As the winter season drew to a close, our student-athletes and several teams advanced to postseason play. We are excited to share their accomplishments, personal bests, and awards in this edition of Husky Athletics.
The Cheerleading team took first place at the National High School Cheerleading Championship for the first time in school history. Three varsity teams won League Championships: Ice Hockey, Boys Swimming, and Boys Bowling. Sophomore Sienna Cozzali earned All-State as a wrestler and won the Eastern States Championship; Fabio Camacho and Amelie Escamilla qualified for the Indoor Track and Field Nationals; and Varsity Girls Basketball players Mia Strazza and Stella Perini each surpassed 1,000 career points. Eight teams maintained an average GPA of 90 or higher, achieving scholar-athlete status. Our Ice Hockey team was League Champion, and Rich Meyers was named League Coach of the Year.
While these accolades are significant, our student athletes' work ethic, commitment to their sport and studies, support of teammates, and respect for opponents, officials, and spectators set them apart. We are proud of how each of them represents our school and community.
I am confident that you will share our Husky pride as you read this edition of Husky Athletics.
Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Winter 2023-24: Awards and Accomplishments
3 League Championship Teams: Ice Hockey, Boys Swim, Boys Bowling
2 student athletes named National Qualifiers -Fabio Camacho, Amelie Escamilla for Indoor Track and Field
12 student athletes named All Section
1 student athlete named All-State
1 student athlete was a Class A Champion
3 student athletes named All County
32 student athletes named All League
9 Varsity teams were Scholar Athlete teams
Cheer team won the Small Varsity DII Game UCA National Championship
Amelie Escamilla qualified for the National Championship for Indoor Track and Field
Sienna Cozzali was All-State in wrestling and won the Eastern State Championship
Ben Fontecchio won the Section 1 Class A Championship in Shot Put
Fabio Camacho qualified for Nike Indoor Nationals in the Weight Throw
Mary Gilmore set the school record in High Jump
Max Tse was named League Player of the Year for Ice Hockey
Varsity Girls Basketball players, Mia Strazza and Stella Perini both scored 1,000+ career points
Stella Perini won the prestigious ConEd award for her academic and athletic excellence
Mia Strazza won Lohud Player of the Week for Basketball.
Olivia Fernandez earned Super 7 Nomination for Basketball.
Coach Meyers won League Coach of the Year for Ice Hockey
Team Highlights
Cheer
Scholar Athlete Team
UCA National Champions
The National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC), the pinnacle of cheerleading competitions for high school cheerleaders across the country, hosted 1,125 teams across 33 states. The Husky Cheer team competed in the Small DII Game Day Division against 45 teams from across the country, and was one of 13 teams to advance to the finals. After finishing 12th in 2022 and 3rd last year, the 2024 squad clenched the top spot and took home the trophy and iconic “White Jacket” as National Champions. The Varsity Cheerleaders placed top 5 at all local competitions this Winter season, including Sectionals. The team included 10 All-League athletes - 5 of whom also received All-Section.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Bianca Minichiello, Alexandra Paternoster, Avery Borman, Leia Pansarella, Ana Molero.
All League: Bianca Minichiello, Romina Alban, Allyson Booth, Alexandra Paternoster, Michaela Sander, Avery Borman, Leia Pansarella, Ana Molero, Aika Watanabe, Rebecca Roca.
Boys Swimming
Record: 9-0
League Champions
Scholar Athlete Team
The Harrison Varsity Swimming team had an unbelievable season, going 9-0 and advancing to sectionals. Senior captains Korbii Reiff and Jake Robinson united a squad of 22 swimmers into a cohesive and competitive unit; underclassmen Aidan Grant led the team in points. Junior Mark Colacioppo and seventh grader Niko da Silva performed in odd stroke events (events other than freestyle), and junior John Colacioppo stepped up in his new role as a middle-distance swimmer.
Awards and Recognitions
All League: Aidan Grant, Jake Robinson
Ice Hockey
Record: 20-2-1
League Champions
Scholar Athlete Team
The Rye Town Harrison Titans had a year to remember, earning the League C Title and advancing to the Section 1 Division 1 Semi Final game. The team was led by three Harrison seniors Tyler Beardsley, Max Tse, and Mathew Marsh who helped develop our team into a sectional contender.
Awards and Recognitions
League Player of the Year: Max Tse
League MVP: Max Tse
All Section: Max Tse; Honorable Mention: Isaac Schultz, Julian Gahr
All League: Max Tse, Isaac Schultz, Julian Gahr; Honorable Mention: Jack Mazzella, Alex Sabino
Boys Bowling
Record: 13-1
League Champions
Scholar Athlete Team
The boys Varsity Bowling team had an unforgettable season, finishing with an impressive 13-1 record and clinching the League Championship for the first time in a decade. Although the team lost their first match of the season to Scarsdale, they won every subsequent match. Their final match of the season against Scarsdale ended in a dominating Harrison victory, showcasing the team's growth and resilience throughout the season. The boys shattered several team records, including achieving the highest team game, highest individual game, and highest team series in the league. Their remarkable performance also earned them a historic qualification for the team sectional tournament, the first time in the school's history. Two athletes from the team secured individual spots in the sectional tournament, Captains senior George Roggiero and junior Kyojiro Yamada; their leadership and commitment were instrumental in the team's success. George has been a member of the team since 8th grade and has qualified for sectionals and named all-league the last three years.
