The Pine Bush Bushmen are returning some key talented seniors that have plenty of big meet experience.

The Bushmen finished second in Section 9 last year, but return New York State competitors in jumper Madison Williams, pole vaulter and jumper Ella Galloway and distance runner Shaylen Goslar.

“We have a group of very talented seniors that are prepping for their final season with us,” Pine Bush coach Robin Renahan said. “Our team plans on enjoying the season, staying healthy and peaking at the right time.”

The team lost Jada Falu, Alina Zanetti and Eden Carr from last year, but have gained newcomer Ketura Rutty, Caroline Nigro and Taylor Hoehmann.

“Our girls are hard-working, dedicated athletes,” Renahan said. “I am excited to watch their growth this season. Outdoor track and field tends to be the most popular season amongst my athletes. Many of them have been looking forward to finally competing on the outdoor track.”

The Valley Central Vikings sent Catherine Primavera to the state meet in the 200-meter dash last year, and she will be back for the 2024 season.

“Valley Central sent female athletes to the state championships the last three years,” Valley Central coach Allison Borriello said. “We look to bring those same athletes, if not more, to the state championships this year.”

The Vikings have lost state distance runner Ava Carsley, as well as Sophie Carsley, Riley Conan and Angelina Vargas.

Returning are Ayla Andrews, Grace Burns, Sarah Del Pilar, Isabella Dinino, Emily Frank, Mackenzie Lennon, Kaelyn Marcano, Zialyse Moseley, Samantha Norman, Catherine Primavera, Sydney Remenar, Isabella Wade.

Grisbel Baez, Brianna Beal, Reilly Benson, Evanjalee Cespedes, Mackenzie Curtis, Aaliyah Davis, Rafaella Del Pilar, Danae Freeman, Haley Haight, Maya Hernandez, Vivan Heronzy, Kamilla Holland, Alyssa Jamnaprasad, Giselle Johnson, Shalesse Joyner, Jonna Jurgens, Anelia Kaiser, Sarah Louey, Sophia Luna, Sara McAloney, Jahzara Miler, Lenizianna Rodriguez, Isabella Rubio, Dayna Scott, Omelia Smickle, Faith Stewart, Paeyton Tamweber, and Kelsie Torres are new to the team.

Kelsey Burke, Joyner, Lennon, Primavera, Iyanna Roman, Torres and Wade are the team’s seniors.

“These athletes have been with our program for numerous years, have shown great leadership and have helped make the program as successful as it is today,” Borriello said.

The Vikings look to post a top 3 finish at the Section 9 championships.

“We have a great blend of accomplished upperclassmen and incoming freshmen that are ready to compete,” Borriello said.

The Wallkill Panthers are entering the season with a strong core of distance runners, which includes Caitlyn Murphy, a sophomore, who was a Mid Hudson Athletic League champion during the cross-country season and a state competitor. She also won the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs during the indoor season and was a state competitor.

“We hope she makes a three-peat this spring to states,” Wallkill coach Jennifer Gravelle said.

Other returning distance runners are Andie Psilopoulos, who is attending a Division I university on a triathlon scholarship, Emma DiLemme, Ruth Weinmann and Maria Morales. Sprint returners are Giada Post and Miranda Padilla. Jump returners are Mayah Simon and Elena Sindt. Throw returner is Araceli Ospina.

Sprint newcomers include Izzy Catalano, Ella Russel, Alyson Mazierego, Grace Boland and Jessie Foster. They all hurdle was well. Gravelle said Emma Haughian will be a big benefit to the distance team.

“We are hoping to improve on last year’s results in the MHALs and the sections,” Gravelle said. We had several athletes medal in championship season and would like that number to increase.”

Boys
The Pine Bush Bushmen are excited heading into the 2024 season.
That excitement is tangible enough that that the Bushmen plan to compete at the Penn Relays, one of the country’s premier track meets for the first time in 13 years.

“We believe we have a group of talented athletes that deserve to compete there and are excited to attend,” Pine Bush boys’ track and field coach Anthony DiMarco said.

The Bushmen have lost a lot of seniors – Alex Kozlowski, Jack Mooney, Dan Gray, Ethan Heit, Elijah Cruz, Aidan Steele, Colby Zupetz, Logan Ceiley, Mat Kadanthod, Jacob Crawley, Xavier Bacchus, A.J. Donaldson and Lavon James – leaving them with a very young team.

The Bushmen return a core of Josh Dymond, Plexico Brooks, Shawn Riquelme, Nick Burgess, Yavauni McKenzie, Luke Broadbelt, Andres Martinez, Elon Zanetti and Jake Schorling. New to the team to this year will be Alex Russo, Dan Sassi and Harris Blumrath.

“Despite (our youth), we believe we have a ton of talent and potential and we are hoping to exceed expectations this season,” DiMarco said.

The Bushmen also have picked up several new coaches, and DiMarco said the coaching staff is thinking about the future of Pine Bush track and field.

“We look forward to hopefully many success stories to come our athletes’ way in the future,” DiMarco said.

The Valley Central Vikings, who finished 2-4 last season, lost some key runners in Azaziah Marshall, Shaun Brown and Jacob Sahlstrom, but have their largest team in several years with 75-80 boys at practice.

They will return Kyle Grimaldi, Derek Vincent and Caleb Sahlstrom. The Vikings will add Brayden Johnson, Logan Young and Everett Petermann.

The Vikings are looking to post a winning dual meet record, which they hope will bring them a divisional title, and send several individuals to the state meet, along with a relay.

“We are looking to get better every day,” Valley Central boys’ coach Patrick Kemp said.

Gabrielle Mancuso has joined the Wallkill boys’ program, taking over for longtime coach Eric McLaud. Last year’s team finished seventh in Section 9 and fourth at the MHAL championships.

The Panthers will move forward without Rey Robinson, Jake Craypo, Will Conklin, Connor Bruschi, Manny Aviles and Nazar Yevko, but Mancuso will welcome back Gifford Austin, Jayden Boafo, Mason Birdsell, Harold Bruggemann, John Post, Jason Collazo, Josh Craypo, Zion Davis, Finnian Reiter, Mario Verruto, Gifford Austin, Jayden Boafo, Mason Birdsell, Harold Bruggemann, John Post, Jason Collazo, Josh Craypo, Zion Davis, Finnian Reiter, and Mario Verruto.

Newcomers include Uriel Wright, Isaiah Williams, Aurey Nugent, Aiden Kozireski and Nate Diemoz.

The Panthers have an eye toward improving their MHAL and sectional placement.

“As long as everyone is healthy, we could have some local placeholders in sprints and distance events,” Mancuso said.