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.