By Doug La Rocque
It was a bittersweet night at the annual Berlin Central School Sports Awards Dinner Monday.
[private]Student athletes in attendance received their letters, plaques, and pins to commemorate the 2016-17 sports season, but the standing ovation was for Athletic Director Art Schmich, who has announced his retirement at the end of the year, bringing to a conclusion 37 years at the school as a teacher and administrator.
Schmich was surprised by the staff at the Jr.-Sr. High School with what is called a New York Yankees Masterpass Batters Eye Package for himself and three friends for this Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. The gift includes a meet and greet with two Yankee alumni yet to be named, game tickets, a buffet lunch, $100 Yankee merchandise gift cards, transportation and incidentals. Art’s longtime friend and Class of 1968 Berlin graduate Bob Fish made the presentation, telling a short story about growing up with him in Stephentown.
With Art’s 13 years as a student at Berlin, he is bringing to a close 50 years at Berlin Central. Well, almost – Schmich plans on returning to coach the Boys Varsity Soccer team in the fall. Taking the microphone and fighting back tears, Art said “This place is unbelievable. The sports, the kids, all you parents who were my kids at one time, this is everything to me, it still is, and when I leave here, it still hurts.
I really appreciate all the memories over the years, good, bad and indifferent. This has never been a job; this was my joy. Anything I could do to make this place better, that’s what I wanted to do. I will always be a Mountaineer.”
Two juniors were name the 2017 Athletes of the Year. Haley Maxon, who was also named the MVP of the Lady Mountaineer’s Varsity Basketball team, was the softball team’s catcher and second leading hitter, and also plays on the Varsity Soccer team, was given the Female Athlete award by Mr. Schmich. Ryan Willis, also named the MVP of the Varsity Soccer team, who set the school record for Boys Soccer of 35 goals this past season and was the Basketball squad’s most improved player, was given the Male Athlete of the Year honor. Speaking with The Eastwick Press after the ceremonies, both students spoke of the challenges of leading their teams into the larger WASAREN league next year and their desire to make Berlin proud. Berlin’s all-time soccer scoring leader, with 174 goals, Jewel Pietrzak and Nick Tripepi were given the Central Hudson Valley League’s Senior Athlete of the Year awards. Pietrzak was also named the Soccer team’s MVP, while Tripepi was named the Wrestling team’s MVP and the soccer team’s Most Improved Player. The annual Gabe Duffy award for the athlete who has overcome the most adversity to play for the Mountaineer’s went to Sarah French, who beat back injuries to continue her sports career.
Award Winners In Varsity Sports
Boys Soccer – MVP Ryan Willis; Most improved, Nick Tripepi.
Girls Soccer – MVP Jewel Pietrzak; Most Improved, Rachel Cahill.
Boys Cross County – MVP Nick Styer; Most Improved, Collin Douglas
Girls Cross Country – MVP Sarah French; Most Improved, Melanie Delaurentis
Boys Volleyball – MVP Philip Doin; Most Improved, Jacob Gallucci
Girls Volleyball – MVP Zoelle Gagnon; Most Improved, Alyssa Bierwirth
Girls Swim – MVP Allison Ryder; Most Improved, Chloe Myers.
Wrestling – MVP Nick Tripepi; Most Improved, Mike Hicks.
Boys Basketball – MVP Roark Slattery; Most Improved, Ryan Willis
Girls Basketball – MVP Haley Maxon; Most Improved, Parker Crandall
Baseball – MVP Tyler Kellar; Most Improved, Garrett Fiske.
Softball – MVP Bailey Catlin; Most Improved, Abby Scott.
Boys Track – MVP Alex Flowers; Most Improved, Ryan Gosse.
Girls Track – MVP Allison Ryder; Most Improved, Katie Locket
Sectional First Place awards in Track went to Alex Flowers, who set a school record in the pole vault of 13’6”, and Allison Ryder in the discus throw.
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