Jan. 6, 2020: It turns out that the biggest sports news of 2020 was the COVID pandemic.  The spring season at the Bronxville School was cancelled, and the fall season was greatly impacted by restrictions set by New York State. The only season unscathed by the pandemic was the winter season.

Highlights of winter sports included top performances by members of the girls' track and field team who won the 4x400m Suburban Relay at the Millrose Games and won multiple events at the Westchester County Championships. 

Coach Keina Samuels, Caroline Ircha, Alisa Kanganis, Eve Balseiro, Millie Koenig and Coach David Ryan at the Millrose Games. Photo by Jane Ircha.

Links to Winter Track Stories Below

Bronxville Girls Win Suburban 4x400m Relay at the Millrose Games; Set New Bronco Record

Ten Bronxville Girls Win County Titles at the Westchester County Indoor Track and Field Championships

During the winter, the Bronxville high school and middle school squash teams competed at the National level with great success. 

Bronxville high school squash team with coach Tunde Ajagbe

Links to Squash Stories Below

Bronxville High School Boys Squash Team Finishes 10th in the Nation at High School Nationals; Girls Team Finishes 4th in its Division

Bronxville Middle School Squash Teams Produce Two Top Eight Finishes in Middle School Squash Nationals

2020 was a difficult year for all spring athletes, especially seniors who missed their final high school season. MyHometownBronxville highlighted many senior athletes, including Caitlin Mooney, Hanna Bishop, Grace McSherry, Grey Warble, Liam Krall, Will Tormey, Owen Jacquette, Nate Davis, Eve Balseiro, Alisa Kanganis, Sabrina Mellinghoff, Ella Stupart, and Dylan Ruddy. Many of these senior athletes were recruited to compete at the college level. 

Lacrosse seniors (l to r) Grace McSherry, Hanna Bishop and Caitin Mooney. Photo by L. Mooney.

Links to Stories About Senior Athletes and Recruits Below

Class of 2020 Athletic Recruits: Twenty-two Bronxville Athletes to Compete at the College Level

Bronxville Girls' Lacrosse Team Honors Captains With a Parade of Cars

Bronco Sports Spotlight: Caitlin Mooney

Bronxville Sports Spotlight: Grey Warble

Bronco Sports Spotlight: Tennis Player Liam Krall

Bronxville Sports Spotlight: Golfer Will Tormey

Bronxville Sports Spotlight: Owen Jaquette

Bronxville Sports Spotlight: Track and Field Seniors

The Covid pandemic placed Bronxville at the center of the NFL draft. NFL Commissioner and Bronxville resident Roger Goodell ran the draft from his home on Hemlock. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in his basement during the NFL draft. Photo by A. Warner.

Link to Story About NFL Draft Below

Successful NFL 2020 Virtual Draft Was Centered in Bronxville

During the summer, there was great uncertainty about the fate of high school fall sports. Eventually, it was decided that the season would start in late September, but unfortunately, football and girls' swimming would be postponed to March 2021.  

The Bronco teams worked hard to have as normal of a season as possible. The seniors, who are usually recognized at the end of the season, were honored at the first game given the uncertainty of the pandemic.  

Even though the teams had no preseason and had to play in masks and practice social distancing on the sidelines, the Broncos' turf teams finished on top in the championships. As a result of their top performances, many athletes were awarded All-Section and All-County honors. 

The girls' field hockey team after winning the Regional Championship. Photo by David Fenner.

Championship teams: Boys and Girls soccer won regional championship; girls cross country won Class C Championship

Links to Stories About Fall Sports and Events Below

After a Six-Month Interruption, Bronco Athletes Return to the Field

Bronco's Opening Week Includes Senior Day Festivities

Links to Stories About Championship Teams and Awards

Four Championship Titles for the Broncos: Girls' Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boys' Soccer, and Girls' Soccer

Bronxville Athletes Recognized with All-Section and All-County Awards

Off the field, there was a big change in the Bronxville School Athletic Department in 2020. Athletic Director Karen Peterson retired after 22 years, and the school welcomed Joe Haven as the new Bronxville AD. 

