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HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

When author Doug Robinson wrote a book on the history of Amityville, he felt he had to include Ken Donovan. Donovan was a track and field superstar and the center of attention on meet days. Robinson wrote, “Kenny was a year behind me in school and quite the All-American boy. He was a member of the Honor Society, a gifted athlete and a really good-looking and popular guy. He ran track and his forte was the 60-yard and 120-yd HH. He was such a great runner that students (mostly girls) would huddle in the school cafeteria during home track meets waiting for the 120-yd HH to start, and then brave the cold to watch Kenny run.”  

In addition to these two events, Donovan was also a standout in the 180yd low hurdles. In 1964, Ken’s family moved to Sayville, much to the disappointment of his Amityville fans. His athletic success continued in Sayville, where he was inducted into their athletic hall of fame for track and field and football. 

1962 

New York State Championships- 2nd place 120yd HH (14.8- Suffolk Record)

1963

New York State Champion 120yd HH (14.0 HT), 180yd Low Hurdles (18.6 HT) 

Both times- Meet & State Records 

Eastern State Champion 120yd HH (14.4 HT)

All-American 120ydHH and 180yd LH  

1964 

All Long Island Football Receiver in Fall Season of 1963-64 school year

St. Francis Games Champion 60yd HH (7.3 HT) 

AAU National Schoolboy Championships @ MSG- 2nd Place

County champion 120yd HH(13.9 HT) and 180yd LH (19.3 HT)    

New York State Champion 120ydHH (13.9 HT) State Meet Record, 3rd Place 180yd Low Hurdles    

Eastern States Champion 120yd HH  (13.8 HT) State Record 

All-American 120yd High Hurdles

This record stood as a Suffolk County record for 23 years. Remember at the time, tracks were made of cinder, not the hard bouncy surfaces that they are today. I would have loved to see what Donovan’s times would have been like if he ran on the harder surfaces.

Donovan later attended Yale University. His best times at Yale were (7.4 HT) 60yd HH and (14.3 HT) in the 120yd HH. Those times are listed as 8th and 12th on the indoor and outdoor all-time list at Yale for the respective events.   

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

Greg Flippen’s dominance in the Long Jump is unparalleled in Section XI history. To this day, he remains the only athlete to have won four consecutive state titles in the same event.  

Flippen’s first title as a freshman came in 1968 at Port Jefferson High School with a leap of 22’ 4”. At the time, it was the longest jump by a freshman in New York State. At the 1969 meet in Schenectady, his championship distance as a sophomore was an unbelievable 24’ 4 ¼”. It was a state meet record, and to this day is still a state sophomore class record. At the University of Rochester in 1970, Flippen earned his third title with a leap of 23’ 9”. Later that summer at the National Junior AAU Track Championships in Wantagh, Flippen uncorked a monstrous jump of 25’ 0” in front of a home state crowd, a junior state record that stood until 2012. It is still the Section XI record as of 2020, 50 years later. With the pressure building, Flippen went to Endicott, New York to secure his fourth consecutive victory. A wind-aided jump of 24’ 8 ¾” was enough to complete a collection of gold medals for every one of his high school years. As a Newsday article printed; “twice the fans interrupted the announcement of the gold medal to cheer for the four-term king.” Afterwards, Flippen was quoted to say: “ I feel good winning it for the fourth year. I was upset in the beginning of the year because people were saying my jumps were unimpressive because I had done better last year. But I compete to win, and I was winning. That’s why I participate in this sport… to try and win.”

In a 2009 interview, Flippen shared a story about his second state crown. “My dad was up at the meet. I saw him coming around on the other side of the fence. I thought, ‘Well, maybe Dad came to give me some words of wisdom.’ My father said, ‘How do you feel?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, the guy just jumped 23’ 9”.’ He said, ‘What do you mean, you don’t know? You’re a Flippen, get your butt out there and do it!’ My father turned and instantly walked away from me. Wouldn’t even look back at me. When I jumped, I used every bit of the board without fouling. I landed in the pit and the officials said, ‘Good jump.’ Next thing I knew, they announced a new state record, 24’ 4”. My father was on the sidelines, saying, ‘I told you!’

