Wm. Floyd’s Zariel Macchia Earns Bronze Medal

William Floyd’s Zariel Macchia’s summer vacation is going to be one she will never forget as she continues to add to her impressive accolades on the track.

Instead of taking some down time after High School Nationals and gearing up for the upcoming cross country season, Macchia continued her outdoor track season by competing at the U20 PanAmerican games in Puerto Rico during the weekend of August 5th and 6th.

Macchia would represent the United States in the 3000 meter run and the field consisted of the best high school, collegiate, and – in some instances – professional talent that North and South America have to offer.

The rising junior had a historic performance at Jose A. Figueroa Freire Stadium in Puerto Rico as she would run a blistering time of 9:52.40 over the nearly 2 mile race while claiming the bronze medal in the U20 division.

Macchia has been one of the most decorated Long Island distance runners of all time and she still has two years of eligibility left. She previously represented team USA during the World Cross Country Championships in Australia this past February as she teamed up with other elite high school and collegiate runners and helped the United States to a third place team finish.

Outside of her competition record, Zariel was recently recognized as one of the top high school athletes in the nation as she was selected to be part of the newly founded Nike Elite Program.

According to Runnerspace, the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) in partnership with USA Track & Field created a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to provide support for the top United States high school track and field athletes, helping fuel the next generation of the sport to reach their goals and potential.

“Each athlete will work with a Nike mentor for holistic support and guidance and have touchpoints with Nike’s professional athletes to learn and hear from the world’s best.” reads the mission statement to the Nike Elite Program. “Nike will also equip the program’s athletes with the brand’s leading footwear and apparel innovations for training and competition. Additionally, athletes will receive support to compete in key events throughout the year, including Nike Indoor Nationals, Nike Outdoor Nationals, NSAF “select” events such as the Millrose Games, Oregon Relays, Arcadia and Mt. SAC Invitationals, and USATF U20 Championships.”

The program is extremely exclusive as just 40 high school track and field athletes this year – 20 male and 20 female – will be supported by the program each year.

Macchia will work with Nike this summer and she will be able to communicate with the brand’s professional athletes to learn and hear about their experiences in track and field.

Along with the opportunity to get advice from some of the country’s most elite athletes, she will also be equipped with Nike’s brand-leading footwear and apparel for training and competitions, and will have the opportunity to compete in key Nike-sponsored events throughout the year - including Nike’s Indoor & Outdoor Nationals.

While she is extremely successful on the track, Macchia has been just as impressive when it comes to her work in the classroom as well.

“Zariel’s success is not limited to the track, as she was recently accepted into the Rising STEM Scholars Program at Brookhaven National Laboratory,” said a press release from William Floyd High School’s Public Relations department that was obtained by the South Shore Press, “After earning the top score on all of her advanced placement exams last school year, Zariel impressed members of the staff and earned an invitation to apply!”

Macchia is the reigning New York State Class A State Champion in Cross Country and she will be the heavy favorite to repeat as Section XI and State Champion for the remaining two years of high school sports eligibility she has left.