Ice Hockey

On Feb. 14, the Cortlandt Rebels closed out the regular season with a 5-2 loss to Byram Hills. Stephen Kjartansson stayed hot offensively, scoring both of Cortlandt’s goals off assists from Aiden Rau and Nate Herbert. The Rebels finished the regular season with an 8-10-1 record.

Seeded No. 12, Cortlandt opened postseason play on Thursday, Feb. 19, against No. 5 Horace Greeley/John Jay-Cross River. Horace Greeley/John Jay-Cross River entered the matchup with a 13-5-1 record and two prior victories over the Rebels this season (4-1, 9-3).

Despite the odds, Cortlandt delivered a determined effort in the teams’ third meeting of the year, falling just short in a 4-3 contest. Nate Herbert scored twice for the Rebels, while Aiden Dzubak added a goal. With the win, Horace Greeley/John Jay-Cross River advances to face No. 4 North Rockland in the sectional quarterfinals on Monday, Feb. 23.

Cortlandt concludes the 2025-26 season with an overall record of 8-11-1 — a significant improvement from last year’s 3-17 finish. The Rebels will graduate seven seniors from this year’s 25-player roster: Matthew Lennox and Sean Foley of Hendrick Hudson High School; Stephen Kjartansson, Aiden Dzubak and Joseph Recuppio of Putnam Valley High School; Carmine Cusma of Lakeland High School; and Mackinley Smith of Walter Panas High School.

Indoor Track

Six Hen Hud athletes captured sectional titles at the Section 1 Class B Championships on Feb. 15 at The Armory in New York City.

Sophia Savatgy led the way, winning both the 55-meter dash in 7.23 seconds and the 300-meter dash in 39.78. Her 300-meter performance shattered her own school record. Chloe Howard claimed the 1,500-meter race walk title in 7:42.27.

On the boys side, Victor Delgado was a double winner, taking the 1,600 meters in 4:29.61 and the 3,200 meters in 9:41.23. Perry Quaye earned gold in the high jump, clearing 1.83 meters.

Additional top performances included: Girls — Oona McManus placed third in the 600 meters in 1:39.32, setting a new school record. Harleigh Corcoran finished third in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 8.52 meters. The 4×400-meter relay team of McManus, Savatgy, Ava Schembari and Abby Mazzoni took second in 4:14.33. Boys — Quaye also finished second in the 55-meter dash (6.72) and fourth in the triple jump (11.82 meters). Olivier Birotte placed fourth in the 55-meter hurdles (8.38). Matthew Krupa was fifth in the pole vault (2.44 meters), and Taiten Robinson finished sixth in the high jump (1.68 meters). The 4×400-meter relay team of Robinson, Birotte, Delgado and Kenny Mora earned third place in 3:40.62.

Both Hen Hud teams finished fourth overall in the 17-team field.

Hen Hud athletes return to action Sunday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m. at The Armory for the Section 1 State Qualifier meet.

Winter Cheer

Hen Hud’s varsity cheer team competed in the 13th Annual Mardi Gras Challenge at Arlington High School on Feb. 14, earning a fourth-place finish in a highly competitive division.

“It was such a great fun competition,” said head coach Nicole Curran.

The Sailors now turn their focus to two upcoming events: the Winter Showcase & Senior Night at Hendrick Hudson High School on Wednesday, Feb. 25, followed by the Section 1 Championships (State Qualifier) on Saturday, Feb. 28.

10 Questions with Chloe Howard
(Track and Field)

As a senior at Hendrick Hudson High School, Chloe Howard is closing out her high school career the same way she’s defined it — at full stride. A standout student with a 95.45 weighted GPA and a nationally ranked race walker, Howard has built a résumé that stretches from championship podiums to honor societies, clinical shadowing experiences, and meaningful community service.

A varsity indoor and outdoor track and field captain, Howard has captured five Section 1 titles, three Westchester County championships, nine All-League honors, and six national qualifications. She has competed on some of the sport’s biggest stages, including the Penn Relays and Nike Indoor Nationals, where she finished among the top 10. She also holds school records at every race walk distance. This winter, she was recognized as a Con Edison Scholar Athlete of the Week, honoring her excellence in both athletics and academics.

“Chloe is a very hard-working student athlete,” said Hen Hud head coach Marcia Bailey. “The walk is not an easy event.”

Off the track, Howard serves as Secretary of both her school’s Hispanic Honor Society and Class Council, and is an active member of HOSA, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and Art Honor Society.

Beyond school, she has pursued her interest in medicine through hands-on experiences and service. Howard has shadowed professionals at Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital and Glaser Orthodontics and volunteered with organizations including SPARC Equine Therapy, My Brother Vinny in support of veterans, IBM STEM outreach programs, and as a longtime modified track meet official mentoring younger athletes.

Personal challenges have also shaped her journey. Serving as a caregiver for her late cousin during her battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, and for her father as he lives with vascular dementia, deepened her resilience and strengthened her commitment to medicine. This fall, Howard will attend Ursinus College, where she plans to major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry before pursuing medical school with the goal of becoming an oncologist.

Peekskill Herald (PH) > How old were you when you first started track and field, and what initially drew you to the sport?

Chloe Howard > I started track in 7th grade when I was 12 years old. Honestly, I always knew I was going to run track. Both of my parents competed in high school, so it felt like more than just a sport — it felt like a rite of passage. It was something I grew up around and something I always imagined myself doing. When I finally stepped onto the track, it just felt right. 

