Editor Letter From The Editor
Ultimate Athlete Magazine
Dear readers,
PUBLISHER/CEO
Our wrap up of the spring 2011 New York City high school spring sports season is here! We are excited to feature some top-notch teams in the PSAL who made it into the playoffs, and celebrate with the teams that captured the crown that they set their eye on early in the season and worked so hard to achieve. We tried to include as many different sports as we could fit into this issue. We’ll take a look at baseball, lacrosse, cricket, softball and handball in the PSAL, as well as an introduction to a growing school that is thriving in just their second year of having varsity teams in the PSAL! I hope you enjoy flipping through the pages of this magazine and like our eye-popping, graphically designed layouts on each page. If you are featured in the magazine and would like to own a copy of the article, just head to www.ultimateathletemagazine.com and click on our store to purchase a copy to save forever! We also offer other keepsake items in our store such as posters and plaques, and if you head to our photo store, you can buy prints in any size!
EXECUTIVE EDITOR SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR SENIOR PRODUCER SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SPORTS EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
VIDEO EDITORS
MEDIA CORRESPONDENT MARKETING DIRECTOR SALES DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Paul Corace N.J. Comanzo Jose Luis Covarrubias Jessica Peters Jeyathas Ponnuthurai Mike Browning Kaitie Monda Adriana Kijko Erik Schlenker Nicholas Herms Mike McInerney Michael Samuels Nadine O’Farrell Heather Adornato Dion Tulloch Taylor Woods Richard Brooks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
There’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing a proud coach, parent or peer suggest a deserving athlete or team to be featured in our magazine. If there’s someone you think we should include, just send over an e-mail to info@ultimateathletemagazine.com.
Jessica Peters Jerry DelPriore Darlene Dowling Dr. Tom Ferraro Mike Mejia, cscs Joe Pietaro
See you in the summer!
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jessica Peters Editor “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UAmagazine!
William Thomas Daniel S. Burnstein Andrew Adler Adil Borluca The Scholars’ Academy COVER PHOTOGRAPHY COVER ARTWORT
Andrew Adler Kaitie Monda
How To Contact Us Phone: 1-800-680-3213
GO ONLINE AND CLICK TO READ MORE! www.ultimateathletemagazine.com www.ultimate magazine.com
Fax: 631-261-7968
ultimateathletemagazine.com ultimate Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 40 Woodbine Avenue, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2009 by Ultimate Athlete, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Although the writers and the publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.
SPRING 2011Volume II
Conten
S T N CONTE
nts Featur Features
12 Tottenville Baseball
18 The Scholars’ Academy Program Overview in 2nd Varsity Year
22 Hillcrest Cricket
26 Bayside
Girls Handball
32 Tottenville Girls Lacrosse
38 HS of Telecommunication Arts and Technology Baseball
40 Empire Challenge Gameday Preview
42 Midwood Boys Lacrosse
48 Brooklyn Studio Secondary School Baseball
58 Sports Psychology Breaking the Slump
62 UA Training Balancing Act
66 Pro Corner
LI Ducks - Ray of Light
SHUTTER
SPEED
>>>
HS of Telecommunication Arts and Technology始s Christina Morales slides into third base just in time to beat the throw.
Photo by Andrew Adler
SHUTTER
SPEED
>>>
An attacker from the Tottenville girls lacrosse team lunges to catch the ball in an intense late-spring game against Beach Channel High School.
Photo by William Thomas
12 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
T
he Tottenville Baseball team, last year’s PSAL Class A champions, knew from the beginning of the season that repeating their success was going to require hard work. Despite clinching their 28th consecutive PSAL division title last season, repeating as PSAL champions in 2011 would require twice the determination and resolve. With a talented core of seniors returning backed by a strong supporting cast, the team was again able to mesh well, but the road to glory would be more difficult the second time around. In the beginning of the season, Coach Tom Tierney Jr. called the team a “work in progress,” even though he assured them that he believed in the possibility of winning a second straight PSAL Class A title. However, even before the season began, the team was forced to face a few curveballs. In April, news spread of the passing of Coach Tierney’s father, Tom Tierney Sr., at the age 82. Tierney Sr. had coached the team for 33 years and won six championships before passing the reigns to his son. It was a sad day in the Tottenville High School and Tottenville baseball communities. The weather didn’t help provide a smooth season either, with frequent spring showers causing ten of the season’s games to be cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled at a different location. On top of that, the Pirates’ star player, senior catcher and cleanup batter Kevin Krause, was out for ten days and five starts due to a foot injury suffered midseason. Yet, this top seeded, 11-time PSAL championship team was able to fight through the hardship. Coach Tierney actually made it a point to not let any of these issues become a distraction. The Tottenville High School 13
WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
baseball team then tore through the regular season, leaving other teams in the dust as they racked up a proud record of 17-1, sometimes to the extent of a shutting out teams 14-0, 11-1, or 15-2.
