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Poll: Vote for the Journal's May 15-21 Athletes of the Week

stephen haynes, poughkeepsie journal
·5 min read

With the postseason underway and pressure increasing with each round, several local athletes have delivered in the clutch, and we again have an impressive list of nominees.

Roy C. Ketcham's Michael Schiavone hits a double during Wednesday's game versus Arlington on May 17, 2023.
Roy C. Ketcham's Michael Schiavone hits a double during Wednesday's game versus Arlington on May 17, 2023.

Last week's Athlete of the Week winners were baseball players Mikey Fontaine (Beacon) and Ian Warren (Highland). Fontaine won the large-schools poll with 13,361 votes and Warren received 10,457 votes to take the small-school poll.

Voting will be open until 6 p.m. Thursday. This week's nominees:

Large-school nominees

Michael Schiavone, Ketcham baseball

He got the walkoff hit in the eighth inning that lifted Ketcham to a dramatic 4-3 win over John Jay-East Fishkill in a Section 1 Class AA semifinal last Saturday. Schiavone also went 3 for 4 with two doubles and drove in the go-ahead run, leading them in a 4-2 comeback over Arlington in the quarterfinals.

John Jay's Camryn O'Connor swings at a pitch against Mahopac during an April 24, 2023 softball game.
John Jay's Camryn O'Connor swings at a pitch against Mahopac during an April 24, 2023 softball game.

Camryn O'Connor, John Jay-East Fishkill softball

The senior doubled, drove in three runs and scored, helping lead the Patriots in an 11-2 win over New Rochelle in the first round of the Section 1 Class AA playoffs.

Roy C. Ketcham's Ava Gambichler at bat during Wednesday's game versus John Jay on May 10, 2023.
Roy C. Ketcham's Ava Gambichler at bat during Wednesday's game versus John Jay on May 10, 2023.

Ava Gambichler, Ketcham softball

The senior went 2 for 4 with four runs and an RBI, and notched her 100th career hit. Gambichler set the program record for hits earlier this season and has now eclipsed that triple-digit milestone.

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Raising the bar: Wappingers is first Dutchess girls lacrosse team to reach Section 1 semis

Survive & advance: Stichbury's walkoff lifts John Jay to dramatic 8th-inning playoff win

Landon Stichbury, John Jay-East Fishkill baseball

He went 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI, including an eighth-winning walkoff single that gave the Patriots a 5-4 win over Mamaroneck in a Section 1 Class AA quarterfinal.

Riley Pettigrew from Arlington and other athletes compete in the women's 100 meter dash during the 55th annual Glenn D. Loucks Track & Field Games at White Plains High School, May 13, 2023.
Riley Pettigrew from Arlington and other athletes compete in the women's 100 meter dash during the 55th annual Glenn D. Loucks Track & Field Games at White Plains High School, May 13, 2023.

Riley Pettigrew, Arlington track & field

The sophomore won the 100 meters (12.41), the 200 (25.83) and the long jump (16 feet, ¾ inches), helping the Admirals win the Northern County Championship tournament.

Brice Rider, Roosevelt baseball

He pitched a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts, leading the Presidents in a 7-1 win over Lourdes last Wednesday.

Wappingers' Kaylee Reaves drives on Ossining defender Solana Strippoli during a Section 1 Class A quarterfinal on May 19, 2023.
Wappingers' Kaylee Reaves drives on Ossining defender Solana Strippoli during a Section 1 Class A quarterfinal on May 19, 2023.

Kaylee Reaves, Wappingers girls lacrosse

She had four goals and two assists, including a spectacular over-the-shoulder goal just before halftime, helping the Warriors beat Ossining and become the first Dutchess County girls lacrosse team to reach the Section 1 Class A semifinals.

Abigail Kowalczyk from Roy C. Ketcham competes in the girls 3000 meter run during the New York State Indoor Track and Field Championships, at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island, March 4, 2023.
Abigail Kowalczyk from Roy C. Ketcham competes in the girls 3000 meter run during the New York State Indoor Track and Field Championships, at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island, March 4, 2023.

Abigail Kowalczyk, Ketcham track & field

She won the girls 1,500 meters (4:53.27) and the 3,000 (10:03.93) at the Northern County Championship.

Lawrence Joyner, Roosevelt track & field

He won the 400 meters (50.74 seconds) and took second in the 200 (23.39), helping the Presidents win the Mid Hudson Athletic League title last Friday. The Roosevelt boys and girls team won their respective MHAL championships.

Small-school nominees

Rhinebeck's Brooke Aierstok pitches during Tuesday's game versus Millbrook on May 16, 2023.
Rhinebeck's Brooke Aierstok pitches during Tuesday's game versus Millbrook on May 16, 2023.

Brooke Aierstok, Rhinebeck softball

The senior pitched a two-hitter with a career-high 18 strikeouts and drove in a run, leading Rhinebeck in a 4-0 win over Millbrook that clinched them a berth in the Section 9 Class C playoffs.

