passing the torch
passing the torch
by Mrs. Carla O'Hara
For the past 25+ years, Comsewogue boys lacrosse has been a powerhouse on Long Island, and the primary reason is the legendary coach Mitchell. Now, as our boys' lacrosse team continues to dominate, winning the Suffolk County Championship just last year, a new coach Mitchell has emerged, raising hope that the women’s lacrosse team can reach the same success.
Since the beginning of his career, Pete Mitchell’s lacrosse team has won multiple accolades, including “accumulat[ing] over 350 wins and was head coach of the Empire State Gold Medal team in 2001. If this wasn’t enough, his historic track record even includes seven straight years as Suffolk County Champs from 1996-2002. In this time, Comsewogue earned four Long Island Championships and four New York State Championships.”1
But Mitchell is more than just a coach. Some of those New York State Championship players were happy to tell how much his influence helped them in their lives well beyond lacrosse.
John Dobias, goalie for the 1998 State Championship team, indicated that he would not have the career he has today–which coincidentally is the same as Pete’s–had it not been for Pete’s influence and guidance when John considered giving up on college.
Adam Bartholomew, of the 2002 State Champion team, said, “he lobbied for me to get into Empire State tryouts… that was when I got recruited for college.” This guidance “...led [him] in a way that allowed [him] the college experience,” eventually leading to later success. These players and countless others have Mitchell to thank for guiding them into successful life paths.
This leadership is evident in the players of today. “He’s not just a coach for four years, he will be coaching you your entire life,” said Coach MacGregor, Assistant Lacrosse Coach and former player under Coach Mitchell. “He’s definitely taught me that I have to be very disciplined in every aspect of my life,” said team captain and midfielder James Krieg.
Justin Bonacci, team captain and right attack, has known Coach Mitchell as long as he can remember, through youth and club leagues, and now as his head coach. Justin sees the influence Mitch has had on him: “He often yells, and gets in your face, and tells you you suck, but in the end it was kind of a good thing because it lit a fire under me and it propelled me to be a better player.”
This fire Mitch encourages in his players is one major reason for his success. The players believe in themselves because he instills confidence in them, even when things don’t go well. Team captain and defenseman Ryan Fleschner said in early April, “I definitely see us in the playoffs; I definitely see us win the country championship.”
That confidence comes from Mitchell’s belief in his team. According to Newsday, Mitchell spoke of the 2022 season,“This is the best feeling I’ve had as a coach in a long time,” Mitchell said. “We’ve had an attitude of proving people wrong because they didn’t think we should be here. We lost five games during the season but [each] one we learned from.”2
Kasey’s accolades as a player are extremely impressive; if her career as a player is any indication of the kind of coach she will be, Comsewogue is very lucky to have her. At Stonybrook, she “Was an All-American selection as a senior to follow two-time all-county honors, along with an all-division selection as an eighth-grader and all-tournament honors in seventh grade ... Won the state championship as a sophomore and senior ... Team went 56-3 over her final three seasons.”3
So far, she has proven that this tenacity as a player will transfer well into her coaching career. This year, her first year as head coach, the girls have made the playoffs. Working with her “It’s definitely scary at times, but she is very disciplined and makes you work hard, and knows when to push you and when not to push you,” team captain and midfielder Gabby Constant confessed. “After every game, she tells us to keep our heads up and tells what we can improve on, but she also says the positives,” Alyssa Deasy, team captain and midfielder tells, indicating that Coach Mitchell is both a perfectionist and an influential motivator.
It was hard not to see the parallels between this father-daughter coach duo. So many of the stories told about Pete Mitchell’s success, willingness to give everything to his students and players, and balance of high expectations with compassion are what make him the success that he is, and those qualities are reflected in Coach Kasey as well. “She definitely sets a standard for us and overall makes us better people, both on and off the field,” said team captain and defender Mia Fernandes.
Lindsay Radmann, team captain and defender, says, “She always brings out the best in players and knows how to get us ready for the future.” Was she talking about the daughter or the father? Their values seem one and the same. Her dedication to players and students in the classroom explains why she was a teacher of the month this year as well.
There is no doubt that the future of Comsewogue lacrosse can only improve in the future. Coach Mitchell “is constantly talking to [his players] about character, about doing the right thing, about college and their future.” That understanding that being an athlete is more than just playing a game is what makes his influence so great. “The staff we have right now… is a pretty special staff,” Mr. Divincenzo says about the girls’ lacrosse coaches. He has very high hopes for the future of the girls’ team, and that is due to both coaches and their dedication to player development both on and off the field.
