Combined Energy

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

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

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

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bears were gold medalists in the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outstanding field athlete: Jeff Nunez (Ellenville).

Outstanding track athlete: Alfredo Mazzucca (New Paltz).

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

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

Outstanding field athlete: Cora Butler (New Paltz).

Outstanding track athlete: Sasche Allen (Spackenkill).

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

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

Games Of Fame (24th Edition)

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

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

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

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This year It was great to have them back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monticello Boys Evince Fine Showing As Key Week Looms Ahead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Red Than Black

Tri-Valley’s Depth Leads To Convincing Boys And Girls Division IV Track Wins Over Rival Sullivan West As Several Individuals From Both Schools Evince Impressive Personal Bests

Boys: Tri-Valley 100.5, Sullivan West 40.5

Girls Tri-Valley 104, Sullivan West 46

By RICHARD A. ROSS

rross@sportsinsightsny.com

Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com

Scenes from the Tri-Valley vs. Sullivan West Division IV track meet (clockwise): Sullivan West's Rosa Martinez prevails in the 400. Sullivan West's Amanda Rosenberger evinces a personal best to beat T-V's Katlynn Greffrath's personal best in the 100. Rosenberger came back and clipped Greffrath in the 200 as well. Sullivan West's Hannah Feinman goes skyward to win the triple jump. Katlynn Greffrath won the high jump with a mark of 5-0. T-V's Brendan Tierney wins the 100. He also captured the discus and the shot put. Tri-Valley's Autumn Bender takes the baton from Sabrena Smith in the 1600 relay. Bender won the 1500 and the 800 and ran a leg in the winning 3200 relay as part of her busy day. T-V's Omar Lopez runs the anchor leg in the winning 3200 relay. He also won the 800. T-V's Andrew Malone outpaces SW's Mitch Paciga in the 110 high hurdles. Malone also won the 200. Sullivan West's Kristina Sumfleth sails over the 400 intermediate hurdles en route to a win in the event.

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—By dint of sheer numbers, Tri-Valley currently dwarfs its once most contentious rival Sullivan West on both the boys and girls side of the ledger. Consider this: Tri-Valley boys outnumber Sullivan West 48-23, while the Lady Bears have 35 to SW’s 23. This disparity was not always the case.

Tri-Valley’s burgeoning numbers have served them well in track meets where points pour in from first, second and third place finishes in dual meets like the one hosted by the Bears against the Bulldogs, six places like in the recent Tri-Valley Invitational won overall by the Lady Bears as they bested the other 26 schools large and small, and eight places in Sectionals which they have won for the past five years in a row.

In short, having competent contenders across the board like Tri-Valley does leads to big wins against schools which lack sufficient depth. Unfortunately for proud Sullivan West, thin ranks are part of the new world order. That said, what they lack in numbers they make up for in heart and grit.

But when it comes to the war between the red and the black, the legion of Tri-Valley red shirts born of a program that has continued its meteoric rise the past few years, Sullivan West finds itself no longer able to keep up with the school it last bested in a Division –clinching clash back in the spring of 2008.

That history-making win, which shattered Tri-Valley’s 23-year streak of 129 straight dual meet wins, set the stage for Sullivan West’s girls to do what they had done in the prior winter; namely to beat the Lady Bears for the division title. The winter of 2007-08 brought Sullivan West its first-ever girls indoor Section Nine Championship as well.

That historic April 16, 2008 afternoon in Grahamsville when diminutive Rianne Erlwein came from behind to edge Caroline Bertholf in the anchor leg of the meet’s final event, the 1600 relay, that passage led to the one-point victory and the story in The River Reporter entitled, “Won By One.”

For Westie veterans Dani Myers, Rachel Deppa, Kristina Sumfleth who were part of that victory which was soon supplanted by Tri-Valley’s subsequent Section Nine title win which in turn, preceded wins in all three running seasons ever since over Sullivan West, it now comes down to trying to marshal great individual efforts given the current imbalance of the teams overall.

For Sullivan West senior sprinter Amanda Rosenberger who was part of that 2008 Section Nine indoor title win, opting to run track this spring in lieu of playing softball represented a major sea change. It wasn’t an easy decision to forego her spring life on the ball diamond in favor of the track, but Rosenberger was committed to giving it her all in her final sports season.

