The Bellport High School girls track team delivered a strong showing at the Large School Suffolk County Championships, finishing 10th overall, just nine points shy of a top-five team finish. The meet featured several standout performances, highlighted by multiple All-County honors and championship results.

Leading the way was the 4x200 meter relay team, who captured the Suffolk County Championship with a first-place finish and recorded the fifth-fastest time in school history. Team members Ava Cooley, Shania Creary, Olivia Francis and Arielle Ross all earned All-County recognition for their performance.

Additional All-County honors were earned by Arielle Ross, who placed fourth in the 300-meter race, and Grace Trani, who finished fourth in the high jump.

Several athletes also contributed valuable points to the team’s overall score. The 4x400 meter relay team, made up of Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Arielle Ross, Madelyn Schmidt and Frania Vilchez, placed fifth, and Ava Cooley earned sixth place in the 300-meter race.

Junior Olivia Francis’ time of 9.13 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles now stands as the third fastest in school history.

The team will next compete at the state qualifier meet, where several athletes will look to advance to the state championships. The 4x200 meter relay currently ranks in first place in Section XI, and Arielle Ross, who has already met the state standard in the 300-meter, is ranked fifth. A top-four finish at the qualifier would earn her a spot at the state championships.

The district congratulates the team and its athletes and wishes them continued success as they move on to the next level of competition.