Awards

Panther pride

Jessica Fingers wins coveted Mayor’s Trophy and retiring Coach Ed Kaufmann is extolled

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — Smiles and tears were in no short supply on June 5 at Monticello High School’s Senior Athletic Banquet as athletes, parents, coaches, school administrators and the community gathered to celebrate an amazing cadre of fine young people and their athletic contributions.

It was a last hurrah for the class of 2009 athletes, many of whom have devoted untold time and energy to Monticello sports throughout their high school careers.

In addition, it was also the swan song for retiring wrestling/softball coach Ed Kaufmann, whose 34-year career included the coaching of numerous other sports and the longest current tenure as a wrestling coach in Section Nine.

Athletic director Doug Murphy lauded Kaufmann’s contributions and presented him with a plaque honoring his service to the school and community. Later, coach Karen Atack would elaborate on Kaufmann’s outstanding and diversified career, not only as a head coach but also as her assistant in volleyball over the past 18 years. “We made a pact to strive for excellence and you held up your end of the bargain,” she told him. Atack produced a picture of the 1979-80 Monticello wrestling team with coach Kaufmann.

Needless to say, the success rendered by Monticello’s finest young men and women on the athletic fields and courts was part and parcel of their excellent citizenship and, for many, academic excellence beyond the pale. Evincing fine sportsmanship and character reflected the high standards set by their supportive parents and the school which they represented.

Jessica Fingers was the recipient of the coveted Mayor’s Trophy presented by Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins. Fingers, who just qualified for the state meet in the 3000, had a storied career as a three-season runner. Fingers set school records, won Section Nine titles and qualified for states during her tenure. Her fine athleticism and academic achievements has led to her admission to Columbia University, where she will receive nearly a full scholarship. She will be running for the Lions next fall.

Beginning with insightful words offered by superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel, on through the musical slide show arranged by this writer that chronicled sport after sport of the 2008-09 school year, and culminating with the litany of awards and laudatory comments by coaches, the evening was a heartfelt tribute to Monticello’s best.

Coach’s awards were given to varsity athletes who upheld the highest standards of school service, athletic performance, integrity and sportsmanship. This year’s recipients were: Kyle Bennett, wrestling; Chelsea Brennan, girls soccer; Colin Bunce, boys soccer; Emma Cohen; girls track and field; Amy Conway, girls golf; James Dzurica, boys track and field; Jessica Fingers, girls x-country; Kristen Harrington, girls indoor track; Haley Heins, girls alpine skiing; Ryan Heins, boys alpine skiing; Jordan Herzog, boys golf; Sarah Klein, girls tennis; Jesse Martinez, boys tennis; Devon Mathis, boys basketball; Erik Mayberg, baseball; Kate Oldfield, softball; Jacob Rubin, boys indoor track; Paige Schoonmaker, cheerleading; Nyoki Tate, girls basketball; Colleen Thomas, volleyball; Shannon Thomas, girls Nordic skiing; and David Wilbur, boys x-country.

Scholar athletes, who achieved a 90 or better academic G.P.A. for their high school careers, were named to the Superintendent’s List. They included Marisela Acevedo, Chelsea Brennan, Emma Cohen, Rebecca Concors, Daria Coney, Amy Conway, Devinne DePuy, James Dzurica, Jessica Fingers, Allie Goldsmith, Richard Heins, Jordan Herzog, Kyle Lounsbury, Jesse Martinez, Erik Mayberg, Stephanie Niforatos, Danielle Schnitzer, Kara Silverman, Colleen Thomas, Casey Titus, Rion Welsh, Tyler Wuerthner and Rachel Zager.

Athletes with an 85 G.P.A over their high school careers were named to the Principal’s List. They included: Alyscha Deluca, Saige Kashan, Nicole Keesler, Sarah Klein, Carlie Maree, Joshua Oates, Jacob Rubin, Page Schoonmaker, Gregory Siegel, Nyoki Tate and Tanner Wuerthner.

Monticello awards senior plaques in the following categories: Doctorate of Sport to athletes who have earned at least nine varsity letters including senior year. This year’s Doctors of Sport, with the number of letters earned in parenthesis, were as follows: Emma Cohen (12), Rebecca Concors (10), James Dzurica (12), Jessica Fingers (11) and Nyoki Tate (10).

Master of Sports, which included athletes with at least six varsity letters including senior year, were: Marisela Acevedo (6), Devinne DuPuy (6), Eryn Robinson (8), Jacob Rubin (8), Danielle Schnitzer (7), Sarah Klein (8) and Paige Schoonmaker (6).

Bachelor of Sport, athletes with at least three varsity letters including senior year, were: Joseph Balzano (3), Chelsea Brennan (4), Brendan Briggs (3), Raymond Chase (3), Amy Conway (4), Richard Heins (4), Shamya Koen (4), Kyle Lounsbury (4), Erik Mayberg (5), Joshua Oates (4), Irvin Sorto (3), Jerry Taggart (4) and Anthony Williams (3).

The banquet, which featured delicious cuisine provided by Mr. Willy’s and musical interludes by Erik Mayberg, was arranged and coordinated by Murphy and his able assistant Diane Lubniewski. Collen Thomas and Chelsea Brennan created the senior banner that graced the gym wall during the awards presentation.

Congratulations to Jessica Fingers and all the rest of the Monticello athletes for their outstanding achievements. Kudos as well to the coaches and good luck to coach Kaufmann in his retirement.

Visit www.riverreportersports.com for an album of photos from the awards presentations and a list of athletic highlights from the year.

2009 athletic highlights for the year:

Jessica Fingers named First Team All-Star for Time Herald-Record for x-country

Jessica Fingers wins Section Nine Sportsmanship Award

Girls x-country team ranked 10th in NYS

Boys soccer qualified for sectionals

Volleyball qualified for sectionals

Alissa Hermida named Second Team All-Star for volleyball

Eryn Robinson named Second Team All-Star for Volleyball

Jackie O’Rourke and Sarah Klein reached round of 6 in OCIAA Girls Tennis Doubles Tournament

Jesse Kapito qualified for BCANY three-point contest for boys basketball

Briar Patterson selected to BCANY All-Star Team for Class A boys basketball

Nyoki Tate received player of the week for girls basketball

Cheerleading squad took first place in three competitions

Richard Heins qualified for states in boys alpine skiing

Haley Heins qualified for states in girls alpine skiing

Shane Jackson qualified for states in 55 and 300 for boys indoor track

Anthony D’Abbraccio won first place in Nanuet Wrestling Tournament

Joseph DeJesus won second place in Nanuet Wrestling Tournament

Kyle Bennett took third place in Nanuet Wrestling Tournament

David Wilbur broke and now holds the school record in the 3000m steeplechase for outdoor tack

Emma Cohen broke and now holds the school record for the 2000m steeplechase for outdoor track

Jessica Fingers qualified for states in the 3000 for outdoor track

Jesse Martinez (7-2) qualified for Section Nine Boys Tennis Tournament

Girls golf achieves an overall record of 10-2, and second place in Division III

Angelo Niforatos qualified for Section Nine Golf Tournament

Jesse Levine named Varsity 845 Player of the Day in baseball

Serafin Rodriguez was recognized in April 2009 by the Times-Herald Record as one of the best baseball player

Softball team named champion of the Tri-Valley Tournament.