The Mighty
Tri-Valley’s Rafael Ramirez Wins OCIAA Hammer Championship And Takes Second In Throwers Pentathlon; T-V’s Tierney 3rd In Hammer, 4th in Thrower’s Pentathlon; Zach Roberts 5th In Hammer; Liberty’s Hinton 5th in Throwers Pentathlon; T-V’s Dominique Darby Takes First In Both Throwing Championships; Heidi Furman And Mareena DiMilia Are 2nd and 3rd For The T-V Sweep Of Top Three In Both Championships
By RICHARD A. ROSS
OCIAA Throwers Pentathlon and Hammer Throw Championship standouts
MONROE, NY—One has to wonder how it can be that a small school like Tri-Valley can turn out superior throwers year after year.
The answer? Tradition, great coaching and hard work.
For most small schools, talent comes and goes in any sport. But for the Bears it seems to be omnipresent and you can credit that to the coaching staff including head coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro and in particular the expertise of throwing coach Scott Grey.
Tri-Valley graduated the likes of national standouts like Ryan Loughney and Garrett Grey and along came the likes of Rafael Ramirez, Brendan Tierney, Dominique Darby, Heidi Furman and Mareena DiMilia.
This year’s Thrower’s Pentathlon and Hammer Throw Championships were dominated by Tri-Valley with Ramirez capturing the hammer throw title (158-2) and taking second in the Thrower’s Pentathlon (2,786 points). Teammate Brendan Tierney took third in the hammer (131-2) and fourth overall in the Throwers Pentathlon (2,633), while T-V’s Zach Roberts was 5th in the hammer (108-5).Liberty’s Mike Hinton was fifth in the Throwers Pentathlon with 2,383 points.
Kudos to all of the above for their tireless efforts.
Tri-Valley’s superiority was even more in evidence in the girls championships as Dominique Darby captured the hammer throw title (128-8) as well as the Throwers Pentathlon Championship with 2,662 points).
Completing the Lady Bears’ sweep of the top three slots in both championships, Heidi Furman and Mareena DiMilia took second and third respectively. Furman registered a hammer throw of 115-6 and scored 2,461 points in the Throwers Pentathlon, while DiMilia heaved the hammer 99 feet and racked up 2,420 points in the Throwers Pentathlon.
We haven’t heard the last from these mighty heavers. Not by a long shot. Expect more milestones at the OCIAA league meet and the coming Section Nine championships.
Can’t wait. Complete results shown on chart below. Top five are written at bottom of the post.
Thrower's pentathlon results
OCIAA (Boys) throwers pentathlon championships
(at Monroe-Woodbury High School)
Boys: 1. Tim Wilson (Washingtonville) 2,894; 2. Rafael Ramirez (T-V) 2,876; 3. Dave Carlson (King.) 2,690; 4. Brendan Tierney (T-V) 2,633; 5. Mike Hinton (Liberty) 2,383; 6. Randy Hinds (King.) 2,251.
OCIAA (Boys) hammer throw championships
(at Monroe-Woodbury High School)
Boys: 1. Rafael Ramirez (T-V) 156-8; 2. Tim Wilson (Wash.) 148-9; 3. Brendan Tierney (T-V) 131-2; 4. Dan Shambo (King.) 125-9; 5. Zack Roberts (T-V) 108-5; 6. Dave Carlson (King.) 108-4.
OCIAA (Girls) throwers pentathlon championships
(at Monroe-Woodbury High School)
Girls: 1. Dominique Darby (Tri-Valley) 2,662; 2. Heidi Furman (T-V) 2,461; 3. Mareena Dimilia (T-V) 2,420; 4. Valarie Hinds (Kingston) 2,000; 5. Heather Rysinger (Minisink Valley) 1,793; 6. Rebecca Rich (King.) 1,663.
OCIAA Girls hammer throw championships
(at Monroe-Woodbury High School)
1. Dominique Darby (T-V) 128-8; 2. Heidi Furman (T-V) 115-6; 3. Mareena Dimilia (T-V) 99-0; 4. Rebecca Rich (King.) 97-9; 5. Madison Suardy (King.) 80-4; 6. Shannon Miller (Minisink Valley) 72-2.
Combined Energy
Athletes Team Up In Splendiferous Tri-Valley Relays; New Paltz Boys and Rondout Valley Girls Are Tops; Tri-Valley Girls 2nd Overall And Tops In Small Division; Ellenville 2nd In Boys And Tops In Small Schools; T-V Boys 3rd Overall, 2nd 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
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 3rd 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
Grandeur and Grace
Magnificent Tri-Valley Invitational Offers A Panoramic Tableau Of Outstanding Track and Field Athletes From 27 Schools Including Some Of Section One’s Best; Arlington Boys and Girls Are Tops In Division I, While Host Tri-Valley Boys and Girls Capture Division II; Middletown’s Goodspeed Is Outstanding Track Athlete; T-V’s DiMilia and Darby and O’Neill’s Carpenter Are Outstanding Field Athletes
Boys results:Division I team scores and key: 1. Arlington (A) 219.5 points; 2. Somers (Som) 96; 3. Middletown (Mid) 95.5; 4. Monticello (Mon) 83; 5. Port Jervis (PJ) 51; 6. Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) 38; 7. Byram Hills (BH) 37; 8. Hendrick Hudson 22; 9. Goshen (G) 21; 10. Red Hook 6; 11. Peekskill 2.
