MONTICELLO, NY—To the ancient Greeks a sound body and sound mind were of equal importance. Clearly that notion of striking a balance between one’s athletic and academic endeavors is a guiding precept of the Monticello girls Alpine and Nordic ski teams who posted a stunning 98.29 average among its top seven academic standouts to earn this year’s State Scholar Athlete award.

For a team to be honored as scholar athletes, its top seven members must have a combined average of 90 percent or better. For each sport those teams reaching that standard are ranked in order and the top team is the winner of the State Scholar Athlete award and banner. The banner for the state’s top Alpine/Nordic girls ski team Scholar Athletes will now hand in the Monticello gym along with 29 others won by the school in the past. Monticello’s girls indoor track team and the boys combined Alpine/Nordic ski teams were given certificates for having surpassed the aforementioned standard in their sports.

The girls ski team, which finished as Section Nine runner up to Onteora on the slopes bested the 35 teams across the state when it came to academic excellence. The top seven in that regard were Jamie Breen, Erica Concors, Devine Dupuy, Charlotte Ference, Kaitlyn Fisher and Amy Heins. The team was coached by Jim Bates and Scott Fitchett. Other team members included Haley Heins, Maria Pavese, Shannon Thomas, Rachel Kline, Taylor and Brittany Knapp.

Section Nine Coordinator James Osborne who is also a representative of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) presented a banner to the team. Osborne congratulated the team on its award. NYSPHSAA has been giving such awards for the past 17 years. Monticello has now won 30 Scholar Athlete team titles over the years. This was the 11th state award for the girls ski team.

The girls indoor track team coached by Pete Wysochanski was honored for its state scholar athlete achievement. The team’s top seven scholars posted an average of 94.13 earning recognition by NYSPHSAA as being among the state’s finest. The team was comprised of Marisela Acevedo, Emma Cohen, Rebecca Concors who turned in a perfect 4.0 GPA, Jessica Fingers, Lianna Hollander, Anagabriele Loor, Emily Martin and Danielle Schnitzer who also had a 4.0 GPA.

Also recognized for its academic excellence and scholar athlete achievement was the boys combined Alpine and Nordic ski team, which was this year’s Section Nine Alpine Section Nine champion. The team showed its fine merits in the classroom as well with an average of 94.24 among its top seven scholars. This year’s team was comprised of Daniel Braunstein, Skylar Glick, Ryan Heins, Ian Kolaitis, Kyle Lounsbury,, Erik Mayberg, Patrick Ripa and Matthew Thomas. Steve Duarte and Fitchett coached the team.

Photo: The Monticello girls Alpine/Nordic ski team was tops among 35 teams in the sport across the state in their academics with an average of 98.20. Team members include Rachel Kline, front left, Erica Concors, Brittany Knapp, Shannon Thomas, Maria Pavese, second row left, Amy Heins, Devine Dupuy. Haley Heins, Kaitlyn Fisher, Charlotte Ference and Taylor Knapp. The team is joined by coach Scott Fitchett, back left, boys coach Steve Duarte back right and Section Nine Coordinator and NYSPHSAA representative James Osborne, front right, who presented the banner on April 3. Missing from the photo is girls Alpine/Nordic ski coach Jim Bates.

Visit www.riverreportersports.com to see those recognized at the school board meeting that included other noteworthy personae from the staff and student body. Click here to view Richard Ross' photo album.

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