This season, seniors Julia Mattioli, Sandra Vitolo, and Kyra Magerko have left a lasting mark on the track program through their dedication, perseverance, and leadership. Whether balancing intense training schedules, academics, or preparing for collegiate athletics, each athlete has demonstrated what it means to commit fully to both their sport and their future. As they prepare to continue their journeys at the collegiate level, their accomplishments this season reflect years of hard work behind the scenes.
To start, Julia’s senior season has been defined by consistency across multiple events. From sprint relays to the 400-meter hurdles, she continuously proved herself as one of the team’s most dependable athletes. This season, Julia earned personal bests in both the 400 meters and the 400-meter hurdles, running impressive times of 57.60 and 1:04.92, respectively, while also contributing to several standout relay performances throughout the year. Beyond track, Julia’s leadership and dedication have a lasting impact on her teammates and coaches alike. Next year, she will continue both her academic and athletic career at Emory University, where she plans to study nursing and compete in track and field. When asked what the saddest part of leaving Ramapo will be, she said, “Honestly, track and the community that we’ve built. Sandra, Kyra, and I have run track together since we were freshmen, so it’ll definitely be an adjustment for me to not have them there by my side.”
Similarly, Sandra’s senior season showcased the versatility that has made her one of the team’s standout athletes. Competing in hurdles, sprints, and field events, she continuously delivered impressive performances against some of the top competition in the state. This season, Sandra achieved a personal best of 1:01.12 in the 400-meter hurdles and an outstanding 14.42 in the 100-meter hurdles, while also excelling in the long jump with a season-best mark of 18’4”. Sandra’s work ethic and competitive drive have earned her the opportunity to continue her track and field journey at Cornell University, where she plans to study psychology. In an interview with track coach William Manzo, he states, “Sandra, Julia, and Kyra have impacted our team since freshman year through their willingness to learn, their work ethic, and their contribution to a positive team culture. From the very beginning all three have been ‘yes, Coach’ athletes who have worked very hard to turn potential into something special. What started as seeing promise back then has since seen all three performing at elite levels and helping to bring unheard of success to Ramapo these past four years, earning each of them 1st team all-league, 1st team all-county, 1st team All-State, and all-American honors along the way.”
Lastly, despite being committed to soccer at the collegiate level, Kyra has established herself as an exceptional and determined track athlete throughout her senior season. Competing in everything from the 800 meters to relay events, she consistently delivered strong performances. This year, Kyra earned personal bests in both the 400-meter relay split and the 800 meters, running an impressive 59.60 split and a 2:17.35. She also played a major role in several successful relay teams, helping secure first-place finishes at championship meets, including Bergen County Relays and Sectionals. Kyra shares the values she learned in track where she says, “Every day, every race, was a new mental challenge that I had to overcome in order to achieve the success I wanted. Track was the most blatant example of how a negative mindset can greatly impact my performance, so by running track my mental strength improved in every other aspect of my life. Track turned out to be much more of a team sport than it appears to be and I could not have been as successful or found such enjoyment in this sport without my teammates.” Next year, she will continue her journey at Franklin & Marshall College, where she plans to study biology on the pre-health track while continuing her soccer career.
As they prepare to begin the next chapter of their lives, Julia, Sandra, and Kyra leave behind a legacy defined not only refined by records, metals, and championships, but also by the leadership, dedication, and positive culture they helped build within the Ramapo track program. Their impact will continue to be felt long after their graduation, serving as an example for future generations of Ramapo athletes. The Ramapo community wishes them the best of luck as they continue their athletic and academic careers, confident that their success on the track is only the beginning of what lies ahead.
