TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Sullivan West’s Rianne Erlwein, left, edges out Tri-Valley’s Caroline Bertholf in the anchor leg of the day’s final race, the 1600 relay. The relay victory and a first- and third-place finish in the high jump gave the Lady Bulldogs a one-point win over Tri-Valley, whose girls teams had maintained a 129 division meet winning streak dating back to 1985.

Track

Breaking point

Lady Bulldogs’ one-point victory snaps Tri-Valley’s streak of 129 division wins; Bulldog boys complete Division IV sweep of Bears

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—With eyes riveted on the track, athletes and coaches from Division IV rivals Tri-Valley and Sullivan West watched as the day’s final event, the girls 1600 relay, unfolded on April 16.

Just moments before, Tri-Valley shot putters had ecstatically reported that they had swept the event to pick up nine critical points in a meet that had been too close to call all day. But the coaches knew that when it comes to close track meets, it’s not over until all the points are figured in. The results from the high jump were still not tallied and there was no doubt that the outcome of the 4x400 relay would be crucial to the final outcome.

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Softball

Pick up sticks

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Tri-Valley softball coach Mary Feusner has been waiting for her team to break out their sticks. After registering only one hit against Chester and six against Tuxedo in the team’s two recent losses, Feusner finally got to see the potential she knew was there, and then some, on April 18 as the Lady Bears routed Eldred.

For the first four innings, the two teams battled in a close game as Eldred hurler Rachel Smith and Anni Hartman for Tri-Valley kept their opponents mostly in check.

And then it happened.

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Baseball

Enduring memories

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY—While some memories fade with time, those associated with people and events that make us feel valued and worthy stay fresh in our minds.

For those who had the privilege of knowing John Spear, most significantly his beloved family members, colleagues and the legions of baseball players that put on the Monticello uniform and called him coach, cherished memories of times with Spear remain fresh and vital and are likely to endure for the rest of their lives.

Spear left this world on January 20, 2007, but his legacy shines on brightly.

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Also in this issue:

• Quiet hijinks on the links