Boys Division II team scores and key: 1. Tri-Valley (TV) 90.5 points; 2. Rhinebeck (Rhb) 61; 3. Bronxville (Bx) 44; 4. James I. O’Neill (JIO) 43; 5. Pine Plains 40; 6. Pawling (Paw) 35.5; 7. Ellenville (Ell) 29; 8. Dover 28; 9. John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 27; 10. Liberty (Lib) 19.5; 11. Eldred (Eld) 18; 12. Sullivan West 15; 13. Spackenkill 10; 14. Chapel Field 5; 15. Livingston Manor 1.5.
Girls Results:Division I team scores and key: 1. Arlington (A) 137 points; 2. Middletown (Mid) 61; 3. Hendrick Hudson 54.5; 4. Somers (Som) 45; 5. Red Hook (RH) 43.5; 6. Monticello (Mont) 41; 7. Byram Hills 39; 8. Port Jervis (PJ) 26; 9. Goshen (G) 23; 10. Our Lady of Lourdes 20; 11. Peekskill 19; 12. Albertus Magnus 5.
Girls Division II team scores and key: 1. Tri-Valley (TV) 169 points; 2. Bronxville (Bx) 152; 3. Eldred (Eld) 60.5; 4. (tie) Spackenkill (Spac) and Liberty (Lib) 41; 6. Dover (Dov) 36; 7. Ellenville (Ell) 24; 8. Pine Plains 21; 9. Rhinebeck 19; 10. Sullivan West (SW) 17.5; 11. (tie) Livingston Manor and Pawling (Paw) 17; 13. James I. O’Neill (JIO) 12; 14. Chapel Field 9; 15. John A. Coleman Catholic 1.
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Scenes from the 2012 Tri-Valley Invitational (clockwise): Tri-Valley's Mareena DiMilia runs in the Lady Bears' winning 300 shuttle hurdle relay. DiMilia was selected as one of the meet's three Outstanding Field Athletes along with teammate Dominque Darby and O'Neill's John Carpenter.T-V's Raphael Ramirez sends up a mighty heave to win the hammer throw. Monticello twins Sydney. left and Camryn Johnson run in the 3000. Camryn was third and Sydney was fifth. Middletown coach Eric Hipsman bathes in the glory of winning the coaches/alumni 400 relay with his enthusiastic team. Ellenville's Justin Farrenkopf goes skyward to win the pole vault. O"Neill's John Carpenter wins the 100. He came back to win the 200 and won the high jump with a leap of 6-8 as well. He earned the honor of being named one of the meet's Outstanding Field Athletes. Tri-Valley's Autumn Bender wasn't planning on swimming but a miscue in the steeplechase caused her submersion. She still managed to finish fifth. Liberty's Rebeccah Harman shows her prowess in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay. Monticello speedster Tino Taylor was second in the 400. Eldred senior Chirstine Donnelly proves she can run with the best as she took fourth in the 3000 running against elite distance mavens from Somers and Middletown. Liberty's Amanda Bertholf races to a third place finish in the 400. Tri-Valley's Katlynn Greffrath wins the F/S high jump. Eldred's Hunter Proscia wins the 2000 steeplechase. Middletown's Amber Goodspeed wins the 2000 steeplechase. She was the meet's Outstanding Female Track Athlete. Sullivan West's Mitch Paciga takes second in the F/S high jump. Liberty's Vinny Webbe clears 11-0 in the pole vault for fifth place.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY- Tri-Valley Coach Joe Iatauro often jokes when welcoming schools to the sports complex that bears his and his wife Missy’s name by saying, “Welcome to rinky dink Tri-Valley.”
His oft-repeated remark refers to the school’s diminutive size as compared with some of the behemoths that the Bears find themselves competing against in meets such as this day’s humongous Tri-Valley Invitational and others staged far and wide across the state and indeed the nation.
But there is nothing rinky dink about the Bears as they have proven time and time again across the nearly four decades during which the Iatauros have been coaching season after season of cross country, indoor and spring track.
Across that span of time has marched a cavalcade of outstanding athletes bringing a bevy of medals, division, Section Nine and state titles adding to the school’s remarkable legacy.
Now another chapter in that historical dominance can be added with the first place finish of the T-V boys and girls teams among the 15 Division II schools at this year’s Tri-Valley Invitational. Added to the glory for the Bears was the selection of Mareena DiMilia and Dominiqe Darby as Outstanding Field Athletes, an honor they shared with James I. O’Neill’s John Carpenter. Arlington’s Sebastian Hanson and Eddie Meranda were Outstanding Track Athletes. The duo finished one-two in the 3200.
