The Staten Island Road Racing/Bill Welsh Triple Crown Awards Brunch, sponsored by the S.I.T.R.A.C., was held at the Staaten in West Brighton on Sunday to commemorate Triple Crown winners Dave Michaels and Sahar Victoria Vitale.
Based on placing and wins, the two earned the most points in the Michael’s Cause Run, Firecracker 3 Miler, and Ollis Run.
Despite battling ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel ailment that was meant to ruin her running career, Sahar managed to win her fourth Triple Crown as the McKee/Staten Island Tech runner.
However, Sahar’s physicians were unaware of her perseverance and tenacity, and she didn’t want Sunday to go by without acknowledging those particular individuals who have contributed to her career as a runner in the essay she wrote below.
This is the entire essay:
George Kochman was a beloved person whose influence spanned generations of athletes and will be greatly missed. The Staten Island running community recently grieved his passing. George was a regular at local road events, usually bringing his notepad and a supportive remark. I had the honor of knowing him. After innumerable races, George interviewed me; his insightful inquiries and sincere interest in our tales were clear. He had an unmatched enthusiasm for the game and a commitment to showcasing Staten Island athletes’ accomplishments. George’s encouragement and support played a big role in my journey, adding to the significance of every accomplishment.
My early track career was filled with many successes, including three Triple Crown titles in a succession. The fact that my dad, Rich, was my coach added even more specialness to these occasions. He taught me to aim for greatness, which is a philosophy that carries over off the track. He used to say, “Be the best at whatever you do,” and I adopted those words as my motto. My competitive spirit always came through, whether it was in school, track, or even just a friendly game with my family.
Sahar Victoria Vitale, the Island runner, had to recover from a recent illness in order to win the female Triple Crown. (Image provided by Rich Vitale.)Vitale Rich
But I began to suffer from severe symptoms like exhaustion, unbearable stomach discomfort, and an inability to complete workouts. The ongoing soreness made it difficult for me to concentrate in class. Hospitalizations and treatments caused a physical and psychological toll, and my performance times fell. No doctor knew what was wrong for a while. Ultimately, my father contacted Maimonides Medical Center’s top specialist, Dr. (Graciela) Wetzler. They eventually received a diagnosis following two weeks in the hospital: Ulcerative Colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition that results in ulcers and chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. They said I would have to give up track if I wanted to recover. My entire world seemed to have fallen apart. It was strange not to run. My dad offered me the option to leave when I was at my lowest: No one would hold it against you. Or you can put in more effort than ever before and get back on the track. “I don’t know how to quit,” I said, having been raised to never give up.
I started to restore my strength with the help and guidance of MSIT’s boys track squad, who were also mindful of my sickness. I also began training with Ocean Breeze WaveRunners coach Stephen (McLean) as my recuperation advanced. His knowledge has helped me regain my form and push myself to new heights, which has been crucial to my growth in high school track. In addition to giving me mental toughness, training with these teams gave me a sense of belonging and purpose at my darkest moments.
My times and personal records are only the beginning of my difficult journey. Every run has been a step toward regaining my position in the sport as my colitis has progressed into remission. As evidence of my tenacity and commitment, I was recently honored to become a four-time Triple Crown Champion on Staten Island.
Victoria Pontecorvo has been an inspiration to me throughout my career. Her willpower and running accomplishments, along with her desire to practice law, have really motivated me. It was always thrilling to see her compete in the Triple Crown races, and her influence has influenced my own goals. Just as Victoria motivated me on the track and in life, I want to motivate the next generation of Staten Island runners.
To sum up, my experience in track and field has been a tribute to perseverance, diligence, and the encouragement of people who have faith in me. I am inspired to keep succeeding and motivating others as I look to the future by the legacy of role models like Victoria Pontecorvo and mentors like George Kochman.
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BELL LAP: The Service Award was given to Steve Zimmermann, the race director of the annual Lou Marli Run and a fine man in general. In the meantime, the George Kochman Spirit of the Sport Award went to McKee/Staten Island Tech coach and SIHSTFA board member. Jack Minogue, a former sportswriter and columnist for the Staten Island Advance, won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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