Macchia places 10th at Foot Locker Nationals

With just one race left on the High School Cross Country calendar for 2023, William Floyd’s superstar distance runner Zariel Macchia toed the line at the historic Balboa Park in San Diego, California on December 9th with a chance at history as she sought to become the first Long Island female to win the historic event.

Macchia, who is a resident of Mastic Beach, did unfortunately fall short of her goal of winning the race but she still came away as an All-American as she finished in 10th place and was the second non-senior in the race.

Despite the 10th place finish being the worst of her junior season and worse than her 6th place finish as a sophomore, the William Floyd Colonial ran tough in the most competitive field of distance runners the country has to offer.

Zariel Macchia during her Pre Race Introduction at Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals Milesplit

Her finishing time was “I thought I ran well today.” said Macchia following her race at Foot Locker Nationals. “It was definitely very tough out there. I got out hard – which is what I like to do – but it was a very hard course and it was very hot today. I’m proud of my effort today, top 10 and All American is something I am very proud of. The harder the race is, the prouder I am with my efforts and I left it all out there today.”

Macchia is now expected to take some down time around the holidays before resuming her training and beginning her indoor track season with the hopes of winning yet another state title while chasing down a national title before her senior year begins next fall.