Superintendent’s Spotlight: Members of the All-American Blazers running club

Warwick Valley students have been having a blast representing their local running group, the All-American Blazers Track & Field Club. The team recently put up a strong performance at the USA Track & Field (USATF) NY Association Junior Olympic Championships, held May 30 and 31 at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island!

The All-American Blazers program, founded by Monroe-Woodbury graduate and former New York State hurdle standout Laura Paul Reynolds, gives young athletes opportunities to compete and develop both on and off the track. Most recently, they competed against top youth athletes from across New York at the USATF event. The students set numerous personal bests, achieved top-eight finishes, and secured qualifications for the upcoming Regional Championships in Massachusetts. Some athletes will also advance to Nationals in California later this summer.

_{See more photos of the All-American Blazers below this story!}

Among the standout performances, Warwick Valley 8th-grade hurdler Eva Sandfort advanced to the Section 9 state qualifiers in the 100-meter hurdles and the 4x100 relay after setting personal records during the high school season. At the Junior Olympics, she placed 5th in the 100-meter hurdles, 7th in the 200-meter hurdles, and contributed to a top-eight finish in the girls 13-14 4x400 relay. Eva will compete at Regionals in both hurdle events.

Ten-year-old Keira Sandfort recorded a personal-best 5:34.85 in the 1500 meters, finishing 11th overall in the 11-12 division. She also set personal bests in the 800 meters and 80-meter hurdles, and qualified for Regionals with a 7th-place finish in the hurdles.

Other notable results included Nyah Knieriemen's 8th-place finish and Regional qualification in the 100-meter hurdles, Samantha Kobrick’s 6th-place Regional-qualifying run in the 9-10 1500 meters, and Hazel Luthin’s personal-best 1500 meters time. In the boys 8-and-under division, Joey Crispino placed 3rd in the 1500 meters and qualified for Regionals in the 200 meters and long jump.

The Lustberg family contributed several strong performances, with Eli Lustberg placing 3rd in the high jump, Aiden Lustberg winning the 9-10 high jump title, and Kai Lustberg placing 3rd in the javelin. Lucas Rutherford, Carlos Roman, Andrew and Elizabeth Foley, Everly Tarazona, Rosie Scandiffio, Madeleine Turnbull, Brianne Potter, and David Carrasquillo also achieved personal bests and contributed to relay and field event successes.

The All-American Blazers also recently participated in the Fast Times Varsity Invitational at Warwick Valley High School, a meet that has become a popular tradition in the community. Warwick Valley’s own varsity track coach, Mike Potter, and his wife, Julie, were there; they are always dedicated ambassadors of the sport. Both WVHS Coach Potter and coach Curtis Akacki were standout Warwick athletes who both set school records during their competitive careers, helping build the proud track and field tradition that the school enjoys. Coaches Potter and Akacki competed under the legendary coach Tim St. Lawrence, for whom Warwick’s track is proudly named. Coach St. Lawrence’s passion, leadership, and commitment to young athletes continues to inspire Wildcat runners and field athletes in the program today!

Nearly every athlete set a new personal record during the Fast Times event. In the girls division, Everly Tarazona, Keira Sandfort, Samantha Kobrick, Brianne Potter, Reese Luthin, Collins Dunn, and Brynley LaPenna all set lifetime bests.

The boys’ team saw Carlos Roman capture first place in his event, with personal bests also set by Joseph Crispino, Andrew Foley, Lucas Rutherford, Sebastian Stough, Patrick MacFarlane, Mason Edmond, and Noah Hawkins.

The runners' achievements at both meets reflect the strong spirit of Warwick Valley’s young athletes. Needless to say, these competitors are poised to continue the storied tradition of track and field excellence at Warwick Valley with enthusiasm and Wildcat pride.

Go, Blazers! Go, Wildcats!

All-American Blazers Gallery