Good News
Catskill Regional Medical Center’s Oncology Department Receives Proceeds From Sullivan County Coaches Vs. Cancer Fundraiser
Coaches and players from Sullivan County Community College, Sullivan West, Tri-Valley, Monticello and Liberty, along with representatives from Catskill Regional Medical Center pose with a replica of the check representing funds raised in this year's Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic.
By RICHARD A. ROSS
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY– T.S. Elliot’s most famous poem “The Wasteland,” begins with the line, “April is the cruelest month.” Given the surfeit of good news on the local sports scene here in early April, it would seem that nothing could be further from the truth.
This past week marked the opening of the spring sports season and good news was in no short supply. Listed below are just a few things to lift one’s spirits and to remember that spring is indeed a time for renewal and an affirmation of life.
HARRIS, NY – On April 5, Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) received a check for more than $3,480 raised at the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser, held on February 11, 2012 at Sullivan County Community College to raise funds for CRMC’s Oncology Department.
The fourth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Fundraiser, held in conjunction with the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY), has grown from two teams and one game to ten teams and an 11 hour event of non-stop games in four short years. This year’s participants included Monticello, Eldred, Tri-Valley, Liberty, Livingston Manor and Sullivan West high schools and SUNY Sullivan.
On April 5, a group of 15 students and 5 coaches presented the check to Fred Kuriger, CEO and Geri Orr, Assistant Vice President of Professional Services at CRMC. The group then took a tour of the Oncology Unit at CRMC.
Cancer Care at CRMC includes a well-developed oncology program that offers a multidisciplinary team approach combined with quality care. The program continues to be distinguished by the excellent and compassionate patient care it provides. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Hematology/Oncology Department at 845.794.3341.
A member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Catskill Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents in the Sullivan County region. For more information, call 845-794-3300 or visit www.crmcny.org.
And congratulations to…
The BCANY Section Nine Basketball All-Stars listed below:
CLASS AA
1. Shamari Brodhead, Kingston, 12
2. Sarah Galloway, Kingston, 12, All Section 2010-11
3. Kerry McHugh, Monroe-Woodbury, 10
4. Kerrie Walsh Monroe-Woodbury 11
5. Danielle Powell, Pine Bush, 12
6. Cassandra St.Vil, Middletown, 12
7. Haliann Fitzgerald, Valley Centra,l 11
8. Alyssa Leahy, Valley Central, 12, All Section 2010-11
9. Mickayla Galak, Warwick, 12
10. Lauren Knowles, Washingtonville, 12
11. Keneisha Lawrence, Newburgh, 12
12. Alison Pritchard, F.D. Roosevelt, 9
Player of the Year: Kerry McHugh, Monroe-Woodbury
Coach of the Year: Tim Faulkner, Valley Central
CLASS A
1. Julianne Wilkinson, Red Hook, 10
2. Siena O’Han, Red Hook, 12, All Section 2010-11
3. Kyla Gabriel, Red Hook, 11
4. Megan Staudle, Cornwall, 12, All Section 2010-11
5. Caroline Staudle, Cornwall, 11
6. Jenna Wood, Cornwall, 12, All Section 2010-11
7. Lisa Bouffard, Wallkill, 12, All Section 2010-11
8. Emily McDonough, Marlboro, 11
9. Nicole DeSantis, Marlboro, 12, All Section 2010-11
10. Hayley Spoljaric, Saugerties, 12 All Section 2010-11
11. Emma Weiss, Goshen, 10
12. Sha’Mira Moore, Monticello, 11
Player of the Year: Megan Staudle, Cornwall
Coach of the Year: Pam White, Red Hook
CLASS B
1. Regina Steele, Ellenville, 12, All Section 2010-11
2. Kim Craft, Ellenville, 12
3. Alex Garcia, Highland, 12, All Section 2010-11
4. Kelly Murphy, Highland, 12, All Section 2010-11
5. Shannon Ward, Highland, 10
6. Olivia Baum, Liberty, 11
7. Anna Thompson, Spackenkill, 10
8. Casey Undersinger, Burke Catholic, 11
9. Jessica Ayala, Burke Catholic, 11
10. Danielle Riley, James I. O’Neill, 12
11. Adrianna DeCicco, Onteora, 10
Player of the Year: Regina Steele, Ellenville
Coach of the Year:Mike Guiney, Ellenville
CLASS C
1. Makenzie Burud, Coleman Catholic, 12, All Section 2010-11
2. Kate Shults, Coleman Catholic, 12, All Section 2010-11
3. Emily Curley, Coleman Catholic, 10, All Section 2010-11
4. Roni Peterson, Millbrook, 10
5. Samantha Cassata, Rhinebeck, 11
6. Lindsey Dunn, S.S. Seward, 12
7. Sheryl Pinder, Fallsburg, 12, All Section 2010-11
8. Mardelle Jean, Chester, 12, All Section 2010-11
9. Mareena DiMilia, Tri-Valley, 11, All Section 2010-11
10. Katelyn Greffrath, Tri-Valley, 10
11. Alex Gundermann, Tuxedo, 12
12. Jordyn Funk, Pine Plains, 12
Player of the Year: Makenzie Burud, Coleman Catholic
Coach of the Year: John Tenbus, Tri-Valley
CLASS D
1. Hunter Browne, Roscoe, 12
2. Monay Allen, Livingston Manor, 12
3. Samantha Scott, Livingston Manor, 11
Player of the Year: Monay Allen Livingston Manor
Coach of the Year: Kevin Clifford Livingston Manor
ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS
OCIAA DIVISION I
Shamari Brodhead, Kingston, 12
Sarah Galloway, Kingston, 12
Kerry McHugh, Monroe Woodbury, 10
Kerrie Walsh, Monroe Woodbury, 11
Danielle Powell, Pine Bush, 12
Cassandra St.Vil, Middletown, 12
Keneisha Lawrence, Newburgh, 12
Heavenly Rayford, Newburgh, 11
Christie Niccolo, Pine Bush, 12
Kristen Walsh, Monroe Woodbury, 10
Player of the Year: Kerrie Walsh, Monroe Woodbury
Coach of the Year: Linda Trapani, Monroe Woodbury
OCIAA DIVISION II
Haliann Fitzgerald, Valley Central, 11
Alyssa Leahy, Valley Central, 12
Mickayla Galak, Warwick, 12
Lauren Knowles, Washingtonville, 12
Rachelle Garneau, Warwick, 11
Annie Haelen, Minisink Valley, 12
Maggie Cocks, Valley Central, 12
Brianna Paolini, Washingtonville, 11
Fallon Buck, Minisink Valley, 12
Jean Ann Korona, Washingtonville, 11
Player of the Year: Haliann Fitzgerald, Valley Central
Coach of the Year: Tim Faulkner, Valley Central
OCIAA DIVISION III
Megan Staudle, Cornwall, 12
Caroline Staudle, Cornwall, 11
Jenna Wood, Cornwall, 12
Emma Weiss, Goshen, 10
Sha’Mira Moore, Monticello, 11
Sarah Kean, Port Jervis, 9
Yami Reyes, Monticello, 9
Sinead Hughes, Goshen, 12
Alex Jurgens, Cornwall, 10
Marissa Carlton, Port Jervis, 12
Player of the Year: Megan Staudle, Cornwall
Coach of the Year: Karen Atack, Monticello
OCIAA DIVISION IV
Olivia Baum, Liberty, 11
Casey Undersinger, Burke Catholic, 11
Jessica Ayala, Burke Catholic, 11
Danielle Riley, James I. O’Neill, 12
DJ Presutti, Burke Catholic, 12
Justine Dingaven, Liberty, 11
Alanna Broessler, James I. O’Neill, 11
Nicole Episalla, Burke Catholic, 12
Meghan Kerr, Burke Catholic, 10
Haley Puerscher, Sullivan West, 10
Player of the Year: Olivia Baum Liberty
Coach of the Year: Matt McGinnis Burke Catholic
OCIAA DIVISION V
Lindsey Dunn, S.S. Seward, 12
Sheryl Pinder, Fallsburg, 12
Mardelle Jean, Chester, 12
Mareena DiMilia, Tri-Valley, 11
Katelyn Greffeth, Tri-Valley, 10
Alex Gundermann, Tuxedo, 12
Kaylah Pinkney, Tuxedo, 9
Alex Nouri, Tuxedo, 12
Simone Ayers, Chester, 9
Sabreena Smith, Tri-Valley, 10
Player of the Year: Mareena DiMilia Tri-Valley
Coach of the Year:John Tenbus Tri-Valley
OCIAA DIVISION VI
Hunter Browne, Roscoe, 12
Monay Allen, Livingston Manor, 12
Samantha Scott, Livingston Manor, 11
Maggi Calo, Livingston Manor, 12
Victoria Davis, Livingston Manor, 11
Callie Bullis, Roscoe, 11
Samantha Bengay, Roscoe, 11
Maurissa Hammond, Family School, 12
Brittany Klinger, Roscoe, 11
Player of the Year: Monay Allen Livingston Manor
Coach of the Year: Kevin Clifford Livingston Manor
MHAL DIVISION I
Alison Pritchard, F.D. Roosevelt, 9
Julianne Wilkinson, Red Hook, 10
Siena O’Han, Red Hook, 12
Kyla Gabriel, Red Hook, 11
Lisa Bouffard, Wallkill, 12
Hayley Spoljaric, Saugerties, 12
Raven Pentz, Wallkill, 12
Darien Demelis, F.D. Roosevelt, 9
Amy Etheridge, Saugerties, 12
Player of the Year: Julianne Wilkinson, Red Hook
Coach of the Year: Pam White, Red Hook
MHAL DIVISION II
Alex Garcia, Highland, 12
Kelly Murphy, Highland, 12
Shannon Ward, Highland, 10
Emily McDonough, Marlboro, 11
Nicole DeSantis, Marlboro, 12
Erin Depew, Rondout Valley, 12
Alison Ricci, New Paltz, 11
Victoria Pratts, Highland, 12
Nicole DeFabio, Marlboro, 10
Courtney Pineiro, Highland, 12
Player of the Year: Alex Garcia, Highland
Coach of the Year: Jim Delmar, Highland
MHAL DIVISION III
Regina Steele, Ellenville, 12
Kim Craft, Ellenville, 12
Adrianna DeCicco, Onteora, 10
Jordyn Funk, Pine Plains, 12
Seanna Tully, Spackenkill, 11
Anna Thompson, Spackenkill, 10
Rene Guiditta, Onteora, 11
Maria Farias, Pine Plains, 11
Tara Pittman, Spackenkill, 12
Barbara Young, Ellenville, 12
Player of the Year: Regina Steele Ellenville
Coach of the Year: Mike Guiney Ellenville
MHAL DIVISION IV
Makenzie Burud, Coleman Catholic, 12
Kate Shults, Coleman Catholic, 12
Emily Curley, Coleman Catholic, 10
Roni Peterson, Millbrook, 10
Samantha Cassata, Rhinebeck, 11
Meredith Mimuso, Rhinebeck, 11
Lauren Melville, Coleman Catholic, 11
Nicole Curley, Coleman Catholic, 10
Brooke Dahoney, Webutuck, 12
Mackenzie Harkenrider, Millbrook, 11
Player of the Year: Makenzie Burud Coleman Catholic
Coach of the Year: Heather Iannucci Millbrook
Record breaker:
Sullivan West graduate (2010) Katie Manzi made track news at Stony Brook….