DiMilia won the shot put and javelin and ran a leg in the winning 300 shuttle hurdle relay. She finished second in the long jump. Darby won the discus and hammer throw and finished third in the shot put. Carpenter was victorious in the high jump, 100 and 200.
Tri-Valley’s girls landed an impressive 27 top six places on the day all of which will be spelled out in the Sullivan County school-by-school breakdown listed below. The T-V boys were also top notch with 15 top six spots outpacing all of the other Sullivan County schools.
Given the grand scale of the meet and the pleasant surprise of the weather which for the first time in this writer’s memory did not mar the event with a maelstrom of rain, freezing temperature or other variations of Mother Nature’s early spring weaponry, the day would offer up a panoply of great stories and a veritable feast for the eyes.
Coaches from Section Nine and Section One would agree that the meet is one of the best run on the circuit. With 27 schools on the docket, there were legions of athletes who took part in the running, jumping and throwing events that were taking place in the fine facilities of the Iatauro Sports Complex.
Indeed, as this photographer roamed the grounds knowing full well that it would be impossible to capture it all, the sights were overwhelming as the album of upwards of 600 photos will attest to. From the strength evinced at the boys hammer throw and girls shot put, to the soaring grace of the elite boys pole vaulters, the morning hours were interspersed with lightning quick sprinters and hurdlers on the track as well as the stalwart distance runners evincing their stamina and determination.
In the afternoon there was the unbelievable spectacle of the 2000 steeplechase with its aquatic interludes as some runners found the water pit to be all-encompassing. The 400 meter hurdles and the coaches and alumni 400 relay race, the latter won by Middletown amidst an outpouring from the team’s enthusiastic horde who swarmed Coach Eric Hipsman who ran the anchor leg, provided a non-stop display of memorable track and field.
For the local kids from the participating Sullivan County schools that included Tri-Valley, Monticello, Liberty, Eldred, Sullivan West and Livingston Manor, the chance to compete against elite athletes afforded them motivation to push themselves harder as many achieved personal best times and distances in an effort to stay competitive. It’s vital for athletes to get outside of the smaller milieu of local competition to understand the ascending tiers of achievement and what exists as a possibility in their events if they devote themselves assiduously to training.
The top three in each event are listed below but I am also including a photo reprint of the scoring sheet which shows the top eight places of which the top six were scored. But for my Sullivan County readers I decided to do a breakdown to show the top six performances from each school. I’ll begin with the boys.
Sullivan West 6th in 300 shuttle hurdles (53.6); Mitch Paciga 2nd in F/S high jump (5-6) and F/S pole vault (9-0).
Eldred Hunter Proscia 1st in 2000 steeplechase (6:32.1); team finished 5th in F/S 400 relay (59.7). Liberty Peter Koval 5th in javelin (136-7); Vinny Webbe 5th in pole vault (11-0).
Monticello team finished 2nd in 400 relay (44.7); I. Drayton 5th in F/S long jump (17-4 ¼); Terrry Duncan 2nd in F/S 400 (53.5); Trevon Rainey 2nd in F/S shot put (37-7); Tino Taylor 2nd in 400 (51.5); Garrett LaPolt 1st in shot put (50-2) and fifth in discus (119-10) and Talon Watson 3rd in triple jump (39-10 ¼).
Tri-Valley team finished 2nd in F/S 400 relay (52.8) and 5th in F/S 1600 relay (4:00.3); Justin Weintraub was 6th in sophomore 800 (2:08) and 5th in F/S 1600 (4:52). Brendan Tierney was 5th in the hammer throw (118-5) and third in the discus (113-4). Jimmy Bernstein was 5th in the 800 (2:01.7). Omar Lopez was second in the 2000 steeplechase (6:32.3) finishing just one tenth of a second behind Eldred’s Hunter Proscia. Josh Winter was 3rd in the javelin (138-9). Andrew Malone was 5th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (60-0); Aidan Woolsey was 4th in the F/S high jump (5-8) and 3rd in the F/S pole vault (9-6); Gavin DuBois was 5th in the high jump (5-8); Eugene Morton took 6th in the pole vault (10-6).
Now for the local girls:
Sullivan West team finished 6th in the 400 relay (55.6). Kristina Sumfleth was 5th in the high jump (4-6) and 4th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (71.5); Hannah Feinman was 6th in the long jump (14-5); Amanda Rosenberger was 6th in the 200 (28.2); Rachel Deppa was 3rd in the non-scoring 1500 meter racewalk (7:54.2).
Eldred team finished sixth in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (56.2) and third in the 400 relay (54.6); Christine Donnelly was an impressive 4th in the 800 (2:24.3); Equasia Edwards took 3rd in the high jump (4-6); Erika Bowring was 1st in the long jump (15-10) and 1st in the triple jump ( 32-10 ¼); Melissa McGonagle, Lauren Frey and Savana Finck tied for 3rd in the F/S pole vault (6-0).
