Athletics
Wildcats Showcase Resilience, Growth, and Standout Performances in Fall and Winter Seasons
So far, the 2024-25 SUNY Poly athletics season has been marked by resilience, growth, and standout performances across multiple sports. From the men’s soccer team securing its first Empire 8 playoff berth to the men’s basketball squad making a thrilling run to the conference championship game, Wildcat athletes left their mark in their first full year in the new conference. Individual honors highlighted the season, with numerous Wildcats earning all-conference recognition across soccer, basketball, and other sports. As some teams look to build on success and others aim for a fresh start, SUNY Poly athletics continues to push forward with a strong competitive spirit. Here’s a recap of the season at this point …
Men’s Soccer
Coach Peterson Jerome and the Wildcat men’s soccer team completed another successful season, clinching the program’s tenth postseason berth in the last 12 years. The Wildcats finished the year with a 10-4-4 record, clinching their first Empire 8 playoff spot since moving to the new conference. The Wildcats impressive season came to an end in the first round of the Empire 8 Playoff tournament with a 3-0 loss to SUNY Brockport. Headlined by Jhonny Theze and Thomas Nimineh, six Wildcats were represented in the 2024 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer end of the year awards. Theze and Nimineh were named to the All-Conference first team, Kevin Ryan and Yannick Diaby were named to the second team and Ryan Primus was named to the third team. Ernest Oppong Asare rounded out the Wildcats’ awards as he was named to the Empire 8 sportsmanship team.
Women’s Soccer
The SUNY Poly Women’s soccer team completed the 2024 regular season with a record of 5-11-1. Kate Donnelly and Hannah Shipley led the way for the Wildcats all season long, with Donnelly finishing the season with 21 points and Shipley ending her season with 18. Michalyn Fagan was named to the Empire 8 sportsmanship team.
Men’s Cross Country
The SUNY Poly Men’s cross-country team wrapped up a decent 2024 campaign that saw the team finish in the top five in four races, including a third-place finish at the Steven A. Warde Invitational. Jack McCarthy, Caleb McDermott and Noah Breedy led the way for the Wildcats for much of the year. In the NAC Championships, The Wildcats finished in 9th place, with Jack McCarthy leading the Wildcats with a time of 29:59.7.
Women’s Cross Country
The SUNY Poly Women’s cross-country team competed in seven races throughout the 2024 season, placing in every competition. Rosalea Claeys paced the Wildcats for much of the season, consistently scoring for SUNY Poly. Claeys would be the lone Wildcat to compete in the NAC cross-country championships, placing 108th in the 6k event with a time of 28:30.8.
Women’s Volleyball
The SUNY Poly Women’s volleyball team is looking to build with the young core of players, after ending the 2024 campaign with only two wins. With a mix of a strong core in place and a nice infusion of new young talent on the way, the Wildcats will look to make some noise in the Empire 8. Kassity Cruz was named to the Empire 8 Sportsmanship team.
Golf
In the program’s third year, The SUNY Poly varsity mixed golf team competed in five events. The team enjoyed a solid season, culminating in an eighth place finish on day one of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament. In the tournament, the Wildcats were led by Blake Pugh, who placed 35th, and Ryan Peters who placed 37th. The Wildcats will look to take another step in the right direction next season.
Women’s Basketball
The SUNY Poly women’s basketball team will aim to bounce back next season after finishing their inaugural year in the Empire 8 with a 6-19 record. Sophomore Alysa Jackson was the team’s offensive leader, averaging 12 points per game. Meanwhile, rookie Sanaa Lee made a strong impact in the paint, pulling down nearly nine rebounds per game. Hannah Shipley was also recognized for her sportsmanship, earning a spot on the Empire 8 Sportsmanship Team.
Men’s Basketball
In their first season as part of the Empire 8, the SUNY Poly men’s basketball team exceeded expectations, making a remarkable run to the conference championship game before falling to the Utica University Pioneers in a hard-fought battle. The Wildcats displayed resilience throughout the season, overcoming multiple injuries to secure the #4 seed in the conference. Key performances came from LaMarqus Merchant Jr., Daimarr Miller, Cheickne Toure, and Anthony Rose. Rose’s standout performance against top-seeded SUNY Brockport helped propel the Wildcats to the championship game. With five players graduating this spring, the Wildcats will look to recruit new talent to remain competitive in the tough Empire 8. LaMarqus Merchant Jr. and Anthony Rose were named to the Empire 8 All-Conference First Team, while Cheickne Toure earned a Second Team nod and Daimarr Miller was selected to the Third Team.
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