The Peekskill Herald is proud to announce its 2025-26 Hendrick Hudson Athletic Team of the Year, recognizing 11 student-athletes whose performances, consistency, leadership, and impact stood out throughout the varsity sports year.
From fall to spring, the Herald has covered Hen Hud athletics weekly through our Friday sports roundups published on our website. Over the course of the school year, certain athletes consistently rose to the occasion — delivering standout performances game after game, meet after meet, and season after season.
This year’s selections are not ranked according to skill level, grade, college potential, or statistics alone. Rather, the list reflects the athletes who most consistently produced, competed, and made a measurable impact within their sport throughout the school year.
Coaches from across Hen Hud athletics were invited to nominate student-athletes and provide input before the final team was assembled.
The Herald congratulates all members of the 2025-26 Hen Hud Athletic Team of the Year, along with this year’s honorable mention selections, for their dedication, perseverance, and achievements throughout the school year.
We remain committed to covering local athletics and highlighting the accomplishments of Hen Hud’s student-athletes year-round. From weekly Friday sports roundups to feature stories, game recaps, and postseason coverage, we’re proud to help tell the stories of Sailors athletics.
If you appreciate the work we do covering local sports and the Peekskill/Cortlandt community, please consider supporting the Herald through a donation here.
Here’s a look at the 2025-26 Hen Hud Athletic Team of the Year.
Victoria Szostak (Jr., Girls Tennis)
Victoria Szostak made history this fall, becoming the first Hen Hud girls tennis singles player to earn All-Section honors since 2005. The junior compiled a dominant 12-2 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Section 1 singles tournament, establishing herself as one of the area’s top players. She was also named to Lohud’s 2025 Girls Tennis All-Stars Singles Second Team.
“She is one of the great players in our school’s history and has an unparalleled work ethic, drive, and level of competitiveness that I’ve not encountered in my 20 years coaching this team,” head coach Bradley Fredman told the Peekskill Herald earlier this school year.
Justin Parkes (Sr., Football)
It was a record-breaking season for senior Justin Parkes. The running back and defensive standout emerged as the star of Hen Hud’s football team, helping lead the Sailors to a 4-5 record and a berth in the sectional playoffs.
Parkes delivered his most memorable performance in Hen Hud’s 40-28 Homecoming victory over Rye Neck on Sept. 19, when he rushed for 238 yards and six touchdowns. His six-touchdown performance shattered the previous program record of three touchdowns in a game.
For the season, Parkes amassed 1,356 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 167 carries while adding 13 receptions for 259 yards and four more scores. On the defensive side, he recorded 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, and an interception. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, showcasing his game-changing ability in all phases of the game.
Parkes rewrote large portions of the Hen Hud record book during his senior campaign. He tied the school record for rushing attempts in a game with 35, matching Scott Eichenberg’s mark set in 1990. He established new school records for single-season rushing yards (1,356), career rushing touchdowns (35), and career kickoff return touchdowns (4). Parkes also became the program’s all-time leading rusher with 2,327 career yards, surpassing Pete Perez’s longtime record of 1,995 yards that stood from 1979. His 238-yard outing against Rye Neck set a new single-game rushing record, and he averaged an impressive 8.12 yards per carry for the season.
His outstanding senior campaign earned him a host of postseason honors, including Second Team Class B All-State, Class B Defensive Player of the Year, Class B Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, All-Section, and All-League recognition.
Parkes will continue his academic and athletic career at the Division III level with Alfred State College.
Anthony Davis (Sr., Boys Volleyball)
For years, Hen Hud students interested in boys volleyball had limited opportunities to compete at the varsity level. That changed this past fall when Sailor athletes joined the Croton/Briarcliff boys volleyball co-op — and Anthony Davis made the most of the opportunity.
Under the guidance of head coach Lisa Rudner, Davis enjoyed a breakout season, helping lead the Bearcats to an 18-2 regular-season record, a league championship, a Section 1 finals appearance, and a berth in the state tournament.
The senior outside hitter was a force at the net, finishing the season with 325 kills and 45 blocks while earning All-Section and All-League honors. But Davis’ impact extended beyond the stat sheet. His intensity, leadership, and relentless competitive drive were evident every time he stepped onto the court, helping set the tone for one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Davis will continue his academic and athletic career at Lees-McRae College.
Victor Delgado (Sr., Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track)
Although he has yet to graduate, Victor Delgado has already cemented his place among the greatest distance runners in Hendrick Hudson history.