Awards and Recognitions
All League: George Roggiero, Kyojiro Yamada, Dylan McKiernan
Girls Bowling
Record: 12-2
Scholar Athlete Team
The Varsity Girls Bowling team had a successful season on the lanes and came in a very tight third place. Every bowler increased their average from last season, and the team broke a few team records, including achieving the highest team game & highest individual game. Many seniors did a phenomenal job building culture and perseverance among the younger athletes on the team.
Awards and Recognitions
All-League: Eleanor Gilmore, Kaya Ito, Yahaira Martinez, Hana Yamazaki, Luisa de Oliveira
Girls Basketball
Record: 16-7
Scholar Athlete Team
The season was another stellar one from the Girls Hoops team, competing against the top teams in the section. The team lost only two league games and earned a spot in the Section 1 Class AA Semifinal game at the County Center. On and off the court, leadership from seniors, Olivia Fernandez, Stella Perini and Olivia Grecco, has made our program among the most winning in the section. Perini and junior Mia Strazza both eclipsed 1,000 career points. The team finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the Class AA state rankings.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Mia Strazza, Olivia Fernandez, Stella Perini
All League: Mia Strazza, Olivia Fernandez, Stella Perini
Boys Winter Track and Field
Scholar Athlete Team
The Boys Winter Track team competed hard and improved throughout the season, placing 2nd at the League Championship meet and 2nd in the Class A Westchester County Championships. Throwers led the way with Ben Fontecchio winning the Section 1 Class A Championship in Shotput and Fabio Camacho qualifying for Nike Indoor Nationals in the Weight Throw. The grit and determination of our athletes posted a number of performances that cracked the all-time Top 10 lists for Harrison.
Awards and Recognitions
National Qualifier: Fabio Camacho
Class A Champion: Ben Fontecchio
All County: Fabio Camacho
All-League: Andrew Araujo, Fabio Camacho
Girls Winter Track and Field
Scholar Athlete Team
The Girls Winter Track team had a season, facing off against top competitors from the northeast region in several invitationals: Purple Champions, Coaches Hall of Fame, Hispanic Games, and Steve Borbet. Many athletes finished in the top 20, achieving personal bests in their individual events. The team placed 5th in the Sectional Championship, competing against the best teams in the section. Mary Gilmore set a new school record in High Jump, and Amelie Escamilla competed at the National Indoor Championship in Hurdles.
Awards and Recognitions
National Indoor Champion: Amelie Escamilla
All Country: Mary Gilmore
All League Honorable Mention: Kelly Newman, Mary Gilmore
Boys Basketball
Record: 9-13
Scholar Athlete Team
The Boys Basketball team played in the most competitive league against many of the top teams in the section, with big wins over Rye and Scarsdale. The boys lost in the playoffs to the eventual section finalist in a close game. Seniors Gabe Enaye, Joe Gjokaj, Michael Mainland and Rocco DiFeo were great role models on and off the court and leave the program in a better place.
Wrestling
Record: 13-13
The young Wrestling team worked tirelessly to improve throughout the season. The team was led by the only senior and Captain Carter Erbelding who was a 20 match winner and earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Vin Nicita Tournament. Sienna Cozzali had another stellar year placing 6th in the Boys Division, 3rd in the Girls Invitational State Tournament, and winning the Eastern States for her weight class. Sienna and Mark Anthony Giordano posted 20 win seasons and were Section Qualifiers.
Awards and Recognitions
All State: Sienna Cozzali
All-Section: Sienna Cozzali
All County: Sienna Cozzali
All-League: Carter Erbelding, Mark Anthony Giordano, Sienna Cozzali, Alejandro Guttierez
Grace Peacock to Join USC Women's Rowing Team
Senior Grace Peacock signed a commitment letter to join the NCAA Division 1 Women's Rowing team at the University of Southern California. Family, friends, faculty, and administrators attended the signing ceremony to honor Grace's dedication as a student and an athlete. Congratulations Grace!
Modified Athletics: LMK Student Athletes Build Skills, Team Spirit
Rigor, Accountability, Communication and Development, the four core values of our Athletics Department, were the focus during our Modified Athletics season. More than 120 student athletes participate in the sports of Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Ice Hockey and Indoor Track during the winter season. Students focused on developing skills, building relationships, and learning how to become part of a team. Student athletes gained valuable experience focusing on foundational skills that will continue to develop and as they prepare to compete in high school. The winter season came to a close with the annual Maroon versus White Basketball games, cheered on by friends, family, coaches and high school students. The future looks bright for our young Huskies!
Department of Physical Education, Health and Athletics
