School Sports

Presentation on Facts and Advice on College Selection and Athletic Recruitment

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Linda Pagano, Bronxville Parent and Bronxville Athletic Council Member

Apr. 3, 2019: For high school students, choosing the right college is challenging enough. Adding the dream to play a sport at the college level, athletes need a realistic view and a good plan.

There are plenty of factors to consider when weighing your options on how best to be recruited by your dream school. Here to give you the facts and some expert advice is a special presentation by Perfect Playcement speaker Mark Leinweaver, an MLB agent and a 20-year sports industry veteran.

Brought in by Bronxville High School athletic director Karen Peterson and sponsored by the Bronxville PTA Athletic Council, Leinweaver is here to educate parents and students on the best strategy for selecting their “perfect” college first and then the preparation and approach to gain exposure for the recruitment process by college-level athletic programs.

"This presentation offers an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions and begin a dialogue," said Karen Peterson, who has been the Bronxville High School athletic director for over 20 years, "to be realistic and manage their expectations of playing sports in college with the reality of what that process will look like."

Bronxville High School has had its fair share of athletes recruited in recent years to Ivy League schools such as Princeton and Yale for track and lacrosse, as well as NESCAC Division 3 schools with high academics like Trinity and Middlebury and Division One schools such as Notre Dame, Michigan, and Bucknell, to name just a few.

The college athletics recruitment presentation for parents and students will be held on Tuesday, April 9, in the school's multipurpose room at 7:00 pm. Students and parents are encouraged to attend. For more information on Mark Leinweaver and Perfect Playcement, go to www.perfectplaycement.com.

Photo courtesy Bronxville School PTA Athletic Council

Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff

Bronxville Girls’ Lacrosse Opens Tomorrow at Hayes Field

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By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Mar. 27, 2019: The Bronxville girls’ lacrosse team opens tomorrow at home against a top-rated Albertus Magnus team. The game will be played on Hayes Field at 4:45 pm.

The Broncos, who are ranked No. 5 in the LoHud preseason Power Rankings, made it to the Class D state final last year. Bronxville has made it to the state tournament for five consecutive years.

This season’s schedule will be a challenge, though. The Broncos are scheduled to play top teams in Section 1, including John Jay Cross River (No. 1 in the Power Rankings), Brewster (No. 3), Mamaroneck (No. 6), Somers (No. 8), and Putnam Valley (No. 10).

The Broncos graduated eight seniors last year, all of whom were big contributors to the team, but they return three talented seniors, Captains Isabel Sondey, Fiona Jones, and Anneke Pulkkinen.

Sondey, an All-Section player in 2018, was recently named to LoHud’s Elite 11. Last season, she scored 44 goals for the Broncos and has committed to play at Columbia in the fall. Jones, also an All-Section player in 2018, has committed to play at Amherst, and Pulkkinen, who received All-League recognition last year, will play at the University of Chicago.

Only four juniors return, including Caitlin Mooney (goalkeeper) and Grace McSherry (attack). Hanna Bishop and Cassidy Mullen, who were both injured last year, are back in action this spring.

“We are really happy to have them back, and they are playing great,” said Coach Sharon Robinson.

The Broncos are a relatively young team. Out of 19 players on the roster, twelve of those are underclassmen.

“Our team is young but very talented and enthusiastic,” said Robinson. “We are very excited to get going with the season and help the team develop into a top contender for playoffs.”

The Broncos will play Fox Lane and Mamaroneck away before returning home on April 5 to face No. 3 Brewster.

Go Broncos.

Pictured here (L to R): Captains Anneke Pulkkinen, Fiona Jones, and Isabel Sondey.

Photo by Sharon Robinson

Anthony Vaglica Returns as Bronxville Baseball Coach

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By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Mar. 20, 2019: Anthony Vaglica returns as the Bronxville baseball coach after a three-year hiatus. Vaglica coached the Broncos from 2008 to 2015. He is currently a physical education teacher in the elementary school and has served as the teacher liaison to the athletic council for the past two years.

“I think he is exceptional,” said Jane Sears, who served as a parent co-chair of the athletic council for three years. “He related really well to the kids, and they related to him. He was extremely organized, a motivator, and he had great ideas.”

Vaglica was a pitcher for the Concordia Clippers from 2002 to 2006 before becoming a teacher and is now looking forward to coaching the Broncos again.