The senior delivered a remarkable final year in a Sailors uniform, highlighted by a historic cross-country season. Delgado led Hen Hud to its first Class B sectional championship in 45 years, capturing the individual Class B sectional title in the process. He later finished runner-up at the NYSPHSAA Cross Country Championships on the 5,000-meter course at Queensbury High School before placing 11th at the Federation Championships to earn All-State honors.
His performances throughout the fall earned him Con Edison Student Athlete of the Week and Lohud’s Westchester/Putnam Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year recognition.
Delgado carried that momentum into the winter season. He received an invitation to compete in the prestigious Millrose Games, where he raced in the high school mile against some of the nation’s top runners. He went on to claim Section 1 Class B titles in both the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter events and added a county championship in the 1,600 meters. At the state championships, Delgado earned a third-place finish in the 3,200 meters.
He capped off the indoor season by qualifying for Nike Indoor Nationals in the championship division of the mile, two-mile, and sprint medley relay. There, he earned All-American honors as part of the boys state distance medley relay team.
Delgado appeared poised for another standout postseason during the outdoor track season before a foot injury suffered in late April cut short his final varsity campaign.
Even with that setback, his career accomplishments speak for themselves: a two-time All-American, four-time All-State selection, seven-time All-Section honoree, seven-time All-County performer, 11-time All-League athlete, two-time NYSPHSAA silver medalist, and three-time Federation medalist.
Elyse Smith (Sr., Girls Basketball)
Elyse Smith was a constant presence for Hen Hud’s girls basketball team throughout the winter season, providing leadership, energy, and production on both ends of the floor. As a senior captain, Smith embraced the responsibility of leading the Sailors, setting the tone with her toughness, work ethic, and competitive spirit.
A dynamic offensive player, Smith consistently pressured defenses with her ability to attack the basket and create scoring opportunities off the dribble. However, her greatest impact often came on the defensive end, where she established herself as the team’s top perimeter defender and one of its most reliable contributors.
A four-year varsity player, Smith closed out her high school career with All-Conference and All-League honors. Her graduation, alongside fellow senior Kate Stratton, leaves significant shoes to fill for a Sailors program that will look to replace two of its most experienced players next season.
Smith will continue her academic and athletic career at Cheyney University this fall.
Kate Stratton (Sr., Girls Basketball)
Few players were more instrumental to Hen Hud’s success this winter than Kate Stratton. The senior captain transformed from a role player into the focal point of the Sailors’ lineup, using her size, strength, and high basketball IQ to dominate on both ends of the floor.
A four-year varsity player, Stratton was a constant presence in the paint, excelling as both a scorer and rebounder while anchoring the team’s defense. Her standout season helped guide the Sailors to a 16-7 record, a third consecutive league championship, and a third straight appearance at the Westchester County Center.
Stratton led the team with averages of 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, finishing the season with 292 points, 201 rebounds, and 29 blocks. For her strong senior campaign, Stratton earned All-Section, All-League, and League MVP honors, as well as Fourth Team All-State recognition. She also received the prestigious Isabel Costa All-Academic Award, recognizing her achievements on and off the court.
Stratton will continue her academic and athletic career at SUNY Cortland, where she will play for the women’s basketball team.
Sophia Savatgy (So., Indoor Track, Outdoor Track)
The youngest athlete on this year’s list, Sophia Savatgy has already established herself as one of the top sprinters in Section 1.
With her trademark arm sleeve and explosive speed, Savatgy has dominated sprint events throughout both the indoor and outdoor track seasons. Despite being only a sophomore, she already owns every Hendrick Hudson sprint record from the 55 meters through the 400 meters across both indoor and outdoor track and field — a remarkable accomplishment for an athlete still early in her high school career.
Savatgy’s success has translated to the sport’s biggest stages. She has qualified for the state championships twice in both indoor and outdoor track and has earned All-State honors in the 55-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter dashes, as well as as a member of Hen Hud’s 4×400-meter relay team. She has also qualified for national-level competition every year she’s been on the Hen Hud track team.
Her resume continues to grow at an impressive pace. Savatgy is a six-time sectional champion, three-time county champion, and has earned All-League, All-County, and All-Section honors in each of the past three years. Few underclassmen in the region can match her combination of talent, accomplishments, and consistency.
As the 2026 outdoor season enters its final stretch, Savatgy is on pace to qualify for the state championships in several sprint events — further evidence that her standout career is only getting started.
