Girls Track At State Qualifiers

Catherine Cafaro hands to Taryn Schmelzinger.

Garden City qualified 8 runners to send to the NY State Championship meet in Buffalo that runs today and tomorrow - the best representation of any Nassau team. The girls are led by Emily Menges who qualified with outstanding times in 3 events - the 800 meter, the 4x400 and the 4x800 relays. Joining Emily on the 4x400 relay team are Catherine Cafaro, Taryn Schmelzinger and Brooke Senken. While on the 4x800 she is joined by Aoi Nishamura, Jenna DeAngelo and Maddie Adams. And last but not least, the eight Trojan to qualify is Michelle Rotondo, who easily outdistanced the field for the pentathlon victory and a trip to Buffalo as the Nassau County representative.

Several girls ran last Saturday in an attempt to better their seed for the National meet next week in the sprint medley relay. In unbearable heat, the foursome of Brooke Senken, Catherine Cafaro, Taryn Schmelzinger and Emily Menges not only improved their time but set a new school record by running an amazing 4:06 - the third best time in NY state and 10th best in the country this season. In the 400 meter hurdles, Michelle Rotondo was chasing the school record and barely missed the mark by one tenth of a second, but did take first with a personal best of 65 seconds.

Brooke Senken in the sprint medley relay record setter.

Lastly, there was an omission from last weeks article - Katie Reilly was a member of the winning 4x100 relay team and crowned County Champion. Sorry about that Katie!

Michelle Rotondo glides over the hurdle. Emily Menges battles to qualify in the 800. Record Setters: Emily Menges, Brooke Senken, Catherine Cafaro and Taryn Schmelzinger