By Linda Pagano, Bronxville Parent and Bronxville Athletic Council member

Mar. 13, 2019:  Ten years and running, the Harlem Wizards have dazzled the Bronxville community with tricks and mind-blowing basketball skills. This year was no exception. On March 3, the Wizards came to Bronxville and played a Bronxville team made up of students and teachers in a sold-out event. With slam dunks, no-look passes, and jump shots from the 3-point line, the Harlem Wizards astonished the crowd. Over 500 tickets were sold, and proceeds support the Bronxville PTA Athletic Council.

"This will be my fifth year taking on the Harlem Wizards with my fellow Broncos," said Tricia Murray, principal of Bronxville High School. "The Harlem Wizards game is a great community-building event because it brings our community together in a really fun way and encourages teamwork." 

"The Harlem Wizards is always a great event because it not only raises money for the Athletic Council but brings the whole community together,” said Bronxville sophomore Macklin Pettee. “I ran the clock this year and it was great to see the younger kids so ecstatic over the tricks the Wizards do. It’s always an enjoyable day.” Bronxville freshman Kiki Tormey said, “I’m excited to play in the Harlem Wizards event because it is something the little kids in the school community really enjoy.” 

Dozens of coveted Wizards prizes were awarded for sideline antics and contestant winners. The event is so popular and well attended that it’s sure to be enjoyed by generations of Broncos to come. 

Go Broncos!

First and third photos courtesy Katie Formato; middle photo courtesy Anthony Vaglica

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.

By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Mar. 6, 2019:  At the New York State Championships held this past weekend, the Broncos finished the high school season on a high note. In track and field, Matt and Alex Rizzo won state championships in the 1000m and 1600m, respectively, and the girls’ 4x400m relay, Betsy Marshall, Caroline Brashear, Sabrina Mellinghoff, and Eve Balseiro, placed second in the state and third in the federation. The state championship race includes public schools across the state, and the federation includes all public and private schools.

Alex (L) and Matt Rizzo. Photo by C. Rizzo.

Matt, who won both the state and federation championships, finished the 1000m race in 2:24.06, breaking the New York State indoor record that was previously set by Miles Irish (2:24.1) in 1983. He ran the last five laps way out in front of the pack and finished eight seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.

“To maintain the composure, drive, and tenacity that he did over 1000m--by himself--is the most impressive part of that run,” noted Coach Ian Clark.

Matt is now ranked sixth all-time in the U.S. and is the top-ranking 1000m runner in a high school-only race. All of the runners ranked above him ran their fast times in collegiate or pro races. 

Alex ran the 1600m in 4:13.21, placing first in the state and second in the federation. Alex's time was the fifth-fastest indoor 1600m ever run in New York State. The winner of the federation, Matthew Payamps from St. Anthony’s, ran the fastest New York State time ever (4:10.51).  

The boys’ and girls’ coordinators for each of the eleven sections in New York select a boy and girl to receive the sportsmanship award. This year, Alex was the recipient of this prestigious award.

The Bronxville 4x400m relay team on the podium at states. Standing in center, Caroline Brashear (L) and Sabrina Mellinghoff. Seated in center, Betsy Marshall. Missing, Eve Balseiro. Photo by David Brashear.

The girls’ 4x400m relay race at states was extremely close, with the first three teams finishing within a half a second. Bronxville finished third in the federation with a time of 3:58.51, St. Joseph’s of Brooklyn placed first in 3:57.94, and Freeport came in second with a time of 3:58.10.

It was the first appearance at the Indoor Track and Field State Championships for senior Caroline Brashear, who will continue her running career at Yale in the fall. Brashear has won Outdoor State Championships in the 4x400m and 4x800m relays for the past two years and is looking forward to her final outdoor season.

Eve Balseiro, who anchored the 4x400m relay at states, also competed in the 300m, placing thirteenth overall.

At the New York State Swimming Championships held last weekend, Tim Cushman, the Section 1 captain at states, earned the highest place of any public high school athlete from Section 1 with his second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle (45.86). He also earned thirteenth place in the 50-yard freestyle (21.62). This was Tim's fourth appearance at the state meet.

Junior Finn Siebold came in eleventh in the 100-yard backstroke (53.47). 

Bronxville’s Cushman and Siebold competed in the 200-yard freestyle relay, along with New Rochelle’s Jonathan Carsen and Michael Cohen. They earned seventh place with a time of 1:28.75.

The New Rochelle-Bronxville team also competed in the 400-yard freestyle relay (Cushman, Carsen, Gavin Blenk (New Rochelle), and Siebold) placing 11th in 3:14.67.

In point scoring, the New Rochelle Bronxville team finished eighth of 85 schools and was the top point-scorer for Section 1.

Go Broncos. 

Pictured at top (rotating): L to R, Alex Rizzo, Coach Ian Clark, Coach Vic Palumbo, Matt Rizzo, and Coach Jim Agnello (photo submitted by J. Agnello); Tim Cushman (center) on the podium at the state championships (photo by Mike Conaton).