TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Sullivan West’s Colin Seidl was out of this world at this year’s Monticello Games where he was named Most Outstanding Male Track Athlete. Seidl won the 3000 steeplechase, the 3200 and the 1600.

Track and Field

Coming of Age

Seidl and Fiedler Most Outstanding Track and Field Male Athletes; Leroy Outstanding Field Athlete sets NYS mark in pole vault

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY—Let there be no mistake about it. This year’s Monticello Games set a new standard for track meets with a dazzling array of athleticism, record-setting performances, outstanding weather and uncanny efficiency.

Celebrating its 21st year, rave reviews abounded about the athletes, the food, the ambience and the long–awaited warm weather. Featuring 16 schools from near and far, the field of runners, jumpers and throwers was packed with talent. Arlington’s boys and girls emerged as the team champions but local teams had their share of glory, as did many individual performers who came away with plaques, medals and intense resolve to outdo themselves as the season moves on.

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Track

Depth charge

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY, NY—Track meets are all about the numbers. Time, distance and height are the measures of success in the individual running, jumping and throwing events as legions of fine athletes test their mettle against others as they seek to evince improvement week after week.

Track is both an individual and a team sport. While each competitor marshals his or her strength and will for specific events, their efforts are collectively accounted for team-point tallies based on standings in each event.

Thus, by day’s end, both personal milestones and team totals are matters of note.

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Softball

Softball spirit

By RICHARD A. ROSS and MARY FEUSNER

GRAHAMSVILLE and LIBERTY, NY - Playing softball for 41 years shows remarkable durability, but being involved in the game for 70 years is downright uncanny. That was the tenure of umpire Benny Chesnick, a Wayne County Softball Hall of Famer, who said before umpiring his last game on September 16, 2007, “I started playing baseball at age 10 and here I am 80 years old. That’s 70 years. Sometimes, I can’t believe it.” Chesnick’s umpiring career spanned 45 years.

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Also in this issue:

• Net gain