Liberty team was 3rd in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (54.1) and 2nd in the 400 relay (53.7); Amanda Bertholf was 3rd in the 400 (67.6) and 3rd in the pole vault (8-6). Rebeccah Harman was 2nd in the 400 intermediate hurdles (69.2) and 4th in the triple jump (31.8).
Livingston Manor Katherine Ellis was 4th in the F/S shot put (27-4); Ami Calo was 5th in the triple jump (31-6 ½).
Monticello team was 6th in the 3200 relay (10:55.5); Camryn Johnson was third in the 3000 (10:52.8) and 3rd in the 1500 (5:16); Sydney Johnson was 5th in the 3000 (11:17.1); Tania Walker was 2nd in the 400 (65.0).
Tri-Valley team was 4th in the 3200 relay (10:51.1), 1st in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (51.3) and 6th in the F/S 400 relay (61.8); Autumn Bender was 5th in the freshman 800 (2:31.4) and 5th in the 2000 steeplechase (7:58.3). The latter was most impressive given her submerged snafu at the water pit on one of her sojourns. Brooke Gillette was 6th in the sophomore 800 (2:38); Colleen Jones was 3rd in the F/S shot put (28-0) and 5th in the hammer throw (73-0); Claire Tierney was 5th in the F/S shot put (27-0). Katlynn Greffrath was 1st in the F/S high jump (5-1); 1st in the F/S long jump (14-99 ½); and 5th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (72.3); Dominque Darby was 1st in the hammer throw (127-4) and 3rd in the shot put (32-4 ¼); Sarah Schneyer was 4th in the hammer throw (80-9); Sarah Coney was 6th in the hammer throw (64-7) and 3rd in the discus (93-3); Heidi Furman was 3rd in the hammer throw (119-8); 2nd in the javelin (88-5);6th in the discus (88-6) and 3rd in the shot put (29-10); Mareena DiMilia was 1st in the shot put (34-7); 1st in the javelin (103-1) and 2nd in the long jump (15-6 ½); Vicky Tingley was 6th in the pole vault (6-4).
Boys results:
Boys Division I team scores and key: 1. Arlington (A) 219.5 points; 2. Somers (Som) 96; 3. Middletown (Mid) 95.5; 4. Monticello (Mon) 83; 5. Port Jervis (PJ) 51; 6. Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) 38; 7. Byram Hills (BH) 37; 8. Hendrick Hudson 22; 9. Goshen (G) 21; 10. Red Hook 6; 11. Peekskill 2.
Boys Division II team scores and key: 1. Tri-Valley (TV) 90.5 points; 2. Rhinebeck (Rhb) 61; 3. Bronxville (Bx) 44; 4. James I. O’Neill (JIO) 43; 5. Pine Plains 40; 6. Pawling (Paw) 35.5; 7. Ellenville (Ell) 29; 8. Dover 28; 9. John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 27; 10. Liberty (Lib) 19.5; 11. Eldred (Eld) 18; 12. Sullivan West 15; 13. Spackenkill 10; 14. Chapel Field 5; 15. Livingston Manor 1.5.
Boys 100 meters: 1. John Carpenter (JIO) 11.0; 2. Matt Mungo (G) 11.3; 3. Lazarus Perez (Mid) 11.7; 200: 1. Carpenter (JIO) 22.2; 2. Kevin Hunter (Paw) 22.7; 3. Tino Taylor (Mont) 22.9; 400: 1. Scott Friedman (Som) 51.1; 2. Taylor (Mont) 51.5; 3. Stefan Buechele (A) 52.2; 800: 1. Chris Koenitzer (A) 1:57.4; 2. Marc Violone (BH) 1:59.7; 3. Marco DiBella (JAC) 2:01.1; 1,600: 1. Marc Violone (BH) 4:24.2; 2. Eddie Merenda (A) 4:25.1; 3. Sibby Hanson (A) 4:26.6; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Hunter Proscia (Eld) 6:32.1; 2. Omar Lopez (TV) 6:32.3; 3. Rodolpho Nieto (Mid) 6:39.8; 3,200: 1. Sebastion Hanson (A) 9:25; 2. Eddie Merendz (A) 9:27.7; 3. Johnny Marvin (Rhb) 9:39.3; 400 hurdles: 1. Josh Wright (A) 56.1; 2. Daniel Genender (Mid) 59.5; 3. Kane Sauchuk (Lib) 59.6; 330 shuttle hurdles: 1. Middletown (Ruiz, Gennder, Pierre) 47.3; 2. Pine Plains 50.3; 3. Bronxville 51.8; 400 relay: 1. Bronxville (Marrone, Kraemer, Hudson, Behrens) 44.3; 2. Monticello 44.7; 3. Middletown 45.0; 1,600 relay: 1. Middletown (Bryan, Perez, Ruiz, Wilborn) 3:29.1; 2. Arlington 3:29.7; 3. Somers 3:34.