If this season is any indication of the future, we will have years of success. This year, both teams advanced in the playoffs. The girls' team made the quarter-finals, and the boys' season brought them all the way to the semi-finals, both falling to West Islip.
Coach Pete Mitchell loves lacrosse and loves teaching. As Kasey begins her career, that love seems very much a part of her as well. “I hope for Kasey that she loves it as much as he does 30 years later,” Jen Mitchell said of Pete’s career and Kasey’s future. Comsewogue is very lucky to have this fantastic father-daughter team, and the future is very bright.
Video by Juliana Manteiga and Carla O'Hara
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Image property of Stonybrook University.
News images property of Newsday.
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1 Twenty4Lacrosse East. “Pete Mitchell.” 2 May 2023.
2 Morris, Gene. “Comsewogue boys lacrosse tops Smithtown West late for Suffolk B crown.” Newsday, Updated 1 June, 2022.
3 “Kasey Mitchell.” Stonybrook Seawolves Women’s Lacrosse, Stonybrook University Athletics, 2023.
another one bites the dust
another one bites the dust
By Sophia Arredondo
Both Comsewogue Boys and Girls Spring Track have had an accomplished season coming off of their winter one. The two teams, full of talented runners, have upheld the reputation of Comsewogue through their achievements this year.
Coached by Mr. Hall and assisted by Mr. Hughes and Kelly, the girls’ spring track team ranges from freshmen to seniors. Each girl works for their own personal goals as well as together for the team.
Out of all the girls on the team, the Cole sisters have defied expectations and stood out amongst the rest, with their continuous success meet after meet. The two sisters have run together their entire lives. This is the first year they’ve run on the same team, as 8th grader Lexie Cole was pulled up to varsity.
The older girls on the team have shown ongoing support for Lexie, who says that they’re “welcoming” and feel that being the only 8th grader on the team is a “good experience.”
At the age of 13, Lexie has already become a household name at Comsewogue, breaking school records. In the previous winter season, she “placed 3rd in the 3,000-meter run, setting a new school record with a time of 10:15.17, breaking her own school record.” She has also broken two more school records this spring season, including the “3,200-meter with a PR of 10:54.26” and the “2000-meter Steeplechase with a PR of 7:07.76”.
When asked about the younger Cole sister, senior Grace Jos stated how Lexie is “extremely, naturally talented” and “has so much potential.”
This is just the beginning for Lexie, and she aspires to “make it to nationals, and in the future… make it to a lot more state meets.”
Her sister, junior Madison Cole, has only continued to grow over the past years that she’s run with Comsewogue. Last season, Madison “set a new school record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:26.10 and set a school record in the 1,500-meter run, taking fourth place with a time of 4:47.14” She has continued to work hard and this season, has opened her 1500 faster with a 10 second PR than the last season.
The dynamic sister duo has ignited a flame that cannot be put out. Motivated by a sense of healthy competition, the two inspire those around them as well as each other.
“She definitely pushes me to work harder,” Madison states. “She’s been a great training partner for me in these past two seasons.”
The Cole sisters have a bright future ahead of them.
This spring season, the girls' track team has had many accomplishments. The girls on the team are full of passion for the sport and cheer each other on. Comsewogue track has and will continue to have a positive impact on the school and athletes.
Not only have the girls had an outstanding season but so have the boys’ spring track team. Coached by Mr. Posnanski and assistant coach, Mr. Seifert, the team varies from freshmen to seniors, each one working hard to achieve their personal goals as well as a team.
Seniors Christian Scholl and Richie Russo have conveyed inspiration and strength through their track careers at Comsewogue. Both have accomplished a lot in the past year. Christian has broken school records in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:41.70 and was a part of the 4x800 relay with a time of 8:50.25 in the winter season. He continues to shrink the gap for the school mile record, running incredibly fast times. His current time is 4:28.07.
Senior Richie Russo has gotten two personal records this spring season in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. In the winter, he achieved the second farthest jump in school history at 20’10.5” The current school record for long jump is held by R. Biscardi at 22' 3". Even though he’s currently injured, that doesn’t prevent him from supporting his team and working hard to get back. Comsewogue track creates lifelong bonds and builds athletes to excel at their fullest potential.
“My teammates always push me to keep going, my great team,” Richie states. “And I hope to meet new teammates in the future and my goal to just get better all, like as much as I can, and be the best I can be, is what keeps me going.”
