Athletics

The Varsity Unified Basketball team's recent game, featuring a 1980s theme, was "totally tubular!" Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer on the team and made the game so memorable!

THAT'S A WRAP! The first season of Unified Basketball ended yesterday and featured a Disney theme! What a wonderful season for this team! Head Coach Theresa Uhelsky and Volunteer Coach Kara Anderson-Winchell send their appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has supported this team and contributed to making these games fun and memorable!

The Varsity Boys Tennis Team’s seniors were honored at their recent Senior Night for their many contributions to the team’s success! Congratulations and best wishes to Liam Ordway and Dylan Percy!

STILL GOING STRONG! The varsity boys and girls outdoor track & field teams began their postseason campaign with their recent trip to Warwick Valley for the OCIAA Championships. Featuring athletes representing all member school districts, the Orange County League Championship is historically one of the most competitive in New York State. In a field of 20 teams, the Minisink Valley boys team finished in seventh place with 52.5 points; while the girls team placed ninth with 28 points. Winning individual titles for Minisink Valley were Samuel Anderson, who established a new program record of 1:54.96 in the 800-meter run; and Ella Michelitch, who smashed the Minisink Valley and Section IX records in the pentathlon with 3,478 points. Outclassing the field by over 700 points, Michelitch took dominant wins in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and long jump, before being narrowly beaten in the 800-meter run. Minisink Valley again asserted relay dominance in the meet-closing 4x400 meter relays, with the girls quartet of Kaleigh Murphy, Chloe Beck, Salma Samdaoui and Ferrah Hill combining for the win in 4:00.48. The boys' squad of Angel Mendez, Benjamin Spevak, Robert LaBarbera and Anderson raced to a season best 3:18.31 to take the win. LaBarbera and Hill each earned podium finishes in the open 400-meter run, with their respective second and third place medal finishes in :49.32 and :58.59. And, Logan Schupner soared to a second-place finish in the pole vault, having reset his own Minisink Valley record in the final dual meet of the season just four days prior, clearing 16' 5" on Senior Night. Minisink Valley will contest one final tune-up for the Section IX and State Qualifier meets by participating in the Gary V Classic at Washingtonville today, May 21. Good luck to all!

HOW COOL IS THIS? Several Varsity Flag Football team members recently attended the New York Giants’ “Heart of a Giants” Football and Flag Football Clinic. Former Giants linebacker and team captain Jonathan Casillas worked with the attending student athletes! Along with physical training, it was also an education clinic that taught participants about important sports topics, including keeping athletes safe, mindfulness, emergency action preparedness, warming-up, and more. These workshops were presented by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and USE Football officials and others HSS is the official hospital and doctors for the New York Giants organization. This past fall, Senior and Varsity Flag football quarterback Vanessa Tepper was selected as USA Football’s 2024 "Heart of Giant," with the New York Giants organization announcing her selection at a special, surprise ceremony.

The Varsity Softball Team’s seniors were honored at their recent Senior Night for their many contributions to the team’s success! Congratulations and best wishes to: Heather Ghussin, second base Caitlyn Higby, right field Ryin Perico, first base Natalie Rogers, catcher Ava Smith, catcher/DP

The Varsity Track & Field Team’s seniors were honored at their recent Senior Night for their many contributions to the team’s success! Congratulations and best wishes to: Samuel Anderson - sprints & relays Ryan Capo - distance Brian Capper - distance Tyler Cloidt - jumps, throws & multi-events Vaughn Hill - sprints & relays Vincent Howard - sprints Julia Kronimus - sprints & jumps Dominic Marasco - sprints & jumps Justin Mauras - jumps Gavin Morse - throws Emily Murphy - distance Kaleigh Murphy - sprints & relays Xavier Rosales - throws & sprints Logan Schupner - pole vault, hurdles & jumps Madeline Sierra - sprints & relays Olivia Sierra - sprints & relays Helena Sopin - throws Benjamin Spevak - sprints & relays Zoey Terpak - sprints, relays & jumps Sarah Winner - sprints, hurdles & jumps

Congratulations to Senior Golfer Chris Rickard for advancing to the Section IX Championship! Chris shot an incredible round of 73 at West Point on Monday, falling short of the title by one stroke to the #2 ranked player in New York State. Chris also received the 2025 Chuck Reynolds Sportsmanship Award which is voted on by the OCIAA Coaches. Coach Reynolds was a dedicated teacher and passionate coach at Minisink Valley who lost his battle with cancer in 2015. The Section IX Championships begin Tuesday, May 20 at Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston!

