Dynamic ESM track and field duo Kuany, Gorney end careers on high note

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. — East Syracuse-Minoa varsity track and field coach Jim Gorney concluded his coaching career with a bang after 50 years dedicated to the Spartans.

Gorney thought he had seen it all during his time coaching, but one athlete proved him wrong in his final season at the helm.

"We've had athletes win two titles in successive years, but never in the same meet," said Gorney.

ESM senior Akuot Kuany won two state titles just ten minutes apart earlier this month. Kuany jumped a personal best 5-8" to win the state girls outdoor high jump crown.

"Oh my gosh, I was so happy, because I've been shooting for that height forever...all four years," said Kuany.

Gorney described her excitement as palpable. "She probably spent a tenth of a second on the mat when she cleared that," said the longtime coach. "She just jumped in the air, and ran off the mat...it was pretty cool."

Kuany then won the girls triple jump with a leap of 40-6". She said that while the two events are different, one thing was the same - her mindset.

"I feel like they're both 60% mental and 40% skill...because if you don't believe that you can do it, then you won't do it," said Kuany.

She was also a part of the girls 4x100 meter relay team that holds the ESM school record.

Kuany will take her talents to the Division I level at the University of Buffalo next season., where she earned a partial athletic scholarship.

Gorney was also a distance runner at Tully High School and SUNY Cortland before his coaching career began. He now gets to retire on a high note from the sport he's loved for so long.