Farmingdale’s sports teams never fail to impress, exhibiting incredible displays of camaraderie and discipline on and off the field. Farmingdale’s Athletic Department is proud to announce that, in addition to multiple victories and awards won by the fall teams, they have also achieved Scholar-Athlete Team status. This recognition is reserved for teams in which 75 percent or more of the athletes have maintained a 90 percent or higher grade-point average throughout their sports season. The hard work, focus and dedication evident on these sports teams translate to the hours student-athletes spend poring over their studies each day. To be a part of an incredible roster of sports teams is, in and of itself, no easy feat; to be equally as dedicated and successful in your academics makes the attainment of Scholar-Athlete Status all the more impressive.
(Photo courtesy of The Farmingdale School District)
The fall sports season looked very different this year, taking place in March and April. Teams had new protocols and much colder temperatures to deal with than usual. Girls varsity soccer had to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing Saturday mornings and daily temperature checks upon arrival.
“We won a grueling playoff in double overtime at Plainview before bowing out to the eventual county champions in the semi-finals,” Coach Ilan Gornstein said. “The team owes its successful season to their great leaders and captains: senior Jaden Keener and junior Emma Best.”
Farmingdale Varsity Football was fortunate enough to play five out of their six scheduled games. Pandemic protocols affected the locker room and how they took the bus trips to away games. The team was fortunate to survive it all without any severe team consequences.
“The highlight of the season was just the chance to play football,” Coach Buddy Krumenacker said. “The work ethic and dedication to living within these guidelines is truly a credit to our entire Farmingdale community.”
The Dalerettes Farmingdale High School Kickline team thrived. All of their hard work and dedication paid off each time that they stepped out on the field. Despite the odds, the Dalerettes still were able to have a fantastic halftime show with the band. Each member of the team contributed their fair share of positivity. Even with all of the protocols, they managed to accomplish all of their team goals. Captains Cassie Fox, Rachel Goldberg, Zoë Leung, Hayley Boyle and Erin Magrane put in so many outside hours to choreograph all of the routines.
“Through their fun, organized leadership and communication skills, they shaped the Dalerettes team into nothing but greatness,” Dalerettes coach Jess Baker said. “Our captains took our team to a level that will be hard to top for the upcoming seasons.”
The varsity boys volleyball team advanced to the second round of the playoffs this year. There were some challenges along the way getting through the season, but the student-athletes always stepped up. COVID-19 quarantines caused some game cancellations, but getting back in the gym to compete again was the best feeling. Matt Teplansky received All-County and Matt Pantorno received All-Conference accolades at the culmination of the season.
“I will always be so grateful to all of the seniors for bringing back some normalcy to the school day and year,” Coach Richard Zeidler said. “They taught everyone how important it is to enjoy every minute throughout the season.”
The girl’s varsity tennis team went undefeated this season, winning all seven of their matches and earning the title of Conference Champions. The team was led by eight graduating seniors, with Brianna Callahan, Kaley Chan and Amanda Oppedisano, having played all four years on the varsity team.
“This year was particularly a challenge playing in 30 and 40-degree weather,” Coach George Golden. “We take pride that three girls were awarded All-Conference and eight girls achieved All-Division status. Once again, the team achieved the scholar-athlete award. Truly a year to remember in many ways.”
The golf season was included with the other low-risk sports in relation to pandemic protocols, creating a safe environment for student-athletes to play with their teammates and compete against other schools. As with golf, it was much easier to keep players safe and socially distant. Varsity golf finished the season in a tie for third in Conference IV. Captain Megan Broscritto had a competitive season and will take her golf acumen to college, where she will be participating on the Adelphi University Women’s Golf Team.
The Lady Dalers swim team finished seventh overall at the Nassau County Championships, three spots higher than last year and their highest finish since 2012. Ten girls earned All-Conference honors and dive champion Lauren Mehta was named to the All-County team and Co-MVP of the county meet.
The medley relay of Lauren Mehta, Brooke Andros, Shannon Kelleher and Malika Sodhi earned all-conference honors. Samantha Commike finished twentieth in the 200-Free. Senior Taylor Spucces was ninth in the 50-Free and sophomore Bella Cimino was fourteenth. Spucces earned All-Conference honors with a fourteenth place finish in the 100-Free, with Cimino close behind in seventeenth.
The 200-Free Relay of Cimino, Sodhi, Kelleher and Spucces was sixth overall and All-Conference. Mehta finished fifteenth in the 100 Back in All-Conference position and Commike, Spucces, Cimino and juniors Jessica Giordano and Lauren Danulevith were All-Conference in the 400-Free Relay, finishing in twelfth place.
—Submitted by the Farmingdale School District