Needless to say, she was all smiles by this day’s end having turned in personal best times to edge out Tri-Valley’s speedy Katlynn Greffrath in both the 100 and the 200. Greffrath also clocked her fastest times in the events to date.

Both races were incredibly close and clearly highlight moments on the track during the bright, sunny afternoon. Rosenberger got a great start in the 100 and turned in a blistering 12.8 to Greffrath’s 13.2. But as close as the 100 was, the 200 was even dicier.

Greffrath had the lead coming out of the turn heading into the home stretch but Rosenberger edged by her in 27.5 beating the athletic sophomore by a mere tenth of a second.  Greffrath cleared 5-0 to capture the high jump and assailed the bar at 5-2 but failed to clear the state standard mark in he three attempts. She also took second in the long jump (14-10 ½) finishing behind her basketball cohort Mareena DiMilia (15-5).

DiMilia who earned a share of the Tri-Valley Invitational’s Outstanding Field Athlete honors, won the 100 high hurdles in 16.4. She was second in the shot put (33-7 ½) behind Dominique Darby (33-8 ¼), who also was an Outstanding Field Athlete at the T-V Invitational.

Sullivan West’s Hannah Feinman won the triple jump (32-2) and took third in the 100 hurdles (17.8).

In more girls action T-V’s Autumn Bender ran a winning leg in the 3200 relay with Alex Brooks, Sabrena Smith, Brooke Gillette and Danielle Graham (11:19.5). Bender came back to win the 1500 (5:24) and the 800 (2:41.1). Olivia Rehm (12:13.8) helped to advance the T-V sweep of the long distance runs with a win in the 3000. The Lady Bears won the 1600 relay (4:39.1) as Smith, Bender, Brooks and Gillette combined their speedy efforts.

Sullivan West got wins from Rosa Martinez (69.4) in the 400 and from Sumfleth (74.4) in the 400 intermediate hurdles as well as in the pole vault (7-0).

In the boys meet, Sullivan West had to forego the normally stalwart efforts of distance maven Reed Scott who was nursing a sore hamstring and opted to eschew the meet rather than aggravate the injury.

Tri-Valley swept the distance events beginning with the 3200 relay as Brandon Bobic, Justin Weintraub, Hauk Boyes and Omar Lopez turned in a winning time of 9:18.2. Lopez won the 800 (2:18.8), while Boyes claimed the 3200 (10:56.4). Weintraub captured the 1600 (5:02.1). Lopez, Andrew Malone, Zach Nilsen and Weintraub combined for the 3:54 win in the 1600 relay.

Andrew Malone was victorious in the 110 high hurdles (16.2) as he edged out Sullivan West’s Mitch Paciga by .3 of a second. Malone won the 200 in 24.7. Brendan Tierney was victorious in the 100 (12.2), the shot put (42-1/2) and the discus (119-5). Eugene Morton won the triple jump (36-10), while Aidan Woolsey won the 400 (55.9) and the pole vault (9-6).

Sullivan West got victories from Matt Cardona in the long jump  (17-2) and from John Masten in the 400 intermediate hurdles (62.5).

Complete results are shown below on the score sheets courtesy of scorekeeper Kevin Giroux.

Meet results courtesy of Kevin Giroux, Tri-Valley scorekeeper

Tri-Valley will send a contingent of its best to the Penn Relays as the girls participate on April 26 and the boys do their part on April 27. Both schools will vie at the Monticello Games on April 28.

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

Brave New World

Tri-Valley Returns To The Ethereal Afterlife Of Postseason Contention Behind Its Commanding League Win Against Defending Champion Millbrook; Once Hapless Bears Now Figure To Be A Fierce Foe As They  Evince Newfound Efficiency To Go Along With Existing Heart and Grit

Tri-Valley 31, Millbrook 20

Field of Dreams: Tri-Valley celebrates its 31-20 Homecoming Night playoff-clinching win over Millbrook (Clockwise): Players erupt in jubilation at the game's conclusion. Millbrook's Henry Cardinal gives the Bears and their fans an initial sense of concern with his 65-yard TD run just 46 seconds into the game. Tri-Valley senior cheerleaders (left to right) Jackie Wallace, Stephanie Hyzer, Amber Buley, Brittany Rennison, Jessica Lee and Amber Watch. Wide-eyed and filled with emotion, Conor Walsh and Greg Swarthout listen to Coach John Rusin extol the play of the team and encourage them about the road ahead. The Bears burst through the homecoming banner. Greg Swarthout scores one of his two TD's. T-V senior gridders pose for a photo. Names are all listed in the story.

