Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics, Recreation
631-244-2228
Lenore Knudsen, x1061
Debbie Dziedzic, x1060
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Remembering Robert Grable
Connetquot HS Girls Volleyball Program Supports A Good Cause
Following the efforts of their peers, Connetquot High School girls volleyball program recently hosted a charity game on Oct. 2 to support the Dezy Strong Foundation. Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, a Connetquot resident and Sachem High School North assistant volleyball coach, thanked the crowd for their participation and offered inspirational advice about never giving up in his fight against cancer. In addition to Mr. DiStefano and his team, the district would like to thank Connetquot High School girls volleyball coach Justin Hertz and district parents for organizing the event. Due to the outstanding community attendance and participation, the volleyball program successfully raised approximately $5,000 for the cause.
Congratulations to Alex Scichilone for being Named 2019 New York State Boys Varsity Swim coach of the year!
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In an effort to support cancer research, Connetquot Central School District’s boys volleyball program recently hosted a charity game on Sept. 17 to directly support the Dezy Strong Foundation. In February 2019, Sachem High School North assistant volleyball coach Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. According to their official website, the foundation, founded in 2019, was established to provide the opportunity for individuals with cancer to have access to experiences that directly affect a positive mental well-being. Due to the outstanding community attendance and participation, the volleyball program successfully raised a total of $3,600 for the cause.
The district would like to congratulate Connetquot High School class of 2019 graduate Gina Barbera for recently completing the seven-week boot camp training session at the United States Naval Academy located in Annapolis, MD. In addition to her desire to serve our country, Gina was recruited by the Naval Academy due to her outstanding academic records and skills on the lacrosse field. “It’s been a long seven weeks of Plebe Summer (boot camp) but she made it, and we’re all so very proud of Gina,” said her father. “Additionally, she also ranked 4th out of the 79 total recruits in her company.” According to the United States Navy, Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately 7 weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The district wishes Gina the best of luck with all of her future endeavors.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Bohemia, NY --- Jack Ponzio and Tyler McCarthy are representing Connetquot High School Lacrosse at the New York State Regional Lacrosse Championships this week. They tried out and were selected for the 2023 Suffolk County team and are wearing their Connetquot helmets loud and proud. Yesterday they were selected for the 2023 All Star Team and won. Jack was named MVP of the game. It’s been a blast representing Connetquot! Jack & Tyler have been Connetquot lacrosse teammates since kindergarten!
Connetquot alums Kyle Strayer and Zachary Pizzimenti were selected to play in Australia this summer in the Maverick Challenge. They played for American Pride which consisted of 27 players from the United States and Canada. Teams participating in the tournament were American Pride, Australia Crocodiles Gold, Australian Crocodiles Green and Team Chu/Shi from Japan! As a result of their successful six game performance, American Pride brought home the gold medal!
Connetquot High School tennis coach Ryan Cavanagh welcomed over 100 district residents, along with coaches and counselors, to the 2019 ‘Thunder’ Tennis Academy which is being held at the tennis facilities at Connetquot High School. Campers, ranging in skill level from beginner to adult, are eager to learn or polish their skills for a lifetime of enjoyment.
This year’s students are divided into two skill levels in evening sessions running from 6:00-7:00, or 7:00-8:00, on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on July 9th through August 22nd. “Thunder Tennis Academy is a program used to provide tennis lessons for students in the district. It is comprised of all current or former Connetquot students and teachers as the instructors” according to Coach Cavanagh.
As a part of the annual summer program, the Thunder Tennis Academy is able to raise and donate financial awards to graduating seniors that have been a part of the Connetquot High School varsity tennis program. The Jim Crowley, Sr., Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the long-time teacher and Connetquot High School tennis coach. To date, more than $6,000 has been awarded, according to Coach Cavanagh.
In between the sounds of tennis shoes squeaking on the court, tennis balls coming off the rackets and instructions from the coaches, Tennis Academy students can be heard laughing and enjoying the company of new friends. Congratulations to Coach Cavanagh and his staff for providing the Connetquot community with the opportunity to learn valuable tennis skills, while enjoying their summer vacations!
Volleyball
Bohemia, NY --- Connetquot High School girls’ varsity volleyball coach, Justin Hertz, recently welcomed 75 district youngsters to the 14th annual volleyball camp which was held at Ronkonkoma Middle School (RMS). Traditionally held at Connetquot High School, this year’s successful camp was moved to RMS because of renovations taking place at the high school facility. “This year’s Lady Thunderbirds Volleyball Camp was another exciting, and enthusiastic, success,” said coach Hertz. “The current staff and coaches had attended as campers when they were younger, and now they are back as teachers and counselors.”
The entire senior class of varsity volleyball players is coaching, along with veteran underclassmen and talented collegiate players. Connetquot teachers and volleyball assistants, Karen Edwards and Brianne Hertz join coach Hertz as directors of the camp.
Students in grades 5 through 9 attended the 8:00-10:00 sessions that ran from July 15-19th. The students’ training schedule included workouts emphasizing proper basic skills, and later introducing advanced team-related drills and competition. These future ‘T-birds’ worked hard, made some new friends, and look forward to putting their new-found skills, and confidence, into practice this season!
The Connetquot girls’ varsity volleyball team finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 13-2, in the semi-finals of the Suffolk County Championship Tournament. The T-birds have won the New York State Volleyball Championship in 2015 and again in 2017. This year’s campers are hoping to bring the title back to Connetquot in the very near future!
CONNETQUOT COACHES’ ALL-SPORTS SUMMER CAMPS ENCOURAGE SUCCESS!
Bohemia, NY --- The Thunderbird Athletic Group, consisting of Connetquot School District teachers and coaches, have concluded another successful Summer All-Sports Camp session at Edward J. Bosti Elementary School. The camp was run from July 8th - August 2nd, from 9:00-12:00. Over 50 Connetquot school district campers plus coaches and counselors took part in the 2019 All-Sports Camp experience.
Mr. Michael Konsevich and Mr. Michael Oldis put together an ambitious and fun-filled, program that taught the students basic skills in basketball, volleyball, European handball, kickball, floor hockey, flag football and soccer, while playing challenging games. The campers also had the opportunity to attend newly released movies and work on their skills at the local bowling alleys.
Exercises and drills were designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn both basic and advanced skills to further their playing ambitions, as well as just plain having summer fun with friends! These future ‘T-birds’ worked hard, made some new friends, and look forward to putting their newfound skills, and confidence, into practice this season!
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