SULLIVAN COUNTY — Although the different sports require different skill sets and have varying schedules, one thing remains the same: the participants are all student-athletes. The classroom comes first, and for many of the teams and individuals in the county, earning the Scholar Athlete Team designation is a goal.

Having more than 75 percent of the team with an average of 90 and above earns teams the designation. Even if the team does not reach that mark, individual Scholar Athletes are still recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). 

The NYSPHSAA recently announced their Winter 2024 teams, which included plenty from the various Sullivan County schools.

Starting with Eldred, the Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Boys Wrestling teams all made the Scholar Athlete Team list. 

The Fallsburg girls were well represented with both the Basketball and Indoor Track and Field Teams being named Scholar Athlete Teams. Individually, the Boys Basketball team had two players, the Boys Indoor Track team had four and the Girls and Boys Wrestling teams each had one Scholar Athlete.

Liberty had one team earn Scholar Athlete status, the Girls Indoor Track team. Individually, the Boys Basketball team had four Scholar Athletes, the Boys Indoor Track team had nine and the Boys Wrestling team had three.

There were two teams from Livingston Manor that earned Scholar Athlete status, Game Day Cheerleading and Girls Basketball. Four basketball players made the individual Scholar Athlete list as well.

Monticello finished the Winter season with five Scholar Athlete teams: Boys Indoor Track, Girls Indoor Track, Boys Nordic Skiing, Girls Nordic Skiing and Girls Basketball. For individuals, Monticello’s Boys Wrestling team had three Scholar Athletes, Game Day Cheerleading had three and Girls Wrestling had one. 

Four varsity teams from Sullivan West earned Scholar Athlete Team honors. The teams include, Boys and Girls Basketball and Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field. One Alpine Skier and two from the Boys Wrestling team earned individual honors.

Tri-Valley also had four Scholar Athlete Teams. Boys and Girls Indoor Track, Competitive Cheerleading and Girls Basketball.

Four Boys Basketball individuals and two Game Day Cheerleaders also earned Scholar Athlete status.

Being able to get the job done in the classroom is just as important as in athletics, if not more. Congratulations to all the teams and individuals, and keep up the hard work!