Flippen embarked on his college career at Texas Southern University in 1972. Unfortunately,  he sustained a severe hamstring injury and came back home after one year to finish his career at Adelphi University. Due to the injury, Flippen never achieved the same success in college as he did during his outstanding high school career.  

His presence at many Suffolk County track and field championships over the years proved how popular he remained among athletes and fans of the sport. Young and old recognized him for his achievements; there was always a buzz in the air when he was present. Sadly, Mr. Flippen passed away at the age of 60 in 2012.  

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

It may have been surprising to watch Sean Farrell launching his first throw of a competition. Farrell was the best discus thrower in the state back in the mid-to-late 1970s, though he would ‘punch’ on his first attempt instead of the preferred method of spinning. Sean’s form wasn’t routinely inconsistent; he just wanted to make sure he got one throw in bounds. Considering he punched about 170”, it was enough to win many competitions. But the real magic would happen when he spun and let the disc fly.

Big throws started early for Sean. As a fourteen-year-old freshman Sean threw the discus 154’ 10”. At the time it was a world record for the age group. At the Bay Shore Invitational, where he set the state record, he threw one that went over a fence that was 195 feet away. It was estimated to be close to 206’. Unfortunately it was a foul, but it let Farrell know that the national record was within his grasp. It was Sean’s goal to break the record before graduating, so he flew to California for the Golden West Invitational to go up against the best competition the country had to offer. Sean ended up fourth and did not obtain his goal, but his record lives on. Over forty years later, no thrower from Section XI has been able to throw quite as far as Farrell did. 

1976 

New York State Championships Discus- 3rd place (165’ 11”)  

1977 

Outdoor County Champion Discus

New York State Discus Champion (180’ 3”)

1978 

Hartford Invitational- 1st Place Discus (189’ 4”)  Meet Record 

Bay Shore Invitational Shot Put- 1st Place (59’ 3.5”), Discus- 1st Place (194’ 10”) NYS record 

Later that week he threw 195’ 5” at a dual meet against Rocky Point.   

Golden West Invitational Discus- 4th place (188’ 1”)

In addition to being a stand-out in track and field, Farrell was award All-Long Island honors in football as an offensive guard. Sean earned a scholarship to Penn State University.  Although he planned on doing two sports at college, he wasn’t able to devote enough time to excel in track and field. Sean did get to throw for PSU in 1980.  His best discus performance measured 175’ 1”, which still ranks in the Top 5 marks thrown by PSU athletes. While playing for Penn State, Farrell was a two-time All-American lineman for the Nittany Lions.  Upon graduating from college, Sean was a first-round pick in the 1982 NFL draft for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Farrell had a very successful 14-year NFL career with Tampa Bay, New England, Denver, and Seattle.  

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

At 6’ 3” with a long inseam, Ken Wynn was a dream to watch gliding around an outdoor track. As a junior, Wynn and his long, smooth stride won the 800m run at states in 1978. Indoors, his long strides put him at a disadvantage. The 160-yard track at the county championships was 11 laps to the mile instead of four, and Wynn was hindered by the turns. That didn’t stop him from setting a meet record on his way to a 1000-yard run victory. He then crossed the finish line first in the mile relay with an impressive time of 50 seconds flat over 440 yards. 

With the outdoor season coming up, Wynn should have been excited about the prospects of another great season. Unfortunately, the Brentwood School District was on austerity and the team was unable to travel to the big invitational meets to allow Wynn to show his talents and improve his times. Uncertain about his ability to run an 800m that would meet the high standards that he set for himself, Wynn decided to drop down to the 400m dash. The night before the state championships, Ken was his nervous self about the big final race. There were two highly competitive runners to beat and his inability to sleep was only making his odds longer. Once again, Wynn found that little bit extra and opened up that long, smooth stride on the final straightaway. He won in a New York State Meet record time.

