Awards

Comets’ tale

Fallsburg celebrates its athletes’ achievements at spring ceremony

By RICHARD A. ROSS

FALLSBURG, NY — Athleticism and scholarship are very much alive and well at Fallsburg High School, a fact lost on those who take the measure of school sports solely by regarding its win and loss records. There are moral victories and victories of spirit often greater in value than those evinced by putting up a higher score.

These triumphs abounded at Fallsburg this year and were duly celebrated at the Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony on June 9.

From the opening remarks by outgoing Athletic Director Janet Carey through the litany of affirming comments by coaches and concluding with glorious images of Fallsburg’s athletes, visually presented in a musical slide show by this writer, smiles, congratulations and a sense of value were in no short supply by night’s end.

The awards were presented in ascending order beginning with the modified teams, which hold great promise for Fallsburg’s future success. Junior varsity sports came next and finally the varsity awards. Coach after coach assembled his or her team on the stage and noted the positives before giving out a couple of coveted awards to the most deserving members of the team.

It was fitting that the final award of the night, the one for the Athlete of the Year, should be given to Darius Buckner, one of Section Nine’s finest all-around athletes, who was a Times-Herald Record All-Star in soccer and basketball. Buckner played baseball this spring in an attempt to lend his fine athleticism to a young and struggling program.

Moments before the Athlete of the Year presentation was made by basketball coach Pete Dworetsky, Buckner and soccer star Dayna Halprin were designated as Career Athletes. Both Halprin and Buckner have had storied careers at Fallsburg and have drawn the respect and admiration of opposing coaches and players.

Buckner, a two-time MVP in basketball, led his team in every category. He has been a starter since ninth grade. Buckner will play basketball for Schenectady Community College in the fall.

Halprin played eight seasons of soccer and skiing at Fallsburg. Soccer coach Amanda Biccum said, “Soccer was her chosen pursuit,” as she complimented Halprin on her stamina and physical ability, as well as her strength of character. She received 11 varsity letters.

Recipients of this year’s Rolle Allen Scholarship were Demi Cruz, Reggie Bici, Brittany Baldwin-Hunter and William Miller. Baldwin-Hunter and Bici were also the school’s selections for the OCIAA Scholar Athlete honors.

Baldwin-Hunter was a setter in volleyball, played basketball and golf. She won five varsity letters in her career.

Cruz was a standout player in soccer and, though she suffered a severe ankle sprain in basketball, she still came to every game to support her team.

Bici, who never played tennis until a year ago, qualified for the OCIAA championships in singles but gave up his chance for solo glory by electing to take a doubles partner. When both of his choices failed to make it, Bici couldn’t compete but went anyway to cheer on Liberty’s players.

Miller, who is one of the region’s finest soccer players, is a one-sport athlete who has dedicated himself to year-round soccer. He will be attending the College of St. Rose in the fall. Miller was cited for his talent, hustle, effort and sportsmanship.

Other varsity award winners were as follows:

Boys golf: Noah Borko, Sportsmanship; Aaron Schmidt, MIP; and Richard Elliott, MVP. Girls golf: Melissa Melko, MIP; and Brooke Rappaport, MVP. Boys tennis: Jeffrey Wakefield, Sportsmanship; Uddhava Stowell, MIP; and Reggie Bici, MVP. Boys track: Ethan Herrera, Sportsmanship; Wesley Castillo, MIP; and GodDyhu Anthony, MVP. Anthony won the 400 at the Class C Section Nine meet and came in third at the state qualifier. Girls track: Generosa Canales, Sportsmanship; Courtney Dromazos, MIP; and Theresa Allen, MVP. Baseball: Michael Melko, Sportsmanship; and Gregory Simpson, MIP.

Modified sportsmanship awards included: Boys modified baseball, Cory McKeon; Girls modified softball, Sabrina Williams; Girls modified track, Samantha Fontano; and Boys modified track, Kai Jackson.

Junior varsity awards included: JV Baseball: Steven Teri, Sportsmanship; and Michael Matarazzo, MIP. JV softball: Joanna Blanchard, Sportsmanship; and Ting Zhao MIP.

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