Karen Peterson and Coach Don Cupertino. Photo by J. Murrer. 

Links to Stories about Athletic Directors

Bronxville School's Athletic Director, Karen Peterson, Retires After 22 Years

Athletic Director, Joe Haven, Joins the School

2020 was a year like no other. 

There were many obstacles, but the Bronxville athletes were determined, remained positive, followed the guidelines, and made the best of a very difficult year. 

Go Broncos. 

John Ryan (right) in a cross country meet at Milton this fall. Photo submitted by J. Ryan. 

By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 18, 2020: There are no state or sectional playoffs this fall, but Section 1 held Class C Championships for cross country last weekend and will hold regional championships for the turf teams this week.  

The cross country teams competed in the Milton Invitational #5 on Saturday with great results. In a race that included schools of all sizes, sophomore John Ryan placed second in 16:08.7. 

There were 27 teams from across Section 1 competing on Saturday, but because of the pandemic, multiple races were held in separate blocks. Carmel’s Josh Goldberg placed first overall in 16:08.0. His time was just 0.7 seconds faster than Ryan, but the two top finishers did not compete in the same block. 

The final cross country race of the season will be held next weekend, again in Milton. The Milton course is adjacent to the Hudson Valley Sportsdome. 

“It is a grass course and not too hilly,” said Ryan, who has run cross country since seventh-grade. “My goal next week will be to run a sub-16.” 

The girls’ cross country team at the Milton Invitational #5 this past weekend. Photo submitted by D. Ryan. 

The girls’ cross country team won the Class C Championship scoring 25 points and finishing ahead of Albertus Magnus (49), Haldane (81), and Hastings (86). 

Five Bronco girls finished in the top ten, including Maddy Williams, who placed third in 20:17.9, Betsy Marshall, 4th (20.25.6), Avery Widen, 6th (20:37.3), Lyndsie Schultz, 8th (21:50.1), and Rory Denning, 9th (21:56.8).

The Bronco turf teams have fared well this fall and will have home field advantage in their first games. 

The 9-1 boys’ soccer team had five shutouts during the regular season and was undefeated until Saturday when they lost their final game of the season to Class A New Rochelle 2-1. They enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Southern Westchester Small School division and will face No. 8 Westlake today at 2:00 pm. The semifinal game will take place on Friday at the higher seed, and the championship game will be held on Sunday. 

The girls’ soccer team (9-2-1) is ranked No. 3 behind No. 1 Pleasantville and No. 2 Tuckahoe. They played their final game of the season on Saturday, shutting out Lakeland 3-0. The Broncos will play at home on Thursday at 2:00 pm in the quarterfinals against No. 6 Dobbs Ferry. 

The semifinals will take place on Saturday at the higher seed, and the finals will take place on Monday. 

The field hockey team lost 1-0 to Class B Rye in their final game and finished the regular season with a 6-4-1 record. They are seeded No. 2 in the regional playoffs behind Rye Neck. The Broncos will play in the semifinals today at 1:30 pm against the No. 3 Irvington, who defeated No. 6 Valhalla 1-0 in double overtime on Tuesday. The championship game will be held on Friday. 

The number of fans is restricted due to the pandemic, but the games are live-streamed on LocalLive at https://events.locallive.tv/school/bronxville-hs.

Go Broncos. 

The boys’ soccer team celebrates after winning the regional title. Photo by D. Fenner

By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 25, 2020: It was a challenging fall season for the Bronxville athletic teams, who were unable to start practice until late September and did not begin their season until October. The athletes had to adjust to wearing masks and be aware of social distancing rules throughout the season. The usual regional and state championships were canceled early on, but Section 1 decided to hold playoffs and implemented a new playoff format based on regions.  

Despite all the obstacles caused by the pandemic, the Bronxville athletes persevered, winning four Small School Southern Westchester Regional Championships in boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, field hockey, and girls’ cross country. 

