After finishing second at last year’s Suffolk County Championship, and with most of last year’s scorers returning, the stage has been set for a “run” at this season’s County Title. A balanced blend of veteran team members and promising newcomers will be facing some of the best programs in New York State, with Bayshore and Sachem North among those expected to be in the Championship mix. If early season results from crossover meets and invitationals at the Ocean Breeze complex are any indication,the East Arrows definitely have a shot to pull out the win this year.
With the Cross Country team ending it’s fall campaign as the fourth ranked team in New York State, the events from 600 meters on up will be very well covered. All-State athletes Kaylie Wessberg, Ciara Murphy, Jill Manfredi, Alex DeCicco, and Val Romero will be leading the charge, with Tiffany Ly, Lindsey Dodenhoff, Shayna Arrigo, Rachel Ruggiero, Caitlin O’Hehir, Rachel Semetsis, Karli Murphy, and Kaitlin Veigl right on their heels. Racewalk specialists include All-American Lauren Harris and National-Qualifiers Chelsea Benedict, Arianna Cavallino, and Anna Arrigo, but look for Sam Delano, Alex Bergen, and Haylie DiCarlo to also be among the County’s best.
The events from 400 on down feature many seasoned veterans, but should be supplemented by some talented newcomers. Seniors Sam LoCascio, Lauren Alburg, Kerstyn Ciulla, and Shelby Trentini provide both speed and leadership, with Angela Calabrese, Alice Tsai, Judy Le, and Kaitlyn Famiglietti already making their mark.
Newcomers to the Sachem East Track program that could contribute come Championship season number close to a dozen, with the sprinter/jumper group the most likely to be positively impacted. Among that dozen or so, Brooke Papele and Skylar Papele have already stepped up, with Kelly Johnson, Stephanie Panowich, Julianna Mercado, Jasmine Ahmed, and Jeilyn Balbuena among those already showing promise.
The Hurdlers are led by All-League performers Rebecca Carroll and Dana Tyner, with Stephanie Kwong and Jordan Messineo both experienced veterans that could score in the League Championships. Throwers are led by 2015 League I Shot Put Champion Amanda Fitzgerald, with Erin Leonard, Christina Artusa, Ashley Accardi, Aliya Martin, and Siobhan Walsh all threats in both the Shot Put and Weight Throw.
With seniors dominating the Long and Triple Jumps, a challenge for this year’s team will be to continue to develop the underclassmen. Rebecca Carroll leads the Triple Jump crew while Dana Tyner and Kerstyn Ciulla are the standout Long Jumpers. Pole Vault leaders are All-State Kerstyn Ciulla and All-County Jordan Messineo, with sophomore Kaitlyn Famiglietti already on the verge of breaking into the County elite.
Seniors Kristen Heuschneider and Alex Giambanco lead the High Jump squad. As in the horizontal jumps, their challenge will be to not only score points in the Championship season, but to pass the torch by grooming the younger athletes.
In addition to crossover meets and invitationals at Suffolk West, the team will be traveling to high level invitationals at the Armory in New York City and the Ocean Breeze Complex on Staten Island. Preparation for the Championship season includes the overnight trips to the Rhode Island Classic and the Yale Invitational. The State Meet will again be held at Cornell University in upstate Ithaca.
-Submitted by the Sachem East coaching staff