Please join us in wishing the Varsity Boys Golf Team much success as it heads to the Division 2 championship match today, April 30! The team is on a current FOUR match win streak and is excited to compete! "The guys are having a lot of fun and improving on their game every day,” said Coach Dave Benedetto. “We have a great group of players working very well together." He’s also proud to share these player highlights: •Chris Rickard is off to another great season averaging 3 over par He has qualified for States the past two seasons and he is looking to make another run at a state title in June. •Ben Danielson, John Falzon, and Matt Murtaugh are all on track to qualify for the OCIAA championship tournament held on May 12.

The Varsity Flag Football team remains UNDEFEATED after beating Monroe-Woodbury 6-0! (The game was also a Section IX finals rematch from last year!) Coach Michael Tepper is proud to share these highlights: •Vanessa Tepper: Two rushing touchdowns and an interception •Ava Revella: 55 yards rushing, 95 yards receiving and nine flag pulls •Avery Wingen: Eight flag pulls and an interception Home games are today, April 28, and Wednesday, April 30! Everyone is welcome!

What a game! The Varsity Unified Basketball team played their home opener against Monroe-Woodbury yesterday, April 24, and what a matchup it was! "We played with heart, worked as a team, and kept it close right to the end, falling short by just one point," said Varsity Coach Theresa Uhelsky. "Beyond the game, we made new friends, had a ton of fun, and were treated to an awesome halftime show thanks to some of our Minisink Valley baseball players and a game of musical chairs!" The team's next game is Tuesday, April 29, at home in the High School gym, and everyone is invited to attend and cheer the team on!

TODAY'S FEEL GOOD MOMENT! The Varsity Unified Basketball team kicked off their spring season with an away game at North Rockland High School yesterday, April 23. Take a look! "For many, it was their first-ever varsity bus ride—an experience full of laughter, bonding, and unforgettable memories," Varsity Coach Theresa Uhelsky said. "North Rockland welcomed us with open arms, and not only did we sharpen our basketball skills, we also made some great new friends along the way." Halftime turned into a celebration as both teams came together for an epic dance party to the classic song “YMCA!” "Here’s to a season full of teamwork, fun, and unity," Coach Uhelsky added, "both on and off the court!"

The Varsity softball team is victorious over Port Jervis in the team’s recent 8-7 win! The game was tied at seven in the top of the eighth when Hannah Ringus hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run! Coach Bruce Guyette is proud to share these highlights: •The team jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Hannah Ringus singled, scoring one run, and Ryin Perico homered to left field, scoring two runs. •A home run to left field by Hannah Connoly gave the team the lead, 6-3, in the top of the fourth. •Hannah Ringus singled up the middle, which helped the team tie the game at seven in the top of the seventh. •Emily Smith earned the win, giving up 12 hits and seven runs over eight innings, striking out six and walking one. •The team collected 12 hits in the game. Hannah Connoly, Keira Filip, Hannah Ringus, Natalie Rogers, and Ryin Perico each collected two hits for Minisink Valley Varsity Warriors. Hannah Connoly went 2-for-4 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Keira Filip stole three bases. •The team ran wild on the base paths, collecting four stolen bases for the game.