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – It was a long time coming, but Stony Brook’s track & field program held its first meet at the University Track on Wednesday. The Seawolves hosted Providence, Bryant and Marist in the first annual quad meet.
New school records were set in the women’s 4×200 relay, men’s 400 hurdles and the men’s and women’s 300.
Seniors Christina Johnson (Elmont, N.Y.), LaQuashia Hall (New York, N.Y.) and Kimberly Pough (North Babylon, N.Y.) and sophomore Katie Manzi (Swan Lake, N.Y.) broke the old 4×200 record by more than four seconds, recording a 1:45.58. She also won the 300 among a field of 16 runners and set a new school record in the event.
Adieu à l’hiver (Farewell to winter)
Winter Season Comes To An End With Manor Losses In State Semifinals And Award Nights Celebrations In Tri-Valley And Sullivan West
By RICHARD A. ROSS
“In the end it’s not the years in your life that matter, but the life in your years.”
Abraham Lincoln
Final glimpses of winter: Top row: Livingston Manor's Mike Mills goes up for a shot in the Wildcats' 67-55 state semifinal loss to Madrid-Waddington. Mills hit seven treys and scored 35. Manor's Kenny Fisk dribbles amidst traffic and a poignant moment of finality on the right. Tri-Valley award winners top row left to right: James Pugh, Gavin DuBois, Greg Swarthout, Autumn Bender, Vicky Tingley, Dominique Darby, Jim Bernstein, Brendan Tierney, Eugene Morton and Ryan Erts. Bottom Row Dorothy Monforte, Brittany Rennison, Amber Buley, John Monforte, Kyle Rogers, Kevin Palko, Jared Ratner, Katlynn Greffrath, Sabrena Smith, Erin Smith, Sarah Coney, Liz Bracken. Sullivan West winners top row left to right: Rachel Deppa, Hannah Feinman, Reed Scott, Kendall Menges, Drew Billard. Bottom Row: Jenna Keesler, Xhesika Lushaj, Stephanie Hauschild, Sydney Sipple and John Masten. Not pictured: Matt Cardona
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY—All things must pass and thus departs the winter to make way for spring. And what a winter it was not just in terms of its unusual trappings of weather, but in terms of its momentous milestones in local athletics. For the Livingston Manor Wildcats boys and girls teams heading into the unchartered territory of the ethereal ethers of the State Final Four, the hope was to send winter off with a pair of historic state titles on the hardwood; a resounding finish to the best season evinced by boys and girls basketball players in the school’s history.
Though both squads fell short of making it to the finals, they did ink a place in school history with best-ever performances in the sport. Both squads enjoyed incredibly noble runs before the 16-6 boys fell to Section Ten’s Madrid-Waddington 67-55 at Glens Falls, while the 12-9 girls were defeated by Section Two’s Argyle 53-26 in Troy. Just like last spring when the softball team claimed its second consecutive state title and the boys added the allure of their first baseball state crown, the small school with the biggest of hearts that borders the Willowemoc swelled with pride which spilled over to neighboring towns and communities who joined in the support and accolades for the two teams’ remarkable achievements.
Now with basketball over, many of the same young men and women will pick up their gloves and head to the ball fields to defend their state supremacy and hopefully thereupon add an historic coda to this year with success.
Having not been privy to the Manor’s games that were a part of these postseason glorious runs, I will not offer a recap thereof as that has been done by others who bore direct witness to the proceedings. Photos have been sent my way by Nick Piatek of sportsinsightsny.com and Alex Rau of pixteronline.com and I am thankful to both for those photographic gems.
Manor’s extension of the winter season came in the same week as both Tri-Valley and Sullivan West were celebrating their winter success stories on March 14 and 15 respectively at awards night celebrations.
Tri-Valley Honors Its Winter Best
Tri-Valley Athletic Director Derek Adams welcomed the audience of athletes, coaches, parents, school personnel, administrators and School Board members before Junior Varsity boys basketball coach Jason Closs introduced his team comprised of five sophomores and six freshmen. Varsity coach Brian Tingley followed suit to laud his team that went 12-6 in the regular season before falling in a sectional quarterfinal to Fallsburg. “We want next year to be even better,” said Tingley who noted that during basketball season he literally spent more time with his team than he did with his family. Tingley noted that his sophomores and juniors got a lot of valuable experience this year while helping the team rebound from its sub.500 mark a year ago to return to sectionals. Tingley lauded all of his players one by one before announcing the award winners, Gavin Dubois was named as the teams Most Improved Player, while James Pugh won accolades as the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player. Finally, Greg Swarthout was accorded the designation as the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Varsity boys and girls indoor track Coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro had much to be proud of. The former played the part of spokesperson as usual for the iconic duo as he thanked his coaching staff including Scott Grey whose son Garrett just finished seenth in the nation in Division II, while Ryan Loughney won his second consecutive national Division II title in the weight throw. Both attend Ashland University in Ohio. Iatauro recapped the season which began on November 19 and which took his runners, jumpers and throwers to Yale, Cornell and the Armory as well as to local meets at West Point and Sullivan County Community College. Iatauro had great praise for each of his team members as he lauded first the boys and then the girls who took turns gracing the stage.
The girls squad was chosen as a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete winner for its cumulative GPA of 90 percent or better. They were ranked fifth in NYS, won the trifecta of Division V, Sullivan County and Section Nine. This was their sixth Section Nine title in seven years and their third County title in a row. Division titles have been literally too many to count. Iatuaro announced that his wife Missy will be the recipient of the Section Nine Service Award. This year’s indoor track award recipients were as follows:
Boys: Jim Bernstein, MVP, Brendan Tierney, MIP and Eugene Morton Coaches Award. Girls: Autumn Bender MVP, Vickty Tingley MIP and Dominique Darby Coaches Award. Bernstein won the Section Nine state qualifier in the mile and finished 13th at states. He was 40th at Nationals. Darby won Section Nine’s shot put and weight throw as well as the state qualifier. She finished 16th at states, second at the Millrose games and competed at Nationals. Darby set a school record in the weight throw (48-5) at the Yale Inivitational. Tingey set a school record in the pole vault at 7-6 at the state qualifier. Brooke Gillette also qualified for nationals. Katlynn Greffrath broke the school record in the 55 with a time of 7.5, while Brittany Rennison broke the 1994 school record in the 600M run held until now by Julie Ehrets. Mareena DiMilia set a record in the shot put (38-11.75).
Ski Coach Tamara Coney lauded her team which had to adapt to a season that lacked snow. She thanked the Erts family for their photography and provision of food throughout the season. Award winners included Sarah Coney and Ryan Erts MVP’s and Liz Bracken and Devon Bagley as recipients of the Coaches Awards.
Cheerleading coach Leighanne Walsh praised her team’s third place finish in the OCIAA Cheerleading Competition in Division II. Five of the 11 girls on the squad were seniors. After losing a number of team members after football, the squad had to retool its routine for the diminished numbers. Brittany Rennison was named as the team’s MVP, while Dorothy Monforte was chosen as MIP. Amber Buley received the Coaches Award.
Wrestling Coach Mike March talked about the improvement of the program which just completed its second year. This year the team hosted two home matches for the first time, won three dual meets and competed against Division I wrestlers at Cornwall and Middletown. Award winners included John Monforte, MVP; Kyle Rogers, MIP; Jared Ratner and Kevin Palko Coaches Awards.
The Junior Varsity girls basketball team was lauded for their perfect 14-0 season by guest speaker Gary TerBush. Each received a trophy as the team was cited for its fine intensity and great chemistry. Coach Jerry Stevens offered his words of praise to the squad which combined with the varsity for an outstanding record of 32-2 this seaon.
Varsity Girls Basketball Coach John Tenbus lauded his 18-2 Lady Bears, recipients of the NYSPHSAAScholar Athlete Honors. The team won Division V for the third straight year and returned to the Section Nine finals for the third consecutive time. Under Tenbus’ watch they have amassed a 36-4 record. Despite losing to private school behemoth John A. Coleman Catholic in the Class C finals, the Lady Bears hold the bragging rights to the public school Section Nine Class C title by dint of their semifinal victory over Tuxedo. The team was the number-two seed in the Section Nine tourney and defeated Fallsburg before vanquishing the Lady Tornadoes. “We define our own success,” noted Tenbus who praised his team for its work ethic. “We werent’ always the most talented team, but we were the hardest working team,” he noted. Tenbus went on to praise his players one by one with special words for his seniors Erin Smith, Sarah Schneyer and Hope Costa. Smith played her best game against Coleman as she scored half of the team’s points. Schneyer played big minutes off the bench and Costa, though injured came to every practice and gave her supporr to the team without fail. Tenbus awarded a trio of players that included Erin Smith as the teams Most Improved Player, Sabrena Smith as the team’s Outstanding Defensive Player and Katlynn Greffrath as the team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
A compelling musical slide show by this writer concluded the evening.
Bulldogs Honored For Fine Winter Efforts
One night later it was Sullivan West’s turn to celebrate its fine winter athletes and milestones. Principal Margie Tenbus welcomed the crowd, thanked the winter athlete and in particular the seniors for their commitment and accomplishments in what she defined as the longest sports season of the year. Athletic Director Dave Franskevicz echoed her words and introduced Shawn Bailey to sing his sonorous rendition of the National Anthem. Franskevicz noted the boys basketball team’s return to the Section Nine tournament and its selection as a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete designation. He also praised the school’s state meet participants that included Rachel Deppa and Todd Roeder in track as well as Drew Billard and Kendall Menges in skiing.
Indoor track Coach Ron Bauer brought the girls team to the stage and praised their hard work despite their diminished numbers. A total of ten girls reached the state qualifier meet. Deppa won Section Nine in the 1500 racewalk and qualified for her third consecutive trip to states. She finished 13th at states and 27th at Nationals. She was chosen as the Most Valuable Winter Indoor Track Athlete. Hannah Feinman was named as the team’s Most Valuable Winter Indoor Field Athlete. Feinman was third in Section Nine in the triple jump and sixth in the 55 hurdles. She was part of the gold medal win of the 1600 relay at the Sullivan County championships. In boys indoor track Reed Scottt won the honors as the Most Valuable Winter Indoor Track Athlete. Scott was the county winner in the 3200. Todd Roeder was the recipient of the award as the Most Valuable Winter Indoor Track Field Athlete. Roeder was 21st at states in the weight throw.
