By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 22, 2017:  The fall season has come to an end, but Broncos are still making headlines. Last weekend, individual Bronxville athletes competed at the state and federation championships, and Bronco cross country runners and swimmers excelled in the final competitions of the season. Also last week, members of the Bronxville field hockey team and boys’ swim team were honored with several prestigious awards for their performance on and off the field.  

Girls' Swimming

At the New York State Girls’ Swimming Championships held on Saturday at Ithaca College, Bronxville’s Alisa Fominykh placed 5th in the 50yd free (23.87) and 7th in the 100yd free (52.29). Emily Gjertsen, from Tuckahoe High School, placed 19th in the 200yd free (1:55.83) and 16th in the 500yd free (5:04.15). Fominykh, Gjertsen, Caroline McGrath, and Julia Bazinet placed 28th in the 400yd free relay (3:42.05).

Boys' Cross Country 

At the New York Federation Cross Country Championships at Bowdoin Park, juniors Matt and Alex Rizzo each ran a personal best. In the race, which included public and private schools of all sizes, Matt placed 15th in 16:31, and Alex placed 29th in 16:43.1. Federations end the cross country season, and both Matt and Alex will move indoors for the winter track season.

Field Hockey

While the season is over for the field hockey team, field hockey awards were presented at the Section 1 dinner last week, and the Broncos received multiple honors. Hadley Barr and Claire Kraemer were named to the field hockey “Golden Dozen,” which is awarded to twelve players in Section 1 for outstanding academics, athleticism, and community service. 

All-Elite recognition went to Barr, Kat Ungvary, and Fiona Jones, and Ungvary was also named to the All-state team. Caroline Brashear and Kraemer received All Elite, honorable mention. The Bronco field hockey team (15-4-1) won the Class C Sectional Championship this fall.

L to R: Kat Ungvary, Claire Kraemer, Coach Jacquelyn Frawley, Fiona Jones, Caroline Brashear, and Hadley Barr at the Section 1 dinner. Photo by Sarah Kraemer. 

Boys' Swimming

Two Bronco swimmers also received recognition last week for their academic and athletic performances. Senior Andrew Babyak and junior Timothy Cushman were named 2016-2017 Scholastic All America by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. In all, more than 1,100 high school students were selected. The criteria for selection included a 3.5 GPA and a swimming time equal to a 2016 Winter Junior Championships qualifying time.  

Babyak and Cushman swim for the combined team of New Rochelle and Bronxville. Last winter, Babyak won the state and federation title in the 500yd free, and Babyak and Cushman, along with New Rochelle swimmers John Freeman and Michael Lawson, won a state gold in the 400yd free relay. This year’s New Rochelle/Bronxville team will have its opening meet on December 5.  

The Bronxville-New Rochelle 400yd free relay team winning the state championships last winter. Photo by T. Cushman. 

Go Broncos

Pictured at top (rotating):  Alex and Matt Rizzo medaled at the New York Federation Championships (photo by Charlotte Rizzo); the 400 freestyle relay team, Julia Bazinet, Alisa Fominykh, Caroline McGrath, and Emily Gjertsen (photo by Eileen Marshall).