WHAT'S NEW with the outdoor track & field teams? FIVE NEW PROGRAM RECORDS!
The boys and girls outdoor track & field teams kicked their season and established five program records last weekend at the Red Raider Relays, hosted by North Rockland High School in the newly reopened Cordisco Stadium!
Senior Robert LaBarbera kicked the weekend off with a huge personal best in the 10-meter dash, eclipsing a 45-year-old district program record in :10.81 to win his preliminary heat. He followed that start up with a silver medal in the 100-meter dash final on Saturday, before establishing a second personal best and Minisink Valley program record in the 400-meter dash, with his winning mark of :48.10 establishing a new New York #1 ranking in the process!
And to close the meet in grand style, Robert, Angel Mendez, Chloe Beck and Ferrah Hill earned a commanding mixed 4x400 meter relay victory, shattering the state record in 3:35.11, with a team of Stetson Terpak, Jon Mausling, Salma Samdaoui and Emma Berkshire taking sixth place (3:47.68).
Senior Kessler Hirsch won in the javelin with a new program record of 116'04" and matched Robert LaBarbera's second-place finish in the 100-meter dash final, before anchoring 4x100 meter relay teammates Chloe Beck Ferrah Hill and Salma Samdaoui and 4x200 meter relay teammates Jerlivia Frederick, Julia Berkshire and Catori Thomas to a pair of victories. Also earning gold medals were the distance medley relay teammates Elijah Zittel, William Monahan, Caleb Decker and Luciano Palacios (12:25.32).
Seniors Delila Kronimus (10'6") finished third in the pole vault and Salma Samdaoui (1:11.69) also earned a bronze medal in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, as first-year Dominique Celestin (1:15.03) raced to a new Minisink Valley class record in 10th place. Angel Mendez (:50.01) and Tarius Theodore (:51.25) joined Robert LaBarbera on the 400-meter dash podium, crossing the line in fourth and sixth place, respectively.
Several relay teams and individuals earned medals and established Minisink Valley class records. First-year teammates Catori Thomas, Sophia McKeon, Julia Berkshire and Caitlyn Moran established a new district class record (4:12.46) in winning the F/S 4x400 meter relay, with Thomas, McKeon and CaitlynMoran earlier teaming with Danica Martinez to win and break the district's class record (:52.70) in the F/S 4x100 meter relay.
And --- Eighth-grade phenom Abigail Caputo anchored teammates Kathryn Jones, Catharine Sullivan and Elizabeth Honsaker to a fifth place finish in the 4x800 meter relay, having snagged a sixth-place finish in the invitational section of the 1,500 meter run (4:53.92) and opened her weekend with a 10:57.78 finish in the 3,000 meters; the latter two marks rank #1 in New York state for middle school athletes! AMAZING!
The teams will next field 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams in the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival, hosted by Franklin Field on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
“Our relationship with the veterans at the American Legion is something our program takes a lot of pride in, and our players are always ready to answer the call when the opportunity comes up,” said Varsity Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. “This is a great chance for our guys to represent the program the right way and honor those who have served.”
Coach Gallagher noted that this has been part of the team’s culture for the past 12 years, and it remains a tradition they fully intend to keep in their playbook moving forward.
Players executed their roles seamlessly—prepping salads, serving and delivering ziti and meatballs, and making sure every table was taken care of with coffee and cake—showing the same discipline and teamwork they bring to game day.
Coach Gallagher added: “This gives our guys an opportunity to connect, communicate, and learn firsthand what servant leadership looks like. It’s about more than football—it’s about doing your job, supporting others, and understanding how being part of a team can make a real impact in the community.”
We LOVE it when our students and staff are part of wonderful community activities and events!
KUDOS to members of the Varsity Football and Wrestling teams, who were part of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight Mission 38’s “Welcome Home Rally” at Stewart Airport this past Saturday!