Video produced by Sophia Arredondo
As Christian, Richie, and the other seniors run their final races representing Comsewogue, the future of the boys' track team lies in the hands of the underclassmen.
Sophomore Anthony Soares has made it well known that he is not to be messed with. Having “placed 5th in the 600 meter run with the 6th fastest time in school history of 1:28.12,” in the winter, Anthony has had an accomplished season. With that time, he had made it to state quals, which to him has been his greatest achievement throughout the year. This spring season, Anthony has continued to impress the crowd. He got a personal best in the 400 intermediate hurdles with a time of 1:02.97. This spring season, he has also jumped 41'2.5" in the triple jump. Anthony has continued to work hard and see outstanding results.
“This year, for spring, I’m hoping to get to state quals,” Anthony says. “That’d be pretty cool, and in the future, I’m hoping to break some school records, maybe in the triple jump. I don’t know, we’ll have to see.”
This year, the boys’ track team has had many accomplishments personally for each runner, and as a team overall. The team stays strong throughout the hard practices, and workouts and are motivated to aim for success.
Both the girls’ and boys’ spring track teams remain steadfast at Comsewogue. Through their achievements, they have strengthened the warrior spirit representing our school. The track at Comsewogue has had a positive impact on student-athletes and coaches.
“There’s a positive outlook on track,” Coach Hall states. “Where it is a personal sport, it doesn’t have to be you have to be the number one person in it; Instead, you’re racing against yourself every meet. So, everyone can be a success. It is not just measured in who is the number one or number two in the league, county, state, and so on and so forth. So, Comsewogue really seems to be embracing that this year.”
The future of Comsewogue track is in good hands. The rising underclassmen are prepared to continue to make the community, friends, families, and most importantly, themselves, proud in what they do; And the spirit of Comsewogue will forever live on through boys’ and girls’ track.
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¹ Winter Season Accomplishments. (2023). Comsewogue School District. Retrieved May 16, 2023, from https://www.comsewogue.k12.ny.us/athletics/general_information/athletic_announcements/winter_season_accomplishments
² Comsewogue - Rankings. (n.d.). MileSplit New York. https://ny.milesplit.com/teams/11144-comsewogue/rankings
³ Winter Season Accomplishments. (2023). Comsewogue School District. Retrieved May 16, 2023, from https://www.comsewogue.k12.ny.us/athletics/general_information/athletic_announcements/winter_season_accomplishments
4 Christian Scholl - Stats. (n.d.). MileSplit New York. https://ny.milesplit.com/athletes/11021871-christian-scholl/stats
5 Winter Season Accomplishments. (2023). Comsewogue School District. Retrieved May 16, 2023, from https://www.comsewogue.k12.ny.us/athletics/general_information/athletic_announcements/winter_season_accomplishments
6 Anthony Soares - Stats. (n.d.). MileSplit New York. https://ny.milesplit.com/athletes/11311837-anthony-soares
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Wogue' Baseball & Softball
Wogue' Baseball & Softball
By: Jake Sokolowski
When people think of Comsewogue, they might think about Blue & Gold. They might think about Lacrosse or Football, but two sports are on the come up with very exciting seasons. Baseball and Softball had two great seasons with many reasons to believe this is only a preview of next year.
First, we start with Coach Caltigirone and Coach Bonura of ‘Wogue Baseball. The seasoned coaches have a lot of history in the program, winning a league title back in 2016. Baseball had an overall record of 11-9 this season, 5 players who won All-League, 1 Gold Glover, a playoff run, and with all of that only two seniors left for next season.
The Baseball team will be keeping almost the entire team heading into next season. The key player to the team's success and also unofficially labeled as the captain starts with the team’s catcher. Kevin Schnupp, who wears number 4, talked to us about the team, what to expect for next year, and some highlight moments of this season.
We asked Kevin, “What does it take to be a leader on such a competitive team?” and he says, “It takes a lot of hard work, showing up every day keeping your teammates in check, and preparing the right way.”
With much history, you can only think with the talent the team displays next year that Comsewogue should be a team to watch out for. Next for Comsewogues heavy hitter, we go to Matt Nowlan who mainly plays center field for the team, wearing number 24. He is looked upon as a top hitter on the team with a crazy amount of power.
