On March 3, the winter varsity athletics programs gathered to honor the athletes of the winter season. Awards were given for most committed, most improved, and most valuable athletes on each team.
- The Most Improved Player Award is awarded to the athlete who displayed the greatest amount of improvement and growth in their skills, which contributed to the success of their team.
- The Bernie Ward Commitment Award is named after our beloved former faculty member, coach and colleague Bernie Ward is for the athlete who has displayed the most passion and commitment towards bettering themselves and their teammates during the season.
- The Most Valuable Player Award is awarded to the athlete whose contribution to the team contributed most towards that team’s success during the season.
Wrestling
Matthew Alamia
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Matthew Alamia was the ultimate team player in what most consider an individual sport. Matt exemplified all the qualities one needs for the Bernie Ward Commitment Award, extremely hard-working, dedicated, willing to do whatever the coaches asked, and go the extra mile over the last four years. However, it was his commitment to his team and his teammates as a captain which set him apart. Always willing to do whatever the team needed, Matt would often wrestle different weight classes in dual meets for the team without hesitation, providing an incredible example to all the other wrestlers about what it means to put the good of everyone first.
Alex Cooper
Most Improved Player
Alex Cooper was unable to wrestle almost all of last season as a junior due to an injury he suffered in the first tournament. Coming into this season, the coaches were not sure of what to expect from him. Alex would go on to win twenty-five matches in his senior campaign earning himself a league championship in the 195 lbs. weight class and a 3rd place finish at the New York C.H.S.A.A. Championships. Alex also had several key wins over opponents in dual meets as the team captured the New York Catholic State Dual Meet title.
James Watterson
Most Valuable Player
James Watterson never wrestled before his freshman year at Kellenberg, fast forward four years, and he can call himself a League Champion, and a Catholic State Champion. Progressively getting better every year from a single-digit win tally in his freshman year to often winning four to five matches in a day at a tournament as a senior, James was never satisfied and always wanted to take the next step. Always outworking the competition staying after everyday practice for extra work, there is no secret as to how James was able to accomplish every he did, just hard work.
Boys Varsity Basketball
Aidan McBrien
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Throughout this past season, this player was one of the hardest workings and dedicated members of the team every day at practice. His enthusiasm and willingness to sacrifice for the team helped lead us to the successful season we had. Usually the first player at practice and the last one to leave, his positive attitude and energetic spirit made him a favorite among his teammates. Aidan is the embodiment of a Kellenberg Memorial student lead by his honor as the Scholar-Athlete Award at the Reid Roberson tournament at Westbury High School in which the team won a thrilling overtime game.
Jake Cosgrove
Most Improved Player
As a two-year starter for the boys varsity basketball team, this player was one of the leaders on and off the court. Co-captain during his senior year, he controlled the offense from the point guard position while usually defending the opposing team’s best player. Jake averaged ten points and six assists a game while playing almost every minute over the course of the season. His tenacity and dedication to improving his game from his Junior season were evident by the outstanding season he had for the Varsity basketball team.
Nick Spinoso
Most Valuable Player
As a three year starter for the Kellenberg boys varsity team, Nick has followed the footsteps of some of the great players who have played at Kellenberg Memorial high school. His hard work and leadership were a great example for his teammates throughout his varsity career. As a returning Second Team All-Long Island player, Nick became only the third student-athlete in the past fifteen years to score over 1,000 points in his Varsity career at Kellenberg. As a co-captain of this year’s varsity team, he averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists per game. Nick was named All-Tournament at the SouthSide Holiday Classic and was the M.V.P. of the Tom Crotty Classic in the game vs. St. John’s Prep. One of the best big men to wear a Kellenberg varsity uniform, Nick will be sorely missed, and the coaches wish him the best of luck at whichever Division I college he chooses to continue his basketball career.