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—It’s not unlikely that many denizens of the local football world were stunned upon waking up early in the morning on October 22  to learn that Tri-Valley had made the playoffs; that the team many had come to regard as the reincarnation of the “Bad News Bears, had beaten a tough Millbrook team up and down the field in a momentous 33-20 win consigning the defending Class C champs to be observers of the coming playoff rounds they ruled a year ago.

You can't say enough about the heart and toughness of Joe Mickelson. Out for weeks with a hairline fracture to his tibia, the senior returned when it mattered the most. His work over the past two league wins has been immense. This game: 21 carries for 155 yards.

Tri-Valley’s 2-1 league mark would now carry them back to a milieu many figured would be lacking their presence this season, namely a chance to vie for a Section Nine Class C Championship in the coming playoffs.

But those of us who have been close to this team and know these boys and their coaches, never doubted whether they could indeed pass through that magical portal.

We knew that the Bears’ losing record was not a true reflection of the team’s talent and drive,  and that should they qualify for the big dance, that they would be a fearsome adversary for any of the teams they had to face,.

That said, Tri-Valley’s record prior to its two recent league wins against Fallsburg and now Millbrook was a dismal 1-5. As  Coach John Rusin put it, he was tired of opposing coaches telling him how tough his team was, how they had pushed their teams up and down the field and how they were the best 1-5 team in Section Nine.

That and $2.50 will get you a ride on a NYC subway to the end of the line.in other words.. to nowhere. Now the reborn Bears are going for a ride with an entirely new destination, aboard an express train which they are conducting. Warning signals are flashing up ahead to teams in their way: T-V’s express  has no brakes.

What a difference a day makes.

Tri-Valley players and coaches will be the first to admit that for much of this season they had been a train wreck.  After all, when your positive game highlights are overshadowed by countless turnovers and blunders,  you don’t  show up on anybody’s radar as more than a benign blip.

But the Bears knew that were it not for those weekly slip ups, that they could easily have been 5-1 and regarded as fearsome Grizzlies by Section Nine teams instead of being considered….well…..dare we say it.. Teddy Bears to be played with and cast aside.

Rusin knew his team had talent, toughness and heart. What they needed was to play nearly flawless football to show what they were made of.

A picture's worth a thousand words: Greg Swarthout shows his excitement after a rushing TD. He carried the ball 15 times for 102 yards and completed 2/5/33 yards including a TD pass to Cody Exner.

And so it was that after losing  to O”Neill, he told his team that they had destiny in their hands. That if they beat division foes Fallsburg and Millbrook, they’d be in the playoffs with a zero-zero record just like O’Neill, Sullivan West and Burke, a trio of teams that profited by T-V mistakes to marshal victories.

Moreover, he told them, they’d be a dangerous foe, potentially lethal. But first they would have to take care of the business at hand and defer their dreams about paying two of the aforementioned teams back in spades.

Fallsburg could have been regarded as an easy mark, but the Bears did not take the Comets lightly. Playing a team in search of its first-ever win on its Homecoming Night, on a field that was a muddy mire had more than enough potential for a disastrous slip up.

But the Bears who had upended themselves against Chester, Sullivan West, O’Neill, Eldred and Burke were done sliding in the standings, though there was plenty of slippage on the mud at Morningside Park.

Steady Joe Mickelson took the ball 16 times for 175 yards and scored two TD’s, his formerly broken tibia now a distant memory. Greg Swarthout, Brendan Tierney  and Shatik Smith scored as well and Anthony Beale added five PAT points as the Bears rolled to a 41-14  road win over the Comets..

Now would come the acid test.

The Bears and the Fiery Millbrook Blazers were each 1-1 in Division II coming into this do-or-die clash. The winner would advance to the playoffs, while the loser would have its title contention hopes abruptly terminated.

