Eli Ruiz | Democrat Mistah Ali ran a leg of the Monticello 4 x 100 relay which set numerous school records, won the state qualifier and also ran the third fastest time in the state this year.

Spring sports recap: Monticello

Staff Report
MONTICELLO — June 28, 2013

BASEBALL
Coach: Michael Greco
Record: 5-14 (“we lost seven games in extra innings including two 14 inning games during the season.”
Coach’s Comments: “Jon Harned and Ben Kapito were great leaders on and off the field. They were praised by our opponents for their skill and sportsmanship.
We faced many moments during the season that would have broken a weaker team. With this group of young men, each hard loss made them work harder.”
Looking Ahead: “We are losing Jacob McLachlan and Andrew Krotje who were very important to this team, but we will be returning 13 guys and have a strong group of players on JV and the modified team. This is not about a varsity team but a full, high school program that is going in a new, positive direction for many years to come.”

BOYS’ GOLF
Coach: Chris Russo
Record: Overall 7-11, Division Record 3-7
Season Highlights: Tyler Foxwell and Angelo Niforatos – qualified for the OCIAA Championship; Niforatos qualified for the Section IX Championship; team shot a season low 220 vs. Fallsburg and Family School at Tarry Brae; shot a combined 233 vs. Port Jervis, our lowest score in league play.”
Coach’s Comments: “We were able to compete in 17 matches.”
Looking Ahead: “We will return all but one player – Niforatos will be attending Central Connecticut State University.”

BOYS’ TRACK AND FIELD
Coach: Matthew Buddenhagen
Record: 4-0 (won the Division title for the fourth straight year!)
Season Highlights: 4 x 100 relay team consistently broke the school record and their own record throughout the season. Relay team had the 3rd fastest time in the state with a 42.69 and won the state qualifier.
Coach’s Comments: “Best team we had in four years! Great group of kids. Most of the departing seniors started the streak of four consecutive championships. They built a strong tradition here of "excellence."
Looking Ahead: “Underclassmen have big shoes to fill! They need to continue the tradition!”

GIRLS’ GOLF
Coach: Scott Fitchett
Record: 6-5-1
Season Highlights: Two players Taylor Knapp and Haley Heins qualified for the second round of the sectional championships at Apple Greens Golf Course. Team received scholar athlete recognition with a cumulative GPA of 95.8.
Coach’s Comments: “Congratulations to the departing seniors Taylor Knapp, Haley Heins and Mikayla Mendels.”
Looking Ahead: We will be filling the three spots created by the departing seniors with some very talented underclassmen and we are looking forward to another successful season next spring.”

GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD
Coach: Matthew Daly
Record: 4-1
Season Highlights: 2nd at Monticello Games Invitational; 3rd at Section IX Class B Championships; School Pentathlon record broken by Jordan Fredell; three seconds off of 1600m relay school record.
Coach’s Comments: “Great season by everyone! Seniors, you will be missed and good luck!”
Looking Ahead: “A lot of underclassman return for next year. Great opportunity to win class B section title next year.”

SOFTBALL
Coach: Shannon Dietrich
Record: 4-16
Season Highlights: “Our wins over Liberty, Tri Valley, Burke and Eldred. Sophomore Brianna Bennett recorded her first career home run and made quite a few spectacular catches in centerfield. First- year pitcher Morgan Holloran earned her first varsity win. Freshman Alex Stant had a game tying hit in the bottom of the seventh inning against Burke which led to a walk-off win in the eighth inning.”
Coach’s Comments: “Senior captains Caitlin Radlein (catcher) and Brittany Stein (third baseman) both led the team in hits and on base percentage. Sophomore Morgan Holloran pitched over 150 innings this year and proved to be an up and coming pitcher for the Lady Panthers.”
Looking Ahead: “Returning seven starters and 10 players overall. Freshman pitcher Taylor Spargo is expected to make her varsity pitching debut next season along with a long list of quality underclass players that played on the JV team this season.”

TENNIS
Coach: Urvashi Gupta
Record: 5-7 overall and division.
Coach’s Comments: “We placed fourth in our conference. Devin Acevedo at No. 3 singles had a successful season with a record of 8-4. The second doubles team of Toribio Rodriguez and David Fernandez also had a successful season at 6-6.”
Looking Ahead: “We had two sophomores and two freshman who participated on JV and with practice and dedication could possibly be outstanding players next season.”