Peekskill, NY – The Peekskill Athletics Department proudly honored its standout student-athletes during the highly anticipated 2024-25 Varsity Awards Night, held last Friday evening at Peekskill High School. The event celebrated the dedication, hard work, and achievements of athletes across various sports, recognizing both individual excellence and team spirit. Coaches, family members, and community supporters gathered to applaud the outstanding performances that have defined the school’s athletic season, highlighting a year marked by perseverance and success.
Peekskill Athletics Honors Outstanding Achievements of Student-Athletes
The recent Varsity Awards Night at Peekskill High School was a vibrant celebration of dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent displayed by the student-athletes throughout the 2024-25 school year. Coaches, faculty, families, and community members gathered to recognize individual and team accomplishments across a diverse range of sports, from soccer and basketball to track and swimming. Standout performers received accolades for breaking school records, demonstrating outstanding leadership both on and off the field, and exemplifying true sportsmanship.
Special honors were presented to seniors who have shown consistent excellence and commitment over multiple seasons. The evening also highlighted the achievements of underclassmen poised to become future leaders in Peekskill athletics. A selection of award categories included:
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Rookie of the Year
Coach’s Leadership Award
Academic All-Star Recognition
Community Service Award
Award
Recipient
Sport
MVP
Alicia Martinez
Girls’ Basketball
Rookie of the Year
Jordan Lee
Boys’ Soccer
Coach’s Leadership Award
The recent Varsity Awards Night at Peekskill High School was a vibrant celebration of dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent displayed by the student-athletes throughout the 2024-25 school year. Coaches, faculty, families, and community members gathered to recognize individual and team accomplishments across a diverse range of sports, from soccer and basketball to track and swimming. Standout performers received accolades for breaking school records, demonstrating outstanding leadership both on and off the field, and exemplifying true sportsmanship.
Special honors were presented to seniors who have shown consistent excellence and commitment over multiple seasons. The evening also highlighted the achievements of underclassmen poised to become future leaders in Peekskill athletics. A selection of award categories included:
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Rookie of the Year
Coach’s Leadership Award
Academic All-Star Recognition
Community Service Award
Award
Recipient
Sport
MVP
Alicia Martinez
Girls’ Basketball
Rookie of the Year
Jordan Lee
Boys’
Highlighting Key Performances and Team Milestones from the 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 season witnessed remarkable individual and collective achievements across Peekskill Athletics. Standout athletes shattered previous records and earned accolades, showcasing unparalleled dedication and skill. Among the highlights, senior captain Mia Torres set a new school record with 28 goals in soccer, while the boys’ basketball team clinched the sectional championship for the first time in over a decade. The season also saw an influx of emerging talent, with freshman sprinter Jamal Greene posting the fastest 100m dash time in school history, igniting excitement for future campaigns.
Team cohesion played a pivotal role as multiple squads reached significant milestones, reinforcing the power of perseverance and teamwork. Key accomplishments include:
Track & Field: Five athletes qualified for state finals, a new high for the program.
Football: Achieved the first winning season since 2015, with standout defensive performances.
These achievements not only reflect individual talent but also the strength of the coaching staff and support from the Peekskill community.
Sport
Milestone
Notable Athlete(s)
Soccer (Girls)
Most goals in a single season
Mia Torres
Basketball (Boys)
Sectional Champions 2025
Team Effort
Coaches and Players Reflect on Growth and Future Aspirations
Coach Ramirez expressed pride in the resilience his team demonstrated throughout the season. “Our players have grown not just in skill, but in character,” he said, highlighting the discipline and teamwork that became the cornerstone of their success. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of setting higher goals, aiming to build on this foundation to compete at a regional level next year.
Players echoed this sentiment, reflecting on their personal and collective journeys. Senior captain Jasmine Lee shared, “This season taught me the value of perseverance and trust. I’m excited to see our program evolve and dream bigger-for all of us to push beyond what we thought possible.” Among the team’s future aspirations were:
Enhanced off-season training programs
Stronger community engagement
Increased recruitment to deepen the talent pool
Player
Position
Future Goal
Jasmine Lee
Team Captain / Midfielder
Lead team to state semi-finals
Marcus Allen
Goalkeeper
Earn a college scholarship
Sophia Martinez
Forward
Improve scoring accuracy
Recommendations for Sustaining Excellence in Peekskill Sports Programs
Ensuring the continued success of Peekskill’s sports programs demands a multifaceted approach centered on community involvement and athlete development. Investing in advanced training facilities, fostering mentorship connections between varsity athletes and younger teams, and expanding access to sports medicine resources are pivotal steps. Additionally, emphasizing academic achievement alongside athletic performance will help create well-rounded student-athletes prepared for life beyond the field.
Collaboration remains key, with strategies focusing on:
Strengthening partnerships with local businesses to secure sponsorships
Implementing coaching education programs to keep staff updated on best practices
Promoting inclusivity to encourage wider participation across all demographics
Utilizing data analytics to track athlete progress and tailor training regimens
Focus Area
Key Action
Expected Outcome
Facilities
Upgrade equipment & fields
Enhanced training environment
Coaching
Continuous education
Improved instruction quality
Community
Local sponsorships
Increased program funding
Athlete Wellness
Sports medicine access
Reduced injury rates
Concluding Remarks
As the 2024-25 Varsity Awards Night concluded, Peekskill Athletics reaffirmed its commitment to fostering excellence both on and off the field. Celebrating the dedication, talent, and sportsmanship of its student-athletes, the event highlighted a promising season ahead. With continued community support, Peekskill’s student-athletes are poised to build on their achievements and inspire the next generation of Panthers.
