Sullivan West Winter Sports Awards

A winter’s tale

Slides and awards celebrate Bulldogs’ magical middle season

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — March 14 was a night to remember, as Sullivan West parents, coaches, athletes and the community gathered to celebrate the highlights of the recently concluded winter season, the longest of the school’s sports seasons.

The evening afforded coaches a chance to extol the praises of their teams and certain outstanding athletes.

Beginning with a brief message about the importance of sports as a vehicle for self-discovery and growth, and a musical slide show that celebrated some of the iconic moments of this past winter sports season, this writer/photographer sought to encapsulate the Sullivan West winter sports season with an affirming presentation in words and images.

Then it was the coaches’ turn to call their athletes to the stage to receive well-deserved recognition. Each coach spoke about the season’s highlights before identifying two key athletes to receive trophies and special praise.

Tom Clifford, the Alpine ski coach selected Kenny Rhodes, Most Persevering Skier, and Stefan Levinson, Lowest Scoring Skier of the 2005-06 season. Other Alpine skiers included Matt DeCristofaro, Patrick Murphy, Adam Nebzydoski, Kellie Thlman, Tames Tyles, Justin Ziser and manager Victoria Tyles.

Co-cheerleading coaches J.P. Lang and Tara Brey then called up the varsity basketball cheerleaders. As Brey pointed out, “This year’s squad was young and had a lot to learn.” Zafatiima Rabil was selected as the team’s Most Improved Cheerleader and Dianna Scott won the Coaches Award. Other cheerleaders included Brittney Geiger, Brionna Lovgren, Ginger Pierce, Roxanne Pierce, Ashley Smith and Kaitlyn Wingert.

It was a trying season for the Sullivan West boys’ basketball team as described by head coach Rick Ellison. Finishing at 10-10, and making it to sectionals only to lose a heartbreaker to Burke, the team’s season was hampered by injuries to key players, including Derek Hahn and Kevin Cappiello. Ellison had special thanks for many people who helped out with the basketball program, and lauded the praises of those involved in the Town of Callicoon Youth Basketball program, including George Rose, Bob Menges, Cliff Kelly, Kurt Scheibe, Jill Grishaber and Meg Armstrong.

Ellison thanked seniors Brett Youmans, Kevin Brewer, Paul Pitz and Jonah LaGrutta. He cited Kienan Garn and Kevin Pinkel for their perfect attendance.

“Our defense gave up about 50 points per game,” Ellison said. With Hahn and Cappiello in the line up, we were 7-4; without them we went 3-6. Ellison was disappointed that the Bulldogs didn’t beat a Class A team this year.

Ellison noted that when Hahn got hurt, Alan Ackermann came up big. Ellison reminisced about Jason Leewe’s four three-pointers versus Fallsburg, and Pitz’s 32-point game versus Liberty, which was marked by a quintet of treys.

Kevin Brewer was the recipient of the Most Persevering Player award. Cappiello was designated as the team’s Most Valuable Player. Ellison referred to Cappiello as a player with “a high basketball IQ.” Cappiello was the team’s second leading scorer.

Other varsity basketball players included Ross Bernhardt, Ben Kleiner, Bryan Schmidt and managers Adam Kelly, Pete Kelly and Richard Lander.

Girls varsity basketball coach Ron Bernhardt fought back tears and emotion that still lingered from the team’s untimely defeat in the sectionals. Bernhardt described his team as being like no other he has ever coached. Marked by a run of 14 straight wins and two months without a loss, the season ended abruptly with a heart-wrenching 39-37 loss to Marlboro in the sectional semifinals.

Berhnardt described his team as “a masterpiece,” citing the girls’ chemistry, commitment and love of the game.

Reliving the ebb and flow of the last game was difficult for the coach, who described this as his toughest loss in 30 years. Bernhardt spoke of positives as well, including his team’s first-ever division title.

Bernhardt minced no words when it came to describing the efforts of his two seniors, April Ackermann and Kate Fanning. He characterized both as “tremendous leaders and kids who would do anything to make the team better.” Bernhardt described them as the team’s two most talented players.

