Congratulations to the boys 4x400 meter relay team of Robert LaBarbera, Jon Mausling, Benjamin Spevak and Samuel Anderson, who became the first Minisink Valley relay team to win the NYSPHSAA state and federation championship, and to high jumper Ella Michelitch, who also won the NYSPHSAA and federation high jump championship!
The 4x400 team won with a program record of 3:18.75. Ella won with her high jump of 5’ 8”.
"To have advanced the largest group of qualifiers in Section IX to the state meet made for a promising start," said Head Coach Todd Todd Derkacz. "And though we may not have thought we would achieve so much as a group, each and every athlete believed that we could, as individuals and as a team. That power of possibility reflects the trajectory of our varsity program, but also the momentum behind our modified teams and youth track and field programs. So to watch Minisink Valley athletes excel in so many disciplines and announce themselves on the state and federation stage is as humbling as it is exciting. Thank you to the athletes and their parents, to our tremendous coaching staff and to everyone in our schools and community who have lifted us to these heights."
In addition to anchoring the victorious 4x400 relay in both rounds, senior Samuel Anderson raced to state silver and federation fourth place in the 600-meter run.
Minisink Valley continued to build on its pole vault success with Logan Schupner increasing his program record to 16’ 3”, clinching state and federation silver, and Delila Kronimus clearing 11’ 6,” which earned her a state bronze and fourth in the federation.
In the girls’ 4x400 meter relay, the team of Kaleigh Murphy, Zoey Terpak, Lyla LaBarbera and Ferrah Hill combined for a sixth-place finish in the state final, while the quartet of Murphy, Terpak, Chloe Beck and Hill matched that finish in the federation championship.
"I couldn’t be prouder of this group," added Coach James Beck. "Watching them not only win a state championship in more than one event but bringing home a medal in every event we came for was incredible. The hard work, the long hours, the ups and downs all led to this moment, and they earned every bit of it. More than the win, it’s the way they came together as a team that makes this so special. They believed in each other, pushed through challenges, and showed exactly what they’re made of. As a coach, you dream of moments like this, and getting to witness it firsthand is something I’ll never forget."