PH > As a multi-sport, year-round athlete, how do you manage balancing your athletic commitments with academics?

Chloe Howard  > This year I began competing year-round, starting with cross country, moving into winter track, and now preparing for spring track. It’s a major time commitment. In past years, I realized that trying to balance a job, intense training, and school wasn’t realistic. Instead, I looked for volunteer opportunities with more flexibility.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how to say no. Protecting my time has been essential. I use every small window I have to study and complete assignments, and I’ve become much more intentional about prioritizing what truly matters. It’s taught me discipline and accountability in ways I never expected.

PH > In what ways has Coach Marcia Bailey contributed to your growth as an athlete and as a person?

Chloe Howard  > I truly could not be more grateful for Coach Bailey. She gave me the foundation I needed in race walking and then trusted me to grow beyond it, both independently and alongside other athletes. She works tirelessly to design workouts, guide us through training, and open doors to opportunities I wouldn’t have found on my own.

What stands out most is that she cares about every single lap, not just race day. Her dedication to our success, not just as athletes, but as people, it’s something I deeply admire. I don’t think there’s a way to fully express how thankful I am for everything she has poured into me.

PH > Who are some of your biggest role models, both in sports and in life, and what impact have they had on you?

Chloe Howard  > In life, my biggest role model is my late cousin. She showed me how to live fully and bravely, even when life feels overwhelming. Watching her face adversity with strength changed how I approach challenges.

My mom has also shaped who I am. She taught me to embrace my femininity with pride and to feel empowered in my strength and ambition.

In sports, I look up to Olympic female race walkers. They represent the level of discipline and excellence I aspire to reach one day. They’ve shown me what’s possible with relentless dedication.

PH > Who would you say is the funniest teammate on the track and field team, and what makes them so entertaining during practices or bus rides?

Chloe Howard  > It’s impossible to pick just one. It’s really the combination of all of us together. Every bus ride feels like a rollercoaster, and every practice turns into a comedy show at some point. Track athletes have a special kind of humor, and that shared energy makes even the hardest workouts more fun.

PH > What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

Chloe Howard  >  Competing at Penn Relays was easily the most unforgettable experience of my career. It was the first time I truly felt the scale of international competition. I made new friends, stepped outside my comfort zone, and competed in a race I had never done before. Pushing through that fear and proving to myself that I belonged there meant everything.

PH > The 1,500-meter race walk is your signature event. How did you first get involved in race walking, and what are some common misconceptions about the event?

Chloe Howard  > I got into race walking because I wanted to win, and I wasn’t winning when I was running. I decided to try it one day, and I instantly loved how technical it was. There’s something about the rules and the precision of the event that fascinates me. It’s not just about speed, it’s about control, discipline, and strategy.

A common misconception is that it’s easy. It’s not. In the beginning especially, it can be extremely painful. It requires strength, endurance, and perfect technique. Once people understand that, they see how demanding it really is.

PH > The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does not recognize race walking as an official event. What are your thoughts on this?

Chloe Howard  >  This is something I’m deeply passionate about. Athletes ranked top five in the country in other events have opportunities to compete at the Division I or II level. I work just as hard as those athletes, but because race walking isn’t recognized, those same opportunities don’t exist.

It creates a difficult gap for athletes who want to compete at the highest levels, including World Championships or the Olympics. Without collegiate programs, training often becomes private and expensive. I truly don’t understand why the event isn’t recognized, especially when the level of dedication is the same.

PH > What advice would you give to younger athletes who are interested in race walking?

Chloe Howard  >  Just try it. There’s no harm in trying something new. Ask questions, the more questions you ask, the faster you improve. One thing I love about the race walking community is that I’ve never met a mean race walker. Everyone genuinely wants to help each other grow. It’s competitive, but it’s supportive.

PH > You have committed to continuing your academic and athletic career at Ursinus College What do you plan to major in, and what career path do you hope to pursue?  

Chloe Howard  >  I plan to major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. My long-term goal is to attend medical school and pursue a dual MD/PhD program, ultimately becoming an oncologist. My experiences both in athletics and in my personal life have fueled my desire to work in medicine and help others facing serious illness.

College Watch

Women’s Basketball – Division I Caitlin Weimar (Hen Hud Class of 2020) helped the University of Virginia women’s basketball team earn a 75-69 victory over Stanford University on Feb. 15. Coming off the bench, Weimar scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The double-figure effort marked her eighth of the season and the 81st of her collegiate career.

Women’s Lacrosse- Division I After several strong performances to open the season, Maddy Porter (Hen Hud Class of 2023) of Eastern Michigan University was named Mid-American Conference Goalkeeper of the Week on Feb. 17 — the fifth such honor of her career.

In a 19-12 loss to Canisius University on Feb. 18, Porter recorded six saves, bringing her career total to 351. She became the first Eagle in program history to surpass the 350-save milestone.

Women’s Lacrosse – Division II The William Jewell College women’s lacrosse team earned its first win of the season on Feb. 18, defeating Ottawa University, 20-4. The victory marked the first career win for head coach Mackenzie Porter (Hen Hud Class of 2018).

Track & Field – Division III On Feb. 14, Lindsay Tellez (Hen Hud Class of 2024) of SUNY Geneseo competed in the 200-meter dash at the Boston University Valentine Invitational, finishing 30th out of 97 athletes with a time of 25.66 seconds. Her performance ranks sixth all-time in program history.