“Baseball has become very two dimensional--home runs and strikeouts,” said Coach Vaglica. “Our goal is to get back to the basics; bunting, hitting and running, stealing bases, hitting the opposite way, etc.”

The baseball team was very young last season, and many sophomores received significant playing time. As a result, the team brings back most of its key players.

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Junior Owen Jaquette. Photo by Steve Malley.

Senior Zip Malley brings five years of experience to the team and is a returning All-Section player. He will be playing for Middlebury in the fall. As an eighth-grader, Malley was moved up to the varsity team part way through the season.

“I was called up to the team during Coach Vaglica’s last year,” said Malley. “I was on JV and one of the middle infielders broke his finger so I played the second half of the season. “

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Zip Malley. Photo by Steve Malley.

Malley, who has been a captain on the team for the past three years, plays shortstop and sometimes comes in as a reliever. While practices are still challenging until the field is ready for use, Malley thinks the early spring practices are going well.

“Coach Vaglica is great. Everyone really likes what he is doing. It is kind of tough to practice indoors, but he is using the gym well. Coach posts a plan every day before practice so we know what to expect. He also sends an email every morning, which shows the players how much time he is willing to put in for us.”

The Broncos return the majority of their lineup and have pitching depth to boot. The team is very junior heavy with leaders Jack Hommeyer, Theo Sperber, and Owen Jaquette, to name a few.

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Theo Sperber. Photo by Steve Malley.

Assistant coaches Michael Sabatello and Michael Schultz, who also played for Concordia, will join Vaglica.

The Broncos open away on April 2 against Hastings and will open at home at Lower Scout Field against Palisades Prep on April 4.

Go Broncos.

Pictured at top: Coach Anthony Vaglica. Photo by Steve Malley.

Seven Bronxville Relays Compete at Nationals: Boys’ SMR Wins National Title

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By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Mar. 13, 2019: Over the years, Bronxville track and field relay teams have carved out a name for themselves, winning the New York State Championship countless times and competing in prestigious meets such as the Millrose Games, the Penn Relays, and the New Balance Nationals. Last weekend, the Broncos outdid themselves, sending seven relay teams to the Indoor Nationals at the Armory.

Coach Ian Clark could not say enough about the performance of the Bronxville boys.

“It was a great weekend--arguably the best ever for the Bronxville boys’ track team,” said Coach Clark. “Both relays were all-American, and one relay won nationals.”

The boys’ sprint medley relay (SMR) won the national title in 3:27.34, a new national #1 time and Westchester/Section 1 record.

It was a gritty performance from the Bronxville boys, who were recovering from spike cuts and busted toenails, and they won with a down-to-the-wire performance.

Seamus Watters led off in the 200m, followed by Tommy O’Connell in the 200m, who then handed the baton to Alex Rizzo. Alex held his ground in the 400m, and when he handed off to brother Matt, the Bronxville team was in fourth place, about 20m behind the leader.

Over the course of four laps, Matt gradually closed the gap and passed the top-ranked 800m high school runner in the country, Alfred Chawonza of St. Benedict’s, in the final seconds of the race.

“Matt ran an absolutely perfect 800, showcasing why he is one of the top runners in the country,” said Coach Clark. “He maintained his composure and ran even splits for each 200.”

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National champions in the SMR (L to R): Seamus Watters, Tommy O’Connell, Matt Rizzo, and Alex Rizzo. Photo by C. Rizzo

Click here to view the race.

The boys’ distance medley relay (DMR) ran a 10:07.15, setting a new Section 1/Westchester record by over 13 seconds. Matt Rizzo ran a 2:59 in the 1200m, which, according to officials, had never been done before by a high school runner. Tommy O'Connell ran the 400m, Jack Kochansky ran the 800m, and Alex Rizzo finished it off, running the 1600m.

The DMR finished third overall, with the first-place team, Jungle TC from Virginia, setting a new national record.

“It's every coach's dream to have a season like this,” commented Clark. “I owe it all to the boys, their hard work and their commitment to the team.”

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The DMR (L to R): Tommy O’Connell, Alex Rizzo, Matt Rizzo, and Jack Kochansky. Photo by C. Rizzo

The Bronxville girls’ relay teams also had outstanding performances at nationals. The girls’ team sent five relays to the National Championships, the most in Bronxville School history.