Nowlan sat with us and we asked him what his expectations were coming into the season and he said, “We had high expectations. Many people said we could’ve made a run at counties but with some mishaps and injuries…we came short.” Next season, Comsewogue will be looking to add their 7th league title and potentially 3rd county title and beyond.
Next, we go to Softball which is coached by Joel Sutherland. Coach Sutherland has done a great job with the team now making their 3rd consecutive playoff appearance.
The softball team has a lot of talent starting with the two Juniors who just capped off a great season, Juliana Mantiega and Laurel Chiaino.
We start with the 3-year varsity starter, 2nd baseman Laurel Chiaino. Laurel is the bulldog of the team; she’s tough, gritty, works deep counts, and can back it up with a great defense. One question that we asked Laurel was ‘What do you think it will take to go deep into the playoffs this year and what will it take to keep playing at a high level?’ Laurel's response was, “I just think the whole team has to stick together, play as a team, and not give up when things are going bad.” That mindset is what helped these girls compete in every game and have a great season.
Next, we move on to starting 3rd baseman, Juliana Mantiega. Juliana brings a lot to the table being another seasoned varsity player. Juliana is the heart of the team. She holds everyone together. When we asked Juliana the same question, she said, “We are going to have to recover quickly, be ready for anything, and attack anything that comes our way.”
They sure did attack anything that came their way ending the season 11-9 while advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs. This softball team has much to be proud of and especially a lot to be excited about with a crazy amount of talent from underclassmen including starting center fielder, Natalia Pashkin who just came off an amazing Sophomore season, Kiki Napolitano, and Peyton Chiaino.
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Boys tennis
Boys tennis
by Jason Chen
As the Comsewogue Boys Tennis 2023 season comes to an end. The team made it to the playoffs and won as a team in the first round of playoffs but lost in the second round of playoffs. It was still an amazing season for the Comsewogue Boys Tennis team for their 2023 season. This year and last year the Comsewogue boys tennis team had made the playoffs. It is a huge accomplishment for the Comsewogue boys' tennis team.
Two seniors, Ty and Angelo, both made counties this year. They both made wonderful individual achievements. It was amazing for both seniors on their last time playing as a Warrior to make such wonderful memories and accomplishments on the Comsewogue Tennis team.
Throughout the history of the Comsewogue boys' tennis team, there hadn’t always been a boys' team. When it started it wasn’t the best since most of the players never played before, but the Comsewogue tennis has made huge improvements throughout the years. All individuals made great improvements. As a team, they have given Comsewogue a good reputation.
Former Comsewogue Tennis coach Coach Kingsley first started as an assistant coach, then he went into coaching for the girls' team and finally ended up as the head coach of the boys' tennis team. He had coached the girls first since the Comsewogue tennis team hadn’t always had a boys' team. He started to build up the Comsewogue boys' tennis team since then. He coached the Comsewogue tennis team for 10 years. I asked him what he thought of all the boys he coached. He said, “ They were awesome, great kids, highly academic, and very fun.”
I was curious about what had gotten people into tennis. Some said it just looked fun and wanted to try out something different, and others just loved playing the sport and had been playing for a long time.
I asked senior player Jake Gulyansky what got him into playing tennis and he said, “ I've gotten into tennis since 7th grade. Nothing really got me into it but I had nothing to do in the spring season so I decided to give it a try and I really loved it from the beginning”. I also asked junior Michael Canudas what got him into playing tennis and he said, “ I’ve always liked playing tennis because my dad played for a long time, and also I decided to join the school team because of Angelo”.
I also asked Jake Gulansky how he thought coach Valerio was as a coach. He had said, “He’s really a great coach. He coaches me in volleyball too and he does creative drills and gets us better, and he’s just very fun to be around with because he always makes us laugh”. Also, I asked Jake how the 2023 Comsewogue Tennis season was. He said, “ Our season was all right. We didn't do very well, but we got to the playoffs but lost in the second round. We did well as a team, but we just couldn’t pull through at the end.”
I asked Michael Canudas about his thoughts about Coach Valerio. Michael said, “He’s great, he always sets up practices really well, we have a good balance of getting the fundamentals down and getting games after and he’s really helped our team out”. I also asked him how he thought the season was overall. He said, “ I think we did well, we made it to the second round of playoffs so it was a solid year”.
The Comsewogue boys' tennis team really grew from not having a tennis team into having an amazing team throughout the Comsewogue tennis program. It is certain that Comsewogue Tennis will continue to play its best and continue to grow and make Comsewogue Tennis known.
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