pitchers Mike Gillen and Nick Amatucci, Stony Brook-bound right fielder Kevin Krause, third baseman Tom Kain, catcher George Kantzian, centerfielder Evan Reilly, first baseman Carmelo Donofrio, and second baseYet, with five championships over- man P.J. Savino. Junior lefty pitcher Mike Sullivan all under his belt, Coach Tierney is no stranger to honing in on the talents of had the opportunity to step up this seaeach of his players. This year’s team son and he did just that. He clinched was led by their core senior group, in- the team’s berth into the championcluding shortstop Gilberto Medoza, ship game with six shutout innings in 14 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
the semifinals, and three wins overall in the postseason. “He gets a lot of strikeouts,” Coach Tierney said about Sullivan to Staten Island Live. “He’s tough on the mound. He’s a good competitor and he’s earned that spot by his performance.” With the juniors stepping up, the seniors were able to soak in the accomplishments as they leave their mark on their high school baseball ca-
reers. Kevin Krause was awarded the Advance All Star Award for the third year in a row, as well as the 2010 winner of the Staten Island Baseball Oldtimer’s Award and the Muche-Ohalek Award. Tom Kain and Mike Sullivan then joined their teammate as recipients of the Oldtimer’s Award, as they earned, respectively, the Paul Egeler Memorial Award for Best Player and Best Pitcher on the Island awards from the Staten Island Oldtimers. Kain was also presented the New York Post’s AllStaten Island Player of the Year award,
always the possibility of capturing it next year and bringing it back to Tottenville. When the team returns next year, Coach Tierney will get ready to At the end of the season, the Pirates take the field in Huguenot with a new finished with a 25-2 record. Their sea- group of athletes. The field will be new son ended when they faced George and reconstructed and the home field Washington at Coney Island’s MCU at Tottenville High School will have a Park on a rainy day similar to what new name, dedicated to Tom Tierney plagued the sport of baseball all season Sr., in honor of the program’s legendary coach. long. The final score was 4-2. right alongside the Post’s All-Staten Island Coach of the Year award for Coach Tierney, and Gillen ran away with the PSAL’s A division ERA title.
While they weren’t able to defend their crown as city champs, there is WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
15
The NFL Youth Football Fund and USA Football salute the players of the 2011 Empire Challenge High School Football All-Star Game. Football teaches its players, coaches and participants valuable life lessons that can be applied both on and off the field. Your participation today is not only a celebration of your all-star season, but also a testament to the perseverance of Empire Challenge Inc. and the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Their tireless efforts in the fight against cystic fibrosis bring those with the disease closer to a cure, and help them live healthier lives.
Scholars’ Academy
Seawolves Program Overview Story by Darlene Dowling Photos Courtesy of the Scholars’ Academy
After gaining entry to the PSAL just two years ago, it’s not at all surprising if you haven’t heard about the Scholars’ Academy in the past. The growing school, which opened its doors to students six years ago as a combined middle and high school, currently has six of its varsity teams as part of the PSAL family, but Joseph Lunati, the school’s athletic director, says more will be coming soon. The school is planning to add in softball, cross country, track, boys volleyball and wrestling. But how the Scholars’ Academy got its PSAL start was through a most unlikely avenue – a lone golfer, Xander McDonald-Smith, who by anyone’s estimation has evolved into an exceptional golfer during his high school career. In the 9th grade, McDonald-Smith wanted to compete in PSAL golfing events. Lunati petitioned the PSAL for a waiver, and Smith was in - and he came in first for three years in a row. This year he came in 2nd, and he’s off to Penn State in the fall.
18
After that, the golf team was joined by a girls basketball and volleyball team, both of which have done exceptionally well. The basketball team took the championship title this year under the tutelage of Coach Janet Kleiner, beating Bedford Academy, 60-42. The game’s MVP and co-captain, Becky Moers, is also a major player on the volleyball team. ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
According to Lunati, she’s also a star in the classroom as well. Kristin D’Chiutiis, the other half of this team’s co-captainship and one of its original founders, was also at the top of her game this season. The girls varsity volleyball team, coached by Kerri Hubbard, is another PSAL B Division championship team, beating Campus Magnet this season for the title– not bad considering the team is just two years old. In fact, this win was the school’s first team championship. Naomi Brouard, a middle blocker for the volleyball team, is an MVP in Lunati’s eyes too, suggesting that she, as well as Moers and D’Chiutiis, are leaders on and off the court. Then there’s the coed swimming team, coached by Ben Rosenthal. This team had a great season too - making their way into the playoffs, which is especially surprising considering that Scholars’ Academy doesn’t have a pool of its own. The team commutes to practice three or four times a week on buses and trains after school, to places such as Far Rockaway or Richmond Hill. Freshman Yaroslav Khanas made great strides in the 500 yard freestyle this season, and may well be a swimmer to keep your eye on next season. What’s also interesting about the Scholars’ High school PSAL programs besides the fact that they’ve come so far so fast is that many of these teammates have been competing together since middle school, since the Scholars’ Academy has taken middle school sports seriously as well. A part of this program is the Peninsula Athletic League, which allows teams from other middle schools around Queens and the rest of the city to compete in a whole host of sports, including basketball, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, and fencing. But they’ve also included lacrosse, which is not usually a middle school sport. In fact, Scholars’ is the first school in Queens to have a middle school lacrosse team – allowing students to get a head start in a sport which is quickly gaining traction in NYC high schools. During our interview Lunati actually points out that most of the teams and kids playing in the Peninsula Athletic League wouldn’t normally have the chance to compete on this level, or to get to know their peers from other parts of Queens and NYC. The games are held during the day, but all the competitors have to have a high average in class in order to suit up and get out on the field or court. That is just the mentality that the Scholars’ Program prides itself on. As more programs are added to the school’s PSAL team listing, the school adamantly stresses that the programs will be added of course with a focus on scholastics first and sports second. According to Lunati, the teachers and coaches at the Scholars’ Academy work together to make sure that all the team members keep their grades on track. In fact, students have to maintain a high average in all classes to get and stay on the team. 19 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
All in all, the Scholars’ Academy has made a great showing in the last two years, and according to Lunati there’s more to come. In fact, he suggests keeping an eye out for all of their teams to constantly grow in membership and success, and that next year, the boys basketball team should be a contender for newsworthy headlines.
