Newburgh Free Academy seniors Brady Danyluk, Elle Gerbes and Jack Mummery signed letters of intent on Wednesday, February 5 as they look to continue their academic careers and compete for each of their respective Division I schools in Fall 2025. Danyluk will be heading off to Northeastern University to join the Men’s Track & Field team, Gerbes will be heading off to Binghamton University to join the Women’s Swimming team and Mummery will be heading off to Le Moyne College to join the Men’s Swimming team.

The athletic signing ceremony was held at NFA Main Campus in the gymnasium where each of the athletes were joined by their families, friends, teammates, coaches and NFA staff supporters who came to support and cheer them on. February 5 is nationally recognized as National Signing Day where student-athletes sign and commit to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and Division II programs.

This is the second signing of the school year. Back in November 2024, Newburgh celebrated three other scholar athletes who have also committed to continue their academic and athletic careers. Senior Peyton Tuttle has also committed to study at and swim for Le Moyne College, senior Riley Frederick committed to study at and play for the women’s soccer team for Division I Wagner College and senior Nikolas Buchholz has committed to study at and play lacrosse for Division II Lincoln Memorial University.

Brady Danyluk
NFA senior Brady Danyluk, son of Peter and Ann Danyluk, will be taking his talents to Northeastern University in Boston where he will join the Men’s Track & Field team. While Danyluk says he will be looking to compete and perform, pursuing conference titles, he will also be pursuing a degree in civil engineering.

Danyluk has been a member of the NFA Boys Cross Country team since 8th grade and a member of the Boys Track & Field team since 10th grade. Danyluk has been a Captain for the Cross Country team for three years and a Team Leader for the Track team for two years.

“I just want to thank everyone because I’ve received so much support. People come up to me at the gym, talk to me about track, and it’s a tradition, and it’s a family that we have. Everyone that’s known Newburgh and the track team knows what kind of family we have and it’s just very special,” said Danyluk. “Very grateful for all I’ve been given and blessed with and I’m just excited for the next level.”

Several of Danyluk’s high school athletic career accomplishments include the following: State Championships: 800 meter Outdoor Federation, 4x400 meter relay Indoor Federation and 4x400 meter relay Outdoor Public High School; Nike National Championships: 2024 Indoor Sprint Medley Relay, 2024 Outdoor Sprint Medley Relay and four-time All American; Indoor School Records: 800 meter (1:53.31) 1000 meter (2:29.27) and the Sprint Medley Relay (3:31.15); Outdoor School Records: 800 meter (1:52.77), 4x800 meter Relay (7:45.54) and the Sprint Medley Relay (3:29.53) and Cross Country Records: 2.5 Mile (12:49) and the Chadwick Course Record (15:57).

Elle Gerbes
NFA senior Elle Gerbes, daughter of Jody and Kristi Gerbes, will be continuing her education and taking her athletic talents to the Women’s Swimming program at Binghamton University. Gerbes began swimming competitively when she was in the seventh grade, has been on NFA’s varsity team for the past six years and while she will be competing in the pool, she plans to study Biomedical Engineering when she arrives at college.

“I’m so happy. I’m so excited, and I think it’s wonderful that everyone’s here to support me. I’m so grateful to have all of them who’ve supported me through this commitment process. It’s definitely been a ride, and I’m so happy that they’ve all been here to support me through my time with Newburgh,” said Gerbes. “I think I’m definitely there to help that team win championships and excel through that and I’m also looking to do great things academically.”

Gerbes’s high school athletic career accomplishments include the following: State Championships: three-time Event State Qualifier (2022, 2023, 2024) and a four-time individual state finalist; Section IX Championships:one-time Section IX Champion in the 50 Freestyle and a seven-time individual section IX podium finisher; School Records: 50 Freestyle School Record Holder (November 2023) (Gerbes set a NFA record in the 50 Freestyle with a time of 23.97, breaking the record previously set in 1996 and is the first woman to break 24.00 in NFA Swimming history) and Awards: the 2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA)/Section IX Swimming Sportsmanship Award (honors a high school female swimmer from each NYS Section who exemplifies exceptional sportsmanship, integrity, and respect in and out of the pool, as recognized by coaches at the NYSPHSAA Swimming Championship) and the 2024 Newburgh Swimming Career High Point Award.

Jack Mummery

NFA senior Jack Mummery will continue his academic and athletic career as the newest member of the Men’s Swimming team at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. Mummery has been swimming competitively for the past eight years and said he looks forward to his new journey at the collegiate level. He says he will be pursuing a major in Biology with a Pre-Med track. Mummery was joined by his parents Christopher and Danielle Mummery and his younger brother Conor who also swims for the Goldbacks at the signing.

“I’m looking to succeed in the classroom and also in the pool. I’m headed into a team with a group full of great guys, and we’re definitely looking to get a conference championship in a few years,” said Mummery. “I feel really excited for the next four years. I mean, the support here is great. It really makes me feel happy about my accomplishments and I’m just proud of my hard work, and I’m thankful for everybody that’s here to support me.”

Mummery’s high school athletic career accomplishments include the following: in Section IX: a six-time individual Podium Finisher and a Section IX Champion in the 400 meter Freestyle Relay; States Championships: a three-time State Qualifier and two-time Individual State Finalist and a two-time Outstanding Swimmer Award Receiver.

Danyluk, Gerbes and Mummery took their seats in front of their intent letters as Newburgh Athletics Director Christian Hodge, Sr. welcomed families. He served as emcee for the event, highlighting each of the athletes accomplishments and wished them well as they take the next step in their careers. NFA coaches spoke to their athletes about their accomplishments, their characters and their careers, also wishing them well on their next journey. One by one each of the athletes took their pens to the pages and officially signed their letters, as applause followed and pictures captured their special moment.