The Winter Varsity Sports Season is well on its way in Oyster Bay. Many fine young athletes have excelled right out of the gate and were chosen by the OBHS Coaches as Athletes of the Month for January.
Coming off an outstanding Cross Country season, one in which she qualified for the New York State Cross Country Championships, Linda Cameron is off to a fast start this Winter Track season. Cameron won a gold medal competing at the Nassau County Track Coaches Association’s Holiday Relay Invitational at the historic New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory, running the 1,000 meters in a time of 3:17.6. In addition, at an early season Conference Crossover Meet, Cameron ran a very impressive 1,500 meters race, finishing with a time of 5:26. Running at the Long Beach Hot Chocolate Relays, she helped her sprint medley relay team win commemorative mugs. She is poised to have an exceptional Winter Track season, and is looking forward to competing at the Conference Championships on Jan. 25. Cameron was chosen by Coach Tom Neary and Coach Christopher Weber.
Basketball Coach Jim Frauenberg didn’t have to think twice before making his selection of a player who had an All-County season last year. He said, “I recommend Nick Carbone. He is a senior shooting guard averaging 17.4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Nick also leads Nassau County in three- pointers made with16 through his first four games. He is a senior captain that has led his team to a 3-1 start. Nick is a leader on and off the court and is primed to have a terrific senior year.”
The cheerleading program under the direction of Coach Nicole Pienkos has shown that cheerleading is a physically demanding sport that takes real athleticism to do well. Coach Pienkos noted, “Maaike McDonald and Rachel Schwartz have taken on the captain rolls in a serious manor. With 24 girls in the cheerleading team, leadership is not an easy roll. Both girls have taken charge by teaching the 14 new athletes all the cheers, the morals of the team, and the way of life for an OBHS Cheerleader. They have instilled determination and hard work into the team, as well as promoting positive energy every day. Both Rachel and Maaike spend their own time working on team cheers and routines to increase the spirit of the team and school. Working through illness, pain, and fatigue, both girls demonstrate the true nature of a champion.”
In his years in the OBHS Fencing program, Coach John Bruckner has consistently led his teams to tremendous accomplishments. He chose Andreas Tsoumpariotis as the Boys’ Fencing Athlete of the Month. Tsoumpariotis is a five-year veteran of Oyster Bay Fencing. He is an epee fencer and is currently undefeated at eight wins. He took second place in the Brentwood Holiday Tournament (out of 45 epee fencers) and is an “E” rated fencer.
Coach Bruckner also coaches the Varsity Girls’ Fencing team with Assistant Coach Christopher Hammond. Grey Warwick-Clark was the coach’s choice for Girls’ Fencing Athlete of the Month. Bruckner said, “Grey is in her sixth year of fencing and is one of the girl captains. She is currently 6 and 2, losing to two nationally ranked fencers in overtime. She is an All-County Fencer and 2013 Defending Nassau County Individual Tournament Champion. This past year Grey attended the Jr. Olympics and Nationals in Ohio.”
Varsity Winter Track Coach Tom Neary and Coach Christopher Weber selected a four girl relay team for Athlete of the Month honors. The Oyster Bay Girls’ 4×400 meter relay team comprised of Rachel Wesley, Caileen O’Keefe, Vanessa Yu, and Emma Devereau won gold medals at the Nassau County Track Coaches Association’s Holiday Relay Invitational at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory, finishing with a time of 4:22.6. Competing against some of the best track teams in the metropolitan area, the relay team demonstrated poise and determination in winning their class. Members of this relay are also part of the Girl’s Winter Track team’s very successful 4×200 meter relay team, which currently has one the fastest times in the county.
