The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Cross Country team had an outstanding 2019-2020 season, finishing in the top three at all but one of the season’s meets, and winning two of those meets (Golden eagle Invitational, Bethpage Park, Highland Tech Challenge, Brook Park). The men's squad was led by All-Conference Senior Aidan Russell. Dan Agostinho-Vides, Kyle Kondracki and Matt Tina, all of which had stellar seasons pushing the Spartans to a close third place finish in the ECC Championship back in late October.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced an early conclusion to the Spartan's season on the track, the St. Thomas Aquinas Men's team posted yet another historic year in the winter portion of their campaign. STAC finished third at the ECC Championships in late February, and nine members of the team took home All-Conference honors, including; Dante Brown, Quazier Dailey, Josh Mallard, Mich Philistin, Lugduni DesRosiers, Makendy Midouin, DeAndre Smith, Lavonno Mitchell and Nicholas Martello. Brown also took home Men's Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year accolades.
The aforementioned Dante Brown and DeAndre Smith took their winter season into the middle of March, as both men qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, which were to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, but were ultimately canceled due to the pandemic. However, Brown and Smith did return to New York with the distinction of being called All-Americans, as the USTFCCCA saluted both athletes for their work on the track. The pair were also named All-Region selections by the coaches association, along with teammates Quazier Dailey, Aidan Russell, Lugduni DesRosiers, Josh Mallard, Makendy Midouin and Mich Philistin.
The Spartans welcome fourteen new faces to trails and track beginning this fall, as the team bids farewell to four incredibly hard-working, talented student-athletes; Lugduni DesRosiers, Mich Philistin, Aidan Russell and Stefan Saeed, all of whom graduated from the college this past spring.
Here is a look at the future STAC Class of 2024 alphabetically.
Jayden Bennermon
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Jayden Bennermon: Spackenkill High School
Jayden comes to STAC from Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie, NY. Another football player who can offer our track team some solid support in
the sprints.
“Jayden will be a great asset to our team in the classroom and on the track”, said Coach Kondracki
Gary Barash
Gary Barash: Huntington High School
Gary hails from Huntington High School in Long Island, NY. Gary is a superlative thrower whose expertise fills a much-needed void on our present team. With personal bests in the shot put of 49 feet, the weight-throw of 56 ft, and the discus of 148-7 ft, Gary brings some proven talent to our team. Gary Qualified for the New York State indoor Track & Field Championships prior to the closing of schools this spring.
“With Gary on board, our track & field team just got stronger. He’s versatility in the throws gives us a legitimate scorer form day one”, commented Coach Kondracki.
Aiden De La Rosa
Aiden De La Rosa: Harrison High School
A graduate of Harrison HS, in Harrison, NY, Aiden comes on board an already solid sprint team and makes us even stronger. With personal bests on 6.66 in the 55 meter dash, and 23.69 in the 200, Aiden gives us a proven talent. Aiden finished 4th at the Section 1 State Qualifier, and 4th at the Westchester County Championships. He qualified for the Indoor state meet held at Ocean Breeze in early March.
“Aiden is fast! He gives us even more strength in the sprints, and his presence will just make everyone else even faster”, remarked Coach Kondracki.
Andrew Drescher
Andrew Drescher: Duanesburg High School
Andrew hails from Duanesburg High School, in upstate’ s, Delanson, NY. Andrew will be running Cross country, Indoor, and Spring Track as a Spartan this year. Andrew is one of the state’s top XC runners, finishing 1st at Section 2 Class D Championships, and Qualifying for the state meet in a frigid Plattsburgh, NY. His 16:22 5K brings us a solid performer as he will vie for the number one spot on our Spartan squad.
“The hidden intangible that Andrew brings us is his athleticism and untapped potential in track and field. Andrew is an all-around athlete (point guard on his basketball team, shortstop on his baseball team) who will give us strength in the 800M, Mile, and 2-mile. Andrew WILL make a huge difference on our team, and in the classroom”, said Coach Kondracki.
Jorge Dutan
Jorge Dutan: Hackensack High School/Bergen Community College
Jorge is a graduate of Hackensack HS and comes to us as a transfer from Bergen Community College. Jorge will be running both track and Cross country and gives us a solid veteran approach to our team. Jorge finished 14th in the NJCAA D-3 XC Championships. Jorge’s experience as a distance runner with times of 2:09 in the 800, and 27:12 in the 8K make him a valuable part of our team. His leadership will guide our newer athletes and working with a strong group of runners will only make him even better.
“Jorge brings, experience, and the exceptional qualities that a STAC student athlete brings to our community”, commented Coach Kondracki.
