HUSKY ATHLETICS NEWSLETTER
FALL 2023
Dear Harrison Community,
Fall 2023 was a historic season for Harrison athletics and Husky athletes on and off the field. The many accomplishments are shared in this edition of the Husky Athletics newsletter.
Our teams earned four League Championships in Girls Tennis, Volleyball, Football, and Girls Soccer. Four teams competed in the Sectional Championships: Volleyball, Football, Cheer, and Girls Tennis, and six in the Sectional Semifinals: Volleyball, Football, Cheer, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Girls Tennis. Our Varsity Cheer team won the Section 1 Class B Game Day Championship title and placed 4th in the State Championship. Varsity Football Coach Jay Ciraco and Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Jon Erik Zappala were named League Coaches of the Year.
We are proud of these many accomplishments and thankful for your ongoing support of our athletic program.
In reviewing the unprecedented success of our fall season with Mr. Galano, Athletic Director, and Mr. Gonzalez, Assistant Athletic Director, they most assuredly credit our dedicated athletes and gifted, committed coaches, but another aspect stands as unique – the extraordinary fitness level of our student-athletes. Over his tenure, Mr. Galano has championed fitness; our fitness center is open year-round in the early morning, evening, and throughout the summer. Our success on the athletic field correlates directly to the high level of fitness of our student-athletes.
It is your support that allows us to expand the fitness center as a result of the successful bond referendum. The bond also provides a new fitness multipurpose room, so our section champion cheerleading team can finally practice in their high school. These opportunities are possible because of your support.
We hope, as you review the many accomplishments, you feel a sense of pride - your commitment to our schools spurs our students to unprecedented heights. Thank you. I am proud to share the latest Husky Athletics newsletter.
I wish you a joyous holiday season, peace on earth, and goodwill toward all.
Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool
Superintendent of Schools
Fall 2023: Student Athletes Soar on the Field and in the Classroom
- The Varsity Cheer team was Section 1 Class B Gameday Champions, and placed 4th in NY State Championship.
- 4 League Championship Teams: Girls Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Girls Soccer
- 14 student athletes named All Section
- 1 student athlete named All Conference
- 53 student athletes named All League
- 4 teams competed in Section Championships: Volleyball, Football, Cheer, Girls Tennis
- 6 teams competed in the Section Semifinals: Volleyball, Football, Cheer, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis
- All 9 Fall teams earned Scholar Athlete Recognition
- Varsity Football Coach Jay Ciraco was named League Coach of the Year
- Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Jon Erik Zappala was named League Coach of the Year
- Husky Football defeated Rye (21-14) for the second year in a row in the annual “Game”
- Gianluca Sanarelli received the Mello Award presented to one Harrison and Rye senior each year
- Gianluca Santarelli was named League Offensive Lineman of the Year
- Artin Balidemaj was named League Defensive Lineman of the Year
- Ingrid Murphy was named to the 3rd Team All State and League Player of the Year for Soccer
- Joseph Crupi was named Lohud Player of the Week for football
- Ines Xhayet and Alexia Lansberg placed 4th in the Section 1 Doubles Tournament and 6th in New York State
- Stella Perini earned the prestigious Elite 12 Award for her success on the soccer field and in the classroom
- The 200 freestyle relay team of Mako Suzuki, Sophia Bondikov, Riko Suzuki, and Angelina Lingeza broke the school record with a time of 1:45.14 and won the gold in the process
- Sophia Bondikov competed in the New York State meet in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke
Team Highlights
Cheer
Game Day Cheer Section 1 Class B Champions
Game Day Cheer NY State Championship Finalist
Scholar Athlete Team