1978 

Outdoor County Champion 880yd run (1:53.9 HT) 

Outdoor State Champion 800m run (1:54.3 HT)  

1979 

Indoor Conference 1 Champion in the 330yd dash (33.2 HT), the 1000yd run (2:19.3 HT) 

and the anchor on the winning 4x440yd relay (50.8)

Indoor County Champion 1000yd run (2:17.2 HT) & anchored championship the Mile Relay in 50.0/49.7 for meters on Farmingdale’s 160yd indoor track. 

Indoor State Championships- 3rd place 1000yd run (2:16.4 HT)

Outdoor County Champion 440 yd dash (48.2 HT – County record) 

Outdoor State Champion 400m (47.5 HT)  Meet Record 

Wynn competed for Penn State University.  He was an All-American as a member of the Indoor 4x800m relay that finished 3rd at the NCAA Indoor Championships.  At the Penn Relays, that same team won the 4x800m in a time of 7:19.77 FAT.  Wynn anchored the relay and passed two athletes in the last fifty meters on his way to victory. His best time in the open 800m was 1:46.82 during the 1983 Outdoor season. In 1984, Wynn set a Penn State record in the 500m indoors with a clocking of 1:03.42 FAT. Ken was the IC4A Outdoor 800m champion in 1983 & 1984.   Wynn also qualified for the Olympic trials in 1984.   

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

In 2020, most spectators would not blink an eye at seeing an athlete use the rotational technique of throwing in the shot put. Although most high school throwers still use the glide, an increasing number of throwers are moving to the rotational method of throwing. Back when Ed Ellis was in high school in the early 80's, he and his rotational throws were a rarity. Strong mechanics and speed in the the circle are vital to pulling off the technique. What made Ed an outstanding thrower was his absolutely explosive speed. Not just good speed for a big man on a shot-put relay, but enough speed to run lead off leg on the NYS Championship 4x100m relay team. This, along with good mechanics made, him a throwing record machine. Ed’s indoor shot record of 64’ 9.75” was not broken until 2014, and his outdoor record (67’ 8”) still stands in Section XI record 38 years later and counting. 

1980 

Indoor County Championships- 2nd place (49’ 8”) 

Outdoor County Champion- Discus (165’ 4”) 

1981 

Indoor NYS Champion Shot Put (59’ 11”)

Louck’s Games Champion- Shot put (60’ 11”) & Discus (179’ 0”)

Outdoor State Championships- 2nd place  Shot put (60’ 5.25”) and Discus (181’ 9”)

Awarded New York State Outstanding Field Event Athlete 1981

1982  

Indoor Eastern States Champion- Shot put (60’ 7”)

Indoor State Championships- 2nd place Shot put (59’ 6.5”)

Penn Relay Shot Put- 2nd Place (61’ 2”)

Louck’s Games Champion- Shot Put (61’ 1”) and Discus (172’) 

Conference 1 Champion- Shot Put (67’ 8”)  “New York State Record” for 25 years.

Outdoor County Champion- Shot put (62’ 6.25”) and Discus (161’ 4.5”), Leadoff leg of 

championship 4x100m Relay

Outdoor State Champion Shot Put (64’ 9.75”), 2nd place Discus (175’ 11”) and leadoff 

leg of championship 4x100m Relay

Golden West Invitational—3rd Place Shot Put (64’ 11”) 

Awarded New York State Outstanding Field Event Athlete 1982

Ed attended the University of Alabama for his collegiate career.  During his tenure at Alabama, Ellis had three conference third place finishes in the shot put.  Twice outdoors he was All-SEC: 1984 (59’ 3.25”) and 1986 (60’ 7.25”).  He was also All-SEC indoors in 1985 at 59’8”.  His personal best throw for the shot put occurred in 1985, (62’ 1”- 4th all-time at Alabama) and for the discus in 1986, (177’ 3”- 9th all-time at Alabama).  Ellis has been a college strength and conditioning coach for the past 34 years.  He spent the past four years at the University of Georgia and recently was hired by the University of Arkansas.    

