LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — For decades, Livingston Manor and Roscoe, two neighboring high schools, competed on the fields under the banners of the Wildcats and Blue Devils respectively.

But as times changed, the programs have been kept alive as the merged Wildcats. On June 11, the Livingston Manor/Roscoe athletic department hosted a spring and end-of-year sports awards ceremony, complete with dinner prepared by the cafeteria staff, in honor of the combined varsity and modified teams.

Varsity baseball (coached by Dylan Smith, assisted by Joshua Evans)

Coaches Award—Anthony Zamenick, Benjamin Johnson, Aiden Johnson and Logan Park

Varsity boys’ golf (coached by Michael Hill)

Most Valuable Player—Gavin Thomas

Coaches Award—Garrett Kurpil and Justin Burkey 

Sportsmanship Award—Wesley Kinne 

Varsity boys’ and girls’ outdoor track and field (coached by Evans Bowers, assisted by Morgan Serkes and Kelly Schadt-Kelly)

Most Valuable Player—Elizabeth Herrmann 

Coaches Award—Cullen Hess 

Varsity softball (coached by Nicholas Wyss, assisted by Christopher Tuleweit)

Most Valuable Player—Zaylee Cox

Coaches Award—Emily Froelich, Alex Potosek, Kelsey Ryder and Gianna Dutcher

Varsity girls’ golf (coached by Kevin Clifford)

Most Valuable Player—Anastasia Niforatos

Most Valuable Player—Sarah Evans

Sportsmanship Award—Athena Niforatos

Scholar athletes

On the academic side of the equation, three teams were honored by the New York State High School Athletic Association (NYSHSAA). Seventy-five percent of the group had an average of 90 percent or higher.

Varsity softball

Michelle McKinley, Zaylee Cox, Gianna Dutcher, Lydia DeVantier, Alex Potosek, Julia Meola, Kelsey Ryder, Clara LeRoy, Emily Froehlich and Allison Froehlich

Varsity girls’ golf

Sarah Evans, Athena Niforatos, Anastasia Niforatos and Savanah Ward

Varsity boys’ golf

Welsey Kinne and Gavin Thomas

Individual scholar athletes

Joshua Hendrickson (baseball), Kyle Hendrickson (baseball), Aiden Johnson (baseball), Benjamin Johnson (baseball), Cullen Hess (outdoor track and field), David Huezo-Pineda (outdoor track and field) and Logan Schmeiser (outdoor track and field)

The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the Athlete of the Year Awards, which went to Sarah Evans (Roscoe), Zaylee Cox (Roscoe), Aiden Johnson (Livingston Manor) and Logan Park (Livingston Manor). They were described by their respective coaches as follows: 

Sarah Evans: “Became an integral part of every team she was part of this year; also set and held high standards for everyone around her and stepped up into any role asked of her on both teams I had the pleasure of coaching her on…

Along with her performance on the soccer field, basketball court and golf course, she was dedicated to serving her community… Sarah exemplifies all that it means to be a student athlete and more.”

Zaylee Cox:  “One of the most selfless players I’ve ever coached. She is always looking out for the best interests of the team and her teammates, even it comes out in the form of sass more often than not... [She was] asked to become a back-up goalie for the soccer team, and although she wasn’t thrilled, she stepped up to do what was best for the team… Her decision to become a goalie allowed us to build an incredibly strong team this year, and we won many games because of her willingness and dedication… Her team-first attitude carried over into the basketball season, where she always stepped up to the task at hand.”

Aiden Johnson: “Exemplified outstanding leadership qualities throughout the year… Took any opportunity in basketball and baseball to work with underclassmen… [His] dedication to mentoring underclassmen sets him apart as a true leader… pushed his teammates to walk out of practice better than they walked in that day, and he embodies the idea of ‘lead by example’... His relentless work ethic is one that should be recognized.” The coach cited a few hoop stats, including wrapping the season with 130 points, 74 rebounds and 23 assists, leading in scoring with 13/1 points per game and three-pointers with 31.

Logan Park: “This athlete has left very little to question about his dedication to his team… On the basketball court of the baseball field, he consistently demonstrates exceptional commitment by attending practices and games daily, giving his all… [It] does not matter if his team is up big or down; you can be sure that he is diving into the bleachers for that loose ball, or laying down a bunt to try to catch the other team off guard… His relentless hustle and determination set a high standard for underclassmen to model themselves after… It did not matter if you were faster, stronger or taller than him; no one has more heart.” 

For more photos of the varsity awards ceremony, including a carousel of the modified recipients, visit www.rivereporter.com/sports.

Since picking up a camera and pen as a freelance photojournalist, Ted Waddell has received 21 awards from the New York Press Association. His most recent recognition was the Phil Pines Award from the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writer’s Association in 2022. Waddell is a member of the International Freelancer Photographers Organization.

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