The 4 X 1600 is a long race where each relay leg is running 30 feet shorter than an actual mile. Because of the long distance of the race there is a lot of room for error and plenty of time to make up for lost ground. The Sachem North team has perfected the race over the last year especially when it comes to the venue of Icahn Stadium in Randall’s Island.
In fact it was a year ago on April 20, 2013 when the 4 X 1600 team broke the school record from 1997. That record did not stay for long when 3 weeks later the team of Dan Block , John Onken, Tyler McNamara and Dan Stretz posted the new record of 18:45.04.
New year, new team, looking for a new record. The gun sounded and senior, Isaac Garcia-Cassani found himself stuck in the middle of the pack of 12 teams. It took a lap and a half for Isaac to work himself up to the front and once he did, he continued to build a substantial lead.
After 4 minutes and 25 seconds Isaac handed the baton off with a 6 second lead on the rest of the field! Enter the rookie, freshman Jonathan Lauer. His job was to keep them in the front. With tough competition from Xavier and Fordham Prep, Lauer grinded out a 4:35 split. He kept the relay in striking distance when he handed off to junior, John Onken in the 3rd position.
John quickly positioned himself on the shoulder of 2nd place Fordham Prep. The battle for position gave both teams the perfect pace to pass by the leader in the beginning of the 3rd lap.
With a great kick on the straight away and a 3rd leg time of 4:25, Sachem North entered the final leg, 2 seconds in reach of 1st place. It was up to senior, Anthony Coccia who received the baton in perfect position for him to run the race he likes to run. Anthony quickly set himself up on the heels of 1st place team, Fordham Prep. He kept in contact and anytime the leader surged he was one step behind him.
There was 250 meters left in the race and it was time for someone to make a move. Fordham Prep anchor leg, turned it up and attempted to leave Coccia behind! It looked like the few steps that Fordham had could keep them in position for 1st. That was until the race was 150 meters from being done. Coccia shifted into that extra gear that many runners just do not seem to have and Sachem North took back the lead. In an exciting ending, Fordham was edged out at the line by 1 second giving Coccia a time of 4:17.
The team finished with everything. A first place plaque, gold medals, a new school record of 17:45.32 (almost a minute faster) and pride of their accomplishment that shined bright through their huge smiles and congratulatory hugs! Their time places them as the #1 rank in NY State.
Their race was a big highlight of the meet. For the next half hour I had coaches as well as athletes congratulating me on the first place finish and asking me about the team members splits. Distance Coach Holl really prepared these guys well to compete the way they did.
-Submitted by Sachem coach Bryan Rogers