It was no surprise that Sachem East won 14 out of the 15 individual events in its season-opener against Middle Country. When a program has finished in the top 5 in Suffolk County SIX years in a row, it often wins dual meets in a convincing fashion. What was a surprise though was that each of those event wins came from different athletes! 14 first place finishes by 14 different athletes; now that’s impressive!
Yes, seniors led the way in this wonderful display of team depth. Paige Picascio won the 100 Hurdles and scored in 2 other events in the 100 to 50 win over Middle Country. Shannon O’Hehir won the 800, Amanda DiSalvo the High Jump, and Ebonie Lewis won the Shot Put. But it was the depth and the width, covering all the event areas with freshman through seniors, that solidified the win. With Suffolk County powers Sachem North and Connetquot the next two meets on the schedule, this squad will need to continue to work hard- and work together- in order to reach its potential. Here is a preview of what to expect this season.
SPRINTS: Senior Ebonie Lewis, League Champion in the 55 this past winter, will be backed by up-and-coming Lauren Alburg, Sam LoCascio, and frosh Jenny Stenby. Paige Picascio, Rebecca Carroll, Dana Tyner, and Stephanie Kwong, sprinters who specialize in the 100 Hurdles, make up the deepest short hurdle squad in Suffolk County, a group that can include Frosh Jackie Woodburn, as well. Juniors Danielle Curran and Michaela Maertz add strength in the long-sprints.
DISTANCE: Featuring many of the athletes that led the Cross Country team to a 2nd place finish in Suffolk County this past fall, this group forms the backbone of the team, running events from the 400 through the 3000. Seniors Katie Hempfling, Shannon O’Hehir, Nicole Silvestre, Jayda Allen, and Brenna McGuire lead a deep group of over 20 potential point scorers. Underclasswomen Val Romero, Alex DeCicco, Ciara Murphy, Karli Murphy, and Jill Manfredi have already established themselves as big time point scorers with Mikayla Canales, Rachel Semetsis, Kaylie Wessberg, Alex Giambanco, Faith D’Angelis, Jordan Messineo and Cortney Evola right on their heels.
JUMPS: Seniors Amanda Sluzewski and Ebonie Lewis lead the horizontal jumpers (Long and Triple Jumps) but young developing talents Rebecca Carroll, Jess DeMeyer, and Carly DiMartino will also pose a challenge to the rest of League 2. Rookies Angela and Lexi Calabrese are beginning to make their mark, as well. Senior Amanda DiSalvo, also a top horizontal jumper, will be teaming up with Kayla Garry to pace the High Jump squad. Kristen Heuschneider, Stephanie Procopiou, and Alex Giambanco are among those with scoring ability. One of Sachem East’s top jumping events will again be the Pole Vault, as Senior Gina Bogdonowicz, Rachel Miller, Kerstyn Ciulla, and Jordan Messineo have all jumped 8 feet or better already this season.
THROWS: Versatile senior Ebonie Lewis is “The Boss” here in the Shot Put with Nicole Fasano and Rachel Miller backing her up. No clear leader has emerged in the Discus, but the Shot Putters, Siobhan Walsh, Lauren Payne, and Stephanie Curtin are among those vying for a Varsity role.
400 HURDLES: Is this a hurdle race or a mid-distance race? How about both! Michaela Maertz, Shelby Trentini, Nicole Silvestre, Ashley Lurie, Jordan Messineo, and Kerstyn Ciulla have each already bettered 80 seconds, but will need to aim to break 70 to be among the elite in the county. This event could prove crucial to the team’s success.
QUESTIONS: As always, team success is never guaranteed and will be determined by a number of different factors. How will athletes respond to adversity? Who will step up to make their mark? How well will team members support and help each other? Who is willing to do that little bit extra? And when, if ever, is it going to warm up?
Head Coach Dan Schaub has been very pleased with the season thus far. Of the team he states, “They value their roles, they value each other, and they value hard work. They are the deepest team in Suffolk County, perhaps on Long Island. If they accomplish anything this season, they will do it together, as one. We just want an opportunity.” With overnight trips to the Red Raider Relays and the Penn Relays already in the works, and a schedule that includes some high level local dual meets and invitationals, the girls will have plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents as the post-season plan develops.
The Sachem East Girls Spring Track and Field Team hosts Sachem North (Suffolk County Runner-up this past Indoor season) at 4:00 this Thursday. Come down and see two of Long Islands best teams put on a Track and Field clinic!
-Submitted by Sachem East coach Dan Schaub