Monumental Montie Milestones

Boys Clinch Third Consecutive Division III Title While Girls Break 28-Year Drought Garnering First Title Since 1984; A Plethora Of Personal Bests Evinced By Kids As Liberty Gives Its Best Vying In Tougher Division; Burke On The Scene As A Non-League Entry

Boys: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 94, Liberty 47; Liberty 119, Burke 15; Monticello 134, Burke 1

Girls: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 95, Liberty 46; Liberty 92, Burke 47; Monticello 108, Burke 33

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at: www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Scenes from the historic meet in which Monticello's boys clinched their 3rd straight Div. III title and the girls got their first crown in 28 years (clockwise). Monticello's boys and girls track teams pose with their coaches following the epic wins by both squads. Monticello twins Camryn and Sydney Johnson lead the way in the 1500. They also went one-two in the 800 and ran in the victorious 3200 relay. Monticello Coach Joe Seidl undergoes his annual dousing after the title victory. Liberty senior Rebeccah Harman wins the 100 high hurdles. She also won the 400 hurdles and ran a leg in the winning 400 relay. Monticello's Joe Klein won the 1600 and 3200. Liberty's Andy Hazelnis turned in a personal best 41-2 in the triple jump. Liberty's Vinny Webbe clears 11-0 in the pole vault, Liberty's Nikole Snyder jumps a personal best 15-6 to win the long jump. Liberty's Kane Sauchuk swept the 110 and 400 hurdles and ran a leg in the winning 3200 relay despite being afflicted with the stomach flu, Monticello senior Tania Walker wins the 200. She also won the 400. Monticello senior Onique (Tino) Taylor wins the 200 just one tenth of a second shy of the school record. Monticello's boys and girls team pictures are at the bottom of the panel.

MONTICELLO,NY—Simply historic. Nothing less than one for the ages.

That’s what Monticello’s boys and girls Division III clinching track victories over Liberty translated to as the boys team marshaled its third consecutive division title ,while the Lady Panthers captured their first title in 28 years. Not since the spring of 1984 has a Monticello girls team claimed such bragging rights. That year they won Section Nine titles in the Winter of ’83 and the spring of ’84. So this honor was a long time coming.

For the Monticello boys and girls to emerge victorious they had to stave off the noble Indian Tribe which came with its best effort, evincing personal bests here, there and everywhere countering the sea of blue with their vibrant red as the two flagship schools of Sullivan County went at it.

Not surprisingly, Liberty which by all rights should not have been bumped up to Division III could not keep up with the Monties’ arsenal of weaponry. But to be sure, in some of the events at least, the story was quite compelling.

But most captivating was the unfoliding of the Monticello girls capture of the Division III crown. More on that momentous accomplishment momentarily, the latest volley in Monticello’s rising tide of track feats.

Three years ago when the Montie boys bested Cornwall a new era of Monticello track grandeur was ushered in. Last year’s repeat win over the Dragons was if anything, even more impressive. Doing it a third time suggests the hint of a dynasty. Given the outstanding work of the modified team legions under the careful watch of Coach  J. Daniel Granville, there are apt to me more standout runners, jumpers and throwers coming up the pipeline in years to come.

Needless to say this year’s unbeaten Division records by both the boys and girls varsity squads were an outstanding achievement, a product of hard work, great coaching and meet strategy and most of all, the will and determination of a group of special kids. Add to the allure the fact that the girls team is replete with scholar athletes demonstrating the mantra of ancient Greece: “Sound body; sound mind.”

Bright smiles abounded as the girls took their victory lap with their fists raised in the air while the boys were busily plotting to douse Coach Joe Seidl (again) in what has become a traditional rite of spring over the past three years. Lacking a Gatorade bucket, they accomplished the task with bottles of water which dripped down off Seidl’s famous and ever-present red baseball cap onto his bemused face.

Each year brings its own special circumstances and this year was no exception. With nemesis Cornwall bumped up to Division II, the boys would now have to turn their attention to Port Jervis and Liberty.

“We felt in March that Liberty and Port would be tough.  As usual, my focus is on the quarter milers and of course team unity/effort,” said Seidl. With a number of key athletes lost to graduation, Seidl and his assistant Matt Buddenhagen had  to rework the puzzle, taking into account the team’s strengths and thin spots.

In bygone years Monticello had its share of distance standouts like Brendan Devine, Dave Wilbur and Tom Gonzalez, just to mention a few.  With the likes of those tireless warrriors, Monticello could always count  on points in the distance events.  They’ve been gone awhile now and no such guarantees exist at present.

These days the Monties rely on up-and-coming Joe Klein as the leader of the pack. Despite his youth, he seems prepared to assume the mantle and on this day, his victories in the 1600 (5:08) and the 3200 (11:20) gave Monticello points it hadn’t figured on garnering.

Monticello would have more highlight moments and as Coach Seidl saw it, they also included the following:

Tino Taylor-100 11.0 (PR) 200 22.1 (PR .10 off school record)

Talon Watson-TJ-41’2.5″ (PR) 200-23.1 (PR)

Mike Rogers-PV-10′ (PR)

4 x 100-Terry Duncan/Mistah Alli/Austin Colon/Rahjel Smith 44.2 (.10 off school record)

Track and field athletes are known for their resiliency and mettle as they often compete despite ills and even minor injuries. Liberty’s Kane Sauchuk was fighting off a stomach virus which has kept him out of kilter all week. But in between heaving episodes, Sauchuk still managed to run a winning leg in the Indians’ 3200 relay and win the 110 high hurdles (16.3) and the 400 intermediate hurdles (60.2). By the time this narrative ends I’ll be sure to celebrate more great Indian feats.

For Monticello seniors this day would be special indeed. Montie elder statesmen include Earl Allen, Connor Alvarez, Dan Braunstein, José Cruz,  Ian Kolaitis, Garrett LaPolt, Gabriel Ramos, Shatei Reynolds, Onique Taylor, Brendan Thomas and Talon Watson.

Monticello girl seniors include Bryana Sewell, Erica Concors,  Katie Fisher, Tania Walker and Alexis Watkins. Prior to the meet the seniors posed for a group shot in anticipation of what they expected would be a memorable day.

Monticello’s sweep of the boys 200 with Taylor missing the school record by .1 of a second, Talon Watson’s 23.1 and Terry Duncan’s 23.3 pointed to the blinding speed the Panthers possess. Figure in the 400 relay which also came in one tenth of a second off the school record at 44.2 and that done w/out Tino Taylor That record is destined to be broken before this season is over.

Liberty’s Andy Hazelnis set PR’s in the long and triple jump. The latter at 41-2 was just a half inch shy of Watson’s winning  jump of 41-2 ½. Liberty’s Nikole Snyder broke  PR’s with her winning long jump of 15-6 and hear winning 100 time of 13.1. Liberty’s Vinny Webbe hit the stratosphere with his pole vault of 11-0, but Monticello’s Mike Rogers, a newcomer to the event was impressive in his clearing of 10-0. Pictures show just how close he was at 10-6 too. Liberty got its usual standout performance from Rebeccah Harman who captured the 100 hurdles (17.3) and the 400 intermediate hurdles (69.7).  She also ran a leg in the victorious 400 relay. 

Liberty Coach Deb Simpson listed a bunch of personal bests evinced by the Lady Indians. Some of these did not score but they are personal milestones nevertheless. They included:

Montie twins Camryn and Sydney Johnson were unbeatable.They are the grandaughters of assistant Coach Charlie Delmonico whose 35-year track coaching career at Washingtonville makes him a Hall of Famer.

Much can be said about the girls and their grandpa. First the twins: Camryn won the 1500 (5:38.7) with Sydney in second. The duo was also key in the victorious 3200 relay which they shared with Brittany Rupp and Erica Concors. They added a one-two finish in the 800 as well with Camryn turning in a 2:37.3 and Sydney right behind at 2:41.8.

