Academic success of teams was also noted by officials
Every. Single. Team.
That’s who at O’Neill High School qualified as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete team this past winter.
Boy, are officials at the school proud!
The honor was mentioned at least a dozen times at Monday night’s Winter Sports Awards ceremony. Principal Debbie Brand, Athletic Director Debbi Crowe and the various coaches all talked about how proud they are to see their athletes perform as well in the classroom as they do on the fields or courts.
The winter sports teams are: boys’ and girls’ Alpine Ski, cheerleading, boys’ and girls’ basketball and boys’ and girls’ indoor track.
O’Neill frequently has teams earn the scholar-athlete recognition, but Crowe said not only is this the first time every team in a season has earned it, but also the first time she can remember that varsity boys’ basketball team — the team she coaches — made it.
“I am so proud of them all,” Crowe said.
To receive Scholar-Athlete team recognition, the team’s average GPA for 75% of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90.00.
The teams had other accomplishments as well, with the boys’ basketball team earning a division championship; and eight boys’ track team members (Anthony Farina, Dominic Farina, Kyle Mayo, Kyle Salva, Owen Bieger, Henry Heckert, Harry Marson and Graham Gist, Jacob Schools) earning track individual championships.
“Our athletes always shine and this year was no different,” Brand said in her opening remarks. “This is such a classy group of athletes and coaches.”
The students were also honored for their participation in service projects and for “representing the HF-FMCSD so well” in their travels.
Team coaches gave out individual awards at the ceremony. They went to:
Winter Sportsmanship
Matthew Schmidt; Bethany Carter
Boys’ Basketball
Anthony Njoga (Cavanagh Scholar/Athlete Award, $1000 scholarship); Fred Hendrix (Jack Kaplan Memorial Award); Darius Boben (MVP); Andrew Russian (Coach’s Award)
Girls’ Basketball
Haley Jackson (Cavanagh Scholar/Athlete Award, $1000 scholarship); Janne Rowan (MVP); Josephina Arbogast (Coach’s Award); Jada Cochran (Most Improved)
Alpine Skiing
Peter Clement (MVP); Thomas Lindberg (Coach’s Award); Margaret Barnes (Most Improved)
Varsity Cheerleading
Finley Corrigan (Clarice Kaplan MVP Award); Elizabeth Mayer (Coach’s Award); McKenzie Clark (Most Improved)
Boys’ Indoor Track
Kyle Salva (MVP); Jacob Schools (MVP); Harry Marson (Coach’s Award)
Girls’ Indoor Track
Gianna Keena (MVP); Samantha Reeves (Coach’s Award); Kahiyrah Bodiford (Most Improved)