Boys’ Soccer 

The boys’ soccer team, the defending Class B Champion, entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, having lost only one game during the regular season. In the quarterfinals held at home last Wednesday, the Broncos defeated No. 8 Westlake and picked up a second victory on Friday against No. 4 Leffell in the semis. 

In the final game against No. 3 Pleasantville, the Broncos shut out the Panthers 3-0 to win the Regional Championship. Ellis Goodson scored in the first half with an assist from Henry Sheehan, and Will Redman scored two goals in the second half. J.P. Swenson had seven saves for Bronxville. Bronxville finished the season 12-1-0 and are Champions for the second straight year.  

The Broncos in the regional final against Pleasantville. Photo by J. Murrer. 

There were restrictions in place limiting the number of fans in the stands at Chambers Field, but there were many fans in parked cars who were honking as time ran out and the Broncos picked up the win. The team ran toward the fans in their cars to celebrate and show their appreciation.  

“It was a great way for us to end our season, considering what the players have been dealing with the past eight months,” said Coach Donny Lucas. “For both teams to have this opportunity to play was a great accomplishment by Section 1 and everyone involved to make this happen. I could not be prouder of the way my team played today and all season long. “ 

Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team advanced to the regional finals by defeating Dobbs Ferry 7-0 in the quarterfinals and Westlake 3-0 in the semis. In the final game, the No. 2 Broncos prevailed over No. 1 Pleasantville, the defending Class B State Champion. The Broncos took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals scored by Lily Jebejian. Pleasantville came out and scored one early in the second half, but the Bronco defense was able to shut them down after that lone goal. Molly Krestinski added another Bronco goal late in the second half to give the Broncos a 3-1 victory.

The Broncos in the semifinal win against Westlake on Saturday. Photo by J. Murrer. 

“It was a great effort with four team members out for COVID-related quarantine,” said Coach Don Cupertino. “The team turned the negative into a positive and really stepped up. It was a true team effort for this great group of girls.”

The blustery weather during the final game made for challenging play. 

“We changed the lineup several times to keep things moving, especially with a furious wind,” said Cupertino. “The season had its moments of challenging times for sure. We were fortunate that we were able to have a season at all, and winning in this fashion, beating the state champions, was incredible!”

The girls’ soccer team holding the Regional Championship trophy. . 

Field Hockey

The No. 2 field hockey team lost four games in a row at the end of the regular season, but they regrouped in the playoffs to defeat Irvington 4-0 in the regional semifinals and captured the Regional Championship with a 3-0 shut out over No. 4 Hastings. Carmen Phillips scored the first goal for the Broncos, followed by a goal from Ellie Clifford with an assist from Isabela Fenner. The final goal was scored with 2:23 left in the game by Phillips with an assist from Olivia Gunther. The field hockey team finished the season with an 8-4-1 record. 

Carmen Phillips (9) scores for the Broncos in the game against Hastings. Photo by David Fenner. 

“As this year continues to be unpredictable, what had been predictable from day one of our season was the unmatched determination of our student athletes,” said Coach Jacquelyn Frawley. “Once we were granted a season to play beginning at the end of September, these girls had one goal in mind, Section One Champions. Brackets may not have looked the same as in the past, but these girls pushed to play day after day. Defeating Hastings solidified the tireless efforts of all involved.”  

The girls’ field hockey team holding the Regional Championship plaque. Photo by David Fenner. 

Girls’ Cross Country

The girls’ cross country team had a very different season running five meets at the Hudson Valley Sportsdome in Milton. The team improved each week and ended the season winning the Small School Southern Westchester Regional Championship and placing six runners in the top 20. Maddy Williams placed 2nd in 19:30.8 and was followed by Betsy Marshall, 4th (20:10.3), Avery Widen 9th (21:00.0), Lyndsie Schultz 13th (21:37.9), Rory Denning 14th (21:44.1), and Kailee Fino 20th (23.17.7).  