Delmonico came on to assist  Matt Daly with the girls team this year. He was delighted to be on hand for the storied win. “They deserve it,” he noted as he reflected back on his trips to Monticello back in the day. “I remember coming here with Washingtonville’s team and our running on the old cinder track. We had some great meets here. It’s been fun this year working with the distance runners, jumpers and hurdlers and anyone else who needed help. These girls are smart too! Some of them have 99% averages,” he added.

Coach Seidl talked about garnering the three-peat and what it took to bring it off this year. “In track kids graduate and we had to replace them. The expectation is that the younger kids will step up. It was interesting because of the changes in the division. Cornwall left band we had Port Jervis come in as well as Liberty. We lost Burke.

It’s a more even division now. I thought we had the kids to win it, but I knew it would be tough this year. Track is like a puzzle. It’s unique from other sports. You have to match up differently against other teams. We had to shift people around in some meets to see how we’d go against Liberty and Port Jervis. We knew our distance runners would have to pick it up today and they did as we swept the mile,” he noted.

Seidl went on to reference Tino Taylor’s impressive showing as well as the 400 relay. “We’ve got a one-two punch in the triple jump (although on this day Liberty’s Andy Hazelnis broke that up with his second place storied leap).

“Coach Buddenhagen and I are on the same page and we have big expectations for our kids. But frankly, the girls are an even bigger story today,” he noted. “Coach Daly came in and did a phenomenal job, as did assistant Coach Delmonico.”

With that I shifted over to talk to Matt Daly to get his take on the Ladies’ momentous accomplishment.
“We were excited at the beginning of the year even though we had a little turbulence. We came to our first meeting to find a great group of girls. Our numbers were strong and we had the right people in all the right places. We felt we could compete and our goal was to win the division championship,” he averred.

“It was great for the seniors to out like this. Leadership is contagious and it went from our seniors right on down to our eighth graders.” Daly gave props to seniors Erica Concors and Katie Fisher for “trying to get these girls to be even better.”

Here are the results

Boys: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 94, Liberty 47; Liberty 119, Burke 15; Monticello 134, Burke 1

100 meters: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 11.0; 2. Mistah Alli (M) 11.1; 3. Kenny Jaycox (L) 11.4[ 200: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 22.2; 2. Talon Watson (M) 23.1; 3. Terry Duncan (M) 23.3;  400: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 52.5;2. Watson (M) 53.2; 3. Raquon Malloy (L) 56.4;  800: 1.Nery Campos (L) 2: 23.2; C.J Forrest (M);2: 24.1; 3. Ryan Schauer (M) 2;26.5 1,600: 1. Joe Klein (M) 5:08.0; 2.Bryan Gil (M) 5:14.4; 3. Chris Maroldi (M) 5:15.5; 3,200: 1. Klein (M) 11:20.3; 2. Campos (L) 11;26.5; 3. Gil (M) 11:30.5; 110 hurdles: 1. Kane Sauchuck (L) 16.3; 2, Steve Padin (M) 16.8; 3. Michael Rogers (M) 17.2;  400 hurdles: 1. Sauchuk (L) 60.2; 2. Padin (M) 61.2; 3. Erick Cuellar (L) 61.5; 400 relay: 1. Monticello ( Mistah Alli, Terry Duncan, Austin Colon,  Rahjel Smith) 44.2; 1,600 relay: 1. Monticello (Talon Watson, Terry Duncan, Austin Colon, TinoTaylor) 3:36.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Liberty (Sauchuk, Campos, Campos, Malloy) 9:08.2; high jump: 1. Colon (M) 5-2; 2. Kyle Hanes (M) 5-0; 3. Otha Smith (M) 5-0; long jump: 1. Mistah Alli (M) no distance; 2. Andy Hazelnis (L) distance not submitted; 3. Jaycox (L) distance not submitted); triple jump: 1.Talon Watson (M) 41-2.5; 2. Hazelnis (L ) 41-2; 3. Alli (M) 40-9; shot put: 1. Garrett LaPolt (M) 43-6.5; 2. Mike Hinton (L) 39-10; 3. Earl Allen (M) 36-9;  discus: 1. Hinton (L) 106-8; 2. LaPolt (M) 105-10; 3. G. Klein (L) 102-2; pole vault: 1.  Vinny Webbe (L) 11-7; 2. Rogers (M) 10-0; 3. Jose Cruz (M) 9-6.

Note: Burke meets are non-league.

Girls: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 95, Liberty 46; Liberty 92, Burke 47; Monticello 108, Burke 33

100 meters: 1.  Nikole Snyder (L) 13.1; 2. Tania Walker (M) 13.3; 3. McDonnell (B) 14.0; 200: 1. Walker (M) 27.3; 2. McDonnell (B) 28.0 3. Snyder (L) 28.3; 400: Walker (M) 64.2; 2. Jaclyn Bellamy (M) 66.2; 3.  Bianca Rey (M) 68.4; 800: 1. Camryn Johnson (M) 2:37.3; 2. Sydney Johnson (M) 2:41.8; 3. Julianna Kane (M) 2:47.6; 1,500: 1. Camryn Johnson (M) 5:38.7; 2. Sydney Johnson (M) 5:39.0; 3. Brittany Rupp (M) 5:48.7; 3,000: 1.Brittany  Rupp (M) 11:58.3; 2. Camryn Johnson (M) 11:59.2; 3. Sydney Johnson (M) 11:59.3; 100 hurdles: 1. Rebeccah Harman (L) 17.3; 2. D. Saravia (B) no time submitted; 3. Kristen McEnerny (M) no time submitted;  400 hurdles: 1. Harman (L) 69.7; 2. L. Doherty (M) 1:14.4; 3. Erica Concors (M) 1:17.2 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Harman, Snyder, Bertholf, Brickhouse) 54.0; 1,600 relay: 1. Monticello (Walker, Julianna Kane, Jaclyn Bellamy, Erica Concors) 4:34.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Monticello ( Camryn Johnson, Sydney Johnson, Rupp, Concors) 11:11.7; high jump: 1. Doherty (M) 4-8; 2.Walker (B) 4-4; 3. Katie Fishher (M) 4-4; long jump: 1. Snyder (L) 15-6; 2. Doherty (M) 14.6; 3. Yami Reyes (M) 14.5; triple jump: 1. Concors (M) 31-2.5; 2. Harman (L) 30-9; 3. Doherty (M) 29-2; shot put: 1. Alexis Watkins (M) 24-6; 2. Herring (B) 23-1; 3. E. Cano (L) 22-7.75;  discus: 1. D. Kisane (B) 57-6; 2. pole vault: 1. Amanda Bertholf (L) 8-6; 2. McEnerny (M) 6-6; Lauren Katz (M) no height submitted.

Note: Burke meets are non-league.

For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Combined Energy

Athletes Team Up In Splendiferous Tri-Valley Relays; New Paltz Boys and Rondout Valley Girls Are Tops; Tri-Valley Girls 2^nd Overall And Tops In Small Division; Ellenville 2^nd In Boys And Tops In Small Schools; T-V Boys 3^rd Overall, 2^nd In Small Schools Array; Spackenkill’s Sahsche Allen And New Paltz’s Alfredo Mazzucca Outstanding Track Athletes; Ellenville’s Jeff Nuñez And New Paltz’s Cora Butler Outstanding Field Athletes

Boys Team standings and key: 1. New Paltz (NP) 180 points; 2. Ellenville 157.3; 3.Tri-Valley (TV) 143; 4. Rondout Valley (RV) 124.3; 5. Liberty (Lib) 84.5; 6.Saugerties 76; 7. Sullivan West 66.5; 8 John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 61.33; 9. Spackenkill 53; 10. Eldred (Eld) 49; 11 Millbrook 17; 12. Chapel Field 11

Girls Team standings and key: 1. Rondout Valley (RV) 197.5 points; 2. Tri-Valley (TV) 174; 3. New Paltz (NP) 124.5; 4. Ellenville and Liberty 90; 6. Saugerties 77; 7. Spackenkill 69; 8. Sullivan West 54; 9. Eldred 44; 10. Chapel Field 35; 11. Coleman Catholic 24; 12. Millbrook 7.