Players and coaches were on hand to welcome all Mission 38 veterans when they returned from a daylong trip to Washington, D.C., but particularly to welcome home Air Force E-4 Sergeant, crew chief and aircraft maintenance specialist Arthur Olah, who served during the Vietnam War conflict at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. Mr. Olah is the grandfather of Varsity Offensive/Defensive Line Coach Andrew Fenner, who is also an IS third-grade teacher; and father-in-law of IS/ES Head Custodian Dave Fenner.
A day with the Hudson Valley Honor Flight begins early, often before sunrise, as veterans gather with volunteers and guardians for a warm send-off. There’s an atmosphere of excitement and gratitude as families, supporters, and community members cheer them on. The group boards a flight bound for Washington, D.C. and veterans are treated with special care and recognition throughout the entire trip.
Once in Washington, the day is filled with visits to powerful memorials such as the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. Volunteers ensure each veteran has time to reflect, connect and be honored for their service. The trip often includes a special “mail call,” where veterans receive letters of appreciation from loved ones and strangers alike. By evening, they return home to a heartfelt welcome celebration, greeted by crowds waving flags and expressing gratitude. It’s an unforgettable and deeply emotional end to a meaningful day.
“This is such a great event and our coaches, players and wrestlers were honored to be a part of it,” said Varsity Football and Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Our football program has a special relationship with the American Legion and one of us was on that flight! Arthur Olah, who served in the U.S. Air Force and is the grandfather of our offensive and defensive line coach Andrew Fenner which made it that much more special! The guys were awesome and really started to understand the effect they had on Mr. Olah and all of the veterans that they cheered for! It was a great night.”
To learn more about Hudson Valley Honor Flight, visit: https://hvhonorflight.com/
Congratulations to Junior Sara Pauls for earning third-place honors in the 126-pound weight class --- and ALL-AMERICAN status --- at the recent National High School Coaches Association’s (NHSCA) 37th annual High School Nationals Competition in Virginia Beach! Her third-place success came from a bracket of 85 girls!
Also wrestling were Jaida Macaluso and Keira Filip, who wrestled with grit and honorably represented Minisink Valley!
And…and equal congratulations to Junior Wyatt Boice who earned fifth-place in the 175-pound weight class – and ALL-AMERICAN status --- at this same tournament! Thus far, Wyatt has earned ALL-AMERICAN honors each of the past three seasons! Wyatt went 6-2 over the three day tournament.
Also wrestling was Jake Murphy, Mason Murphy, Colin Matone, Vinny Coppola, Joe Uhrig and Zach Filip --- who came up one match short of All American status as he lost in the blood round.
A wrestler earns All-American status by finishing among the Top 8 at a recognized national tournament!
We’re so proud of all our wrestlers who competed in great matches against some of the best in the nation! The NHSCA High School Nationals is a premier wrestling championship for high school athletes from across the nation (and sometimes international competitors). The NHSCA Nationals serves as a showcase for talent and is often attended or scouted by college coaches and recruiters.
Just ask the Varsity Flag Football team, who recently swapped plays and drills for ropes courses and paintball battles. The outing wasn’t just high-energy fun — it was a chance for players to connect, challenge themselves and strengthen the trust that fuels great teamwork.
Coach Michael Tepper reports the team is leaving everything on the field this season and is excited for what’s shaping up to be a standout year.
Activities like ropes courses or paintball build communication, trust, and camaraderie — key ingredients for any successful team. When players feel connected and supported, they communicate better during games, recover faster from setbacks, and play with more confidence. Off-field bonding creates the cohesion that shows up in big moments on the field.
Boys Varsity Wrestling Coach Kevin Gallagher and Assistant Coach Scott Hendershot had the good fortune of attending and watching alumni PJ Duke and Zack Ryder compete in the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio this past weekend! And, as expected, our two alumni wrestlers made us so proud!
PJ, who attends Penn State, finished in third-place in the 157-pound weight class!
Zack, who attends Oklahoma State, finished in eighth-place in the 184-pound weight class!
Because of their finishes, they have also earned ALL-AMERICAN honors, which are awarded to the Top 8 in the nation in their respective weight classes! We're thrilled their roots are in Minisink Valley!
The NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships is the premier collegiate wrestling event in the U.S., bringing together the top wrestlers from Division I schools to compete for individual and team national titles. Held in Cleveland, the tournament features intense multi-day competition across 10 weight classes, culminating in championship finals that draw large crowds and national attention. It serves as the season’s pinnacle, showcasing elite talent, dramatic upsets and the crowning of All-Americans and national champions.
Congratulations and best wishes to the senior members of the Girls Varsity Basketball team, who were honored for their many contributions to the team’s success during their recent Senior Night: Alyssa Doane, Cassie Jennings, Kate O'Neill and Elizabeth Yozzo! (Their costumed red attire was for a skit they performed that evening!
Scoring individual/team event victories which now qualify them to compete at state competition are:
--- Ella Michelitch in the high jump with a 5' 10.5” finish. This is a school program record and ranks her No. 1 in New York State. Ella also qualified in the long jump via her runner-up finish of 18' 9.5", which is also the highest program record and places her No. 8 statewide.
--- Robert LaBarbera in the 600 meter run, with a 1:20.37 finish. This is the second highest program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- Maximillian Wickrath in the 55 meter dash with a :6.32 finish. This is a school program record and places him as No. 2 statewide.
--- The boys 4x400 meter relay team of Max Wickrath, Angel Mendez, Stetson Terpak and LaBarbera outlasted Newburgh Free Academy with a 3:21.26, ranking this finish as the third highest in the school program and placing them as No. 2 statewide.
--- The girls 4x400 team of Ferrah Hill, Chloe Beck, Salma Samdaoui and Ella Michelitch advanced after a tight battle with Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley with a 4:00.37 finish. This is the second highest program finish and places them as No. 10 statewide.
The 4x400 relay lineups will be filled out by alternates Jeremiah Alexis, Emma Berkshire, Lyla LaBarbera and Michael Moran.
Minisink Valley will compete against athletes representing all 11 NYSPHSAA sections for state medals, as well as qualifiers from the AIS, CHSAA and PSAL for Federation podium positions. Qualifiers in individual events and relays were selected by virtue of winning events at a section qualifying meet or having achieved a state standard performance.
The state championship will be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
Here’s how they fared:
•Senior Owen Skinner had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 19th) and the 100 breaststroke (placed 13th)
•Senior Caleb Decker had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 18th) and 500 free (placed 15th)
•Junior Eddie Edwards had personal best times in the 100 free (placed 16th) and 100 back (placed 8th)
•Freshman Jacob Yourman had personal best times in the 200 free (placed 14th) and 500 free (placed 16th)
•Eighth-grader Marcus Earl had personal best times in the 200 IM (placed 18th) and 100 breaststroke (placed 19th)
•Junior Vincent Galligan (100 breaststroke), sophomore William Monahan (200 and 500 free) and seventh-grader Alex Marincenko (200 free and 100 back) also participated in their first Section Championships in individual and relay events
As part of the celebration, the team -- including Elizabeth and Emily --- performed for all who attended the evening!
Mat maids
Camila Calle
Alyssa Hendershot
Jazlin Sessoms Luna
Sofia Udasco
Wrestlers
Alexandro Cepeda, Jr.
Ramon Colon
Timothy Duke
Cody Dul
Tyler Dul
Antonio Felix
Zachary Filip
Leonardo Gangi
Shaheed Mitchell
Alex Nigro
Jayden Pressley
Nathanial Racz
Gabriel Simpson
Seven swimmers qualified for the Feb. 19 to 21 Section IX Championships, based on their cut times:
•Senior Caleb Decker got 2 cuts in the 200 freestyle and 50 freestyle
•Senior Owen Skinner got a cut in the 200 IM
•Junior Eddie Edwards got cut times in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke in a previous meet.
