Sixteen members of the boys and girls Outdoor Track & Field teams have qualified to compete in the NYSPHSAA Outdoor Track & Field State Championships on June 7 and 8 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
“This year will feature the largest number of competitors at a state meet in Minisink Valley program history,” said Varsity Coach Todd Derkacz.
The May 30 and 31 state qualifier meets at New Paltz High School and Goshen High School featured individual and relay competitors from all Section IX schools, separated into two divisions by enrollment. Advancement to the state meet is based on achievement of pre-established competition standards or winning events contested at the state qualifier meet.
Qualifying for the girls team is a trio of standout performers in Kessler Hirsch, Delila Kronimus and Ella Michelitch. Each had previously met the automatic qualifying standard in their respective events: Hirsch in the 100 and 200-meter dashes; Kronimus in the pole vault; and Michelitch in the high jump and long jump.
Representing the boys team are Logan Schupner in the pole vault; and Gavin Rossi in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in addition to the 4×400 and 4×800 meter relay squads. While Rossi held the automatic standard in the steeplechase and as a member of the 4×400 relay team with Robert LaBarbera, Jordan Mabra and John Mattera, he anchored Matthew Monahan, Carter Rossi, and LaBarbera to a thrilling win in the 4×800 meter relay to seal advancement to the state meet.
Also advancing to states in the 4×400 meter relay lineup are standouts Logan Cohen, an eighth-grader, and freshmen Jon Mausling and Michael Moran. Cohen and Rogan Lynch will each travel as alternates in both relays, with Brian Capper and Zouhair Elsibai filling out the 4×800 meter relay lineup.
In the weeks leading up to state qualifiers, the Minisink Valley Track & Field teams secured 14 individual titles at the OCIAA and Section IX Championships.
Hirsch charged to victory in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes at both championship meets for the third consecutive season. Also winning OCIAA titles for Minisink Valley were Michelitch (repeat winner in the high jump), Giada Puliga (shot put) and Gavin Rossi (1,600-meter run).
At the Section IX Championships, Michelitch earned three victories (high jump, long jump and triple jump), Rossi took home two wins (800 and 3,200-meter runs). Minisink Valley swept the pole vault titles via Kronimus and Schupner, earning both squads third place showings in the team standings.
In addition to state titles in the Division I classification, Minisink Valley will also be eligible to contest Federation medals in Cicero, if they qualify for championship sections featuring schools from the CHSAA and PSAL.