian Ilardi, Anthony DiCerbo) 3:31.6. 4 x 800 Relay – 1. Middle Country (Michael Dunn, J.R. Cruz, Sean Roberts, Daniel Muhleman) 8:04.7. High Jump – 1. Tom Weir (East Islip) 6-3. 2. Ed Fotiades (Port Jefferson) 6-1. 3. Andrew Aponick (Harborfields) 6-1. Long Jump – 1. Alex Maravel-Piccolo (Glenn) 21-10 1/2. 2. Tim Moore (Bay Shore) 21-3. 3. Pete Tramonte (Kings Park) 20-9 1/4. Triple Jump – 1. Melvin Cullum (Bellport) 43-5. 2. Paul Martorano (Smithtown) 42-5 1/2. 3. Craig Bazarewski (Bellport) 41-9 1/2. Shot Put – 1. Brett Wachter (Longwood) 52-11. 2. Bryan Bookamer (Westhampton) 49-2 1/2,. 3. Cleon McLean (HHH East) 49-0 1/4 Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 16 Feb 1998: