The Millbrook High School volleyball team poses with the Section 9 Class C plaque.

NEWBURGH – Shawn Stoliker pulled of a trifecta on Sunday.

Not only did the Millbrook High School volleyball coach guide his team to the Section 9 Class C title, but he collected his 200th career win. The sweetener? It was a way to celebrate his birthday a day early.

“It just happened to line up at the right moment,” Stoliker said of winning his 200th career match. “It’s something that I knew at the beginning of the year – we had to have a really good year for it to happen this season, and we did it.”

The top-seeded Blazers ensured the milestone and reclaimed the section title in the process by beating second-seeded Spackenkill 25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 at Mount Saint Mary College.

The Blazers will now face Section 4’s Windsor at Corning High School at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the New York State regional semifinals.

Spackenkill had knocked off Millbrook in last year’s final, and the Blazers came in with redemption in mind.

Volleyball: Spackenkill tops Millbrook for Section 9 title

“We all definitely wanted revenge, although people thought since we beat them in the (Mid-Hudson Athletic League final) they’d want revenge, but those games didn’t mean as much as this game did,” said Megan Fergus, who finished with 23 kills, four aces, 15 digs and two blocks. “We definitely wanted to really prevail and win this game.”

Volleyball: Millbrook bests Spackenkill for MHAL title as sectionals loom

Stoliker, on the other hand, wasn’t concerned with payback.

The coach knows what to expect in matches against Spackenkill, being that this year marked the fourth consecutive season the Blazers and Spartans have gone head-to-head for the section championship. Millbrook and Spackenkill also met in the MHAL tournament finals the past two years, with Millbrook emerging victorious both times.

“I really don’t think last year had anything to do with this,” Stoliker said. “We’re so used to playing them, they’re so used to playing us, it’s almost expected right now in Class C that it’ll be the two of us here. It’s two great programs, so you never know how it’s going to end up.”

Kayla Gusikoff had 38 assists and three aces. Emily Kelly had eight kills.

“It was so exciting to finally come back here and to get the win. We knew it was going to be a really good game,” said Liz Halpin, who added seven kills and one ace and three blocks for the Blazers. “We were ready for this. We played them before, we knew how they played and we could come out on top if we just played exactly how we knew how to.”

Nini Sher had 10 kills and four aces for Spackenkill, while Courtney Noll had 11 kills and one block. Brenna Nelson added 13 assists.

“I thought they did well,” said Spackenkill coach Cassi Diamond, whose Spartans finished the year 18-5. “A couple mis-serves killed us. There are a couple things we wish we could have done differently, but overall it was a good match.”

Millbrook (18-1) now marches on in the state tournament.

“This is the fun part,” Stoliker said. “From now on we’re playing teams that don’t know us, we don’t know them. We just play and see who’s got the best team that day.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Pawling defeated Dobbs Ferry in the Section 1 Class C playoff championship at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Nov 6, 2015.

The high school volleyball teams from Pawling, Millbrook and Pine Plains each won section championships in the past week. All three teams will now march into New York State regional play, with hopes of capturing a state title.

Pawling defeated Dobbs Ferry in the Section 1 Class C playoff championship at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Nov 6, 2015.

Section 9’s Millbrook will face Section 4’s Windsor on Wednesday at Corning High School in the Class C regional semifinals. Section 1 winner Pawling awaits the winner in the regional final and is set to take on the victor on Saturday at John Jay-Cross River High School.

Section 9’s Pine Plains will take on the winner of Section 1 Haldane’s Tuesday regional semifinal against Section 11 champion Shelter Island.

Hitters Ashley Starzyk of Pine Plains, Megan Fergus of Millbrook and Jaclyn Smith of Pawling talked to The Journal about winning section titles and their hopes for a state title.

How did it feel to win a section title?

Starzyk: I know what it’s like due to our basketball season last year! This is the first time we have won sectional finals in volleyball. Michaella (Lamont) and Bella (Starzyk) and I have been down this road, and I am excited to share this experience with a new group of girls.

Fergus: It feels absolutely amazing. We worked our butts off for this. We practiced so long and so hard, so it means everything that our work finally paid off.

Smith:  It feels great to have achieved a goal that our team had set forth from day one. I am so happy that every player on our team is absolutely committed to giving 100-percent effort. I have now checked that off my bucket list, and now onto other things on the list.

How would you evaluate your performance in the section finals?

Starzyk: I thought my team and I played very, very well. We did good with covering, and that has been a struggle for us in previous games.

VIDEO: Pine Plains’ experience on two courts led to volleyball crown

Fergus: I definitely did not play as I should have. I think I still played well, but I did not play up to my potential. It’s amazing to me my team played the way they should have and still got that win.”

Smith: I think as athletes we all critique our own performance, probably more harshly than others. I make mistakes out there that I wish I could get back, but I think I gave everything I had and that is what is important. I will leave it to others to grade my performance.

VIDEO/GALLERY: Pawling volleyball beats Dobbs Ferry to win sectional title

What are you most looking forward to about the state tournament?

Starzyk: If we win Friday that means we go to states, and I am extremely motivated. This is our focus, we are here to win and we will do anything to get there.

Fergus: I’m definitely looking forward to (staying in a) hotel and having fun with my team and just all that team bonding and being together 24/7, and the sendoff that our school will give us.

Smith: That’s an easy one — to be on the court battling once again. Can anyone ever get enough volleyball?

What would winning a state title mean to you?

Starzyk: It means everything right now!

Fergus: Oh my gosh. It would mean the world. I’ve been playing volleyball for two years, so to come on to this team and we win a state title, it would mean the world and all my hard work would have paid off.

Smith:  A state title is the pinnacle of high school varsity sports. I would love it if we won a title for our school, and our coach.

In reality, I am not thinking about that at this time. I like to think of volleyball as one set at a time, one point at a time, so I am solely thinking about my next match at this point.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Volleyball Webkey

Over the summer, the Millbrook High School volleyball team hosted its annual Play Day.

One of the teams the Blazers faced was Pawling, though Millbrook coach Shawn Stoliker admitted he was paying more attention to his girls than the Tigers that day. Millbrook and Pawling later met in a multi-scrimmage.

But those games didn’t count. Now, they’ll play with a berth to the New York State Class C final four on the line. After Millbrook’s 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22 win over Section 4’s Windsor at Corning High School on Wednesday, the Blazers and Tigers will square off in the Class C regional final at 3 p.m. Saturday at John Jay-Cross River High School in Katonah.

VIDEO: Happy birthday, Coach! Millbrook wins title

Stoliker remembered making a few lineup changes and “testing things” in the scrimmage against Pawling, though he mostly kept a close eye on his own players.

“The Play Day is early in the season — I don’t pay attention to other teams, those are more days for us to work on rotations and you get extra time looking at your own girls,” Stoliker said. “Right now (the girls) are excited to be moving on.”

Volleyball players reflect on section titles, talk states

Megan Fergus helped make advancing to the regional final possible. The senior hitter had 21 kills, 11 digs and two blocks. Emily Kelly contributed with seven kills, eight digs and one block, while Liz Halpin added six kills, one ace and two blocks. Kayla Gusikoff had 34 assists, three aces and a team-high 12 digs.

VIDEO/GALLERY: Pawling volleyball beats Dobbs Ferry to win sectional title

“They did a nice job of attacking areas of the court,” Stoliker said. “It was due to them disrupting Windsor that we were able to put pressure on them.”

Millbrook fell behind in the early going of all four sets. That came as a result of Windsor’s defense, Stoliker noted.

“Their libero was once of the best I’ve seen all year long. She was diving all over the place,” Stoliker said. “Each set almost married each other, but once we got into the 20 range, we did a better job of winning rotations and pulled it off.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Action from a game earlier this season between Marlboro and Dover.

Rich Ward has never faced John Castellano before.

Despite the two years Castellano served as Poughkeepsie High School’s football coach, 2013 and 2014, the Marlboro coach hasn’t gone head-to-head with him.

That is until now. And the kicker: The winner advances to a New York State semifinal.

Marlboro, which won its fifth straight Section 9 Class B title this year, will face Section 1 champion Westlake at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Sleepy Hollow High School in a state quarterfinal.

Castellano is in his first year as Westlake head coach, coming off his two-year stint as head coach of the Pioneers — in which he went 4-13. Adding to his already-stacked resume that includes two Class A state titles as head coach of Nyack, Castellano was named high school Coach of the Week by the New York Jets on Tuesday.

“I heard a lot of good things about him and his record speaks for itself,” said Ward of Castellano, whose Wildcats are 8-2. Marlboro enters the game with a 9-0 record.

“We’ve tweaked a few things, familiarized ourselves with Westlake. You’re not going to face anyone easy anymore. We have to bring our ‘A’ game, play for 48-plus minutes and try to find a way to win.”

Likewise, Castellano has only heard positive words about his opposition.

“I’ve heard he (Ward) is a very good football coach,” Castellano said. “And you can tell by his kids, watching the film. From the little I’ve seen of (Marlboro), their offensive schemes are good. When you get to this level, you don’t know much about your opponent.

“We pride ourselves on defense, we need to be successful offensively and special teams are critical in a game like this.”

Former Poughkeepsie coach Castellano right fit for Westlake

A game, by the way, that may prove to be a simple battle of a stellar defense against a potent offense.

Westlake shut out Nanuet 6-0 for its section title, which marked the Wildcats’ fifth shutout of the year. Nanuet reached Westlake’s 10-yard line its last drive in the section final, but Westlake’s defense had an answer. On fourth down with inches to go, senior linebacker Greg Alfieri came up with a sack to force a turnover on downs and seal the win.

Can Marlboro football be dethroned in Section 9 Class B?

Marlboro’s offense, though, is the perfect foil to that.

The Iron Dukes average 52.5 points per game and have scored 62 or more points on three occasions this year. In Marlboro’s 41-21 section final win over James I. O’Neill, senior running back Rino Tamburri scored three touchdowns and racked up 215 rushing yards along the way. Sophomore quarterback Phil DeSantis rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown, while senior Tanner Harshberger accumulated 53 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.

Notwithstanding shutdown defense on one side and an explosive offense on the other, the Iron Dukes are taking a fresh approach.

VIDEO: Marlboro takes down O’Neill to win 5th straight Class B crown

“This is tournament time,” Tamburri said. “In tournaments like this, championships, anything can come about.

“You come into the game saying ‘Ok, you’ve got to go 1-0 today.’ We’re 0-0 on the bus and we emphasize we’re 0-0 right now.”

Ward has instilled that mentality into his players’ heads. So much so, in fact, that Tamburri said he can ‘hear Ward’s voice telling him that.’ ”

“It’s how you have to approach it,” Ward said. “The loser goes home, the winner goes on.”

Westlake’s offense averages 26.6 points per game, but it didn’t translate against Nanuet. Kicker Michael Love booted two field goals, accounting for the Wildcats’ only six points. Quarterback Tom Castro passed for 86 yards.

Then there is Marlboro’s defense, which equally hasn’t given up much. The Iron Dukes have allowed opponents an average of 11.4 points per game.

The winner advances to a state semifinal at Kingston’s Dietz Stadium at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Marlboro-Westlake winner will face either Section 10’s Franklin Academy or Section 2’s Schuylerville.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Game day

What: New York State Class B football regional quarterfinal

Who: Section 9 champion Marlboro (9-0) vs. Section 1 champion Westlake (8-2)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Sleepy Hollow High School

Live updates: Follow Journal sports reporter A.J. Martelli on Twitter (@AJM_PoJoSports) for live updates and visit PoughkeepsieJournal.com after the game for a full story, photos and video interviews.

Marlboro’s road to states

41-28 win over John S. Burke Catholic in the Class B semifinals

41-21 win over James I. O’Neill in the Section 9 Class B final

Westlake’s road to states

52-6 win over Briarcliff in the Class B opening round

20-7 win over Bronxville in the Class B quarterfinal

28-0 win over Albertus Magnus in the Class B semifinal

6-0 win over Nanuet in the Section 1 Class B final

The Marlboro and Westlake high school football teams prepare for their Class B regional playoff game at Sleepy Hollow High School.

SLEEPY HOLLOW – A Marlboro High School football team that seemingly couldn’t be kept out of the end zone this season met its match in a Westlake team that seemingly doesn’t allow touchdowns.

John Mooradian and a Marlboro assistant coach after the Iron Dukes lost to Westlake in the Class B state football quarterfinal.

The Iron Dukes’ bid for a fourth consecutive trip to the Class B state semifinals fell short on Saturday with a 14-5 loss to the Wildcats in a quarterfinal at Sleepy Hollow High School.

It was the first time Marlboro had been denied a touchdown since losing in the 2013 state semifinals to Schalmont, and the first time this season the team was held below 41 points. Meanwhile, it was the third consecutive game in which Westlake held its opponent out of the end zone.

“They’re fast. They’re physical. They kind of played with a little bit more of an edge than we played. We didn’t hold up as well as I thought we’d hold up,” said Marlboro coach Rich Ward, whose Iron Dukes finished the season 9-1. “But at the same time, I’m not going to focus on the negative, I’m going to focus on the positives. I’m proud of our kids, proud of our seniors. They’ve left a pretty good legacy.”

Marlboro football talks fifth-straight Section 9 Class B crown

That legacy includes five consecutive Section 9 titles.

Senior running back Rino Tamburri echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“Even though the scoreboard didn’t show it, I’m very proud of how we fought through,” Tamburri said. “I had a great career and I have to give it up to all the other players. They taught me what I needed to do, they were with me all the time and led me to the career I have, and gave me the best learning experience.”

It was a former Poughkeepsie coach leading the other team.

Football Huddle: The favorite and the underdog

It didn’t work out for John Castellano as Poughkeepsie’s head coach in 2013 and 2014, but so far it’s been a smooth transition at the helm in Westlake.

“There were great people up there, it just didn’t work out,” said Castellano about his time in Poughkeepsie. “This Westlake thing has been a blessing.”

Another blessing was bestowed upon Castellano at the beginning of the second half in the form of return specialist Ryan Duffy.

With Westlake trailing 3-0 to begin the second half, Duffy brought the second-half kickoff back 93 yards to the end zone, giving Westlake a 7-3 lead. After Marlboro stalled on the ensuing drive and punted the ball away, running back Anthony Sardo found a hole and carried it 51 yards for another Wildcat touchdown and some breathing room.

“We talked about it this week when we were doing our special teams period: There is no bigger flow in momentum change than a special teams score,” Ward said.

Football Huddle: Experienced champions again pursuing crowns

Marlboro trailed 14-3 with 4:04 to play, but showed some life. The Iron Dukes blocked a Westlake punt attempt and recovered the ball in the end zone for two points and a safety. Marlboro then drove into Westlake territory and attempted a 45-yard field goal, but kicker Nick Mongelli’s attempt missed short.

The safety gave the Iron Dukes a burst of momentum, but they just couldn’t follow all the way through.

“We were ready to go. There were four minutes left — plenty of time,” Tamburri said. “The way our defense was going, we would have stopped them, scored. That’s how I was thinking.”

Mongelli, however, was able to split the uprights and make a field goal from 41 yards out to account for all three of Marlboro’s first-half points. Neither team scored in the first quarter.

“I thought we were playing well in first half,” Ward said. “(Westlake) took away our strengths, put us in secondary plays. Any time you can take away a team’s strength and put them in their secondary plays, they’re not playing at full strength.

“My hats off to Westlake. Hopefully they have a good week next week. They’re playing and we’re not.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Video online

Visit http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/sports for a video look at Saturday’s contest.

Caroline Murphy

Nine local girls swimmers advanced to Saturday’s New York State championship finals, after qualifying at Friday’s preliminary meet at Ithaca College.

To reach the finals, swimmers had to finish in the top 10 in their respective preliminary events.

Arlington High School’s 200-yard medley relay team of Ina Elcott, Katelyn Walsh, Rebecca Baione and Emily Tang moved on to the finals, finishing tied for eighth with a time of 1:49.48. The quartet missed reaching the 400 freestyle relay finals though, as they finished 25th (3:41.11).

Walsh qualified for the 100 breaststroke, finishing ninth (1:05.80). Elcott qualified for the 100 backstroke, as she also finished ninth (57.27). Baione finished 36th in the 200 individual medley (2:11.85).

New Paltz’s 200 medley relay team featuring Caroline Murphy, Morgane Kuyl, Kaela Santos and Abigail Santos, finished just ahead of Arlington in seventh place (1:49.46). Murphy qualified for the 100 breaststroke, finishing fifth (56.52). However, she missed qualifying for the 50 freestyle, finishing 19th (24.41).

Clare Bosse from Our Lady of Lourdes finished ninth in the 100 breaststroke (52.33) to advance. Teammate Grace Nikolski finished 16th in the same event (1:06.79).

From Roy C. Ketcham, Heidi Simpfenderfer finished 24th in the 200 freestyle (1:56.96). Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Emma Reining finished 36th in the 100 butterfly (59.47).

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Millbrook’s Megan Fergus goes for a block against Pawling in the volleyball Class C regional final.

Shawn Stoliker stood in the gym at Millbrook High School, intently watching his team on Thursday.

The coach had his players set up wooden boxes just in front of one side of the net, while they lined up on the other side and served volleyballs. This exercise was done with one objective: to hit the boxes as many times as they could in the span of five minutes.

“We’ve been doing that drill since I was a freshman,” said junior setter Kayla Gusikoff. “You just have to find your flow and you have to really work hard to find your good spot to serve. If you’ve got that, and if every single girl gets that, you’re fine.”

The drill was conducted twice. The first time, the Blazers put 27 hits on the boxes. The second time, they made contact in 16 instances.

It was just one of the many unique ways the Blazers prepared for the New York State Class C tournament, which commences Saturday at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Blazers will begin pool play with a match at 9:30 a.m. against Section 2’s Broadalbin Perth. Millbrook will later play Section 11’s Mattituck and then Section 6’s Eden, which has won the Class C title the past four years. The top two teams advance to Sunday’s noon final. Eden has won 12 state titles, and state titles in Class B or C in eight of the last nine seasons.

Millbrook has not won a state title in program history, although it reached the state tournament in both 2012 and 2013, losing to Eden in the 2013 final. Through hard work and a little bit of fun, the Blazers are looking to become the first team from Dutchess County and the first Section 9 team to win a state volleyball championship. The tournament started in 1990.

“I think it would be awesome, to share that memory with this group of girls would be a load of fun,” said Stoliker, who collected his 200th career win when his Blazers beat Spackenkill in the section final. “I’m very proud of how they’ve improved this year and where they’re at right now. To finish it with something like that would be spectacular.”

But winning requires hard work. Marist College-bound senior hitter Megan Fergus said serving and passing have been focal points of the Blazer’s preparation.

Fergus, Millbrook sweep Pawling en route to volleyball state semis

“We’ve been working on our serves a lot,” Fergus said. “And we’ve been working on passing, because if you can serve and you can pass and you can run your offense, the job will get done.”

Millbrook certainly wants to get the job done and win it all, yet the Blazers are making sure to have their fair share of fun.

In between drills, they huddled together and sang “You’re the One That I Want” from the movie “Grease.” Stoliker was pleased to see his girls relaxed leading into the tournament.

“That’s the key to sports, to be honest,” Stoliker said. “Especially with teenagers these days. They need to have some enjoyment, or they’re not going to like it for very long. When we’re talking two-and-a-half, three-hour practices, and continuous conditioning every day, they still have to enjoy it.”

With that enjoyment comes excitement, and for Fergus, her excitement lies in spending time with her teammates. That same attitude is instilled in the younger players, like eighth grader Cecelia Dignan, whose sister Meredith starred on the Millbrook volleyball team as a senior last year.

“It’s really a great experience,” Dignan said. “Since my sister was on the team before, it’s such a great experience to have. I’ve really learned so much and it’s just been so great. And I’m so happy we’re going to states.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Class C state volleyball

What: New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament, Saturday pool play. Top two pool play records advance to Sunday’s noon title game.

Who: Millbrook (Section 9), Broadalbin Perth (Section 2), Mattituck (Section 11), Eden (Section 6)

Where: Glens Falls Civic Center

When: 9:30 a.m., Saturday

Schedule: Class C state semifinal pool play at Glens Falls Civic Center: Eden vs. Mattituck, 8:30 a.m.; Millbrook vs. Broadalbin Perth, 9:30 a.m.; Eden vs. Broadalbin Perth, ASAP; Millbrook vs. Mattituck, ASAP; Eden vs. Millbrook, ASAP, Broadalbin Perth vs. Mattituck, ASAP

Millbrook’s road to states

Section 9 Class C final: 25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 win over Spackenkill

New York State regional semifinal: 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22 win over Windsor

New York State region final: 25-15, 25-11, 25-16 win over Pawling

Conor Stack

Arlington High School’s Reece Ragusa crossed the finish line at Bowdoin Park Saturday.

He was the fourth Admiral to finish, with his time of 17:24.4. Just about 11 seconds later, teammate Brendan Foley came across with his time of 17:35.3.

And before Foley crossed, in roughly that 11-second span, 27 other runners finished.

It gives you an idea of just how many athletes competed Saturday at the New York State Federation meet. The Admirals seven-man team comprised of Ragusa, Foley, Conor Stack, Eric Sbrollini, Joe Morrison, Skylar Rubin and Matt Dillon finished fourth with a time of 17:07.2.

The Admirals earned a plaque despite finishing behind first place winner St. Anthony’s, second place Xavier and third place Guilderland.

“Everybody that was anybody was there,” Arlington coach Steve Arnett said. “The only teams that outclassed us were St. Anthony’s, Xavier and Guilderland. This is the best everyone’s got to offer and that’s why the plaques go five deep.”

Stack was the first Admiral to finish (16:41), followed by Dillon (16:55), Sbrollini (16:59.4), Ragusa (17:24.4), Foley (17:35.3), Morrison (17:57.5) and Rubin (17:59.2).

“They delivered the goods under pressing circumstances,” Arnett added. “At times it was like a video game — you have to be ready to do what it takes at the moment. There are times on the course you have to bide your time, not force the issue. But when you get the chance you have to be ready.”

A.J. Martelli:amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Arlington’s Katelyn Walsh competes in the 200-yard IM at the NYS and Federation Girls Swimming & Diving Championships. Walsh placed in 12th in the event with a time of 2:07.92. The event was held at Ithaca College.

New Paltz High School’s Caroline Murphy medaled, finishing fourth in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 56.58 in the finals of the New York State girls swimming and diving meet Saturday at Ithaca College. The top 10 finishers in each event were awarded a medal.

Murphy also finished 15th in the 50 freestyle (24.46). She joined Morgane Kuyl, Kaela Santos and Abigail Santos for the 200 medley relay. The foursome placed seventh (1:49.87).

Arlington’s Ina Elcott finished 10th in the 100 backstroke (58.33). Elcott joined Katelyn Walsh, Rebecca Baione and Emily Tang for the 200 medley relay. The quartet finished fifth (1:49.68). The same four Admirals finished 26th in the 400 freestyle relay (3:42.21).

Walsh also placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.39) and 12th in the 200 individual medley (2:07.92).

Our Lady of Lourdes’ Grace Nikolski competes in the 100-yard breaststroke at the NYS and Federation Swimming & Diving Championships. Nikolski placed 14th in the event with a time of 1:06.53. The event was held at Ithaca College.

Clare Bosse from Our Lady of Lourdes placed ninth in the 100 freestyle (52.58) and 21st in the 100 backstroke (58.11). Teammate Grace Nikolski was 14th in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.53).

Roy C Ketcham’s Heidi Simpfenderfer competes in the 200-yard freestyle at the NYS and Federation Girls Swimming & Diving Championships. Simpfenderfer placed 23rd in the event with a time of 1:56.60. The event was held at Ithaca College.

Heidi Simpfenderfer of Roy C. Ketcham was 23rd in the 200 freestyle (1:56.60).

As a team, Arlington finished 13th with 75 points. New Paltz was 18th as a team with 57 points, while Lourdes was 41st with 21 points.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

The Millbrook High School volleyball team poses with the Section 9 Class C plaque.

It was an early wake-up call for the Millbrook High School volleyball team Saturday.

The Blazers were up and at ‘em at 5:45 a.m., ready to attack the day — a day that included New York State Class C pool play at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Of the four teams vying for a berth in Sunday’s state final, Millbrook had to finish the day as one of the two top teams.

And it did just that.

The Blazers will face Section 6’s Eden at noon Sunday for the Class C state title, after going 4-2 in pool play. Millbrook is seeking its first-ever state title, last reaching the championship round in 2013.

“They’re a good program, no doubt about it,” Millbrook coach Shawn Stoliker said of Eden, which has won 12 state titles, and state titles in Class B or C in eight of the last nine seasons. “What it’s going to come down to is that we have to relax and play our game. We have a chance of giving them a run for their money and being right there with them.”

Millbrook lost to its Sunday opponent in both of its pool play sets, falling 25-11, 25-8 to Eden, which went undefeated at 6-0. However, the Blazers did sweep Section 11’s Mattituck 25-14, 25-16 and their first opponent of the day, Section 2’s Broadalbin Perth 25-8, 25-18.

Drills, hard work and fun lead Millbrook volleyball to state tourney

“The way we looked at it, the biggest match of the day was the first,” Stoliker said. “We took two from Broadalbin Perth and that put us in a good position.”

Reaching good standing in order to advance was done with a well-balanced showing.

Senior hitter and Marist College-bound Megan Fergus finished with 24 kills, seven aces, six blocks and 23 digs in all four of Millbrook’s wins. Samantha McKenna added five kills and eight digs, while Emily Kelly had 15 kills and one error in Millbrook’s victories. Brooke Babbitt contributed six aces, while junior setter Kayla Gusikoff had 49 kills.

Stoliker admitted he switched his lineup a few times in a measure of strategy.

“I mixed it up — didn’t want to show them (Eden) everything,” the coach said. “The main thing is confidence. We have to go in not worrying about who’s on the other side of the net. We’re capable of playing teams of that caliber, and we’ve got to go out and do it.

“There’s nothing to lose.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Millbrook vs. Eden

What: Class C state volleyball championship

When: Noon, Sunday

Where: Glens Falls Civic Center

How: Millbrook went 4-2 in pool play to advance to the finals; Eden went 6-0.

Live updates: Follow Journal sports reporter A.J. Martelli on Twitter @AJM_PoJoSports for updates on Sunday’s Class C state volleyball final

The Millbrook High School volleyball team receives its medals after falling in the state Class C final to Eden Sunday.

GLENS FALLS — Shawn Stoliker stood in the tunnel underneath the stands at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Sunday.

His Millbrook High School volleyball team had just lost the Class C state championship match to Eden, 25-19, 24-26, 25-11, 25-13. Still, he called this year’s group of Blazers the best he’s ever coached.

“I told them I’m very proud of them. It was an incredible season, they grew a lot as a volleyball team. We came a long way since the beginning of the season,” Stoliker said.

Moments after his own team captured its fifth consecutive Class C title, Stephen Pierce agreed, calling the Blazers the toughest team his Eden squad has faced in recent years. Millbrook was swept by Eden the last time it reached the state final in 2013.

“We used to play in (Class B) a lot,” said Pierce, whose Section 6 team has won nine state titles in the last 10 years, between Class B and C competition. “Since we moved to ‘C,’ that was the best team we faced in the finals. He (Stoliker) always has well-coached teams. His kids play with fire.”

That fire ignited in the second set.

The Blazers trailed 16-10 in the set, but staged a comeback to win it. Marist College-bound senior hitter Megan Fergus led the way, making blocks on consecutive points to secure the 26-24 win. Fergus, who was named to the all-tournament team, finished with 17 kills, two aces, eight digs and four blocks.

“We definitely played great, we did everything we should’ve done in the second set. Sadly, we didn’t do all that in the first, third and fourth sets,” Fergus said. “We did everything we should have done. We played Millbrook volleyball like ‘Stolly’ tells us to do every single day.”

Kayla Gusikoff, Millbrook’s other all-tournament player, had 27 assists and 15 digs. Lauren Raylor finished with four kills, two aces and seven digs. Brianna Wrightsman added 22 digs and one ace.

Although it’s the end for seniors Fergus, Raylor, Liz Halpin, Emily Kelly, Allison Junke and Marisa Horton, Millbrook’s future looks bright. The Blazers will return a great deal of young players next year, including eighth graders Cecelia Dignan and Erin Fox, and freshmen Cat Halpin and Sam McKenna.

“I’m so proud of my teammates,” Dignan said. “To make it this far, it’s really incredible and it really pushes me to get this far in years to come. I think because our entire team is so young, we have a lot to learn. I think the future definitely holds a lot for us.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Despite what first-year head coach Chip Ackerman called a “good, solid game,” the Pawling High School ice hockey team dropped its season-opener 2-1 in overtime to Byram Hills on Tuesday at Trinity-Pawling Rink.

Hockey Puck, Stick, and Net (landscape)

The Tigers have a chance to rebound on Friday, when they play Mahopac at 6:30 p.m. at Brewster Ice Arena.

“Mahopac is going to be solid,” said Ackerman, who also stood at the helm of the Pawling boys lacrosse team this past spring. “We’re going to have to keep it tight. We need a lot of good puck movement and to keep our defense in place.”

For the most part, the Tigers’ defense held in place against Byram Hills, though they trailed 1-0 entering the third period. Joe Currie came up with a goal on an assist from James Comerford to tie it, forcing the overtime.

In the overtime period, the Bobcats’ Robert Lunder faced a two-on-one. On a breakaway, he shot the puck past goalkeeper Travis Barry for the game-winner. Barry finished 43 saves on Byram Hills’ 45 shots on goal.

