Dayton Athletes Honored at Fall Sports Awards

Parents, siblings, friends and community members gathered in the Jonathan Dayton High School auditorium last Wednesday evening to join coaches in recognizing the athletes of the Fall 2009 varsity sports teams. The audience cheered as the coaches of each of the nine teams presented each player with a certificate and varsity letter.

The evening began with Boys Cross Country, the largest of the nine teams.  Senior Michael Vigliotti was recognized as having shaved four minutes and thirty-five seconds off of his mile time over the course of his running career. Elliot Karp, senior, was praised for being a three year Top Seven runner.  

"He put a number of runners at ease and allowed runners to forget the pain they were often in," said coach Dave Campbell.

Girls Cross Country coach Jackie Zika noted that although the Girls and Boys were moved into the Central Section and faced unfamiliar courses and harder competition, this was the fifth year the team qualified for the Group 1 meet. Named the Most Improved Runner, sophomore Elizabeth Karan averaged four minutes faster than last year.  Junior captain Rachel Murray was noted as being among the top ten sectional runners and the top twenty group runners.  Coach Zika said senior Sara Keffer "has no idea what she can accomplish."  

Team managers Molly Gozlan and Kelly Murray, both sophomores, were commended for their help in keeping the team organized.

Cheerleading coach Jennifer Rego noted that due to added interest and participation, this was the first year that cheer had both a varsity and junior varsity team. Because half of the team was new to cheerleading, each older cheerleader was assigned a younger cheerleader to mentor. She said the program's success was reflected in the girls' teamwork and camaraderie.

The Girls Tennis team qualified for States for the third time this year in four years.  Coach Tracey Saladino praised junior captain Carly Sobel as a dedicated, hard-working teammate and junior Stacey Roth as "a player you wish you could clone."

Girls Volleyball also qualified for the state tournament this year, but for this team's first time. Coach Michelle Noto attributed the team's success to how hard her players worked during the offseason, and how "each player played for the team, not themselves."  She thanked in particular the seven seniors for helping to put the team on the map.

The Gymnastics team enjoyed a strong season as well. Junior Erika Seale was recognized for qualifying for beam and bars at the team's conference meet, and junior Dana Gallant was noted as a player who has consistently improved throughout her career. Gymnastics coach Maryann Ragozino called it "the most successful year in eleven years."

Girls Soccer coach Matthew Lynch congratulated the entire team for defeating Rahway 2-1, and in particular, senior captains Samantha Cariani and Stephanie Farber. He praised the team's seven seniors for bringing the program back to its first state tournament birth in five years.

Dedication, support and commitment were the overarching themes of the presentation made by Dayton Football coach Joe Goerge. He recounted his memories of students and parents waiting in the school parking lot for the team to get back after every game. George spoke of a number of his players, including sophomore Joe Policastro as "one of the nicest young men to have in your program," and junior Jesse Bell as "a little piece of leather, but well put together."

He concluded with praise for the team's Seniors. Coach Goerge recognized Eric Sion as having unbelievable commitment and work ethic, and named Marquay Mayo one of the finest young men he's ever been associated with. He called Kevin O'Connor's work ethic second to none, and described how "no one works like him on the practice field."  Lastly, he congratulated the team's quarterback, John Hoehn, as a fighter, a leader and a gentleman.

"The fruits of their labor certainly paid off," he said.  "I don't think I've ever enjoyed a group of seniors as much as these guys. I can't speak of a more enjoyable year than this."

"This was not like wining the lottery, a one time chance," began Coach Felix Fabiano, as he spoke of the Boys Soccer Team's State Championship. He congratulated parents for their continued support, and recounted the captain of the opposing championship team commending the Bulldogs as "an awesome team."  

"And now, the main characters of this sweet and beautiful story,"  he said before praising numerous players, including sophomore Eytan Boclin as one of the most improved players, junior Brian Reina as the backbone of the midfield and senior Jesus Montes as the team's leading goal scorer. He congratulated Brandon Moss for holding the guard as senior captain Jordan Sack faced injury. Lastly, he recognized senior Captain Giuseppe Paternostro as the soul of the soccer team, who provided "physical and psychological spark" for his teammates.  

Fabiano concluded his presentation, and the evening, with a final chant of the traditional Argentinean football cheer, "Olé."

Boys Cross Country
Captains: Jason Condon, John Ghilino, Elliot Karp
Gold Letter Recipients: Thomas Clark, Jason Condon, John Ghilino, Zach Gozlan, Brandon Helfand, Elliot Karp, Michael Vigliotti

Girls Cross Country
Captains: Anna Czarny, Rachel Murray
Gold Letter Recipients: Anna Czarny, Sara Keffer

Cheerleading
No captains
No Gold Letter recipients

Girls Tennis
Captains: Mai-Linh Nguyen, Carly Sobel
No Gold Letter recipients

Volleyball
Captains: Jennifer Bliznikas, Courtney Mason
Gold Letter Recipients: Jennifer Bliznikas

Gymnastics
Captains: CoraAnn Licwinko, Erika Seale
Gold Letter Recipients: CoraAnn Licwinko, Samantha Weinbaum

Girls Soccer
Captains: Samantha Cariani, Stephanie Farber
Gold Letter Recipients: Samantha Cariani, Stephanie Farber

Football
No captains
No Gold Letter recipients

Boys Soccer
Captains: Giuseppe Paternostro, Jordan Sack, Kenneth Pereira
Gold Letter Recipients: Sammy Dushkin, Aaron Hinkes, Juan Montes, Giuseppe Paternostro