Congratulations to the varsity boys and girls indoor track & field teams, who will be sending 16 athletes to the NYSPHSAA State and Federation Championships, to be hosted on Saturday, March 8 at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
Qualifiers in individual events and relays were selected by virtue of winning events at a section qualifying meet or having achieved a state standard performance.
Minisink Valley secured three outright event victories at the Section IX State Qualifier, with senior Samuel Anderson leading the way in the 600-meter run (1:18.99 – a school program record and #2 in New York State); junior Ella Michelitch topping the field in the high jump (5' 4"); and the girls 4x400 meter relay squad of Ferrah Hill, Lyla LaBarbera, Kaleigh Murphy, Salma Samdaoui and Zoey Terpak (4:02.18) outlasting rivals Monroe-Woodbury.
Also advancing to the state and federation championships, having previously established state standard marks, are the boys 4x400 meter relay team of Anderson, Robert LaBarbera, Jon Mausling, Angel Mendez and Benjamin Spevak (3:20.77); pole vaulters Logan Schupner (16' 0") and Delila Kronimus (12' 0"); and relay alternates Chloe Beck, Emma Berkshire, Tyler Cloidt, Logan Cohen, Kessler Hirsch and Jordan Mabra.
Minisink Valley will compete against athletes representing all 11 NYSPHSAA sections for state medals, as well as qualifiers from the AIS, CHSAA and PSAL for Federation podium positions.