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Scenes from the Tri-Valley relays (clockwise) T-V's Autumn Bender wins the 2000 steeplechase, Spackenkill's Sahsche Allen wins the 100. She was the Outstanding track athlete of the meet. Eldred's Hunter Proscia captures the 2000 steeplechase. T-V's Jimmy Bernstein is second in the 1600. SW's John Masten shows great form in the 1200 shuttle hurdle relay as does T-V's Ali Reynolds. New Paltz's Alfredo Mazzucca was the outstanding track athlete at the meet. Here he is en route to winning the 1600. Sullivan West's Amanda Rosenberger wins this semifinal 100 heat. She finished third overall. Sullivan West's Corrine Van Wagner soaks up the water in the 2000 steeplechase. She finished 5th. Eldred's Christine Donnelly took 2nd in the 1500. Liberty's Andy Hazelnis completes the anchor leg of Liberty's winning varsity 400 relay. Lara Jane Heslop does the same for the Lady Indians' victorious team. Tri-Valley's Raphael Ramirez does his part to capture the hammer throw relay. Brendan Tierney added his throw after taking the SAT's. Eldred's Craig Burns wins the 100. Sullivan West's Matt Cardona combined with Mitch Paciga to win the high jump relay. Tri-Valley's Katlynn Greffrath leaps over the hurdles as she completes one third of the winning 1200 hurdle relay for the Lady Bears. T-V's Sabrena Smith carries the baton in the winning 3200 relay. .

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Given the wisdom of the old adage that two heads are better than one, imagine how much more viable are three or four, especially when they’re attached to strong young bodies in pursuit of a combined victory in any given event in track and field.

That is the modus operandi of the annual Tri-Valley relays, a departure from the normal track meet proceedings wherein the only combined events are the 400, 800,1600 and 3200 relays. In this relay meet, the individual events on the docket were the 100, the girls 1500 and boys 1600 and the 2000 steeplechase. Every other event was scored by combining the times, heights or distances of a team’s participants.

Needless to say every athlete strives for his or her best individual performance and indeed the day would evince numerous personal best marks. But even with such landmarks posted, teams could lose an event if one of the other participants failed to muster a sufficient time, distance or height. Track meets are always a blend of individual efforts that combine for team standing, but in meets such as this, the combined effort is even more consequential.

As it was two weeks prior for the Tri-Valley Invitational, the weather was magnificent, perhaps in deference to Coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro who will retire after next season and who have witnessed more than a few maelstroms and frigid outings on the days on which landmark meets have been staged over more than three decades.

For the purpose of this meet, schools were divided by T-V Coach  Joe Iatauro into Division I and II though those classifications have little to do with the state size categories. For this meet Division I was comprised of New Paltz, Rondout Valley, Saugerties and Spackenkill. Division II participants included Chapel Field, John A. Coleman Catholic, Eldred, Ellenville, Liberty, Sullivan West and Tri-Valley. Invitees Livingston Manor/Roscoe and Clarkstown South were not present. Events were scored through the eighth place finishers.

Continuing their spring barnstorm of success, Tri-Valley’s boys and girls teams excelled with the girls taking second place overall and first among the small schools on hand. This followed team victories at the Tri-Valley Invitational wherein the Lady Bears not only won out over Division II schools (by state size standard) but also held sway over every one of the other 26 schools competing. They followed that up a week later with  a team win at the Monticello Games.

In the Tri-Valley Relays The  Lady Bears were gold medalists in the following:

F/S Sprint Medley Relay 4:36.7; 6400 relay 24:34.6 (Brooke Gillette, Olivia Rehm, Danielle Graham and Sabrena Smith); F/S Discus relay 162-3; hammer relay 237-8 Dominque Darby and Heidi Furman; varsity shot put relay 68-5 ½ Darby and Mareena DiMilia; 2000 steeplechase  7:58.9 Autumn Bender; 300 shuttle hurdles 51.8 DiMilia, Vicky Tingley and Ali Reynolds; distance medley relay 14:14.6 Bender, Alex Brooks, Sabrena Smith and Rehm; javelin relay 185-9 and the 1200 intermediate hurdle relay 3:42.5 behind the combined effort of Katlynn Greffath, Sabrina Smith and Ali Reynolds.

As for the boys squad, a third place finish overall and second among small schools marked yet another stellar outing. The boys finished first among Division II schools at the Tri-Valley Invitational and fourth overall at the Monticello Games.

The Bears were gold medalists in the following:

F/S sprint medley relay 3:54.4 Aidan Woolsey, Tyler Greffrath, Josh Winters and Justin Weintraub; and the hammer relay 269.4 Brendan Tierney and Raphael Ramirez.

Jimmy Bernstein took 2nd in the 1600 (4:32). This was Bernstein’s last competition on the Tri-Valley track completing a storied home career.

But Tri-Valley was far from alone among Sullivan County schools in capturing its moments of glory on the day. Eldred’s Hunter Proscia won the 2000 steeplechase in 6:25.3, just three second shy of the mark he had posted to win the event at the Tri-Valley Invitational.  Craig Burns won the 100 in 11.3.

Christine Donnelly took 2nd in the 1500  (5l08.3).

Sullivan West took gold in the high jump relay as Mitch Paciga and Matt Cardona combined for a height of 11-6. Amanda Rosenberger recorded a blistering 12.6 in the 100 and 27.1 in her legs of the  400 and 800 relays for personal best times. She took 3^rd in the 100. The 1500 racewalk (non-scoring) was easily won by Rachel Deppa (8:09.4).

Liberty claimed the gold medal in the 1200 intermediate hurdle relay 3:00.5 as Erick Cuellar, Andy Hazelnis and Kane Sauchuk combined for the speedy win. The Indians also garnered gold in the varsity 400 relay (46.) as Cuellar, Nick Campos, Kenny Jaycox and Hazelnis marshaled the victory. Liberty’s girls varsity 400 relay (52.7) was also victorious as Amanda Bertholf, Nikole Snyder, Rebeccah Harman and Lara Jane Heslop took turns speeding forward with the baton.

Staged on the day when SAT’s and ACT’s were being given, the meet always has a 12:00pm start. As those students who were undergoing the rigors of the long tests arrive, they find their way to the events they are slated for and compete, usually after the other members of their teams have finished at that particular venue.

For this photographer the prime agenda was two-fold: First and foremost was to amass a collection of hundreds of stunning photos of athletes at their craft, with a particular concentration on the Sullivan County schools. Second and nearly as important  was to stay abreast of milestones both on an individual and team basis.

Track is a complex matter, not for the feint of heart of the occasional unfamiliar correspondent for whom the entire mélange of events taking place all around is undoubtedly confusing and impossible to fathom.

As for me, being a ten-year veteran of these multi-ring circuses, it all makes perfect sense.

During the course of a track meet I always find time to schmooze with many of the kids I have come to know so well and to encourage them to press on with the tasks at hand. Invariably they seem to appreciate the attention both in words and in the photos that pour onto the www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com.

So too do the parents who are grateful for the up close, professional photographs that will grace their albums and walls as mementos of these halcyon days of their children’s youthful ardor.

Medals were awarded to first, second and third place finishers. Team trophies were awarded as well.

First through third place finishers are listed below but for more edification I have provided the score sheets that show all eight place finishers courtesy of T-V scorekeeper Kevin Giroux.

