Prior to graduation last month, Trumansburg celebrated members of the Class of 2026 who will be continuing their athletic and academic careers in college. In total, five Blue Raiders will be honored, all of whom will be staying in-state.
Arlo Peake will be heading to SUNY Canton for basketball. He joins the Roos off the back of a sensational senior season for the Blue Raiders. Peake averaged 20 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game and helped Trumansburg win its first IAC championship since 2003. It was also a milestone campaign as he surpassed 1,000 career points and ended his time with the Blue Raiders with 1,182. An innate scoring ability won’t be the only asset that Peake will bring to the North Country.
“I think [I’ll bring] a leadership aspect,” Peake said. “Not necessarily taking charge, but trying to hold teammates accountable and bring everybody up to a higher standard. I think you can do that even from the bench: bringing people’s heads up, trying to give advice, and be almost like a coach. Then when I get in the game, [I’ll] try to bring that positive attitude, get guys involved and everything like that.”
The IAC North Large Division MVP and All-State selection will be teaming up with some former Tompkins County stars. Lansing’s Jordan Sidle and Dryden’s Danny Murphy are a grade ahead of Peake, and going from battling against them to competing alongside them is an enticing prospect.
“It’s super cool,” Peake said. “I’m super excited. I’ve known those guys for a little while now, and I think it shows that in this Tompkins County/IAC area, it’s improving. [In] basketball especially, a lot of the competition is getting way better, and we’re moving on to the next level representing [the area].”
As Peake heads north, Willoughby Puryear will venture east to continue his baseball career at Hudson Valley Community College. Puryear has had an illustrious career for the Blue Raiders as a top-tier two-way player. At the plate, he batted .498 with 10 home runs and 67 runs batted in. On the mound, he posted a 1.58 earned run average and struck out 135 batters. The three-time IAC First Team All-Star helped the Blue Raiders win the IAC championship last year and the Section IV Class C title this season.
Puryear will suit up for one of the top junior college programs in the country. The Vikings went 35-5 this year, and Puryear is excited to be a winning DNA to a program that’s well-seasoned in that regard.
“I immediately connected with their coaching staff a lot,” Puryear said. “They totally welcomed me in from the first phone call. I went and visited and it felt like home. They have a great reputation for sending guys to really good places, and they have a really good record. They win a lot of games, so it seems like a lot of fun.”
Back to the court, Allison Denmark will be part of the Alfred University women’s basketball team. Denmark is a two-time IAC All-Star and was a key part of two postseason teams. The first came during her sophomore year when the Blue Raiders broke a 16-year playoff drought. The second came this past winter as a senior, made even more memorable since her dad Tim was her head coach.
“It was very comforting, very nice to know that he was there,” Denmark said. “He was my coach when I was first starting basketball, so being able to finish it with him was something very special.”
The athlete staying closest to home is Sofia Shaff, who will continue pole vaulting at Ithaca College and will be coached by Trumansburg alum Dom Mikula. Shaff took home the Section IV Class D title in the event during the recent outdoor track and field season. It was a remarkable accomplishment given that she suffered a significant knee injury the year prior. Shaff’s ability to overcome the physical and mental challenges that came with the setback will be a valuable asset in the college ranks.
“There’s a lot to think about when you’re on that runway, but you just think about the first thing that’s there, which is the jump,” Shaff said. “After that it’s everything else, but I just try to stay out of my head.”
Will Brainard rounds out the Blue Raiders’ college contingent as he gets set to play for SUNY Cortland football. As a senior captain this past fall, Brainard was an explosive wide receiver, recording 5777 yards and eight touchdowns and led Section IV with 26 yards per reception. On defense, he recorded 57 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown. Brainard will be joined by two other Tompkins County athletes on the Red Dragons: Dryden’s Jay Miles and Groton’s Talan O’Connor.
