Athletic director Patrick Friel marveled Monday night at the accomplishments of Commack High School’s winter varsity student-athletes.
• Ten of the squads were named Scholar-Athlete teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for having at least three-quarters of their student-athletes produce semester GPAs of at least 90 percent.
• The boys bowling team went from wild-card qualifier to county champion.
• Girls fencing, girls bowling and girls basketball won league titles.
• Girls basketball and girls fencing reached the county finals.
Moreso, though, Friel expressed pride in how the student-athletes represented their teams, high school and community. Their service included participating in Wellness Day at Sawmill Intermediate as well as multiple community youth clinics and a fundraiser to combat cancer.
“That’s the reason why we have such a strong culture,” Friel told attendees at the Varsity Winter Awards inside the high school’s auditorium on Monday night. “… I want to thank you for being role models in the community.”
Friel also lauded the fan support.
“People do not like coming in here because it’s tough to get a victory,” he said.
One by one, the 11 varsity winter teams were called to the stage during the ceremony, with a coach from the respective squad individually recognizing the student-athletes as well as handing out a sportsmanship award.
Friel then closed the ceremony by presenting the evening’s top awards.
David Moran, whose girls basketball team went 22-1, beat Northport three times and led Long Island with 139 three-pointers, was named Winter Coach of the Year. Sofia Vasselman, who played on Moran’s squad, was named Female Athlete of the Season. And boys basketball standout Nicholas Waga was named Male Athlete of the Season.