Holly Lindoe Wins National Racewalk Championship

Sachem East senior Holly Lindoe won the 1-Mile Racewalk at the New Balance National Indoor Championships on Saturday at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan.

Executing a perfect race plan, Lindoe maintained a position between 3rd and 5th for much of the race, entering pursuit mode in the last 3 laps where she began to steadily gain on the leaders.

With 300 meters to go, having moved into second place, Lindoe began her charge, though she was still trailing race leader Katie Kang of Townsend Harris by 20 meters. From there it was all guts, with Lindoe finally pulling within striking distance on the final straightaway, and then charging to nip Kang at the line, 7:26.07 to 7:26.42.

"I just saw it and went for it!" gushed an excited Lindoe after the race. "I'm ecstatic!"

Lindoe's performance capped an exciting weekend for Sachem East, as the two relays and six individuals competing all represented Sachem with class.

Seniors Val Auciello (8:37.31) and Sarah LaPorta (8:39.78) placed 31st and 32nd, repectively, also competing in the 1-Mile Racewalk. Senior Diamond Jackson (35'1.25") placed 20th in the Emerging Elite Shot Put. Brittany Sepe (37'9.5") and Taylor Kern (36'2") both threw personal bests to grab 16th and 22nd in the Emerging Elite 20 Pound Weight Throw. Long Island Champion Gabby Trejo competed in the Championship Weight Throw, placing 26th with a heave of 42'7".

Sachem East's Sprint Medley Relay team of Essence Sterling, Ashley Mercado, Allyson Figalora, and Laurie Semetsis placed 28th with a season best 4:24.30, and the Shuttle Hurdle Relay team of Shannon Haberkorn, Paige Picascio, Katy Sullivan, and Dana Tyner set a new school record, placing 19th in a time of 36.13 that ranks them 4th in New York State.

Sachem North Girls also posted some outstanding performances. Sprinter Melissa Michels placed 27th in the 60 Meter Dash with an outstanding 7.95 clocking. And in the 1-Mile Racewalk, Natalie DeQuarto placed 9th (7:52.07) while Katie Michta earned All-American status with her 4th place finish (7:32.84), just 6 seconds behind winner Holly Lindoe of Sachem East.

This article was submitted by Pete McNeill.