CRICKET Story by / Darlene Dowling PhotoS by / anDrew aDler
22 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
T
The Hillcrest Hawks made it into the PSAL playoffs this year. While they did great last year, coming in third place overall, this year Coach Hunter Brett was hoping to do better. To get into the playoffs the Hawks had to defeat the John Adams Spartans on the Baisley Park cricket grounds, and they did by one point – the final score was 139 Spartans and 140 Hawks. In attendance at the playoff match were some high profile cricket members. It was attended by Gladstone Dainty, the President of the United States of America Cricket Association, as well as Selwyn Caesar, former NYCR Chairman, and the current PSAL Assistant Cricket Commissioner Ricky Kissoo. By anyone’s estimation the game between the Spartans and the Hawks was intense and full of ups and downs, which kept everyone guessing who would be the victor. In the end, the Hawks came out on top by one point, but Coach Brett has nothing but good things to say about the Spartans and their coach Alex Navarrete. “He says is a fantastic coach as well as a very honest and authentic human being,” Brett said of John Adams’ Coach
Navarrete. “We consider it an honor just to be talked about in the same sentence as his club.” Brett says they won because the team came together and played as “one team with one goal.” With the kind of progress the team made this year it’s easy to assume that Coach Brett has been coaching cricket for years; but it’s been just three years, and when he took over the reins of the team he was a cricket novice. According to Brett the team needed a coach, and when called to duty he said yes, and he and rest is history. While Brett was well versed in coaching cross country and basketball, he didn’t know much about cricket. Even now, he says he’s a work in progress and that he has had lots of support. For the first two years, Haroon Hekmaty, an assistant coach, helped him out and he also gives the players credit for helping him out as well. “The cricket players at Hillcrest are the best I could ask for and very patient with me,” Brett said. By now, readers who’ve checked out the cricket standings know that FDA scored the championship, but by all ac23 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
counts Hillcrest made a great showing all season long. They won 10 of their 12 games - losing to Jamaica earlier in the season and then to Lincoln in the quarterfinals. According to Coach Brett, it was a fierce match, and the Hawks battled to win the game but it was an off day for the team. “The end came when Lincoln with 1 over left hit a 6, the rest was history,� Brett said. Hillcrest Cricket seems to get better and better each year, so it will be interesting to see what the Hawks and Coach Brett have in store for us next season.
HILLCREST
HAWKS
BAYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL – Girls Varsity Handball –
26 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
NCHORED N ViCTOR V i A Y Written by: Darlene Dowling > Photos by: Adil Borluca
Who hasn’t seen kids or even adults playing one on one handball in the park or at the gym? Unbeknownst to many, the sport that is a recreational sensation for all ages is also a team sport – an Olympic sport at that. In fact, it’s been played consistently in the Summer Olympics since the mid 70s. Handball may seem like a low key sport to anyone who hasn’t seen a match, but it is indeed fast paced and loaded with player contact, as they block players and the ball, and defend their position. While the Bayside High School staff is focused on scholastics and succeeding in the classroom, they also aim to succeed in their athletics. They provide students with a wide variety of PSAL teams ranging from baseball, basketball, and football, to cross country, track, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. But they also have their share of “non-traditional” PSAL sports including cricket and handball. While New York City has its fair share of high school PSAL handball teams, Bayside girls handball really had the heat this season when they came very close to scoring the PSAL championships. The Bayside handball team is coached by Kenneth Dyckman, who, before taking over the reins of the girl’s handball team in 2009, coached football and boys track. So it’s not all that surprising that while new to coaching handball, that was not his biggest challenge - it was actually learning to coach girls. According to Dyckman, while both genders are talented and competitive, they’re very different in terms of what they need from a coach. Since he was new to coaching handball, although he has played, he said that Vinny Kubal, the boys handball coach, is his “go to guy” whenever he needs a helping hand, and that Kubal is, “a tremendous coach and a great handball player.” Bayside had a great season, going into the playoffs as the fourth seed, with 14 wins under their belt, which is
their best to date. As the playoffs ensued, the team was both shocked and proud when Bayside scored a win over the Midwood Hornets, who were seeded 1st, in order to advance into the finals. The Hornets, who were the 2010 champions, are well known as a force to be reckoned with on the court, but in the end Bayside played hard and took the lead, winning in the 5th game 2-3, which meant that they were facing Brooklyn Tech in the championship match. While the Bayside Lady Commodores fought the good fight in that matchup, in the end Brooklyn Tech took the lead and kept it. It was Bayside’s first time in the playoffs and according to Dyckman, “Brooklyn Tech’s experience playing in these games showed and our lack of experience in these games also showed.” While Brooklyn Tech clearly had the experience, and sealed the deal when Tech’s Lianne Wen and Marrisa Wong took on Bayside’s Jessica Sim & Samantha Lim, winning 21–12, Bayside had some fine games in the match up too, including a victory by Nancy Dong over Patricia Zheng – winning 21–14. In fact, senior Nancy Dong, the team’s captain, placed 2nd in singles. Dyckman said that, “Her heart and leadership will be very hard to replace next year.” According to Dyckman, Esther Oh has had a great season too, finishing second in the preseason invitational. In the coach’s opinion, she could be one of the top players in the city in the coming seasons if she works at it. Freshman Jessica Sim also made a stellar showing during her first PSAL season, as did Jenny Qu, a sophomore and 3rd singles, and Bayside’s 1st WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
27
GIRLS VARSI doubles team, Jamele Chaio and Cassie Liu, and 2nd doubles, Jessica Sim and Samantha Lim. Dyckmen is clearly proud of his team, and he’s made lots of headway in learning how to coach the Lady Commodores. This is evident by Bayside’s achievements this year, even with their loss to Tech. Dyckmen attributes the team’s consistent improvement over the last few years to great players coming into the school and onto the team, as well as the players’ love of handball, as they play in tournaments all year round, and they play recreationally whenever they have time. One thing is for sure, that this team will continue to be a top contender in the years to come.