Boys Team standings and key: 1. New Paltz (NP) 180 points; 2. Ellenville 157.3; 3.Tri-Valley (TV) 143; 4. Rondout Valley (RV) 124.3; 5. Liberty (Lib) 84.5; 6.Saugerties 76; 7. Sullivan West 66.5; 8 John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 61.33; 9. Spackenkill 53; 10. Eldred (Eld) 49; 11 Millbrook 17; 12. Chapel Field 11

100 meters: 1. Craig Burns (Eld) 11.3; 2. Kenny Jaycox (Lib) 11.6; 3. Charlton Tsai (NP) 11.7; 1,600: 1. Al Mazzucca (NP) 4:27.2; 2. James Bernstein (TV) 4:32.0; 3. Marco DiBella (JAC) 4:37.6; 330 shuttle hurdles relay: 1. Ellenville (Bruce, Echols, Groat) 51.3; 2. Tri-Valley 53.1; 3. Sullivan West 54.7; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Hunter Proscia (Eld) 6:25.3; 2. J. Grout (Ell) 7:11.5; 3. Eric Dunham (Sau) 7:21; 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Cuellar, Campos, Jaycox, Hazelnis) 46.0; 2. Rondout Valley 46.4; 3. Ellenville 46.5; 800 relay: 1. Spackenkill (Wilson, Mastmann, Bonden, Clear) 1:35.3; 2. Rondout Valley 1:35.7; 3. Coleman 1:37.4; 1,200 intermediate hurdles relay: 1. Liberty (Eric Cuellar, Andy Hazelnis,  Kane Sauchuk) 3:00.5; 2. Tri-Valley 3:02.2; 3. New Paltz 3:04.6; 1,600 relay: 1. New Paltz (Stewart, Hasbrouck, Lamarche, Climer) 3:29; 2. Spackenkill 3:35; 3. Tri-Valley 3:35.8; 3,200 relay: 1. New Paltz (Busby, Hasbrouck, Mazzucca, Mazzucca) 8:30.7; 2. Tri-Valley 8:36.2; 3. Spackenkill 9:47.5; 6,400 relay: 1. New Paltz (Rizza, Torquato, Mazzucca, Busby) 20:32.9; 2. Tri-Valley 21:31.8; 3. Liberty 23:20.8; distance medley relay: 1. New Paltz (Mazzucca, Climer, Mazzucca, Busby) 11:11; 2. Tri-Valley 11:44.5; 3. Sullivan West 12:34.6; sprint medley relay: 1. Coleman (Vansteenburg, Catalano, Discovo, DiBella) 3:46.3; 2. Rondout Valley 3:48.8; 3. Libery 3:53.4; high jump relay: 1. Sullivan West (Mitch Paciga,Matt Cardona) 11-6; 2. (tie) Coleman and Ellenville 11-4; long jump relay: 1. Ellenville (Quicero, Echols) 39-2; 2. New Paltz 37-1; 3. Rondout Valley 35-7; triple jump relay: 1. Ellenville (Echols, Quiceno) 79-9; 2. Coleman 77-1.5; 3. Rondout Valley 76-3; shot put relay: 1.Tri-Valley (Brendan Tierney, Raphael Ramirez) 82-3; 2. Ellenville 78-2.5; 3. Saugerties 74-3; discus relay: 1. Ellenville (Jeff Nunez, Preston Bazemore) 261-4; 2. Coleman 234-3; 3. Liberty 233-2; javelin relay: 1. Ellenville (Gaetta, Boriello) 245-2; 2. Liberty 244-10; 3. Tri-Valley 226-4; hammer relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Ramirez, Tierney) 269-4.5; 2. Ellenville 269-3; 3. Liberty 181-7; pole vault relay: 1. Ellenville (Kasloski, Farrenkopf) 23-0; 2. (tie) Eldred and New Paltz 21-0; Pentathlon: 1. Shamar Corum (NP) 2,571 points; 2. J.P. Heylde Ortiz (NP) 2,127; 3. Mateo Julia-Wise (NP) 1,864.

Outstanding field athlete: Jeff Nunez (Ellenville).

Outstanding track athlete: Alfredo Mazzucca (New Paltz).

Girls Team standings and key: 1. Rondout Valley (RV) 197.5 points; 2. Tri-Valley (TV) 174; 3. New Paltz (NP) 124.5; 4. Ellenville and Liberty 90; 6. Saugerties 77; 7. Spackenkill 69; 8. Sullivan West 54; 9. Eldred 44; 10. Chapel Field 35; 11. Coleman Catholic 24; 12. Millbrook 7.

100 meters: 1. Sasche Allen (Spac) 12.8; 2. Christine Kelly (RV) 12.9; 3. Amanda Rosenberger (SW) 13.1; 1,500 race walk (non-scoring): 1. Rachel Deppa (SW) 8:09.4; 2. Mary Alongi (TV) 9:54.5; 3. Lindsay Green (E)) 11:11.1; 1,500: 1. Shannon Averill (Saug) 4:55.7; 2. Christine Donnelly (Eld) 5:08.3; 3. Cami Ferguson (NP) 5:11.2; 300 shuttle hurdles relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Mareena DiMilia, Vicky Tingley,  Ali Reynolds) 51.8; 2. Liberty 54.5; 3. Rondout Valley and New Paltz 57.7; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Autumn Bender (TV) 7:58.9; 2. Megan McGowan (CF) 8:02.0; 3. Olivia Rehm (TV) 8:31.6; 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Amanda Bertholf, Snyder, Rebeccah Harman, Lara Jane Heslop) 52.7; 2. Rondout Valley 53.0; 3. Chapel Field 54.1; 800 relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Mondini, Ospina, Winnie, Kelly) 1:51.9; 2. Liberty 1:51.5; 3. Ellenville 1:57.6; 1,200 intermediate hurdles relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Katlynn Greffrath, Sabrena Smith,  Ali Reynolds) 3:42.5; 2. New Paltz 3:46.1; 3. Rondout Valley 3:49.8; 1,600 relay: 1. Saugerties (Averill, Kilmer, Averill, Averill) 4:19.5; 2. Rondout Valley 4:23.3; 3. Chapel Field 4:25.6; 3,200 relay: 1. Saugerties (Averill, Doyle, Averill, Averill) 10:29.3; 2. Tri-Valley 10:35.7; 3. Rondout Valley 11:09.8; 6,400 relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Brooke Gillette, Olivia Rehm, Danielle Graham, Sabrena Smith) 24:34.6; 2. Rondout Valley 30:24.9; 3. Ellenville 31:47.7; distance medley relay: 1. Tri-Valley ( Autumn Bender,  Alex Brooks, Sabrena Smith, Olivia Rehm) 14:14.6; 2. Sullivan West 14:52.4; 3. Rondout Valley 14:53.9; sprint medley relay: 1. Chapel Field (St. Germain, Vellenga, McDermott, McGowan) 4:36.8; 2. Eldred 4:42.5; 3. New Paltz 4:47.1; high jump relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Strang, Mathedy) 9-4; 2. (tie) Tri-Valley and Rondout Valley 9-0; long jump relay: 1. New Paltz (Butler, Bouchard) 32-0; 2. Tri-Valley 29-9.5; 3. Rondout Valley 28-6.25; triple jump relay: 1. New Paltz (Butler, Butler) 68-1; 2. Rondout Valley 64-7.75; 3. Liberty 60-0.5; shot put relay: 1. Tri-Valley ( Dominique Darby, Mareena DiMilia) 68-5.5; 2. Tri-Valley 56-9.5; 3. Rondout Valley 55-9; discus relay: 1. New Paltz (Takacs, Carroll) 177-5; 2. Rondout Valley 170-3; 3. Saugerties 139-2; javelin relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Mareena DiMilia, Heidi Furman) 185-9; 2. Tri-Valley 135-9; 3. Ellenville 131-7; hammer relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Dominque Darby,Heidi Furman) 237-8; 2. Ellenville 196-9; 3. Tri-Valley 155-2; pole vault relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Gribbon, Agustaro) 16-0; 2. Eldred 10-6; 3. Liberty 8-6; Pentathlon: 1. Grassi (RV) 1,576 points; 2. Hart (NP) 1,370; 3. Bader (RV) 1,059.

