Democrat File Photo Remember him? While now playing as a Wichita Shocker, Cleanthony Early made a name on the court for himself at Sullivan County Community College.

2013 - The Year in Review

Staff Report
SULLIVAN COUNTY — January 3, 2014 — A month-by-month look back at the Sullivan County sports scene in 2013 as reported and photographed by the Democrat.

JANUARY – Tri-Valley point guard Katlynn Greffrath, left, set a new Tri-Valley record with seven three-pointers in a game against Tuxedo. The previous mark was held by Amanda Krum, right, who in 2004 scored six three-pointers.

FEBRUARY – Following several months of renovations which turned the former Eckerd Drug Store at 187 Mill Street into Sullivan County’s newest 12-lane bowling center, the new Liberty Lanes officially opened for business.

MARCH – SUNY Sullivan graduate Cleanthony Early leads the unheralded Wichita Shockers to the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament.

APRIL – Two local runners, Rianne Erlwein and Paul Matwiaw ran in the Boston Marathon, which was tragically sabotaged by multiple bombings. Erlwein finished the race before the explosions and received her completion medal, but Matwiow was forced to stop about a mile from the finish. He was later able to obtain his medal.

MAY – Tracy’s Song wins her 16th consecutive race at Monticello Raceway, breaking the track record of 15 set by Northern Chief in 2010. She would go on to win 18 straight before losing at Tioga Downs.

JUNE – SUNY Sullivan hires Division 1 assistant Brent Wilson as the new men’s basketball coach. He replaces Kevin DeVantier who left to take a Division 1 assistant’s job himself at Norfolk State.

JULY – William Parker, Jr. becomes only the seventh driver in harness racing history to win 11,000 races when he steers home Topgun Raider in the final race on July 16 at Monticello Raceway.

AUGUST – Arthur and Josh Goldstein become the first father and son team to win the Democrat Golf Tournament, outlasting defending champions Drew Billard and Ken Cohen in an epic 23-hole final.

SEPTEMBER – For the first time in nearly 40 years, a Tri-Valley cross country season started without Missy or Joe Iatauro coaching. The two retired in June after building a running dynasty at the Grahamsville school.

OCTOBER – Sullivan West girls’ cross country team defeats Tri-Valley for the first time ever at Grahamsville. A one-two-three finish by Courtney Meyerer, Kelsey Dutton and Corrine VanWagner sparked the historic victory.

NOVEMBER – Eldred’s girls’ soccer team advances to the state Final Four after defeating St. Johnsville 2-1 on a goal by Jordan Lepes with just 17 seconds remaining in the regional final.

DECEMBER – Jeff Smith of Lake Ariel, PA, a 21-year old college student at Misericordia University, wins the 40th Annual Democrat Big Buck Contest with a score of 87.75, the second highest total in contest history.