•Sophomore William Monahan got his first 2 cuts in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle
•Freshman Jacob Yourman got a cut in the 200 freestyle
•Eighth-grader Marcus Earl got a Section cut time in the 100 breaststroke
•Seventh-grader Alex Marincenko got a cut in the 200 freestyle
Cole Lamendola
Patrick Frawley
RJ Sosler
Ryan Jones
Malachi Grant
Owen Skinner
Caleb Decker
Cree Kain-Dickinson
Varsity Football Coach Kevin Gallagher said this is only the second time in program history that a Minisink Valley football player has won this award. Tom Redmond won it in the early 1970s.
“Zach Filip is a coach’s dream,” Coach Gallagher said. “He is a great athlete with good speed, a very smart athlete, strong, a great teammate, with an incredible will to get better and to win! Zach was our heart and soul and is as tough as anyone in the state, but off the field he is a great kid well-respected by everyone. Zach is also a very good student and is looking to play football in college and become a physical education teacher and coach.”
Look who stopped by yesterday! Class of 1973 alumnus Tom Redmond —Minisink Valley’s first-ever Section IX Large School Player of the Year in 1972 — returned to campus to meet Zach Filip, the 2025 recipient of the same honor! Separated by 53 years, united by one tradition. Proof that while generations change, the brotherhood of football never does. Thank you, Mr. Redmond, for your visit!
AMAZING! Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Indoor Track 4x400 meter relay team of Chloe Beck, Ferrah Hill, Ella Michelitch and Salma Samdaoui, who proudly represented Minisink Valley in the prestigious Millrose Games, held Feb. 1, finishing fourth in the Suburban division (4:00.37) and besting local rivals Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley in the process! PLUS: It's the first time in program history that a Minisink Valley team qualified for these games!
The Millrose Games is a major indoor track and field meet held every year in New York City. It's one of the oldest and most respected track meets in the world, starting in 1908. High school athletes often look up to the Millrose Games because it features the best runners and field athletes competing at an elite level, showing what is possible with hard work and dedication.
The meet includes many events including sprints, distance races, hurdles, and field events. For high school athletes, the Millrose Games is inspiring because it shows the highest level of competition and motivates young athletes to train, improve, and dream big in track and field.
For professional athletes, The Millrose Games is one of the most prestigious indoor track and field competitions in the world and is a cornerstone of the international athletics calendar. The event attracts elite athletes from around the globe who compete in a range of sprint, distance, hurdle, and field events, often producing record-breaking performances
Congratulations to Junior and Girls Varsity Wrestler Sara Pauls, who is one of 12 student-athletes representing Section IX and 170 student-athletes statewide attending the upcoming New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Student Leadership Conference in mid-April in Albany!
Current sophomores and juniors will have the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills by listening to presentations from a variety of speakers and participating in workshops to help positively influence their teams, athletic departments, schools, and communities.
“We look forward to having Sara share with her peers all the important information she will learn at this conference,” said Athletic Director Tim Bult. “We’re proud she’s representing Minisink Valley and Section IX.”
The idea of the conference was developed by the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Development Committee (SADC) several years ago with input from the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
“This is a program we have been focused on developing for several years,” said Kristen Jadin, NYSPHSAA Assistant Director, in a statement. “We are a student-based organization and what better way to develop students than to have an in-person conference with outstanding speakers who can share their expertise.”
This team entered the tournament prepared and fearless. In Round 1, they dominated Section III’s Carthage with a decisive 50–17 victory. After a BYE round, they showed their dominance again in Round 2 with an emphatic 57–16 win over Section V’s Fairport. Each wrestler competed with toughness, pride and unity — never backing down, never giving less than everything he had.
As they always do, these 2026 Section IX Dual Meet Wrestling Champions represented Minisink Valley with honor, heart and distinction. Their work ethic, commitment to one another, and refusal to quit define what true champions look like. They are winners in every sense of the word!
Please join us in congratulating our incredible wrestlers, coaches, and everyone associated with the wrestling program on a truly spectacular season. This group has set the standard—and make no mistake, they will be back next year!
Congratulations and best wishes to Varsity wrestling seniors Keira Filip, Jaida Macaluso and Avery Wingen, who were honored during the team's recent Senior Night!
THANK YOU for dedication, hard work and many contributions to the team's success!