Millbrook's Lucas Lehmkuhl races for an 11-yard TD in the third quarter. The Blazers pulled within a TD and two-point conversion before Anthony Beale iced the deal with a late field goal.

Seniors in particular, would be devastated by such a tragic finale to their high school careers.

The Bears won the toss and elected to defer, daring Millbrook to reckon with its fierce defense .

Egged on by the capacity home crowd the Bears burst through the cheerleaders ‘Homecoming banner to rally around their beloved coach.

The sounds of the pep band, the cheerleaders and the rabid fan base filled the night.

Tri-Valley fans adore their team no matter what the season. Years back nearly every denizen of the community traveled to Westbury, Long Island to watch the Bears play Friends Academy in a boys basketball regional final. Had they won they would have filled the stands at Glens Falls. Last year they packed Mount St. Mary College to watch their Section Nine girls champs vie against Haldane bound and determined to head to Troy if they had advanced.

But back to the present.

At last the long wait was over. The kick went up and the Millbrook blaze ignited forthwith. On the second play from scrimmage tight end Henry Cardinal dashed 65 yards up the left sideline at 11:14 to draw first blood. Devon Jackson kicked the PAT and the Blazers were on the board with a 7-0 lead.

Jackson kicked off and the Bears took over at their own 35. Joe Mickelson took a steady diet of carries interspersed with advances by Cody Exner. In just four and a half minutes the Bears marched 65 yards  in eight plays as Greg Swarthout capped off the drive with a one-yard TD at 6:43. The PAT failed and the Blazers held a narrow 7-6 lead.

Cody Exner cruises into the endzone. He carried the ball 9 times for 62 yards, rushed for a TD and caught a pass for another.

Millbrook began its next quest at its 34with an 11 yard run by Lucas Lehmkul. It soon became evident however that the Bears were getting great backside penetration on Millbrook’s attempted sweeps with tackles from Jesus Lozada, Troy Rossi and Brendan Tierney. Millbrook got as far as the T-V 44 before the Bears held firm and took over on downs.

As the quarter waned it was Mickelson carrying the load again with a first down and Exner getting it to the Millbrook 45. Two plays later Swarthout took off on a keeper for a 35-yard TD run at 11:13 of the second quarter. Mickelson ran in the two-point conversion and the Bears led 14-7.

Henry Cardinal was tagged for a loss by Rossi as was Brad Pitz as the Bears were now extinguishing the Blazers blaze by forcing a punt. The short kick gave T-V the ball at the MB 40. A pitch to Exner netted nine but a penalty made it a first and 15. After two failed run attempts, Swarthout uncorked a 30-yard TD pass to Exner at 6:36 of the second quarter to make it 20-7. Beale punctuated it with a PAT and the Bears now led 21-7.

As Millbrook Coach Sean Keenan would later point out, Tri-Valley disrupted Millbrook’s run game by penetrating from behind and causing loss after loss. “Their kids fly to the ball. We knew this was going to be a war. We didn’t do our best job of blocking and they just ran underneath our blocks and dismantled us,” he said.

That defensive efficiency resulted in a three and out on the Millbrook series following the Bears’ most recent score. T-V took over on downs and made a stalwart stand on a fourth and seven play on an advance that had taken Millbrook all the way to the T-V 16. “Get a stop now,” yelled Rusin and his team took him at his word.

Halftime verve! T-V cheerleaders rev it up with a great show of skill, flexibility and spirit.

The Bears got it back on downs, got off a nice weaving run by Exner but the half ended and the seniors got ready for their introduction and flower rendering ceremony to their parents and loved ones.

The following football seniors were called forth and posed for pictures with their family, friends and loved ones:: Greg Swarthout, Conor Walsh, Anthony Beale, John Monforte, Andrew Malone, Tyler Lopez, Joe Mickelson, Shawn Markle, Troy Rossi, Rafael Ramirez, Jonathan Edwards, Jameshenry Osterhoudt and  Fred Dumond, Senior cheerleaders included Jackie Wallace, Stephanie Hyzer, Amber Buley, Brittany Rennison, Jessica Lee and Amber Watch.

The cheerleaders performed at the half much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.

