Chrissy Bello, of Upper Brookville, a 2008 graduate of Friends Academy in Locust Valley, and a government major at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, has been named First Team All-Conference in softball by the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
Bello was also named Third Team All-New England by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, and Honorable Mention All-New England by the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association.
At Friends Academy, Bello was a standout performer in softball, earning all-conference, all-county and scholar-athlete recognition. She also lettered in soccer. Friends Academy varsity softball coach Christine Botti had high praise for Bello: “I am not at all surprised that Chrissy has had such an impact on the Weselyan softball program. I am very happy for Chrissy that her hard work and dedication to the sport continue to be rewarded with recognition that is well deserved.”
Playing left field, Bello led Wesleyan in key offensive categories this season, hitting .394 to claim the team’s Meredith Frummer Memorial Award. Her production included a 19-game hitting streak, a team-best 52 hits, 21 runs scored and 20 RBI. Nine of her hits were doubles and one was a home run. In addition she recorded a near-perfect fielding percentage and led the outfielders with four assists as her team claimed the NESCAC title and qualified for its first-ever NCAA Division III softball tournament, where Wesleyan advanced to the regional semi-finals. “My words cannot truly convey how much Friends influenced my life in such a positive way,” said Bello. “It shaped me into the athlete, student and person I am today. I met teachers, players and friends I will always remember and there isn’t one day I don’t remember my memories at FA,” added Bello.
Enrolling 750 students from Play Group through Grade 12, Friends Academy is guided by its Quaker heritage and the principles of integrity, simplicity, patience, moderation and a peaceful resolution of conflict. The school is located on 65 acres at the intersection of Piping Rock and Duck Pond roads in Locust Valley/Glen Cove.