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Arlington (Chiavelli, Wimmers, Lotocky, Haering) 8:28.2; 2. Somers 8:28.3; 3. Port Jervis 8:54.1; throwers relay (non-scoring): 1. Monticello (Riancy, Braunstein, LaPolt, Allen) 50.2; 2. Goshen 50.6; 3. Rhinebeck 51.2; high jump: 1. Carpenter (JIO) 6-8; 2. Josh Collins (JAC) 6-1; 3. John Donahue (Mid) 6-0; long jump: 1. John Enker (OLL) 19-7.75; 2. Luke Marrone (Bx) 19-4.5; 3. Stefan Buechele (A) 19-1.5; triple jump: 1. Omri Blair (Som) 41-0.25; 2. John Enkler (OLL) 41-0; 3. Talon Watson (Mont) 39-10.25; shot put: 1. Garrett LaPolt (Mont) 50-2; 2. Rajiv McSwine (A) 46-8.5; 3. Chris Groten (Som) 45-4; javelin: 1. Josh Collins (JAC) 142-2; 2. Robert Borriello (Ell) 140-9; 3. Josh Winter (TV) 138-9; hammer: 1. Raphael Ramirez (TV) 156-11; 2. Robert Borriello (Ell) 148-9; 3. Alex Preisig (Som) 127-3; discus: 1. Chris Groton (Som) 131-2; 2. Billy Stahlman (G) 123-0; 3. Brenden Tierney (TV) 121-4; pole vault: 1. Justin Farrenkopf (Ell) 14-0; 2. (tie) Stefan Buchele (A) and Scott Porter (Paw) 12-0.
Outstanding track athlete: Sebastion Hanson (Arlington) and Eddie Meranda (Arlington).
Outstanding field athlete: John Carpenter (O’Neill)
Girls Results:Division I team scores and key: 1. Arlington (A) 137 points; 2. Middletown (Mid) 61; 3. Hendrick Hudson 54.5; 4. Somers (Som) 45; 5. Red Hook (RH) 43.5; 6. Monticello (Mont) 41; 7. Byram Hills 39; 8. Port Jervis (PJ) 26; 9. Goshen (G) 23; 10. Our Lady of Lourdes 20; 11. Peekskill 19; 12. Albertus Magnus 5.
Girl Division II team scores and key: 1. Tri-Valley (TV) 169 points; 2. Bronxville (Bx) 152; 3. Eldred (Eld) 60.5; 4. (tie) Spackenkill (Spac) and Liberty (Lib) 41; 6. Dover (Dov) 36; 7. Ellenville (Ell) 24; 8. Pine Plains 21; 9. Rhinebeck 19; 10. Sullivan West (SW) 17.5; 11. (tie) Livingston Manor and Pawling (Paw) 17; 13. James I. O’Neill (JIO) 12; 14. Chapel Field 9; 15. John A. Coleman Catholic 1.
Girls 100 meters: 1. Kalissa Caesar (PJ) 12.4; 2. Emily Polvere (Som) 12.5; 3. Shasche Allen (Spac) 12.8; 200: 1. Polvere (Som) 26.3; 2. Allen (Spac) 26.6; 3. Lucy Kohlhoff (Bx) 27.0; 400: 1. Grace Weisbecker (RH) 63.5; 2. Tania Walker (Mont) 65.0; 3. Amanda Bertholf (Lib) 67.6; 800: 1. Chelsea Ogindo (Pk) 2:19.9; 2. Meredith Rizzo (Bx) 2:20.1; 3. Amber Goodspeed (Mid) 2:22.8; 1,500: 1. Delphi Cleaveland (A) 4:54.8; 2. Meredith Rizzo (Bx) 5:04.8; 3. Camryn Johnson (Mont) 5:16.0; 1,500 racewalk (non-scoring): 1. Kristi Licursi (Som) 7:41.3; 2. Maria Gorecki (Som) 7:42.4; 3. Rachel Deppa (SW) 7:54.2; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Amber Goodspeed (Mid) 7:26.3; 2. Olivia Beltrani (A) 7:31.6; 3. Sarah Marvin (Paw) 7:57.3; 3,000: 1. Isabella Burda (A) 10:23.3; 2. Emilie Hoffer (Bx) 10:36.3; 3. Camryn Johnson (Mont) 10:52.8; 400 hurdles: 1. Sarah Haley (Dov) 66.9; 2. Rebecca Harman (Lib) 69.2; 3. Weisbecker (RH) 70.6; 300 shuttle hurdles relay: 1. Tri-Valley (DiMilia, Tingley, Reynolds) 51.3; 2. Bronxville 53.1; 3. Liberty 54.1; 400 relay: 1. Port Jervis (Burke, Barbone, Green, Caesar) 53.3; 2. Liberty 53.7; 3. Eldred 54.6; 1,600 relay: 1. Bronxville (Campbell, Phillips, Rizzo, Rizzo) 4:16.3; 2. Arlington 4:23; 3. Rhinebeck 4:32.