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

Mike Byrnes, founder of the Scholastic National Championship Meets, remembered Joe Galeano well, some twenty years after he graduated. He said Galeano was “one of the best athletes that I’ve ever seen.” Galeano also left an impression on the Section XI record books. He still holds the best marks for any Suffolk athlete in two hurdle events: the 55m hurdles indoors and the 110m hurdles outdoors. 

Joe was a truly gifted athlete. He had great speed, jumping ability, and a long inseam. Those three qualities make a great hurdler, but Galeano had many other talents. He excelled at high jumping as a freshman before finding his best event later in his high school years. Galeano topped out at 6’ 10” on the high jump the same year he won a National Scholastic Indoor 55mH Championship. 

At the time, there were no outdoor National championships. Instead, there was the very prestigious Golden West Invitational in Sacramento California. Galeano won the 110m Hurdles with a time of 13.64 (FAT) and placed 5th in the high jump with a 6’ 8” mark. To finish his season, he competed at the US Junior Nationals and placed third with 14.37 FAT. This was an incredible time considering he had to leap over 42” hurdles, the college height, and not the 39” high school hurdles he was used to.  

1985

Set state class records of 6’ 8” indoors and 6’ 10” outdoors for the high jump.  

State Indoor Championships- 5th Place 55mH (7.72 FAT)

State Outdoor Championships- 3rd Place High Jump (6’ 9”) and 110mH (14.69 FAT)

1986

State Indoor Championships- 2nd Place 55mH (7.3 HT) and 6th Place High Jump (6’ 4”)

State Outdoor championships – 1st Place 110m hurdles (13.75 (FAT)- wind aided) 

3rd Place High Jump (6’ 8”) 

1987

State Indoor Championships- 1st Place 55mH (7.22 FAT) Meet and State Record  

1st Place High Jump (6’ 10”) Meet Record

Pathmark National Scholastic Indoor Nationals Champion (7.25 FAT) and tied for third in the high jump at 6’ 8”.  

Galeano went to the University of Tennessee to compete in college. He won the 55mH in 7.23 FAT and was crowned South East Southern (SEC) champion as a freshmen.  After one year, he decided to return to Long Island and compete at NYIT, from where he later graduated.

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

In 1996, Kyle Merber was a student in Malverne, the same elementary school as recently crowned 400mH Olympic gold medalist Derrick Adkins. Adkins came to speak to his old elementary school about his Olympic experience. Merber recalled, “He had really great things to say. I immediately went home and told my mom about it, and shortly thereafter I competed in my first track meet.” That initial spark inspired Merber to strive for greatness throughout his running career.  

Through focusing and hard work, Merber forged a very successful high school career. Kyle was a “young” high schooler. He did not turn eighteen until he was already in college. In his early years of running at the high school level, he had to wait for his body to catch up with his desire to succeed. When it did, Kyle started to show everyone what he was truly capable of from the 800m to the 3200m on the track, and, of course, the 3.1 mile cross country distance.  

2005-06  

Cross Country Class A State Championships- 45th place 

 Indoor State Qual Meet- 3rd place 1000m (2:38.44 FAT) Intersectional Relay

2006-07  

Cross Country Class A State Championships- 5th place

 Indoor County Champion 1600m (4:26.66 FAT) 

 Eastern State Indoor Mile Champion (4:23.57)

 Indoor State Championships 1600m- 6th Place (4:21.53 FAT)

 Outdoor County Champion 1600m (4:21.20 FAT) and 3200m (9:20.97 FAT)

 Nike Outdoor National Emerging Elite Mile Champion (4:15.95 FAT)

2007-08  

Cross Country Class A State Champion, NYS Federation Championships- 2nd place

 Reebok Boston Indoor Games Mile Run (4:12.42 FAT) County Record

 Millrose Mile Champion (4:13.86 FAT) on the MSG track

 Indoor State Champion 1600m (4:20.84 FAT), Member of 2nd place 4x800mR

 Nike Indoor National Mile Champion (4:16.47 FAT)