28 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
ITY HANDBALL
Picture - Perfect Tottenville
Girls Girls Claim Claim PSAL PSAL Lax Lax Title Title After After Three-Year Three-Year Drought Drought
32 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
By Jerry Del Priore Photos By William Thomas n his first year as coach, Leonard Hession had the challenging task of returning the PSAL lacrosse trophy to Tottenville after a threeyear absence.
I
Much to the team and Hession’s delight, the top-seeded Pirates finally got over the championship hump, and beat number two Curtis, 9-4, in the finals at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn in May. “It definitely made me feel very proud of the girls,” Hession said. “Our defense played spectacular all year.” Previously, Tottenville had lost three straight championship games, including a defeat to Curtis in 2008 and two consecutive agonizing losses (6-5, 12-11) to Beach Channel in 2009 and ‘10. However, the Pirates exacted revenge against Beach Channel with a 13-6 lopsided semifinals victory at home, setting up their finals match between their cross-Island rivals, the Lady Warriors, who they upended twice during the season. With a pure, tireless dedication to the sport all season long, Hession noted, Tottenville refused to be denied top prize. WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
33
“I knew there would be a level of commitment, but I wanted to win that banner,” Hession said of the hours he put into coaching the squad. “They wanted to win, but more so, they wanted to earn a championship. And we earned our championship. It’s testament to how hard the girls worked.” The finals victory over Curtis (11-5) capped a perfect 16-0 season, a campaign the girls dedicated to Jaime Cucuzza, the wife of former coach John Cucuzza, who the doctors diagnosed with lung cancer in December. Hession had the benefit of many talented players, including twins Megan and Patricia Kane, but he contributed Tottenville’s success to its overall team effort. “It’s nice to have superstars, but it takes a team effort to win,” explained Hession, who previously served as the Pirates’ assistant coach. “Superstars win games; teams win championships. The whole [championship] thing is teamwork.” Speaking of teamwork, nothing was more evident in the Lady Pirates’ victory, as seven different players found the back of the net in the game.
34 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
“If we have more than one option,” the Social Studies teacher said, “it’s harder to stop us.” Seniors Christina Dadona and Patricia Kane, junior Victoria Orlick and sophomores Nicole Tantillo and Maria Cacciapuoti all chipped in with tallies, while seniors Valerie McCartney and Megan Kane, who earned MVP accolades, scored two makers apiece. As athletically gifted as the Lady Pirates are on the lax field, they’re equally adept in the classroom, leaving Hession with more time to focus on coaching his club. “They’re all brilliant in the classroom,” he said. “The girls get it [academically]. We’re blessed to have student-athletes who do so well in school.” Furthering validating that statement, the Kane girls, along with Mallory Cardillo, will be attending division III Utica College in the fall. At the forefront of Tottenville’s potent offense was midfielder Megan Kane, who led the PSAL in assists with 20 and finished fifth in goals scored with 41, helping her earn the league’s Wingate Award, given to the top senior in his or her respective sport.
Pirates WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
35
Fellow midfielders Cacciapuoti (27) and Orlick (22) came in ninth and fifteenth, respectively, in tallies. Dadona was fourth in assists (11), Patricia Kane (10) tied for fifth, and Tantillo was twelfth with eight helpers. Although teaching and coaching have taking up a great deal of his time, Hession sees it as positive, he noted, adding great value to his already busy life. “I’ve been involved in youth sports for a long time,” the Staten Island, Westerleigh resident said. “It’s something I really enjoy. Just seeing them grow … no other profession offers that. I spend more time with them than most of their parents. That’s the joy of it; playing a big role in their lives.” Winning a championship is just a splendid reward for a job well done for everyone in involved with the girls lacrosse team, especially the dedicated teacher and coach.
36 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
38 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
T
he High School of Telecommunication Arts & Technology softball team went an undefeated 17-0 in the regular season this year, clinching their Brooklyn “B” division and later going on to win their first ever PSAL City “B” championship. But sitting on top of their league is nothing new to this team who clinched their division four of the last five years and makes the playoffs every year. This year, the Yellow Jackets had only four starters returning, and in the starting lineup there is only one senior and one junior, though the talent of this young team still managed to shine through. Senior pitcher Liza Acevedo led the team from the mound, along with sophomore pitcher/shortstop Christina Morales. As a whole, the team averaged 16 runs scored per game in the regular season, and proved to only allow a minimal amount of runs scored against them.
