Story by Jon Dinan
TENNIS
Coach: Urvashi Gupta
Record: 2-12.
Season Highlight: “Our No. 1 doubles team – seniors Virginia O'Rourke and Brooke Madnick played above and beyond expectations. They had a record of 10-4 and qualified for the OCIAA Tournament.”
Top Performers: “Our No. 2 singles player – sophomore, Heather Giza had a record of 8-6. She was the most improved player on the team. Giza and Chelsea Wayman (No. 1 singles) also entered the OCIAA tournament as a wild card doubles team.”
Coach’s Comments: “We had a challenging season. We had to forfeit our No. 3 doubles match for every contest due to a shortage of players. However we had a few highlights and personal accomplishments. We hope to attract more players to the team next year. Due to the fact that there are no tennis courts anywhere in the school district and very few tennis courts around the area, it is a challenge to promote this wonderful sport for a lifetime. A bigger challenge is that there is no indoor tennis facility within a radius of approximately 35 miles where introductory programs are offered for young kids.”

CROSS COUNTRY
Coach: Pete Wysochansky
Season Highlight: “Camryn Johnson qualifing for the state meet along with Brittney Rupp and Joe Klein's performances at the OCIAA Championships.
At the OCIAA Championships, where you run against everybody, the boys came in 16th and the girls came in 10th.”
Top Performers: (Boys) Juniors Joe Klein and Tyler Foxwell.
(Girls) Ninth graders Camryn and Sydney Johnson and senior Brittney Rupp were steady performers.”

VOLLEYBALL
Coach: Karen Atack
Record: 11-11
Season Highlight: “Making sectional play and winning the first game in sectionals after the storm was a major accomplishment.”
Top Performers: Yami Reyes, Shivina Patel, Shamira Moore.
Coach’s Comments: “Getting the most out of this year’s team potential is what coaching is all about.”

BOYS’ SOCCER
Coach: Bryan Astras
Record: 3-14-1
Season Highlight: “Winning the first game of the Monticello tournament was the high point of our season because it marked our first win in a year. Being a first year varsity coach it was very exciting for me as well as the players. Winning my first game was a big deal.”
Top Performers: “Senior Austin Colon was a four-year varsity player, played goal keeper his junior year. This year, he played sweeper and anchored our defense. He was a solid go-to player. His positive attitude, leadership and field presence will be missed.
“Senior Dennis Riveria was a two-year varsity player, played striker and was a key player on our offense. Dennis put his heart and soul into the team, getting hurt in the senior game and not being able to finish the session.”
Coach’s Comment: “Our season was better then one win two seasons ago and no wins last year. It's going to take some time to rebuild the Panthers into competing for a .500 record and qualifying for sectional play.
“We have a great group of kids in modified/JV. JV has two incredible players who will create and provide us with great offense.”

GIRLS’ SOCCER
Coach: Lou Velasco
Record: 9-8; 2-4 (league)
Season Highlight: “The fact that we made sectionals for the first time since the mid 1980s and finishing the season with a winning record.
Winning the inaugural Monticello Soccer Tournament, beating Liberty in the finals 4-3 in overtime.”
Top Performers: Jordan Fredell lead the team in goals with 15. Annie Purcell had 13 goals and lead the team in total points. Becky Mitchell lead the team with 11 assists.
Coach’s Comments: “With the help of my assistant Yasmin Hassan, we worked to change the way the girls played compared to year’s past. We wanted to focus on playing as a unit and supporting each other, both defensively and offensivly. Passing to feet and movement without the ball. Anticipate rather then react. The girls started to get it and as the season went on they played more as a team.
I was very happy with the play of freshmen, Mackenzie Mitchell, Alexandra Stant and Samantha Dorn. By mid-season they were starting and making big contrabutions to the team. They, along with sophmores, Brianna Bennett, Katie Purcell and Morgan Holloran, will be the core of the team for the next few years. Next year I will have only two seniors, Mara Resnick and Katrina Zicot. I will be looking to them to lead what will be a young team. “

FOOTBALL
Coach: Matt Buddenhagen
Record: 2-9; 1-4 (league)
Season Highlight: “After a tough year, winning our last game of the season! Sent the seniors out with a victory!
Top Performers: Jake McLaughlan LB/TE, Mistah Alli RB/DE, Mike Rogers WR/DB, John Harned QB/DB, Terry Duncan WR/DB. Ali and McLaughlan played in the Section IX Exceptional Senior Game.”
Coach’s Comments: “This was the toughest year in our program’s three-year history. We had a lot of various injuries before and during the season that limited ourprogress. Also, we had a lot of first year players at the varsity level that were starting. So, it took a while to get over the learning curve with the physicality and speed at the varsity level.”