At what proved to be an outstanding meet for the entire squad, the Sachem North Boys Winter Track team is sending two athletes to States. John Onken and Jonathan Lauer led the team that saw outstanding performances turned in by many over the course of the State Qualifier Meet held at Suffolk West in Brentwood on Sunday.
Jonathan Lauer started the day off on the right foot for the Arrows as he placed second in the 3,200 meter run with an indoor personal best of 9:42.29. Lauer’s surge to the lead with 300 meters remaining put pressure on the field.
“A number of coaches commented that Jon made a great move,” said distance coach Bill Holl, “and one of them even said it was the best move of the day.”
Indeed. Lauer has run well all season, but saved his best for last. “He certainly doesn’t run like a sophomore,” said sprints coach Bryan Rogers, “I think we forget that Jon has a lot of great races in front of him.” One of those races will be States at Cornell in early March.
Joining Lauer at Cornell will be Senior Captain John Onken. Onken placed 4th overall in the 1,600, which was good enough to make Section XI’s intersectional relay team, but because Luciano Fiore of Bay Shore decided to run the 1,000-meter race at States, Onken will get to run in the open 1,600.
“John was seeded ninth going into the race,” mentioned Holl, “but we knew he was strong enough to make States, it was just a matter of him gutting it out.” Onken not only ran with guts, he ran fast, setting a personal best in the indoor 1,600 with a 4:28.34 in the event.
Another personal best was reached in the same event, which saw Tyler McNamara cruise to a seventh place finish with a 4:32.16. T-Mac also anchored the fourth place finishing 4×800 meter relay team with a personal best split of 2:09. His running mates also ran well with Mike Cavanaugh leading off with a 2:05 (another PB), Jonathan Lauer with a 2:03 and Christopher Tibbetts with a 2:06.
Tibbetts also ran well in the open 600 finishing fifth overall with a time of 1:25.00 in the race. Shot putter Chris Fasano had another solid day finishing sixth overall with a heave of 49’ 6.75”.
Other Sachem athletes who competed were Mark Difulvio in the 3,200 and Dan Stretz in the 1,600.
“It was an outstanding day for the program,” said head coach Joe Zarzycki. “Anytime you send an athlete to compete at the highest level the state has to offer is a great day,” he added, “and today we are sending two.”
Fly Arrows Fly.
-Submitted by Sachem North coaching staff