By Rob Potter
LAKE HUNTINGTON — June 19, 2007 — The Sullivan West Central School district honored dozens of spring athletes as well as several senior athletes with special awards at a ceremony last Wednesday night in the high school auditorium.
In their welcoming remarks, both SW Superintendent Alan Derry and SW High School Principal Margaret Tenbus praised all of the junior varsity and varsity athletes who competed this spring. Derry and Tenbus also congratulated the senior Bulldog and Lady Bulldog athletes who will be graduating this Saturday, June 23.
Derry, who will be retiring from a 39-year career in the field of education at the end of this month, reminded the seniors of the numerous lifelong lessons and values that can be learned from participating in high school athletics.
“You are indeed a special group,” Derry said. “We celebrate your success and excellence. You have made school a great and worthwhile place because of your efforts.”
Near the end of the program, SW Athletic Director David Franskevicz reminded the athletes, coaches, parents, family members and friends in attendance of how special the 2006-2007 year was for the SW athletic program. During this academic year, seven SW teams qualified for Section IX tournaments or championship events and six of those teams won sectional titles.
The athletes and coaches honored throughout the ceremony were as follows:
Junior Varsity Softball (Coach Billy Smith, Assistant Coach John Reggero): Autumn Ackermann, Vicky Argueta, Katlyn Berrian, Juliet Corcillo, Angela DiSanto, Katerina Gaebel, Alessandra Imbesi, Brianna Kline, Danielle Meyer, Janine Neumann, Kayla Olsen, Morgan Pretty, LeeAnn Rhodes, Courtney Schadt, Joanna Trujillo and Ruby Wheaton.
Varsity Softball (Coach Mike Ellmauer, Assistant Coach J.P. Lang, Volunteer Assistant Coach Ken Uy): Lindsey Bauer, Colleen Chudik, Caralynn Davies, Morgan Edwards, Lizzy Ferber, Rachel Gruenke, Rachel Houghtaling, Sarah Lander, Stephanie Meyer, Kristen Niemann, Ginger Pierce, Jennifer Pitz, Jessica Pitz and Julianne Reggero.
Miss Softball – Jessica Pitz; Golden Glove Award – Stephanie Meyer
Junior Varsity Baseball (Coach Tom Scardino, Volunteer Assistant Coach Lionel Billard): Ryan Alsdorf, Lucas Bauer, Brice Billard, Erik Burton, Kevin Lupardo, Kevin Nicoletti, Michael Pierce, Mike Pomes, Robert Rosa, Harold Smith, Steven Steffens, Shawn Taylor and Justin Zaccari.
Varsity Baseball (Coach Kurt Scheibe Jr., Assistant Coach Anthony Durkin, Assistant Volunteer Coach Pat Donovan, Assistant Volunteer Coach Jim O’Connor, Managers Sawyer Erlwein, Ryan Michel, Zach O’Connor): Jesse Fadis, Chris Freebes, Logan Grishaber, Stephan Levinson, Gregory MacArthur, Eric Minton, Jim Moloney, Garrett Owen, Gaston Owen, Bradley Reimer, Austin Sauer, Chris Story and Mark Tesseyman.
Most Improved Player – Mark Tesseyman; Most Valuable Defensive Player – Logan Grishaber
Varsity Girls’ Golf (Coach Jeff Molusky): Rachel Dickey, Lauren Ellison, Jillian Fife, Jennifer Russell and Claire Stabbert.
Most Improved Golfer – Jillian Fife; Most Valuable Golfer – Lauren Ellison
Varsity Boys’ Golf (Coach Bob Fife): Justin Armstrong, Noah Barker, Kyle Barrett, Ross Bernhardt, Michael Bingay, Kevin Correa, Jamie Davis, Michael Hahn, Cody Keesler, Ben Kleiner, Melanie Kleiner, Jason Leewe, Arthur Norden, Brandon Peters, Bret Reimer, Kenneth Rhodes, Bryan Schmidt, Michael Schmidt and James Spruill.
