The autumn varsity sports season is in the books in Oyster Bay. It was a great season that saw most of the teams participate in post season play. The boys and girls cross country teams were Conference Champions and went to the State Championships. The girls tennis doubles team won the New York State Championship.
Several other fine young athletes distinguished themselves and were chosen by the OBHS Coaches as Athletes of the Month for November.
Girls cross country coach Kevin Cotter chose Anna Lee Sadocha, saying, “Anna Lee Sadocha is the only member of the girls varsity team who is a senior this year. Anna Lee helped lead the Lady Baymen to their second consecutive Conference Championship and an undefeated season record in conference competition. After qualifying as an All-Conference runner with a time of 22:47, she ran a personal best time of 21:59 at the Northeastern Championships in Rhode Island and helped the girls’ team place 13th out of 30 teams.
“An outstanding student and devoted to her teammates, Anna Lee will be greatly missed next year,” Cotter continued. “She motivates the younger athletes on the team, organizes team runs, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the program.”
Field hockey coach Ann Marie Rudd made her choice, saying, “Shelby Cook has led the team on and off the field with her leadership skills as co-captain. As a four-year varsity player with outstanding stick skills, she has become our leading scorer. Shelby holds down the middle of the field as center forward helping our team offensively and defensively when needed. Her strong passion for the game of field hockey has put Oyster Bay on the map within our tough conference this year. It will be hard to fill her shoes next year.”
When asked to nominate a boys soccer player for Athlete of the Month, coach Brian Donahue said, “James Losee, a junior, stepped into the center back role and dominated our side of the field. He shut down runs into the box and was quick to clear the ball. He added a threat on free kicks as well, putting the ball into the box from our side of the field. He showed poise and confidence in some big moments at the end of the season. James will be a key player next fall as the Baymen look to return to the playoffs in 2016.”
Cheerleader coach Christina Vaccaro said, “My athlete of the month is Gabrielle Cornelious. Gabby has been on the fall cheerleading team since her freshman year of high school. As a junior, she was voted in as captain by her teammates. Gabby has shown great leadership skills through her effort to help the team learn tumbling skills and on the sideline during football games. As a flyer, a base and a back, Gabby has proven to be a great team member.”
The choice for the boys cross country team came down to three players.
Cotter said, “Seniors Alex Tosi, Steven Sweet and Jason Cassella have been the cornerstone of the boys cross country team for the last three years. The ‘Three Amigos’ have gone on training runs during the off-season, attended morning practices before school and are constantly among the top finishers in Oyster Bay’s conference and division. This season all three boys made All-Conference, while Tosi and Casella made All-County.
“For the second year in row the boys’ team has finished atop their 14 team conference and most recently they finished second in the 18 team county race to North Shore High School. Once again, the boys are off to the state meet, where Tosi hopes to become Oyster Bay’s first two time All-State runner, and along with Cassella and Sweet, lead their teammates to a top five finish.”
