Rockland Alumni Highlight Binghamton’s Recruiting Class of 2023

Binghamton University recently announced its Track and Field recruiting class of the 2023-2024 School Year. Six Rockland County alumni were announced to continue their academic and athletic careers at Binghamton University.

On the men’s side, former North Rockland hurdler David Joseph after a successful freshman season competing at Monroe Community College will now become Binghamton’s new hurdler. Joseph owns personal bests of 14.51 in the 110m hurdles, 7.90 in the 55m hurdles, and 9.20 in the 60m hurdles. Joseph during his senior season at North Rockland finished 10th during the New York State Indoor Championships in the 55m hurdles. Additionally during the outdoor championships finished as the runner-up. When asked about his thoughts on this monumental step in his athletic journey Joseph said, “The journey is the goal”.

Former Suffern high jumper Matthew Oluwole also joins the Binghamton squad as a transfer from New York University. Oluwole during his tenure at NYU jumped a personal best of 6 feet and 5 1⁄2 inches which was achieved during the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference (AARTFC) Championships, where he finished fourth. Additionally, during the New York State Championships in 2022 he finished 9th in the state in the high jump.

Nyack High School class of 2023 Graduate Putu Sutayasa also joins the jump squad as a long jump and triple jump specialist. He owns personal bests of 23-4 1⁄2 feet in the long jump and 44-3 1⁄2 feet in the triple jump. He earned a silver medal in the 2023 New York State indoor championships and finished fourth during the outdoor championships.

On the women’s side three class of 2023 North Rockland High School graduates highlight the recruiting class. Thrower Deborah Estabine was the top thrower in section 1 this past season. She threw 42-4 1⁄2 feet in the shot put and 51 feet in the weight throw. She finished second during the 2023 New York State Indoor and Outdoor Championships in the shot put. Additionally, during the indoor championships finished 9th in the weight throw, and placed 6th at New Balance Nationals. A meet consisting of the best in the nation.

Sprinter Esther St. Fort joins the Binghampton sprint team. St. Fort owns a personal best in the 200m dash of 25.32 and a time of 39.12 in the 300m dash. St Fort competed at New York State Indoor and Outdoor Championships during her junior year. Finishing 13th in the 300m during her indoor season and 11th in the 200m during her outdoor season. In her senior year she placed 5th in the 300m dash during the New York State Indoor Championships.

Sprinter/Hurdler Dami Modupe concludes the Rockland Class of recruits. Modupe owns personal bests of 14.23 in the 100m hurdles, 8.17 in the 55m hurdles, 7.21 in the 55m and 12.14 in the 100m dash. During the 2022 indoor season Modupe finished 7th in the 55m dash at New York State Indoor Championships and during the outdoor session finished 5th in the 100m hurdles. During the 2023 Track and Field season she finished 2nd in the 55m hurdles during the New York State Indoor Championships and won a gold medal, placing first during the outdoor session this past June.

These athletes will start their next journey of their academic and athletic journey this upcoming fall for the Binghamton Bearcats.