“I thought the team played well. It was back and forth with a lot of physicality,” Ackerman said. “They scored their first goal off a deflection. We had some great opportunities and I have to credit both teams for having pretty solid defense.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

The Nov. 29, 1997 cover of the Journal’s Sports section featured Dover High School’s state football championship.

Chris Zabawski went to the sideline and looked at Bill Broggy.

The running back was almost demanding of his coach. He wanted a chance.

“He looked at me and said ‘Give me the ball.’ I’ll never forget it,” Broggy said. Eighteen years later, the former Dover football coach still remembers the respectful, confident tone of his senior’s voice in the moments that led to Dutchess County’s lone New York State Public High School Athletic Association football championship.

The Dragons had battled Christian Brothers Academy to a tie through four quarters and into a second overtime period. The Carrier Dome in Syracuse was louder than a thunderclap on that day, Nov. 28, 1997, Broggy remembered.

With his team 10 yards from the end zone, Broggy called for Zabawski to get the ball, and the senior rushed for eight yards. Teammate Willie Peel took the Dragons the rest of the way, pushing his way to a game-winning touchdown behind the blocking of lineman John Hammond. And, suddenly, Dover was the state’s Class C champion.

Lourdes gets back to work, thankful for unique Thanksgiving

“I can’t believe this. This is the happiest day of my life,” Zabawski declared to the Journal as tears flowed 18 years ago. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, rushing for 167 yards.

Soon, those Dragons may have company in knowing what it feels like to become champions.

Last week, Our Lady of Lourdes became the first Dutchess team since Dover to reach the state finals. The Section 1 champion Warriors will face Section 6’s South Park, of Buffalo, in the Class A championship game on Friday at the Carrier Dome.

VIDEO: Who is South Park? Lourdes meets opponent for state finals

Kurt Abrams, the quarterback on that state title-winning, and undefeated, Dover team, notices similarities between the 1997 Dragons and the 2015 Warriors.

“Our team in 1997 mirrors the Lourdes team in that a group of enthusiastic, prideful, disciplined athletes challenge the odds knowing that on any given day, victory can be achieved,” Abrams said. “(Our) win resulted from each player on the field doing their job in a perfect storm of executing plays. Ten yards at a time, one game at a time, then you’re champions.”

Abrams said he is rooting for Lourdes. And he’s not the only one.

“I hope all the kids from Lourdes can experience that,” said Chris Lounsbury, Dover’s current head football coach and its defensive coordinator in 1997. “It was a huge deal.”

The Journal expanded on its coverage of Dover’s state football championship in this page from Nov. 30, 1997.

Nearly three hours after the game began, it ended with a 32-26 final score, and the Dragons piled in a heap on the Carrier Dome’s field.

According to the Journal’s estimates, 800 to 1,000 fans made the trip to Syracuse, including several busloads. The game served as a reunion of sorts for residents of the small town. Craig Bosley, a former Dragon and the older brother of a receiver on the team, Eric Bosley, even flew in for the game.

“It’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened to Dover Plains, resident Jim Yeno told the Journal at the time, while fellow resident Amy Dye described Dover as a “ghost town,” given how many made the trip to west.

The following day, police cars greeted the team bus eight miles north of the town line on Route 22 and escorted the team back into Dover in an impromptu parade, soon to be joined by firetrucks.

Winning the title came with a few challenges. The biggest test, obviously, was the game itself, in the rocking atmosphere of the Carrier Dome, with its turf field — then, an unfamiliar surface. Geography also added to Dover’s hurdles. Broggy recalled just how difficult it was playing Christian Brothers Academy, a school located in Syracuse, just four miles from the Carrier Dome.

“It was basically a home game for them,” Broggy said. “We were opposite their fans and when they scored — the roar, the elation — that intimidated us. We had never played in a dome before, never played on turf before.”

The noise, Lounsbury said, impacted how the coaches relayed information to the players.

“The kids had never played on a field like that. Both teams probably had their nerves up,” Lounsbury said. “You couldn’t hear anything because of the crowd. It was difficult to communicate with the players on the field.”

VIDEO: Walsh transformed Lourdes, Dutchess football through sacrifice

The Dragons trailed, 20-12, in the fourth quarter. But, on fourth down, Abrams evaded a swarm of defenders and hit Peel with a pass over the middle that went for a 29-yard touchdown. Broggy then opted to fake the extra-point kick attempt and Abrams ran the ball into the end zone to tie the game at 20. That’s how regulation ended, with the help of a late interception by Dover’s George Morfea to thwart Christian Brothers Academy’s final drive.

After trading touchdowns in the first overtime period, Dover’s defense held Christian Brothers Academy scoreless on its possession in the second overtime, setting up the Dragons’ decisive score.

“It was crazy how it unfolded, looking back on it now,” Abrams said. “As a kid, the whole thing was surreal.”

Dover overcame the obstacles. Lourdes will have to do the same to join the Dragons in football immortality. But if there is any advice the ones who led Dover to the state title can offer the Warriors, it’s to follow your leader.

That, and just play.

“Listen to everything coach (Brian) Walsh tells you. He’s been doing it for a long time,” said Lounsbury. “Ultimately what got Lourdes there was being a team and focusing on football. The joy and excitement will come after. Play football and everything will fall into place.”

“Listen to Brian. He knows what he’s doing,” Broggy said. “The one thing is to play within yourself. Don’t make it bigger than it is. Treat it like another football game when you’re out there. Play football.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Lourdes vs. South Park

What: Class A state football final

When: Friday, 3 p.m.

Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse

Tickets: $10

TV: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel

Live updates: Follow Journal reporters Stephen Haynes and A.J. Martelli, @StephenHaynes4 and @AJM_PoJoSports on Twitter, throughout Friday for updates and news from Syracuse. Use #OLLStates to join the conversation.

Conor Stack

Arlington High School boys cross country runners Conor Stack, Reece Ragusa, Matthew Dillon, Eric Sbrollini, Skyler Rubin, Joe Morrison and Brendan Foley competed at the Nike Cross Regionals on Saturday at Bowdoin Park, where they placed 11th as a team.