Alpine Skiing Coach Lionel Billard talked about his team that had three of its members qualify for sectionals in Drew Billard, Kendall Menges and Kassie Thelman. Billard took fifth in Section Nine, while Menges was eighth Thelman just missed the state meet.. Billard finished 34th at states in the Giant Slalom. Menges was 42nd in states in the Slalom. Billard reminisced about his six years with Menges and Thelman and the fine times they’d shared. Billard was assisted this year by former Monticello High School standout Richie Heins. Kendall Menges and Drew Billard were accorded the honor of being named Most Valuable Skiers, while Jimmy Finn received the award as the Most Improved Skier.
Junior Varsity Cheerleading Coach Daniela Fox praised her squad and thanked varsity coach Kelly Schadt. Schadt talked about how most of her team had never even seen a competitive cheerleading squad or been a part of a cheerleading competition. They had to start off by “experiencing conditioning like they’ve never had before.” They had to learn more difficult stunting sequences and choreography. The team had to learn to recover from losing team members and moving on. Schadt noted that while she was sad to see the seniors leave, she looked forward to looking with the core group of cheerleaders next year. Schadt cited Jenna Keesler as the team’s Most Improved Cheerleader who made great strides from last season and improved her strength and skill. Xhesika Lushaj won the Most Spirited Cheerleader award. “She is remarkably open to being coached and learning something new. I’ve seen her take an elbow or at times a whole cheerleader to the face and then get up smiling,” said Schadt. “She puts everything she has to every cheer, jump and stunt.”
Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Brad Molusky talked about his small squad that played together and played a very disciplined brand of basketball, particularly at the defensive end of the court. “I’m very proud of them and we had a lot of fun. Win or lose these ladies played together, “ he noted. Molusky thanked the parents and the varsity girls team to help them at practice and at the Saturday morning program. Molusky thanked Varsity Coach Pat Donovan and his assistant Kurt Scheibe as well.
Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Pat Donovan cited a host of reasons to “Love the game,” a litany of things that Donovan felt represented the 2011-12 Lady Bulldogs. “From the very first practice we had to work hard to fill the void left by six graduating seniors. This season was one of rebuilding, learning and belonging,” noted Donovan who said that both he and the team felt a sense of accomplishment. This year’s team was comprised of five new sophomores, one freshman and four returning players had a tough act to follow. The Lady Bulldogs accrued two victories over Family School and one hard-fought win over Roscoe. Sullivan West’s girls helped raise over $950 dollars out of the $3,000 dollars accrued for the Catskill Regional Oncology Unit’s ongoing work in the battle against Cancer. The girls played against state-ranked Tri-Valley at SCCC as part of the Fourth Annual Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic. It was the school’s fourth year participating in the event which Donovan helped to initiate.
Senior Stephanie Hauschild was named as this year’s recipient of the Coaches Award, while sophomore Sydney Sipple was named Miss Basketball 2011-2012.
Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Scott Randazzo talked about his team’s 8-9 season that included one run of 5-0. “Our goals were attained and I believe the kids did a wonderful job this year. From day one to the end of the season every one of these young men improved in many aspects of the game,” he noted. I’m very proud of them all and hopefully we can continue to build on the foundation that Coach Nober has built on the varsity level,” he noted.
Varsity Basketball Coach Bruce Nober began by saying, “From the first day of practice I knew we had the talent for a successful season. There were five seniors returning from the 2010-11 season and there were four talented underclassmen that were coming off a winning J-V team,” he noted. After a sluggish 1-3 start, the team’s fiery come-from-behind win over Monticello would prove to provide the needed spark. “The game turned the season around and gave the players a winning mindset that they used for the rest of the season,” he added. The team’s 29 points in the fourth quarter that brought the epic 58-50 win was a great tonic for the eventual 11-7 record that would propel the Bulldogs back to sectionals after a 1-17 season a year ago. The third-seeded Bulldogs fell to number six Spackenkill in a sectional home quarterfinal by the score of 68-60. Nober thanked his assistant coaches Randazzo and Everett Saul. He saved his greatest vote of thanks for Cliff Kelly, his high school coach and the person that mentored him when he was coaching at the junior varsity level. “Other than my parents or grandparents, he’s had the single most important influence on my life.”Nober went on to thank the team manager Justin Dorman who never missed a practice and always had a smile on his face.
Nober introduced his team. E.J. Franskevicz averaged 9.8 points per game. He was a team captain and the second leading scorer. He was a solid offensive and defensive player . Andrew Parsons added a toughness that we lacked and gave us an great inside presence. Shawn Bailey is an incredibly smart and talented young man who came off the bench for us and gave us valuable minutes. Adam Talbi worked very hard in practice to make us a better team. Brad Hemmer continued to improve each week and by the end of the season I had confidence that he could handle the ball against tough competition. Sawyer Erlwein scored 6.5 points per game and was our most versatile player. Patrick Pierce improved every game. He was a sophomore but it was clear that he belonged from the beginning. I didn’t expect him to contribute as much as he did this year. He started 17 games and scored 8.5 points per game.
Awards were as follows: Matt Cardona was named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player. He averaged 11.4 points per game and scored 217 points. He led the scoring in seven out of 19 games. In the crucial Monticello game he scored 27 points including five three pointers in the fourth quarter. Nober noted, “It was one of the most impressive performances in a quarter I’ve ever seen. He carried us at times.
John Masten was named as the team MVP. “He was always the hardest working player on the floor whether in practice or in a game. He was our best defensive player and was usually matched up against the opposing team’s best player,” noted Nober. Without a true point guard at the beginning of the year he was forced to play that role, one that he relished and excelled at. He was our captain and a great leader. Without him on the floor we were a different team. He started every game and averaged 7.2 points per game and ended the season with 129 points.
The evening concluded with a musical slide show that chronicled the Sullivan West winter cavalcade of sports and highlight moments.
For albums of the awards ceremonies from Tri-Valley and Sullivan West, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Fall Farewell
Sullivan West Fall Sports Award Night Celebrates Bulldogs’ Achievements And Milestones; Slide Show Chronicle Evokes Vocal Approval As Moments Of Glorious Autumn Are Revisited
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Sullivan West fall sports award winners (clockwise) Courtney Meyerer-Cross-Country Most Improved Runner; Dani Myers Cross-Country Most Valuable Runner; David Schultz- Cross-Country Most Improved Runner; Reed Scott-Cross-Country Most Valuable Runner; Kristina Sumfleth- Girls Soccer Defensive Player; Kassie Thelman-Miss Soccer 2011; Andrew Parsons-Football Outstanding Lineman; Thomas Mootz-Football Outstanding Back; Richard Lander-Soccer Offensive Most Valuable Player; Tyler Groh- Soccer Most Valuable Defensive Player; Rebecca Corcillo-Volleyball Most Outstanding Player and Karalii Rabii- Volleyball Best Attacking Player.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY- The cold air and shortening days remind us all too well that winter is not far off and that the halcyon days of fall are indeed over. Though the calendar categorizes November as still part of fall, we here in Sullivan County know better.
Though the football and soccer fields now stand solitary and quiet, and cross-country will give way to indoor track, while the gymnasium will soon be alive with the inimitable sounds of basketball in lieu of volleyball, the memories of this past fall linger on in words and pictures and more principally in the hearts and minds of those young men and women who gave their all during the fall sports season.
As part of its seasonal rite of passage, Sullivan West held its fall sports awards presentation on November 16 in tribute to teams of autumn and in particular to several outstanding individuals who received awards for their efforts beyond the pale.
High School Principal Margaret Tenbus welcomed the audience who had packed the auditorium for the occasion. “Thank you for coming out on this dreary night. I want to commend the athletes for their record of sportsmanship and hard work. This is how we applaud their efforts,” she noted.
Athletic Director Dave Franskevicz echoed her welcome which he extended to athletes, parents, friends, administrators and community members. Franskevicz noted that Reed Scott, fall’s last participant had just run at the New York State Cross-Country Championship the prior weekend. He lauded Dani Myers for her third consecutive first place finish in the Division IV Cross-Country Championships and the volleyball team for making sectionals for the fifth straight year.
The varsity football team made it back to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus and the girls soccer and varsity football teams earned NYSPHSAA scholar athlete status for their cumulative team GPA’s of 90 or better.
Franksevicz introduced the coaches on the stage and girls cross-country coach George Shakelton was first up to praise his remarkable team. Shakelton described the team as one that began as young and largely inexperienced that morphed into one of
the most competitive teams in Section Nine. The team placed in four of five invitationals, winning the Seventh Annual Ben Boice Invitational in Millbrook and taking third in Marathon and Delhi against many of the top-ranked teams in NYS. They finished second to Tri-Valley at Delhi.
The Lady Bulldogs were Division IV champions and posted a 7-5 league mark.
“This was the best Sullivan West squad teamwise,” averred Shakelton noting that the restructuring of NYS’s cross-country classifications from five classes to four meant that Class C would now have to reckon with the likes of Onteora and Spackenkill who placed runners in first and third at sectionals.
Despite placing three of its runners in the top ten with Myers, Courtney Meyerer and Kelsey Dutton placing seven, eight and nine, the team lost to Tri-Valley by four points and astoundingly not one of the Sullivan West runners qualified for states.
The finish at the Section Nine meet was historic in that it was the first time in Sullivan West history that three runners were in the top ten and that the gap from runner one to five was the smallest at 1:31. Shakelton praised the senior leadership of Rachel Deppa and lauded the efforts of Katie Rhodes who rounded out the team to make it a full seven.
Eighth grader Courtney Meyerer was named as Most Improved Runner. Meyerer was first at Marathon and the first
team finisher at Millbrook. She was second in Division IV.
Dani Myers was the Most Valuable Runner. Myers logged over 300 miles this past summer and had to overcome a spate of nagging injuries. Shakelton predicted that Myers will not only make states next year but should be a top ten finisher.
In addition to the aforementioned young women, the team was also comprised of eighth
graders Rosa Martinez and Corinne VanWagner.
Moving on to introduce the boys team, Shakelton welcomed to the stage Shaughn Goggin, Eric Haberli, Dale Mercado, Jack Rajlevsky, David Schultz, Chris Scott and Reed Scott.
Beginning with an adventurous outing this past summer at Fish’s Eddy where the team had to run through the
aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the squad morphed into what the coach referenced as “A great group of guys.” Jack, Chris and Dale were rookies who learned much from vets Reed, Eric and David. The team was 5-8 overall.
Senior David Schultz was named as the Most Improved Runner as he shaved more thanfive minutes off his time from his first to his last race.
Junior Reed Scott was the obvious choice for the Most Valuable Runner. Shakelton marveled at the change from the eighth grader who hoped to just be on the team into one of the most competitive distance runners in Section Nine. Scott held
early leads in many races challenging the regions’s most daunting competitors. He was fourth at Marathon, second in Division IV and ninth in Section Nine. His progress in the Division IV hierarchy is most impressive from ninth in 2009 to
fourth in 2010 to second this year with times that have quickened unbelievably.