The success of this team goes beyond the scoreboard and individual talents as well. For example, for the past three years, the team prides themselves on having every member of the team play in all games except for two. During some games, every starting player was able to score a run. For this “real team” as Coach McCartney calls them, it is about working together and winning together, and that is just what this team proves to do year after year.
39 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
T
he UnitedHealthcare Empire Challenge promises to be loaded with all kinds of new surprises in 2011. The annual all-star football game, which was created in 1996 to help raise money for the Boomer Esiason Foundation and its fight against Cystic Fibrosis, has always been a dynamic event. Everything from a huge tailgate party presented by UnitedHealthcare, “Jets FanFest,” an interactive theme park that included inflatable rides, and capped off with a world-class football game featuring the best high school football players from Long Island against the best from New York City, the UnitedHealthcare Empire Challenge has always been an action-packed event. This year, the highly anticipated event will be transformed into an all day spectacular on June 21, at James M. Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University. The game and its 40 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
surrounding events will keep the same traditions but will feature an exciting new twist. For the third time in the game’s 16 year history, Ultimate Athlete Magazine will be presenting a multi-dimensional Sports Expo dedicated to showcasing all of the newest and hottest sports equipment and apparel in the sports world, as well as the ever-popular action sports arena. The UA Sports Expo, which will be free for all ticket holders, will include sports fashion shows, a live music stage, and a wide range of other activities sure to keep the whole family entertained. Fusing together all of the successes of the UnitedHealthcare Empire Challenge with the many exciting new aspects of the UA Sports Expo will surely make this two-day event a point of destination for all families and football fans alike.
MIDWOOD LACROSSE LACROSSE By Jerry Del Priore Photos by Daniel S. Burnstein
42 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
Midwood Hornets Buzz tHeir way Back to Boys Lacrosse crown
HORNETS Midwood High School has had the PSAL’s most successful boys varsity lacrosse program over the years. But after two straight gut wrenching final losses, including an overtime defeat to New Dorp in 2009 and to Columbus last season, first-year Midwood coach Andrew Shipman was determined to capture the team’s first title since 2008. “We went 12-0 in the regular season, but we knew that wasn’t the ultimate goal,” Shipman said after beating New Dorp at Midwood field. “We had to get back to the championship game, and redeem ourselves from last year.” In the Class A title contest in May, Midwood left no doubt who was the better team, triumphing over the Tottenville Pirates, 5-1, at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, capping a perfect 14-0 season and crystallizing a memorable moment for Shipman and the rest of the team. Poised and focused, the top-seeded Hornets, who earned a first round bye, easily
dispatched the Centrals, 11-1, in the semifinals, setting up the winner-takes-all tilt against number two Tottenville (11-3). Midwood relied on their strong senior class, get- ting all of its offensive production from All-American midfielder Artur Zych (2 goals) and attacker Blake Koch (3), combining for five tallies in the victory. With the Hornets clinging to a one goal lead, Zych took a bounce pass from Joseph Madrazo and found the back of the net for a 3-1 advantage with 9:01 remaining in the game. It started a chain reaction of three consecutive scores that dashed the Pirates’ championship hopes. No stranger to offensive prowess, Zych was sixth in the PSAL in goals scored with 35. Not too far behind him was Koch, who was twelfth with 24 tallies. Madrazo, who played a part in many of
his teammate’s markers through the year, broke the top ten in assist at number nine with 17.
might have started last year. But he made leaps and bounds and made strides this year.
On the defensive side, Leon Davos, Christopher Doyle, Mohammed Kadoura and sophomore Ronny Sawwan, shutdown a potent Pirate attack. Coming into the game, the Tottenville fierce foursome of Jonathon Cravotta (29 goals), Kenneth Coughlin (27), Cody Rivera (17) and Michael Seeqitz (17) had combined for 90 goals. But they could only muster up one score against Midwood’s stingy defense.
“I think Billy is coming along. He is a very good goalie,” he continued. “He still has some more work to do, but, I think, in the PSAL he’s one of the top goalies. “
“The strength of our team is our 15 seniors,” the former Midwood attacker (95-99) explained. “We can attack the cage from behind it, we can attack it up top, and we have a strong defense and an anchor in the cage.” The anchor Shipman speaks of is stellar junior goalie Billy Ardamis, who kept Tottenville in check and the Hornets in the title game with a spectacular 12-save performance, including six stops from point-blank range. The only goal he surrendered came off Cravotta’s stick with six seconds left before halftime. Ardamis’ outstanding effort earned him the game’s MVP honors. “He is much improved,” Shipman said. “He was in the cage, I’m not sure how much last year, I believe he
44 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
Shipman said the difference between this season and last is, “I think they peaked maybe a little early last year. I think they were satisfied maybe beating Tottenville (in the semi finals) last year. And when we came to the championship game (against Columbus), I think there was a maybe little bit of a letdown. But this year coming back, there’s not going to be a letdown, that we’re not satisfied with the semi finals; we want to win the championship.” Consider that aspiration fulfilled, with its seniorloaded class leaving on a victorious unforgettable note.
