Onteora High School grade 12 student Lucciana Robertson has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SUNY Binghamton, a Division 1 school, on an athletic scholarship. Robertson, who was recruited to compete in the high jump, signed the letter on April 29 during a festive ceremony attended by family members as well as Onteora teammates, coaches, teachers, administrators and staff.
Although a number of Division I schools expressed interest in recruiting Robertson, she was particularly impressed by the track and field program at SUNY Binghamton. “I like the motivation that everyone has on the team and how dedicated the coach is,” she explained.
Speaking before the signing ceremony, Kim Pilla, Onteora’s director of Physical Education, Athletics and Health and dean of students, shared a few words about the student/athlete. “Lucciana is kind, compassionate, tenacious and has an incredible work ethic,” she said. “She is a true leader, and she is super-cool. We are all going to miss her!”
Physical Education teacher and head varsity track coach Patrick Burkhardt, who coached Robertson in cross-country, noted that Robertson’s personal best for the high jump (five feet, six inches) shattered the previous school record, which had stood for more than 25 years. “She is the fourth Onteora track kid to go to SUNY Binghamton to compete in track and field,” he added.
Lucciana, the daughter of Brian Robertson and Onteora math teacher Jessica Morra, qualified for the New York State (NYS) Championships in high jump three times, twice for spring track (2018 and 2019) and once for winter track (2020). She jumped to second place in the State meet in 2019, earning a trip to Nationals. At the 2020 NYS winter track championships, she came in third, qualifying for the National competition, which was ultimately canceled due to Covid-19.
Robertson’s additional athletic accomplishments include making three trips to States with Onteora’s cross-country team, running with Onteora’s four-by-eight relay team at the 2018 NYS Track & Field Championships, being named to the 2019/20 All-Star Team in girls’ basketball and being honored with one of this year’s Mid-Hudson Athletic League Senior Scholar/Athlete Awards.
Join the family! 
