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FALL 2022

Message from the Director of Athletics

Dear Harrison Community,

The Fall 2022 season was an incredible one for our Husky athletes. Four of our Varsity teams clinched League Championship titles – Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming, Volleyball and Football. The Girls Cross Country team was League runner up. 

Our Husky athletes have much to celebrate on our fields and in our classrooms. Eight of our teams earned scholar athlete recognition; 6 student athletes were named All Conference; 16 student athletes earned All Section recognition; and 59 student athletes were named All League.  Take a minute to review each of the outstanding achievements of our student athletes, teams, and coaches - a complete list follows my letter. I could not be more proud of how each of them represents our school and our community both on and off the field.

This edition of the newsletter also introduces you to the the  Harrison High School Fitness, Performance and Athletic Center (FIT-PAC).  Coach Derrick Fish offers strength and conditioning training throughout the school year and during the summer for teams and individual students.

I invite you to join me in celebrating our Husky student athletes and coaches in this edition of Harrison Athletics newsletter. I know you will be amazed by their accomplishments and share my HUSKY PRIDE!

Sincerely,

Christopher Galano, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics


Fall ’22: A Banner Season for Harrison Athletics

  • 4 League Championship Teams: Girls Tennis, Girls Swim, Volleyball and Football (co-champions)
  • Girls Cross Country team was League runner up
  • 16 student athletes named All Section
  • 6 student athletes named All Conference
  • 59 student athletes named All League
  • 8 Scholar Athlete Teams
  • Varsity Volleyball Coach Siobhan Saccio was named League Coach of the Year
  • Varsity Football Coach Jay Ciraco was named League Coach of the Year and NY Giants Coach of the Week  READ MORE
  • Dylan Haines, Peter Rinello, and Nick Reed represented Harrison in the Exceptional Senior Bowl
  • Dylan Haines received the Mello Award presented to one Harrison and Rye senior at the game each year
  • Dylan Haines was named League Offensive Lineman of the Year 
  • Chris McLaughlin was named League Offensive Receiver of the Year 
  • Cassandra Sanscartier was an All State Nominee for Volleyball and was named League Player of the Yea
  • Lily Seibel was named Lohud Player of the Week for Volleyball
  • Cassandra Sanscartier and Sabrina Kalanz played in the Exceptional Senior Volleyball Game
  • Hannah Rose and Alexia Lansberg won the Section 1 Doubles Tournament and placed 6th in New York State
  • Corrie Sandomenico was named Lohud Player of the Week for Field Hockey
  • Ava Cefaloni earned the prestigious Elite 12 Award for her success on the soccer field and in the classroom
  • Varsity Cheer team placed first at the UCA Regionals and earned a bid to compete at Nationals
  • Girls Swim Relay Team, Riko Suzuki, Talya Applebaum, Mako Suzuki, and Sophia Bondikov, set new school records in the 200 and 400 freestyle relay
  • Sophia Bondikov qualified to compete in the New York State meet in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, and placed 16th in the 100 breaststroke

Fall Season Highlights


Football

Record: 8-2
LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS

The football team had a season to remember beating rival Rye for the first time in 10 years.  The team also earned the League Co-Champion title and played in the Section 1 Class A semi final game.  Head Coach Jay Ciraco was named League Coach of the Year, Captain Dylan Haines was named Lineman of the Year, and Chris McLaughlin was named Receiver of the Year.  Seniors Dylan Haines, Peter Rinello, Nick Reed represented Harrison in Exceptional Senior Bowl. 

Awards and Recognitions

  • League Coach of the Year, NY Giants Coach of the Week: Coach Jay Ciraco
  • League Offensive Lineman of the Year: Dylan Haines 
  • League Offensive Receiver of the Year: Chris McLaughlin 
  • All Section: Dylan Haines, Chris McLaughlin
  • All Conference: Nick Reed, Peter Rinello, Gianluca Santarelli, Christian Barchella
  • All League: Dylan Haines, Chris McLaughlin, Nick Reed, Peter Rinello, Gianluca Santarelli, Christian Barchella, Niko Marinelli, Sal Muto, Marco Citro, Joe Crupi, Artin Baldemaj
  • Mello Award Recipient: Dylan Haines

Volleyball

Record: 16-3
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Scholar Athlete Team

The girls Volleyball team returned to the court with focus, determination, and strong team synergy. The Harrison girls dominated the league throughout the season, earned the League Championship title and a trip to the Section 1 Semifinal game. Seniors Cassandra Sanscartier and Sabrina Kalanz played in the Exceptional Senior Game.

