The Newburgh Free Academy cross country program has been showing steady growth over the past several seasons.

The boys’ team took the biggest leap forward in 2023 when it qualified Devin Batelic for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship meet.

As a team, the Goldbacks went 2-2 in dual meets in 2022 and have lost runners Jordan Hidalgo and Khalyl Muhammad.

“We had a good season last year,” Newburgh coach Chris Marino said. “We’re looking to build off that and continue to grow a distance-running winning culture in Newburgh. Our team is young, with just one senior this year. We’ve got a solid core and are excited to see what we can do this season.

That solid core starts with Batelic, who went to the state championship meet in 2022. Brady Danyluk, Joey Santo and Joe Gaito also return. Robert Rios and Jadin O’Neill will join the team this year.

The Goldbacks also have 11 freshman runners.

The girls’ team, under eighth-year coach Kathi Workman, also hopes to be on an upswing this year, despite a 1-3 finish in 2022.

The Goldbacks have lost Denisha Cruz, Isabella Delgado, Riley Geis, Jada Moody and Norah Scruggs to graduation, but return several experienced runners in Alexandra Swink, Mary Jane Politi and Natalia Sweat.

Izzy Blanco, Emma Smith and Gabrielle Robles will join the team for the first time, as the Goldbacks hope to join the boys in creating a winning distance program in Newburgh.

“We want to continue to build the program,” Workman said. “I’m looking forward to a wonderful season.”