Ken Cohen | Democrat Devon Mirch rounds third and heads home during one of Sullivan West’s two victories over rival Burke.

Spring Sports Recap: Sullivan West

Staff Report
LAKE HUNTINGTON — June 25, 2013 —

BASEBALL
Coach: Jim O’Connor
Record: 9-11 overall, 4-5 division).
Season Highlights: Beating Liberty and Burke Catholic two out of three games.
Coach’s Comments: “Team improved and look to get better.”
Looking ahead: “We return six starters.”

BOYS’ GOLF
Coach: Robert Fife
Record: 12-4; 11-1 division
Season Highlights: 10th straight division championship; Drew Billard qualifying for state championship by finishing fourth in sectionals. Billard also had the lowest regular season average in OCIAA.
Coach’s Comments: “Team lead by three seniors Drew Billard, Devon Muzuruk and Eric Dnistrian. Drew became the fourth Sullivan West Golfer to make the state meet at Cornell University.”
Looking Ahead: “We return 7 letter winners in 2014 including senior Ryan Graham and junior Cody Kubenik.”

BOYS’ TRACK AND FIELD
Coach: Ronald Bauer
Record: 6 - 1 (2nd place in division)
Season Highlights: 3rd in Tri-Valley Invitational Meet; won 35 medals in Deppa Meet of Champions including winners Reed Scott (1600 and 3200), Mitch Paciga (high jump) and Anthony Rydell (discus).
Three Medals in OCIAA Meet: Scott (3200), Paciga (high jump) and Anthony Rydell (discus).
Sectional Champions: Rydell (discus); Paciga (110 hurdles)
Silver Medals Sectionals; R Scott (3200) and Paciga (high jump).
12 Qualifiers for the State Qualifying Meet: Paciga and Matt Cardona (high jump); Andrew Siegel and Paciga (110 hurdles); Scott (1600 and 3200); Andrew Stabbert (400m); Rydell (discus); Cardona (long jump); Adam Murphy, Stabbert, Ronju Padu and Cardona (400 relay).
Scott and Paciga reached the State Finals where Scott was 8th in the Division II 3200.
School Records: Scott 9:36.5 in 3200 and Paciga (16.2 in 110 hurdles) and 6’4” in the high jump.
Looking Ahead: “Next year we have a fine group of young athletes returning and should be very competitive.”

GIRLS’ GOLF
Coach: Patrick Donovan
Record: 2-10; 2-2 division
Season Highlights: Defeating Roscoe twice and the fact that each girl played in at least two matches. This includes two eighth graders and two girls that never played before. Also, Daphne Muzuruk qualifying for sectional play.”
Coach’s Comments: “The season was a successful one for us. Even though we only finished 2-10, everyone had the opportunity to play. That is what golf is about. It is a lifetime sport. I hope these kids play for a long, long time.”
Looking ahead: “We will be bringing back everyone next year. We hope to be competitive in the division, as well as in the section. We hope to have one or two more qualify for sectionals.”

GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD
Coach: Joseph Seidl
Record: 6-1
Season Highlights: 2nd place out of 12 teams at Tri-Valley Invitational; 4th place out of 13 teams at Section IX Class C Championship.
Silver Medal Winners at Sectionals: Courtney Meyerer (400 m); Meyerer, Erin Sumfleth, Megan Robisch, Rosa Martinez (4 x 400 Relay).
Coach's Comments: “I have a very young and talented team at Sullivan West. After losing our first division meet to powerhouse Tri-Valley in early April, the girls won their last six meets. I am very proud of their competitive spirit and determination to both improve as individuals and as a team.”
Looking Ahead: “20 of 23 girls will be returning next year and our goal is to close the gap with Tri-Valley as well as finish in the top three in the Section IX Championship next year. I strongly believe that these girls have the potential to compete for a Division and Section IX Championship in a couple of years. I want to thank senior co-captains Hannah Feinman and Dani Myers as well as senior Olivia Grady for their example and leadership this year.”

SOFTBALL
Coach: Michael Ellmauer
Record: 5-13 overall, 3-3 in division (which qualified for sectionals).
Season Highlights: “Just about anyone that we played made it into sectionals and were larger than we were. What really stuck out for us this year was the fact that we improved defensively every game and learned to work the small ball offensively. During the second half of the season, we played the bigger schools even for most of the games. Because of the hard work the Team did, we were able to go the next level defensively.”
Coach’s Comments: “We had a real good softball season despite our youth and lack of experience.
Looking Ahead: “As for our future, it is bright. We have several younger players coming back who were major contributors this season. And the younger teams had good seasons also, so things are looking good.”