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Sports

2010-11 Preview: Sachem East Boys Winter Track

A new coach looks toward new horizons for East's growing winter program.

A confluence of positives - cross country runners looking to continue training with a different regimen, no debilitating losses to graduation, a head new coach looking to translate past success from the girls program, and a crew of tried-and-true assistants from seasons' past all united in their determination to win - should help guide the Arrows' flight through to the postseason.

Last season's record: 6th in League II championship meet, 12th in the county championship meet

Coaches: First-year head coach Scott Kudrick has switched over from his three-year coaching post for the girls, where highlights included a League championship title and two second-place finishes. Assistant coaches Dave Caputo and Nick Codispodi, both fixtures of North's football coaching staff and four-year veterans of East's boys team, rejoin. 

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Speaking to their work in building on North's football pedigree, Kudrick praised both men for their coaching style. "They are intense coaches that expect a lot from their athletes," he said. 

Top athletes: Alex Saavedra's time of 9:38.94 in the 3,200-meter run last year qualified him for states. He in addition to teammate Philip Roscona, have shown themselves to be standouts in the 1,600-meter run as well: Saavedra clocked in at 4:28.34, Roscona timed 4:34.24 last spring. Both senior shotputter Lucas Brum and high jumper Gregory Markfelder - who went 6'2" in the spring - were also said by Kudrick to have state potential.

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In addition, some select newcomers have drawn Kudrick's attention in jumping events. Sam Bresloff has gone 17'6" in the long jump, and Vincent Oliveto's current high jump measures 5'9". Bresloff, also a likely asset in the 55-meter dash, has timed 7.1 seconds.

"These two athletes have potential to help us right away," said Kudrick.

Expectations: Up to over 100 athletes over the previous involvement of 65 last winter, an infusion of new energy marks the outset of East's season - not losing main scorers to graduation helps retain its veteran talent, combined with a strong middle school program, are definite pluses in East's column. 

On top of that, the cross country runners involving themselves bring the enthusiasm and drive of a very solid season with them, fresh off a League II title and third place for the county. Many had opted to train on their own last season, but spurred by this recent growth, Kudrick said he excited to work with the well-disciplined recruits. Concerning postseason prospects, Kudrick said the team is gunning for top four in league, as well as top six in the county.

A new rule drafted by Section XI this season decrees that no more than 80 athletes per team per meet. Kudrick didn't object to the change, believing it will foster a more competitive atmosphere.

Key meets: 

  •  East @ Armory, Marine Corps Holiday Classic, Dec. 27, 9 a.m.
  •  East @ Armory, Hispanic Games, Jan. 8, 12 p.m.
  •  East @ SCCC Western Campus (Brentwood), Jan. 15, 9 a.m.
  •  East @ Armory, New Balance Games, Jan. 22, 9 a.m.
  •  East @ State Qualifier, SCCC Western Campus (Brentwood), Feb. 12, 11 a.m.

Meets at the Armory (the Marine Corps Holiday Classic, the New Balance Games and the Hispanic Games) will let East test itself against a state-wide swath of top-tier talent, as the team pushes for its best seed times leading up to the State Qualifier. 

The freshman/sophomore meet at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk Community College will also be important in gauging the team's performance in upcoming seasons, said Kudrick. "It allows us to see the future talent and how we stack up with other schools."

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