Half Hollow Hills West standout Carlos Salazar added another impressive achievement to his outstanding season this past week, capturing the 400-meter dash title at the Commack Invitational.
Salazar crossed the finish line in a blazing time of 48.48 seconds, continuing what has been a remarkable spring campaign. His latest victory further establishes him as one of the top quarter-mile runners in the state and has helped move him into fifth place in the New York State rankings.
Winning at a highly competitive meet such as the Commack Invitational is no small feat, and Salazar’s performance showed both speed and composure against a strong field of runners. As the postseason approaches, he appears to be peaking at exactly the right time.
The success did not stop there for the Hills West star. Salazar also joined teammates Dean Moustakas, Chris Macaroff, and Hazem Nassar in the 4x400-meter relay, where the quartet delivered another outstanding result. Together, they posted a time of 3:23.58, showcasing the team’s depth, speed, and chemistry.
Both Salazar’s individual 400-meter performance and the relay team’s time met the super standard for the New York State Championships, a significant accomplishment that reflects the high level of talent within the Hills West program. Earning those standards this early in the season gives the team valuable momentum heading into championship competition.
For Salazar, the season has been filled with one strong performance after another. His consistency in the 400 meters has made him one of the athletes to watch across Long Island and throughout New York State.
Meanwhile, the relay team’s breakthrough performance signals that Half Hollow Hills West could be a serious contender in multiple events when the biggest meets arrive. With talented runners surrounding Salazar, the Colts are building a strong case as one of the top programs in the area.
As the regular season continues, all eyes will be on Salazar and his teammates to see how much faster they can go. If recent results are any indication, there may be even bigger moments still to come for Half Hollow Hills West track and field this spring.