 Outdoor Division II Champion 3200m (9:06.85 FAT)

 Outdoor State Champion 1600m (4:11.67 FAT)

Merber competed for Columbia University.  As a freshman, Kyle ran a 4:05.82 indoor mile.  The big breakthrough came in 2010, when Merber broke the 4-minute barrier indoors with a clocking of 3:58.52 FAT (Ivy League Record) at the Columbia Last Chance Meet at the Armory.  His next big drop-in time came in May of 2012.  At the Swarthmore Last Chance Meet Kyle ran a 3:35.59 FAT 1500m.  It was an Olympic Trials qualifying time as well as the fastest time ever run for an American Collegiate runner.  Kyle was a member of the 2015 World Record Distance Medley Relay team. He ran the 1200m leadoff leg for the squad that ran 9:15.50 FAT to set the record.  Merber qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016.  In 2016 he made the finals and placed 9th in the 1500m run.  His personal bests include: 800m (1:47.23), 1500m (3:34.54), Mile (Indoor 3:52.22) (Outdoor- 3:54.57).

In addition to his running, Merber has spent a lot of energy promoting the sport that he loves so much. He brought professional track and field to Long Island each September with the Hoka One One Long Island Mile. Each year, Merber organized the event with Brendan Barrett of Sayville Running Club, to bring professional Mile runners to Long Island to simply run fast. Before the two final races, there were many heats of mile runners of all ages lined up to compete. When they were done running, they lined the track to cheer on the professionals up close and personal. The night was always a big success.  

Recently, Merber announced he was leaving professional track and field. He still is going to continue running, but as he puts it, “I don’t like to say I am retiring- real runners don’t retire. I’m merely rearranging priorities.” Section XI coach Alex Young wrote this in reply to his Instagram announcement; “Thank you, Kyle, for all you have done and continue to do for track and field. Your achievements are beyond impressive. Your impact on runners- especially in the generation coming through HS, college and post-college ranks eclipse your amazing achievements on the track.” It’s likely that Kyle started the Long Island Mile and always did his best to reach out to younger runners because he was trying to pay it forward for what Derrick Atkins did for him so many years ago. Who knows how many “sparks” he ignited hosting these events? 

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 - INAUGURAL CLASS

Injuries have always been a part of sports, and James Burke learned this early in his high school career. After an outstanding freshman campaign, Burke suffered what would be one of many injuries. What separated James from the rest was the heart of a champion that never let his injuries keep him from the podium for very long. Despite missing most of his sophomore cross country season, James bounced back to run on a state championship relay team that winter. His most impressive performance came during his senior year, when he placed second at nationals with a 4:08.48 mile, a Long Island record. 

High School Athletic Achievements:  

2011-12 

Cross County Class C-D County Championships- 3rd place 

Indoor County Championships 1600m- 4th place (4:33.39)

New Balance Indoor Nationals Mile Run- 11th place (4:21.96)

Outdoor County Championships- 1600m 2nd place (4:16.68) and 3200m- 4th (9:25.07)

Outdoor State Championships- 1600m 9th place Federation, 2nd D-II (4:16.73), 12th place Federation, 6th place D-II  (9:25.19)

New Balance Outdoor National Freshman Mile Champion (4:22.27)  

2012-13 

Cross Country season only consisted of three early meets before injury. 

Indoor County Championships 1600m- 4th place (4:32.90)  

Anchored the Section XI Intersectional relay @ NYS Indoor Meet- 1st Place (4:15- split)  

State record team for flat track (8:50.95)

Eddy Games Champion Mile Run- (4:17.40) 

Outdoor County Champion 800m (1:53.73) and 1600m (4:13.72)

Outdoor State Championships 800m- 5th place Federation (1:53.49)

2013-14 

Cross Country Class “C” County Champion 

NYS Cross Country Class C Championships- 3rd Place

Indoor County Champion 1600m- (4:20.43)

Indoor State Championships 1600m- (4:11.82)

New Balance Indoor Nationals Mile- 5th place (4:14.29)

