Undefeated East Girls Track a Win Away From League Title

The Sachem East Girls Track and Field team continued its winning ways with a 95-55 win over Lindenhurst on Wednesday with only next week's home finale against Ward Melville standing in the way of going undefeated and taking the League II title.

The team is currently in transition to the championship portion of the season and has begun to up the ante at major Invitationals, highlighted by action at the Joe Brandi Relays and the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

At the Joe Brandi Relays the quartet of Shannon Haberkorn, Essence Sterling, Jess Tracy and Rachel Paul broke the school record in the Sprint Medley Relay, clocking 1:57.1. Turning in wins in the 30 team field were the Mile Medley Relay of Jayda Allen, Ally Figalora, Sterling and Paul, and the Shot Put Relay of Brittany Sepe and Diamond Jackson.

At the Penn Relays, attended by over 1000 high schools from nine nations, the Sachem East squad of Melanie Notarstefano, Ally Figalora, Laurie Semetsis, and Rachel Paul placed 14th in the Championship of America Distance Medley Relay (12:27.50). Not to be outdone, Racewalkers Kelly Maranchuck, Holly Lindoe, and Sarah LaPorta all recorded lifetime bests to place 3rd, 4th, and 7th in the High School Girls 5000 Meter Racewalk, with Coach Jenna Monahan placing an impressive 8th in the Olympic Development Race!

The team's win over Lindenhurst was highlighted by a number of outstanding performances with the usual cast of Nicole Silvestre, Melanie Notarstefano, Essence Sterling, Rachel Paul, Brittany Sepe, Diamond Jackson, Gabby Trejo, and the whole Racewalk crew doing their usual point scoring.

What made this meet different was the creative line-up drawn up by Coach Dan Schaub. " We were able to change things up a little to put some pressure on our developing talent" remarked Coach Schaub when discussing the assignments ."It all worked out really well!"

A number of girls had stand out performances including Shannon Haberkorn who won both the 100 Hurdle and 400 Hurdles, and Jayda Allen who took 1st in the 800. The trio of Christina Schretzman, Maddy Egan, and Kathryn Sutherland swept the High Jump and Meg Murphy grabbed 2nd in the 400 Hurdles.

Amanda Zaput continued her return to form as both she and Gabby D'Angelis Pole Vaulted 8 feet with Kaitlin Mott earning 3rd place with a 7 foot clearance. Other highlights included Val Auciello's 7:57.9 in the 1500 Meter Racewalk, Brenna McGuires 2nd place finish in the 3000, and the return to competition of Ebonie Lewis, who ran a very solid 100 Meters in her first outing. And Shannon O'Hehir and Kaitlin DiMartino impressed with outstanding doubles as did Frosh Kaitlyn Raftice in the Shot Put.

The girls will be competing in the Saint Anthony's Invitational this weekend and then conclude their dual meet season against Ward Melville on Tuesday May 8 on the Sachem East track. This will be the last chance to see this outstanding group of seniors compete on their home track, so be there at 4 p.m. if you want to see some of New York's best put on a show!

Article courtesy of Pete McNeill, Sachem East girls track coach

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