By Rob Potter
LAKE HUNTINGTON — March 19, 2010 — The entire Sullivan West Central School community gathered in the auditorium of the SW High School in Lake Huntington on Wednesday night to recognize the dozens of student-athletes who competed for the Bulldog and Lady Bulldog teams during the recently completed 2009-2010 winter sports season.
SW High School Principal Margy Tenbus welcomed everyone to the presentation.
“This is when we honor our student-athletes for all of their hard work and dedication,” Tenbus said. “The winter sports season is a long one. These young athletes start working hard in November and continue until the end of February or early March.”
Following a powerpoint presentation by Richard Ross of sportsinsightsny.com and a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Catherine Peters, SW Athletic Director Dave Franskevicz introduced all of the coaches sitting on the stage.
Alpine Ski Team Coach Lionel Billard then called all of the team members up on the stage.
“The Sullivan West alpine ski team had a very memorable season,” Billard said.
Billard explained that the ski team competed in Section IX Division I this season. The team faced schools of all sizes, not just other Class B schools.
Billard and Assistant Coach John McCormack then presented four special awards. Kendall Menges received the Lowest Scoring Female Skier Award. Kassie Thelman, who came back after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during the 2008-2009 season, earned the Perseverance Award.
For the boys’ team, Drew Billard received the Lowest Scoring Skier Award and Mark Michel was named the Most Improved Skier.
The members of the boys’ alpine ski team included Jonah Bauer, Drew Billard, Zackary Keller, Connor Lovgren, Eric Lovgren, Richard Meihofer and Mark Michel.
The members of the girls’ alpine ski team included Kendall Menges and Kassie Thelman.
On behalf of Junior Varsity Basketball Cheerleading Coach Nina Verderber, Varsity Basketball Cheerleading Coach Tara Brey thanked all of the girls for a great season.
“They were one of the most enthusiastic squads I have ever coached,” Brey said.
Brey then announced that Ashley Sattler was the recipient of the Most Improved Cheerleading Award and Heather Puerschner was the winner of the Coaches Award.
The members of the JV Basketball Cheerleading team are Nicole Brennan, Shauna Buddenhagen, Paige Russell, Samantha Spangler, Deshjamber Stewart, Haley Taylor, Sarah Washingston and Kimberly Verderber (Manager).
The members of the Varsity Basketball Cheerleading team include Heather Boyd, Irene Lagrutta, Taylor Murphy, Olivia Naclerio, Heather Puerschner, Ashley Sattler and Kimberly Verderber (Manager).
Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Bruce Nober read some remarks about the JV Boys’ Basketball team on behalf of Coach Evan Kraack, who was unable to attend the ceremony. In those remarks, Kraack noted that the Bulldogs played many tough teams this season. Highlights of the season included a 50-49 win over S.S. Seward and losing five games by 10 points or less.
Members of the JV Boys’ Basketball team included Shawn Bailey, John Dailey, Sawyer Erlwein, Joseph Flora, Brad Hemmer, Scott Herbert, Ben Kline, Donald Klinger, Edward Magilton, Matt Pitz and Greg Stevenson.
Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Cliff Kelly said that with only one returning player, he knew his team was in for a rebuilding season. But he was proud of his players and their accomplishments.
“The kids were in the gym working hard every day,” Kelly said. “They played with a lot of heart and never quit.”
Michael Durkin earned the Coaches Trophy and R.J. Rosa received the Most Outstanding Player award.
Members of the team included Lucas Bauer, Erik Burton, Michael Durkin, Chris Ellison, E.J. Franskevicz, Andy Kinch, Alex Manzi, John Masten and R.J. Rosa.
JV Girls’ Basketball Coach Brad Molusky noted that “these girls played hard all season and they worked to get better.”
Members of the team included Christine Brunetti, Taylor Chambers, Stephanie Hauschild, Melissa Pitz, Erika Schmidt, Hannah Schwatz, Kristina Schwatz, Stephanie Smith, Erika Stauch, Kaitlyn Taylor and Barbara Whittaker.
Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach Pat Donovan congratulated his team on a great season and qualifying for the Section IX tournament.
“The girls also learned that there is time to give back to the community,” Donovan said. “They organized the Pink Out benefit game against Tri-Valley and the gym was packed for the game. The game raised $2,000 for the Catskill Regional Medical Center Oncology Unit.”
Donovan presented the Most Improved Player award to Gabrielle Humleker and the “General” Award to Katrina Graby.
Boys’ Indoor Track Coach Ron Bauer noted that “we had a young team this season.
“These guys made a great effort and had great improvement,” he added.
Bauer presented the Most Improved Track Athlete award to Reed Scott and the Most Improved Field Athlete award to Todd Roeder.
Members of the team included Mason Berrian, Angelo Bibbo, Christian Calvo, Max Carmack, Austin Erlwein, Kyle Flynn, Shaughn Goggin, Johnathon Haff, Corey Maloney, Chris Murphy, Jimmy O’Connor, Andrew Parsons, Blain Reddish, Todd Roeder, Reed Scott, Michael Sheldon, Sam Smith and Mark Tesseyman.
In addition, Chance Bibbo and Travis Roeder joined the team for exhibition events.
Girls’ Indoor Track Coach George Shakelton said that the Lady Bulldogs had a “high quality team.” Among the season highlights were the team earning a cumulative grade point average of 92 to qualify as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Team and Rachel Deppa setting a school record time of 7 minutes, 46 seconds in the 1,500-meter racewalk to become the school’s first representative at the NYSPHSAA Indoor Track Championship.
Shakelton presented the Most Dedicated Winter Indoor Track and Field Athlete Award to Hannah Feinman and the Most Valuable Winter Indoor Track and Field Athlete Award to Rachel Deppa.
Members of the team included Kendra Barker, Rachel Deppa, Rebecca Deppa, Katey Dnistrian, Rianne Erlwein, Hannah Feinman, Morgan Hawkins, Kathryn Manzi, Brittany Milk, Danielle Myers, Stephany Robison, Amanda Rosenberger, Alika Simon and Kristina Sumfleth.