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 Joe Kosier (Varsity Track & Field) and Parker Steele (Varsity Track & Field) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of June 2
Joe Kosier (Varsity Track & Field)
Joe finished his sophomore season with an impressive time in the 1600m of 4:22.86. This was over six seconds faster than his personal record time. Way to go, Joe!
Parker Steele (Varsity Track & Field)
At sectionals, Parker competed in four events. She scored a total of 34 points to help lead her team to a third consecutive sectional title and was sectional champion in 100m hurdles and the 4×100 relay! She competed at the NYSPHSAA Track & Field Championships in 4 four events, winning a state championship as a member of the 4×400 relay team!
Congratulations to Jeanne Lu (Varsity Track & Field) and Giovanni Lucarelli (Modified Baseball) for earning DOW (Dutchmen of the Week) honors for the week of May 26.
Jeanne Lu (Varsity Track & Field)
Jeanne Lu had an exceptional Sectional meet. She placed first in three out of the five events of the pentathlon to secure the Sectional Championship with a personal record 2,390 points! The score is the sixth best in our program’s history. Jeanne is a true captain, a strong leader who is always so supportive of her teammates and coaches and works to promote a positive team culture. We are proud of her!
Giovanni Lucarelli (Modified Baseball)
Gio came up big versus Christian Brothers Academy at Dutchman Field. He played a stellar game at second base, reached base twice and delivered a clutch walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game! True to his character, Gio immediately gave credit to his teammates for setting the stage and contributing to a great team victory. Great plays come from great preparation. Outstanding job, Gio, and the rest of the modified baseball team!
Important Athletics Updates and Dates
Athletics Updates
GHS track and field ends season with four state titles
On June 13-14, 2025, the Guilderland High School Track and Field team competed in the New York State Championships at Middletown High School. A total of eleven athletes participated in various events, achieving record-breaking performances and notable victories.
The 4×400 relay team of Lauren Burnash, Parker Steele, Addison Vellekoop, and Saida Assabahi delivered an unstoppable performance, running the second-fastest time in program history to claim the Class A NYSPHSAA Championship title.
It was a standout weekend for Tatum Cramer. On June 13, she competed in the long jump, surpassing the 20-foot mark and becoming only the second female athlete in Section 2 history to do so. Her performance earned Tatum both the NYS and Federation Championship titles. The following day, she returned for the triple jump, reaching 39 feet, 10.25 inches to capture both championships once again.
Will Smitas ran the race of a lifetime in the 3200 meters, breaking his personal record and the school record with a time of 8:55.04—an improvement of 10 seconds. His exceptional performance earned him both the NYS Class A and Federation Championship titles.
The weekend concluded with Guilderland bringing home four state championships—an extraordinary achievement in a single season. It was a historic moment that will be remembered by the community for years to come.
Congratulations to the GHS outdoor track and field team, their coaches and families on an outstanding season!
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!
2025-26 Athletics Dates
Saturday, July 19, 2025: Grade 9-12 fall athletes and 7th & 8th graders participating in the APP (Advanced Athletic Placement) should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Tuesday, July 22: Sports physicals, free of charge, at FMS Nurses Office from 4-6 PM (All 7th-12th graders welcome)
Sunday, Aug. 3: Grade 7-8 fall athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Thursday, Aug. 14: Sports physicals, free of charge, at GHS Nurses Office from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (All 7th-12th graders welcome)
Monday, Aug. 18: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman fall sports
Tuesday, Aug. 26: Sports physicals, free of charge, at FMS Nurses Office from 4-6 p.m. (All 7th-12th graders welcome)
Thursday, Aug. 28: Modified football start date
Tuesday, Sept. 2: First day of Modified 9 and Modified fall sports
Monday, Oct. 20: Grade 9-12 winter athletes and 7th & 8th graders participating in the APP (Advanced Athletic Placement) should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Oct. 27: Grade 7-8 winter athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Nov. 17: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman winter sports
Monday, Nov. 24: First day of Modified winter sports
Monday, Feb. 9, 2026: Grade 9-12 spring athletes and 7th & 8th graders participating in the APP (Advanced Athletic Placement) should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, Feb. 23: Grade 7-8 spring athletes should begin submitting the required health forms to the school nurse
Monday, March 9: First day of Varsity, JV and Freshman spring sports
Monday, March 23: First day of Modified spring sports
Thursday, June 11: Senior Sports Awards in GHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m., by invitation only
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