The winter track season is usually competed indoors.

This will be the second season in which that won’t necessarily be the case as the winter season will be competed mostly outdoors, as long as the weather cooperates.

Historically, most of the winter track season has been competed at the Gillis Field House on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gillis will not be available.

Most of the local teams didn’t get a chance to compete during the indoor season and will be making their first appearance since the 2019-20 season.

Both the Wallkill boys’ and girls’ winter track teams will be coached by Leo Sladewski in his 27th season at the helm, and the Panthers have only lost one athlete – pole vaulter Louis Martinez – to graduation.

The Panthers have great numbers with over 75 boys and girls, which Sladewski said was “tremendous after the COVID year.”

Sladewski said the outdoor meets are due to vaccine concerns.

The boys’ team will return distance runners Luke Diemoz and Jake Craypo, shot putter, Cianan Reiter.

Newcomers will include sprinter Reynaldo Robinson and sprinter Morgan McMorris.

The girls’ team will return hurdler Ava Roper, high jumper Sera Goering and sprinter Arianna Richards. They will combine with newcomers Mayah Simon in the hurdles, high jumper Anna Coen and distance runner Maria Morales.

“We’re so glad to be somewhat back to normal,” Sladewski said. “We’re looking forward to being very competitive in our league with the numbers we have. The athletes are motivated and look forward to being competitive.”

The Bushmen also did not have a season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there’s going to be a bit of a changing of the guard as Anthony DiMarco takes the program’s reins for Al Schmidt, retiring after 40 years in the program.

DiMarco has been an assistant coach to Schmidt in the winter season for the past six years and head coach of the modified track program in the spring.

“It is my honor to take on the head coach position this winter to our varsity program,” DiMarco said. “My personal goal is to honor and live up to the legacy that Coach Schmidt and those around him so masterfully built in the sport that he so very much loved.”

The Bushmen will return Eric Anderson, David Ramirez, Tyler Sorace, Stephen Gihr, Evan Maloy, Chris Gentile, Oluseye Illori and Jaden Ramsey. They will combine with newcomers Daniel Gray and Malakai Henry-Geraghty.

DiMarco’s goal is to push each athlete past their expectations.

“The rest of our goals will fall into place once that is achieved.”

The Pine Bush girls’ team did not respond to requests for information.

Patrick Kemp will return for his third season as coach of the Valley Central boys’ team and looks to win the division and have about 3-5 athletes qualify for the state tournament.

The Vikings will return Jacob Sahlstrom and Azuziah Marshall and they will mix with newcomers Elijah Bellinger and Jude Remenar.

“We are a young team with a handful of great upper classmen leaders,” Kemp said. “We are working toward getting better each day and each meet.”

Kemp also said the season will be dedicated to Coach Michael “Bike Mike” Williams, who recently died.

“His commitment and energy will be forever felt in our program,” Kemp said. “He will always be in our hearts.”

The Valley Central girls’ team lost nine athletes since the last time they competed, but return junior Ava Carsley, fresh off from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association cross country championship.

They’ll be led by three seniors, Riley Cavalluzzo, Hailey Morrison, Allison Robinson and Bianca Staples.
“All of these athletes have dedicated so much time and hard work to our track and field program, and have shown great leadership for our team,” Valley Central girls’ coach Allison Borriello said.

Carsley and Staples are looking to return to the NYSPHSAA championship meet at the end of the season.
The Vikings also have 15 freshman that joined the team.

“Valley Central has a strong team that keeps growing each year,” Borriello said. “We are excited to have an abundance of underclassmen join our team with strong leadership from our seniors.”