Sachem field event cards list jumper Gabriella Czerw often includes a phonetic pronunciation of her surname to make calling “Surf” an easier task for officials. This task may not be necessary in Suffolk meets this season as officials are used to seeing Sachem’s gravity defying leaper deep into high jump competitions at invitationals and in post-season meets. To prove this point, a meet official greeted Czerw as Sachem arrived at Ward Melville with a warm “Hi, Gabby – good luck today.”
Czerw high jump duties – along with high jump teammate Carly Swinford – were to be interrupted Wednesday as both were scheduled to run the 400. The crossbar was at 4’ 6” as both headed to the starting line. Swinford took first and Gabriella took second in the race and both headed back to high jump knowing that lactic acid may weigh them down on their next round of jumps.
Swinford ultimately cleared 5’ 0” and clinched third place for Sachem in the eventas Gabriella and Ward Melville’s Emily Astarita began a high jump duel that became the most exciting high jump competition in years as Czerw would soar to new heights and ultimately have an opportunity to win the event for Sachem.
Czerw cleared 5’ 1” and 5’ 2” matching her career-best jump. Emily Astarita matched Czerw jump for jump. Both cleared 5’ 3” as Coach O’Brien (O’B) watched nearby. O’B stepped back after Gabriella cleared 5’ 3”. Gabriella was in a zone and O’B gave her space. Sometimes less is more. O’B’s less is more style worked as Gabriella cleared 5’ 4” equally the highest jump in Suffolk County. Czerw won the event as Emily could not match the height. Teammates cheered Gabriella’s event victory and PR day.
There were many exciting contests between the League II rivals. Brooke Foltmann surged past three Ward Melville rivals in the final 250 meters of a thrilling 800-meter race. Kaitlyn Okvist returned to action after an end-of-winter season ankle injured sidelined her to win shotput.
Elise Ramirez ran a tactical 1500 meters for the first half of her race before dropping the hammer to take the lead and score a victory for Sachem. Natalie DeQuarto assumed front-runner duties in race walk with an event win and Sachem 4×100 A squad featured a new anchor – rookie frosh Kelly Gardner – who exploded through the exchange zone after receiving a perfect handoff from teammate Ali Van Sicklin to anchor the sprint relay to victory.
FOOTNOTES
- Sachem won 10 of the meet’s 15 open events. Sachem won the battle of second place 8-7 as well. Sweeps in the 100, 200 and long jump helped Sachem secure a team lead and clinch a meet victory before the relays.
- Melissa Michels won three open events and led off the winning 4×100 m. relay.
- Frankie DeStio built a 4×100 C squad at Coach Young’s request about 20 minutes before the relay began. All four relay runners turned in solid baton passes in their race.
- Congratulations to freshmen Kelly Gardner (2) and Kaitlin Martins (1) on scoring their first dual meet points for Sachem.