NEWARK VALLEY - Numbers are a little lower this year, but there is no shortage of good runners and athletes making up this season's Newark Valley track and field teams.

Between the boys and girls respective teams, 35 athletes turned out for the outdoor season and they are plenty excited to get regular season competition started.

Some familiar faces expected to have success again in 2025 for the boys' team, including Jackson Hoover in the mid distance, Marcos Escalante running the 800 and 1600 meters, and Camden King in the 1600 and 3200. Joining his brother Camden will be Zion King, competing both sprints and jumps.

Logan Rhodes should help with the field events, specifically in the pole vault where he will aim  for 13-feet this year.

The Cardinals will likely have the most success in their mid distance events according to coach Eric D'Arcy.

"We're a mid distance team. That's where we score a lot of our points and the events we seem to be able to get a lot of the kids to buy into," said D'Arcy.

In terms of expectations for the boys' team, coach D'Arcy is excited about Newark Valley hosting the IAC's this season and imagines his team building throughout the spring to be ready and peaking come that point in the season.

Newark Valley girls' outdoor track and field strengths also come in the mid distance events. Their key runners to keep an eye on include Emily Laporte, who went to sectionals in the 400m hurdles last year. Olivia Webb will compete in the high jump and 100m hurdles. Olivia Vaughn should provide success in field events like the high jump and long jump. 

Other notable contributors this spring will be Abby Escalante, who also went to sectionals last season in the 400m hurdles. Bella King should be a key for the Cardinals in the field events, competing in both the shot and discus. 

Like the boys' team, Coach D'Arcy believes the girls will work at progressing throughout the year and finding their stride when it counts at the big meets.

"We really try and peak our kids to run really well at IAC's and the class meet. Everything else is really building to that point," D'Arcy said.

Newark Valley begins their 2025 campaign at Dryden on April 2nd, alongside Elmira Heights and Lansing.