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See which athletes and teams won Whelan All-Sports Awards for 2023

mike dougherty, rockland/westchester journal news
·4 min read

Here are the winners of the sixth-annual Tom Whelan All-Sports Awards, chosen by Journal News/lohud.com staff writers Mike Dougherty, Nancy Haggerty and Eugene Rapay:

Athlete of the Year: Daniel Picart, Pleasantville

Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) during game against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.
Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) during game against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.

Daniel Picart is a generational talent whose off-the-charts athleticism and damn-the-torpedoes approach were highlighted in bold at the top of every opponent's scouting report.

He was difficult to deal with no matter the sport.

Picart was close to unstoppable in football, leading Pleasantville to a Section 1 title and spearheading a run to the NYSPHSAA Class B title game against Maine-Endwell. He accounted for 2,654 all-purpose yards last fall, running for 1,931 yards and 19 touchdowns on 264 carries. He also caught 32 passes for 421 yards and seven TDs.

Picart rolled straight into basketball season and wound up making all-conference and all-state honorable mention. He ranked among the best players in Section 1 during the lacrosse season, collecting 57 goals and 24 assists and earning U.S. Lacrosse All-American honors while leading the Panthers to a Section 1 championship along with a NYSPHSAA Class D final four appearance.

Playing multiple sports is part of the culture in this community.

"We were encouraged to play as many sports as possible so we could find out what we liked," Picart said. "And even if something really isn't your favorite, it will help you in other sports. Everyone asks me what my favorite sport is, but that's a tough call. I would say its whatever season we’re in, football or lacrosse."

He will only be playing one sport at the next level.

"I just decided I’m going to play lacrosse in college, but I don't know where yet," Picart added. "It was definitely a hard decision. I really love both sports, but I feel like on the college level, nothing will compare to high school football so it might be a letdown."

Past winners

2018: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland

2019: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland

2020: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland

2021: Clevmer Lubin, Suffern

2022: Daniel D’Ippolito, Somers

From right, John Jay's Annabel Brennan (25) drives to the goal against Fox Lane during field hockey action at Fox Lane high School in Bedford Sept. 24, 2022. John Jay won the game 5-0.
From right, John Jay's Annabel Brennan (25) drives to the goal against Fox Lane during field hockey action at Fox Lane high School in Bedford Sept. 24, 2022. John Jay won the game 5-0.

Reader's choice

Annabel Brennan, John Jay-Cross River 17,504 votes

Daniel Picart, Pleasantville 13,747 votes

Matt Fitzsimons, Somers 1,049 votes

Large School of the Year: Scarsdale

Public schools with enrollment numbers of 700 or greater located in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties were considered.

Nicolas Galeano, (center), is congratulated after scoring ScarsdaleÕs first goal against McQuaid Jesuit in the New York State Class AA Soccer Championship at Middletown High School Nov. 13, 2022. Scarsdale defeated McQuad Jesuit 2-0.
Nicolas Galeano, (center), is congratulated after scoring ScarsdaleÕs first goal against McQuaid Jesuit in the New York State Class AA Soccer Championship at Middletown High School Nov. 13, 2022. Scarsdale defeated McQuad Jesuit 2-0.

Three state titles in a school year is a pretty good haul.

Scarsdale captured the NYSPHSAA Class AA boys soccer championship, posting a 2-0 win over McQuaid Jesuit in the final to cap a 21-0 season. The Raiders also came home from the state tennis championships with the boys and girls large school team titles. Scarsdale celebrated Section 1 titles in field hockey and boys lacrosse, as well, and both teams made the NYSPHSAA final four.

Past winners

2018: North Rockland

2019: John Jay-Cross River

2020: Rye

2021: Suffern

2022: Somers

Small School of the Year: Bronxville

Public schools with enrollment numbers of fewer than 700 located in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties were considered.

Bronxville's Campbell Molloy, right, hugs Anna Becker after their loss to Skaneateles in the NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class D final in Cortland, N.Y., Saturday, June 10, 2023. Bronxville’s season ended with an 11-6 loss to Skaneateles.
Bronxville's Campbell Molloy, right, hugs Anna Becker after their loss to Skaneateles in the NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships Class D final in Cortland, N.Y., Saturday, June 10, 2023. Bronxville’s season ended with an 11-6 loss to Skaneateles.

The Broncos were busy collecting hardware again.

Bronxville won the NYSPHSAA Class C boys cross country title and boys tennis team won the state small-school team championship. The girls lacrosse team was back in the spotlight, too, advancing to the Class D state championship. Bronxville also won Section 1 titles in field hockey, girls tennis and boys and girls outdoor track and field.

Past winners

2018: Pleasantville

2019: Ardsley

2020: Valhalla

2021: Bronxville

2022: Bronxville

Iona's Brandon Blenk (7) and Blaise New (11) celebrate a second half goal against Stepinac during the CHSAA New York AA championship game at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains May 18, 2023. Iona won the game 8-7.
Iona's Brandon Blenk (7) and Blaise New (11) celebrate a second half goal against Stepinac during the CHSAA New York AA championship game at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains May 18, 2023. Iona won the game 8-7.

Private School of the Year: Iona Prep

Catholic and private schools located in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties were considered.

Iona Prep is well-practiced in the art of hanging banners.

The Gaels won CHSAA state championships in lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball and outdoor track and field. Iona Prep was in the CHSFL AA title game against St. Anthony's and was the CHSAA AA city runner-up in baseball. The golf team won a divisional title, as well.

Past winners

2018: Stepinac

2019: Stepinac

2020: Iona Prep

2021: Iona Prep

2022: Iona Prep

Sportsmanship Award: Luke Green, Pelham

Award presented to a school, team or athlete who plays the game the right way on and off the field.

Pelham's Luke Green is the lohud Hockey Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam, he is photographed at Pelham High School April 13, 2023.
Pelham's Luke Green is the lohud Hockey Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam, he is photographed at Pelham High School April 13, 2023.

He was all-section in football, hockey and baseball this year, but he's so much more than a standout athlete. Green is an enthusiastic teammate and natural leader who's comfortable holding court in the coaches' office, the locker room or in the middle of a youth clinic.

"That's a gift," Pelicans football coach Artie Viggiano said. "Aside from his ability and work ethic, Luke is just a great kid to be around and obviously to coach. He is the most respectful kid, but he will cut your throat to win. Such a competitor. It all starts at home. He comes from a great family and is really is a throwback kid. He was raised with that old school mentality and that's a big part of his personality.

"We're going to miss him, but I'm so glad he's getting an opportunity to play Division I football."

Green is already on campus, preparing for the upcoming season at Butler University.

Past winners

2018: Keio

2019: Mount Vernon

2020: Yonkers

2021: Darrin and Daniel Santos, Haldane

2022: Sound Shore athletes who helped clean up after Hurricane Ida

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Journal News Tom Whelan All-Sports Award winners for 2023