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Somers (Casey Spor, Jackie Krueger, Juliette Cooper, Sarah Corning) 10:00; 2. Bronxville 10:05.3; 3. Arlington 10:24.2; throwers relay (non-scoring): 1. (tie) Lourdes (Liporace, Cacioppo, Farrell, Castellano) and Pawling (Maguire, Ketchum, Owens) 60.5; 3. Red Hook; high jump: 1. Taylor Carlin (Spac) 4-10; 2. Brianna Clarke (A) 4-9; 3. Equasia Edwards (Eld) 4-6; long jump: 1. Erika Bowring (Eld) 15-10; 2. Mareena DiMilia (TV) 15-6.25; 3. Sam Mason (PP) 15-4.5; triple jump: 1. Bowring (Eld) 32-10.75; 2. Carmel Joseph (Dov) 32-2; 3. Kim Goldhirsch (RH) 32-0.5; shot put: 1. DiMilia (TV) 34-7; 2. Danielle Borriello (Ell) 33-4; 3. Dominique Darby (TV) 32-4.5; discus: 1. Darby (TV) 105-5; 2. Borriello (Ell) 104-1; 3. Sarah Coney (TV) 93-3; hammer: 1. Darby (TV) 127-0; 2. Borriello (Ell) 124-4; 3. Heidi Furman (TV) 119-8; javelin: 1. DiMilia (TV) 103-1; 2. Heidi Furman (TV) 88-5; 3. Brianna Scott (JIO) 86-10; pole vault: 1. Weisbecker (RH) 9-6; 2. Marissa Robbino (G) 9-6; 3. Amanda Bertholf (Lib) 8-0.
Outstanding track athlete: Amber Goodspeed (Middletown)
Outstanding field athlete: Dominique Darby (Tri-Valley) and Mareena DiMilia (Tri-Valley)
Results of the Tri-Valley Invitational courtesy of T-V scorekeeper Kevin Giroux.
This coming week Tri-Valley will host rival Sullivan West for Division IV supremacy. On April 28 the local schools will participate in the Monticello Games minus those boys who will be travelling to the Penn Relays.
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
Lens Scape
Fall Afternoon Whirlwind Tour Affords Glimpses Into Girls Tennis And Soccer
Girls Tennis: Liberty 4, Fallsburg 1
Girls Soccer: Fallsburg 5, Family 0; Liberty 2, Sullivan West 1
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
From hither to yon (Clockwise): Liberty's Anastasia Fitzpatrick prevailed over Fallsburg's Emily Cassidy in singles by the score of 6-4, 6-2. Sullivan West's Kassie Thelman vies for a ball with Liberty's Maria Cuellar. Fallsburg Coach Mike Gellar gives some sideline tips to his Lady Comets, Liberty's Nikole Snyder scores the game-tying goal in the second half. Fallsburg's Samantha Wiles had two goals in the Lady Comets 5-0 shutout of Family. Heidi Furman won her singles match 6-1, 6-0 over Liberty's Caity Robisch.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY—Cutting my teeth during my newspaper career as an award-winning sportswriter and photographer , I developed my skills in both disciplines. These days as an independent photojournalist and self-made entrepreneur, I still work at both.
But truth be told, my livelihood is far more dependent on my photograpic skills since this website is free reading. And while people tell me my writing style is unique and compelling, it doesn’t pay the bills.
Consequently, I have taken at times to alighting here and there to avail myself of more picture-takngc opportunities in lieu of always staying put for an entire game to “tell the story,” in my own inimitable way.
With so much happening concurrently on any particular day, were I to stay at one venue solely, I would find myself “missing out,” on things happening elsewhere. I understand the reality of being only one person. Problem is I have the ambition that would be better served by a legion of clones.
Starting out at Fallsburg for an opportunity to shoot both the Comets and visiting Liberty teams a bit, I quickly panned both teams as they volleyed. Tennis players love their sport and for the smaller schools, even being battered by behemoths like Minisink Valley, Cornwall and Washingtonville etc, it’s fun to get out on the court and work on your skills. Encouragment from Fallsburg Coach Janet Carey and Liberty’s Beth Quatrale makes for a valuable experience. Here are the results from the day’s match:
Singles: Heidi Furman (F) d. Caity Robisch 6-1, 6-0; Anastasia Fitzpatrick (L) d. Emily Cassidy 6-4, 6-2; Brittany Williams (L) d. Shannon Smith 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles: Magali Ramirez-Maria Symanski (L) d. Dominique Darby-Heather Schoenleber 6-2, 6-3; Cheyanne Holwell-Brandi Vankeuren (L) d. Selena Giron-Rachael Schmitt.