“Winning the Regional Championship was an excellent way to end the season,” said Coach David Ryan. “The girls would have advanced to the State Championships with this victory, but States were canceled due to COVID-19.”

The Bronxville girls’ cross country team earned the title New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Team. This means that 75% of the team earned a 3.4 GPA or higher for the first marking period. 

The Bronxville girls’ cross country team holding the Regional Championship plaque. Photo submitted by D. Ryan. 

Four Regional Championships is quite an accomplishment for Bronxville athletes, especially given the pandemic. It is a testament to their hard work and demonstrates true dedication despite the challenging times. 

Go Broncos. Enjoy more photos from the games below.  Photos by D. Fenner

The girls’ tennis team during their final practice of the season. Photo by Steve Klurfeld.

By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 11, 2020: The Bronco teams are headed into the final stretch of the regular season and will head to playoffs next week. In an effort to limit travel due to COVID, the usual sectional tournament will not be held but instead teams in Section 1 will compete in regional playoffs. It is a shortened playoff season, which starts Monday and continues until November 23rd so that the fall season will be completed prior to the Thanksgiving break.  All of the Bronco teams will compete in the Southern Westchester Small School Region.

Below is a look at how the teams fared in the past week, and where they stand as they head into playoffs.  

The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams practicing at Chambers Field yesterday. Photo by S. Quinn DeJoy.

Boys’ Soccer

The boys’ soccer team won the League Championship in this abbreviated season, and is currently the only undefeated Bronco team with an 8-0-0 record. They are the top-ranked team in Class B with Pleasantville and Valhalla trailing behind in the No. 2 and 3 spots.

The team is led by seniors Henry Sheehan, Liam Sands, Macklin Pettee, Griffin Patterson, J.P Swenson, Chris Aherne, Jack Bodell, and Casey McKhann. Underclassmen Will Redman, Aidan Sulmiski, Albert Van Ness, Ellis Goodson, Mark Pytosh and Chris Patterson have been a huge addition this year. The ,Broncos, ranked No. 1 in Class B by LoHud, have two games left before heading into the regional playoffs on Monday. They play home against Scarsdale B today.

Katie Formato and Rory Christian won the doubles regional championship yesterday. Photo by Steve Klurfeld.

Girls’ Tennis

The girls’ tennis team entered the Southern Westchester Small School regionals this past week, and Bronxville’s top doubles team, Katie Formato and Rory Christian, defeated Rye Neck 8-1 in the semifinals on Saturday to advance to the regional championship. In a thrilling two-hour match at Irvington yesterday, Formato and Christian defeated Irvington’s Charlotte Calick and Clio Salles-Spar 6-1, 7-6 to win the regional title.  

The girls’ soccer team playing at home last week.   Photo by J. Murrer.

Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team (6-2-1) is ranked second in Class B and third in the regional playoffs behind No. 1 Pleasantville (10-0) and No. 2 Tuckahoe (5-1-1).  In the game Monday against Horace Greeley, Alex Doukas scored twice and Lily Jebejian added one more to give the Broncos a 3-1 victory. Goalkeeper Milly Koenig had six saves. According to LoHud, Jebejian is ranked 6th in scoring in Section 1 with 11 goals and 6 assists. The Broncos have two regular season games left. They play at Dobbs Ferry today at 2:00 and at Lakeland on Saturday at 11:00.

Field Hockey

The field hockey team (6-3-1) suffered three losses in the last week including  a 3-0 loss to No. 1 ranked Mamaroneck and a 2-1 loss to White Plains. In the game against White Plains, Carmen Phillips scored with an assist from Ellie Clifford, and Rachel Roberts played a great defensive game with nine saves.  Last week, Bronxville forward Olivia Gunther was voted LoHud Player of the Week for her performance in the 3-0 win over Valhalla at the end of October. Gunther scored two unassisted goals in that game. The Broncos will play their final game of the regular season at home against Rye on Saturday at 10:00.

Cross Country

The cross-country championships will be run at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton on Nov. 21-22.

Go Broncos.