Strong Showing for Sachem XC at County Championships

Dynasty-like ways of Sachem East girls cross country continue.

On Friday, Sachem East girls cross country captured another Suffolk County Class A championship.

Sachem East’s Melissa Merone was the top finisher in the district, placing second with a time of 20:04.93. She was followed by Sachem East’s Lindsey Dodenhoff, who placed third in 20:06.93.

Jordyn McDonnell was the top finisher from Sachem North, placing fourth overall in 20:15.68.

Rounding out other top 20 finishers were Molly Ramirez from Sachem North (10th, 20:38.68), Rachel Ruggiero from Sachem East (14th, 20:58.93) and Kaitlyn Famiglietti from Sachem East (18th, 21:19.18).

Sachem East’s Justin Allone is the only boy from either high school to finish in the top 20. He placed No. 14 with a time of 17:20.74.

The New York State championships will take place at Wayne Central School on Saturday, November 11.

UPDATE: Additional info from the Sachem East staff … 

Leading the way for Sachem East were Melissa Merone (2nd) and Lindsey Dodenhoff (3rd), who both moved up throughout the race despite the hot and humid conditions. Rachel Ruggiero (14th), Kaitlin Famiglietti (18th), and Bridget Abraldes (31st) completed the scoring for the Arrows, with both Caitlin O’Hehir and Shayna Arrigo finishing ahead of Smithtown’s 5th scorer to pad the scoring differential.

As the County Championships doubles as the State Qualifier, the East squad will be traveling upstate to Rochester this upcoming weekend for the New York State Cross Country Championship that will be held at Wayne High School. In addition to the Sachem East Team, Jordyn McDonnell of Sachem North qualified as an individual as she placed 4th overall in the race.