Long Island track star Zariel Macchia wins state title after victorious battle in court

Not only did Zariel Macchia win in court, but she also conquered the track.The William Floyd High School track star captured her seventh career New York state championship on Saturday at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island.The BYU-bound star — who won her eligibility battle earlier this week — shined in her opportunity, winning the 3,000 meters en route to her second career indoor track state title with a time of 9:21.73.In addition to her win in the 3,000, the Olympic hopeful also ran the anchor leg of Suffolk’s intersectional relay, leading William Floyd to victory in 10:02.06.She also recorded a third-place finish in the girls’ 1,000-meter individual run.Macchia’s victory came after she was initially deemed ineligible for the remainder of the indoor season for violating the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s “College Rule” when she ran in the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational against 45 collegiate athletes.The senior and her family filed a lawsuit against the NYSPHSAA this week Macchia reinstated.Following a two-day emergency hearing, Judge Christopher Modelewski ultimately allowed Macchia to participate in the championships.Modelewski ruled the NYSPHSAA was “required to permit” Macchia to partake in this weekend’s events, court papers obtained by The Post show.“I was relieved at first,” Macchia told The Post earlier this week after the court ruled in her favor.

“Just knowing that I have so many people who want to see me do well, it is definitely a lot of motivation to compete well on Saturday.”...