Posted by Georgia Schultz, Staff Writer
New Paltz High School is very proud to commemorate the commitment and excellence of our athletes, both on and off the field. Through hours of practices a week, competitive games and competitions, and balancing the complications of school, our student-athletes have maintained an average GPA of 94.59, qualifying all teams so far for the NYSPHSAA program!
It’s important to recognize the determination and work ethic within our athletes, and with so many records breaking this year, and so many going to states, its hard not to! Each and every person has done their best to juggle responsibilities of school, sports, and as the results roll it, it is obvious it is paying off!
Scroll through below to see our athletes highlighted!
Aidan Ifkovits
Aidan Ifkovits, (class of 2024), has excelled in shot put, discus, and weight! He is an individual section winner, setting a new school record in shot put (43 feet and 6 inches) as well as weight (60 ft 4 in). Even more, Ifkovits came in 4th place at States, is a National Meet qualifier, and Track and Field All Star, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal!
I like to make my parents proud. I think everybody is really good at something, and whenever you find what you’re good at, I think you should go with it, and be the best you can possibly be.
Aidan fkovits
Annabel Voorhis
Annabel Voorhis, a junior at NPHS, earned Second Team All Star in her first year as setter! She was also nominated for October’s 3-9 Player of the Week, and with her team has gone to regionals and sections!
I love improving. Whenever there is something I can do better I just always want to accomplish that. The idea that I can do better with practice really motivates me, and I love to see myself and my team do good. School can be stressful, but you can go to practice, release all that negative energy, and be with your friends. It’s just such a positive environment.
Annabel Voorhis
Michael Odell
Michael Odell, a senior at NPHS, has been named Poughkeepsie Journal Defensive Player Of the Year! Even more, he made the third all-state team, was named All-Section 9 by the section nine coaches association, and is committed to the Division 1 school, Stony Brook University.
Honestly, I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to play the sport I love at the next level. It’s not an opportunity many people get so I can’t take it for granted.
Michael Odell
Sofia Carucci
Sofia Carucci is a senior at NPHS, co-captain of indoor track, and varsity soccer. She was also an NIAAA Section IX Scholar Essay winner, and helped carry her team through a fantastic season! Carucci also helped set a new Distance Medley Relay record (with Veda Keon, Maggie DiDonna and Sarah Cunninham) of 15:30.37!
There is a lot that I haven’t wanted to do practice wise, like sprinting everyday and getting up early. It’s not fun, but you do it for your team and you do it for yourself, and at the end of the time you feel really good. I want to do well for my team, so we can go far.
Sofia Carucci
Ady Laurie
Ady Laurie, a sophomore at NPHS and girls track star, was section 9 champion in the pole vault, breaking the school record of now 11 feet. In addition, Laurie broke another school record, the 4×200 at 1:54.73 with her team ( BeBe Cosgrove, Mariah Odari, and Veda Keon), and qualified for Nike and Adidas Indoor Nationals!
Track has created so many relationships and I am super happy I had the opportunity to be apart of the team. It really does feel like a big family.
Ady Laurie
Veda Keon
Veda Keon is a senior at NPHS and a participant of the cross country team, the indoor track team, and the outdoor track team. Keon is a captain and Section 9 Champion in the 100 hurdles. Additionally, Keon broke several school records, including 200 hurdles (32.41), the 4×200 (1:54.73), the SMR (5:15.34), and the DMR (15:30.37).
Track is an individual sport, so I’m really just competing against myself. The competition and the desire to be better than how I was the day before really motivates me.
Veda Keon
Cayden Dones
Cayen Dones, a freshman at NPHS, is a starter on varsity basketball who has made the MHAL American All Star Team, as well as the all county team! Boys basketball had a record of 15-3, overall an amazing season!
One thing that motivates me to work hard is trying to be the best teammate and player I can be. It taught me that hard work is not easy, and if you really want to go somewhere with it you have to work super hard.
Cayden Dones
Justin Coiteux
Justin Coiteux, a junior at NPHS, is a two time state qualifier, and has over 80 career wins since starting in Varsity in 8th grade. In addition he has won two section titles, and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler! Aisde from wrestling, Coiteux has also been named All-Section 9, and was an honorable mention for All State for varsity football!
Being a student athlete has taught me about balance, and being able to manage my time. The goals I set and the competition of other people motivates me the most to do well.
Justin Coiteux
Becket Evans
Becket Evens (class of 2024), is a member of cross country, Nordic, and track. He has been to states, and come in second place for sections twice!
My parents have always taught me to have good and strong willpower. Going to meets and events, you always see those kids that are crazy good, and I just aspire to be like them, so I put in extra work.
Becket Evans
Finn Gibson
Finn Gibson is a senior at NPHS and an avid participant of soccer, track, and wrestling. Gibson broke the school record in the 300 meter dash (36.28), and the 600 meter dash, as well as shattered the old school record by about 20 seconds in the 800 meter relay.
I love seeing myself improve, and see my hard work pay off. It makes me happy.
Finn Gibson
Brooke Vos
Brooke Vos (class of 2024), made it to states in 3 events (200 IM, 100 fly, 100 back), while also breaking the 200 IM (2:10.38) and 500 Freestyle (5:17.90) record!! The Girls Varsity Team had a great season, and went on to win OCIAA Division 1 Championships!
Because of the girls and the fun and loving environment of the team I want to make sure to do my best to never let my coaches and teammates down. It’s easy to try your best on the swim team because everyone is so encouraging and supportive of each other in every race.
Brooke Vos
Claire Coiteux
Clair Coiteux (class of 2024) has been a gymnast since she was 4, and has been doing to competitively since she was 9. Coiteux competed in sections, and qualified for states this year, competing at many meets and placing First All Around with a score of 33.5 at a meet against Valley Central in Kingston!
There is motivation to be better at anything. I do gymnastics because there is a level of having control over your body and challenging yourself, because every day is hard work.
Claire Coiteux
Maggie DiDonna
Maggie DiDonna, (class of 2024) is a participant of track, indoor track, and soccer. DiDonna holds the 600 school record of one 1 minute and 46 seconds, and is the only junior captain of both indoor and outdoor track. Even more, she helped break more school records, the SMR 5:15.34 ( with Kammora Wheeler, Veda Keon, Sarah Cunningham) and the DMR 15:30.37 (with Sofia Carucci, Veda Keon, and Clio Miller)!
I am a very competitive individual. Its not that I like winning, its that I like doing my best. When you get to the competition and the meet and do your absolute best, it’s a really fulfilling feeling that inspires you to work harder and do even better. Being a student athlete requires a lot of discipline, but I love it, so its worth it.
Maggie DiDonna
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