Junior varsity girls soccer coach Anthony Durkin called his squad to the stage and described their heroic efforts through a rain-plaqued season. “They played hard throughout and they’ll be fun to watch next year as many of them will be back
to play at the varsity level,” he noted.
Varsity girls soccer Coach Mike Ellmauer introduced his squad that included seniors Amanda Rosenberger, Emma Seidl, Kristina Sumfleth, Giselle Vega, Alika Simon, Stephanie Hauschild and Kassie Thelman, along with underclassmen Dana Borowski,
Jasmine Davis, Marianne Durkin, Hannah Feinman, Carly Grishaber, Jasmina Mujanovic, Jordan Parson, Kaitlyn Taylor, Cassidy Sauer and Heather Puerschner.
“We knew we’d be young with only three returning starters and three players who came off the bench from last season,” noted Ellmauer who said the team progressed greatly and overcame a lot of distractions. “They showed great respect for the game,”
he added while noting that the team profited from its fine senior leadership.
Kassie Thelman was named Miss Soccer 2011 for her assiduous play and her cooperative willingness to give her all. Kristina Sumfleth received accolades as the Defensive Soccer Player 2011. Durable, fast and helpful in molding the defensive unit
were part of her résumé.
Ellmauer glowed with pride at the team’s selection as a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete winner. “Our future is bright,” he concluded.
Volleyball coach Cliff Kelly began by saying, “We had a great year,” alluding to the team’s fifth straight sectional qualification. “My only disappointment is that I can’t believe the girls soccer team cheered louder for Coach Kelly than you guys did for me,” he quipped.
Beginning with the junior varsity team which Kelly described as excellent, the best under his eight-year watch, he noted that the junior varsity squad is a training ground for varsity play. The team was 8-6.
Moving on, he introduced the varsity squad which consisted of seniors Rebecca Corcillo and Brittney Milk along with underclassmen Alexa Buday, Olivia Grady, Courtney Landers, Melissa McCormack, Karalii Rabii, Chelsie Stauch, Erika Stauch and
Barbara Whittaker.
Kelly talked about his team’s efforts that brought a 10-8 mark in the league and a 10-10 record overall. “We were competitive against some tough teams with players who go at it all year long,” he said referencing 20-0 O’Neill, a team the Lady Bulldogs drew in the sectionals. We scored 18 on them in the first game and were in double figures again in the second before I inserted my bench
players in the third set.
Karalii Rabii was named as the team’s Best Attacking Player with her 85 kills. The Most Outstanding Volleyball
Player was Rebecca Corcillo who Kelly said stepped up to become the team’s vocal leader.
Boys soccer coach Debbie Owen noted that success is dependent on many people as she thanked the Board of Education, administration, Mrs. Franskevicz, Mrs. Hawker, the building and grounds crew along with Bill Nordenhold who filled in this
season for Rick Ellison as assistant along with Scott Hamlin.
Owen read a statement from junior varsity coach Joe Eberling who referenced the fact that this was first full junior varsity season since 2002. Eberling urged his players to work on their soccer skills and to get ready for next season.
Owen introduced the varsity team that included seniors Tyler Groh, Sam Smith, Brandon Baggata, Christian Calvo, John Masten, Connor Lovgren and Karl Schmidt, along with underclassmen Jonah Bauer, Jared Ellsworth, Joseph Flora, Richard Lander, Adam Murphy, Gavin Owen, Andrew Siegel Greg Stevenson and Eli Vaknin.
“We had five new players who had never played before so our returning players had to play different positions as we rearranged things to try and protect the goal and score,” Owen noted. Our second half in games as well as the second half of our season were stronger than the first halves, she said as she noted that eight players had graduated in 2010. This year’s team scored 28 goals and 18 assists. Ten players had at least one goal or one assist. The team’s three keepers (Masten, Siegel and Owen) averaged 17 saves per game.
Tyler Groh was named as the Defensive Most Valuable Player The four-year player who became one of the team captains this year was strong, fast and gave 100 percent in practice and in games. Owen averred that he did whatever he was asked to do as he filled the role as sweeper and stopper.
Richard Lander, a year-round soccer player showed his mettle against being constantly double-teamed, knocked around and being marked throughout the season. He had 17 goals and four assists, setting a new Sullivan West scoring record. Lander was celebrated as the Offensive Most Valuable Player.
Junior varsity football coach J.P. Lang extolled his 6-1 team whose only loss came against Liberty. Only five touchdowns were scored against them while theyregistered 28 TD’s.
Varsity football coach Ron Bauer cited this year’s squad as “one of my most cooperative teams.” This was the first football team from either Jeff-Youngsville, Delaware Valley or Sullivan West to earn the distinction of being a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete winner.
Bauer referenced the overtime win over Liberty that got the Bulldogs back to the playoffs after a one year hiatus as one of the finest games. Bauer introduced the varsity team that included seniors Tom Mootz, E.J. Franskevicz, Andrew Parsons, Ben Kline, Kitt Borowski, Chris Lang and Todd Roeder, along with underclassment Scott Erdman, Sawyer Erlwein, Brad Hemmer, Scott Herbert, Mike LaGrutta, Cody McGroder, Jared Meola, Zach O’Connor, Blain Reddish, Travis Roeder and Joe Schroeder.
Looking towards next year Bauer cited a few of the key players who will be returning as he noted Erlwein was the second leading tackler this year and the leading pass receiver. Erdman was the team’s third leading tackler. He thanked E.J. Franskevicz for his fine leadership. Franskevicz was the second leading rusher on the team with 99/504 yards with two rushing TD’s. He completed 31/89 passes and threw for six TD’s.
Bauer lauded senior Todd Roeder for his mentorship in the weightlifting program that helped players develop the strength and stamina needed for football.
Thomas Mootz was named as the Outstanding Back. Mootz rushed 126 times for 827 yards and averaged 6.56 yards per carry. He scored 11 TD’s and was the team’s leading tackler with 125 averaging 13.9 tackles per game. He had
3.5 sacks.
Andrew Parsons was named as the Outstanding Lineman. Parsons led all lineman with 76 tackles, an average of 8.4 tackles per game. Parsons made all the line blocking calls for the team this season.
The team finished its season at 5-4, 2-1 in league play.
This writer/photographer took to the podium to address the audience on the importance of home. Sullivan West continues to be home to the legions of players who come back each year at homecoming to recall their memorable days including those at D-V, J-Y as well as Narrowsburg, though the latter didn’tfield a football team.
Reading from the piece on this website from the Homecoming Weekend win over Rondout Valley seemed apropos:
“Home is where the heart is. Home is where we relish the love of our family and where we are ensconced in the warmth of our community. Home is where we’re from; its where friendships are forged and where we put down our roots. For many of us it’s
where we went to school and began our journey to become who we are later in life…all the while never forgetting where we started out and where in all likelihood our remaining family may still reside.
As young men and women we are often anxious to leave home, but home never leaves us for indeed no matter how many miles away we are, we stay connected to the people and places we hold dear.”
Referencing the fine character and sportsmanship of Sullivan West athletes as a product of the fine influences of parents, coaches, school and community, this speaker stated his awe and respect for young women who give their all in their endeavors.
“You’re building something wonderful here for the future as individuals as an athletic program and as a community. As you move on from the soccer pitch and the gridiron to the hardwood, the ski slopes and the indoor track venues, carry forward
what you have learned this past fall and have a wonderful winter.”
The musical slide show followed to strains of rousing cheers and students singing along with familiar songs.
Franskevicz thanked the audience for coming.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Fall Bears Extraordinaire
Tri-Valley Fall Sports Athletes Are Extolled For Their Outstanding Efforts
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Tri-Valley athletes enjoy a rare and special relationship with their coaches, a fact tearfully expressed by senior cross-country Co-MVP Olivia Rehm as she offers a tribute to coach Missy Iatauro (center). The Most Valuable Players from this fall appear in clockwise fashion from left to right: Greg Swarthout-football, Jim Bernstein-boys cross-country, Olivia Rehm and Autumn Bender-girls cross-country, Anthony Beale-boys soccer; Heidi Furman-girls tennis; Sarah Schneyer-girls soccer; Josue Ramos-boys soccer; Rachel Adriaans-girls soccer and Ali Reynolds-cheerleading
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Seasons change and time moves on apace. But memories linger on, especially for young men and women who have given their all to a particular sports endeavor. For the Tri-Valley athletes, this past fall was a wellspring for many such
memories.
So it was that on the evening of November 14, coaches called forth their teams to the stage and extolled their efforts in addition to presenting awards to several outstanding individuals.
By evening’s end, a slide show that chronicled the accomplishments of cheerleaders, cross-country harriers, soccer, football and tennis players flashed across the screen to the strains of uplifting music to reinforce the words of praise that had been spoken all evening long.
Athletic Director Derek Adams welcomed the audience and extended thanks to the parents, administration, building and grounds crew and the Board of Education for their great support. Quoting Nolan Ryan, Adams referenced the idea of enjoying success by virtue of adapting. Clearly this autumn with its surfeit of rainfall required that and more.
Cheerleading coach Leighanne Walsh lauded her team. This was her second year of coaching football cheerleading while all the while preparing routines for the upcoming basketball season. Walsh had great words of praise for seniors Brittany
Rennison, Jessica Lee, Stephanie Hyzer, Jackie Wallace, Amber Watch and AmberBuley. Dorothy Monforte was the team’s
MIP. Ali Reynolds was named as the Most Valuable Cheerleader and Schuyler Kraus won the Coach’s Award.
Junior varsity girls soccer coach Ryan Ahl had words of praise for his team and noted that several of the young women would soon be filling in the rank of the varsity squad next fall.
Varsity girls soccer Coach Mary Feusner started by averring what a privilege it was to work with her team. Challenged by the loss of 12 of last year’s players including nine to graduation, the Lady Bears fielded a team of 13 dedicated players this season bolstered by a few call ups from the junior varsity. Nine of Feusner’s 16 players were first timers. Feusner was assisted this season by Kayla
Connelly, one of her former players who brought her high school and college experience to bear on helping the squad.
The team made it to sectionals and improved on their pair of 7-0 losses to dominant S.S. Seward with a more competitive 3-1 defeat in the Class C quarterfinals.
The team scored 49 goals and had 27 assists while finishing the season at 8-9 and 4-8 in its division. They registered six shutouts and had ten goals against Chapel Field. They allowed 43 goals.
Megan Tyndell was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player. Rachel Adriaans was named as the Offensive MVP, while Sarah Schneyer won the honors as the Defensive MVP. Erin Smith won the Coach’s Award.