Awards and Recognitions

  • League Coach of the Year: Coach Siobhan Saccio
  • League Player of the Year: Cassandra Sanscartier
  • All-State Nominee: Cassandra Sanscartier
  • Lohud Player of the Week: Lily Seibel
  • All Section: Cassandra Sanscartier
  • All Conference: Lily Seibel, Kyra Repa
  • All League: Cassandra Sanscartier, Lily Seibel, Kyro Repa, Sabrina Kalanz, Olivia Naparano, Alexsandra Shoshi

Girls Swimming

Record: 9-2
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Scholar Athlete Team

The Girls Swim Team dominated league competition ending the season with an 8-0 League record and clinching the League Championship title. The relay team of Riko Suzuki, Talya Appelbaum, Mako Suzuki, Sophia Bondikov broke long standing school records in the 200 & 400 Freestyle Relay. Sophia Bondikov qualified to compete in the New York State meet in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, and placed 16th in the 100 breaststroke.

Awards and Recognitions

  • All Section: Sophia Bondikov
  • All League: Sophia Bondikov, Talia Appelbaum, Mako Suzuki, Riko Suzuki, Angelina Lingeza, Kelly Newman

Girls Tennis

Record: 12-1
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Scholar Athlete Team

The Girls Tennis team came on strong and remained at the top of their game all season, earning the League Championship and a spot as Section 1 Team Championship Finalist. Hannah Rose and Alexia Lansberg won the Section 1 Doubles Tournament and placed 6th in New York State. 

Awards and Recognitions

  • All Section: Hannah Rose, Alexia Lansberg, Barbara Jo Coppola, Ines Xhayet
  • All League: Hannah Rose, Alexia Lansberg, Barbara Jo Coppola, Ines Xhayet, Sophia Badurina, Gabriella Smyth, Savannah Serfillippi, Lauren Ross

Cross Country

Scholar Athlete Team

The Boys and Girls Cross Country teams posted solid performances and faced the competition with determination and grit.  The Girls team placed 3rd at the Suffern Invitational and was League runner-up.

Awards and Recognitions

  • All League: Katrina Torelli, Filippa Rasmussen, Annika Torelli, Mary Gilmore, Colin Dempsey

Cheer

Scholar Athlete Team

The Cheer Team continued their success taking 1st Place in the UCA Regionals Small Varsity and Small Varsity DII, and earning a bid to Nationals. The team also took 2nd place at the Yorktown tournament and was runner up at both NYS Gameday Regional and Section 1 Game Day competitions.  

Awards and Recognitions

  • All Section: Alexandra Paternoster
  • All League: Alexandra Paternoster, Casey DeMarisco

Boys Soccer

Scholar Athlete Team
Record: 8-9 

The Harrison Boys Soccer team played the top league in the section, facing tough competition with focus and a determined spirit. The boys earned a sectional playoff spot with home field advantage, where they beat Hendrick Hudson in a hard-earned win.

Awards and Recognitions

  • All Section: Braiden Sottile
  • All League: Braiden Sottile, Jake Cancian, Max Johansson, Brian Hotaj

Girls Soccer

Scholar Athlete Team
Record: 8-7-3

The Girls Soccer team rebounded after a tough start against the Section’s top teams. The Husky girls demonstrated resilience and made huge strides throughout the season.  Senior Ava Cefaloni led the squad and received the prestigious Elite 12 Award for her success on the field and in the classroom.  

Awards and Recognitions

  • Elite 12 Award: Ava Cefaloni
  • All Section: Ava Cefaloni, Sofia Miller; Honorable Mention: Stella Perini
  • All League: Ava Cefaloni, Sofia Miller, Stella Perini, Lucy ALcoba, Camryn Curow: Honorable Mention: Josie Fisher, Parker Yates, Mia Boda, Alessandra Mastrogiacomo, Casey Curow, Ingrid Murphy, Kaya Ito

Field Hockey

Scholar Athlete Team
Record: 9-5-4 

Girls Field Hockey has developed from a program struggling to field a JV team to a Section 1 contender.  This year's team finished in the top 12 of the section and is a team to watch.  