MIDWOOD
HORNETS
48 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
L
ed by Head Coach Craig Cutaneo, the Brooklyn Studio Secondary School baseball team entered the 2010-2011 baseball season competing in the Brooklyn ‘B’ division. Last season, the Knights were brought down from the Brooklyn ‘A’ west division, and into ‘B’ south division. With talent including sophomore starting pitcher Thomas Nocera and senior pitcher Christophe Armenti on the mound, the team clinched the Brooklyn B South division for the second year in a row, with only one team, William E. Grady, even coming close to touching them. The team then made it into the third round of playoffs, where they lost to the Queens Vo-Tech Tigers.
Along with Amenti, other seniors that will be leaving the team this year include outfielder Tofique Elder, first baseman John Hammel, catcher Carolos Lopez, thirdbaseman Daniel Simpson, and Joseph Raja. Players to look out for next year are freshman infielder/first baseman Matteo Sgroi and junior Joseph DeMartino.
49 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
50 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
PLAQUES CREATE YOUR OWN KEEPSAKE PLAQUE FROM ANY UA MAGAZINE FEATURE!
3 PAGE PLAQUE
2 PAGE PLAQUE
WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM > ANY ARTICLE ! > ANY COVER ! > ANY PHOTO !
1 PAGE PLAQUE
Visit Us At
3 PAGE PLAQUE
www.ultimateathletemagazine.com
1-800-680-3213
SHUTTER
SPEED
>>>
Farhad Nezamy of the Midwood High School boys lacrosse team battles his opponent from New Dorp in attempt to regain possession of the ball.
Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein
>>> Photo by Andrew Adler
A Bayside High School girls handball player winds up to smack the ball during one of the last matches of the season.
SPEED
SHUTTER
Psych
Sports Psychology
Breaking
the
Slump
By Dr. Tom Ferraro anD michael lucks
Exclusively for Ultimate Athlete Magazine, Spring 2011
The Dictionary defines a slump as “an extended period of poor performance in a sport.� Athletes define a slump as a long period in hell. This article will discuss the characteristics, causes and cure for the slump.
Characteristics of a slump
You know you are in a slump when you have been underperforming for a long period and you are beginning to lose hope. You know you are in a slump when your confidence is shot and you are no longer enjoying your sport. In fact, a slump is a lot like having depression. The present looks bad and the future looks worse. During the slump you perform below par and your game becomes tight and tentative. Slumps occur in every sport. Champion golfers lose the ability to break 80. Lacrosse stars start to push passes. Elite tennis players will lose their natural rhythm and lose to players who are weaker. Slumps can last for years and can prompt great athletes to quit in despair and disgust. How Confidence is the first thing to go in a slump. does all this happen?
Slumps typically have a real beginning. They may begin with a bad loss, an injury or the arrival of a new coach or new teammate. (Recall when Derek Jeter had a two month hitting slump as Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees.) Slumps can be started by burnout or even a big win. In golf it is not unusual for the winner of a major championship to fall into a slump for about a year. This is because the player develops unrealistic expectations, faces increased demands on his time and is usually tempted into lucrative but inappropriate equipment changes. The combination of these three elements usually produces a slump. And just as slumps are multi-determined, the cure comes in three phases as well.
the Causes of slumps
Sometimes burnout is the cause of a slump with players pushing themselves too hard. 58 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
h o l og y The Cure for the Slump
• The first thing we do when a slumping player, skater or gymnast comes in is to determine how the slump started in the first place. Invariably Understanding the causes, getting rest and the athlete has lost his or her way and is playing tight and with a negagetting back to simple basics is the cure. tive mind set. The slump may have been in place for many painful months and it is always a relief to them to be able to understand its cases. • We then recommend a brief rest period to clear the mind and let the body recuperate from the months of accumulated stress. This also is a welcome relief for the athlete who finally gets to take a break and clear out all that doubt. • In the third phase we get the athlete to familiarize themselves with the mental set and the strategies they used when winning. This mental set is usually a combination of visual mind set, relaxation and ease of movement with little or no verbal process during the swing. Sports are played with the right cortex or the visual motor part of the brain and slumps are dictated and controlled by the left cortex or the verbal part of the brain. When we reestablish the old winning mind set we get them to write it out, drill it in and even use hypnosis to reinforce it.
Slumps in baseball
Slumps are depressing and are also very common in sports. But do not despair. Slump busting works and it does not usually take too long to get back on track. A little understanding, a little rest and a gentle reminder of the way you used to play are all it really takes. Baseball is one of America’s oldest games filled with traditions. Baseball is America’s pastime and the players and fans alike love the numbers. Whether it is batting average, slugging percentage, or home runs, it is the statistics of particular players that ultimately fuel the industry. And statistics allow us to see when a slump occurs. Slumps are fascinating because they happen to even the best hitters in baseball. A slump is essentially when everything is going wrong for a player. No more home runs, no more hits, and especially no lucky breaks. Slumps can vary in time, they can last a couple of games or even months. Some can last a lifetime. This is where psychology comes into play and this is when we are called. The person who is in a slump is usually depressed, and becomes extremely pessimistic. The single most important thing is to stay positive and realize that all slumps come to an end. However, not all slumps are mental, some are undoubtedly caused by mechanical errors in ones swing. The best way to correct a slump is to believe that every time you step up to the plate that you are going to get a hit. The power of the positive. Also, extra batting practice to get Slumps happen to the best of them. ones confidence up cannot hurt. The best thing about a slump is that almost everyone gets out of them in time.