Cross-Country Coach Joe Iatauro called forth the boys and girls teams to the stage and proceeded to praise them for their outstanding efforts. The girls were donned in t-shirts that spelled out TEAM IATAURO! The relationship that Joe and Missy
Iatauro have fostered with their teams over the years is an integral part of the storied history the program has recorded.
Evincing strong performances at invitationals from coast to coast including the legendary Mt. Sac race in California was great preparation for the divisional championships recorded by the girls (12th consecutive) and the boys (second year in a row). The girls finished first at Mt. Sac in their division, the first time since 1992. The boys were fourth there out of 30 schools.
The girls won the Section Nine championship, while the boys finished second. The girls competed at this year’s state meet and did admirably despite unspeakably muddy conditions. It was Tri-Valley’s 19th appearance at the state meet.
Brendon Hasbrouck was named as the boys MIP. Jim Bernstein was awarded the honor as the MVP. Bernstein was the
Section Nine Class C champion and a state qualifier for the second consecutive year. He finished 29th in the state meet. Omar Lopez was the recipient of the Coach’s Award.
The girls team had an exceptional season. They were led by eighth grader Autumn Bender, who was named as Co-MVP along with Olivia Rehm. Iatauro lauded the intensive training regimen of his runners, in particular Rehm and Bernstein who logged 400 and 500 miles respectively this past summer. Danielle Graham was named as the girls team MIP.
Varsity football coach John Rusin was up next and literally gushed with pride as he recounted the heart and resolve of the Bears who started their season at 1-5, but could have easily been 5-1. The team had 14 seniors and Rusin praised each one including soccer converts Josue Ramos and Anthony Beale along with gridders Andrew Malone, Fred Dumond, Jon Edwards, Tyler Lopez, Shawn Markle, John Monforte, Rafael Ramos before awarding four other seniors with trophies and more words of praise.
Conor Walsh was named as the team’s MIP. “He played any position we asked him to,” noted Rusin. Troy Rossi was
the team’s Outstanding Defensive Player. He was second on the team in tackles and recorded 3 ½ sacks. “He is an
outstanding defensive player,” said Rusin.
Rusin extolled the courage, grit and success of Joe Mickelson, the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player. Mickelson had a mammoth season a year ago and despite a hairline fracture that kept him out of a couple of game this season, he morphed
from quarterback to fullback and had 53 carries for 391 yards bringing his career total to 508 yards. He also was outstanding on defense as middle linebacker.
“The best of the best,” is what Rusin had to say about MVP Greg Swarthout, a player who never leaves the field. “Durable,” was a word Rusin used to describe the stalwart senior who took over at quarterback when Mickelson went down. “He just gets it,” said Rusin about Swarthout’s intelligent and adept play. The Bears made it to the playoffs but lost to eventual Section Nine champion O’Neill. Winning two key league games including a homecoming thriller against Millbrook proved to be the ticket to this year’s
postseason berth.
Boys varsity soccer Coach Jason Closs lauded his team as a group of special individuals who showed vast improvement this season. Emphasizing rigorous conditioning, the Bears were determined to be in every game. The team had ten seniors including Anthony Beale, Dan Lederman, Hunter Kennedy, Christian Reynolds, Mike DeVault, Josue Ramos, Patrick McHugh, Eugene Morton, Tom Monforte and Ryan Erts.
Josue Ramos and Anthony Beale were named as Offensive MVP’s, while Tom Monforte received the honors as Defensive MVP.
Girls varsity tennis coach Janet Carey capped off the team presentations as she described the challenges of the merging of three divisions into two this season. That change meant playing bigger schools and tougher opponents. The team graduated its
entire roster last year except for its number-one singles player Heidi Furman who was joined on the team this season by fellow senior throwing cohort Dominique Darby.
Jennifer Sheeley was named as the team’s MIP, while veteran Heidi Furman was the obvious choice for MVP.
This writer spoke about the outstanding character evinced by Tri-Valley athletes and their impeccable sportsmanship. Benefiting from a supportive school and community and in particular affirming parents and coaches who serve as mentors and role models,
T-V athletes are making a valuable investment in their future through their efforts on the playing fields, courts and race venues.
Last winter was an exceptional one and as kids now move on to basketball, skiing, wrestling, cheerleading and indoor track, this year may well be dubbed “Tri-umphant Valley II.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
The Sun Sets In The West
Sullivan West Honors Its Spring Sports Athletes And Senior Icons At Glorious Final Awards Presentation For 2010-11 Campaign; Gabrielle Humleker Is This Year’s Billy Moran Scholarship Award Winner
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Sullivan West Coveted Senior Award Winners (Top row left to right) Jeremy DeGori Most Valuable Male Senior Athlete and Rianne Erlwein Most Valuable Female Senior Athlete. Center: Gabrielle Humleker Billy Moran Scholarship Winner. Bottom (Left to Right) Milt Gaebel Award Winners Jillian Fife and Ryan Alsdorf and Coaches Award Winner Michael Durkin.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—Golden sunsets are awe-inspiring sights to behold as the sun sinks slowly on the western horizon in a blaze of glory. Bearing witness to those spectacular sights often gives one pause to reflect on many things besides the beauty of the moment, including the passage of time and the treasure trove of memories recorded therein.
On June 16 the sun finally set on the 2010-2011 sports year at Sullivan West as the school’s most outstanding spring sports athletes as well as a cadre of unforgettable seniors were honored with glowing words and a cascade of slides that captured them engaged in the rigors of their sports.
As coaches extolled their assembled teams, awards were also presented to those whose deeds were beyond the pale. The audience filled with athletes, staff, school administrators, friends, family and community members applauded heartily as trophies and plaques commensurate with the athletes’ standout efforts were presented to the best of the best.
The evening commenced with a welcome from high school principal Margy Tenbus who offered her congratulations to the assembled spring sport athletes and in particular to the seniors many of whom had participated in sports for the past six years. “Our students are the best. They are the most ambitious, athletic and academically motivated,” she noted.
Athletic Director David Franskevicz would soon introduce the spring coaches but first took note to commend Ryan Alsdorf and Gabrielle Humleker, the two OCIAA Scholar Athlete honorees who had attended a breakfast on April 27 held to honor the male and female athlete from each school district who had led their peers in the realm of academics.
Franskevicz commended the boys track team, the softball team and the girls golf team for being NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete teams for their cumulative GPA’s of 90 percent or better.
Girls track Coach George Shakelton extolled another great season marked by only one loss in the division that placed the Bulldogs second only to Tri-Valley. They placed third in Section Nine as 17 girls finished the season. With just a few more onboard, the girls track team will certainly continue its meteoric rise. Shakelton commended sophomores Olivan Graday and Catherine Rhodes for their great improvement as well as throwers Brittany Roa and Barbara Whittaker.
Six girls made it to the state qualifier meet including Kristina Sumfleth, Dani Myers, Rianne Erlwein, Laura Vennes, Rosa Martinez and Hannah Feinman. The latter won the state qualifier triple jump with a personal best leap of 33-10 which set a new school record. She went on to compete at states. The track team loses one member to graduation, but the loss is immeasurable when one considers what Rianne Erlwein has accomplished since first coming onboard as a manager back in sixth grade. Much more would be said later as Shakelton would present Erlwein with the Most Valuable Senior Female Athlete trophy.
Dani Myers was named the Most Valuable Femal Track Athlete. Myers has logged countless miles enroute to a second place finish in the 3000 at sectionals which she followed up with a win in the Section Nine 2000 steeplechase. Hannah Feinman was named as the Most Valuable Female Field Athlete. The intensely competitive sophomore competed at the state qualifier in the triple jump, long jump, 100 hurdles and the 400 relay. Her triple jump mark surpassed a previous high water mark that had added more than a half a foot to her prior best. At the state qualifier she shocked talented competitors from New Paltz and Red Hook to earn a berth at states.
Boys track coach Ron Bauer offered thanks to many of the people who had ardently supported the team’s efforts. The team finished at 5-2 , second in Division IV to Tri-Valley. Bauer commended his cadre of outstanding seniors Angelo Bibbo, Robert Feeney, Kyle Flynn, Andy Kinch, Eric Lovgren, Sean Murphy , Mark Michel and Brandon Wagner. He cited Bibbo for his immense dedication.
Kyle Flynn was named as the Most Valuable Male Track Athlete. A four year competitor, Flynn competed in both indoor and outdoor track in the 100, 200, 400, 400 relay and long jump and made it to the state qualifier meet for a bevy of his events. Flynn recorded is fastest time in his leg of the 400 relay at Warwick.
Bauer talked about the tough choice in selecting the Most Valuable Male Field Athlete as he looked over the accomplishments of Todd Roeder and Brandon Wagner. While Roeder was first in the state qualifier in the discus and finished tenth at states in the event, Wagner was first in the javelin at the state qualifier though the event is not part of the state meet. Wagner was the team’s leading point scorer and that awarded him the honor as the team’s Most Valuable Field Athlete. During the season he scored in the triple jump, long jump, discus and javelin.
Junior Varsity softball coach J.P. Lang commended his team’s 7-1 division record. They were 9-5 overall with four losses coming against Class A schools. The team helped raise over $2,000 for the Roa family whose home was damaged by a fire.
Varsity softball Coach Mike Ellmauer lauded is team’s sense of humor and its ability to play despite the adversity of the weather and the schedule which Ellmauer noted became a “killer,” by dint of the postponements. “They played some really great ball,” he noted. Emma Seidl was named as the Defensive MVP having racked up 48 consecutive plays without an error. For her leadership role that included playing at a new position at first base, Jackie Parsons was the recipient of the Coaches Award.
Junior varsity baseball coach Jim O’Connor noted what a pleasure it was “to coach these fine young men,” O’Connor wished them luck in all of their future endeavors.
Varsity baseball coach Kurt Scheibe praised his team for its return to sectionals and its 6-6 league campaign and 11-8 overall mark. The team batted .335, hit 17 home runs and had seven of its 12 players batting over .300 with two over .400. The Bulldogs won their last four games to get to sectionals. Highlights included two walk-off wins, one a 3-2 victory against Chapel Field and the other, a 10-9 extra inning win against Livingston Manor. Michael Durkin was named as Mr. Baseball. Durkin sported a .557 on base percentage, led the team in sacrifice bunts, batted .414, had 24 hits and was an outstanding outfielder. Jeremy DeGori was named The Most Valualbe Player. DeGori led the team with a .500 batting average and a .912 slugging percentage. He led in stolen bases, had 34 hits, 37 RBI and 16 extra base hits including two triples and five home runs.
The Most Improved Baseball Player was Lucas Bauer . The team had eight seniors in Bauer, Durkin, Andrew Parsons, Ryan Alsdorf, Jeremy DeGori, Justin Zaccari, Michael Pierce and Jimmy O’Connor.
Girls golf coach Jason Clark extolled his team’s 6-2 performance in Division III. The Most Improved Female Golfer went to sophomore Allie Ellmauer. Jillian Fife was named the Most Valuable Female Golfer. Fife finished eighth in Section Nine and went on to states for the second consecutive year.