Lowest Match Play (33)– Justin Armstrong; Senior Golf MVP – Ben Kleiner
Varsity Girls’ Track (Coach George Shakelton, Assistant Coach Joe Seidl): Sara Alsdorf, Jessica Armstrong, Kendra Barker, Tara Brewer, Katey Dnistrian, Rianne Erlwein, Morgan Hawkins, Meghan Lowe, Kathryn Manzi, Jamie Moran, Ashley Murphy, Lindsey Murphy, Kasi Pilney, Brittany Reddish, Stephany Robison and Chelsie Schadt.
Most Improved Track and Field – Chelsie Schadt; Most Valuable Track and Field – Sara Alsdorf
Varsity Boys’ Track (Coach Ron Bauer, Assistant Coach Joe Seidl): Alan Ackermann, Justin Alsdorf, Russell Bryan, Donald Cooper, Brett Cucci, Eric DeLaurencio, Mitch Ellmauer, Austin Erlwein, Rich Feeney, Dan Figueroa, Jonathan Figueroa, Kyle Flynn, Patrick Knack, Matthew Layman, Chris Murphy, Kevin Pinkel, Michael Sandler, Vaughn Schlott, Will Schlott, Colin Seidl, Michael Sheldon, Luke Tonjes, James Tyles and Chris Wagner
Most Valuable Track Athlete – Donald Cooper; Most Valuable Field Athlete – Alan Ackermann
Sullivan West Coaches Award (presented to an outstanding graduating male athlete and an outstanding female athlete who have exemplified the ideals, standards and personal discipline which is needed to succeed in varsity athletics and life): Ginger Pierce and Kevin Cappiello
Milt Gaebel Awards (Created in 1995-1996 school year in the past Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School District to honor Milt Gaebel, whose philosophy was “ if what you are doing is worth doing, you need to give at least 100 percent.”): Jessica Pitz and Garrett Owen
Most Valuable Senior Athletes (After an extensive points system was applied, a group of “most valuable” athletes emerged from the senior class and the award winner was selected from that group): Female Select Senior Athlete Finalists – Jessica Armstrong (soccer, softball, track, golf, winter track 2001-2007); Tara Brewer (softball, soccer, track, winter track 2001-2007); Lauren Ellison (softball, soccer, golf, basketball 2001-2007); Donna Kelly (basketball, soccer, softball, 2001-2007); Patti Knack (basketball, soccer, golf 2001-2007); Ashley Murphy (basketball, track, cross country, winter track 2001-2007); Ginger Pierce (softball, football cheerleading, soccer, basketball cheerleading 2001-2007); Jessica Pitz (basketball, soccer, softball 2001-2007).
2006-2007 Female Most Valuable Senior Athlete – Donna Kelly
Male Select Senior Athlete Finalists: Alan Ackermann (basketball, football, track 2001-2007); Justin Alsdorf (football, track, golf, winter track 2001-2007); Ross Bernhardt (basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, winter track 2001-2007); Kevin Cappiello (basketball, soccer 2001-2007); Brett Cucci (cross country, football, track, winter track 2001-2007); Jonathon Figueroa (football, track, winter track 2001-2007); Kienan Garn (basketball, track, soccer, golf 2001-2007); Patrick Knack (track, football, winter track 2001-2007); Garrett Owen (baseball, basketball, soccer 2001-2007); Kevin Pinkel (track, basketball, soccer 2001-2007); Kenny Rhodes (cross country, golf, skiing 2001-2007); Bryan Schmidt (basketball, baseball, football, golf 2001-2007).
2006-2007 Male Most Valuable Senior Athlete – Alan Ackermann
Billy Moran Scholarship Award: William “Billy” Moran, a 1980 Delaware Valley Central School graduate who was an outstanding student and athlete, died in April 1981 after being struck by a drunk driver in Florida. In an effort to keep Billy’s spirit alive, his family and friends established the “Billy Moran Scholarship” in his memory. The criteria for earning the scholarship includes taking a strong academic course load, receiving high grades, participating and excelling in varsity level sports as well as citizenship and community involvement.
Brent Rosenberger, a good friend of Billy’s, presented the $2,500 scholarship award to Kienan Garn.
Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Scholar Athletes: Jessica Armstrong, Ross Bernhardt.