Sullivan West sports awards

Another chapter ends, but the great story continues

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — As the images of this past winter’s sports season flashed across the screen at the Sullivan West High School winter sports awards presentation on March 10, the inexorable passage of time seemed to be momentarily halted.

Photographs can do that; they can freeze and preserve images that remind us of the way things were.

Those memories of this past winter season comprise a chapter in the lives of the student athletes, their families, coaches and the school itself. The Sullivan West winter sports awards presentation provided closure to the season by recapping the noteworthy efforts of the athletes of indoor track, basketball and cheerleading.

Superintendent Alan Derry’s opening remarks characterized the athletes’ endeavors as valuable indicators of their potential future success in life. While he stressed the importance of looking back and celebrating the triumphs of this past season, he noted that students’ endeavors, were helping to mold the kind of people they were apt to become in the future.

“Life at school defines you and challenges you to consider the kind of person you will be for the rest of your life,” Derry said.

“Excellence is not about getting all A’s or winning all of your games; it’s about trying your hardest all of the time,” he added.

As any observer of Sullivan West’s teams knows, a great effort was a hallmark of this past season.

High School Principal Margy Tenbus noted that student success in academics was a prerequisite for student athletic participation. After an introduction from athletic director Dave Franskevicz, each coach came forward to laud his team’s efforts and to present awards to the most outstanding participants.

Indoor track girls’ coach George Shakelton cited the Sullivan County championship meet as the season’s highlight. The Bulldogs took second place, beating out Ellenville, Eldred, Monticello and Liberty. Though the team was beaten by Tri-Valley, Sullivan West’s 4x800 team, consisting of Chelsea Schadt, Eleanor Bryan, Charlotte Peters and Jessica Armstrong, took first. Jessica Wagner scored a perfect 30 points by winning the 300 (47.5), the 600 (1:47.5) and the 1000 (3:19). Shakelton bemoaned the cancellation of sectionals but noted that the 4x800 team of Wagner, Bryan, Schadt and Armstrong made it to the state qualifier. Wagner also qualified in the 600 and the 1000. The Most Improved Winter Indoor Track Female award went to Chelsea Schadt. Jessica Wagner was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Winter Indoor Female.

Boys coach Ron Bauer noted the difficult level of competition but added, “Life is competitive.” Bauer extolled the efforts of Joe Layman, Matt Layman, Will O’Brien, Justin Alsdorf, Will Schlott and Steve Daley. Mike VanWagenen came in third in the Suffern Invitational and won the 3200 at the Sullivan County Championships. He was second in the 1600 and third in the 1000. At the state qualifier, VanWagenen was fourth among all schools in the 3200. Matt Layman was named Most Improved Winter Indoor Male and Mike VanWagenen was selected as the Most Valuable Winter Indoor Male.

Junior varsity girls’ basketball coach Kevin Kurcoba spoke eloquently about his team’s efforts. Their record was 10-9.

Varsity girls’ basketball coach Ron Bernhardt overflowed with praise for his 15-7 Lady Bulldogs, stressing his team’s cohesiveness and “sense of family.” Bernhardt characterized this past season as “nothing short of magical.” Though the team lost six seniors last year to graduation and had to deal with the early graduation of another, the roster was filled out in more than just numbers by bringing up the Pitz girls (Jessica and Jennifer) and Karry Johnston. Bernhardt’s mantra to “act as champions” and the emphasis on “team play” became the hallmarks of a team that just wouldn’t quit, even in the face of great adversity. Citing the team’s evolution from summer league through the season, Bernhardt noted how the team coalesced by February. “They were awesome,” he concluded. Though they struggled against Class A Cornwall and Class B John S. Burke Catholic, the team’s record against all other comers was stellar. Kate Fanning was selected as the team’s Best Defensive Player and Heather Lander was named as Miss Basketball 2004-2005.

Varsity basketball cheerleading coach J.P. Lang introduced his spirited team.Seniors Heather Gorr, Rebekah Peters and Tracy Henry thanked him and the team for a memorable season. Ginger Pierce was cited as the team’s Most Improved Basketball Cheerleader and Rebekah Peters was named as the team’s Most Valuable Basketball Cheerleader.

Junior varsity basketball coach George Rose thanked the team’s enthusiastic fans. Rose paid homage to his team’s effort and their near vanquishing of Burke.

Varsity head coach Rick Ellison capped off the evening with his remarks about the Section 9 Class B runner Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were led by a core of special seniors. Ellison characterized Joe Winski, a three-year veteran, as “a model student athlete and a great floor leader.”

Sean Semenetz was cast as “the vocal part of the co-captains who played any position.” Three-year veteran Semenetz was commended for his enthusiasm and drive.

Joe Meyer, the “non-vocal co-captain” and “the guy you wanted to have the last shot,” was cited by Ellison as a person who “led by example.”

Sean Kelly’s two years as a Bulldog were marked by an offensive onslaught. Kelly netted 700 points during his Bulldog tenure.

Ellison referred to John Nober as a “solid contributor and a very unselfish player.” He cited Andre Trujillo for “the difficult transition from being a star in football to a role player in basketball. He’s a class act and a tremendous athlete.”

Finally, Ellison praised Justin Polizzi for his perseverance demonstrated by his repeated efforts to make the team. “This year he made it,” smiled Ellison.

Kelly was selected as the team’s Best Offensive Player and Semenetz was chosen as the team’s Most Versatile Player.

The team presented this reporter with a special tribute. Ellison spoke of the excellent coverage and the team made a presentation of a signed basketball by the team as a token of their appreciation.

Note: Copies of the Winter Sports CD are available from The River Reporter. The CD contains the slide show and folders of pictures taken during the past season. Contact the newspaper at 845/252-7414 to order one.