Led by Carley DiMartino’s wins in both the Triple Jump (33′ 5.75″) and High Jump (4′ 6″), the East Arrows won their League II opener against Central Islip, 120 – 29 last Monday on March 23rd. Exactly one week later, it was a similar display of strength as East downed Northport, 118 – 32. Although Alex DeCicco was a double winner, taking the 400 (59.7) and the 200 (26.4), the story of the day was “TEAM” as 12 different Arrows won an event (12 out of the 15 total open events).
The East Arrows, also won all 3 relay events. With Suffolk County powers Sachem North and Connetquot waiting in the wings on their League II schedule, East will soon face off with some heavyweights, but they seem to have the talent and depth to meet the challenge.
The core of the team is the experienced distance squad, covering events from the 400m up through the 3000m and 2000m steeplechase. Indoor State Championship qualifiers Alex DeCicco, Jill Manfredi, Ciara Murphy, Kaylie Wessberg, and Val Romero will be leading the charge, with Cross Country standouts Tiffany Ly, Karli Murphy, Rachel Ruggiero, Kaitlin Veigl, Shayna Arrigo, Rachel Semetsis, Cortney Evola, and Caitlin O’Hehir all right in the mix. The mid-distance group of Shelby Trentini, Faith D’Angelis, Kerstyn Ciulla, Jordan Messineo, Katie Famiglietti, Angela Calabrese, and Jessica Freund will be staples in the 400, 400 Hurdles, and in the relay events.
East’s deep sprint squad will cover the 100, 200, 4×100 relay, and even have an impact on the 400 distance. Look for Sam LoCascio, Lauren Alberg, Marissa Filosa, and Rebecca Carroll to lead this group. Along with Carroll, hurdle specialists Stephanie Kwong, Dana Tyner, and Hurdler/Jumper Carley DiMartino each use their sprint speed in specialty events, with Stephanie Curtin, Kristen Cole, and Maria DePinto adding to the list of point-scoring field eventers, as well. Top long/triple jumpers include Messineo, Carroll, DiMartino, DePinto, and Curtin, with 17 footer Kerstyn Ciulla ranked as one of Suffolk’s best.
Ciulla and Messineo form the core of Long Island’s best pole vaulting squad, while DiMartino, Kayla Garry, Kristen Heuschneider, and Alex Giambanco front the high jump tag-team. Look for Rachel Miller to lead a young, rapidly developing throws squad which includes Erin Leonard, Ashley Accardi, Christina Artusa, Katie Mott, and Siobhan Walsh.
All-American Lauren Harris leads a deep racewalk contingent with Jamie Fleming, Jenn Campbell, Sam Delano, Arianna Cavallino, Anna Arrigo and Chelsea Benedict close behind.
In addition to their exciting League II dual meet schedule, Sachem East will be competing in a number of top-notch Invitationals, highlighted by the Penn Relays in Philladelphia April 23rd and the Eddy Games in Albany May 16. After placing 2nd at the Indoor Suffolk County Championships this past February, the East Arrows hope to give the defending Spring champions from Bayshore a run for the County Title, and qualify some athletes for the State and National Championships, as well.
-Submitted by Sachem East coaching staff