Congratulations to 17 Minisink Valley seniors on the recent signing of their Division III NCAA National Letters of Intent:

Chas Caron, baseball, Clark University
“Chas is a two-year starter as a middle infielder,” said Varsity Coach Dave Benedetto. “He has been a key defensive player throughout his career.  Whatever I asked of Chas he would do it. He is willing to help the team anyway possible. He has worked tirelessly in the off season. His determination and will to get better is evident every day. He loves the game and has been an absolute pleasure to coach.”

Gianna Catletti, softball, SUNY Brockport
“Gianna is the definition of a complete softball player, said Varsity Coach Bruce Guyette. “She has been a varsity player for the last three years and a captain for the last two. She has a 28-4 record as a starting pitcher and has driven in 64 runs with a .410 batting average.”

Brian DeMoya, football, Castleton University
“Brian was chosen to play on the Section  IX Senior All-Star Team,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Brian was also chosen as a Second Team All-Section Linemen and First Team All-Conference. Brian is a great athlete and very smart football player and a great team player. Brian will be missed but we are sure he will do well at Castleton.”

Andrew Filip, wrestling,  Castleton University
“He’s a six-time Section IX winner, three-time New York State  place winner and 2023 State Runner Up,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Additionally, he’s a two-year captain, six-year starter, a member of three state championship teams co-team MVP. Andrew is a three-sport superstar and will go down as one of the Top 5 athletes to ever play at Minisink Valley. Besides his incredible wrestling career, Andrew was also a First Team Section IX Football All-Star as well as a two-year baseball starter and All-Star. Besides Andrew’s skill, what made him such a great athlete was his work ethic and his ability to play many different positions on the baseball and football fields as well as wrestling. In my book, Andrew will go down as possibly the greatest teammate to ever play at Minisink Valley.”

Kaylee Gadol, lacrosse, John Fisher University
“Kaylee is a three–year varsity player who lead the team to 2021 section championship and 2022 division championship,” said Varsity Coach Chris Burger. “Although she was injured her senior year, she helped support her team and lead them as a captain throughout the season. She has been playing with us since she was in youth and sometimes reminds me that I’m only her second favorite coach. We know she will be a positive contribution on her college team and will exceed in her scholastic career.”

Ethan Gallo, baseball and football, SUNY Cortland
Ethan is a three-year starter at third base,” said Varsity Coach Dave Benedetto. “He is one of the most feared players in Section IX and arguably one of the best three sport athletes to come out of Minisink Valley. Ethan is a game changer. Whenever he is batting people stop to watch because you know something special is around the corner. Ethan is a leader by example and plays with a lot of courage. Players of his caliber don’t come around often.”

Football Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher added: “Ethan was a three-year, two way starter as well as our punter and our kicker. During Ethan’s career, he was chosen First-Team All-State linebacker as a junior as well as being chosen First Team Section IX linebacker and running back as well as being named Section IX Back of the Year. Ethan also set the Minisink Valley single season rushing record as a junior by rushing for over 1,610 yards and then broke his own record as a senior when he rushed for over 1,700 yards. He also has the career rushing record of just over 4,500 yards.  Ethan was also a two time New York State wrestling champion and ranked in the Top 10 in the country in his weight class. Ethan may be the best athlete to ever play at Minisink Valley.”

Kylie Giakoumis, volleyball, Saint Joseph College of Maine
Kylie is a three-year varsity player; varsity captain; Section IX class A All-Star in her junior and varsity years.

“She’s a confident and solid player and always ready and willing to help with younger teams,” said Varsity Coach Eve Cruz. “She is a leader by example.”

Aiden Gove, football, Wilkes University
“Aiden has been a two-year starter and was a team captain as a senior,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Aiden was also chosen as a member of the Section IX Senior All Star Team. Aiden was a two-year starter for us and was also chosen as a 2nd Team All Section Team member as well as a First Team All-Conference Team member. Andrew is one of the strongest linemen in our conference and could drive people off the ball. Wilkes is getting a great player on and off the field.”

Michaela Hujus, swimming, University of New England
“Michaela is dedicated to her goals and has put in the hard work for all of the results she has accomplished, said Varsity Coach Megan Sontag. “She is one of the most self-driven athletes I have ever coached and it has been impressive to watch her achieve the amount of success she has in swimming in such a short time.”

Michaela holds the school record 50 and 100 Freestyle; is a two-year NYS state qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle; is the 2022-23 section champion in the 50 and 100 Free; placed ninth in the 50 freestyle at the state championship meet; and was the most valuable player (MPV) in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Dan Morgan, football, Hartwick College
“Dan has been a two-year starter and a captain as a senior,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Dan has also been selected as a Section IX Senior All-Star team member. Dan was also selected as a first team linemen by the Section IX Coaches Association and a first team All-Conference player.”

Ciara Olivo, softball, SUNY Brockport
“Ciara has been the starting centerfielder for the past three seasons” said Varsity Coach Bruce Guyette. “A true team player, Ciara has accepted her role as a defensive specialist with both dignity and class.”

Gabriella Olivo, softball, Widener University
“Gabriella has been the starting shortstop in our very successful Varsity program for the past three seasons,” Varsity Coach Bruce Guyette said. “She’s blessed with excellent athleticism and a very strong arm. Gabriella has been a centerpiece of our success.”

Josh Peguero, football, Hudson Valley Community College
“Josh was chosen for the Section IX Senior All Star Team as well as First Team All Section as voted on by the Section IX Coaches Association, said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “Josh was also chosen as First Team All- Conference. Josh lead our team in receptions, reception yardage, touchdown catches, punt return touchdowns, and kickoff return touchdowns. Anytime Josh got the ball there was a chance he could score. We are confident Josh will use Hudson Valley as a great stepping stone to bigger things down the road.”

James Pendl, football, Castleton University
“James was selected to play on the Section IX Senior All-Star team,” said Varsity Coach Kevin Gallagher. “ James has also led our team in interceptions the last two years. James was also chosen to the Second Team All-Conference team.”

Oliva Roccabruna, volleyball and softball, Elmira College
Olivia is a multi-sport athlete who’s played volleyball for three years.

“She’s a great teammate and hard worker,” said Varsity Coach Eve Cruz. “She plays with so much joy.”

Softball Varsity Coach Bruce Guyette added:  “Olivia has been the most improved player in our program over the past two seasons. Her defensive ability as a catcher, coupled with a strong throwing arm, has earned her the starting role as a senior.”

 

Ethan Slowik, baseball, University of Saint Joseph
“Ethan is a three-year starter as a pitcher,” said Coach Dave Benedetto. “He just reached a milestone of 100 career strikeouts. Ethan will go on to college and make a big impact for his school. He puts in the work and the results show.  Ethan is a master of his craft. He works extremely hard to get better every day. He is passionate about baseball. He is our ‘go-to’ guy,  a team player and always plays the game the right way.”

Abby Stevens, volleyball, SUNY Oneonta
Abby is a four-year varsity player and varsity captain; MVP in her junior year; Section IX Class A All-Start First Team in her junior year; and second team in her senior year.

“She’s a very skilled setter,” said Varsity Coach Eve Cruz. “She leads through her actions and was always there early to assist in preparation for practice and games.”