Zariel Macchia Wins Girls Race After Finishing Second Twice; Joe Barrett Leads Colts To Dominant Win; Tatnall DE Scores 26 Points

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

PHOTOS By John Nepolitan

Zariel Macchia finished twice in the Eastern States girls championship race at the Manhattan Invitational. 

On Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, the junior from William Floyd NY finally pulled into the winner's circle after winning the 2.5-mile race in 14:10.3.

Macchia, who finished behind Karrie Baloga the past two years, enjoyed an 18-second margin of victory over Tatnall School DE's Abby Downin. Her time is the 20th-fastest in meet history. 

Downin, a sophomore, couldn't have been too upset. She led a 2-3-5-8-13 team finish that gave Tatnall the team championship with 26 points. That's one of the lowest scores in meet history. Fayetteville-Manlius NY scored 22 points in 2009 and 2017.

In addition to Downin, Tatnall's Katie Payne (third), Ruby Schwelm (fifth), Carlita Kaliher (eighth) and Katrina Endres were part of the historic performance in wet conditions, giving Tatnall its first Eastern States title since 2012.

In the Boys Eastern States race, Joe Barrett led No. 3 Christian Brothers Academy NJ to the team victory with 51 points. It was the Colts' 19th Eastern States victory. 

Barrett ran 12:13.6 to match the 14th-fastest time in meet history. His time is a CBA record at Van Cortlandt Park.

He led a 1-9-11-14-16 scoring combination as the Colts put all five scorers across the finish line in less than 13 minutes. 

Even Fayetteville-Manlius' record-breaking five-man average of 12:32.76 included a 13:00.0 for that team's fifth scorer.

CBA's 12:44.2 average is No. 2 in meet history. 

Alex Kemp, Conor Clifford, Alex Mastroly and Wyatt Falkowski all finished in the top 20 of the raw scoring. 

La Salle College of Pennsylvania finished second with 128 points. 

Peyton Shute of Coop-Gateway/Woodbury NJ was second in the race in 12:18.1 and Steven Hergenrother of Ridgefield CT was third in 12:24.5.