Another Record Setter For Girls Track

The 4x400 relay - Victoria, Jenna, Taryn and Tara

The varsity track team took another trip to the Manhattan Armory last Saturday to run in the prestigious New Balance Games. And they continued their assault on the Garden City record books, as well as the national rankings.

Coach Erica Fregosi had hoped that the 4x800 relay team could lower their season best and get a national qualifying time at this meet. And she wasn't disappointed. Not just settling for a qualifying time, the foursome of Emily Menges, Michelle Rotondo, Brooke Senken and Maddie Adams (running in that order) produced the second best time in the country this season with a time of 9:11.51. And besides being #2 in the nation, they have the fastest time in NY state this season, and now own the Nassau County record. Oh, they also broke the GC school record. Garden City now has 3 relay teams, as well as Maddie and Emily in individual events, qualified for the Nike Nationals in Maryland in March. Not bad for a school that is supposedly known for other sports.

4x800 relay smiles proudly (l to r): Michelle, Brooke, Maddie and Emily.

Prior to the relays, in the high school girl's invitational mile, Maddie Adams took fourth place in a race that saw winner Kristen Reese from Carmel run the fastest mile in the country this year. Maddie helped set the pace and still maintains one of the top 10 miles in the country so far this season.

Competing against some amazing talent at the New Balance games, the girls also produced some terrific finishes in the 4x400, the sprint medley relay and the triple jump relay. The 4x400 team of Taryn Schmelzinger, Tara Mahon, Jenna DeAngelo and Victoria Chimento ran a 4:13.39, while the sprint medley group of Laura Martens, Lauren 'Stick' Williams, Katie Reilly and Liz Slattery ran a 4:23.07. Then in the triple jump relay, Lauren Williams and Laura Martens combined for a distance of 60 feet.

The girls will now take a brief break from competition (concentrating on their studies this past week) until the Conference Championships on Monday, February 4th and then Class Counties on February 9th.

Lauren 'Stick' Williams triple jump leap.

Liz Slattery anchors the sprint medley relay. Maddie Adams anchors the US #2 4x800. Brooke Senken with great form for the third leg. Emily Menges leads the first leg of the 4x800. Michelle Rotondo running an effortless second leg.