GRAHAMSVILLE – It was a busy week for the Bears, with seven seniors signing letters of intent to compete in college athletics. Golfers Gavin Clarke and Kaylee Poppo, Football players Austin Hartman, Dylan Poley and Talan Scanna, and Track and Field athletes Adam Furman and Armaan Butler were all recognized in the days leading up to Spring Break.

Gavin Clarke, as previously reported by the Democrat, will be golfing for Hofstra. He plans to major in Mechanical Engineering and hopes to become either a professional golfer or an aerospace engineer. 

Clarke was a 2022 Top Finisher in the Met PGA Jr. Tour with nine top-10 finishes and three first place finishes. He has also been a County Champion for three years, and still has his senior year ahead of him.

Kaylee Poppo signed to play for Mount Saint Mary to play golf while majoring in Exercise Science. Her recurring trips to Sectionals since her varsity career began culminated in a trip to States in her junior year after a top-10 finish at Sectionals. She also won the Sullivan County Democrat Women’s Tournament alongside SW’s Gabby Cohen in the summer of 2022.

More than 25 schools reached out with interest to have her on their golf teams, and she takes her grades very seriously as well. She has been on Honor Roll or above throughout her school career, as well as taking Honors classes.

Talan Scanna, a Democrat All-Star for football, is headed to St. Thomas Aquinas College to continue his athletic career. He is planning to major in Business Administration, though his career plans are undecided. 

Like many of the other Bears, Scanna has been on Honor Roll or above throughout his four years in high school.

Talan Scanna (left) and Austin Hartman (right) pose alongside Coach Kevin Crudele (center) as well as their families after signing letters of intent …

Austin Hartman is headed to Sacred Heart University to continue his football career. He is planning to major in Business Administration before pursuing law school.

The running QB totaled over 1900 rushing yards, 513 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he tallied 79 tackles and four interceptions.

Hartman will be graduating Tri-Valley with 41 college credits already behind him, because despite being a three-sport athlete, academics always comes first.

Dylan Poley signs to play at the Virginia Military Institute to play football. He poses for a photo surrounded by teammates and coaches that he …

Dylan Poley, the old-school running back/linebacker, will be headed to the Virginia Military Institute to continue his football career.

Throughout the offseason, Poley continues working out to make sure he’s ready.

“You can tell by his work ethic that he’s going to be successful,” Athletic Director Jason Closs explained.

Armaan Butler will be throwing for the University of Rochester starting in the fall. The future chemical engineering major is planning to become a chemical research scientist.

During Indoor Track this past winter, Armaan reached States and was the top Junior in Section IX last year during the Throwers Pentathlon.

Butler maintained Principal’s Honor Roll while taking some of the top classes that Tri-Valley has to offer, as well as taking First Place in New York State FBLA for Computer Applications, going on to compete at the national level.

Last but certainly not least, Adam Furman has chosen to run at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His historic athletic career, combined with his hard work in the classroom has earned him the opportunity to represent Tri-Valley at one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

The XC State Champion, two-time team champion, and XC All-Northeast star is planning to major in Business Management and eventually become a lawyer.

Each and every one of these student athletes have honed their craft and kept their grades up, earning them the privilege and opportunity to play at the next level and deserve all the praise that comes their way.