Outstanding field athlete: Cora Butler (New Paltz).

Outstanding track athlete: Sasche Allen (Spackenkill).

Results of the Tri-Valley Relays showing places from 1st through 8th. Scoresheets compiled and generously contributed by Kevin Giroux.

Once again, photos are located at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Games Of Fame (24th Edition)

Tri-Valley Girls Capture First Place In 24^th Enactment Of Storied Meet; Monticello Boys Are Third Overall; T-V’s Darby Is Outstanding Female Field Athlete; Ellenvilles’ Borriello Is Outstanding Male Field Athlete; Monticello’s Taylor Shares Outstanding Male  Track Honors With Valley Central’s Biunno; V.C’s Cavalluzzo Is Top Female Track Athlete

Boys Team Scores: and key: 1. Arlington (A) 120.5 points; 2. Valley Central (VC) 90; 3. Monticello (Mon) 72; 4. Tri-Valley (TV) 64; 5. Hauppauge (H) 57.5; 6. Ellenville (Ell) 57; 7. Port Jervis (PJ) 48; 8. Middletown (Mid) 47; 9. Goshen (G) 42; 10. Liberty (L) 40; 11. Fallsburg (F) 18; 12. Sullivan West (SW) 17; 13. Livingston Manor (LM) 8; 14. Eldred (Eld) 7.

Girls Team scores and key: 1. Tri-Valley (TV) 120 points; 2. Arlington (A) 108; 3. Valley Central (VC) 79; 4. Liberty (L) 62; 5. Monticello (Mon) 57; 6. Hauppauge (H) 51.5; 7. Port Jervis (PJ) 51; 8. Eldred (Eld) 50.5; 9. Ellenville (Ell) 47; 10. Middletown (Mid) 23; 11. Goshen (G) 20; 12. Livingston Manor (LM) 7; 13. Sullivan West (SW) 5.

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Scenes from the 24th Monticello Games (clockwise) Ellenville's Justin Farrenkopf clears 14-3 in the pole vault. Monticello's Garrett LaPolt takes second in the shot put. Eldred's Breanna Brucher clears 10 feet to win the pole vault. Liberty's Kane Sauchuk edges out Valley Central's Ismael Anderson to claim third in the 110 high hurdles. Outstanding Track Athletes: Valley Central's Vinny Biunno and Hollly Cavalluzzo along with Monticello's Tino Taylor. A sampling of the Tri-Valley girls team with Coach Missy Iatauro hold their first place team trophy. Fallsburg's Michael Robinson won the triple jump. Tri-Valley's Mareena DiMilia won the javelin. Outstanding female field athlete Tri-Valley's Dominique Darby. Tri-Valley's Jimmy Bernstein took second in the 3200 and the 800. Monticello's Tino Taylor wins the 400. He also won the 200. Ellenville's Robert Borriello was the meet's Outstanding male field athlete.

MONTICELLO, NY—Okay I know.  Every year when it comes to the Monticello Games I sound like a broken record as I sing the praises of the day’s proceedings, lauding  the Games of Fame as I’ve come to call them, as one of my favorite events of the spring.

So here in the the tenth consecutive year of my sports writing  sojourn, I’ll catalogue the 24^th rendition of the Monticello Games as yet another thriller. I’ve come to expect nothing less.

True to form, Athletic Director Doug Murphy’s perfect streak of six years with no rain under his watch continued unabated as Mother Nature afforded bright skies but no doubt showed her wry smile by sending forth freezing temperatures early in the day.

That unwelcome chill had athletes, players and coaches alike shivering, trying to find a warm place the sun or else hovering in the gym until the last possible moment.  But as the day progressed the cold temperatures abated, no doubt warmed up by the intense heat pouring forth from runners, jumpers and throwers from the 14 schools on hand for this year’s memorable clash.

Some of the schools from a year ago such as Red Hook, Chapel Field, Byram Hills and Minisink Valley were not in attendance. Also missing were some of the athletes from participating teams who were at the Penn Relays.  But given the legions of athletes on hand the meet had its usual allure nonetheless.

New to the meet this year was Long Island contender Hauppague, while  returning to the fold this year was the entire Liberty team instead of just javelin thrower Peter Koval the lone Indian of 2011. Last year’s Monticello Games took place on the same day as Liberty’s Rachel’s Challenge event which prevented the Indians from attending.

This year It was great to have them back.

Rather than save the best for last, let’s talk about them first.

At meet’s end after reviewing nominations by the participating coaches, the award winners were announced. They came forward to claim their plaques and pose for photos which you will find on the last page of the photo album at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Tri-Valley’s Dominique Darby was named the meet’s Outstanding Female Field Athlete behind her first place finish in the shot put (32-9 ¼) and the discus (94-0). She took second in the hammer (108-3).  Valley Central’s Holly Cavalluzzo  was named as the Outstanding Female Track Athlete. Cavalluzzo ran a leg in the Lady Vikings 3200 Relay which turned in a time of 9:54.8. She also won the 800 (2:20.2).

Ellenville’s Robert Borriello was the meets Outstanding Male Field Athlete. Borriello  won the javelin (142-3), took second in the hammer (138-11)  fourth in the discus (121-11).

Sharing the honor of the meet’s Outstanding  Track Athletes were Valley Central’s Vincent Biunno and Monticello’s Tino Taylor. Biunno was victorious in the 110 high hurdles (15-0), the 400 hurdles (57.9) and the high jump (6-0).

Taylor won the 200 (22.6) and the 400 (51.3). He was part of the second place Montie finish in the 800 and 1600 relays.

What a difference a year does make. Consider the Tri-Valley girls team which placed fourth in 2011. This year they racked up 120 points and captured first place, beating out much larger schools like Arlington by 12 points and Valley Central by 41.

Just one week after besting all the other 26 teams at the Tri-Valley Invitational, the Lady Bears were tops again using their incredible depth and cadre of hard-working athletes to capture points across the spectrum of events.

By day’s end Tri-Valley had captured 22 first-through sixth place finishes, nearly doubling the nearest Sullivan County contender Monticello which grabbed 12 scoring spots. Liberty nailed down 11. Eldred captured ten.

Here are some of the Lady Bears’ triumphs: Mareena DiMilia won the 100 high hurdles (16.8) and the javelin (108-9), while taking second in the long jump (14-9 ½) and second in the shot put (31-10). Vicky Tingley took 3^rd in the 100 high hurdles (17.4).  She also took 6^th in the pole vault (7-6).

Katlynn Greffrath won the high jump (4-9). She was sixth in the 100 (13.9) and 6^th in the long jump (15-4). Colleen Jones was third in the hammer (83-5) and 5^th in the javelin (73-3). Olivia Rehm took 4^th in the 2000 steeplechase (8:30.9), while teammate Sabrena Smith was 5^th (8:32.9).  Smith also captured 5^th in the 400 Intermediate hurdles (75.8). Autumn Bender was 3^rd in the 3000 (11:00.6). She finished 6^th in the 800 (2:32.9) and ran a lege in the Lady Bears’ 3^rd place finish in the 3200 relay (10:50.4).The Lady Bears were third in the 1600 relay (4:30.1).

