The Sachem East girls track team qualified three team members to next weekend’s New York State Championships with all 3 winning their events in exciting fashion at the Suffolk County Championships this past weekend. Diamond Jackson recorded 6 throws over 120 feet, with a best of 128’5″ to win the Discus competition by over 10 feet.
Brittany Sepe battled a deep field in the Shot Put before finally distancing herself from the competition with a season best 38’6″ throw that edged the competition. With 5 competitors less than 3 feet behind her it was a nail bitter right down to the last throw. And, not to be outdone, Amanda Zaput had her best meet of the season in the Pole Vault, clearing every height on her first attempt all the way to a season best 10’3″. When she and Ashley White of Connetquot failed on their attempts at 10’6″, Zaput was declared the winner due to White having misses at lower heights.
Sachem East recorded a number of top finishers in numerous events in this meet that serves as both the Individual County Championships and the State Qualifying Meet. Essence Sterling placed 9th in the 200 and led her 4 by 100 squad (Sterling, Ebonie Lewis, Lauren Alberg, Ashley Mercado) to a 9th place finish in a season best 50.56. Mentor Allison Figalora and Mentee Shelby Trentini placed 11th and 22nd respectively in the 400 Hurdles, with Dana Tyner and Rebecca Carroll taking 16th and 18th in the 100 Hurdles.
The 4 by 400 squad of Ciara Murphy, Laurie Semetsis, Jayda Allen and Nicole Silvestre placed 13th in a season best 4:08.91, with the 4 by 800 quartet of Ciara Murphy, Shannon OHehir, Laurie Semetsis, and Nicole Silvestre grabbing 5th place. Katie Hempling placed 15th in the 800, and Britt Sepe added a 3rd place season best performance in the Discus to her win in the Shot Put. Diamond Jackson placed 6th in the Shot Put with Gabby Trejo 12th and Taylor Kern 19th.
After a wonderful season that included a strong 3rd place finish in the Division 1 Championship Meet (behind Bayshore and Sachem North), unfortunately a flu virus knocked out a few of East’s finest going into the meet. Distance runner Carli Murphy and Pentathlete Maddy Egan, who set a school record to place 3rd in the Division 1 Championships, both had to sit out the meet with high fevers. Indoor National Racewalk Champion Holly Lindoe- still feverish- gave it her best shot and fought to a 4th place finish in the 1500 Meter Racewalk with Val Auciello taking 15th.
The State Meet will be held Friday and Saturday at Middletown High School in the lower Catskills.