Sachem was part of a strong Section XI showing at NYS Championship Meet with medal and podium performances in four of the five events in which Sachem athletes competed.
The NYS Championship Meet is a combined public school-Federation Championship meet. The Federation Championship Meet includes NYS public schools that make up Sections I-XI as well as New York City schools (PSAA), Catholic Schools (CHSAA) and Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
There are separate awards ceremonies for public and Federation school medalists. Melissa Michels led Sachem athletes with five podium ceremonies (three public schools and two Federations). Sunja Joseph, Alyssa Leto, Emily Rathmann and Nikki Fogarty had two podiums trips each in long jump for Sunja and the 4×100 m. relay for Alyssa, Emily and Nikki.
The collision of two bad weather fronts – rain from the Midwest and Tropical Storm Andrea from the Atlantic led to a cancellation of Day 1 of the meet. Melissa Michels and Nikki Fogarty were among the small group of athletes from around the state already involved in warm-ups early Friday morning when the meet was postponed.
The revamped Day 2 schedule included all events with many trials and semifinals events cancelled. Athletes, coaches and officials adapted to the altered meet schedule and the long Day 2 meet (with events starting at 8:30 a.m. and with the meet concluding just before 6:00 p.m.) went on without a hitch.
Sachem’s 4×100 m. relay closed out Sachem’s day by running the No. 2 all-time mark in Sachem relay history. The Fleet Foursome of Alyssa, Nikki, Emily and Melissa came within .16 seconds of the school record they set one week ago as they finished with the fifth fastest time at the championship meet.
The meet marked the last race of Emily Rathmann’s outstanding track career at Sachem. Highlights of Emily’s four year Varsity career at Sachem include two trips to the NYS Championship meet (’12, ’13), All-County (’12, ‘13), All-Division Pentathlon (’12, ‘13) and two All-League 2 team honors (’12, ’13). Emily is a four-time NYS Scholar athlete, she has been part of four record-breaking 4×100 m. relay squads over the past two years including the record-breaking squad at June 1 State Qualifiers.
Emily is a senior-captain, she won her team Outstanding Track and Field Athlete award last year. Emily was team Rookie of the Year in her freshman season and team Most Improved Athlete as a sophomore. Emily will continue her track career and major in physical therapy at Slippery Rock University.