Ackermann tallied 314 points and averaged 15.7 points per game. She had 209 rebounds and hit 78 percent of her free throws and shot 51 percent from the floor. She also had 40 assists.

Ackermann was selected as the Girls Varsity Basketball team’s Most Valuable Player.

Fanning showed her diversity in being able to play different positions. Bernhardt described her as a versatile defender. She scored 208 points and averaged 10.4 points-per-game. Fanning recorded 112 rebounds and 98 assists. Fanning was Bernhardt’s choice for Miss Basketball, 2005-06.

Fanning spoke about Bernhardt’s tireless commitment, which included countless hours of scouting, watching films, AAU, team camp and practice. “Thank you for helping us believe in ourselves,” said Fanning. She also extended thanks to Scheibe.

Both Ackermann and Fanning are Section 9 Class B All-Stars.

Other varsity players included Erin Bernhardt, Lauren Ellison, Rachel Houghtaling, Donna Kelly, Patti Knack, Sarah Lander, Stephanie Meyer, Jennifer Pitz and Jessica Pitz.

The team presented signed basketballs to both the Sullivan County Democrat and The River Reporter.

Girls indoor track coach George Shakelton alluded to the season as “low profile,” as compared to cross-country and outdoor track. That said, Shakelton talked about the highlights of the girls’ season. “We came in second to Tri-Valley at the Sullivan County Meet of Champions and had our best finish (third) in sectionals. We were only four points out of second and 22 points out of first. We had 18 points taken away for being disqualified in two events,” Shakelton said.

Milestones of the season included Jessica Wagner’s school record in the 1600 at 5:54 from the previous mark of 6:04. She also logged a 3:15 in the 1000 and a new record in the 400 with a time of 65.9, which broke Megan Mullally’s previous mark of 67.4.

Eleanor Bryan broke the school record in the 1500-meter race walk, with a mark of 8:43. Amanda Ward finished her 16th straight season with Shakelton. Ward recorded a 68.9 personal best in the 400 and 3:25 in the 1000.

Shakelton lauded seventh-grader Rianne Erlwein, who ran a 5:37 in the 1500 and broke the school’s seventh- and eighth-grade record.

Sara Alsdorf ran the 55-meter hurdles in 9.9 and Jessica Armstrong joined the school’s elite under-70 club for the quarter mile with her time of 69.3. Armstrong also ran a 1:52 in the 600. Brittany Reddish added her shot put ability to the team’s assets. She threw a 25-9 this season. Eighth-grader Morgan Hawkins ran the 55-meter hurdles in 10.7. Ashley Murphy covered the event in 10.0.

Shakelton named Chelsea Schadt as the Most Valuable Female Track Athlete. Schadt set an indoor school record for the 1500 with a time of 5:22 at the state qualifier.

Charlotte Peters was designated as the Most Improved Track Female.

Coach Ron Bauer was extremely pleased with the boys’ team efforts. The team garnered the Section 9, Class B championship and the Sullivan County Meet of Champions title. They earned 36 medals in the sectional meet and worked out a victory with their three back-to-back relays. Bauer cited the point-winning efforts of Colin Seidl, Donald Cooper, Mike VanWagenen, Jonathan Reynolds and the relay teams. Seidl set a school record in the 1600-meter with a time of 4:42.

Cooper was named as the Most Valuable Indoor Track Male and Seidl was chosen as the Most Improved Track Male.

Other track team members included Justin Alsdorf, Tara Brewer, Steve Daley, Eric Delaurncio, Mitch Ellmauer, Katie Fenshaw, Jonathon Figueroa, Patrick Knack, Charlie Kreitlow, Joe Layman, Matt Layman, Anthony Rasmussen and Will Schlott.

The evening concluded with thanks from Frankskevicz to the athletes, coaches, parents and the media.

Franskevicz closed the evening with thanks to the athletes, their parents, the coaches, the staff and the newspapers that covered the season’s sports stories.

For additional details, including comments about junior varsity sports and players and a photo album, visit riverreportersports.com.