During the regular season, the Cheer team took home two first-place trophies, two second-place trophies, and clinched the Section 1 Class B title, becoming the second cheer team at Harrison High School to secure a Section Title. The team earned the highest score across all classes at Sectionals and out-performed nine other teams to secure the Class B Section title. They represented Section 1 Class B in the first-ever Game Day Cheerleading State Championship, advanced to the finals, and took home 4th place.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Alexandra Paternoster, Ana Molero
All League: Bianca Minichiello, Avery Borman, Michaela Sanders, Chloe Rooney, Allyson Booth, Rebecca Roca, Alexandra Paternoster, Ana Molero
Football
Record: 8-3
League Champions - Undefeated Section 1 Class A South
Section 1 Class A Finalist
Scholar Athlete Team
The Varsity Football team posted a year to remember and finished the season undefeated in League play. Led by seniors Gianluca Santarelli, Christian Barchella, Marco Citro and Chris McLaughlin, the team was small but demonstrated great heart and a determination beyond themselves. For the second year in a row the team beat Rye in the annual “Game,” and continued to a 5-0 record in the league to earn the League Championship and number 1 seed in the Section 1 Class A South League. They defeated strong Mahopac and Yorktown teams, with double the number of players, to earn a spot in the Class A Section Championship for the first time in 12 years. The boys played their hearts out in the championship game, which was decided in the final minutes, but fell just short of winning. Several players also took part in the summer Reading with the Huskies program and led book talks with elementary students.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Joe Crupi, Dante Lanza, Gianluca Santarelli, Artin Balidemaj
All Conference: Marco Citro, Christian Barchella, Chris McLaughlin, Marco Marisi
All League: Drew Haines, Damian Nikolaj, Gabe Enaye, Marco Citro, Christian Barchella, Chris McLaughlin, Marco Marisi, Joe Crupi, Dante Lanza, Gianluca Santarelli, Artin Balidemaj
League Offensive Lineman of the Year: Gianluca Santarelli
League Defensive Lineman of the Year: Artin Balidemaj
League Coach of the Year: Jay Ciraco
Girls Soccer
Record: 15-4
Co-League Champions
Class AA Semifinalist
Scholar Athlete Team
The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team had an incredible season despite graduating eight seniors last year and losing one of the section’s top players due to injury. This year's seniors Sofia Miller, Izzy Estroff-Liberti, Leah Kavanagh, Mia Boda, Samantha Stilo, Stella Perini, Angelina Galente, Calissa Mullin did a phenomenal job leading our team on and off the pitch. The team excelled athletically & academically, won the league and advanced to semifinals during sectional play.
Awards and Recognitions
All State: Ingrid Murphy
All Section: Stella Perini, Ingrid Murphy
All Section (Honorable Mention): Parker Yates, Mia Boda
All League: Cara Acocella, Leah Kavanagh, Kaya Ito, Catherine Borzellino, Samatha Stilo, Isabella Estroff-Liberti, Inrid Murphy, Stella Perini, Parker Yates, Mia Boda
All League (Honorable Mention): Christina Zumbo, Anabel Zihenni
League Player of the Year: Ingrid Murphy
League Coach of the Year: Jon-Erik Zappala
Elite 12 Award: Stella Perini
Volleyball
Record: 16-4
League Champions
Class AA Section 1 Finalist
Scholar Athlete Team
The Girls Volleyball team had another great season led by seniors Lily Seibel and Kyra Repa and earned the League Championship for the second straight year. The team was the overall number 2 seed heading into the Class AA Section Tournament and earned a spot in the finals. The girls came up short, but demonstrated great perseverance and grit throughout the season.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Lily Seibel
All Conference: Kyra Repa
All League: Lily Seibel, Kyra Repa, Alexia Cozzali
Girls Tennis
Record: 10-3
Co-League Champs
Large School Section Finalists
Scholar Athlete Team
The Girls Tennis team had another stellar year, earning the League Championship and advancing to the Section 1 Team Tennis Championship. The girls played hard and demonstrated a lot of heart, but fell to Scarsdale. Seniors Ines Xhayet & Alexia Lansberg placed 6th in the NYS Girls Doubles Championship.