Boys Varsity Bowling
Brian Biscotti
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Brian’s dedication and commitment to the team were impressive, to say the least. As a senior captain, Brian knew there would be extra responsibility and pressure at times that he would need to deal with. Brian did so effortlessly. Brian was a consistent bowler all year whose score was always beneficial to the team. His relaxing and calm personality helped guide many of our younger bowlers through some tough times during matches. Being a man of few words, Brian didn’t want to, nor needed to be, in the spotlight. That doesn’t mean his efforts went unnoticed by the coaching staff. Brian will be greatly missed next year, and we wish him well as he heads off to college.
Tom Nelan
Most Improved Player
Coming into the season, Tom had never been a competitive bowler but was eager to give it a try. After a slow and at times frustrating start to the season, Tom really dialed in over Christmas break and practiced hard to work on his skills. His extra effort really paid off as he became a very reliable sub during many of our matches. Tom’s easy-going personality and lightheartedness kept many of his teammates at ease during big matches. He never lost focus and was always striving to not only improve his own skills but his teammates’ skills as well. The coaches are excited to see what next season will bring for Tom and the team.
Dylan Lopez
Most Valuable Player
Dylan built off a successful sophomore season and continued to improve as a junior. Dylan had a lead-by-example attitude and the team certainly followed it. Dylan always wanted to improve and do well. There were times after getting a strike that he would not be happy with himself because he didn’t hit the right spot. His attention to detail and constant drive to improve were infectious among his teammates. This was summed up perfectly in our last match of the season against Chaminade. Trailing going into the third game, Dylan put the team on his back, hitting nine strikes in a row to spark an incredible comeback from his teammates. Unfortunately, the comeback fell just 63 pins short, but the coaches are confident that this will continue to fuel Dylan and the rest of the team going into next season.
Girls Varsity Bowling
Daisha Howard
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Daisha Howard has been a member of the team for the past four years. She has been a key bowler for us all four years. She has an amazing amount of natural talent that can’t be taught. Daisha never missed a day of bowling since her freshman year and has been captain of the team for the past two years. She is always willing to help her teammates learn and adjust to the lanes. As her coach, she is someone I was able to rely on and get the job done. She has never let any pressure or praise from others get to her. She is humble and kind in all that she does. She finished the season with a 188.75 average and finished the playoffs with a 200 average. She has won an award from the league each of her four years and has been an all-league bowler all four years as well. Daisha, congratulations on a remarkable high school career of bowling!
Shannon Pepe
Most Improved Player
Shannon Pepe has been a member of our bowling team for the past two years. She started on the practice lanes last year and worked her way into the regular line up. This year she came out strong during tryouts and worked her way as a key component to our success and someone I could rely on. She was our lead bowler on our B team. She is one of our most consistent bowlers and a teammate everyone can count on. Her enthusiastic personality helped everyone on the team be calm during high-pressure situations. She realized about halfway through the season that she needed to change something in her approach to the lanes, and she did just that. By tweaking something as small as her foot position, she was then able to continuously bowl around a 130 each game. Congratulations Shannon!
Kellie Sandas
Most Valuable Player
Kellie Sandas finished the regular season of bowling with a 189.3 average. She bowled a high game of 264 this year and would consistently bowl many frames of strikes in a row. Kellie has made a name for herself in the bowling world and has been recognized by the league and won an award for the past three years. Kellie has become a member of this team that knows how to work, have fun, and encourage her teammates. She always has a smile on her face, and she is an athlete on this team that I can count on to get the job done. She helps her teammates learn how to adapt to the lanes and encourages them to do better. She has been a member of the A-team for the past three years, and I am looking forward to what next year has in store for her. Congratulations on an incredible season!
Varsity Cheerleading
Lola Lechleider
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
This season’s Bernie Ward commitment award goes to a cheerleader who has fully dedicated herself to being a Kellenberg Varsity cheerleader. She is one of the strongest bases on the team, and she always pushes herself and others to be better. She is constantly asking questions and finding ways to improve herself, either in stunting or tumbling. Not only do we commend her on her commitment to cheerleading, but also for her positive attitude. She’s always ready to work with a smile on her face. The Varsity cheerleading commitment award goes to Lola Lechleider.
Paige Vigliotti
Most Improved
The most improved award goes to a young lady that has improved tremendously throughout her four years as a Kellenberg cheerleader. Throughout the fall and winter seasons, she has worked extremely hard in improving herself in all aspects of cheerleading. We are so impressed with her stunting ability and commend her on determination at each and every practice. She has truly come such a long way, and we are so proud of the cheerleader she has become. The most improved Varsity cheerleader is Paige Vigliotti.
Bila Bonifacio
Most Valuable
This season’s M.V.P. is a cheerleader who has been truly valuable to the Varsity team for the past two years. Her strength and positive attitude make her a leader and role model for every girl on our team. She is an all-around cheerleader, with strong stunting skills, reliable tumbling, and beautiful jumps. The coaches turned to her to set an example for her teammates. Even with her impressive skill set, she always pushed herself to be better and worked tirelessly at each practice. It has been a pleasure to watch this young lady master the sport of cheerleading, and she will truly be missed. The most valuable cheerleading award goes to Bila Bonifacio.
Varsity Dance Team
Linda Cesark
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
This year’s Most Committed Award goes to a dancer who is an integral and influential part of the team. She has been invested in making herself and our team better throughout the season. She always tries to find ways to better herself as a dancer during the offseason and continuously improves her skills during the season. She is never afraid to ask for help from her coaches and other teammates. Her commitment to the team was most apparent not only on the dance floor but in practice sessions as well. When her coaches or teammates needed her, she was always there without hesitation. This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to Senior Linda Cesark.
Brielle Termini
Most Improved
This year’s Most Improved Player Award goes to a dancer who continually developed her technique and performance skills not only throughout the course of the Winter season. As the season progressed, she constantly improved her moves and worked on more challenging skills to make herself a better dancer as a whole. She is always looking to improve and seeking the advice of coaches and other team members in order to do so. We have seen her become a developed and gifted dancer. With her hard work ethic and practice, she has continued to become a very talented dancer. This year’s Most Improved Player Award goes to Junior Brielle Termini.
Elisabeth Casey
Most Valuable Player
This dancer has been on the dance team since her freshman year, and we knew right away that she would be a remarkable young woman. From the start of her dance career, it was clear that she would be one of our strongest and most committed dancers. Throughout her years in the dance program, she has always looked for ways to improve and progress her dance abilities. Her dedication to not only her team but the entire dance program has been extraordinary. She possesses excellent leadership skills and is always willing to assist her teammates with learning new choreography for each dance. Her personality and demeanor have made it an absolute pleasure to have her on the team. This year’s Most Valuable Player Award goes to Senior Elisabeth Casey.
Varsity Hockey
Ed McCann
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Ed McCann is the obvious choice for the Bernie Ward Commitment Award in the 2019/2020 season because he always puts his team first. Ed is committed to improving individually as well as doing what is necessary to be a better teammate. The coaching staff puts a tremendous amount of trust in Ed, and they are confident that he will exceed expectations whenever called upon. Every team needs a player like Ed McCann.
Dylan Feehan
Most Improved
Dylan Feehan was undoubtedly the most improved player on the Varsity Ice Hockey Team for the 2019/2020 season. In his junior year, Dylan had limited responsibility as a 5th defenseman. Early in his senior year, it was evident that Dylan would play a bigger role on defense. He developed an aggressive and physical style of play that not only shut down the opposition but inspired his teammates to do the same. Dylan continued to improve as the season progressed, making him an easy choice for the Most Improved Player.
Joe Contino
Most Valuable Player
Joe Contino’s talent and leadership combined to make him an instrumental part of the Varsity Ice Hockey team in the 2019/2020 season. He consistently demonstrated the ability to contribute offensively and help his team win games. As a teammate, Joe always led by example, working hard and expecting the same from his peers. His contributions were evident both on and off the ice.