Boys golf Coach Bob Fife talked about how hard work and determination can lead to the realization of dreams as he cited the professional debut of Rondout Valley’s Chris DeForest at this year’s U.S. Open. “A dream can become a reality,” he noted. Fife thanked Villa Roma pro Matt Kleiner. The Villa has hosted the first round of sectionals for the past ten years. The team was OCIAA Division IV champion for the eighth straight year. This year the honor was shared with Eldred and Tri-Valley as each boasted a 9-3 record in the division. The Bulldogs were 9-8 overall.
Drew Billard was named as Most Valuable Male Golfer. Billard sported a low stroke average of 5.5 and shot a 92 at the OCIAA championships to make it to sectionals. His score of 85 in the first round missed the cut by one stroke. Billard has two more years to compete. Nick Scott was named as the Most improved Male Golfer. From a high of 59 versus Warwick early in the season, he improved to shoot 46 vs. Roscoe and Delhi.
With the conclusion of the team awards, the night moved into the much-anticipated segment for the lauded Coaches Awards, Milt Gaebel Awards, Senior Select plaque recipients, Most Valuable Male and Female Athlete Awards and fitting last, the Billy Moran Scholarship Award.
Coaches Awards: Girls basketball coach Patrick Donovan was called upon to confer the Coaches Award (Female) to Gabrielle Humleker. Humleker’s role in soccer in the fall made her a two-time recipient of honors in Section Nine for her ability. In basketball which she had worked on during the summer prior to soccer, she served as the team’s point guard and average eight points per game, along with three assists.
Her fiery and energetic deportment also manifested itself in softball where her enthusiasm, sense of humor and her energy defined her as a team leader.”It was never about her, but always about the team,” Donovan noted.
Baseball coach Kurt Scheibe credited the “never say die,” attitude of Michael Durkin, the year’s winner of the Coaches Award (Male). Scheibe noted that Durkin exemplified heart and personal discipline. Durkin’s work ethic was beyond the pale both on the field and in the classroom. “He led by example,” Scheibe noted who said that one coach had described the dynamo as “pound for pound one of the toughest athletes he had ever coached.” Durkin played baseball for the past eight years beginning in fifth and sixth grade on into modified and becoming a varsity team member in his sophomore year.
“He was a fixture in the outfield,” Scheibe noted who added that Durkin does all the little things. In basketball he was called upon to cover the opposing team’s best player. At baseball practice he’d come early and fill up the water buckets and then stay late. Despite sustaining multiple concussions throughout the years he earned letters in football, basketball and baseball and was noted above was named Mr. Baseball for 2011.
The Milt Gaebel Awards were created in 1995-96 in the former Jeffersonville-Youngsville School District to honor Milt Gaebel’s philosophy which was ,”if what you are doing is worth doing, you need to give at least one hundred percent.”Gaebel’s success both on the court and off the court can easily be attributed to first establishing goals, then giving one hundred percent , having the heart, determination, perseverance and dedication to achieve those goals.
Coach Jason Clark was proud to award Jillian Fife as the Female Milt Gaebel Award Winner. He lauded Fife for her fine career as a varsity golfer, soccer and basketball player as well as her volunteer work coaching youth soccer and basketball. “She always gave 100 percent. She is smart, strong and never quits,” he noted. Fife represented her school in sectionals and states in golf. She played all 11 positions on the soccer pitch and was the shooting guard in basketball.
Coach Ron Bauer touted the unbelievable achievements of Ryan Alsdorf, this year’s recipient of the Male Milt Gaebel Award. In baseball over four years he batted .295, record 153 strike outs from the mound with an ERA of 3.03. He had a 15-6 record and recorded three saves. His numbers in football were quite impressive with 1,066 yards, 12 touchdowns, completing 47/101 passes for 787 yards. He was the team rushing leader in his junior year. Bauer credited his ability to bounce back from injuries and his designation as the school’s OCIAA Scholar Athlete.
Principal Margy Tenbus then introduce the Female Senior Select athletes, all candidates for the Most Valualbe Senior Athlete Honor. They included Rianne Elrwein (cross-country, winter track and track 2005-2011), Jillian Fife soccer, basketball golf 2005-2011, Amanda Goddard volleyball, basketball, softball ‘05-11, Shelby Grishaber soccer, basketball, softball ’05-11, Gabrielle Humleker soccer, basketball, track and softball ’05-11, Lynette Lacek soccer, basketball, track ’05-11, Jackie Parsons volleyball, basketball, softball ’05-11 and Heather Puerschner soccer, winter track, basketball cheerleading, basketball, softball and golf ’05-11.
Girls Cross Country and Track Coach George Shakelton named Rianne Erlwein as this year’s Most Valuable Senior Female Athlete. Shakelton marked her impending graduation as “the end of an era as he annotated her remarkable feats in cross-country including helping her team to finish fifth at states,. Even more impressive than her accomplishments over hill and dale or on the track was her resilient and compliant attitude. She never complained but just went about doing what was asked of her to the best of her ability. Erlwein logged over 7,000 miles during her tenure from the 2003-04 season.
Tenbus then called forth the plaque recipients from the group of Male Senior Select Athletes. They included: Ryan Alsdorf football, winter track, baseball ’05-11, Lucas Bauer soccer, basketball, baseball ’05-11, Angelo Bibbo football, winter track, track ’08-11, Jeremy DeGori football, soccer, basketball, baseball ’05-11, Michael Durkin football, basketball, baseball ’05-11, Chris Ellison soccer, basketball, track and golf ’05-11, Kyle Flynn football, cross-country, track, winter track, skiing and soccer ’05-11, Andy Kinch soccer, basketball, track and baseball ’05-11, Eric Lovgren football, skiing, baseball, soccder, golf and track ’05-11, Alex Manzi soccer, football, basketball, baseball ’05-11, Mark Michel soccer, skiing, baseball, track ’05-11, Sean Murphy soccer, skiing, golf, track ’05-11, Jimmy O’Connor football, basketball, baseball, winter track ’05-11 and Brandon Wagner football, basketball, winter track, track ’05-11.
Assistant Baseball Coach Anthony Durkin presented the Most Valuable Senior Male Athlete Award to Jeremy DeGori. “He had a positive impact on every team he played on,” noted Durkin who added that DeGori could play and excel at any sport and that he worked diligently in the off-season. DeGori was respected as a team player. “Four years ago he walked onto the football field and soon excelled on both sides of the ball both by running and catching passes and as a linebacker with great intensity. DeGori was a Section Nine All-Star but Durkin noted that football was “Just a stop in the fall towards his real home on the baseball diamond.
DeGori made his debut in sixth grade at a home run derby where he jacked six or seven out of the yard. On he moved to modified and a half year at the junior varsity level in his sophomore year. The rest of his stint has been as a varsity standout, playing catcher and always being one of the top five players on the team. This year he batted .500 and .428 over the past four years. He has played summer ball since he was 12 with the Tusten Chiefs, the Sullivan Spartans etc. DeGori always strives to improve as he is never satisfied with his performance.
By far the most coveted award at Sullivan West is the Billy Moran Scholarship, The monetary award and immense honor was created in memory of William “Billy” Moran or Hortonville, a student of Delaware Valley Central School and later Union College who was an outstanding athlete, scholar and citizen. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Billy’s untimely and tragic death that resulted from being the victim of a hit and run driver while on a spring training baseball trip in Daytona Beach Florida on April 1, 1981.
Billy’s lifelong friend Brent Rosenberger awards the Billy Moran Scholarship created by Billy’s family and friends to a senior who best represents Billy’s attributes of being an impeccable athlete, scholar and citizen, someone extremely well-rounded.
Rosenberger recounted some of Billy’s milestones during his brief but special life. In high school he excelled in football, basketball and baseball and maintained a 96 GPa. He was named to the Dean’s list at Union College as an engineering student where he was an exemplary starter on the football and baseball teams.
Rosenberger named Gabrielle Humleker as this year’s recipient of the Billy Moran Scholarship. In addition to receiving the $2,500 dollar scholarship, Humleker’s name will be added to the plaque that lists the former recipients of the coveted honor. The plaque is on display next to a picture of Billy that resides in the hallway outside of the gymnasium at Sullivan West. That list includes Kelly Mullally, Class of 2003, Ashley Relyea Class of 2004, Joe Winski Class of 2005, April Ackermann Class of 2006, Kienan Garn Class of 2007, Sarah Lander Class of 2008, Justin Armstrong Class of 2009 and Autumn Ackermann Class of 2010.
Humleker’s athletic and academic achievements including her OCIAA Scholar Athlete designation and her accomplishments in soccer, basketball and softball have been previously described. Her character was attested to by her teachers and coaches who touted her work ethic, sense of humor and her contagious enthusiasm. “A terrific person who enjoys every moment of whatever she is doing,” was the phrase that aptly described her.
Her role in SADD, on student council and in band and helping to raise over $7,000 for the Oncology Unit at Catskill Regional Medical Center were part of her impressive résumé. This year she took three advance placement classes and four college classes as he racked up an impressive 94 percent GPA.
“She is simply an overall great kid. Others follow her because she is so good at whatever she does,” Rosenberger said in quoting just one of the many adults who weighed in with their enthusiastic response to her candidacy.
This writer/photographer concluded the evening with his affirming remarks about the athletes, the seniors, the parents and coaches. The musical slide show that chronicled the spring of 2011 and ended with a hearkening back to the fall and winter that preceded it was the coda to a wonderful evening.
For an album of photos including all of the award winners, CLICK HERE;
http://sportsinsights.smugmug.com/Sports/SW-Spring-Awards/17601164_fQXs3Z#1340989854_xGvkPdL
Splendiferous Spring
Tri-Valley Athletic Sports Awards Night Celebrates The Remarkable Bears Of Spring 2011
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Tri-Valley spring award winners: Top row left to right: Jarryd Killian Golf Coaches Award, James Bernstein MVP. Not pictured Most Improved Player Kyle Rodgers. Second row: Boys track MIP's (left to right). Brendan Tierney, Justin Weintraub, Aidan Woolsey and Brian Edwards. Second row: Girls MIP's (left to right): Brittany Rennison, Heidi Furman, Sabrena Smith, Alex Brooks, Brooke Gillette, Oliva Rehm and Vicky Tingley. Third row: Baseball MVP Joe Mickelson, Coaches Award Peter DiMilia (not pictured Fred Dumond MIP, Erin Smith Softball MVP. Bottom row Kathleen Thilberg Softball MIP, (Coaches Award Nicole Bradley not pictured) and Tennis Co-MVP Josue Ramos with Coach Janet Carey. Not pictured Co-MVP Jesse Miller.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—“Spring , an experience in immortality,” wrote Henry David Thoreau.
