When Jacob Sahlstrom qualified for the New York State Public High Schol Athletic Association championship meet last year, he was the first male Valley Central runner to qualify since 2012.

He went to states with one member of the girls’ team – Ava Carsley.

Both are among the senior athletes who have graduated from the team. Even with several key losses, the Vikings have been steadily growing under third-year coach Brendan Sutta.

Sahlstrom, Brian Quinn and Joshua Rankine have graduated from the boys’ team, but the Vikings will return seniors Caleb Sahlstrom and Vance Palmer, junior Isaiah Tejada and sophomore Jack Dudzik.

Overall, the team has more than a dozen new runners, many of whom are freshmen and sophomores.

Sutta said the Vikings are looking to be competitive during the season as they approach championship season.

Sutta said Caleb Sahlstrom is in “great shape” and hopes to follow up his brother’s performance and qualify for the state meet.

“Our team is very young overall, and I am interested to see how they perform over the course of a season,” Sutta said. “Many of the returners are in great shape. I am optimistic that a great season is in store.”

The Valley Central girls’ team finished third in the section, but in addition to Carsley, lost Ainsley Baker, Sophie Carsley and Gillian Geiger.

The Vikings will return Maeve Eagan, Laura Griffin, Catherine Primavera and Sydney Remenar as the team looks to be competitive.

Kelsey Burke, Eagan, Primavera and Leah Restivo are 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.”

Emily Frank and Catherine Vu will join the team.
The Pine Bush boys’ team has lost two runners, Colby Zupetz and Jacob Crawley, as they look to post at least a .500 record in dual meets and score top 10 finishes at the OCIAA and Section 9 championships.

Returning are Malakai Henry-Geraghty, junior Raul Rosario, sophomores Roscoe Sudol, Jason Hutchinson, Jr., Peter Agro, Cody Hanson and Michael Thompson. Three freshmen – Jack Murphy, Tyler Vanderkooy and Daniel Sassi – will join the team for the first time.

It’s enough to get second-year coach Rob Lawrence excited for the new season.

“This year’s team is predominantly underclassmen,” Lawrence said. “I am confident the program will grow and develop. We have a solid group of sophomores looking to step into the spotlight this year and have some strong freshmen who are looking to shine.”

With the return of state qualifier Shaylen Goslar, the Pine Bush girls’ team looks strong in 2023.

Also returning are Hannah Pawlowski and Lillian Gabrielle. The Bushmen girls have lost Eden Carr and Jessica Home and expect newcomers Julianne Gabriele and Alexa DeVito to join the team and contribute.

“I am very fortunate to be coaching such a wonderful team,” Pine Bush girls coach Robin Renahan said. “These athletes are motivated, hard-working and are great goal setters. We are working on building team companionship and recruiting more girls.”

The Wallkill Panthers haven’t lost any girls from last year’s third-place Mid Hudson Athletic League team, and their biggest loss from the boys’ team was senior captain Jake Craypo.

The girls will return Section 9 medalists Emma DiLemme and Caitlyn Murphy, along with Andie Psilopoulos and Maria Morales. DiLemme and Caitlyn Murphy were third and sixth at the MHAL championships, and Psilopoulos took 10th.

Freshmen Nathaniel Diemoz and Ryder Kilpatrick will join the boys’ team, while Emma Haughian will join the girls’ team.

Third-year coach Nick Mancuso said the Panthers are looking to improve individual and team results at both the Section 9 and MHAL championships, while they look to return athletes to the NYSPHSAA championships.