Outdoor County Championships- 4th 800m (1:56.99) and 6th 1600m (4:22.08)

Outdoor State Championships- 11th 800m, 6th Class B 1600m 

2014-15 

Armory Track Invite 1000m- 1st place (2:26.75)  Suffolk & Long Island Record  

Millrose Games Mile Champion- (4:11.25)  Suffolk & LI Record for actual distance

Indoor County Champion- 1600m (4:20.81)

Indoor State Champion- 1600m (4:17.88)

New Balance Indoor Nationals Mile- 2nd place (4:08.48)  Suffolk County & LI Record 

Outdoor County Championships 1600m- 2nd place (4:18.39)

Outdoor State Championships 1600m- 9th place (4:13.74)

Burke accepted a scholarship from Georgetown University. Injuries finally caught up to his ability to perform. After two years, James stopped running for Georgetown. During his shortened running career, Burke was still able to establish himself as one of the greatest distance runners Section XI has ever seen.   

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021

After winning his second consecutive State Cross-Country Championship, Newsday described him as “indefatigable”.  The other runners in his race probably felt that he was incapable of being fatigued, as he set a Class A record for the 2.5-mile course.  Due to a strong season, a runner from Section VIII was favored to win, despite Chapman being the defending state champion.  The pre-race favorite could only handle the strong pace that Chapman set for two miles.  At that point Chapman pulled away from the rest of the field breaking the course record by over twenty-five seconds.  

1956 – 1957

Cross-Country Class A Championship – 16th Place 

1957 – 1958

Cross-Country Class A Champion – 2.5 miles (12:01) @ Salisbury Park, Long Island

Outdoor Suffolk County Class A Champion – One Mile Run (4:28.9)

Outdoor Long Island Mile Champion – (4:26.4 – Meet Record)

Outdoor State Champion – One Mile Run (4:22.6 – State Record) (Splits: 69, 65, 65.6, 63)

1958 – 1959

Cross-Country State Class A Champion– 2.5 miles (12:58.8) @ Colgate University (*Fastest time of the day by 70 seconds)

Outdoor State Championships – 2nd Place One Mile Run (4:23.7) 

Outdoor Eastern States Mile Champion (4:21.0)

Chapman set the Cornell XC Frosh Record in the 3-mile run (14:59).  Unfortunately, he sustained a knee injury ended cross country season in IC4A Championship race.  Was not able to find additional information for subsequent seasons.  

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021

The talent of Henry Jackson was spotted as early as 1960, where he set a record in the standing broad jump of 6’ 7” as a sixth grader at his elementary school – Village Green School in Huntington.  From there he went on to star in the high school sports of football and track & field.  His speed and jumping ability served him well on the gridiron.  His best sport however, turned out to be track and field.  High jump, long jump, and triple jump were events Jackson exceled at.  As of 2022, Jackson still holds the Huntington High School Record in the triple jump.  His long jump record stood until 2016 when fellow Hall of Famer, Infinite Tucker, broke his record.   

1965  Outdoor County Champion High Jump (6’ 1”)

Outdoor State Championships- 2nd place High Jump (6’ 3.75”) 

1966  State Champion in the Long Jump and the High Jump

Long Jump (24’ 1.25”) Meet and State record, High Jump (6’ 5”) Meet record

Holds the Huntington school record in the triple jump, 46’ 4.25”

Jackson attended Western Kentucky University where he had an outstanding career for the Hilltoppers.  He was the program’s first All-American in 1970 (Long jump- 26’7.75”).  As a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, Henry was awarded Athlete of the Year for the conference four consecutive years (1967-1970).  During this time, he was conference champion in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump for all three events, all four years.  In his senior season he won the long jump in 26’ 5.5”, triple jump (50’10.25”), and the high jump (6’ 10”).  His best triple jump for his career was 52’ 2.75” in 1969.  While at Western Kentucky, Jackson toured with the United States Track and Field Team throughout Europe in the summer of 1967.   Jackson is a member of the Western Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.