The 4x200m relay, Caroline Ircha, Sabrina Mellinghoff, Alisa Kanganis, and Eve Balseiro, placed thirteenth, breaking the Bronxville School record with a time of 1:44.83.

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The 4x200m relay (L to R): Coach David Ryan, Caroline Ircha, Sabrina Mellinghoff, Coach Keina Samuels, Alisa Kanganis, and Eve Balseiro. Photo by Jane Ircha

The 4x400m team, Betsy Marshall, Caroline Brashear, Mellinghoff, and Balseiro, placed fifteenth in a time of 3:57.43, the second-fastest time in Bronxville history.

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The 4x400m relay (L to R): Caroline Brashear, Eve Balseiro, Sabrina Mellinghoff, and Betsy Marshall. Photo by D. Ryan

Bronxville sent two sprint medley relay teams this year. The first team, Ircha, Mellinghoff, Balsiero, and Brashear, ran the fourth-fastest time in Bronxville history (4:09.52), placing nineteenth. The second team, Kanganis, Milly Koenig, Marshall, and Natalie Weiner, ran a 4:15.81, the eighth-fastest time for Bronxville.

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The SMR (L to R): Caroline Brashear, Eve Balseiro, Sabrina Mellinghoff, and Caroline Ircha. Photo by Jane Ircha

Finally, the 4x800m relay, Clio Dakolias, Maeve Sullivan, Weiner, and Brashear, ran a season best of 9:25.59, placing eighteenth. Dakolias (2:20.30) and Sullivan (2:21.35) set personal bests.

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L to R: Caroline Brashear, Maeve Sullivan, Natalie Weiner, and Clio Dakolias. Photo by D. Ryan

It was an outstanding weekend for the Broncos, who once again made it clear that Bronxville is the fastest square mile in the U.S.

Go Broncos.

Pictured at top (rotating): Front row (L to R): Matt Rizzo, Seamus Watters, and Jack Kochansky; back row (L to R): Coach Ian Clark, Tommy O’Connell, Alex Rizzo, and Coach Victor Palumbo (photo by C. Rizzo); L to R: Caroline Brashear, Maeve Sullivan, Natalie Weiner, and Clio Dakolias (photo by D. Ryan).

Bronco Athletes Honored at 2019 Winter Sports Awards Ceremony

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By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Mar. 13, 2019: At the annual winter sports awards evening held on February 26 in the high school auditorium, Athletic Council co-presidents Rachael Peacock and Gigi Chrappa introduced the winter sports teams. Bronxville athletes received multiple awards, including all-American, all-state, all-county, and all-league recognition.

It was an historic winter for the boys’ and girls’ indoor track and field teams. This year’s Broncos broke a total of fourteen school records during the indoor season.

For the girls, Eve Balseiro set three school records in the 300m, 400m, and 600m, and Sabrina Mellinghoff and Caroline Ircha set records in the 55m and 200m, respectively. The Rizzo brothers broke records in the 1000m and mile (Matt) and the 600m and 1600m (Alex), and Seamus Watters set a new record in the 55m high hurdles.

Four Bronxville relays broke previous school records. The girls’ 4x400m relay (Balseiro, Mellinghoff, Betsy Marshall, and Caroline Brashear) and the 4x200m relay (Ircha, Mellinghoff, Alisa Kanganis, and Balseiro) both set all-time Bronxville records. The boys’ SMR (M. Rizzo, A. Rizzo, Watters, and Tommy O’Connell) and the DMR (A. Rizzo, M. Rizzo, O’Connell, and Jack Kochansky) set all-time records.

For a complete list of award winners, see below.

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Eve Balseiro, who broke multiple school records in track, receives a hug from Coach Keina Samuels.

Girls' Indoor Track and Field

Coach: David Ryan
Assistant Coaches: Jim Mitchell, Keina Samuels

Captains: Andrea Shephard, Isabelle Dibbini, Sabrina Mellinghoff

All-League: Eve Balseiro, Ava Black, Gigi Chrappa, Clio Dakolias, Marielle Dibbini, I. Dibbini, Ava Downs, Jules Gravier, Patty Haggerty, Caroline Ircha, Alisa Kanganis, Milly Koenig, Emma Mandanas, Betsy Marshall, S. Mellinghoff, A. Shephard, Maeve Sullivan, Kelly Weild, Natalie Weiner, Avery Widen

All-League Honorable Mention: Molly Palma, Julia Widen

All-County: S. Mellinghoff, E. Balseiro, C. Ircha, C. Brashear, J. Gravier, M.Koenig, A. Kanganis, B. Marshall, N. Weiner, C. Dakolias, M. Sullivan

MVPs: Caroline Brashear, Eve Balseiro, Sabrina Mellinghoff, Caroline Ircha

Seniors: Abbott Lyric, Caroline Brashear, Clio Dakolias, Isabelle Dibbini, Patty Haggerty, Emma Mandanas, Andrea Shephard, Sophia Sulimirski, and Natalie Weiner.