The seven runners finished with 270 points. Stack was the top finisher from Arlington individually, as he placed 33rd with 23 points in a time of 16:41.50.

Each of the runners wore a bib with “Jac” on it, in honor of former Arlington coach Bob Jacovino.

Ben Petrella, of Liverpool, was the top individual finisher with a time 15:31.40. He and his team finished first with 77 points.

In the boys open race, Presidents XC Club, featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt students, finished second as a team with 79 points. Ryley Robinson placed 10th. Pawling’s Matt Whitworth was seventh in 17:40.2, running for “Rotten Dogs.”

“It was an awesome way to end the season,” Roosevelt coach Brian Halling said. “I was very proud.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Basketball in Hoop

Our Lady of Lourdes High School girls basketball coach Al Viani hopes his girls got it out of their system now.

That was of course in reference to the Warriors’ 61-41 loss to host Albertus Magnus in the final of the Richard McNichol Turkey Tipoff on Saturday in Bardonia, Rockland County.

Albertus Magnus was last year’s Section 1 Class A champion while Lourdes was the Class AA runner-up to Ossining.

“They pretty much shellacked us, took it to us from the bat,” said Viani, whose Warriors dropped to 1-1. “They jumped out on us early and never looked back.”

Katie Clarke provided 10 points to lead the Warriors, while Maddie Siegrist scored nine.

At halftime, the Warriors trailed 40-12.

“They’re not that good, it’s just we were that bad,” said Viani, yet adding that Albertus “made its shots, for sure.”

The Warriors will participate in a tournament in Oneonta on Saturday, Dec. 4. They will then visit Ossining on Dec. 8 and open at home against Peekskill on Dec. 10.

“We have to work on better movement, better communication and work on playing a 32-minute game,” said Viani of what areas his team is working on. “We have Ossining and Peekskill coming up. We can’t play the way we played in that first half and expect to compete with teams of that caliber.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Lourdes’ Brian Walsh questions a call from a referee during the New York State Championship final in Syracuse on Friday.

When it came to sports, it was the talk of the town. The prime topic and buzz around Dutchess County.

They’ll still be talking about it years from now, even though the Our Lady of Lourdes football team just missed reaching the pinnacle of high school sports. On Friday, the Warriors lost to Section 6’s South Park, 49-46, in the New York State Class A championship game at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Still, it was a sensational run. It was unprecedented by a Lourdes football team and a feat that hadn’t been matched by a football team in the county since Dover reached the Class C state final in 1997 — though Dover subsequently won.

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: Lourdes fights to finish in final loss

But now, after such a fantastic postseason, it begs the question: How do next year’s Warriors follow it?

The answers came back in many different ways. It depends on how badly they want to work, if you ask the coach.

“It’s really up to the kids,” said Brian Walsh, whose Warriors finished the season 10-3. “We lose some really great football players out of the senior class. It’s going to be up to the younger kids to see if they want to put in the kind of time, if they want to be committed to having a great team.”

Rotger to Timm: Dynamic duo connects one last time

Perhaps the biggest subtractions for the Warriors will be quarterback Dean Rotger and wide receiver Luke Timm. Rotger connected with Timm for his final completion of his high school career and passed for 408 yards in the state title game. Timm set a state championship record for receptions — with 18 — and he gave his own proverbial pat on the back to the team’s underclassmen.

Lourdes’ Joe Scaglione runs the ball during the New York State Championship final versus South Park in Syracuse on Friday. Lourdes lost to South Park 49-46.

“With a lot of hard work, like us seniors have done, the future looks bright,” Timm said. “That’s the way Lourdes is every single year. We come out and we prepare. If those younger kids do the same thing that us upperclassmen have done, then it looks good for them too.”

Along with Rotger and Timm, 13 other seniors on the Lourdes football team will graduate in the spring. Those who won’t be returning are giving way to players like Joe Scaglione and Cam Jones to take up their mantle — sophomores who will come back as juniors next year. There will also be 13 juniors returning as seniors in 2016.

“After a great season like this, we still have great coaches, we still have a great foundation” said Scaglione, a tailback and middle linebacker. “Obviously we lose a few core guys, but we’ll still be successful.”

The effort doesn’t leave with the seniors. Ask Jones.

“I know for me, I’m going to do my best to work as hard as possible,” said Jones, a defensive tackle. “And all the underclassmen along with me, we’re going to work as hard as possible to be as best as we can next year.”

And while next year will bring changes to the team as every new season does, the younger players are eager for what is in store for next year’s group. Mainly, the bonding and ambition that come with being a member of a team.

“I look forward to establishing new friendships, new guys on the team,” Scaglione added. “And getting better in the offseason and having another successful year, hopefully.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

More online

Visit http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com for comprehensive coverage of the Lourdes football team’s state championship game on Friday, including videos and a photo gallery. Find video interviews of the Warriors analyzing the ups and downs of the contest, the difficulties of covering South Park’s speed, their appreciation for the fans who visited Syracuse and more.

While there, check out coverage leading up to the game, including feature stories on Lourdes’ longtime successful coach Brian Walsh, and a look back at Dover’s 1997 state title.

At one point on Tuesday, Roy C. Ketcham High School boys head basketball coach Mike Paino looked at one of his assistant coaches.

Basketball in Hoop

He said he told his assistant he wasn’t expecting what happened in his Indians’ game against host John Jay-Cross River.

In the last six seconds of the game, Matt Seidner poured in the winning shot on a layup off a pass from John Stumberger — a basket to carry Ketcham to a 57-56 victory.

“It’s a huge win,” said Paino, who replaced his brother Matt as the Indians’ head coach. Ketcham trailed throughout, except for when it took a 2-0 lead at the outset of the game.

“It’s gratifying in that situation. We fought back and got a couple of huge defensive stops. To get off to this start with us a lot of confidence. It was a great team win.”

While Seidner drained the winning shot, Zaair Woody was Ketcham’s leader in points scored with 24. He added 12 rebounds while Stumberger contributed with nine points. Paino also credited Tim Reilly on a good performance, as he battled sickness in order to play.

“He played with a fever,” Paino said of Reilly. “He was sick the whole way and didn’t want to come out of the game.”

