Sports
The 2024 Valley Stream Challenge
Manal Layachi
Volume 4 Issue 4
May 29, 2024
Junior Manal Layachi, clearing her next steeple barrier during the steeplechase race. Image Provided by Elitefeats.
The 19th Annual Valley Stream Challenge took place on Saturday April 13th, 2024, at Valley Stream North High School. This is one of my favorite meets of the Spring Track season. There were over 2,000 athletes at Valley Stream North. Although the weather was not the best, everyone performed really well, and it was a fun meet. I competed in the steeplechase, where runners must jump over steeple barriers, including a water pit. It was very fun, and I got a faster time than I thought I would. Elyas Layachi, a Valley Stream North graduate, was the DJ for this event, and he did an amazing job.
38 schools competed:
Bayside High School
Blind Brook
Chaminade
Clara Barton
Deer Park
Division Avenue
Eagle Academy for Young Men III
Elmont Memorial
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Friends Academy (LI)
General Douglas MacArthur
George H. Hewlett
H. Frank Carey
Kellenberg Memorial
Long Beach
Manhasset
Massapequa
Medgar Evers College Prep
Midwood
New Hyde Park
New Rochelle
Oceanside
Oyster Bay
Paul D. Schrieber/Port Washington
Plainview-Old Bethpage/JFK
Roslyn
Sanford H. Calhoun
Seaford
Sewanhaka
South Side
Spring Creek Campus
Tri-Valley
Valley Stream Central
Valley Stream North
Valley Stream South
W. Tresper Clarke
Wantagh
West Hempstead
Young Women’s Leadership Jamaica
Order of Events:
Girls 1500 Meter Run frosh/soph
Boys 1600 Meter Run frosh/soph
Girls 400 Meter Dash frosh/soph
Boys 400 Meter Dash frosh/soph
Girls 100 Meter Dash Un-Seeded
Girls 1600 Sprint Medley frosh/soph
Boys 1600 Sprint Medley frosh/soph
Mixed 4x400 Meter Relay 2 boys/2 girls
I had the pleasure of interviewing the coach of Valley Stream North’s track team, Mr. Frazer.
VSN Track Coach Mike Frazer
What is the history behind the Valley Stream Challenge?
“This was the 19th annual Valley Stream Challenge. We held it every year starting in 2004, except 2020 due to Covid. Mr. Boyens and a I have a lot of pride in VSN and like to host meets that highlight our facility and students to the [scholastic] track community.”
What do you love most about running this meet?
“I love to see our students work together to put on a great event.”
What is your favorite thing about being a coach?
“My favorite thing is when kids get committed to track and start working hard to get PBs (Personal Bests). It takes training and running on weekends to improve, and when kids understand that they see results.”
How long have you been coaching North’s track team?
“I’ve been coaching VSN track since ’99.”
Do you think the meet was successful?
“This year’s meet was a success! There were many great performances, including the top 4 boys steeplechase times in NY this season. Many of the VSN students got PBs and many medals. In addition, the Spartan club was able to raise lots of funds by selling food from their new snack shack!”
What is your connection to running?
“I ran track in high school and college. I was the NY State champion in the 1600m in 1992 and then ran for Clemson University.”
How do you think North performed at the meet?
“It was not a team scored meet, but North won many medals!”
What advice do you have for North’s girls’ and boys’ team for the rest of the season?
“As the weather gets warmer, performances will improve if the athletes lock in and get that practice in! Remember, it’s a team sport, so support your teammates and lift them up.”
Below are photos from different events throughout the Challenge.
Lastly, I interviewed Elyas Layachi, a Valley Stream North graduate. He was the DJ for the meet.
What was your favorite part about DJing for the meet?
“My favorite part about DJing for the meet was keeping the crowd entertained. Not only did I love seeing people dance and sing along to the music I was playing, but I loved seeing them smile and have fun despite the weather conditions.”
Do you miss running for North’s track team?
“I do miss running for the team! It was like a family for me, and I miss my teammates and coaches equally. Having the opportunity to help out at this meet made me feel connected to the team once again, and it was almost as if I never left, other than the fact that I wasn’t running the steeplechase.”
What was your favorite memory when you were on the track team?
“My favorite memory when I was on the track team was running the 2-mile at the Divisional Championship in 2022 with one shoe. It was a defining moment in my high school running career and an exhibition of the strong mindset distance running instilled in me. It was also nice to score for the team at a championship meet, and we won the meet!”
What was your favorite event to run and why?
“My favorite event to run was the 3000m Steeplechase. I love that event because of how dynamic and strategic it is, as well as how important form is when jumping off the barriers. I’m glad it was the last race I ran as a high schooler at the 2023 State Qualifier meet.”
Will you DJ for the meet next year?
“If Frazer will have me, I would be more than happy to DJ again at the meet, this time with more experience and practice beforehand.”
Do you run for Syracuse or just on your own? Why?
“I currently run and work out on my own as I am currently too busy to run with the running club there, but I am planning on making the running club a priority next fall so I can get back into some racing.”
What advice do you have for runners who are not confident in themselves?
“If you go to practice every day and work your hardest, you have nothing to worry about at meets and competitions except to run your hardest.”
This year’s Valley Stream Challenge meet was a success. I cannot not wait for next year’s. Both the boys’ and girls’ track team have championship meets coming up, so be sure to come out and support them. GO SPARTANS!
The results for the Valley Stream Challenge meet are available on Elitefeats: https://ny.milesplit.com/meets/591495-valley-stream-challenge-2024/teams