Varsity Diving
Michaela Hall
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Michaela is one of the hardest working students I have ever seen. She works hard at everything she is involved with. She attends every practice with a positive attitude, ready to work hard, and improve. Placing second at champs is only the beginning for this athlete. She is always looking for ways to improve at her sport, and I am excited to see all the great things that she will achieve in her senior year.
Claire Galante
Most Improved Player
There is no better feeling than seeing a student improve so much from where they started in one season. Claire works hard and always has a smile on her face while she’s practicing. She has overcome many obstacles to be the diver she today. Her mechanics and technique have improved dramatically from the beginning of the season, and I can’t wait to see her continue to improve.
Olivia McNicholas
Most Valuable Player
Overcoming an early-season injury and still placing first at her championship meet is only one the reasons Olivia is this year’s recipient for the M.V.P. award. Olivia is not only an outstanding diver but a strong leader amongst the rest of the team. She is always motivating herself and the rest of the team to be the best they can be and to work harder every day than they did the day before.
Varsity Swimming
Zachary Baldassare
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Zach never missed a practice, meet or lap the entire year. In and of itself that speaks volumes, setting a great example as a captain. Zach was completely and utterly dedicated to the team and our efforts to succeed, even often trying to hide illness or injury to keep going for the team. Zach is an example of what all athletes should be, and his absolute devotion to the team was inspiring even for the coaches.
Ryan Connors
Most Improved Player
Ryan improved not only his swimming but also his leadership skills and maturity throughout the year. Ryan demonstrated to be the commanding force through the team as a captain and often outworked the vast majority of the team during practice. Having also the largest relative time improvements from in-season performance to Championship performance, Ryan is the clear choice for M.I.P.
Ryan Nunez
Most Valuable Player
Ryan is one of the most talented swimmers to come through Kellenberg in a long time. Ryan lost only one individual race in our entire dual meet season, swimming 3 to 4 times every meet. He is our sole qualifier to the state championship and made it in 2 events. He is by far the highest point scorer of the year.
Girls Varsity Track
Ashley Minns
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
The great Confucius once wrote, “Our greatest glory is not never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” Such has been the internal ethos of this young woman these past six months. Afflicted with an unknown muscular disorder, this warrior of an athlete took the prudent course of seeking all advanced medical researched help, yet, all the time, never giving up on her dream and vision to be one of the best all-time Kellenberg distance runners. Up against all odds, she recovered well enough to score for her team in the NSCHSGAA Championships and then ran a gallant lifetime best 3000 meters in the C.H.S.A.A. Meet. We are honored to award Ashley Minns the B.W.C.A.
Grace Massillon
Most Improved
This young lady has set upon an exponential route of improvement through this past year. She forged that path through a steady persistent path of interval, drill, and mileage training. She improved this year again dramatically to win the NSCHSGAA Championship 600 meter race, score in the 300 meters, and the 4×400 relay at that same meet. At the Catholic Intersectional Championship Meet, she scored in the 600 again and ran a blazing anchor leg to secure herself and her relay teammates a qualification in the New York State Federation Championship Meet. We are honored tonight to bestow junior Grace Massillon with the Winter Track and Field M.I.P. Award.
Claire O’Regan
Most Valuable Player
This quiet but steely young student-athlete has also kept on a linear path of improved progression over the past two years. She has been at the core of the scintillating stable of Lady Firebird sprinters. This year she was a crucial leg on the 4×200 meter relay that won the Grand Prix Final race, the North Shore Pre-National Invitational, among others. Moving up where her athletic future lies, she proved that notion by running a spectacular leg at the C.H.S.A.A. Intersectional Meet to help put herself and her 4x 400 relay teammates in the New York State Federation Championship Meet. We are honored tonight to award the Winter Track M.V.P. award to Claire O’Regan.
Boys Varsity Track
Cameron Mooney
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
A member of the Kellenberg track program since he was in 7th grade, Cameron is the perfect example of commitment to one’s sport. He has competed in every season, even cross country which if anyone knows Cameron, he would much prefer short sprints to three-mile races and will be finishing his 12th season when spring ends this year. This season Cameron was chosen to be the Varsity Captain. He played an integral role in communicating between the coaches and the team, gaining the utmost respect from both his teammates and his coaches. On the track, Cameron ran personal bests in the 55m dash, 200m dash, and 300m dash. He was also an essential part of our 4x200m relay. We are honored tonight to award the Bernie Ward Commitment Award to senior Cameron Mooney.
