The Marlboro Iron Dukes came into 2021-22 off a successful indoor campaign from a year ago.

The boys’ team won the Section 9 Class B championship and the girls’ team finished second last year.

But with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Gillis Field House closed to Section 9 this season, the section transitioned from “indoor” track and field to an outdoor “winter” track and field season.

Even though the season had a little bit of a failure to launch. The Dukes got on the track on time, and they were scheduled to compete in their first meet of the season on Saturday at Wallkill, but the meet was canceled.

The focus of the season has shifted, as well. While the Marlboro drive for success is always there, the focus is on staying healthy during a shortened COVID-19 winter season that will take up February.

The spring track season will begin April 19.

The boys’ team has lost Amarian Hughes, Fred Callo, Gio Frisenda, Armani Banton, Caden Ceriello, Devante Davis and Adam Bach. The losses weren’t as steep on the girls’ side as the Dukes’ biggest lost was key hurdler, Lily Wiles.

The girls have the most returning athletes as coach Thomas Fassell will welcome back Jasmine Verette, Jordan Carbone, Sarah Mackey, Juliana Frisenda, Marie Antonelli, Liz Elizondo, and Emma Elizondo.

The boys will return Doug Benfer, Chandler Scott, Colin Robertson, Dom Valentino, and Dante Valentino.
Emma Schlager and Caitlin Liu have joined the girls’ team for the first time and Robert Jackson has joined the boys’ team.
Fassel’s chief goal is for everyone to have fun and have a healthy season, and to finish the season without anyone getting quarantined, a concern in the age of COVID.

The track season will be a bit disjointed this season as the indoor track season usually runs into the spring track season, which have similar ending and beginning points. This year, the winter season will conclude at the end of February before heading into cross country in March and April before returning to the track.

“We want to continue to build and develop the athleticism of our student athletes as we progress to spring track,” Fassell said.
But it’s also about recognizing the athletes who will graduate in June.

“We want to celebrate our seniors and ensure they have a competitive and enjoyable last year at Marlboro,” Fassell said.