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Alex and Matt Rizzo accepting awards from Coach Ian Clark.

Boys' Indoor Track and Field
Coach: Ian Clark
Assistant Coach: Victor Palumbo

Captains: Tim Murray, Nathan Revadigar, Alex Rizzo

All-American: Matt Rizzo, Alex Rizzo, Seamus Watters, Tommy O’Connell, Jack Kochansky

State Champions: M. Rizzo, A. Rizzo

All-League: J. Kochansky, Zip Malley, T. O’Connell, Connor Randall, M. Rizzo, A. Rizzo, Seamus Watters

All-County and All-Section: M. Rizzo, A. Rizzo, S. Watters

MVP, sprint: S. Watters

MVP, distance: M. Rizzo, A. Rizzo

Seniors: Jay Burstein, Jack Kochansky, Kevin Leka, Tommy O’Connell, Luke Redman, Nathan Revadigar, Matt Rizzo, Alex Rizzo, Seamus Watters, and Emmanuel Yimer

Boys' Swimming and Diving – New Rochelle/ Bronxville

Swim Coach: Kip Fiero
Assistant Coach: Michael Panzarino

All-League: T. Cushman

MVP: T. Cushman

Rookie of the Year: Theodore Veru

Coaches’ Award: Finn Seibold

Senior Captain: Tim Cushman

Varsity Squash

Coach: Supreet Singh
Captains: Conner Stoltz, Julia Curran, McKenna Stoltz

Most Improved: Conner Stoltz

MVP: Molly Stoltz

Senior Awards: J. Curran, M. Stoltz

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Basketball captains Corey Ramundo (L) and Tim McGrath.

Boys' Basketball

Coach: Bobby Russo
Assistant Coach: Ralph Russo
Captains: Tim McGrath, Corey Ramundo, Ashton Smith

All-League: T. McGrath

MVP: T. McGrath

Hustle Award: Ashton Smith

Bronco Award: Corey Ramundo

Seniors: Tim McGrath, Ashton Smith, and Corey Ramundo

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Members of the girls’ basketball team accepting awards.

Girls' Basketball
Coach: Donald Lucas
Assistant Coach: Michaela Donohue
Captains: Jenny Pettee, Denise Kinas, Samantha Huss

All-League: Stella Daskalakis, Ashley Wetty

All-League, Honorable Mention: Denise Kinas, Hanna Bishop

Coaches’ Awards: Denise Kinas, Samantha Huss, Jenny Pettee

Seniors: Denise Kinas, Samantha Huss, and Jenny Pettee

Ice Hockey (Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Edgemont )
Coach: Steve Forzaglia
Assistant Coach: Rob Striar

All-League, Honorable Mention: Trent Dillon

Coaches' Award: T. Dillon

Senior Captain: Trent Dillon

Varsity Skiing
Coaches: Jim Agnello, Peggy Williams
Captains: Mary Moynihan, Caroline Spitz

All-League: Bailey Gilliam, Piper Gilliam, Bridget Sands, Philip Meyers

Most Valuable Skier: B. Gilliam

Most Improved: B. Sands, P. Meyers

Bronco Spirit Award: Cole Zucker

Seniors: Hanna Beldotti, Sarah Conneally, Lindsey Cruikshank, Peter Dolan, Barrett Dollar, Damian Kaminski, Margaret Knight, Mary Moynihan, Mike Murray, Kunzang Namgyal, Alex Knew, Ellie Parson, Jack Parzick, Charlie Preusse, Caroline Spitz, and David Weild.

Pictured at top (rotating): Tim Cushman, team captain and most valuable swimmer; Eve Balseiro, who broke multiple school records in track, receives a hug from Coach Keina Samuels.

Photos by J. Murrer

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