Community Corner
Not One, but Two Hen Hud Track Stars Commit to West Point
Jack O’Brien and Mike Gabrielsen are top students, tough competitors in their common sport of javelin throwing, and lifelong best friends.
On Friday, March 28, each of these Hendrick Hudson High School seniors committed to continue their brilliant track and field careers at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
O’Brien and Gabrielsen have both participated on the varsity track team at Hendrick Hudson for the past four years. They continue their journey together, which started as young classmates, and friends, in first grade at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School.
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After graduating from Hen Hud in June, then off to serve our country together. Each of them have made their mark in the district, both in the classroom and on the field. Both of them are members of the National Honor Society, with outstanding grade point averages. The pair have also both been All League in numerous track and field events, both have been Section 1 Champions in the Javelin, with O’Brien winning the Sectional title in 2012, and Gabrielsen in 2013.
Impressively, both O’Brien and Gabrielsen have been ranked nationally in the javelin throw. Coach Marcia Bailey is proud of their accomplishments: “Jack and Mike are dedicated, hard-working role models for our track and field program,” she said. “They are wonderful ambassadors of the sport, and I can’t wait to follow them in the future.”
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Athletic Director Tom Baker, is also proud of his two seniors: “Mike Gabrielsen and Jack O’Brien have been tremendous student-athletes here at Hendrick Hudson. They work extremely hard at their craft, and their outstanding accomplishments are reflective of that. They have represented Hen Hud so wonderfully, and I am sure they will continue to do so in the future. The fact that the fact that they have chosen to move on to a premier track and field program in the country, and represent our country at West Point, is an example of the type of tremendous character these young men have. I wonder how many times West Point has had two graduates from the same school, from the same team, and participated in the same event on one of their athletic teams. What an accomplishment!”
