At five wins with no losses in League II action, the Sachem East Girls Cross Country team continues to move up in the State Lists, rising to NYS #13 in this week’s Milesplit Rankings. At this point in the season, East has recorded shutouts over Lindenhurst, Central Islip, and Middle Country, while upending Commack 21-39, and Connetquot, 26-32.
Leading the East Arrows has been the front running tandem of Rachel Ruggiero and Lindsey Dodenhoff, followed closely by freshman standout Melissa Merone. Veterans Lauren Harris, Chelsea Benedict, Shayna Arrigo, Margaret Atwood, and Tiffany Ly have been interchangeable in the next five positions, while XC rookies Kaitlyn Famiglietti and Mackenzie Murphy have begun to blend into that main pack.
Coach Schaub has been oft quoted about “the strength of the wolf” lying in “the strength of the pack,” and it appears that “the pack” is really starting to gel together.
The East Arrows also demonstrated their growth as a unit by winning both the JV and Varsity races at the Villa Bears Classic at Van Cortlandt Park this past weekend for the second straight year. East topped 30 other teams, including four squads pre-season ranked in NYS’s Top 30, including Syosset, Bronxville, Notre Dame, and Bayport. Most of the Veteran Arrows improved between 15 and 60 seconds from their performance at last year’s Villa Bears Meet, but Margaret Atwood earned special kudos by improving by over three minutes!
East will be returning to Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday, October 8th for the largest Cross Country meet in the nation: the Manhattan College Invitational. Over 10,000 athletes from across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean are expected to compete in this, the 44th running of the prestigious event.