Wersan Brings Old School Style to Track

Being a fast runner is only part of what you need to be successful in track. You need to be dedicated, willing to work hard, and a natural leader. Brian Wersan, a senior on the Sachem High School North Track and Field team, has all three abilities, plus many more. 

"Brian is a good runner based upon several factors," said North head coach John Horst. "The first is genetics. He is blessed with an athletic ability that allows him to perform athletic feats that generally are several steps above your normal athlete."

Wersan also works daily on getting the most out of his ability.

"A well thought out training program with a highly skilled and motivated athlete usually make for success," Horst said.

Not uncommon for many track studs, Wersan has only been running since his freshman year.

"I remember running my first race and feeling so good I just wanted to get faster and run again," said Wersan, who is attending the University of Rhode Island, where he will run and study in its  College of Pharmacy. "It's hard to describe, but I just felt at home when I was running."

Wersan is also part of North's cross-country and winter track teams. In cross-country he competes in the 5K event.

His events in winter and spring include the high-jump, triple-jump, 200-meter, 300-meter, 400-meter, 600-meter, 800-meter, 1,000-meter, 400-meter hurdles, and also many relay teams. He's a workhorse and many times he'll run back-to-back sprint events.

His favorite is the 800-meter race where his record is 1:56.33.

"His combination of speed and endurance are ideally suited for this event," said Horst.

He also qualified for the New York State championships in the 4x800 last spring. He has also recorded a 50.83 in the 400 and a time of 1:24 in the 600, which are his other favorite events.

Wersan, an All-League, All-Division and All-County runner last year, has run a 23.89 in the 200, 40'8'' in the triple jump, a 5'6'' in the high jump, and a 62.45 in the 400 Intermediate Hurdles.

He was a main part in North winning the Suffolk County Large School Championship last year. Along with the rest of the Flaming Arrows, Wersan will look to help North in its quest for a League II title and beyond the rest of this spring.