Samuels earns honor at ESU

Pleasant Valley graduate Khai Samuels recently was named named East Stroudsburg University’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

Samuels was honored after helping the Warriors to a third-place finish in the team standings at the 2019 PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships for a fifth straight year. He captured the 2017 PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championship in the 800-meter and ranks in the top 10 of four different events all-time at ESU. Samuels leaves ESU with a total of 16 top-eight finishes in both the PSAC Indoor & Outdoor championships combined.

The 2015 Times News Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year, Samuels holds the all-time area best in the 800 with a 1:53.67, set in 2015.

Samuels capped his career at Pleasant Valley with a sixth-place medal in the Class 3A 800 at the PIAA Championships, and anchored the Bears’ 1,600-meter relay team to a third-place finish in 2015.

East Stroudsburg University announced seven student-athletes who were selected for major year-end awards following the 2018-19 academic year. The student-athletes were recognized at the fall 2019 kick-off event for ESU student-athletes on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Koehler Fieldhouse.

Aspen Gaita (Stroudsburg/women’s track & field) was also selected as ESU’s Senior Athlete of the Year. Gaita finished her Warrior career as a three-time All-American and four-time PSAC champion. Gaita won the 100-meter hurdles title in May at the 2019 PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She helped the Warriors to their best outdoor team finish since 2012, placing fourth. Gaita leaves ESU as the school’s record holder in seven events.