Sacred Heart track is favorite at All-Catholics
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sacred Heart hasn't lost an outdoor track meet in the Monsignor Martin Association, counting All-Catholics, in almost four years. And judging by the scores the Sharks have posted during the regular season, they're an odds-on favorite to take first place once again at All-Catholics which are held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 at John F. Kennedy High School.

Sacred Heart went 4-0 this season and dominated their competition, defeating Nardin, its traditionally toughest opponent, 68-37, on Thursday, April 26, as well as beating Holy Angels, 82-23, on Tuesday, May 1, Mount Mercy, 86-19 on Tuesday, May 8, and 82-23 over Mount St. Mary's on Thursday, May 10.

"The girls have done more than we expected," said Sacred Heart coach Rod Sarkovics. "They're a solid team. They're talented and hard-working, but I push them."

The Sharks are so good this year because they have no weaknesses. The shot put and discus, weaknesses for past Sacred Heart teams, has been solidified by Liz Tramposch and Gina Ricotta. Sarkovics said both have generally placed first and second in the shot put and discus throughout the season and should do well at All-Catholics.

Other members from the Sharks to look out for at All-Catholics are Melissa Naab in the 100- and 200-meters, Kerry Hurley in the 3000 and Brittany Gibbons and Anna Ministero in the 1500. The 4x100-meter relay of Melissa Federice, Natalie Coppola, Alycia Pontello and Naab has gone undefeated.

Twin sisters Jackie and Jenna Piecuch are two other competitors to watch. Jackie will run the 400 with Federice and long jump with Coppola. Jenna will run the 800 with Liz Subjeck. Both have already made MMA standard times in events to qualify for the New York State Catholic Championships on Saturday, May 19 at Randall's Island in New York City. Jackie Piecuch has qualified in the long jump, 400, 800, and 1500. Jenna Piecuch will join Kerry Hurley, Subjeck and Brittany Gibbons in the 4x800. Others from the team who have qualified for Randall's Island are Naab (100), Coppola (long jump), and Gibbons (1500). Hurley missed qualifying in the 1500 by two seconds.

Any girl who wins an event at All-Catholics automatically qualifies to compete on Saturday. Winners on Saturday will compete in the Federation race June 9-10 at St. Lawrence University.

The rest of Sarkovics' lineup for All-Catholics are Naab, Coppola and Alex Skomra in the 100 and 200, Ministero and Gibbons in the 1500, Hurley and Kim Patterson in the 3000, and Subjeck, Gibbons, Jackie Piecuch and Stephanie Smith in the 4x400 relay.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com