Aside from the consistent outcome of victory for Sachem East girls runners over the last few seasons, there has been another constant: Alex DeCicco and her record-setting, award-winning, and pure dominance in every event during every season.
She also committed to Providence College recently and spoke with Sachem Report about the decision to run and attend that school.
Sachem Report: How did you come about choosing Providence?
Alex DeCicco: “When I was looking for a school, I wanted to find a balance between running and academics. I also needed to find a place where the culture of the team matched my mindset. Providence has a very strong team and tradition. The coaches there believe that with hard work anything is possible. Ray Treacy, who is the director of Track and Cross Country, has coached at Providence for 32 years. He has coached 63 All-Americans and started the tradition of sending the cross country team to the national meet 25-26 times. The assistant coach, Stephanie Reilly, ran the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the London Olympics and had a successful collegiate career at Providence College. I’ve never been more excited about something. I can’t wait to be part of the team and see what the future brings.”
Sachem Report: Where else were you considering?
AD: “I took official visits to Columbia University and Oklahoma State. My mom ran for OSU and I’ve always looked up to what she accomplished in high school and college as a runner. I was going to visit the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia but once I visited Providence I knew that I wanted to go there.”
Sachem Report: What’s been your best Sachem moment?
AD: “I think my high school career at Sachem as a whole was an amazing experience. I can’t pinpoint a moment because there are too many great ones to choose from. The greatest thing for me is to see everyone improve on my team and where that has brought us. When everyone believes in what they are doing and they have a common goal, exciting things can happen. Our team has made things that seemed out of reach, happen and more. I know that this will continue when I leave and that is what’s exciting.
Sachem Report: What does it mean for you to be a student-athlete at Sachem?
AD: “Being a Sachem student-athlete has made me who I am today. I learned to take risks and that everyday is a new opportunity to learn and make yourself a better person. With a positive attitude, anything can be accomplished. I think my coaches, Coach Schaub, Coach Coffey, Coach McNeill and Coach Ortiz, are really special people and they are what inspire me and probably my team everyday. We even have Maria Michta-Coffey to show us with hard work and determination, you can do anything, even go to the Olympics. They found something they are so passionate about and they love their jobs. If I didn’t have Coach Coffey’s positivity, Mr. Mcneill’s advice or Coach Schaub’s passion and belief behind me, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Coach Schaub taught me that the combination of belief, consistency, hard work and the love for what you do is an unstoppable equation. My team and coaches are the ones I think about at the end of a race when I feel like I have nothing left, they are what push me beyond my limits. When I think of Sachem, I think of strength, leadership and a flame that can’t be burned out. I found my flame here and know that my ‘arrow’ will direct me to my dreams.”
DeCicco’s Achievements
- All State- cross country (2014 and 2015) 800m (2015), indoor 1500m (2015), indoor 4×8 (2015 and 2016), 1000m (2016)
- All American: 4xmile (2016)
- Qualified for Nike Cross Nationals
- Long Island champion in 1500m (2016)
- Millrose Game qualifier(4×8)
- 5x county champion: 2 x cross country, 2x4x800, 1500
- 4x division champion (800,3000,1500, and 4×800)
- Suffolk County Runner of the year (Newsday 2015-2016)
- Record Holder in 5000m at Bowdoin State Park (18:23), in the 2.5 at Van Cortlandt Park (14:49), 4xmile 20:51
- Part of Suffolk County Champion team in cross country (2014 and 2015), Winter Track (2015-2016) and Spring Track(2015)
- 6th in state (xc 2014)
- 4th in state (xc 2015)
-As told to Chris R. Vaccaro