The Bears received to start the second half and within three plays, they were on the board again, this time behind a 25-yard TD run by Swarthout at 11:17. Beale’s PAT made it 28-7 but you knew Millbrook wasn’t going quietly.

On the next series, the Blazers responded with a series of powerful runs by Lehmkul and Pitz and a pass reception by Jackson. Lehmkul capped off the drive with an 11-yard TD run at 8:19. Jackson kicked the PAT and the Blazers had closed the gap to 28-14.

They punctuated that by forcing a three and out on the Bears next series.

With 5:03 left in the third quarter the Blazers began at their own 21 but three plays later, a Lehmkul fumble was recovered by Walsh and  with 1:59 remaining in the period.

T-V safety Shatik Smith makes sure Millbrook's Jonathan Crane stays down after his pass reception. The Bears defense yielded two TD's in the second half but held firm when it mattered for the win.

The Bears did not capitalize on the takeaway however as they began with a delay of game penalty.  The quarter ended with them facing a third and eight at their own 40.

The fourth quarter began with what appeared to be a 60-yard TD pass to Exner but it was called back on a  holding penalty. The series fizzled and the Bears punted.

In the next Blazers’ series, Millbrook compensated for a couple of run losses by garnering a 26-yard TD pass from Crane to Lehmkul at 9:04. The PAT sailed wide right but the Blazers were now a TD and two-point conversion within tying it up as they trailed 28-20 with plenty of time left.

Tri-Valley’s temporary reversion to its errant care of the football afforded Millbrook another try as a fumble on a pitch was recovered by Lehmkul at 6:22 at their own 38. Jonathan Edwards was hurt on the play and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. Soon he’d have company on the bench as John Anzano would join him with an injured ankle. Exner had sat out following his 60-yard callback.

Millbrook couldn’t make hay out of the takeaway. They began with a holding penalty and two snuffed running plays as the Bears were heeding Rossi’s impassioned call: “WE ARE GOING TO SECTIONALS,” he barked to his fellow defenders.

The Bears responded by stopping Millbrook on a fourth and  ten play at their own 28.

The Bears got it back on downs with 3:42 remaining in the game. Mickelson marshaled one first down but the Bears found themselves facing a fourth and four at the nine. Rusin called a time out and decided on a field goal try.

Beale kicked it from the 25 straight through the uprights for the game-clinching 3 points as the Bears now led 31-20 with just 1:27 remaining in the game.

The clock and season ran out on the Blazers as the Bears celebrated the victory with hugs, smiles and a few tears of joy.

Keenan had loads of praise for Tri-Valley:

“We’ve watched them two or three times. They’re a big, physical team and they play hard. John and his staff did a great job. We never show our team film of the opponent but this past week we did it twice so they would know how good these guys were,” he noted.

Millbrook lost to Burke on a fumble recovery earlier in the season which put the Blazers in the same boat as the Bears.

Players listen to their coach John Rusin as he extols their play and tells them to enjoy their weekend safely and wisely. This week's preparation is all about O'Neill.

Rusin praised his troops before turning to talk to this writer, “You executed, limited turnovers and special teams were an asset. I’m so proud of you. You took responsibility. Everybody did what they wre supposed to do. It was a total team effort. Your record before doesn’t mean anything. Do you want the next one?” he barked. The answer from the team was deafening in its unison call of yes.

“It was so frustrating earlier in the season to see so much talent not actualizing its potential. We have senior leadership, a solid line, a good backfield, smart quarterbacks and our defense is tough. It’s a matter of putting things together, limiting mistakes and other teams’ big plays and special teams have to be a big part of it too,” he asserted.

“Millbrook is extremely well coached and they bring an offense you dread to play against. If any of your defensive 11 has a lapse they will exploit it. You just simply have to outscore them. We’ve scored 58 points in a game against them and lost.”

He went on to say, “Our guys did a good job of moving the ball and that allowed our defense to play and not have to worry about every play,.” Looking ahead to the playoffs, Rusin noted that teams will be more prepared the second time around given the fact that all of the other teams in the playoffs played T-V this year.

If the Bears beat O’Neill they’ll face the winner of the Burke-Sullivan West game in the title game.  Last year they lost to Burke in the semifinals. The Bears won the Class C title in 2007 when they defeated Sullivan West 18-6.

