Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Track & Field team for its 24th place finish, which included winning 11 medals, in a competitive field of 75 teams at the recent 2022 NYSPHSAA and Federation Championships, hosted by Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Minisink Valley sent six athletes to the state championship match, the largest in program history.

Between individual qualifiers Ella Michelitch and Kessler Hirsch, and the 4×100-meter relay team of Hirsch, Sierra Jones, Zoey Terpak, Rihanna Burgher and alternate Sarah Winner, the girls brought home a medal in every event entered for a total of 11.

Eighth-grader Ella Michelitch earned a state and federation silver medal in the high jump, equaling her personal and program record with a clearance at 5 feet, 7 inches.

Kessler Hirsch advanced to the State Division I finals at 100 meters, culminating with a state fifth-place podium finish.

In the 4×100-meter relay, the squad of Kessler Hirsch, Sierra Jones, Zoey erpak and Rihanna Burgher qualified for the Federation Championship round, bringing home state fourth-place and federation sixth-place medals in the process.

The girls and boys athletes will close out their tremendous season at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championships, hosted by historic Penn Relays site Franklin Field in Philadelphia, which takes place June 17 to 19.