Exceptional seniors

Richard Ross
Posted 8/21/12

NEWBURGH, NY — For the first time in Section 9 history, an all-star game, featuring exceptional seniors from schools across the region, gave gridiron elder statesmen one last chance to play the …

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Exceptional seniors

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NEWBURGH, NY — For the first time in Section 9 history, an all-star game, featuring exceptional seniors from schools across the region, gave gridiron elder statesmen one last chance to play the game they love. The game, which was played at Newburgh High School on November 18, was the last hurrah for these outstanding players, and gave them an opportunity to join forces with stars from other teams and to learn from the incredibly talented coaching staff that mentored them during the week as they practiced for the iconic event. The two teams, the National and American, included senior standouts from Sullivan County.

The American squad included Sawyer Erlwein, Brad Hemmer and Scott Erdman from Sullivan West. Scott Herbert was also selected to play but an injured shoulder prevented his inclusion. Also on the American squad were Atwoun Ackerley, Andy Martinez and Tony Saravia from Liberty, as well as Mistah Ali and Jake McLachlan from Monticello. The American Squad was also comprised of players from FDR, Kingston, Burke, Washingtonville, Minisink Valley, Ellenville, Pine Plains, Pine Bush, New Paltz, Saugerties and Dover. Aric Boyes from Tri-Valley played for the National squad, which won the game by the score of 24-11. Teammate Brendan Tierney injured his knee last week and was unable to compete. Eldred’s Anthony Margarum, RJ Thiele and Rob Weber represented the Yellow Jackets, who were joined by Fallsburg’s Matthew Straus on the victorious squad. The National team also featured players from Monroe-Woodbury, Newburgh Free Academy, Spackenkill, Onteora, Wallkill, Warwick, Millbrook, Goshen, Red Hook and Valley Central. Since James I. O’Neill, Marlboro and Cornwall had all played (and lost) in regional games earlier in the weekend, the seniors from those schools could not participate. And since Middletown and Port Jervis will play on Thanksgiving Day for the annual Erie Bell bragging rights, those two schools were also not included.

The Exceptional Senior All-Star game has been something that has been in the planning stage for years, and now that it has been staged, it will become an annual event. Seniors raved about the experience, the camaraderie and the incredible learning curve that afforded them new insights into the game they have played for years and that they cherish dearly.

Fall’s closure was also marked by Tri-Valley’s Autumn Sports Award’s night, as well as the Federation Race at Bowdoin Park in Wappinger’s Falls. Tri-Valley Fall winners included the following:

Football: Aric Boyes, MVP; Cody Exner, Outstanding Offensive Player, Brendan Tierney; Outstanding Defensive Player; Shatik Smith, Coaches Award. Boys Varsity Soccer: Daniel Shortt, MVP; Zach Nilsen, Offensive MVP; and Nathan Bender, Defensive MVP. Girls Varsity Soccer: Mareena DiMilia, Offensive MVP; Caroline Martin, Defensive MVP; Sara Dertinger, Most Improved Player; and Vicky Tingley, Coaches Award. Cheerleading: Lauren Carlsen, Most Improved; Schuyler Kraus, Most Valuable Cheerleader; Dorothy Monforte, Coaches Award. Girls Cross-Country: Autumn Bender, MVP; Danielle Graham and Sabrena Smith, Most Improved Players. Boys Cross-Country: Justin Weintraub, Most Valuable Player, Ian Kurzrock, Most Improved Player.

The Federation Race, featuring the elite runners from the NYSPHSAA Championships, as well as those from NYC’s Public School Athletic League (PSAL), the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) and the Association of Independent Schools (AIS), served as a forerunner to this coming week’s Nike New York Regional Championships. Eldred’s Alex Campanella passed up the Federation race to train for the NXN Regionals. Sullivan West’s Reed Scott finished 119 out of 255 runners in the race with a time of 17:31.3.

Visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com for an album of photos from the visit. Visit www.sportsinsightsny.com for pictures of the Tri-Valley fall sports award winners.

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