Liberty placed fourth overall in the meet with 62 points. Rebeccah Harman was 2^nd in the 400 Intermediate hurdles (71.4). She finished 4^th in the 100 high hurdles (17.6). She also ran a leg in the 400 relay that placed 3^rd in 54.1. Liberty’s 800 relay took second in 1:55.8.

Amanda Bertholf was 2^nd in the pole vault (9-0) and 2^nd in the 400 (66.7). She also ran a leg in the aforementioned 400 relay. Lara Jane Heslop was 5^th in the 200 (28.9) and 4^th in the 100 (13.6). Brittany Roa was 4^th in the discus (72-4).

Monticello placed 5^th in the meet with 57 points. Camryn Johnson took 4^th in the 3000 (11:07.4). Sydney Johnson was 5^th in 11:21.9.  Camryn also claimed  3^rd in the 1500 (5:12.9), while Sydney took 6^th in the event in 5:20.9 Jaclyn Bellamy was 3^rd in the 400  (67.4). The Monties freshman/sophomore sprint medley was 4^th in 4:54.7. Laura Doherty took 1^st in the 400 intermediate hurdles (69.9), while teammate Erica Concors was third in 74.3. Concors also took 3^rd in the 2000 steeplechase (8:24.6) as well as third in the triple jump (31-6).

The Lady Monties finished 5^th in the 1600 relay (4:42.1).

Eldred was  8^th with 50 points. Breanna Brucher won the pole vault (10-0) and finished 6^th in the 100 high hurdles (18.1). Erika Bowring won the long jump (16- ½) and the triple jump (33-9 ½).  She was 6^th in the high jump (4-6). Christine Donnelly was 2^nd in the 800 (2:28) and sixth in the 3000 (11:22.8). She ran a leg in the 3200 relay which placed 6^th in 11:22.5. Equasia Edwards was 2^nd in the high jump (4-9). Eldred was 6^th in the 800 relay.

Livingston Manor’s Amy Calo was third in the high jump (4-6). Sullivan West’s Hannah Feinman was 4^th in the triple jump (30-7 ¾). Autumn Thiele was 6^th in the discus (69-1/2).

Monticello Boys Evince Fine Showing As Key Week Looms Ahead

This coming week Monticello faces Port Jervis and Liberty in Division III clashes and hopes to win both to clinch an unprecedented third consecutive division title. The last two years in down-to-the wire clashes, the Monties beat rival Cornwall but this year the Dragons were moved up to Division II.

For Coaches Matt Buddenhagen and Joe Seidl, this meet was an opportunity to move a few people around and tinker with the lineup for the coming week’s frays. The results were impressive.

Monticello placed third overall with 72 points behind Arlington and Valley Central. The Monties grabbed ten scoring spots in the meet.  In addition to the successes already noted from Tino Taylor, the Monties piled up points from the following contributors: Garrett LaPolt was 2^nd in the shot put (47-6). Talon Watson  was 2^nd in the 400 (52.1). He was 6^th in the triple jump (39-9).Monticello’s Freshman/sophomore sprint medley relay was 4^th in 4:09.8. The Monties claimed 1^st in the 400 relay as Terry Duncan, Mistah Alli, Austin Colon and Rahjel Smith combined for a time of 45.2).

Ali was 5^th in the long jump (18-10) and 5^th in the 100 (11.8). Otha Smith claimed 5^th place in the high jump (5-6).

Tri-Valley grabbed 4^th place overall with 64 points but outpaced Monticello in terms of the number of scoring places with 12.  Raphael Ramirez won the hammer (139-7). Teammate Zach Roberts took 6^th in the event (100-11). Jimmy Bernstein was 2^nd in the 3200 (10:09.7) and 2^nd in the 800 (2;05.3). Justin Weintraub was 5^th in the 800 (2:12.1). Hauk Boyes took 3^rd in the 3000 steeplechase (11:10.09). Josh Winters was 4^th in the javelin (128-11). Andrew Malone was 5^th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (61.1). Omar Lopez was 2^nd in the 400 intermediate hurdles (60.1).

Tri-Valley’s 800 relay was 5^th in 1:37.6.

Ellenville finished 6^th overall with 57 points. In addition to the aforementioned exploits by Robert Borriello, the Blue Devils had the last word of the day as Justin Farrenkopf cleared 14-3 to win the pole vault. He just missed at 14-6 which would have set a new outdoor school record. Tyler O’Bryant won the 100 (11.1).

Liberty was 10^th overall with 40 points. The Indians garnered seven scoring places in the meet. Andy Hazelnis was 5^th in the triple jump (40-1/2). Mike Hinton took 3^rd in the discus (123-1/2) and 5^th in the hammer (101-11). He also claimed 4^th in the shot put (47-3 ½). Kane Sauchuk was 3^rd in the 110 high hurdles (16-2) and 4^th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (60.40). Liberty’s 400 relay was third in 46.3). Erick Cuellar took 5^th in the 200 (23.5). Peter Koval was 3^rd in the javelin (135-11).

Fallsburg accrued 18 points for 11^th place overall as Michael Robinson won the triple jump (42-8 ½) and took second in the high jump (5-9).

Eldred accrued seven points. Julian Gottleib  was 3^rd in the pole vault (10-0).

Adrian Krzysztofowicz was 6^th in the 400 intermediate hurdles in 61.6 and 6^th in the 110H (16.9).

Livingston Manor’s Neal Mock was 2^nd in the pole vault (10-6).

 Sullivan West’s Reed Scott was 5^th in the 3200 (10:23.9). Mitch Paciga was 6^th in the high jump (5-9).

In summing up the meet, Monticello Coach Matt Buddenhagen had this to say: “Everything went well today as the weather warmed up. It was about 32 degrees this morning but it got comfortable later in the afternoon. We had some good performances.  Tino Taylor is our captain. He won the 200 and 400 and the Outstanding Track Athlete. He’s a great kid who works hard and he deserves everything he gets,” noted the coach who had props for his entire team’s efforts.  Today was good preparation for the big week to come. We put some kids in some multiple events to tinker with our lineup for Wednesday. We haven’t lost a dual meet in going on three years so that will be big as we go to take on Port Jervis.

Boys Results (top three only): 100 meters: 1. Tyler O’Bryant (Ell) 11.1; 2. Matt Mungo (G) 11.7; 3. Smith (PJ) 11.8; 200: 1. Tino Taylor (Mon) 22.6; 2. Smith (PJ) 23.0; 3. Brandon Conklin (A) 23.0; 400: 1. Tino Taylor (Mon) 51.3; 2. Talon Watson (Mon) 52.1; 3. Phil Hurtault (VC) 52.7; 800: 1. Tom Wimmers (A) 2:02.0; 2. Jim Bernstein (TV) 2:05.3; 3. Steve Morrison (A) 2:08.4; 1,600: 1. Ryan Collabella (H) 4:38.7; 2. Krystopher Lotocky (A) 4:40.3; 3. Corey Chiavelli (A) 4:43.1; 3,000 steeplechase: 1. Rodolfo Nieto (Mid) 10:40.7; 2. Tim Burger (A) 10:58.2; 3. Hauk Boyes (TV) 11:10.9; 3,200: 1. Collabella (H) 9:54.0; 2. Bernstein (TV) 10:09.7; 3. Chris Wise (A) 10:13.0; 110 hurdles: 1. Vincent Biunno (VC) 15.0; 2. Daniel Genender (Mid) 15.5; 3. Kane Sauchuk (L) 16.2; 400 hurdles: 1. Biunno (VC) 57.9; 2. Omar Lopez (TV) 60.1; 3. Genender (Mid) 60.3; 400 relay: 1. Monticello (Terry Duncan, Mistah Alli, Austin Colon, Rajel Smith) 45.2; 800 relay: 1. Hauppauge (Darius Samples, Jonny Barone, Tevin Milton, Matt Tochterman) 1:32.1; 1,600 relay: 1. Valley Central (Ishmeal Anderson, Biunno, Hurtault, Naquille Williams) 3:28.6; 3,200 relay: 1. Arlington (Matt Haering, James Asselmeyer, Corey Peruffo, Chris Wechsler) 8:35.5; high jump: 1. Biunno (VC) 6-0; 2. Michael Robinson (F) 5-9; 3. Da’Von Adamson (PJ) 5-9; long jump: 1. Adamson (PJ) 20-2.5; 2. Samples (H) 19-7; 3. Collin Sears (VC) 19-6.5; triple jump: 1. Robinson (F) 42-8.5; 2. C.J. Clark (Mid) 41-0.5; 3. Sears (VC) 39-11; shot put: 1. Rajiv McSwine (A) 47-7.25; 2. Garrett LaPolt (Mon) 47-6; 3. Hsin Chin (A) 42-6.75; hammer: 1. Rafael Ramirez (TV) 139-7; 2. Rob Borriello (Ell) 138-11; 3. Jeff Nunez (Ell) 120-11; javelin: 1. Borriello (Ell) 142-3; 2. G. Caetta (Ell) 136-10; 3. Peter Koval (L) 135-11; discus: 1. Hsin Chin (A) 127-9; 2. Preston Bazemore (Ell) 125-10; 3. Mike Hinton (L) 123-10; pole vault: 1. Justin Farrenkopf (Ell) 14-3; 2. Neal Mock (LM) 10-6; 3. Julian Gottlieb (Eld) 10-0.

