Dylan Cashin, Ryleigh O'Donnell Are Named News 12 Scholar Athletes

On the same night Kathy Masterson was hired as athletic director for the East Hampton School District two years ago, Dylan Cashin and Ryleigh O’Donnell were submitting their plans for the May Day 5K that they created together.

It would eventually become a huge hit in the community, drawing thousands of runners in just its first year.

Masterson, as she recalled last week, thinking both Cashin and O’Donnell were wise beyond their actual years, thought, “Wow, I wish I could have those two girls for a few more years.”

Turned out Masterson got her wish.

Cashin and O’Donnell were at the time sophomores, and the pair continued to impress her to the point she thought they needed to be recognized for their efforts on and off the field. So Masterson, around Thanksgiving, nominated Cashin and O’Donnell for News 12 Long Island Scholar Athlete Award, and on April 2, following track practice, the two found out they’d been selected.

Both Cashin and O’Donnell met with News 12’s Kevin Maher for interviews on Friday. Their segment is expected to come out some time this week, Masterson said.

“It’s been great having them and getting to know these two amazing, amazing kids,” Masterson said. “The News 12 Scholar Athlete Award, in my opinion, is one of the most prestigious things you can get, and it’s not something that everyone gets. Let’s just put it this way, I’ve nominated kids in the past who have not been selected, so it’s not a guarantee whatsoever. These two are so worthy, I could have not not nominated them.”

In addition to earning the distinction, both girls will each receive $1,000 scholarships from Bethpage Federal Credit Union, which co-sponsors the award with News 12.

Both Cashin and O’Donnell have been All-County runners in all three seasons: fall cross country, indoor winter track and outdoor spring track. But as Masterson noted, it’s their off the field, or track, accomplishments that impress her the most.

Cashin and O’Donnell have seemingly been attached at the hip throughout the long high school athletic careers and so it only made sense to nominate both at the same time.

“It was really special to us that we got to receive the award together, opposed to the typical solo award,” Cashin said. “Me and Ry have been running together for five years now, and we have really grown through high school together. Whether it’s going on long runs, planning 5Ks, or doing homework assignments together, we’ve done it all side by side.

“I am really honored to receive this award,” she continued. “Receiving News 12 Scholar Athlete holds immense significance for me as it symbolizes recognition, not just of my individual efforts, but of the collective impact my community involvement has made.”

Cashin and O’Donnell’s May Day 5K was an instant hit with over 600 runners in its inaugural race in 2022 which grew to 1,000 runners last year. And it’s for a great cause that raises money for mental health awareness. Cashin and O’Donnell have also gone on BuildOn trips together where they helped build schools in developing countries

“Being selected because of my contributions to the May Day 5K, which has raised $45,000 for mental health awareness, is special to me because it highlights the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health issues and advocating for support systems,” Cashin said.

Cashin, along with fellow senior classmate Liam Fowkes, also created the Bonac Bolts Track Club, which gathers local youth weekly onto the track and is “aimed to counteract the loss of youth sports and foster friendships within our community.”

“It fills me with a sense of gratitude and humility,” Cashin said of her efforts. “It’s a reminder that even small efforts to support and uplift others can ripple outward, creating meaningful connections and opportunities for growth.”

Ed Cashin, Dylan’s father, co-founded the Paddlers for Humanity Challenge, an 18-mile paddle board swim from Montauk to Block Island that raises money for numerous charities. That helped her to formulate her giving-back mentality early.

Cashin is set to enter the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating in June, while O’Donnell is headed to Emory University.

“Receiving recognition from News 12 serves as a reminder to remain grounded and committed to serving my community with integrity and love,” she said. “I hope to continue serving others and cherishing these values in my future, including my next four at the Naval Academy.”