By creating an athletic legacy that will have a shelf life for years to come, Tri-Valley teams led by a cadre of outstanding warriors in track, golf, baseball, softball and tennis authored a spring season that many regard as one for the ages.
Words of praise issued forth from the coaches who took the stage one by one to celebrate their teams and those individuals worthy of special merit. Given the enormous achievements rendered by the girls and boys track teams, Coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro deciced to give MVP t-shirts to all team members in lieu of mission impossible, namely choosing one or two competitors.
For the girls team that won its fifth consecutive Section Nine title and which filled the stage front with 27 remarkable young women who could be present on June 8, as well as those who could not, the idea of a collective Most Valuable Player designation was perfectly apropos. As he had done with the boys track team just prior which had won the OCL Division IV title and was Section Nine runner up to Pine Plains by a mere 15 points, Coach Iatauro enumerated each and every track athlete and bestowed words of praise, gratitude and encouragement for one and all.
The role played by the Iatauros, as well as the other spring coaches including first year golf coach Jason Closs, baseball guru John Rusin and Softball legend Mary Feusner cannot be understated in taking stock of the lifelong impact on the bevy of Bears who have competed for them. That, along with the role of sports in life education and the strengths to be gained by facing and overcoming adversity, were part of the subject of this writer’s remarks prior to the chronicle of spring slide show that closed out the night’s proceedings.
At the outset of this storied night, Athletic Director Derek Adams welcomed the audience and set the tone with words of thanks and praise for the athletes, coaches and ground crews that had worked in concert to produce this memorable spring.
A list of all the award winners can be found below. Herein are a few of the highlights mentioned by the coaches in the course of their remarks about their teams this season. Space and time do not permit a recap of what was said about the athletes who took the stage. Those words meant much to the assembled athletes and their parents who as always, were on hand to show their love and support.
Robert Hayes lauded his field assistance students and each was presented with a certificate of gratitude for their efforts beyond the pale during this rainy spring.
Junior varsity baseball and softball coaches Greg Botsford and Ellie Cassidy lauded their teams. Botsford alluded to a pair of come-from-behind wins as emblematic of his teams’ character. Golf coach Jason Closs extolled his Division IV champion team. The title shared with Sullivan West and Eldred was the first since 2005. The golf team was a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete award winner with a cumulative GPA over 90. The team’s first 21 practices were held in the gym before the team headed off to Middletown to near freezing temperatures. Boys track and field Coach Joe Iatauro waxed poetic about his Division IV championship team and Section Nine runner up, which works six days a week.
Iatuaro referenced a memorable moment at the Penn Relays when the team made the big board for only the second time ever, even though the actual time of the 400 relay team led by Brendan Tierney turned out to be in error. “Effort=Success “is the mantra of T-V ‘s storied track and field program.
Girls track and field had another season for the ages with their fifth straight Section Nine title and seemingly annual Division championship. The accomplishments of a team from a school with only 289 students from grades 9-11 is nothing short of incomprehensible. And, despite the looming graduation of icons such as Ashley Weintraub, Naomi Weise and Agnes Pompeii, the wave of youngsters from seventh grader Autumn Bender up to the talented junior class is poised for another Coup D’etat next year.
Baseball Coach John Rusin thanked many including Manager John Edwards who has been with Rusin since fourth grade. Rusin extolled his 9-9 (9-5 OCIAA) team’s chemistry and team-first attitude. Winning their first sectional game in ten years by vanquishing Pine Plains, a team that ousted them 5-3 a year ago, the Bears nearly pulled off the upset of the year as they led S.S. Seward in the Class C final 7-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The events that led to the 8-7 stultifying loss are unimportant now. What matters is the team’s agenda to win it all next season. Seniors Peter DiMIlia and Tyler TerBush were extolled and thanked for their immeasurable contributions. Now it’s up to the junior-laden team to put into action the prerequisite time and energy to bring that coveted title home to Grahamsville.
Softball Coach Mary Feusner, now in her 31st year rued the gruesome spring weather, the injuries and illness that dampened what otherwise might have been a brighter spring. “Murphy’s Law,” summed up the entire enterprise according to Feusner who thanked her assistants including former player Ellie Cassidy and the unbridled enthusiasm added by Peter DiMilia. Feusner fondly recalled her team’s first win on turf versus Chester at the “The Rock and the execution of a triple play versus Livingston Manor, only the second one she has witnessed in 34 years of coaching.
Tennis Coach Janet Carey readily praised T-V’s only two players on the combined squad with Fallsburg, namely Jesse Miller and Josue Ramos, both singles players who joined forces to compete in the OCIAA tournament played on a different surface, indoors and under the lights.
The slide show provided a musical and visual tribute to the wondrous spring. For an album of photos from the awards night proceedings,
CLICK HERE: http://sportsinsights.smugmug.com/Sports/T-V-Spring-Awards
Pantheon Of Proud Panthers 2010-11
Monticello Celebrates Its Senior Athletes And Coaches Award Recipients At Annual Senior Athletic Sports Night Presentation
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Monticello Senior Awards Night Recpients: Patrick Ripa receives the Mayor's Trophy from Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins. Ripa was a four-year member of the baseball team and one of its two captains. He qualifed for states in alpline skiing and played keeper in soccer. Below from left to right are the recipients of the Masters of Sport and Doctors of Sport plaques. At the bottom are the winners of the Coaches Awards and the Bachelors of Sport winners. Names of all are listed at the bottom of the blog.
MONTICELLO, NY—As the largest school district in Sullivan County and one with a storied history in the realm of athletics, Monticello holds a unique place. Attracted by an unending series of compelling stories surrounding its athletic exploits, sportsinsightsny.com spent much time this year documenting the Monties’ iconic moments in words and images which can be found aplenty on this website.
On June 3 the annual Senior Athletic Sports Night Presentation, teams and individuals received accolades for their fine efforts during the 2010-11 school year. Athletic Director Doug Murphy welcomed the audience. This writer followed with a brief talk that touched on the lifelong value of engaging in sports and the harbingers for success outlined by the late John Wooden in his famous Pyramid paradigm.
A musical slide show followed orchestrated by sportsinsightsny.com that chronicled the highlights of all of the teams during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
What followed next were the presentation of the Coaches awards by Mr. Murphy for the recipients from each of the teams. Academic excellence was up next as scholars who made the Superintendent’s List and the Principal’s list were called forth.
The senior plaque honorees including the Bachelors, Masters and Doctors of sport were up next followed by the senior award winners from each of the teams. All of the award winners are listed on the pages at the bottom of this blog.
The final award of the night was the Mayor’s Trophy presented by Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins. This year’s recipient was Patrick Ripa, a veteran of boys soccer, a state qualifier in alpine skiing, and Co-Captain of the baseball team on which he served for the past four years.
Here are some of the highlights mentioned by the coaches pertaining to this year: Boys soccer: Coach Marranzana thanks to parents and supporters of the team. He quoted Emerson, “There’s no end to the sufficiency of character.” Girls soccer: Coach Bill Stento recalled the team’s first home night game in 18 years and the little sister program started to link the varsity and modified teams in a more cohesive program builder. Girls basketball: Coach Karen Atack expressed her thanks to assistant Dan Orlan and praised the efforts of her team. Volleyball- She went on to extol her seniors one by one. “You’ll always be a winner in my eyes,” she concluded. Alpine and Nordic skiing: Coaches Steve Duarte and Jim Davis lauded Patrick Ripa’s quantum leap that took him to states in alpine skiing as a runner up. Football- Coach Matt Buddenhagen cited the three years of hard work that the seniors onstage put forth giving special props to Brandon Corley who was the number one recruit of Ithaca College. Buddenhagen’s alma mater. Corley is the fist member of his family to attend college. Chandler Willliamswill be heading to Cortland. Bobby Wagner received props too. Wagner is bound for Westfield State to play baseball. Buddenhagen referred to Jesse Kapito as a “coach of the future.” Other seniors commended included Gio Laguna and Brandon Reese. Fall cheerleading- the team was lauded for its sportsmanship, perseverance and determination. Boys basketball- Coach Chris Russo extolled his team which went 12-8, 4-2 OCIAA and made it to the Class A semifinals following a dramatic win over Wallkill in the quarterfinals. The Monties won the third annual Coaches vs. Cancer Classic over Liberty. The event raised over $3100 dollars for the Catskill Regional Oncology Unit.
This was the second consecutive year in sectionals with its first sectional win in five years.The team also won the Wallenpaupack tourney for the second consecutive year. Russo sang the praises of his senior players including Kenny Sanders Jr, Juan Pena, Austin Billig, Jesse Kapito and Billy Cargill. The team shot 33 percent for three point range and qualified for the state completion. Cargill scored 20 versus Sullivan West and was the starting point guard in the semifinal loss to Cornwall. Sanders scored 20 points or more in seven games and averaged 14.1 with eight rebounds per game. He poured in 23 vs Wallkill and 28 at Cornwall. Pena became a defensive specialist who keyed on the opposing team’s best player. He had 27 steals. Kapito recorded a double-double and a triple double this season. He set a school record with a career total of 101 three pointers shot at 35percent accuracy.
Wrestling coach Justin Fenichal lauded the efforts of Danny Sze and Andrew Shore. Girls tennis coach Gupta was at states but her team was again cited for its NYSPHSAA scholar athlete recognition. Gupta sent her thanks to the Village of Monticello for the use of its courts at DeHoyos Park.
Boys golf coach Dick O’Neill was at states but sent praise for senior Brandon Rieber, a four year golfter bound for Orange County Community College. Softball coach Shannon Dietrich was proud of her NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete team and its role in the Strike Out Cancer Fundraiser that raised over 1700 dollars. The Monties were the co-champions of this year’s Benny Chesnick Memorial tournament. Dietrich lauded the efforts of senior captain Caitlin Bonnaci heading for SUNY Cortland, Taylor Welch bound for SUNY Orange, Aisha Brody heading to SUNY Cobleskill, Samantha McCreevy heading to Elmira and Shannon Reese who had the highest on base percentage who is heading to Old Westbury as a walk-on.
Baseball coach Mike Marra, now in histhird year noted that the program generated 24 wins during that time as opposed to three wins in the three years prior to his watch. Marra praised players Kimi San Miguel who supported his team mostly from the bench. San Miguel batted 1.000 (one-for-one!). He is headed to LeMoyne. Shane Espinosz was a solid middle relief pitcher. He is going to Keystone College. Chandler Williams is heading to SUNY Cortland, while Co-Captain Bobby Wagner was Monticello’s first-ever baseball player to make the Empire State Games. Wagner was listed as one of the top 50 prospects to watch in New York State. Patrick Ripa is heading to Clarkson University. Ripa and Wagner carried the team with their fine pitching.
