Photos: 2018 Senior Sports Superlatives

Leadership is important for any varsity sports team at Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Guilderland, or Voorheesville. These seniors led the way throughout the year.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

For the Bulldogs, Travis Jackson ran well as part of a small cross-country squad.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Deanna Yarusso used her sharpshooting skills from the outside to help lead the Bulldogs back into sectionals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Bulldogs' Michael Flowers helped propel the Berne-Knox-Westerlo baseball team to the sectional quarterfinals. Flowers also played football and basketball.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Big dog: BKW’s Michael Bischert’s strong pitching arm helped lead the Bulldogs to the sectional quarterfinals this year.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Season cut short: BKW’s Marleana Von Haugg was the Bulldogs’ backbone on defense on the soccer pitch. Unfortunately, Von Haugg tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) during her senior campaign.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Low bump: Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s Laura Grippin was one of the many seniors who led the Bulldogs in volleyball this year.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

School spirit: BKW’s Cailyn Toomey holds a sign as she and classmates Marianna Nagengast and Morgan Heath competed in 2017 at the Section 2 cheerleading championships.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Team leader: BKW’s Slade Pulliam showed his leadership on the basketball court during the winter season. He scored over 1,000 points for the Bulldogs. Pulliam also played soccer.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

For the Dutch, Adam Couture played a physical game for the boys’ soccer team as he fought for every ball including those in the air.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Brianna Attanasio along with teammate Vassilios Kontos made the Dutch winter cheer team a powerful force by winning three straight sectional championships and making the state competition.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

At Guilderland, Shika Bitkuri was the top player for the girls’ tennis team where she helped lead the team to the sectional play.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Hannah Durant flew past the competition in the hurdles in the indoor and outdoor track seasons for the Dutch.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Big game player: Guilderland’s Kadi Futia was an integral part of the Dutch’s 14-year run to the Section 2 championship game in lacrosse during her four-year career. Futia also played soccer.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Quick feet: Guilderland’s Justine Musa ran her way to the Division I state qualifiers where she finished third. Musa also was a fall cheerleader and participated in winter track.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

A warrior: Guilderland’s Madison Macchiarella knew exactly where to be for the Dutch field hockey team when it counted. Macchiarella helped Guilderland win its first sectional game this year.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Quick bird: Guilderland’s Belen Marriaga was one of the five seniors who helped lead the Guilderville girls’ swim team to multiple trips to state competitions at different events.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Game face: Guilderland’s Jess Fiori brought her “A” game for the girls’ basketball team this past year.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

A tad chilly: Guilderland’s Kailyn DiBianco has snow stick to her face during a cross-country ski invitational this past year. DiBianco also was a part of the cross country and outdoor track teams.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Ball stopper: Guilderland’s Alexa DiCaprio played a large role in the Dutch’s run, making key saves for the team.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Big fish in a small pool: Guilderland’s Michael Ardito helped lead the Guilderville boys’ swim team this year. Ardito competed at States as part of a relay team and also in the 100-meter breaststroke, finishing in 22nd place.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Rock behind the plate: Guilderland’s Kaitlyn Paul was the backstop for the Dutch softball team, which played with grit into sectionals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

The Blackbirds had a lot of senior leaders, including Emily Bablin. Bablin along with the other seniors on the team helped get the Blackbirds back to the state competition after a four-year absence.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Voorheesville senior Stephanie Erickson was one of the fastest swimmers for the Guilderville girls, helping the team get back to state competition.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

PJ Parker had played three sports — soccer, basketball, and baseball — for the Voorheesville Blackbirds before setting his sights on soccer where he was a dominant goalkeeper.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Multisport: Voorheesville’s Nicole Gifford showed her versatility for the Blackbirds. Here, Gifford fields a throw during a softball game. Gifford also played volleyball and bowling.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Key server: Voorheesville’s Sophie Whiteman was one of the many important players in 2018 as the Blackbirds won the sectional championship and made a return trip to the state championships.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Key scorer: Voorheesville’s Rebecca Clair along with sister senior Emily Burke helped lead the Blackbirds to a sectional championship but saw the Cinderella season fall in the regional semifinals.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Voorheesville’s Dom Cardona didn’t let his size stop him from getting to the basket during basketball season.