The River Reporter

The need for speed. Mike Dutka at the wheel of #3.

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — Michael “Mike” Dutka lives in a world of speed without sound. Born in April of 1979, the now 41-year old accomplished racecar driver was diagnosed as deaf at … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/8/20

Past glories. Monika Deckelman poses in her dad’s machine shop with her Soap Box Derby racer. Last year, she finished 10th in her division at the Soap Box Derby Nationals in Akron, OH.

In the driver’s seat: like father, like daughter

OBERNBERG, NY — Maybe it’s in the blood, or perhaps it resides in the genes. But whatever the case, 14-year-old Monika Deckelman is following her father’s passion for speed at … more

By TED WADDELL | 7/1/20

Father and daughter racers. Bill Deckelman of Obernberg, NY confers with his 14-year-old daughter Monika before a practice session. Bill drives a dirt modified at Afton, while Monika competes in Bandelero #9 at Bethel Motor Speedway.

Motorsports returns to Sullivan County

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, auto racing returned at full throttle to Bethel Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 20. Practice sessions were held on June 13 … more

By TED WADDELL | 6/24/20

Here comes the heat. Sullivan West’s starting pitcher Chad Mercado focus on the sweet spot of the catcher’s mitt.

In review: a final look at the swatters of 2019

JEFFERSONVILE, NY — What a difference a year makes! Last year at about this time, our local scholar-athletes were remembering their 2019 season of swats, but in the year of COVID-19, … more

By TED WADDELL | 6/17/20

Strong armed. Bulldogs pitcher Chad Mercado in his second varsity start. The Dawgs defeated the Wildcats 13-2, and Mercado scored a run.

In review: the Sullivan West’s swatters of 2019

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Reflections of past glory: the triumphs and tears of last year’s season of swats. In an effort to keep the spirit of local high school sports alive, the River … more

By TED WADDELL | 6/10/20

Full contact baseball. Sullivan West’s catcher Matt Peters and Eldred’s Jordan Reed make the dust fly in a close call at home.

In review: Sullivan West vs. Eldred

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Well, if it’s good enough for Roger, it’s good enough for me. Over the past few weeks, this sports scribbler has been getting his sports fix by occasionally … more

By TED WADDELL | 6/3/20

Dave Franskevicz, retiring athletic director at Sullivan West Central School, addressed the assemblage at a past sports awards ceremony.

Changing of the guard – a tale of ‘Two Daves’

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — There will be a changing of the guard at Sullivan West Central School on July 1 as Dave Franskevicz, the district’s long-standing athletic director, is set to step … more

By TED WADDELL | 6/3/20

In-bound pass. The Lady Bulldog’s Riley Ernst scored 6 points.

In review: Sullivan West’s Bulldogs

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on … more

By TED WADDELL | 5/26/20

Gabe Campanelli, Boys’ Basketball Most Valuable Player

Sullivan West announces winter sports awards

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — What should have been a night of celebration for Sullivan West’s winter scholar-athletes got sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. But not to be benched without a … more

By TED WADDELL | 5/24/20

Yellowjackets, Wildcats and ELS

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on … more

By TED WADDELL | 5/20/20

The home-team fans turned out in a ‘swarm’ on senior night to honor the Lady Hornets.

In review: Lady Hornets of Honesdale High

HONESDALE, PA — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on indefinite … more

By TED WADDELL | 5/13/20

Sullivan West’s Paige Parucki clears the bar in high jump.

In review: Sullivan West’s indoor tracksters

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on … more

By TED WADDELL | 5/5/20

Sullivan West’s Ryan Mace scored 9 points.

In review: Sullivan West Boys’ & Girls’ hoops

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/28/20

In the 120-pound weight class, Brandon McLaughlin pinned Kameron Sheffer at 0:23.

In Review: Honesdale High’s dual wrestling meet

HONESDALE, PA — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021, professional sports are on indefinite … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/21/20

Defense block. Sullivan West’s Taylor Brustman rises to the occasion as Chester’s Trinity Delgado drives to the basket. Also pictured are Dasleen Ghuliani of the Lady Hambletonians and the home team’s Felicity Baurenfiend.

In review: Sullivan West girls’ basketball

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In this time of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, sports of all sorts are in limbo: the Summer Olympics have been postponed, professional sports are on indefinite hold and … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/14/20

Robert Scherer of Roscoe, NY has fished Junction Pool for 35 years.

The opening that wasn’t

ROSCOE & BEYOND, NY — In years past, the local region marked the opening day of NY’s trout season on April 1 with a celebration at Junction Pool: “One of the most famous pools … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/8/20

Sign of the times. The entrance sign of the CFFCMN, located along Old Route 17 just outside Livingston Manor, NY

Fly fishing center gets a redo

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — There’s a lot going on at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM) these days while the ebb and flow of time makes its way down the fabled waters … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/1/20

Coach” John Lennon wears a hoodie with the mascot logos of the combined 2019-2020 wrestling squad: the Yellowjackets of Eldred, the Liberty Indians and the Bulldogs of Sullivan West.

Legends of Section IX: wrestling coach John Lennon

LIBERTY, NY — It takes a real grappler to know what the sport of wrestling is all about. In other words, when you’re teaching a generation of new matmen in a sport where the rubber … more

By TED WADDELL | 3/25/20

Split decision. Essex’s Rafeeq Reid goes to the glass against Sullivan defensemen Kendal Robinson and Darius Lee.

Sullivan tames Wolverines in Division II final

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY – Taming a wolverine is not the easiest thing in the world. Just ask the Generals of SUNY Sullivan. On Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, Sullivan County Community … more

By TED WADDELL | 3/18/20

Bucket bound. Sullivan’s Darius Lee goes up for ‘two’ against as Erie’s Seydon Magassouba gets a hand on the ball.

Generals skin Kats in DII semi

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Talk about salvaging a win from the slavering jaws of defeat in a classic tale of a come from behind victory. On Saturday, March 7, the fans in the stands got to watch a … more

By TED WADDELL | 3/18/20