Syosset Fall Sports Award Night

The temperature outside on Monday night crept down near 25 degrees, giving the air a chilly, wintery feeling. But it felt like fall inside the school's gymnasium - it was there where coaches for all eight fall sports gathered to discuss the recently completed season and recognize some select athletes.

at the high school is held annually to showcase the accomplishments of the Syosset Braves athletic programs. 

"The message we're trying to send is that we're all unified here," Syosset Athletic Director Rich Shaub said. "We're all on the same team, we're all Braves."

The evening was not only about recognizing wins, losses, and individual accomplishments.

"We did well, not only on and off the field, but in terms of sportsmanship," Shaub said.  "Our scholastic achievement remains terrific and the kids represented the school and the community very well."

After a series of opening remarks by Shaub, the microphone was turned over to the individual coaches who spoke about how their season unfolded.

Girls swimming coach Rich Powell was the first to speak -  he spoke about the challenges of being in a top conference in the county and trying to keep pace. Powell recognized his 200 medley relay team, 200 freestyle team and individual performer

Boys cross country coach Bart Sessa told of his teams' movement towards youth and how, while they didn't win any county or state titles, they still considered the season a success.

"We came into the year with a few small goals that a couple years ago we would have scoffed at," Sessa said.

The goal for the "Running Braves" was to make the conference championships. They did that, sending

Individually, Sessa highlighted the accomplishments of Tyler Moritz, Alex Bertrand and Ryan DiPinto.

Although the football team held a separate award ceremony last week, head coach Paul Rourke spoke about his squad and detailed the Braves "incredible" playoff run.

The coach asked both James Cohan and Dan Ventricelli to come to the award ceremony. Both set Nassau County playoff records - Cohan caught four touchdown passes and Ventricelli threw for five in Braves  over East Meadow. The quarterbacks 236 passing yards broke Chris Kupec's school record, set during the 1970 season.

Both Brett Waxer (boys) and Joe Marchetta (girls) spoke about the fall soccer seasons. Waxer detailed the boys team winning its' final game on the road to vault into the playoffs.

"We really appreciate our seniors," Waxer said of his veteran group who couldn't make the ceremony, due to a conflict with a soccer team they participate in.

Marchetta spoke about some individual achievements, recognizing Maria Tejera as the team's most improved player.

The night ended with both the volleyball teams and Long Island Champion girls tennis team being honored. Girls volleyball captain Melissa Lam was given special recognition for making the all-conference squad, and tennis star Hannah Camhi was honored for her.   

All in all, it was a night about reflection. When so much of the season is about zen-like focus and looking forward, finally, on a cold night in December, the program as a whole allowed itself to reflect fondly on the past.