Massapequa takes pride in its athletes, and many of them find themselves earning county championships with a team. Very few sports offer the ability for an individual to be a county champion, let alone an All-State athlete. Massapequa’s track and field team has just that in senior Kevin Cetin.
In his four years as a part of the throwing program, Cetin has displayed a great deal of growth which has led to his success over the past two years. During the spring season of his junior year, Cetin won the County Championship in the discus throw with a throw of 153”11’. His throw of 159”10’ a week later won him first place the the Section Eight State Qualifier Meet and earned Cetin an opportunity to throw with some of the best throwers from New York.
This winter, Kevin picked up where he left off by improving on his personal best in the shot-put from 41”8.5’ to 50”7’ and by improving his personal best in the weight throw from 51”1’ to 63”.25’.
Cetin also says that if this past offseason has taught him anything it’s “to never take a meet for granted because [his] throws and marks decide my future.”
“In the offseason I have really taken time to develop my physical strength in the weight room and form for all events in the circle,” Cetin said.
Cetin likes to credit 2016 captain Leon White for inspiring him to put in the extra work and to be the best thrower he can be.
“Once spring [my freshman year] ended he took me under his wing and taught me almost everything he knew in the summer and fall before my sophomore seasons,” Cetin said.
In the five months leading up to his final winter season with the Chiefs, Cetin increased his back squat 100 lbs, his deadlift 120 lbs, his bench press 60 lbs, and his clean 40 lbs. Cetin’s dedication to the sport and to being the best has earned him a spot in the Eastern State qualifier for the shot-put and qualified him for the State meet in the weight throw.
Cetin’s hard work and dedication has also gotten him elected to be the captain of this year’s Track and Field team.
“It feels great knowing that I have worked hard enough and developed my leadership skills enough to be elected as the team Captain,” he said. “It’s nice knowing that I am responsible for the future of the team.”
With the spring season fast approaching, Cetin looks to grow further on his personal best in the discus throw and make a run to be State Champion.
“Currently I am the number one returner in New York for the discus with my distances from junior year,” he said. “A lot has changed since last year and I am confident in my ability to place higher and take the [state] title.”
Whatever this season may hold, Cetin has made sure that he has given himself the best opportunity to win the county title in both the discus and the shot-put. His success will prove to be a large boost the track team hopes for in its pursuit of a team championship.
All of his hard work paid off as Kevin recently committed to throw for the University of Connecticut. This program is a very prestigious one and as a Division One school, Kevin will receive training from some of the best coaches in the nation.