Sachem (2-0) won its second straight League 2 dual meet over Lindenhurst in the North Flaming Arrows first-ever visit to Belmont Lake State Park. Fast times and great sportsmanship dominated the day. Lindy’s coach and team members led Sachem around the course during warm-ups. Both teams – used to exchanges of greetings and good wishes before races and congratulations following races over many years – enjoy mutual good will. Belmont Lake’s reputation as a fast course lived up to its reputation.
Sachem’s team strategy in the race was to complete a tempo-paced run at a little slower than race pace over the first two miles then to make race decisions over the last mile. Most team members were at or under race pace at the mile mark. But all were running relaxed, some were exchanging brief comments to teammates as the runners cruised around the lake for the second time before heading into the back woods to the finish line. Training partners Kaitlyn Licata and Samantha Giambrone hit the mile mark at 7:03. They were surprised at the fast time given their relaxed pace. The duo maintained their pace as both crossed the finish line at 22:03. Samantha was especially surprised at her time as she stated that she stopped to tie a shoelace that had come undone during the race.
Sachem’s All-County trio of Elise Ramirez (21:12), Mackenzie Coleman (21:12) and Gabriella Mott (21:26) led the way for Sachem. Krista Goodman (21:45), Kaitlyn Licata (22:03), Samantha Giambrone (22:03) and Amanda Carlson (22:10) rounded out Top 7 scoring for Sachem. Rookie freshmen moved up to the 5K distance after running frosh courses for over the first three meets of the season. They did so with great success. Nicole Batinsey (24:00) led the frosh squad with Gia Carr (24:03) right behind. They were followed by Kaitlyn Safina (25:07), Kelsey Flynn (27:08) and Caitlyn Sinram (28:21).
At the conclusion of the meet, several team members had a happy reunion with Pete Hawkins. Pete is a professional wheelchair athlete that many Sachem and other local runners have gotten to know from his work at The Running School cross country camp. “What do you call Pete?” asked Coach Young to Running School veterans after introducing Pete to the entire team following the race. “Mom!” answered all standing with Pete and exchanging greetings and running updates. Thanks to Pete as he cheered for all runners on the course today.
After another loop around Belmont Lake as a team warm-down, Sachem boarded the team bus and dealt with heavy rush hour traffic and delays caused by two lane closures (car accident) on the way back to North. Sachem travels to its third state park in three meets for Suffolk Coaches Invitational held at Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday.