The GCSD athletic program is founded on the principle that the playing field is an extension of the classroom and the athletic experience contributes to the growth of mind and body.
The cornerstones of the Dutchmen tradition were laid generations ago by some of the community’s most respected student-athletes, many of whom continue to be involved in the athletic program as supportive parents and sports boosters. While the names change from year to year, the principles they embodied remain the same – dedication and desire, cooperation and compassion, and the importance of working collectively toward a common goal. These are just some of the ideas that echo across the Guilderland playing fields and gymnasiums.
2024-25 Dutchmen of the Week
Each week, we highlight two student-athletes (Modified, Mod 9, Frosh, JV or Varsity level) for athletic accomplishments.
- The athlete should have made a significant impact to a contest within the nomination time frame, which is the week prior to selection; or
- The athlete must have shown excellent leadership, sportsmanship, noticeable improvement/effort, community service and/or other notable trait(s).
Congratulations to Jayde Carrk (Varsity Lacrosse) and Arianna Mills (Varsity Track & Field) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of April 28.
Jayde Carrk (Varsity Lacrosse)
Jayde is a constant on our team. Every game she holds down our defensive end, she is a leader on and off the field. Jayde brings energy to the games, and makes big plays for us defensively. Defense can be a thankless position, and Jayde continues to show up and work hard, not for recognition but because she is a team player. She demonstrates grit, responsibility and respect to her coaches and teammates. Jayde possesses so many great qualities as both an athlete and student that make us proud to be coaches.
Arianna Mills (Varsity Track & Field)
Ari absolutely crushed it at our league meet this past week! She cleared 5’0 in the high jump, making her the best eighth grader in Guilderland history, as well as the best eighth grader in NYS in the event this year! In the pole vault, she cleared a new PR of 9’6, making her the best eighth grader in NYS in that event as well! In the 100 meter hurdles, Ari ran 16.29 seconds, making her the second best eighth grader in Guilderland history. She is currently the second best eighth grader in NYS in the event! That is three very impressive PRs in the same meet! She is committed to the team and to learning more about the sport and her events everyday. Ari is one of the happiest and most positive athletes on the team, acting as a leader despite her young age and relatively little time on the team. She is now a part of the very prestigious 5’0 club, with many years in the sport to come! Ari Mills is one of many reasons why Guilderland Track and Field has such a bright future!
Congratulations to Reese Castleman (JV Lacrosse) and Ava Warren (Modified Lacrosse) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of April 21.
Reese Castleman (JV Lacrosse)
Over the past few weeks, Reese has made significant strides in her passing and catching, defensive footwork, and help defense. But what sets Reese apart isn’t just her technical improvement — it’s her commitment to “teamship.”
Teamship goes beyond teamwork; it’s about building genuine relationships, celebrating each other’s success, and showing up for one another both on and off the field. Reese has embodied that spirit completely. Her voice has become a constant presence on the defensive end and the sideline — leading, encouraging, and lifting up her teammates. That energy has been a game-changer for us, not just in how we play, but in how we win.
Ava Warren (Modified Lacrosse)
Ava is in her first year on modified lacrosse and has proven to be a force right out of the gate. She scored 8 goals in our first game against Bethlehem, contributing to our huge win. Ava leads by example and is always working during and outside of practice to get better.
Important Athletics Updates and Dates
Athletics Updates
GHS cross country skiers win state championship
Guilderland High School seniors Landon Kinal and Nathaniel Burke recently capped off a historic cross country ski season. At sectional competition, the GHS boys cross country ski team finished on the podium in second place for the second consecutive season. Landon and Nathaniel were big reasons why, qualifying for the New York State Public High School Athletic Associations (NYSPHSAA) Cross Country Ski Championship in the process.
At the state championship meet at Gore Mountain, both athletes had top 10 finishes with Nathaniel placing seventh and Landon placing third. The two would go on to represent Section 2 by participating in the 3×3 relay at the state meet. The Section 2 team, composed of Forrest Slingerland, Glens Falls, Landon and Nathaniel, were the first to cross the finish line, winning a NYSPHSAA Championship.
Congratulations to Landon Kinal and Nathaniel Burke for being crowned state champions!
