TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Monticello senior Pollyanna Palhano, left, takes first place in the 100 hurdles with a time of 18.1. Palhano helped pace the Lady Panthers to a season-opening league win over John S. Burke with wins in the shot put (20-3¼) and the triple jump (29-1).

Track

Quick first step

Monticello track opens its season with boys and girls league wins over Burke

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY—When it comes to the fierce competition in Section Nine track and field, it’s a jungle out there. News travels fast in that dense place populated by swift runners, jumpers who soar through the air and throwers who heave objects with might and grace. This spring, teams will quickly learn to be wary of the wily Monticello Panthers, who can pounce on their prey and quickly subdue them.

When it comes to Panthers, males and females are equally dangerous.

To prevail in the predatory world of track and field, you need a quick first step, fast reflexes, stamina and will. Monticello showed it possesses such attributes as it hosted Burke for its season and league opener on April 3.

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Baseball

Dim Dawg debut

By RICHARD A. ROSS

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY—Confucius says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For Sullivan West (0-1), the first step of its 2008 baseball campaign was more akin to a trip, as it stumbled and fell behind early on its way to a shut out loss of 10-0 by Port Jervis (1-1). The Bulldogs never seemed to get on track.

With only a pair of scrimmages under its belt, Sullivan West’s lackluster opener could be chalked up to early-season kinks, first-game nerves or a combination of both. But Port Jervis’ fine play was the overriding factor.

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Soccer

Keeping on

By RICHARD A. ROSS

FLORIDA, NY—A time-tested adage is that you get what you pay for. While that precept may not always be true when it comes to paying too much for things that turn out to be of little value or, conversely, reaping great rewards from seemingly small investments, by and large the maxim is correct. To be successful in any field, one must work hard, make sacrifices and show great self-discipline and perseverance.

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Also in this issue:

• Ski slope scholars
• Wins, woes and whys?