Bios: Dr. Tom Ferraro is a noted sport psychologist located in Mid-Nassau County. Michael Lucks is an undergrad at Syracuse University majoring in Psychology. He plans on becoming a sport psychologist in the future. We can be reached at drtferraro@aol.com. 59 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/UAMagazine
www.ultimateathletemagazine.com
Visit our website to find the location nearest you! 40 Locations New York, New Jersey & Connecticut
UA
TR
UA Tr aining
Balancing Act
Walking the fine line between stability and mobility. Story By Mike Mejia, CSCS | Photos By Adil Borluca
Q
uick! If I asked you to name the best way to improve athletic performance and avoid injury, what would you say? Strength training? No doubt it can help, but it really depends on how you do it. The way young athletes often hoist weights around, sometimes it does more harm than good. Speed and agility work? Another good one, although if you have any existing strength and flexibility imbalances you could actually be increasing your risk of injury. Plyometrics? Ditto the previous warning, only multiply your chances of getting hurt about tenfold. One thing you probably wouldn’t even think to mention is working on improving the unique interplay that exists between stability and mobility. And that’s too bad, because while it’s important to be strong and have good range of motion, it’s striking the right balance between the two that will ultimately have the greatest impact on your athletic success.
The Body Athletic The human body is made up of a series of muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues that work together to produce movement. In order for these movements to occur, especially those of a more athletic nature, certain parts of the body need to provide stability (i.e. strength) to allow for the mobility (motion) of others. Take kicking a soccer ball for instance; it’s not just about what the leg striking the ball is doing (although you will require a certain amount of hip mobility to cock that leg back and then effectively follow through afterwards). Your opposing leg and core also have to work extremely hard to stabilize your position. If that stability isn’t there, the result will be a weak, misdirected kick. The same can be also be said for things like swinging a golf club, throwing a ball, or making a quick change of direction. If there isn’t an ongoing give and take between mobility and stability in different areas of the body, things can go wrong in a hurry. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a lack of hip mobility, or knee instability, not only prevent an athlete from making a play, but often become seriously injured. That’s why I thought it would be a great idea to highlight some of my favorite drills for building a more sound athletic foundation. Before we dive right into the actual drills though, you need to understand that although certain areas of the body require more in the way of stability, while others need to be more mobile, this isn’t something that’s set in stone. Take the core for example, which although usually associated with 62 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
stability, also needs to allow for enough range of motion to swing a bat, or serve a tennis ball. Just as the ankles, which typically need to be more mobile, also need the muscles surrounding them to be stable enough so that you don’t injure yourself every time you try and plant your foot to make a quick change of direction. The bottom line is, by understanding the interaction between these two elements, as well as where your individual limitations lie, you’ll be able to more effectively train to correct them.
The Ankles: As I mentioned above, a lack of ankle mobility is a big problem for young athletes. So, my drill of choice here is something called Wall Ankle Mobilizations. To do these: Stand facing a wall with one foot several inches away from it and your other leg behind you. With your front heel staying in contact with the floor at all times, begin bending your lead knee until it makes light contact with the wall. Then simply bring it back to the starting position and repeat for 8-10 repetitions.
AINING *Note: How far you position your foot from the base of the wall depends on how mobile you are. Start about six inches away and then make alterations from there, moving either closer, or further away until you feel the proper amount of stretch. Over time, your goal is to get progressively further away from the wall as your ankle mobility improves.
In terms of helping to improve stability around the feet and ankles, the Balancing Ankle Set is one of my favorites. Here you simply balance one foot, while keeping your knee slightly bent, for anywhere from 30-60 seconds at a time. Need more of a challenge. Try standing on a large couch cushion, or a balance disc to increase the difficulty level.
The Knees:
The Hips:
Since a lack of stability is usually the big issue here- especially among female athletes- a drill called Excursions offers the perfect fix. With these, you get the added bonus of simultaneously improving stability in the hips and ankles. Begin by balancing on your right leg with your knee slightly bent. From there, sit back into your hips and squat as you reach your left leg out in front of you, as if trying to touch an object about two to three feet away. After squatting as close as possible to parallel, push back up and then squat down again as you reach your left leg out to the side another two to three feet. Finish by squatting one last time, as you reach your left leg two to three feet behind you. That entire sequence equals one repetition. Continue until you’ve completed 3 to 5 repetitions with each leg.
Here’s a great drill that will help increase both strength and range of motion. They’re called hip circuits and can be a challenge for athletes of all levels. Begin down on all fours with your shoulders positioned directly over your wrists and your hips over your knees. Keeping a nice neutral spine, begin by bringing one leg in underneath you, then out to the side and then extend it back behind you. Continue this sequence in a large, sweeping movement until you’ve completed 8 repetitions. Next, reverse the movement by extending your leg back and then brining it around wide (with your inner thigh as close to parallel to the ground as possible) and finally back underneath you. After completing another 8 reps, bring your leg directly out to the side of your hip and lift it up 8 more times. Then complete the entire sequence to the other side. Throughout the entire drill, the lower back should remain as still as possible.
For more greate strength and training information from Mike Mejia, Visit his website at www.basesportsconditioning.com
63 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
UA Training The Shoulders: For mobility we’ve got Band Scarecrows. Grab a light resistance band and secure it to a low, sturdy object. Then, grab the handles and with your elbows out away from your torso, keep your upper arms still as you rotate your forearms from being pointed down, to pointing up, as close to perpendicular to the ground as possible. Keep the upper arms still as you lower your forearms back down and repeat until you’ve done 10-12 reps. For stability, try Scaptions. Get in a pushup position and keep your arms straight as you alternate between pinching your shoulder blades together and then separating them by rounding your upper back. Do 12-15 repetitions.
