Awards

Bears’ affair

Tri-Valley lauds its spring athletes at awards ceremony

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — By defending its Class C boys and girls track and field championships, Tri-Valley kept itself in the forefront of local athletics this spring. Its golf team came in second in Division IV and its baseball team witnessed the pitching of a perfect game by Bo Murphy. The softball team won its fourth straight SCSO tourney title. Two golfers, David McDonald and John Bernstein, qualified for the Section Nine championships and a number of Tri-Valley track and field athletes qualified for states and nationals.

Behind such outstanding achievements, it would be safe to say that this spring was a successful one.

While hopes for reaching sectionals in baseball and softball fell short, there was much to be proud of, all of which made for a congratulatory outpouring of praise and gratitude at the Spring Sports Awards Ceremony held in the school’s theatre on June 11.

Because of a late change of date, this writer was unable to attend but his musical slide show, which chronicled the spring season and highlighted seniors who have done so much for Bears athletics, capped off the evening of awards.

Much has been written about the spring exploits of the Bears, particularly in track and field. Courtney Roosa, who is returning to the nationals in Greensboro, NC to compete in the steeplechase, was named a co-MVP for track along with Tehnyat Kahn, who won the Section Nine titles in the discus and shot put. Garrett Grey, the winner of this year’s Thrower’s Pentathlon and the Section Nine champion in the discus, was named as an MVP for track along with teammate Tanzeel Khan. Both competed at states where Tanzeel Khan took second in the Division II shot put with a throw of 52-7.25. Grey is on to the nationals to compete in the hammer and javelin. Coach Joe Iatauro also named distance runner Nick Denman as a track MVP.

Emma Tingley, this year’s Section Nine champion in the 400 and a state qualifier, was named as one of two Most Improved Players in girls track. Caroline Bertholf, whose meteoric rise in distance running and steeplechase bodes well for next year’s title defense, was the other MIP. Hurdler Casey Offringa received the Coach’s Award. Bob Fiedler, who qualified for nationals with his throw of 175 in the hammer, was named as the MIP in boys track along with rising steeplechase contender Jeremy Kinney.

In baseball, coach John Rusin named Andrew Yager as the team MVP and Outstanding Player of the Year. Yager excelled at the plate, in the field and in his stints on the mound. Matt Garigliano was chosen as the team’s MIP. Bo Murphy won the Outstanding Defensive Player/Pitcher Award. His perfect game was the sixth on record in the archives of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).

Kaylie Ackerley was the softball MVP along with Amanda Martin. Erica Costa and Addie Frost won the nod as the softball team’s MIPs.

John Bernstein was designated as the Best Golfer of 2008. Weston Curry won the MIP honors, while David McDonald and John Benevides were selected for the Coach’s Award.

At the senior night awards ceremony held on June 16, Ackerley and Roosa were named the Outstanding Female Athletes of the Year. Grey and Murphy were named the Outstanding Male Athletes of the Year. Ed Bonnell received the Male Perseverance trophy and Jennifer Watson was awarded the Female Perseverance plaque. Casey Offringa won a trophy for the Senior Female Sportsmanship while Dave McDonald won the Male Sportsmanship trophy. A plaque was given to Bo Murphy commemorating his perfect game with the inscription, “In Recognition of the Unprecedented Accomplishment of Playing and Winning a Perfect Game on April 10, 2000 by the Tri-Valley Baseball Team vs. Chapel Field, Score 5-0.” Murphy’s pitching stats and the names of the players and coach appear on the plaque as well.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of awards ceremony photos.