Awards and Recognitions
All State: Alexia Sarah Lansberg, Ines Xhayet
All Section: Alexia Sarah Lansberg, Ines Xhayet
All League: Alexia Sarah Lansberg, Ines Xhayet, Barbara Joanne Coppola, Gabriella Marie Smyth, Stella Mae Anna Johansson, Sophia Marie Badurina, Ruby Lola Leibowitz, Cate Harris Ansel, Emma Belle Jonisch; Honorable Mention: Lucia Marie Lammers, Sydney Nhaissi, Julia Grace Roth, Anna Petrillo Corcoran, Lucia Lammers
Boys Soccer
Record: 8-3
Class AA Semifinalist
Scholar Athlete Team
The Boys Soccer team had one of their most successful seasons in recent history. The team posted great wins over Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, White Plains and Port Chester. The team advanced to the postseason and had two tremendous playoff wins that landed them in the Class AA Semi Final game. The team faced #3 nationally ranked and eventual state champion, Scarsdale High School in an overtime thriller, but came up short.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Jake Cancian, Franco Waisburg; Honorable Mention: Jayson Viola
All League: Jake Cancian, Franco Waisburg, Ohtaro Tanaka, Braiden Sotille, Jayson Viola
Girls Swimming
Record: 8-2-1
Scholar Athlete Team
The Harrison Girls Varsity Swim team posted a strong season, finishing in second place for the 2023 season, losing only one match to a division opponent and one to a league team. Seniors Mako Suzuki, Kelly Newman, Magda Mani, Katie McCann and Sasha Konigsberg dominated their individual events, with junior swimmer Sophia Bondikov losing only one event to a fellow state qualifier. For the fourth successive year, junior Sophia qualified for the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke State Championship. The 200 freestyle relay team of Mako Suzuki, Sophia Bondikov, Riko Suzuki, and Angelina Lingeza broke the school record in a time of 1:45.14 and won the gold in the process.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section: Sophia Bondikov
All League: Mako Suzuki, Sophia Bondikov, Angelina Lingeza, Zoe Boda, Riko Suzuki
Field Hockey
Record: 5-9-2
Scholar Athlete Team
The Field Hockey team faced a strong schedule, but continued to work hard and improve each day. Goalie Adriana Marraccini made 172 saves this season, moving her career saves to 290. The program had multiple firsts this season as well; Anna Youngstrom, Harper Canell and Emma Mazzella scoring their first varsity goals and Adriana Braiotta scoring her first varsity hat trick.
Awards and Recognitions
All Section Honorable Mention: Adriana Marraccini
All-League: Lila Berkery, Adriana Marraccini; Honorable Mention: Chelsea Porto, Stephanie Reed, Sam Rinello, Emma Mazzella
Cross Country
Scholar Athlete Team
The Cross Country team’s returning athletes posted many course personal records at some of the top courses. Throughout the season the athletes battled adversity and the elements, but came together as a team and remained positive and focused. The team also welcomed many newcomers, who saw huge improvements over the course of the season and raced on the varsity team in our section championship race. Looking ahead to next season, the team is looking forward to continuing to develop and grow.
Harrison Student Athletes Commit to Compete at Division 1 Schools
Sofia Miller - Binghamton University, Soccer
Tommy Mangan - Boston College Golf
Olivia Fernandez - Bryant University, Basketball
Students Thrive in Modified Athletics Program at LMK
The fall season ushered in a new wave of Husky athletes to the ever-growing modified athletics program. More than 185 student athletes participated in Football, Cheer, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer, Volleyball, and Field Hockey. Students focused on developing skills, relationships, and learned how to become part of a team. Building a strong foundation for our High School athletics program, modified coaches and players focused on development throughout the season. The LMK modified athletics fall season came to a close with the annual Maroon versus White Soccer games in front of friends, family, coaches and high school students. The future looks bright for our young Huskies!
6th Grade Intramural Program a Success
Department of Physical Education, Health and Athletics
Chris Galano, Director (galanoc@harrisoncsd.org)
Danny Gonzalez, Assistant Director (gonzalezda@harrisoncsd.org)