By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — June 11, 2010 — Parents, community members, administrators and staff members joined coaches in congratulating the Roscoe Central School student-athletes who competed for a sports team this spring on Wednesday night as the school held its Spring Sports Awards Night.
The program took place in the cafeteria and everyone was able enjoy vanilla ice cream with a variety of toppings, coffee and punch before the ceremony began.
“Thank you all for this wonderful turnout,” Principal Tammy Mangus said in her opening remarks. “Tonight, the community comes out to help us recognize and honor our athletes. Coaches and parents, you deserve to be congratulated along with the athletes.”
Athletic Director Fred Ahart noted that the evening would include some other awards as well as those specifically for the spring sports season.
When it was their turn in the program, each coach invited the members of their team to join them on stage. The coach then took a few minutes to talk about the team’s recently completed season and presented certificates to the members of the team. In addition, the coaches presented trophies to the seniors on their teams.
Varsity boys’ golf Coach Cheryl Bowers was the first coach to speak.
“All of you guys were very dedicated to the team,” Bowers said. “You always showed up for practice, you didn’t let each other down and when you were golfing in a match you always did your best. This year, we really gave it our all.”
The members of the varsity boys’ golf team included: William Browne, Michael Failla, Richard Gray, Philip Guzzo, Jesse Huggins, Calvin Mangus, Zachory Park, Kade Williams-Verona and Ryan Wood.
Varsity girls’ golf Coach Rebecca Ackerly noted that her team had three wins this season and, like the boys’ team, the members of the girls’ team always did their best.
“We will be losing one golfer who will be graduating, but the other girls should be back next year,” Ackerly said. “Hopefully, we can improve on those three wins and have five or six wins.”
The members of the varsity girls’ golf team included: Samantha Bingay, Alexandra Bishop, Kiera Browne, Mollie Browne, Emily Fassberger, Martha Fassberger and Amanda Huggins.
Modified girls’ softball Coach Jessica Gonzalez thanked several people for helping her guide the team. She noted the contributions of volunteer Gene Smith, parents Kelly Bullis and Leslie Cox and Samantha Molinari.
“I am very proud of these girls” Gonzalez said. “They put everything they had into playing the game.”
The members of the modified girls’ baseball team included: Callie Bullis, Ashley Cox, Kimberlie Dusseldorp, Alyssa Edelglass, Morgan Edelglass, Victoria Rose Madera, Christine McKee, Samantha Molinari, Maria Muller, Heather Mustavs, Sydney Portz, Toni Portz and Emma Wegener.
Junior varsity boys’ baseball Coach Brian Smith was very pleased with how his team progressed this spring.
“This team improved more than more during the season than any team I have ever coached,” Smith said. “This is the 15th season I have coached here at Roscoe and these guys definitely improved the most. From the first day of practice to the last day of the season, the improvement was amazing.”
Smith noted that the Blue Devils went from not getting a hit in their season opener to posting a .300-plus batting average in their last four games.
Smith thanked Assistant Coach Brenden Hendrickson and equipment manager Anthony Morgano for all of their help this season.
The members of the JV boys’ baseball team included: Mark Baker, John Becker, Nathan Brock, William Brosius, Evan Chesney, Bradley Dreher, Joseph Kessler, Cody Lundeen, Tyler Melvin, Harrison Muller and Robert Taurino.
Ahart noted that an arrangement was made with the Liberty Central School District this spring to allow some Roscoe athletes to play on Liberty teams. Adam Hendrix played on the Liberty varsity baseball team, while Paige Clancy, Taylor DeVantier and Angelique Feeney played on the Liberty varsity softball team.
“I would like to thank everyone here at Roscoe and Athletic Director Jason Semo and everyone at Liberty who helped make this possible,” Ahart said. “The kids did a great job. Taylor DeVantier was the MVP of the Liberty softball team and Adam Hendrix was the top offensive player for the Liberty baseball team.”
Ahart then presented cumulative letter awards to several athletes.
Roberto Taurino received his first junior varsity letter, while John Becker, Callie Bullis, Richard Gray, Brittany Klinger, Jenna Lambrigger, Michael Lundeen, Christina Maliarkis, Toni Portz and Cassandra Tutalo received their first varsity letter.
Athletes who received a varsity jacket for earning at least six varsity letters were: Alexandra Bishop, Nathan Brock, William Browne, Adam Hendrix and Amanda Huggins.
Nathan Brock, Kiera Browne, William Browne and Abigail Dusseldorp each received a Blue Devil Award for earning at least eight varsity letters.
Paige Clancy, Taylor DeVantier and Angelique Feeney all received trophies for earning at least 10 varsity letters.
Ahart then noted that some of the athletes had received additional honors and awards.
Abigail Dusseldorp and Russell Mootz received the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award.
Kiera Browne and Paige Clancy were named to the Section IX Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association Class D Team.
Adam Hendrix and Russell Mootz were named to the 2009 Sullivan County Democrat Football All-Star Team.
Kiera Browne and Paige Clancy were named to the 2009 Sullivan County Democrat Girls’ Soccer All-Star Team.
“I thank everyone who helped with our athletic program this year,” Ahart said in his closing remarks. “We are one of the smallest schools that plays sports. Congratulations to all of the athletes, especially the seniors. They will be missed next year.
“I also want to thank my wife, Mrs. [Becky] Ahart, for all of her assistance with the program,” Fred Ahart added.