The seniors linked arms and walked across their home field to cherish the memory of their last home game. As they walked, I strode alongside to listen to their thoughts and to soak up the final vibrations of a special night.

Here’s what was on their minds:

Greg Swarthout: “It feels so good to get a win at our last home game. I ‘ve got to give a lot of credit to the line. They were shuffling in and out with injuries and switching positions from guard to tackle. Millbrook is a really good team. Their system is tough. They give you fits. We worked extremely hard on extending our ends and clamping down on their jet sweeps,” he observed.

Anthony Beale

Anthony Beale: “The last two field goals I tried I missed but this time I was pretty relaxed. Now every time I try to think of it as an extra point and not worry about the distance. Football is so much fun. I’m just a kicker but these guys accept me and I love how they play with a lot of heart, as does my soccer team. I wouldn’t trade either sport for the other. I’m blessed to have the teammates I have on both squads,” he averred.

Conor Walsh: “It feels absolutely great. I’ve been with most of these seniors since Pumpkin Patch prekindergarten. We’ve grown up together. I used to wrestle with Greg in the hallway. Tonight feels ecstatic. I couldn’t  want anything more than to go into the playoffs with my fellow seniors who I grew up with.”

Conor Walsh

Joe Mickelson:“Playing Millbrook was insane! They play great. Their coaching is great. They knew every play we were calling. I could hear them calling them out. I have to say this was the best defensive game Brendan Tierney has had in his career, penetrating that back side. As a senior I’m excited we’re going to the playoffs,

Joe Mickelson

Now we’re looking to run the table.”

Tri-Valley plays O’Neill at Middletown’s Faller Field on October 28 at 4;00pm.

Tri-Valley Stat line:

Mickelson 12/155; Exner 9/62  with one rushing TD and one 30-yard TD catch; Swarthout 15/102 with a TD;  He completed 2/5 passes for 33 yards and a TD;

Leading tacklers included Jesus Lozada, Troy Rossi, Brendan Tierney, John Monforte and Joe Mickelson. Tackling statistics were not totally tabulated so numbers are not listed.

Happy Berth Day Lady Bears!

T-V senior keeper Erin Smith goes aloft for an electrifying save against Fallsburg.

Tri-Valley needed just one more win to make it to sectionals  and they had hoped to garner that honor under the lights on October 21. But due to the calamitous collision between Fallsburg’s Arturo Perez and T-V’s Hunter Kennedy that had brought an end to the boys game and postponed the girls clash, the game was deferred to the next afternoon.

Fallsburg was about to unveil what Coach Mike Geller would term his team’s best play under his watch. Indeed, it was a highly competive match, even more so in the second half wherein Fallsburg had the lion’s share of the possession. Tri-Valley got two goals in the first half. The first one came at 17:17 as junior varsity call-up Ashley (A.J) Johnson picked up a pass from Mareena DiMIlia and lofted it over the head of Comet keeper Brooke Rappaport for the 1-0 lead.

At 28:00 T-V sophomore midfielder/striker Amanda Tyndell added another goal on an assist from Colleen Jones. With T-V’s staunch defense heading off Fallsburg’s runs that rarely reached keeper Erin Smith, the Lady Bears were able to marshal the needed victory. Smith made an electrifying save, one of her six on the day, as she went aloft to punch a ball skyward out of harm’s way in the upper right corner of the box.

Fallsburg’s Brooke Rappaport would have nine saves on the day and also showed her defiance of gravity on one of those nixes.

“The first half was much better than the second half,” noted T-V Coach Mary Feusner. “I think that everybody that was out there contributed in a good way for us. We were getting our shots off. Sometimes we needed to have a little bit more patience before shooting. In the first half we got to get to the battle of the net and that’s what did it for us,” she observed..

The Bears improved to 8-7 (4-7 OCIAA) and will play S.S. Seward at home on October 25. Sectional seeding will be revealed on October 27.

Mike Geller noted that his team was doing exactly the kinds of things he has taught them. They hustled, and vied to win every 50-50 ball. Geller had immense praise for Rappaport in the cage.

Fallsburg fell to 4-8 -1 (1-8-1 OCIAA).

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