Boys track coach Joe Seidl lauded the increased participation and the team’s second consecutive Division III title. Last year the team was 7-0 winning the first title in 24 years. This year that win streak went to 14-0 with compelling victories over Cornwall and Goshen. Seidl praised Danny Sze, Rachain Wilson for his high jump , 100 and 400 relay efforts. He led off Monticello’s 400 relay at the state qualifier meet. Kevin O’Rourke was the team’s pole vaulting specialist. He won the event in all but one of the division meets. Steve Wilbur was vital in the shot and discus. His win versus Cornwall was critical. H e was abronze medalist at Walton and at the Sullivan Meet of Champions. Brandon Corley’s work in the throwing events gave the team a huge boost. He was fourth in the OCIAA and first in the shot put at the Monticello Games and against Goshen. Matt Rodriguez was a co-captain with Dom Martinez. He specialized in the 200, 400 and 4×400. He was the Sullivan County champ in the 400 and won the 400 and 4×400 relays at the Montie Games. Rodriguez was the top senior point scorer. Cross-country, indoor track and girls track coach Pete Wysochanski lauded his runners, in particular Anna Loor, a four-year competitor and all-year round runner. In the indoor season the big names were Wilson, Rodgriguez, O’Rourke and Wilbur.
Cheerleading coach Kelly Keesler waxed poetic about her team which is about to graduate en-masse. This year marked the team’s great success at cheerleading competitions including a second year in a row in Section Nine large schools division. The Monties hosted their first-ever home competition which was a great success. “One, two, three heart,” cheered the girls onstage. Keesler sang the praises of Amanda Palko, Alissa Hermida, Amanda Jahn, Brittany DeGraw, Brittany Rosario, Brittany Santos, Charlene Dean, Gina Cubilas, Samantha Stawarz, Taylor Welch-O’Connor and Tiffany Mangual-Rodriguez.
Mayor Gordon Jenkins presented this year’s Mayor’s Trophy to Patrick Ripa.
Below is a list of this year’s award recipients.
For an album of photos from the event CLICK HERE:
http://sportsinsights.smugmug.com/Sports/Monticello-Senior-Athletic
Comets’ Tale 2010-11
Fallsburg Celebrates Its Athletic Year With Plaques, Props and Trophies At Annual Sports Awards Banquet
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Senior Trophy Award presentation (left to right) Athletic Director Timothy Bult, Lauren Elliott and Tyler McAutliffe "Student Government Association Award, Kristopher Williams and Kathleen Orlan "Outstanding Senior Athletes, and Susan Mooday and Andrew Moore "Fallsburg Comet Booster Club Award." MVP's shown: Top row left to right: Brooke Rappaport girls soccer, Dustin Foertsch-boys soccer, Juanita Sarmiento-girls tennis, Shanice Mack-volleyball, Sheryl Pinder-girls basketball, Jim Bertholf-baseball, Candhace Forrest-girls track. Bottom row left to right: Andrew Moore-football, Francesca Torres-football cheerleading, Celia Garcia-basketball cheerleading and softball, Kristopher Williams-wrestling, Lauren Elliott-alpine skiing, Blaine McDuffie-boys track and Kathleen Orlan-girls golf. Not pictured Mike Scuderi-boys golf.
FALLSBURG, NY—The 2010-11 sports year at Fallsburg had its share of shining stars and iconic moments. Those were the subject of the annual Spring Sports Award Banquet proceedings on June 2, a night that celebrated Fallsburg teams and individual athletes in words and images.
As so much has been written about the Comets this year, stories aplenty to be found on this website, a brief recap is all that is forthcoming. The night began with a welcoming statement by Superintendent Ivan Katz, a man whose success is predicated strongly on the lessons and strength s derived from his career in athletics that began in high school and continues on through college right to national and international acclaim as an Olympian.
Katz emphasized the valuable lifelong rewards of teamwork, reckoning with the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat.
Athletic Director Timothy Bult presented Fallsburg Athletic Appreciation Awards to Michael Gallo, Chester Zalksy and Winnie Foertsch as well as Fan of the Year Awards to retired coaches Les Hyde and Timothy St. Lawrence.
Staff Sergeant Daniel Naughton and SSG William Stec of the US. Army presented the Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Awards to Kristopher Williams and Lauren Elliott.
A musical slide show from sportsinsightsny.com that chronicled the fall, winter and spring seasons of Comet athletics drew cheers and hardy approval from the large audience that filled the auditorium.
Coaches came forth to laud their teams and give out a trio of awards to their most valuable players, most improved players and recipients of the “Roland Allen Sportsmanship Award.The biggest winners of the night were the recipients of the Senior Trophy Awards that include Lauren Elliott and Tyler McAuliffe as recipients of the Student Government Association Award presented by Michael Weiner, Susan Moody and Andrew Moore as recipients of the Fallsburg Comet Booster Club Award presented by Patricia Bertholf and Kathleen Orlan and Kristopher Williams as the Outstanding Senior Athletes, an honor presented by Timothy Bult.
A full list of the award winners is presented below. Highlights of this year included: Boys soccer: sectionals for second straight year, an 11-7 record, Dustin Foertsch’s 200 saves and five shut outs recorded in goal. Boys golf: Rich Elliott won the OCIAA championship. He and Mike Scuderi qualified for the Section Nine tourney. Elliott’s fine performance there propelled him back to states for the second straight year. Football: Fallsburg played its first-ever varsity season with the youngest team in Section Nine. Fall Cheerleading: First time out for this new enterprise and great resliency in all kinds of weather.Girls tennis: solid performance by the combined squad with T-V.
Volleyball: MVP’s Shanice Mack’s 43 aces and six blocks. Boys basketball: ten team members on honor roll or Superintendent’s honor roll. All players returning next season. Great win over S.S. Seward at home, sectionals for second straight year. Girls basketball; In third year of Coach Redmond’s tenure team went from two win and four wins in first two years to nine this season and a sectional berth. Basketball cheerleading: great performances at competitions in Monticello and the OCIAA.
Wrestling: Debut of varsity wrestling combined with Eldred. Beat T-V, Liberty, Goshen and Millbrook. Team had two fourth place finishers at the Section Nine tourney. Alpine skiing: girls were 38-10 and second in Division I, its best performance since 2000. Lauren Elliott made it to states along with Kendra Erts. Team lost to Warwick in sectionals. Baseball: while one tough inning seemed to be the issue in many games this season, outgoing coach Mike Weiner feels the nucleus of the team can turn things around. MIP’s went to twin brothers Ryan and Cory McKeon. MVP junior captain Jim Bertholf hit .424.Girls golf: Undefeated 12-0 record brought second consecutive Div. III title, this year held alone as opposed to last year’s shared honors with Monticello and Sullivan West. Two golfers qualified for Section Nine tourney and are going on to states in Kathleen Orlan and Danielle Stratton. Girls golf team was a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award recipient with a combined GPA of 92.3.
Track and field: great increase in participation sent four Comets to state qualifier meet. Michael Robinson was the triple jump champion in Section Nine Class C. Great performances by Blaine McDuffie in the triple jump who Coach Mke St. Lawrence noted, “led by example.”
McDuffie was fifth in the triple jump, fourth in the long jump and third in the 400 relay at sectionals. Andrew Moore was third n the shot put and seventh in the discus. Kai Jackson repeated as the team MIP. He was fifth in the 110 hurdles and the high jump and third in the triple jumpande 400 relay. The girls were led by sprinter Candhace Forrest who was solid in the 100 and 200 as well as the long jump. Forrest was a model of consistency in her 100 times. Liz and Violeta Loarca were deemed Co-MIP’s. Softball: girls won their first games in the past five years.
A full list of winners is posted below:
For a full album of award winners CLICK HERE:
Block “L”even (11)
Liberty Lauds Its Finest Athletes From 2010-11; Academic and Athletic Success Go Hand In Hand As Indians’ Resurgence Takes The Next Step
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Block "L" Trophy winners (top row left to right) "Ross" Award for Boys and Girls Soccer Scholar Athletes: Paulina Kleinberger and Ben Grisafe; "Rattner" Award for Boys and Girls Basketball Scholar Athletes- Megahn Burke and Will McGuire with presenters Beth Quatrale and Jason Semo; "Goodstein" Award for Wrestling Perseverance-Andy Martinez with presenter Coach John Lennon; "Kavleski" Award for Scholar Athletes In Track and Field: Jessica Dunnigan and Christopher Lockwood with presenters Coaches Ralph Bressler and Hazel Yaun Second row (left tor right): "Buchal" Award For MVP in Baseball annd Softball- Paulina Kleinberger and Joe Franke with presenters Coaches Matt Stoddard, Phil Fanning and John Wilhelm; "Charlie Barbuti" Award Baseball and Softball Sportsmanship Scholarship Megahn Burke and Emirsen Shehi with presenters . Center panel are the Senior Trophy Presentation Winners (Left to Right) Paulina Kleinberger Elizabeth "Betty" Totten Sportsmanship Awad; Will McGuire Elizabeth "Betty" Totten Sportsmanship Award; Jessica Dunnigan- "Tom Kelly" Award For Oustanding Senior Athlete, Eddie Soto-"Tom Kelly" Award For Outstanding Senior Athlete and Emirsen Shehi "Liberty Rotary Club" Senior Perseverance Award. Jessica Dunnigan addresses the audience as she gives thanks to the people who have inspired her.
As the days hurtle inexorably towards the end of this school year, it’s time for reflection, accolades and awards before the final coda of graduation. At Liberty High School on June 1, the annual Block “L” Athletic Awards Ceremony was an occasion to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of athletes from the fall, winter and spring seasons.
The many milestones of this year need not be repeated here. One needs only to click on the Liberty button on this website to read chapter and verse that comprise the ongoing tale of Liberty’s resurgence. As time is of the essence in this harried writer/photographer’s frantic end of year regimen, replete with slide show performances in four other school districts, I’ll let the list of winners and their photos suffice and add only my final words of praise and admiration for the hard work rendered and the valuable life lessons gained.
The ancient Greeks understood the balanced role of a vital intellect and physical fitness. “Sound bod; sound mind,” was their mantra. That Liberty had a total of ten teams honored by NYSPHSAA as worthy of Scholar Athlete recognition speaks volumes about the school’s emphasis on academic excellence commensurate with its fine athletic performance. The teams are listed below along with the individual award winners.
This year’s slide show which featured the photos from Sports Insights filled the screen in the admirable production put together by Athletic Director Jason Semo. Coaches came forth to laud their teams and present their awards, speaking words of praise, thanks and admiration for their teams and for the individual recipients.
The night was capped off by the Trophy Presentations pictured which are above. The Class of 2011 played a major role in the success of Liberty’s athletic program, a fact that cannot be understated. This photojournalist was greatly touched by the impromptu thanks offered to him from the stage for the time and energy spent in documenting their fine achievements in words and images.
Below is a list of winners of the awards from each of the teams.
Award winners except for Senior Trophy winners listed in photo caption above.
For an album of photos showing all the award winners, CLICK HERE:
