Eric Keppeler '85
Sports Writer
The St. Joe’s outdoor track and field team saw its 2026 campaign come to an end last weekend at the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association Intersectional Championship at Icahn Stadium in New York City.
In an extremely crowded and talented field, the Marauders were unable to advance anyone to next weekend’s New York State Federation Championship at Webster Schroeder High School.
“Unfortunately, we aren’t sending anyone to Feds,” said St. Joe’s track coach Dave Rozak. “Our season is over. To qualify for Feds, you must either win your event at CHSAA or hit a qualifying mark and we did not accomplish that. We had a lot of PRs and top five finishes, but the competition is getting better as well. We are seeing more kids from other schools starting to compete as track athletes. I think it’s a sign of the times because it offers the kids a more chill environment than other sports.”
Individually for the Marauders, Payton Keighron was fourth in the shot put and 10th in the discus; while Weston Peirick was fifth in the 3000 steeplechase and 20th in the 1600; Jonathan Becker was fifth in the triple jump; Dylan Forant was eighth in the 400 hurdles; Anthony Scarozza was ninth in the 1600; Jaxson Addeah was 11th in the 400; Braun Borgese was 14th in the 400; Aidan McGuire was 15th in the discus; Dylan Stanton was 15th in the shot put; Luke Finnerty was 18th in the 800; Davion Becker was 21st in the long jump; Max Dispenza was 23rd in the shot put; Oliver Scott was 23rd in the 800; and Jackson Famiglietti was 36th in the 1600.
Also, the 4×4 relay team finished sixth, which featured Borgese, Forant, Becker and Addeah.
Several of the performances resulted in personal records for the athletes, including Forant in the 400 hurdles, Wagstaff in the 200 and Scarozza, Pierick and Famiglietti in the 1600.
There’s reason for optimism since a great majority of these state competitors will be back again next year, including Keighron, Becker and most of the relay teams.
And they all figure to be older, stronger and better for the experience.
“We have a lot to look forward to as we are returning 18 of the 21 kids we sent to CHSAA, which is huge,” Rozak said. “We are bringing back two high jumpers, two long jumpers, two athletes on pace to set a new 400 marks next year, and two very strong 200 runners. We’ve just got to find some 100 guys and some discus guys. In my third year here, we are really starting to get some pieces in place to become a championship track destination.”