The Newburgh Free Academy girls’ indoor track team has big numbers this year, with 67 girls on coach Kathi Workman’s roster.

That’s plenty to work with as the Goldbacks look to build off last year’s success. The 2022-23 saw two relay teams compete at the indoor national championship meet: the 4x200 team of Denisha Cruz, Isabella Delgado, Jaslene Cheatham and Alyssa Worrell and the sprint medley relay team of Delgado, Cruz, Worell and Alexandra Swink. Cruz competed in the open 400-meter dash at nationals last year.

However, many of those athletes are gone, including Cruz, Delgado, Delannia Gabriel, Riley Geis, Emily Giron, Olivia Hall, Jada Moody, Inez O’Shea, Leila Pazos, Norah Scruggs and Lauren White.

However, some of those top runners remain, including Worrell and Swink. Also returning are Mary Jane Politi, Cheatham, Gabrielle Robles and Natalia Sweat. Nearly half the roster is made up of newcomers, but some of the early standouts have been Ella Henderson, Arabella Tantono, Izzy Blanco and Kiana Peay.

With their large squad, the Goldbacks also brought on assistant coach John Workman, a former NFA runner, who Kathi Workman said brings a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm to the coaching staff.

“I am excited to see the level of commitment and talent thus far,” Workman said. “These girls are ready to put in the work and be successful on the track. We have some key returning runners as well, and they have been training throughout the fall to start the season off strong and reach their full potential.”

Boys
The boys’ team will enter the season without key runners Jordan Hidalgo, Xaiver Williams and Quiston Leathers, who have all graduated from the program.

That leaves plenty of returning athletes in Anthony Burnett, Anthony Barrett, David Pinnock, Jun Rivas, Brady Danyluk, Nakei Johnson, Devin Batelic, Devon Pinto, DeJuan McKenzie and Joseph Gaito.

New to the team are Christian Creary, Jeron Underwood and Oren Miller.
With plenty of returners, the Goldbacks’ goal remains to be successful at the state championship meet.

“Our overall goal is to represent Newburgh and our school at the highest level during this indoor season,” Newburgh boys’ coach Malcolm Burks said.