Girls Results: 100 meters: 1. Kalissa Caesar (PJ) 12.3; 2. Latoya Haynes (VC) 13.3; 3. Genece May (Ell) 13.3; 200: 1. Caesar (PJ) 25.5; 2. Genece May (Ell) 27.6; 3. Cierra Deveaux (Mid) 28.4; 400: 1. Christine Eisenberg (H) 64.8; 2. Amanda Bertholf (L) 66.7; 3. Jaclyn Bellamy (Mon) 67.4; 800: 1. Holly Cavalluzzo (VC) 2:20.2; 2. Christina Donnelly (Eld) 2:28.0; 3. Lauren Markoe (A) 2:31.7; 1,500: 1. Bella Burda (A) 5:00.4; 2. Delphi Cleaveland (A) 5:00.6; 3. Camryn Johnson (Mon) 5:12.9; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Olivia Beltrani (A) 7:30.6; 2. Eisenberg (H) 8:10.3; 3. Erica Concors (Mon) 8:24.6; 3,000: 1. Cleaveland (A) 10:32.1; 2. Burda (A) 10:34.4; 3. Autumn Bender (TV) 11:00.6; 110 hurdles: 1. Mareena DiMilia (TV) 16.8; 2. Brittany Hillman (VC) 17.3; 3. Vicky Tingley (TV) 17.4; 400 hurdles: 1. Laura Doherty (Mon) 69.9; 2. Rebeccah Harman (L) 71.4; 3. Concors (Mon) 74.3; 400 relay: 1. Port Jervis (Burke, Maria Barbone, Niambi Green, Caesar) 53.5; 800 relay: 1. Valley Central (Brittany Hillman, Drew Ribadeneyra, Haynes, Brittney Branch) 1:34.1; 1,600 relay: 1. Valley Central (Branch, Samantha Meade, Ribadeneyra, K. Borriello) 4:18.9; 3,200 relay: 1. Valley Central (Cavalluzzo, Ribadeneyra, Claudia Weiskittel, C. Borriello) 9:54.8; high jump: 1. Katlynn Greffrath (TV) 4-9; 2. Equasia Edwards (Eld) 4-9; 3. Ami Calo (LM) 4-6; long jump: 1. Erika Bowring (Eld) 16-0.5; 2. DiMilia (TV) 14-9.5; 3. Kristen Ritter (H) 14-9; triple jump: 1. Bowring (Eld) 33-9.5; 2. Rebeccah Harman (L) 32-0.25; 3. Concors (Mon) 31-6; shot put: 1. Dominique Darby (TV) 32-9.25; 2. DiMilia (TV) 31-10.5; 3. Danielle Borriello (Ell) 30-1.75; discus: 1. Darby (TV) 94-0; 2. Borriello (Ell) 91-9; 3. Colleen Jones (TV) 83-5; hammer: 1. Borriello (Ell) 119-6; 2. Darby (TV) 108-3; 3. Emily Ronda (PJ) 70-3; javelin: 1. DiMilia (TV) 108-9; 2. Jessica Caso (A) 86-4; 3. Mary McCutcheon (A) 78-6; pole vault: 1. Breanna Brucher (Eld) 10-0; 2. Amanda Bertholf (L) 9-0; 3. Marisa Robbins (G) 8-6.

For a massive album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Tribe Track Triumph

Liberty Boys And Girls Sweep O’Neill In Season Track Division III Opener

Boys:  Liberty 96, James I. O’Neill 35

Girls: : Liberty 95, James I. O’Neill 26

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos By RICHARD A. ROSS and NICK PIATEK at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Scenes from the Liberty vs. O'Neill Division III track meet (clockwise) Liberty's Kane Sauchuk establishes the early lead in the Indians' victorious 3200 relay. O''Neill's John Carpenter handily wins the 100. Nikole Snyder shows her prowess in winning the high jump and long jump. Vinny Webb clears 11 feet in the pole vault to win the event. Senior Andy Hazelnis competes in the long jump. Rebeccah Harman is victorious in the 110 hurdles as is Kane Sauchuk.

LIBERTY, NY– Over the course of the next couple of months there will be innumerable track meets and while it is true that the most significant of these are the Section Nine and State Qualifier encounters, each and every outing is an opportunity for runners, jumpers and throwers to work on their techniques with a mind toward raising the bar in terms of their times and distances.

Meets that beckon teams from far and wide like the upcoming Tri-Valley Invitational, The Tri-Valley Relays and the Monticello Games have their particular allure.  Case in point would be the inclusion of Bronxville and its iconic star Mary Cain (if she’s not running in some other major event that day) in the Tri-Valley invitational meet on April 21.

Then there are the great showdown meets such as the OCIAA league meet, the Sullivan County Championships and key division clashes to look forward to.

But here at the start of the track season it was relatively low key as James I. O’Neill arrived for a Division III encounter with the Indians. Liberty was moved up to Division III while Burke was moved down as just a couple of changes in the new OCIAA divisional array. Monticello will remain a Division III contender as will Goshen and Port Jervis but mighty Cornwall has now been elevated to Division II.

Of course none of that affects the fact that Liberty will still compete in the Class B Section Nine meet where it will encounter its usual foes. When it comes to states, Liberty is Division II and that hasn’t changed either.

The day was bright and sunny albeit windy enough to topple the hurdles on the track before the race. Times and distances were no doubt greatly affected by the mighty gusts but since this meet was more like an early season practice (though it counted nevertheless), it wasn’t necessary to add “wind impeded”‘ or “wind assisted” to any of the results listed below.

I’m adding information from Liberty Coach Debbie Simpson to amend to reflect second and third place finishers. For the newspapers perhaps the winners are the only matter of interest but not so for this track fanatic.

Boys Results: OCIAA Division III: Liberty 96, James I. O’Neill 35

110-meter hurdles: 1. Ken Sauchuck (L) 17.1; 100: 1. John Carpenter (JIO) 11.0; 400 hurdles: 1. Kane Sauchuck (L) 64.4; 200: 1. John Carpenter 22.8; 400: 1. R. Molloy (L) 58.9; 200: 1. Unavailable; 3,200: 1. Tom Papp (L) 1:25.9; 3,200 relay: 1. Liberty (Sauchuck, Luis Campos, N. Campos, R. Molloy) Time not provided; 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Erick Cuellar, N. Campos, Kenny Jaycox, Unavailable) 46.7; 1,600 relay: 1. Liberty (Sauchuck, Cuellar, N. Campos, R. Molloy) 3:57.7; long jump: 1. Jeremy Key (JIO) 17-8; discus: 1.  Mike Hinton (L) 123.2; high jump: 1. J. Carpenter (JIO) 6-0; pole vault: 1. Vinny Webb (L) 11-0;Shot put: 1. Andy Martinez (L) 34-4.

