By Mark Reynolds
The Ulster County Legislature and the Town of Marlborough recently honored Juliana Juras for her athletic achievements.
Ulster County Legislator Tom Corcoran, who also is a long-standing coach at the High School, said, “nobody works harder than Juliana. She was offered an opportunity to compete at Marlboro High School with the track team and throw the discus and took that opportunity and achieved the state championship.”
Corcoran pointed out that in order for Juliana to accomplish what she did, “she had to create an environment where she felt she could achieve a level of success. She worked hard every day individually and with her coach. She believed in herself, others believed in her and she believed that she could compete with the very best, not only in section 9, but in the state.”
Corcoran said in April of this year at the New York State Relay, “she threw 129-11 and was good enough to win but she also broke the high school record at that time. Then in June, when she won the Division II Discus State Championship at the NYS Public High School Athletic Association, she threw 132-10, again breaking the record that she had already set for herself.”
Corcoran noted that the next day, Juliana returned to compete for the combined state championship, finishing third overall and threw 134-9, again breaking the discus record and today holds the discus record at Marlboro High School at 137-7.
“She is constantly bettering herself, constantly the professional, constantly pushing herself to be better and better and [is] what we ask of our athletes at Marlboro High School,” Corcoran said.
Corcoran presented the Pride of Ulster County Award to Juliana, “in recognition of your outstanding achievements as New York State Discus Champion.”
Supervisor Scott Corcoran said in high school he tried throwing the discus, “but I couldn’t get past 100, but to be number 1 in the state and to achieve it on your own is such an achievement; it’s unbelievable.”
Corcoran presented Juliana with a Town of Marlborough Commendation, “for everything you’ve done for yourself, for your family and for our community, representing us up at the State. Congratulations for your accomplishments.”