Lady Comets Get A “W” Versus Family
Chalking up their second win of the season, with the other coming against League rival Eldred, surely felt good for Coach Mike Gellar and his amiable and hard-working Lady Comets. Played on gray skies with rain looming, the Comets got going right away as Samantha Wiles scored on PK just a little over six minutes in.
Wiles would add another goal in Fallsburg’s unrelenting attack to go along with single strikes from Celia Garcia, Kali Seastrand and Kassie Foertsch. Assists came from Wiles, Garcia, Naomi Moody, Valentina Gonzalez and Foertsch. Fallsburg’s Brooke Rappaport recorded five saves as the Comets improved to 2-3.
The Rivalry Resumes As Liberty Comes From Behind For A Division IV Win Over Sullivan West
Face it, when it comes to girls soccer in Sullivan County, the rivalry between Liberty and Sullivan West is never-ending. During seasons too numerous to mention, they have split their season series and taken turns knocking each other out of playoff contention.
For the young Lady Westies who have to now step up following last year’s mass exit of talent due to graduation, this game on Liberty’s pitch was a chance to throw down the gauntlet and speedy Hannah Feinman wasted no time in doing just that as she scored on a breakaway in the game’s early minutes.
Physical play and unstoppable defense on energy led to a stalemate for the rest of the first half and nearly half of the second until Nikole Snyder picked up a ball from Lara Heslop and drove it by Westie keeper Jordan Parsons to tie it up at one.
Sullivan West had a couple of nice breakaways but Liberty backline defenders were able to turn the ball back up field. With Liberty now controlling the flow, you could sense something was going to give and it did.
Selena Vargas sent a perfect corner kick in front of the net and Zaira Pabon sent it home for the game-winner. Expect an intense rematch when the teams resume their kerfuffle on the Westies’ pitch in Jeffersonville later this season.
Justice Dingevan recorded ten saves for Liberty. Parsons had 12 and Cassidy Sauer who came in to replace Parsons who was banged up from the game-tying goal play had two saves.
Goalie saves: L – Justice Muniz 10; SW – Jordan Parsons 12; Cassidy Sauer 2.
Records: Liberty 2-2 (1-1 OCIAA); Sullivan West 3-3 (0-2 OCIAA).
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
The Great ‘C’-Scape
Tri-Valley Girls Capture Section Nine Class C Track Championship For Fifth Straight Year; Stars From Sullivan County Schools Shine Across The Spectrum Of The Storied Meet
Boys: 1. Pine Plains 149; 2. Tri-Valley 135; 3. Rhinebeck 103; 4. Sullivan West 100; 5. Liberty 93; 6. Fallsburg 64; 7. John S. Burke Catholic 35; 8. Millbrook 19; 9. Chester and James I.O’Neill 16.
Girls: 1. Tri-Valley 211; 2. Liberty 113; 3. Sullivan West 102; 4. Pine Plains 84; 5. James I. O’Neill 76; 6. Millbrook 49; 7. Rhinebeck 48; 8. John S. Burke Catholic 19; 9. Fallsburg 17.
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com Complete meet results: http://ny.milesplit.com/meets/94908/results/161508
Scenes from a Golden Day: Class C championship moments include (clockwise) Tri-Valley seventh grader Autumn Bender wins the 3000, Liberty's Jessica Dunnigan wins the 100. She came back to win the 200, the long jump and ran a leg in the winning 400 relay. Liberty's Kane Sauchuk wins the 400 hurdles.Tri-Valley's Hauk Boyes triumphs in the 3000 steeplechase. Sullivan West's Dani Myers wins the 2000 steeplechase. Tri-Valley's Kaitlynn Greffrath wins the high jump. Liberty's Erick Cuellar wins the 400 after taking the 100 and 200. He capped off the day by running a leg in the winning 1600 relay. Fallsburg's Michael Robinson won the triple jump. He is pictured here in the long jump. O'Neill's Megan Clark won the pole vault with a leap of 12-0.
KINGSTON, NY—The days of my epic stories are just about over as it seems I have to choose between being a photographer or a writer, especially when it comes to mega-events such as Section Nine track meets an overwhelming workload and the exigencies of Mother Nature which zapped my electricity and phone rendering my best of intentions useless.
Coming home with 531 photos in my camera and encountering a tornado-like storm that consigned me to a darkened isolation and then looking over the countless times, distances and places from the meet, much of which deserves major exposition by way of the stories I’ve written over the years, I threw my hands in the air and said, “I give up.”
Loading the photo album which appears on www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com took six hours alone and here I am sitting in an Internet Café with no power or phone at home and just unable to write the tale with the verve and acumen I’ve evinced since 2002. That includes what I wanted so much to say about the Class D victories by the Eldred boys and girls who grabbed the titles for the third straight year and to throw in a last kudos to the Monties from the Class A meet as well.
I hope to soon get a CD of photos from that marvelous Class D encounter and post them on my photo site in tribute to the Yellow Jackets whom I respect beyond words.
