Utica Student-Athletes Recognized by NYSPHSAA for Academic Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

69 Proctor High School student-athletes earn Scholar-Athlete honors for the Winter 2025 -2026 season

UTICA, NY—The Utica City School District is proud to recognize 69 student-athletes from Proctor High School who have been named recipients of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Award for the Winter 2025- 2026 season.

The NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team Award Program recognizes varsity teams and individual athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievement in the classroom while competing in interscholastic athletics. Students must maintain a high academic average while balancing the demands of their sport.

This winter, two Proctor teams earned Scholar-Athlete Team recognition by achieving a team
grade point average of 90 or above:

• Girls Bowling – 94.49
• Boys Bowling – 95.46

In addition to team honors, student-athletes across multiple programs were recognized individually for their academic performance, representing a wide range of sports and grade levels.

“These recognitions reflect the level of commitment our student-athletes bring to everything they
do,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Spence. “We are seeing strong academic progress across
our district, and achievements like this show how that work is carrying over into every area of the
student experience. These students are putting in the work every day, and it shows.”

Interim Athletic Director Richard Ambruso emphasized the dedication required to balance
academics and athletics.

“Our student-athletes understand that success in sports starts with discipline in the classroom,”
Ambruso said. “Earning Scholar-Athlete recognition is not easy. Balancing school and sports at this
level takes discipline and consistency. We are proud of these Raiders for the way they represent
their teams, their school and our district.”

The recognition of 69 student-athletes reflects a continued focus on academic achievement and
the systems in place to support student success across the Utica City School District.
 

Tim Winners

Girls Bowling – 94.49
Avery Fitzgerald
Adaphca Fortilus
Raylin Remigio
Isabelle Stevener
Vanessa Thach
Jayla Wiggins

Boys Bowling – 95.46
Bryson Dapre
Gabriel Cobell-Diate
Nico Majka
Philip Restifo
Ian Witonsky
 

Winners individu

Boys Hockey
Vincenzo Lapaglia

Boys Swimming
Philip Ansah
Kalvin Le
Jayden Marrero
Saw Nintyone Maung
Kwame Osei
Vadad Salidzik
Carlos Vargas Espinal

Boys Volleyball
Brilliant Blu
Dennis Brutsky
Preston Vo
Eternal Win

Boys Wrestling
Zainulalabeden Challab

Girls Basketball
Amanda Ahmed

Girls Wrestling
Nyalynn Awak
Kim Cu
Mercy Heh
Eh Nee Thaw Htoo
Duong Thuy Nguyen Pham

Girls Volleyball
Erna Kantarevic
Daryna Korniichuk
Sun Shiine

Cheerleading
Ellianna Curley
Alyssa Randall
Natalia Ruiz

Boys Track
Antonio Bridenbecker
Carter Castronovo
Alonzo Fobbs
Carlos Gonzalez-Aponte
Ian Grove
Rylan Jantzi
Lashawn Jasper
Derek Le
Emrah Nadarevic
Keygan Newman
Ervin Racic
Kingston Sweet
Sawyer Sweet
Jason Tran

Girls Track
Anisha Alvarado Aponte
Lily Brindisi
Adrienne Butler
Georgiana Butler
Elliana Capraro
Tianea Cole
Zahra Eltayeb
Ku Htee
Lucie Mbabazi
Zuhaira Myint
Arianna Nash
Nich Neang
Malia Pert
Isabella Salamey
Keelyn Simpson
Leilani Thomas
Omarianna Thompson
Maya Wilson
Anisa Zayas
 

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