Christian DeRisi
Most Improved
Diligent. Natural leader. Determined. These are all words used to describe the 2019-2020 Boys Track and Field Most Improved Player. As a freshman, this athlete came to practice and quickly absorbed all the techniques his coaches taught him. His hard work showed at the meets. He finished in the top ten as a freshman, and it became clear that it was time to move to a 12-pound shotput his sophomore year. As practice began his second year, it took this thrower a little time to get used to the 4-pound difference in shots, but once again, he finished in the top ten, this time as a sophomore, finishing the season with a 38-foot throw. At the start of his Junior year, he began his varsity season by being named the captain of the Boys Thrower’s Team. While at one of this season’s meets, his first throw went 39-feet, followed by a 40-foot throw, and ended his opening flight with a 42-foot throw, which qualified him for the finals. He finished the finals with a 44-foot throw, which was an astounding 6-foot improvement from his sophomore year. He continued to improve and impress his teammates and coaches as the season progressed as both a thrower and leader. Congratulations to the Winter Season Most Improved Track and Field Player, Christian DeRisi.
Kevin Marroquin
Most Valuable Player
Coming off a successful spring last year, Kevin was determined to show that he was becoming one of the better runners in the league by putting in the mileage over the summer that is fundamental to surviving the grind of being a three-season athlete. This season Kevin proved that he is one of the most versatile athletes we have on the team with the ability to run the 55m dash up to the 800m run. Kevin became the vital leadoff leg for both the 4x400m and 4x800m relays, which is not an easy task, especially on a crowded indoor track. He led the 4×400 to a second-place finish at N.S.C.H.S.A.A. Winning the 600m varsity race at the Frosh/Sophomore Championships, Kevin showed that no matter what event we put him in, he would excel. Kevin is valuable not only for his times and places but for the work that he puts in at practice leading his entire group to work has hard as they can. Congratulations to senior Kevin Marroquin on receiving the Most Valuable Player Award.
Girls Varsity Basketball
Mackenzie McAllister
Bernie Ward Commitment Award
Coming into the season, it was apparent that Mackenzie McAllister would be willing to do anything in order to help the team win. As one of the many skilled guards on the team, it did not matter if Mackenize started a game, came off the bench, or played minimal minutes; Mackenize’s effort was always 110%. Mackenize was one of the hardest workers all season who tirelessly worked on her individual game but, more importantly, looked to bring out the best in her teammates. In doing so, Mackenzie became the epitome of the ideal teammate. This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award winner is junior, Mackenzie McAllister.
Natalie Bottiglieri
Most Improved Player
Coming into the season, the coaching staff was excited to see what type of role Natalie Bottiglieri was going to bring to this year’s team. While our expectations were high for her, it was clear that Natalie would go on to exceed each one of them. Improving on every facet of her game, Natalie worked her way into the starting lineup midway through the year. Natalie’s work ethic allowed her to become a most consistent shooter, ball-handler, and defensive presence in our zone defense. The coaching staff is very excited to see what the next two years hold in store for Natalie. This year’s Most Improved Player is sophomore, Natalie Bottiglieri.
Victoria Dieguez
Most Valuable Player
While the word “valuable” can at times be cliché, Victoria Dieguez’s value to this year’s team could not be questioned. As a returning All-League player from last year’s team, it was evident from the first day of tryouts that Victoria had pushed herself in the offseason to be the best possible player she could be. Although she would rarely be guarded by one player, Victoria finished the season as one of the Catholic League’s leading scorers and, in the process, was honored again this season as a two-time All-League player. The coaching staff looks forward to what Victoria’s final basketball season will bring next season. This year’s Most Valuable Player is junior captain, Victoria Dieguez.