The Girls High School Varsity Track team is back for another exciting indoor season and looking stronger than ever. The girls are taking aim at a fourth consecutive Indoor County Championship and appear to have the talent and depth necessary to make it happen. Coach Erica Fregosi’s outlook for this season - ‘It’s going to be a lot of fun watching them race and watching them find so much success!’ The possibilities are limitless for the group from the seniors down to the 7th graders.

The preparation for the season got underway for many of the runners right as they were coming off of either a lengthy Fall soccer, swim or cross country season. But that did not stop the girls from stepping on the track for some of the toughest pre-season training of any sport. Coaches Fregosi, Skrivanek and Lucas work the girls 6 days a week, not only on their endurance but also on their speed, strength and agility. So if you think running track equates to a jog around the track, I suggest you think again.

The first test for the team was the Nassau Coaches Invitational at the 165th Armory last Friday night and the girls did not disappoint. The meet gave the coaches a chance to see how the newcomers to the team would compete in a meet, as well as how the returnees are shaping up for the season. Being the first meet of the season the times are not as important as form or race strategy (yes, there is a strategy to running a race).

Leading the early charge were Jenna D’Angelo and Taylor Hennig in the invitational 1000m - and they started the year off fine, with a second and fourth place finish. In the 55m hurdles it was Michelle Rotondo dominating the race with a personal best of 9.0 to finish first, and Taryn Schmelzinger taking third in her first 55m hurdles race ever. Taryn also put in a good first effort in the high jump with a top mark of 4’6”.

The remainder of the meet was left to the relays, and the Trojans gave notice to the rest of the field with some terrific performances. In the Open Division it was the distance medley of Emma Gallagher, Catherine Cafaro, Katie O’Neill & Jennifer Gerland taking first place, the 4x200 relay of Dana Famiglietti, Laura Jaeger, Victoria Chimento & Jenna DeAngelo took 4th place and the long jump relay also took 4th with Taylor Hennig, Dana Famiglietti & Emily Spain jumping.

The real dominating performances were in the Freshman and Sophmore relays where the youth and depth of the GC girls really showed their form. The foursome of Alexis Yeboah-Kode, Kristen Conboy, Sarah Rubino & Tara DeAngelo took first place in the Sophmore 4x400, while the team of Courntey Studdert, Paulette Mochasi, Kelly Tierney & Laura Jaeger took first in the Freshman 4x400. Then in the 4x800 Freshman relay the GC teams battled for first and second place with the team of Emma Gallagher, Tara DeAngelo, Sarah Rubino & Katie O’Neill taking first and the group of Paulette Mochasi, Kristen Conboy, Liza Pittito & Kelly Tierney taking second.

Looking past the early meets and deeper into the season the GC girls have high hopes for Counties, States and Nationals - looking to qualify more than they ever have. Lofty goals for sure, but coach Erica Fregosi believes this group can produce phenomenal results. Seniors Emily Menges, Catherine Cafaro, Liz Weber and Victoria Chimento will set the tone, and along with junior veterans Michelle Rotondo and Taryn Schmelzinger, they will look to keep the young team motivated and focused as they all will add to their collection of accolades and championships.

In the Sprints, leading the way will be Taryn and Catherine in the 55 and 300m, Taylor in the 300 and Michelle in the 55m hurdles. Rounding out the depth and looking to score points will be Alexis, Carly and Laura.

A strength of past GC teams, the middle distance races, will again be where the Trojans will shine. In the 600 you will see anyone of Emily Menges, Jenna D’Angelo, Taylor Hennig or Michelle Rotondo taking first, with youngsters Katie O’Neill and Emma Gallagher right near the top of the pack. The 1000m will be dominated by Emily and Michelle as they hopefully look towards States, and again Katie and Emma running strong.

In the distance runs, the 1500m and 3000m, GC will have senior Emily and 7th grader Jen Gerland looking to score significant points, with Liz Weber, Emma and Liza Pittito also running some terrific times.

And in the relays the sky is the limit, as any combination of the above girls can produce amazing results. The 4x400, 4x800, Distance Medley and Sprint Medley relays will all look to turn in winning performances right through Nationals.

It may be tough to come out and spend a day watching this great team at a meet, but be sure to cheer them on if you happen to see them running or maybe walking down the street some day. Good luck girls on a great season.