SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Athletes of distinction were recognized this past week at year-end awards presentation ceremonies at Liberty, Fallsburg and Monticello. At each, enraptured audiences got to view this writer’s array of slides that chronicled the year and to hear coaches and administrators laud the efforts of each school’s standouts. In addition, athletic directors Jason Semo of Liberty, Tim Bult of Fallsburg and Doug Murphy of Monticello noted the Scholar Athlete team designations awarded by NYSPHSAA for team GPAs of 90 percent or better. Liberty led the way with 10 teams recognized for their academic excellence. Coaches bestowed awards on players and each school ended its evening with the presentation of special senior awards.

Senior award winners were as follows.

Liberty: Paulina Kleinberger and Will McGuire, Liberty Rotary Club Senior Perseverance Award; Megahn Burke and Emirsen Shehi, Elizabeth “Betty” Totten Sportsmanship Award; Eddie Soto and Jessica Dunnigan, Tom Kelly Award Outstanding Senior Athletes.

Fallsburg: Lauren Elliott and Tyler McAuliffe, Student Government Association Award; Susan Moody and Andrew Moore, Fallsburg Comet Booster Club Award; Kathleen Orlan and Kristopher Williams, Outstanding Senior Athlete.

Monticello: Patrick Ripa was this year’s winner of the Mayor’s Cup presented by Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins. The following athletes earned Doctor of Sport distinction with at least nine varsity letters including their senior year: Anagabrille Loor, Kevin O’Rourke, Dominic Martinez and Patrick Ripa. Master of Sport winners had at least six varsity letters. They were: Amanda Palko, Samantha Stawarz, Taylor Reardon, Taylor Welch, Brandon Rieber, Steven Wilbur and Matthew Rodrique. To read about all of the award winners and see albums of pictures, visit sportsinsighsny.com.

The county’s elite track and field athletes vied at the Section 9 state qualifier meet held at Warwick on June 2-3 for berths at states. The top finishers from Division I, which includes Monticello, and Division II, which includes the rest of the county schools, will head to the state championship meet at Caldonia Mumford High School, located southwest of Rochester, on June 10-11. The following female athletes will represent their schools, the county and Section 9: Jessica Dunnigan (L) qualified in all four of her events including the 100 (12.53), 200 (25.53), long jump (18-1¼), which was a personal best, and the 400 relay (51.14) with Lara Heslop, Nikole Snyder and Rebeccah Harman; Dominique Darby (T-V), shot put (36-0.25) and discus (104-3); Kaitlynn Greffrath (T-V), pentathlon (2,046 points); Hannah Feinman (SW), triple jump (33-10); Heidi Furman (T-V), hammer (123-2), which is not a state event; Mareena DiMilia (T-V), javelin (106-9.5); Boys: Alex Campanella (E), 800 (4:27.46); Hunter Proscia (E), 3000 steeplechase (9:54.62); Garrett Lapolt (M), shot put (47-1); Todd Roeder (SW), discus (130-41). Brandon Wagner (SW), javelin (137-0), which is not a state event.