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.