Highland's Landon Zehr clears the ball after saving a shot form New Paltz's Jack Hyland during Tuesday's Section 9 Class C semifinal in Highland on June 8, 2021.
Highland's Landon Zehr clears the ball after saving a shot form New Paltz's Jack Hyland during Tuesday's Section 9 Class C semifinal in Highland on June 8, 2021.

Landon Zehr, Highland boys lacrosse

The goalkeeper made an eye-popping 32 saves, keeping the Huskies in a nail-biting game. Highland eventually lost, 10-9, to Our Lady of Lourdes, but the junior was superb in establishing a career-high.

Juliana Juras, Marlboro track & field

She won the shot put (34 feet, 7 inches) and dominated the discus (137 feet, 9 inches), finishing more than 34 feet ahead of second place, at the MHAL championships.

Spackenkill's Andrew Speranza pitches during the Class B sub regional baseball game at Cantine Field in Saugerties, NY on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Spackenkill defeated Rye Neck 8-5.
Spackenkill's Andrew Speranza pitches during the Class B sub regional baseball game at Cantine Field in Saugerties, NY on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Spackenkill defeated Rye Neck 8-5.

Andrew Speranza, Spackenkill baseball

The senior allowed a hit and struck out 16 in 6⅓ innings, leading the Spartans in a 4-2 win over Roosevelt. Speranza also went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Red Hook's Mickey Mrzyglod (12) puts a shot goal during their 17-5 win over New Paltz in boys lacrosse action at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Red Hook's Mickey Mrzyglod (12) puts a shot goal during their 17-5 win over New Paltz in boys lacrosse action at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Mikey Mrzyglod, Red Hook boys lacrosse

He scored six goals to lead the Raiders in a win over rival Highland last Monday. Mrzyglod also had three in a blowout of Cornwall.

Jake Hotaling, Haldane baseball

The sophomore drilled a three-run homer in the seventh inning that lifted the Blue Devils to a 4-3 win over the Leffell School in the decisive third game of the Section 1 Class C semifinals.

Christian Totman, Red Hook track & field

The senior won the boys pentathlon with 2,565 points at the Mid Hudson Athletic League championships.

Ella Hanaburgh, Spackenkill softball

She went 10 for 11 with five walks and drove in six runs during a three-game stretch as the Spartans concluded their season.

Red Hook's Jack Neese (2) connects with a pitch 7-1 in baseball action against New Paltz at New Paltz High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. New Paltz won 7-1.
Red Hook's Jack Neese (2) connects with a pitch 7-1 in baseball action against New Paltz at New Paltz High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. New Paltz won 7-1.

Jack Neese, Red Hook baseball

He went 1 for 1 with four walks, four runs, an RBI and seven stolen bases to lead the Raiders in a 16-5 win over James I. O'Neill in the first round of the Section 9 Class B playoffs. Neese also went 2 for 3 with two steals, two runs and an RBI in a win over Liberty last week to clinch the playoff berth.

Alexandria North, Lourdes track & field

She won the 200 meters (25.23 seconds) and the 400 (57.22) at the Mid Hudson Athletic League championships.

Pawling's Josie O'Leary on the mound during Thursday's game versus Arlington on May 12, 2022.
Pawling's Josie O'Leary on the mound during Thursday's game versus Arlington on May 12, 2022.

Josie O'Leary, Pawling softball

The junior surpassed 100 career strikeouts while leading Pawling in a 10-2 win over Briarcliff in the opening round of the Section 1 Class B playoffs.

Highland senior Kyle VanZandt is celebrated after leading the girls golf team to a division title with a win over Red Hook.
Highland senior Kyle VanZandt is celebrated after leading the girls golf team to a division title with a win over Red Hook.

Kylie VanZandt, Highland girls golf

She shot a 50 at Apple Greens Golf Course, leading the Huskies in a 164-175 win over Red Hook that clinched them a second consecutive division title last week.

Lourdes goalkeeper Norah Zuidema readies to make a save of a shot against Putnam Valley during a May 10, 2021 girls lacrosse game.
Lourdes goalkeeper Norah Zuidema readies to make a save of a shot against Putnam Valley during a May 10, 2021 girls lacrosse game.

Norah Zuidema, Lourdes girls lacrosse

The Western Connecticut State-bound goalkeeper notched her 400th career save last Monday.

Jose Iraola-Ceely poses after the Iron Dukes Relays on April 28, 2023. The senior won three events, including setting a program record and qualifying for New Balance Nationals in the hammer throw.
Jose Iraola-Ceely poses after the Iron Dukes Relays on April 28, 2023. The senior won three events, including setting a program record and qualifying for New Balance Nationals in the hammer throw.

Jose Iraola-Ceely, Marlboro track & field

The senior won the discus (141 feet, 4 inches) and the shot put (47-¾) at the MHAL championships.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Vote for the Journal's May 15-21 Athletes of the Week