Ella Masem, sophomore at Bellport High School, competed in the NYS Track and Field Championships at Ocean Breeze Arena in Staten Island on Saturday. With their toes on the line, ladies from every section in NYS were waiting for the gun to sound. Ella led the group of 12 around for five laps before handing off the baton to her section XI teammate. Holding the lead and were crowned state champions in the Intersectional Distance Medley Relay. Ella time of 3:02 for 1000 meters just a few seconds off her personal best of 3:00.3 that placed her 25th in NYS and 64th in the country, to go along with her all league, all county and now all state honor.

Ella burst onto the running scene this past cross country season. She turned in some fast times, earning herself a spot in the county championship. Coach Johnsen said, “She is a hard worker and a pleasure to coach.”  Her success doesn’t end on the track or cross-country course.  Ella is an honor student and active in a number of clubs such as: honor society, Italian, historian and Athletes helping others.  Ella will be honored this Wednesday at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook at the 2023 Suffolk County Winter Track County Dinner.  She will be accompanied by her family, coach Johnsen and coach Iadicicco whom are extremely proud of her accomplishments.