The Boys Modified Lacrosse Team beat Cornwall yesterday, April 10, in a 5-4 final! We love when our coaches share information about their games! Modified Coach Matt Dupuis is proud to say the win was a result of hard work, teamwork and great communication. He's sharing these highlights: ---- Goals were scored by eighth-graders Jake Jeurs, Mason Luciano and seventh-grader Luke Zeigler. ---- The team won 10 out of 14 faceoffs taken by Alex Sarno and Mason Tietz ---- Special recognition to Rody Waugh and Horatio Manon.

Varsity Wrestling Head Coach Kevin Gallagher is proud to share that sophomore Wyatt Boice earned sixth-place honors at the recent NHSCA High School National Wrestling Tournament at Virginia Beach! “Wyatt was in a loaded weight class with over 120 wrestlers in his weight class,” Coach Gallagher said. “He wrestled great and won his first four matches before losing a heartbreaking 6-5 match in the semi-finals. Wyatt proved again he is one of the best wrestlers in his age group in the country! Coming off his third-place finish in New York State, Wyatt continues to work hard and get better every day. He was also a freshman All-American last year and a Middle School All American as an eighth- grader." Kudos also go to sophomores Mason Murphy (0-2), Colin Matone (3-2) and Joe Uhrig (2-2) for their tourney performances! “All three of the guys wrestled tough but ran into some very tough competition” added Coach Gallagher. “Colin looked good and won three matches and Joe Uhrig won two with both of his losses coming to the third- place and the fourth-place wrestlers.”

The Varsity Flag Football's season record improves to 5-0 after a massive 25-0 win over Warwick! Coach Michael Tepper is proud to share these highlights: --- Vanessa Tepper: 4 touchdown passes --- Ava Semco: 2 receiving touchdowns --- Ariana Junca:j 1 receiving touchdown and an extra point. --- Kate O’Neill: 1 receiving touchdown

Congratulations to Senior Varsity Lacrosse Goalie Isabella Odland, who recorded her 200th career save against Pine Bush on April 3! Starting in goal for the last three seasons, Isabella has been a pillar on a team that has won three of the last four Section IX titles, and was one goal away from defeating eventual State Semi-finalist Horace Greeley last season. She was "lights-out" late in the recent Pine Bush game, shutting down a Pine Bush run with some very impressive one-on-one saves. She has committed to Division I Wagner College this fall!

The Girls Lacrosse Program is off to a fabulous start! Varsity Assistant Rory Boice reports that the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams’ recent games against Pine Bush ended with the Varsity team beating Pine Bush in a 17-10 final! The team created an offensive onslaught that Pine Bush had difficulty containing! “The team left it all on the field,” Varsity Head Coach Jessica Gurrieri said. “It was a great day!” Additionally, the Junior Varsity team ran away in their Pine Bush game, besting that Junior Varsity team which beat them the last two consecutive in a 20-2 final. Junior Varsity Coach Samantha Woodward’s squad was unselfish with the ball offensively and stingy on defense, as they displayed their skills. To top things off, the Modified team beat Warwick in an 8-7 final! “We demonstrated excellent ball movement, control, teamwork and communication,” added Modified Coach Rachael Moran.

Kudos the Varsity Softball team, who were gracious hosts at the March 29 softball scrimmage at our Slate Hill campus! Teams from Valley Central, Saugerties, Port Jervis, Pine Bush, Middletown , FDR/Hyde Park and Delaware Valley joined Minisink Valley in taking part in a great skills development and enhancement day!

It's another huge win for the Varsity Flag Football team! They beat Highland 40-0 this past Friday! Coach Mike Tepper is proud to share these highlights: •Vanessa Tepper: 3 passing touchdowns; 1 rushing touchdown •Kate O’Neill: 2 receiving touchdowns; 1 passing touchdown • Ava Revella: 1 receiving touchdown •Jaida Macaluso: 3 interceptions; one interception touchdown •Ariana Juncaj: 1 receiving touchdown •Extra points: Ava Downing (2), Vanessa Tepper, Ava Semco and Catherine Cucuzza •Interceptions by: Jaida Macaluso (3), Kylie Depeau and Sam Kassel