Awards and Recognitions

  • Lohud Player of the Week: Corrie Sandomencio
  • All Section: Abby Trotta; Honorable Mention: Corrie Sandomencio, Sabina Cosmo
  • All League: Abby Trotta, Corrie Sandomencio, Sabina Cosmo, Kayla Porto, Chelsea Porto

LMK Modified Sports Fall Season 

The HCSD Athletics Department welcomed more than 200 student athletes to the fall modified athletics program: Football, Cross Country, Cheer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer. Harrison continues to field two teams for Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer. The District is committed to providing opportunities for student athletes at the modified level as they explore a variety of interests and build their skills.

Marco DiRuocco, physical education teacher at LMK and modified football coach for the past 22 years, believes the key to success of the Harrison modified athletics program has been the consistency in the coaching staff as well as the messages and expectations communicated with student athletes: “At the modified level we do not measure success by wins or losses, we measure success by the level of improvement the student athletes show from day one to the end of the season. Our big focus is development and how we can get students to participate at the next level.”

The fall season gave us a lot to be proud of and we look forward to cheering on our modified student athletes during the winter season.


Fitness, Performance & Athletic Center Prepares Student Athletes for Success

The Strength & Conditioning program at the Harrison High School Fitness, Performance and Athletic Center (FIT-PAC) creates a structured and progressive program that meets and challenges the unique needs of all our student-athletes. The Strength & Conditioning program teaches student-athletes how to properly exercise, enhances athletic performance, promotes well-balanced nutritional habits, decreases the likelihood of injury, and improves overall health.

Strength and Conditioning Coach Derrick Fish and the HHS coaches strive to create a culture that unifies all student-athletes in an accessible environment to train on a consistent basis and prepare for the sport demands they will encounter. To accomplish these goals, student athletes have the opportunity to participate in our strength & conditioning program throughout the entire year with their athletic teams or individually during off season training sessions. All our programs include a combination of weightlifting, sprinting, plyometrics, agility drills, and core stabilizing exercises to improve body composition, strength, speed and power.

The number of student-athletes and teams participating continues to grow each season.  According to Coach Fish, “The goal of the FIT-PAC and our strength and conditioning program is to create a unique atmosphere where all student athletes share a common goal of improving their athletic performance by working together, challenging each other, and achieving what they didn’t think was physically possible.”

Student athletes share their experiences at the FIT-PAC:

  • KAYLA PORTO (Senior) Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Lacrosse:  "The off-season performance and conditioning program has helped me to better myself as an athlete, and better my own personal health. It also has prepared me for the season by helping me become stronger and more explosive. Beyond athletics, I have learned the importance of sacrifice from participating in the program." 
  • LILA BERKERY (Sophomore)  Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Lacrosse:  "I participate in off-season workouts because I understand how beneficial weight training and speed training is for athletes in gaining muscle, preventing injury, and building agility and endurance. Coach Fish’s workouts are important for athletes like me who were unfamiliar with weight and agility training in their everyday sports training. I have learned so much from the performance and conditioning program that will benefit me far beyond athletics. These everyday sessions also have improved my commitment and accountability."
  • DREW HAINES (Sophomore) Varsity Football and JV Baseball: "The strength and conditioning workouts provide a chance for every athlete in our school to get a top-notch workout for free in a great environment with a coach who truly cares about you and your success.  Coach Fish constantly reminds us: 'Sacrifice to Succeed,' which helps us realize that to be the best you have to outwork everyone, wanting to win isn't enough, you need to work to win. In order to be successful you have to put the time in. This goes for many things in life, not just sports, but also inside the classroom and in any job or experience that you have later in life.” 

Department of Physical Education, Health and Athletics

Chris Galano, Director (galanoc@harrisoncsd.org)     

Danny Gonzalez, Assistant Director (gonzalezda@harrisoncsd.org)