Pre-season rankings. Based on the performances of returnees from the previous year, they are a good starting point to project possibilities for the upcoming season. But they are only that: just the starting point.
After graduating a small group of All-County performers who have moved on to collegiate competition (including Shannon O’Hehir- Iona College, Jayda Allen- St. Rose College, and Katie Hempfling- East Stroudsberg University) a casual observer might relegate Sachem East to rebuilding status. A deeper look, however, reveals a team in reloading mode with lots of returning stars and up and coming talent.
Alex DeCicco, No. 13 in last year’s County Championship Meet, leads a strong upfront pack that includes Val Romero (10th in the 2013 County Championship) and Karli Murphy (No. 12 in the 2013 County Championship). Close on their heels are Varsity returnees Jill Manfredi and Jamie Fleming, both of whom were consistent scorers in 2013. Sachem East’s pre-season ranking of No. 21 in N.Y.State class “A” is based on this group.
Last year’s squad finished a close 2nd to Northport in the County Championship, and with this year’s Northport squad currently ranked #19 N.Y.S., winning “Counties” and earning a bid to the State Championship Meet will be no easy task. But here’s where the XYZ factors come into play.
Factor X: summer training. The 2014 squad put in the best summer of training in Sachem East History both in terms of quality and quantity. With 30 athletes attending SYAG Conditioning Camp, and 25 athletes spending a week at “The Running School” in upstate New York, give factor X to Sachem East.
Factor Y: athlete development. It’s been nine months since the end of the 2013 Cross Country season. Tiffany Ly, Sophia Saladino, Kaitlin Veigl, Rachel Semetsis, and Lauren Harris are all at a completely different level than they were last fall: a result of consistent training and racing efforts over the last year. Ciara Murphy, injured throughout most of last fall, is healthy and chomping at the bit after strong winter and spring seasons. This is, by far, the deepest squad East has ever fielded.
Factor Z: leadership. Always a strength for Sachem East, the senior captains are a straight shooting, hardworking, positive bunch that has the potential to steer this team to a historic season. Jen Campbell, Cortney Evola, Jamie Fleming, and Alanna Laino not only have the knowledge and experience to lead, they also have the passion for their sport and love of their team that is necessary to overcome challenges and setbacks. If a team is a reflection of their leaders, then this team could very well be champions.
And then there is just one other little factor that just might give Sachem East an edge. This year’s freshman class brings talent and experience to the table, with Shayna Arrigo, Rachel Ruggiero, and Caitlin O’Hehir leading the charge. And first year harrier Brook Howell is also mixing it up near the front! With the support and encouragement of their veteran teammatesm this group could very well tip the balance in the Arrows favor.
Sachem East opens up it’s League II dual meet schedule against perennial Suffolk County power Ward Melville at HOME on the Tom Toscano 5K Cross Country Course, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. Top Invitationals on the schedule include the Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational in New Jersey, the Manhattan College Invitational at Van Cortland Park, and the Brown University Northeast Cross Country Invitational in Rhode Island. Head Coach Dan Schaub is hopeful of a strong post-season run, expecting the top group to to make it all the way to the Nike Cross Country Regionals in late November. “Wow!” Schaub keeps repeating. “Wow!”