Two-time defending Suffolk County cross Country champions Sachem East has some big shoes to fill in 2016.
Seven top distance runners from last year’s squad have moved on to compete for college programs up and down the East Coast including All-State runners Val Romero and Ciara Murphy (University of Delaware), All-County Jill Manfredi (Oneonta State), and All-State and All-Region harrier Alex DeCicco (Providence College, currently ranked No. 3 NCAA Division I).
So, who is ready to fill these big shoes? This past Saturday, the team held its annual Parent Day RGBW (red, gold, black, white) Intrasquad Meet- with very promising results. Junior Rachel Ruggiero and sophomore Lindsey Dodenhoff led the way, running the number three and four times ever on the 1.5 mile course at East. Veterans Shayna Arrigo and Lauren Harris followed in quick order with cross country rookie Kaitlyn Famiglietti, talented frosh Melissa Merone, and key senior Tiffany Ly just behind.
Margaret Atwood and newcomer Mackenzie Murphy also impressed by cracking the 11 minute barrier on the course. Juniors Caitlin O’Hehir and Chelsea Benedict, not available to compete that day, will certainly impact team results as may several others showing potential thus far.
With the top five average time for the Sachem East Arrows at RGBW equaling the All-Time Sachem East record of 9:46, East certainly should be vying for another county crown come November.
Can this team do the work necessary to compete with the best? Can the young runners rise to the challenge and make their mark on the program? Stay tuned!
With senior captains leading their color teams (Maria DeKoning, Jordan Messineo, Carly Napoli, Brooke Howell, Tiffany Ly, Lauren Harris, and Victoria Rodriguez) the Black team was able to pull out a close 42-48 win over the Rainbow team.
It was a close battle between the Red team and the Rainbow team for the Most Spirited award, with Red taking the honors by sporting team USA tank tops and Stars and Stripes headbands.
All in all, the meet was a fun and promising start to the season. League action begins Tuesday, September 13, with East facing both Connetquot and Middle Country at Sunken Meadow, followed by the first major Invitational of the season, the Villa Bears Classic, which will be held at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday, September 17.