Ketcham (1-0) will visit Port Chester at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Paino said he hopes his team quickens its defense.

“I’m our hoping our defense wakes up a little sooner than it did tonight (Tuesday),” Paino said. “Hopefully it’ll be much improved and they come ready to step up on the defensive end, like we did in the fourth quarter (against John Jay-Cross River).”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Basketball in Hoop

The Pawling High School boys basketball team won just three games last year, but started the season anew on a high note.

Hosting Dover on Tuesday, Pawling came out with a 49-42 win. Tigers coach Jason Kuhlmann was pleased to see his team get into a rhythm on both ends of the floor and start the year on the plus side.

“I was happy with our defensive effort and rebounding,” the coach said. “We really hustled, and I was happy to get a win in the first one.”

Helping the Tigers collect the win were Matt Whitworth, David Bellucci and Nick Rubino, as each player finished the game in double figures, in terms of points scored. Whitworth and Bellucci each poured in 14 points apiece, while Rubino added 11.

“We’re a much better team than we were (last year). We were really young,” Kuhlmann said. “We’re still young, but overall we look more like a basketball team.”

Josh Benson led Dover (0-1) with 15 points. Fellow Dragon Jaquan Futrell added seven points. The Dragons will host Webutuck at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pawling (1-0) will host Webutuck in its tournament on Friday at 5 p.m.

“We’re looking to made improvements on what we did tonight (Tuesday),” Kuhlmann added of his team’s next game. “And play even harder.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

SYRACUSE – The atmosphere in the Carrier Dome couldn’t be matched Friday.

Deafening noise, a wild football game. Countless fans cheering madly after making a 200-plus mile commute to Syracuse to root for their team. That team being the Our Lady of Lourdes High School football team, which was aiming to become only the second team in Dutchess County to ever win a New York State football championship.

Fans from Poughkeepsie cheer on Our Lady of Lourdes football at the New York State Championships in Syracuse on Friday.

Some of those who attended the Class A state title game had to make sacrifices. Like James Maher, a graduate of the Lourdes class of 2013 currently attending the University of Maryland. He spent part of his Thanksgiving break in Syracuse to witness his alma mater attempt high school football history.

“It was like a long drive, but it was totally worth it,” Maher said. “This is something we always dreamed of and it’s really good for Lourdes.”

VIDEO: Lourdes football looks to the future

Maher and I have a lot in common. Not just because we were both at the game. Not just because we are both graduates of Lourdes. But because we both were making a sacrifice to be there.

Fans from Poughkeepsie cheer on Our Lady of Lourdes football at the New York State Championships in Syracuse on Friday.

In a delicious twist of irony, my 10-year Lourdes reunion fell on Friday, which just so happened to be one of the most important days in the school’s history — at least in terms of sports. The reunion took place at Poughkeepsie’s Mill House Brewing Company, which is right next to the Poughkeepsie Journal Building. I only imagined the atmosphere there, and what it must have been like in comparison to the Carrier Dome.

Lourdes football thanks community, fans

A stark contrast, probably.

Lourdes’ Dean Rotger passes the ball during the New York State Championship final versus South Park in Syracuse on Friday.

The game against Section 6’s South Park got underway a little after 3 p.m. The Warriors and Sparks took everyone in the Carrier Dome on a stupendous journey — a heavyweight fight that made Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed (OK, maybe a little more fittingly, Adonis Creed vs. Ricky Conlan) look like kid stuff.

South Park led by as many as 17 points, but every time it appeared as if it was the beginning of the end for Lourdes, it wasn’t. Each time the Sparks gained the upper hand, the Warriors fought back.

Every time South Park scored, Lourdes quarterback Dean Rotger was there to plunge through a throng of bodies for another Warriors touchdown to finish a drive. In each instance after a speed burst for a score from Tyree Brown, the Sparks’ quarterback, Warriors wide receiver Luke Timm was there to make a spectacular catch. On most occasions, Timm had to battle more than one defender to make the completion.

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: Lourdes fights to finish in final loss

In live-tweeting some running color commentary, the online response was tremendous. Seemingly the whole community followed along on Twitter, with the hashtag #OLLStates.

Ultimately it wasn’t the Warriors who emerged victorious — they lost 49-46 — but as the players walked off the field when the clock read all zeros, visibly upset, the horde of supporters who had flocked to Syracuse from Poughkeepsie stood in applause.

Family. Friends. Students. Even fellow alumni cheered on the Warriors.

And as good as the reunion may have been back home, it probably didn’t match the aura in the Carrier Dome. The feel of a community coming together for a big sporting event.

Worth the sacrifice? Absolutely.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

A new wrestling season has begun and right away, two local teams started with a bang.

webkey Highschool Wrestling

The teams from Arlington High School and Beacon began the season with strong showings Wednesday at a Section 1 Duals quad meet at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak.

Arlington came away with a 72-10 win over the host Hornets and a 57-21 win over Brewster. Beacon beat Lakeland 63-18, but lost to Brewster, 56-27.

Firas Zoha (120 pounds) stood out for the Admirals, as he won his first match by pinfall and his second by decision. Despite some forfeits on Brewster’s part, Arlington coach Fred Perry liked what he saw from his team.

“There were a lot of forfeits in the Brewster match,” said Perry, whose Admirals advanced to Tuesday’s quarterfinals. “Everyone wrestled really hard. The kids have been working very hard in the offseason and it showed tonight.”

Liam Ollive (99), Malachi Maloney (170) and Kyle Davis (182) each won matches against Brewster. Maloney added a win by 7-1 decision against Lakeland, while Israel Echi (126) and Paul Cohen (120) each scored wins by pinfall.

Gavin and Peter Pasqualini, who normally wrestle at 120 and 126 respectively, each shifted up a class and won their matches. Gavin at 126 and Peter at 132.

“I was happy with how we wrestled,” Beacon coach Ron Tompkins said. “Brewster is one of the better teams and we held our own. I’m looking forward to the weekend. We expect the kids to do well on Saturday.”

Beacon will compete in the Rye Duals at Rye High School on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports