CORNWALL - It was a long and disappointing winter for Nick Hughes.
The North Rockland junior had just come off a strong cross country season in which he proved he was one of the top runners in the state. But as his indoor season got under way, Hughes was hindered by a sinus infection, losing almost the entire winter.
"I didn't see it coming," Hughes said of the infection. "I was just hit with it, and by the time I tried to come back there just wasn't enough time to get back in rhythm."
But yesterday at the Green Dragon Relays at Cornwall High School, Hughes came back strong, taking first place in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in 6 minutes, 20.8 seconds.
His comeback started last week at the Pirate Relays where he took first in 6:25.8.
"After having a disappointing winter, I just wanted to come out and get a decent time, build my confidence and see what I can do next week," Hughes said.
Yesterday was a typical race for Hughes, who doesn't like to run from behind.
He got out fast, stayed near the front and with 800 meters to go, the cross country standout raced to the lead and never looked back. Even though he's not at full strength, Hughes is pleased about where he is at so early in the season.
"I didn't think this far ahead," Hughes said. "I didn't think I'd be running this fast yet. Last week (at Pearl River) I ran well, but I didn't expect my time to go down that much. I'm still working my way back."
Senior Dasheen Ellis continued North Rockland's impressive performance. After exploding onto the scene this winter, Ellis continued to impress, winning the shuttle hurdle relay with Ryan Lacossade and Anthony Congress in 46.5. The trio took second in the 400 hurdles in 3:05.5.
But Ellis' best event has been the triple jump. He jumped 43 feet, 8 inches and teamed with Nick Bien-Aime (40-2) to win the triple jump relay in a combined 83-10.
"I have higher expectations heading into this season," Ellis said. "I know more than in the winter. I learned more and I should be a better athlete."
Hen Hud hurdler Zach Weisbrot is also coming back with higher expectations. The senior was one of the best intermediate hurdlers in the section last spring, and after competing in his first indoor season this past winter, Weisbrot is hopeful to continue to improve.
Weisbrot (59.1) got off to a good start yesterday, helping the team of David Chang and John Cullen to a fifth-place finish in 3:08.4.
"It's nice to come back to this race," Weisbrot said. "This wasn't my best race, I stuttered over a few of the hurdles, but nothing that practice can't fix."
For the girls, Amber Stephens, Lauren Ryan and Melissa Mangual took first in the shuttle hurdle relay in 50.6 for North Rockland. Jackie Gamboli helped lead the North Rockland Sprint Medley team (4:18.9) and 1,600 relay team (3:31.0) to second-place finishes.
The North Rockland Sprint medley team of Dylan Landry, Brendan Landry, Randall Sterling and Chris Carrington took second in 3:33.8 - setting a school record.