The Lumbar Spine: Here’s a drill that trains both stability and mobility- it’s called a side plank with reach under. Begin by lying on your right side by stacking your feet, hips and shoulders directly on top of each other. With your core tight and your right elbow positioned directly beneath your shoulder, brace your core and prop up on your forearm, lifting your entire torso and legs off the ground. Once in the top position (a side plank), take your left arm and reach underneath and behind your body as you turn your hips and shoulders- you will be staying up in the side plank position as you do this. Then return the motion back to the starting position and repeat for 6-8 reps per side.
The Thoracic Spine:
64
The Thoracic Spine: Not much need for stability here since most young athletes tend to be at least somewhat restricted in this area. That’s why Open Books are such an effective warm-up drill. Begin by lying on your left side with your legs bent about 90 degrees out in front of you and your arms stacked at shoulder height. Keeping your knees together, begin by bringing your right arm up and over to the other side of your body in a wide arcing motion. Strive to get the entire back of your right arm and shoulder down onto the ground, without allowing your knees to separate. When you reach your furthest point, pause there for a second before returning to the start position and repeating until you’ve done 8-10 reps- trying to go a little bit further with each repetition. ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
HIGH & DRY MARINA Family Owned & Operated for 60 years!
Full Service
Mar na
Summer Dockage
New and Used Boat Sales
Winter Storage
Indoor High & Dry Storage
500 SOUTH MAIN STREET FREEPORT, NY 11520
(516) 546-8880 FAX: (516) 378-1505
www.algroversmarine.com
PRO C Pro Corner: lI Ducks
Ray of Light Local Product Navarrete Has Been a Bright Spot for the Ducks
By Joe Pietaro
T
hroughout the history of the Long Island Ducks, there have been a number of popular players that have come through the door. Justin Davies may not be a household name around the country, but he was certainly ‘The Mayor’ of Central Islip. Davies broke in with the team in their inaugural Atlantic League season of 2000 and stayed until announcing his retirement in May of 2006. Ray Navarrete has taken it to the next level, though. Coming from nearby Port Washington, the 33-year-old returned to the Ducks for his sixth season on Long Island. The Seton Hall product has been named to the Atlantic League All-Star team in four consecutive years and was welcomed back with open arms. “It’s exciting to bring back such a polished player,” said Ducks president/general manager Michael Pfaff. “Ray is a terrific player who makes us better on and off the field.” Away from the game, Navarrete has established himself as a clothing designer with his own line called “Digmi.” The idea began while he was in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system and it has continued during the Seton Hall product’s tenure on Long Island. That began in 2006, which just so happens to be the same year that Davies left. Coincidence? Maybe so, but no matter how you look at it, Navarrete has been the perfect replacement for the former centerfielder. That first summer was cut short when Navarrete was signed by the Mets and finished the year at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Norfolk. When his contract was up, the Teaneck, 66 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
o rner New Jersey native found himself back with the Ducks. A breakout year ensued, with the infielder being named to the All-Star team and hitting .307 with 42 doubles and 18 home runs. Navarrete made it to another All-Star Game in 2008 but really came into his own the following year. Not only did he make it three consecutive All-Star nods, but also won the Atlantic League MVP Award by batting .309 and adding 25 home runs and 96 RBI. “We’re very happy for Ray and proud of his accomplishments,” Ducks CEO/principal owner Frank Boulton said at the time. “[He] has been our MVP for several years now and now he is the league’s. This is a well-deserved honor.” Last summer, Navarrete dealt with injuries and played in only 86 games. But his production – while suffering somewhat – didn’t disappear. He managed to hit .275 with 13 long balls and 54 RBI and was part of his fourth mid-summer classic, Atlantic League style. This season, Navarrete has had a slow start and was hitting only .238 through the first 37 games. But the Ducks have possessed an explosive offense and maintained a slim lead in the North Division. Navarete’s power numbers have been a big part of that, with his seven home runs, six two-base hits and 21 RBI. In a June 14-1 win over the Barnstormers at Lancaster, Navarrete took sole possession of first place as the Ducks’ all-time leader in runs scored with 427. In case you couldn’t guess, he surpassed none other than Davies.
67 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
Grow Healthy.
Step up your healthy lifestyle. UnitedHealthcare is right behind you. We all know that regular visits to the doctor are important. But growing healthy is about more than just doctor visits. An active lifestyle that includes exercise is an essential part of your overall well-being, including both your body and your mind. That’s why we provide members with the tools, resources and information they need to get active and stay motivated. At UnitedHealthcare, through our Oxford products, we’re committed to helping New York area members live well and grow healthy.
oxfordhealth.com Insurance coverage provided by or through: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, or their affiliates. Oxford Health Plans LLC. Oxford HMO products are underwritten by Oxford Health Plans (NY), Inc., Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc. and Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc. Oxford insurance products are underwritten by Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. © 2011 United HealthCare Services, Inc. © 2011 Oxford Health Plans LLC. UHCNY528490-000
LOOKING FOR
BAC K ISSUES?
ORDER NOW!
ONLINE AT...
W W W. U l t i m a t e a t h l e t e m a g a z i n e . c o m / s t o r e