Varsity student-athletes were recognized for their athletic accomplishments and commitment to their teams during the high school’s annual Varsity Award Night on June 10, where awards, varsity letters and pins were presented.
The evening included the presentation of Senior Awards, Most Valuable Player Awards by season and other special recognitions.
Minisink Valley Citizen Athletes Awards were presented to Seniors Owen Skinner and Keira Filip.
“This award recognizes two seniors who truly embody what it means to be both an outstanding athlete and an exemplary citizen,” said Board of Education Vice President and Board Athletics Committee Chair Ruth Luis, who presented trophies to both. “These students have demonstrated character, integrity, leadership, and a commitment to serving others, while representing Minisink Valley with pride both on and off the field of play.”
The Outstanding Senior Athletes Awards were presented to Robert LaBarbera and Kate O'Neill.
“The Outstanding Senior-Athlete Award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon our graduating student-athletes,” said Board of Education President Anthony Monaco, who presented trophies to both. “Recipients are selected through a vote of all head coaches and are chosen based on criteria that extend far beyond athletic performance. These students must demonstrate leadership in their sport or sports, earn the respect of teammates, classmates, and faculty, and consistently represent themselves and our community with character and integrity. They must show commitment in the classroom as well as in competition, embody the principles of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play, and understand that athletics serves to promote the physical, mental, moral, and social well-being of every participant.”
Receiving awards were:
Fall 2025
Cheer/ Game Day MVP: Alexa Christiano
Cross Country/ Boys MVP: Landon Straw
Cross Country/ Boys Coaches Award: Brayden McGovern
Cross Country/ Girls MVP: Kathryn Jones
Cross Country/ Girls Coaches Award: Abigail Caputo
Diving/ Girls MVP: Madyson Thorpe
Diving/ Girls Coaches Award: Madison Jennings
Football/ MVP: Zachary Filip
Football/ Best Offensive Player: Robert LaBarbera
Football/ Best Defensive Player: Jayden Pressley
Soccer/ Boys Offensive MVP: Benjamin Danielson
Soccer/ Boys Defensive MVP: James Arias
Soccer/ Boys Coaches Award: John Falzon
Soccer/ Girls MVP: Kate O'Neill
Swimming/ Girls MVP: Natalie Wargo
Swimming/ Girls Coaches Award: Treven Costello
Tennis/ Girls MVP: Ashlyn Burke
Tennis/ Girls Coaches Award: Sara Melville
Volleyball/ Co-MVP: Sophia Escobar
Volleyball/ Co-MVP: Anhjela Jackson
Volleyball/ Defensive Player of the Year: Natalie Barina
Volleyball/ Coaches Award: Ava Messina
Winter 2026
Basketball/ Boys MVP: Liam Barry
Basketball/ Boys Coaches Award: Tristan Valentine
Basketball/ Girls MVP: Cassie Jennings
Basketball/ Girls MVP: Elizabeth Yozzo
Basketball/ Girls Coaches Award: Kate O'Neill
Competitive Cheer/ MVP: Elizabeth DePolito
Indoor Track/ Boys MVP – Track: Maximillian Wickrath
Indoor Track/ Boys MVP – Track: Robert LaBarbera
Indoor Track/ Boys MVP – Field: Reginald Blakely III
Indoor Track/ Girls MVP – Track: Ferrah Hill
Indoor Track/ Girls MVP – Field: Ella Michelitch
Swimming/ Boys MVP: Owen Skinner
Swimming/ Boys MVP: Caleb Decker
Wrestling/ Boys MVP: Wyatt Boice
Wrestling/ Boys MVP: Zachary Filip
Wrestling/ Girls MVP: Jaida Macaluso
Wrestling/ Girls MVP: Sara Pauls
Wrestling/ Girls Coaches Award: Keira Filip
Wrestling/ Girls Coaches Award: Avery Wingen
Spring 2026
Baseball/ MVP: Christopher McCauley
Baseball/ Coaches Award: Liam Barry
Clay Target/ Team MVP — Trap: Peter Westby
Clay Target/ Team MVP — Skeet: Vincent Galligan IV
Clay Target/ Team Coaches Award: Evan Serbetzian
Flag Football/ MVP: Avery Wingen
Flag Football/ Coaches Award: Ava Semco
Golf/ Boys MVP: Matthew Murtaugh
Golf/ Girls MVP: Heather Day
Lacrosse/ Girls MVP: Olivia Gonzalez
Lacrosse/ Girls Coaches Award: Dempsey DePuy
Lacrosse/ Boys MVP: Michael Holland
Spring Track./ Boys MVP — Track: Robert LaBarbera
Spring Track/ Boys MVP — Field: Jayllen Castillo
Spring Field/ Girls MVP — Track: Ferrah Hill
Spring Track/ Girls MVP— Field: Delila Kronimus
Softball/ Offensive MVP: Hannah Ringus
Softball/ Defensive MVP: Emily Smith
Softball/ Coaches Award: Keira Filip
Tennis/ Boys MVP: Ethan Rodriguez
Tennis/ Boys Outstanding Player Award: Jandro Arian
Tennis/ Chuck Reynolds Sportsmanship Award: John Falzon
Unified Basketball/ Co-Ed MVP: Giovanni Tricarico
Unified Basketball/ Co-Ed Coaches Award: Brendan Elwood
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Tim Bult noted approximately 1,400 certificates, varsity letters, and team pins would be awarded in addition to 66 plaques and trophies would be awarded to honor the accomplishments of student-athletes.
"This year, our student-athletes filled 1,375 roster spots across our modified, junior varsity, and varsity teams," he added. "Every roster spot represents a student who chose to challenge themselves, support their teammates, and proudly represent Minisink Valley. This year, 25 of our 27 varsity teams were recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association with Team Scholar- Athlete Awards. Because of the collective academic success of our student-athletes, our high school has once again been named a School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. There are also 28 seniors who have signed NCAA National Letters of Intent and will continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level next year."
In his remarks, Superintendent Brian Monahan reminded student-athletes that sports teaches them lessons that apply far beyond athletics.
“I know you’ve heard this before...take the shot,” he said. “Not every shot goes in. Not every swing connects. Not every pass is completed. Not every race ends with a personal record. But the athletes who grow, improve and eventually succeed are the ones who keep stepping forward because they take their shot. The same will be true in life. There will be opportunities to apply for a job you're not sure you'll get, enroll in a challenging class, start a business, pursue a dream, make a new connection, or take a chance on something that matters to you. But just like in sports, the opportunities you never take are the ones you’re guaranteed to miss. Be courageous enough to try. Be resilient enough to learn. And be confident enough to keep going when things don't work out the first time. Because the lessons you've learned through athletics are preparing you not only for games, matches and competitions — but for life itself.”