Chloe Howard (Sr., Indoor Track, Outdoor Track)
Race walking is one of track and field’s most demanding disciplines, requiring a unique combination of endurance, strength, mental toughness, and flawless technique. Few athletes in Section 1 have mastered those demands as successfully as Chloe Howard.
A nationally ranked race walker and team captain, Howard has spent years establishing herself as one of the premier competitors in the event. Throughout her career, she has dominated the discipline at Hen Hud, setting school records in every race walk event from the 1,500 meters through the 5,000 meters across both indoor and outdoor track and field.
Her list of accomplishments is among the most impressive in program history. Howard is an All-American, six-time All-Section selection, seven-time All-County honoree, 10-time All-League athlete, two-time New York State Championship qualifier, two-time Penn Relays qualifier, and Loucks Games champion. In January, she was also recognized as a Con Edison Scholar Athlete of the Week for her achievements in both athletics and academics.
Howard will continue her academic and athletic career at Ursinus College, where she plans to study molecular biology and biochemistry before pursuing medical school with the goal of becoming an oncologist.
Carleigh Ortiz (Jr., Girls Lacrosse)
Carleigh Ortiz is one of the most dynamic lacrosse players in the region and the centerpiece of Hen Hud’s girls lacrosse program.
Following the graduation of four captains from last year’s team, Ortiz embraced an expanded leadership role this spring. As one of the squad’s lone returning stars, the junior was tasked with setting the standard both on and off the field — pushing the pace, controlling the midfield, generating offense, and leading by example for a young Sailors team navigating a rebuild.
A naturally gifted midfielder with a relentless attacking mentality, Ortiz powered Hen Hud’s offense throughout the season. Despite facing some of the area’s toughest competition, she helped guide the Sailors to several hard-fought victories while consistently producing at an elite level.
Already committed to play Division I lacrosse at Manhattan University, Ortiz added several milestones to her growing resume this season. She surpassed 100 career goals and 200 career points while finishing the 2026 campaign with more than 85 goals and 21 assists.
Emma Barbelet (Sr., Softball)
Emma Barbelet’s dominance in the pitching circle was a driving force behind another successful season for Hen Hud softball this spring.
The senior ace helped lead the Sailors to an 18-4 overall record and a trip to the Class A sectional quarterfinals, consistently delivering standout performances against some of the area’s top competition. A varsity player since eighth grade, Barbelet has long been one of the program’s cornerstone athletes, steadily developing into one of the elite pitchers in Section 1.
While her work in the circle defined much of the season, Barbelet also contributed offensively, providing valuable production at the plate. Her all-around impact helped set the tone for a Sailors team that was among the area’s most competitive throughout the spring.
A standout multi-sport athlete, Barbelet also competed in girls tennis during the fall and bowling in the winter. This season, she surpassed the 400-career strikeout milestone and earned All-Section Pitcher of the Year honors, adding another chapter to an already memorable high school career.
Maria Ribeiro (Jr., Flag Football)
Maria Ribeiro was one of Hen Hud’s most impactful players this season, excelling on both sides of the ball for the Sailors’ flag football team. The junior running back and defensive lineman finished the 2026 campaign with 268 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and four extra points. As a receiver, she added 56 catches for 540 yards and eight touchdowns while converting six extra points.
Defensively, Ribeiro was a dominant force. She recorded 64 flag pulls, 27 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks while also contributing nine passes defended and three interceptions. Her ability to disrupt opposing offenses and make game-changing plays helped anchor the Sailors throughout the season.
For her outstanding performances, Ribeiro earned All-Section, All-League, and Class C Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.
With another season still ahead of her, Ribeiro is poised to return as one of Hen Hud’s leaders in 2027.
Honorable Mentions
Kinsley Steinhiser (Fr., Girls Soccer), Maddie Little (Sr., Field Hockey), Julia Nelson (Sr., Girls Volleyball), Addison Peskie (Jr., Cheerleading), Shawn O’Mara Jr (Sr., Wrestling), Maria Ribeiro (Jr., Girls Basketball), Rachel Budde (So., Skiing), Fotini Schattman (Sr., Skiing), Richie Simonetti (Sr., Boys Lacrosse), Aiden Lawless (Sr., Baseball), Angelina Carbone (Jr., Softball), Kate Stratton (Sr., Flag Football), William McKinley (So., Boys Volleyball), Perry Quaye (Jr., Indoor Track, Outdoor Track), Oona McManus (Jr., Indoor Track, Outdoor Track).