GHS senior Isak Brkanovic wins state swim title
Guilderland High School senior Isak Brkanovic won a state title in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.52 seconds at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Boys’ Swimming and Diving State Championships held at Ithaca College’s Kelsey Partridge Bird Natatorium.
Brkanovic became the first GHS boys’ swimmer to win a state title and the second swimmer ever from the merged Guilderland/Voorheesville program to win a state championship. He competed in two events at the state meet, finishing in second place, as a state runner up, in the 100 freestyle.
Congratulations to State Champion Isak Brkanovic and coaches on a historic season!
GHS girls track and field team wins NYSPHSAA/Federation Team title
The Guilderland High School girls outdoor track and field team won the team championship on Saturday, June 8, at the two-day NYSPHSAA/Federation Track and Field Championships held at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. This was a historic win for GHS track and field, as it was the first Federation team title for the program.
The 4×100 relay team of Parker Steele, Tatum Cramer, Kendall Barnhart and Saida Assabahi is the first Guilderland girls’ track relay team to win a NYSPHSAA Championship, finishing with a time of just over 48 seconds. Overall, the GHS team had a total of 15 top ten finishes at the meet, making 13 trips to the awards podium.
- Parker Steele (14.27) second place finish in the Division 1 100 hurdles
- Parker Steele (14.20) second place finish in the Federation 100 hurdles
- Kendall Barnhart (1:01.80) second place finish in the Federation 400 hurdles
- Tatum Cramer (19-6.50) second place finish in the Federation long jump
- Steele, Cramer, Barnhart and Saida Assabahi (48.17) second place finish in the Division 1 400 relay team
- Barnhart (1:02.34) third place finish in the Division 1 400 hurdles
- Cramer (18-7.25) third place finish in the Division 1 long jump
- Isabella Lagios, Assabahi, Lauren Burnash and Barnhart (3:57.03) third place finish in the Division 1 1600 relay team
The Federation title is added to a long list of achievements for the Guilderland girls’ track and field program which includes a gold medal at the 2023 New Balance Nationals and back-to-back Section 2 championships.
On Tuesday, June 11, the team and Head Coach Chris Scanlan were honored with a parade at GHS. The student body and staff lined the hallways to applaud and cheer for the athletes and coaches, as they processed throughout the building.
Congratulations to the GHS girls’ outdoor track and field team, their coaches and families on this historic and outstanding accomplishment!
Athletics Dates
Monday, July 29: Grade 9-12 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Aug. 5: Grade 7-8 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Aug. 19: Varsity & JV football start date
Monday, Aug. 26: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman fall sports
Thursday, Aug. 29: Modified football start date
Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of Modified fall sports
Monday, Oct. 21: Grade 9-12 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Oct. 28: Grade 7-8 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Nov. 18: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman winter sports
Monday, Nov. 25: First day of Modified winter sports
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025: Grade 9-12 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Mar. 3: Grade 7-8 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Mar. 17: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman spring sports
Monday, Mar. 31: First day of Modified spring sports
Thursday, June 12: Senior Sports Awards in GHS Auditorium, 7 p.m., by invitation only
Monday, Aug. 18: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman fall sports
Thursday, Aug. 28: First day of Modified football
Tuesday, Sept. 2: First day of all other Mod 9 and Modified fall sports
Sports Sign-up Requirements
Students interested in playing school sports are required to sign-up in the school health office. Students will be given a sports packet to be completed and returned (in person, by mail, or by fax (High School) 518-861-5151 or (Middle School) 518-456-3747 before being cleared by the nursing staff prior to participating in tryouts for a particular sport. Additional sports packets will be available in the health office.
The sports sign-up packet includes three forms:
- Athletic Form which includes emergency contact information
- Required NYS School Health Examination Form (Completed by private physician or school physician)**
- Health History Update (This form cannot be completed earlier than 30 days prior to the start of the season.)
**If our nurse has a valid physical on file (within the last calendar year), the NYS School Health Examination Form is not required. It is only required if we do not have a valid physical on file.
You can find the forms here and download and print.
All three forms must be handed in before your try-out/practice starts. Students who do not follow this process and have not been approved by the health office will be considered ineligible for sports until they are cleared by nursing staff or our athletic trainer.
- Grade 7 & 8 Students- Should drop off completed forms to FMS Nurse Beth Ford
- Grade 9-12 Students- Should drop off completed forms to GHS Nurse Amanda Vogel