The high school winter sports season is in the book (almost) and the fine folks of the Herricks Schools Athletic Booster Association led by president Bill Clark once again paid tribute to each team at what has become traditional end-of-season receptions complete with dinner, awards and slide show presentation.
Master of ceremonies James Petricca, the district director of athletics, (the only administrator in evidence) got things rolling in fine fashion.
The following teams were awarded New York State Scholar Athlete Team distinctions: boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, boys’ swimming, and boys’ winter track. More than a nice touch, this is official recognition of the integral symbiosis of athletic and intellectual challenge and growth coming from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
A number of Herricks athletes have received awards from outside agencies this past season.
Three Highlanders received all-county awards; Alison Ricchiuti (so – girls’ basketball), Kevin Ling (jr – boys’ swimming), and Ryan Singh (sr – wrestling). Ling was Nassau County’s 100m breast stroke Champion, and Singh was Nassau County’s 112 lb. champion, and champion of champions. Kim Givelechian (jr – girls’ basketball) received all-class honors.
All-Conference honors in boys’ basketball went to Jack Kim (sr), George Malonoukas (jr), and Andrew Fellus (so). Girls’ basketball all-conference honors went to seniors Michelle Weinman and Alissa Kokinakis.
Boys’ winter track all-conference honors went to conference champions Jack McGuire (jr) and Patrick McGuire (sr).
In wrestling all-conference honors went to; Solomon Aziz (fr), Thomas Dunn (sr), Andrew Farrell (so), Christopher Farrell (sr), Thomas Gonzalez (sr), Daniel Grandelli (sr), Matthew Grandelli (fr), Corey Iuculano (so), Eric Kautz (sr), Michael Lopez (so), Carlos Rodriguez (sr), Anthony Rosa (jr), Kevin Ryersen (sr), William Rynne (jr), Ryan Singh (sr), John Temperino (so), and Michael Vespe (so). Both Singh (112 lbs.) and Rosa (189 lbs.) won conference championships.
In addition to these awards, individuals from each team were honored with Herricks Coaches Recognition awards.
These awards were presented to: senior Daniel Tadros (boys’ winter track), Ashu Jawal (girls’ winter track manager), senior Darren Kang (boys’ swimming), senior Zach Aziz (boys’ basketball), frosh Barbara Nictas (girls’ basketball), and junior Sabrina Osieczkowski (cheering).
The wrestling team will present their Coaches Recognition Award and numerous other awards and distinctions at their 35th Annual Herricks Wrestling Team Awards Dinner scheduled to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 13t at the Davenport Press Restaurant in Mineola.
This premier jacket-and-tie affair features high school and middle school wrestlers, their families, friends and a number of Herricks wrestling alumni.
So the entries in the book are not quite complete yet, and before we turn the page to the spring sports season, we wish to thank the custodial staff, grounds crew, athletic department, coaches, and especially those dedicated folks in the Athletic Booster Association for their efforts on behalf of Herricks student-athletes enabling those youngsters to have the opportunity to rise above the mundane.