Girls Results: OCIAA Division III: Liberty 95, James I. O’Neill 26

110-meter hurdles: 1. Rebeccah Harman (L) 17.3; 100: 1. Diamond Wiley (JIO) 13.4; 1,000: 1. Sierra Thomas (L) 6:39.6 400 hurdles: 1. Harman (L) 1:14.9 200: 1. L. Heslop (L) 27.8; 400: 1. R. Molloy (L) 58.9; 800: 1. Thomas (L) 2:58.1; 3,000: 1. J. Krebs (team members, time not provided; 3,200 relay: 1. O’Neill 11:46; 400 relay: 1. Liberty 53.5; 1,600 relay: 1. Liberty 5:21.1; long jump: 1. N. Snyder (L) 13-6 1/2; discus: 1. Brittany Roa (L) 64-9; high jump: 1. N. Snyder (L) 4-6; pole vault: 1. Amanda Bertholf (L) 9-6; shot put: 1. Claudia Reyes (L) 21-2.

Added from Liberty Coach Debbie Simpson:

Fast Start

Monticello Downs Short-Handed Liberty For Third Straight Win In Young Season; Lady Indians Come Alive In Fourth Quarter On A Night When Indians’ Shots Just Wouldn’t Fall

Monticello 46, Liberty 23

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Scenes from Monticello's 46-23 non-league win over Liberty (clockwise): Monticello freshman Lena Episalla goes up for a shot and is fouled. She had nine rebounds in the game. Liberty's Tea Williams is hemmed in by Monticello's Shamira Moore and Zaquia Revell. Revell had ten steals and Moore had seven. Liberty's Justice Dingevan fires up a three-pointer. She canned two of them in the final quarter. She is defended by Monticello's Lena Episalla. Liberty's Olivia Baum scores the first points for the Lady Indians midway through the second quarter. Baum ended up with a team-high 17 on the night. The 2011-12 Monticello Lady Panthers. Monticello junior Yadira Montes cans a free throw. The Monties need a lot of work from the line as they converted just 31.8 percent from the stripe.

MONTICELLO, NY—When it comes to school size, Monticello and Liberty are the bigs in Sullivan County. As such, their encounters with one another, though always of a non-league variety, have a special allure even if one or both teams is struggling as has been the case in recent years.

But it’s a new season now and the Lady Panthers as well as the Lady Indians are fielding teams that are a blend of experienced players along with a cadre of youngsters who are new to the varsity realm.

Coming into the Pit in Monticello is always a challenge for Liberty teams but on this December 13 night, Coach Beth Quatrale knew it would be even more daunting without three of her key starters in NIkole Snyder, Selena Vargas and Katie Giarratano all missing in action for a variety of reasons. That would leave veterans Olivia Baum and Justice Dingevan to carry the load and as it turned out, they would be the only two players to score on the night as Baum would post 17 to Dingevan’s pair of treys.

Liberty struggled mightily early on as it went scoreless throughout the first quarter and halfway through the second when Baum finally converted a steal into a layup. She’d go on to score two more buckets in the second stanza to provide Liberty with six points by halftime to Monticellos’s 23. The Lady Panthers led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Four of those first quarter points came from junior standout Shamira Moore. The Lady Monties also got buckets from junior Arianna Decosta and freshman Yamilersy Reyes. Moore added a pair of free throws in the second quarter as part of Monticello’s seven-point output. Senior Zequia Revell posted her lone basket and Monticello benefited from two free throws from Yadira Montes and one from Yami Reyes.

Both teams had trouble converting shots as well as taking care of the basketball. Turnovers abounded as errant passes were picked off both ways giving both Quatrale and Monticello Coach Karen Atack plenty to concentrate on in upcoming practices.

Moore was the big difference in this game as she evinced outstanding play at both ends of the floor. In the third quarter she netted 14 points. Her only issue was her lackluster free throw shooting as she canned only two-for-11 from the stripe. To their credit, Liberty held her scoreless in the final frame.

Decosta was Monticello’s other major weapon. She scored 11 points on the night, seven of which came in the fourth quarter and included the Monties’ lone trey of the game.

As for Liberty, were it not for Baum’s relentless pursuit, even in the face of early struggles, the final outcome could have been far worse. Monticello’s fourth quarter defensive laxity that featured players out of positions and at times an uncontested path to the basket for Baum, allowed her to catch fire. Needless to say, Atack was not pleased with that aspect of the game.

Monticello improved to 3-0 adding this victory to a pair of commanding wins over struggling Family. The Lady Monties will test their early season mettle against winless Sullivan West on the Lady Bulldogs home court debut on December 14. Sullivan West scouted this game to get a preview of the Lady Monties and of course Division IV rival Liberty which fell to 1-2. Its lone win came against S.S. Seward in the Spartan Invitational Tournament. They lost the title game to Goshen.

Quatrale was upbeat about her team’s efforts despite the outcome. “I thought the biggest difference was that my team was playing relaxed in the fourth quarter. It’s tough when the ball won’t go in the basket, but if you force it, it still won’t go in. As I told my team, I can’t be upset with a game like that when I know that every girl on the court was giving 100 percent. The heart was there, the ball just wasn’t falling.

Liberty hosts Port Jervis for its home opener on December 15. It’s next game will come after the New Year. With three starters not here tonight, it gave younger girls a chance to step up and show that they really deserve to be on the court. There were few mental mistakes. We were where we were supposed to be. It’s just a case of putting the ball in the basket now,” she concluded.

Atack is certainly pleased with her team’s 3-0 start. “We’ll take it,’ she said while emphasizing the things that need a lot of work if the success is to continue against far tougher teams. The Lady Monties host Cornwall on December 16 and the type of play they evinced in this game won’t fly against the Lady Dragons.

“We realize we played a weakened team tonight,” said Atack referencing the fact that Liberty was missing key players. “If we don’t take care of the ball we know what is going to happen. We still have a lot of things we have to iron out. We have a young team. They’re willing to work and they never give up. The hustle is there but we just made a lot of errors.

Rebounding was not one of the problems. Moore led the team with 17 boards and Revell had 12. Freshman guard Lena Episalla had nine rebounds. Revell had 10 steals and Moore had seven.” Atack credited Moore and Revell with playing an excellent game.

“We need to have better leadership. If I don’t call it out, no one is presently calling it out on the court. We have a lot more talent than we’ve had in the recent past but it’s not tamed yet,” she noted.  “We’re having a problem with getting five people to do what they’re supposed to do at the same time.

Monticello’s three win start constitutes half of its total season victory total from last year. But Atack, ever conscious of what it takes to win against tough opponents will not let her team sit back on their early season laurels. For one thing Monticello was a woeful seven-for 22 from the line (31.8%).

“We have a really young team,” added Atack who was missing junior tall tree Nyasia Blakney for this outing. With only one senior in Revell, the squad goes to war with five juniors in Decosta, Moore, Yadira Montes, Blakney and Amber Grobusch. Three sophomores include Quasia Walker, Latise Sanders  and Deanna Snowden, along with freshmen Shandell Jones, Yami Reyes and Lena Episalla.

Liberty’s team on this night was comprised of Rachel Bayer, Zaira Pabon, Erin Kinne, Cindy Fuentes, Stephanie Heisler, Olivia Baum, Amanda Bertholf, Justice Dingevan, Kelly Santos, Brittany Roa and Tea Williams.

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