That the Tri-Valley girls claimed the Class C title for the fifth straight year came as no surprise to me. Deep and talented, the Lady Bears were unbeatable in my estimation but kudos to the T-V boys for their second place finish to Pine Plains. Liberty and Sullivan West girls put up an epic effort but T-V’s depth and talent is just beyond the pale.
The meteoric rise of T-V’s boys team continued. A sweep by the Bears of both genders is becoming more and more of an imminent possibility in the coming year.
Notable performances by individuals from Liberty, Sullivan West and Fallsburg were part of the fabric of the day. All I can do at this juncture is to reel off the list of winners. Swamped with work for school presentations next week (slide shows) and the specter of days without power, I’m cognizant of how abrupt this coverage is and how it shortchanges the kids whose names are not on this brief list. With scoring going to eight places, there are so many who deserve praise. The best I can do is to link the complete results so that you can see who did what.
The day had its share of epic performances including Jessica Dunnigan’s long jump of 17-8 1/4. Dunnigan’s day was golden to say the least with wins in the 100 (12.89), 200 and the anchor leg in the Lady Indians winning 400 relay (52.39).
Tri-Valley seventh grader Autumn Bender captured the 3000 (11:21.85) divesting Sullivan West’s Dani Myers of a chance to repeat as champ in the event. Bender attacked the race with a vengeance and took advantage of Myers’ slower start unlike the one the stalwart Lady Westie had used to run 11:04 in the OCIAA Championships. Myers found her grit later by winning the steeplechase as she kept T-V’s Caroline Bertholf from repeating in that regard.
T-V’s Hauk Boyes captured the 3000 steeplechase in 11:20.54. He is the first Bear to win the event since Travis Wolfe.
Imagine the surprise when it was announced that T-V’s Mareena DiMilia had made it to the finals in the 100 hurdles after missing her steps and tumbling to the track. DiMilia got right up and raced to the finish making the cut. Then in the finals she beat out SW’s Hannah Feinman to take third place. DiMilia was a stunning winner in the shot put besting teammates Dominique Darby and Heidi Furman. All of this in a spring when she divided her time between track and softball.
Liberty’s Erick Cuellar gave the Indians a vanload of points with a sweep of the 100, 200, 400 and a leg in the winning 1600 relay.
Here are the winners of Class C. (Since there are now Class B schools in Sullivan County I’m not writing about those schools, nor can I go into the fine efforts cashed in by Class C kids from schools outside of Sullivan County. I’ll make an exception for O’Neill’s Megan Clark who won the pole vault and the high hurdles.
A wonderful athlete and a charming person with exemplary skills and self-discipline, Clark embodies what I so love about high school athletics at its best. As Megan is moving to Georgia at the end of this school year, I want to take this opportunity to wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors. She will be greatly missed.
Here are the County Class C girls gold medalists: 100 Jessica Dunnigan (Liberty) 12.89; 200 Dunnigan 26.50; 3000 Autumn Bender (T-V) 11:21.85. 2000 Steeplechase Dani Myers (SW) 8:18.27; 400 Hurdles Rebeccah Harman (Liberty) 1:10.79; 400 Relay B (Liberty) 52.39 (Dunnigan, Lara Heslop, Amanda Bertholf and Nikole Snyder); 1600 Relay Sullivan West (4:28.27) Rianne Erlwein, Rosa Martinez, Laura Vennes and Kristina Sumfleth; High jump Kaitlynn Greffrath (T-V) 4-11; Long jump Dunnigan (L) 17-8 ¼ – A personal best leap for the state-bound Dunnigan whose jump meets the qualifying standard. Dunnigan is the reigning state champ in the 200. Triple jump Hannah Feinman (SW) 33-08.50; Shot put: Mareena DiMilia (T-V) 34-08-50; Discus Dominique Darby (T-V) 109-11; Javelin Heidi Furman (T-V) 84-07.
Sullivan County boys gold medalists: 100 Erick Cuellar (Liberty) 11:93; 200 Cuellar (L) 23.56; 400 Cuellar (L) 53.44; 400 Hurdles Kane Sauchuk (L) 51.89; 3000 Steeplechase Hauk Boyes T-V) 11:20.54; 400 Relay (SW) 47.31 Kyle Flynn, Sam Smith, Rob Feeney, Andy Kinch. 1600 Relay (L) 3:42.34 Cuellar, Dylan Blackwell, Raiquann Malloy and Sauchuk. Triple jump Michael Robinson (Fallsburg) 42-03-75; Shot put Brian Edwards (T-V) 41-10.50; Discus Edwards (T-V) 141-03. Javelin Chris Lockwood (L) 136-09.
* I Will come back and add pix and highlights from Eldred’s Class D boys and girls championships thanks to photos /notes from Tom Brucher. At this juncture I’m not quite sure when that will be included but it will get here eventually.
For an album of photos from the Section Nine Class B/C Championships and instructions on how to order reprints and other keepsakes, CLICK HERE: http://sportsinsights.smugmug.com/Sports/Section-Nine-Class-B-and-C