Miles Fisher
Miles Fisher: Clarkstown South High School
Hailing from New City, New York, and by way of Clarkstown South HS. Miles is a multi-event athlete who will make an immediate impact on our track program. With personal bests of 8.00 in the high hurdles, 15.89 in the 110 HH, 21 ft in the long jump, and 42 feet in the Triple jump, Miles can score in many events with authority. Miles can also high jump and is a strong sprinter.
“Miles is extremely versatile. He brings talent and leadership to our team, and his abilities will make an immediate difference”, remarked Coach Kondracki.
Justin Honaker
Justin Honaker: St. Elizabeth School
Justin comes to us from St. Elizabeth School in Wilmington, Delaware. A solid sprinter, with a vast amount of potential, Justin will make an immediate impact. A hard and passionate worker, Justin has personal bests of 23.72 in the 200 M, and 53.63 in the 400M.
“Justin is an eager and determined young man who is going to get even better. Justin has that true Spartan spirit”, said Coach Kondracki.
Cesar Juarez
Cesar Juarez: Monroe-Woodbury High School
A Monroe-Woodbury graduate, Cesar is that solid middle distance/distance runner that will make our team even stronger than it is. With personal bests of 2:40 in the 1000M, 2:05 in the 800M, and 17:13 in the 5K, Cesar will fill strategic positions on our track and XC teams.
“Cesar comes to us from a great running program (Monroe-Woodbury). His work ethic and potential for growth will make the next four years at STAC a great place to be”, commented Coach Kondracki.
Kieran Keenan
Kieran Keenan: Albertus Magnus High School
This Pearl River resident comes to us from Albertus Magnus High School, in Bardonia, New York. Kieran is a hard worker who is going to get better as his time at STAC progresses. A pleasant and friendly young man, Kieran will bring us that distance depth that will push everyone around him. Kieran has an 18:39 5K time, and some solid track numbers as well.
“Kieran is going to get better as a STAC runner. His work ethic combined with his desire to achieve will make a difference on our team and within the STAC community”, remarked Coach Kondracki.
David Martin
David Martin: Chester High School
David is a graduate of Chester High School in Orange County, New York. David is a high hurdler and sprinter, who will also being learning the horizontal jumps. David brings us a strong work ethic and desire to achieve to will be infectious with his teammates.
“David has some untapped potential that will be opened up at STAC. He brings a yearning to succeed, and desire to make a difference at St. Thomas Aquinas”, commented Coach Kondracki.
Phillip Meikle
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Phillip Meikle: Northern Highlands High School
Phillip comes to us from Northern Highland High School in Allendale NJ. Primarily a football recruit, Phillip offers us some strong depth in the High Hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and sprints. Phillip’s all-around athleticism insures our Spartans strengths in all track and field venues.
“Phillip will be an asset to STAC on the field, on the track and in the classroom”, remarked Coach Kondracki.
Alex Quillan
Alex Quillan: Johnstown High School and North East High School/University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Alex comes to us from upstate New York’s, Johnstown High School, and North East High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a transfer student/athlete from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke, Alex brings his experience as a middle distance & distance runner to our young Spartan squad. With personal bests of 2:03 in the 800 meters, 4:40 in the mile, Alex will step right in and make a difference on our team. Although hurt during his freshman XC year at UNC, Alex is healthy and ready to make an impact as a Spartan harrier.
“Alex brings us heart, and a fierce competitiveness that is sure to inspire his teammates”, said Coach Kondracki.
Tyler Robinson
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Tyler Robinson: Clarkstown South High School
Tyler is a graduate of nearby Clarkstown South High School. Tyler was his team's Captain and it is our hope that he can bring that same leadership to our Spartan throwers. Tyler has personal bests on 40 feet in the shot put, and 44 feet in the weight throw, as well as a discus toss of 106 feet.
“Tyler is an outstanding young man whose leadership skills will be needed for our throwers to excel. His intelligence and kind heart will fit right into our STAC community”, commented Coach Kondracki.
Christan Watson
Christan Watson: Woodlands High School
Christan hails from Westchster County New York’s Woodlands High School. Christan is a truly talented athlete who can step right in and make a difference. With performances of 21 feet in the Long Jump, 11.5 in the 100 meters, 23.2 in the 200 meters, 36.93 in the 300 meters, Christan will have an immediate impact. Christan finished 2 nd in the 55 Meters at the Westchester County meet last winter and was 3 rd at the Section 1 (NY) Class C 300 meters.
“Christan has all the tools to be a great Spartan. His heart, desire to be at STAC, and his familiarity with success, will make us strong for many years to come", remarked Coach Kondracki.