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DyeStat.com – News – New York Prep Standout Zariel Macchia Excited to Race Against Elite Professionals at USATF 10km Road Championships

DyeStat.com - News - New York Prep Standout Zariel Macchia Excited to Race Against Elite Professionals at USATF 10km Road Championships

Reigning USATF U20 cross country champion and Nike Indoor Nationals 2-mile winner looks forward to challenge of competing over longer distance with annual road race in Northport showcasing several impressive American athletes

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Following a freshman year when she won the women’s 6-kilometer title at the USATF U20 Cross Country Championships, after earning All-America honors at the Eastbay National Championships, the ambitions of William Floyd High sophomore and New York prep standout Zariel Macchia are only increasing this season.

For Macchia, it appears the longer the race and the higher level of experience among the field of competitors, the more she enjoys the opportunity, and Saturday will provide another significant showcase in her young career racing against elite professional athletes in the USATF 10km Road Championships Presented by Toyota, as part of the annual Great Cow Harbor 10km Run held in nearby Northport, N.Y.

“We wanted to give her an opportunity to run with a fast group as she has fewer competitors that can push her pace or help her hold a solid pace for an extended period of time,” said Pete Macchia, Zariel’s father.

“We were thinking of traveling to get to a race with a fast pack, so once we realized we had a USA Championship 10K on our Island, it made sense to register for the event.”

Macchia, 15, prevailed against several college freshmen in January in San Diego when she won the 6-kilometer cross country title in 22:50 at Mission Bay Park in San Diego. She was also the highest-placing ninth-grader among the three freshman female athletes that qualified for the Eastbay Championships, placing 12th overall in 17:43.3 on the 5-kilometer layout in December at Balboa Park’s Morley Field, also in San Diego.

So the opportunity for Macchia to challenge herself over the 10-kilometer distance appears to be an ideal next step in the progression for the reigning Nike Indoor Nationals 2-mile champion.

“I have been adding some more distance runs to my training as my coaches think my base is strong from a few years of consistent low-intensity training,” Zariel Macchia said. “I feel that the longer I race, the stronger I get, so the 10k would be a lot of fun to race the whole way.”

A trio of athletes who competed in the women’s 10-kilometer race at the USATF Cross Country Championships will also be participating Saturday in New York, with Stephanie Bruce, Carrie Verdon and Amy Davis all placing in…

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