The fourth annual Dezy Strong Run took place at Sachem North on Friday, Oct. 25. Cross country teams from Sagamore, Samoset and Seneca competed in a 1.65-mile race around the North campus. Parents, spectators, coaches and athletes enjoyed the weather, the competition and the sportsmanship between the three middle schools.

The race was created in 2021 to honor the late Matt “Dezy” DiStefano, his family and the Dezy Strong Foundation. Matt was a proud teacher and coach in Sachem who battled every day until the very end. His motto, “WE GET TO” has inspired all of us in the Sachem community as well as other districts across Long Island.  

The Samoset cross country team was able to win both races and ultimately, win the meet.

Top 3 Girls

Leah Nowakowski – Samoset

Sophia Ariza – Seneca

Breana Anderson – Samoset

Top 3 Boys

Andrew Bitz – Samoset

Ethen Espinal – Sagamore

Gavin Hogan – Sagamore

“When people find out they have cancer, they think their life is over. For me, it's different. For me, it's the beginning of something special in life. A life in which I can help others change their way of mentally approaching the disease, learning to be a warrior, a fighter, and have hope.  I prefer to say that I am going to conquer this disease. I will control it, rather than have it control me.  This is why I founded the DezyStrong Foundation.  To help others stay positive, control their mindset, and most of all - keep grinding DezyStrong style!

- Matthew "Dezy" DiStefano

Last month, Team Sagamore participated in the 23rd annual Tunnel to Towers run, retracing the final footsteps of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller on Sept. 11, 2001. The event raises funds and pays tribute to the thousands who were impacted by 9/11, including the first responders and civilians who lost their lives, as well as those who suffer from 9/11-related illnesses and the service members who lost their lives in the Global War on Terror.

Team Sagamore, made up of team captain Vanessa Sullivan, April Ackerly-Dahn, Brooke Fallon, Dana Benic, Deborah Moore, Gillian Kolodny, Graceann Kieffer, Ken Parkinson, Lisa Abbondanza, Taylor Ahrem, Meghan Rossi and JoAnn Spatola, raised more than $7,000 this year to support the cause.

Date Added: 10/29/2024

“Jeff Stone was a Sachem teacher and coach for track and cross country,” Seneca Cross Country Coach Heidi Michta said. “In a quote by another prominent runner and coach lost too soon in Sachem, Charlie Johnson, ‘Mr. Stone was a major influence in the growth of the running programs here at Sachem. His knowledge, guidance and encouraging words will be missed, but not forgotten.’”

“Sachem has a fine lineage of runners that stems back decades,” Sachem East Boys Cross Country Coach Joe Orenzo said. “The Jeff Stone run is one of Sachem's finest traditions and one that fosters a love of running, competition and sportsmanship. Some of our best and strongest county and state runners got their start by running in the Jeff Stone meet.”

Congratulations to the Top 10 finishers:

Top 10 Boys

1. Ethan Espinal – Sagamore
2. Andrew Bitz – Samoset
3. Gavin Hogan – Sagamore
4. Max Villatoro – Samoset
5. Jacob Minicozzi – Seneca
6. John Dransite – Samoset
7. Kyle Gaynor – Sagamore
8. Carl Weinfeld – Samoset   
9. Aidan Seecharan – Seneca 
10. John Woods – Samoset

Top 10 Girls 

1. Leah Nowakowski – Seneca
2. Sophia Ariza – Seneca
3. Briana Anderson – Samoset
4. Eileen Roa – Sagamore
5. Scarlett Bartoszak – Sagamore
6. Jasmine Chocano – Sagamore
7. Andrea Minville – Seneca
8. Jeneve Collins – Seneca
9. Sierra Leath – Samoset
10. Debra Pascale – Seneca

Team Scores

1. Samoset 38
2. Sagamore 42
3. Seneca 43

Click here to view the Jeff Stone Memorial Cross Country Run slideshow.

Date Added: 10/8/2024