Poll: Vote for the Journal's March April 22-28 Athletes of the Week
Following a week filled with stellar performances, big victories and milestones, we've got a full list of nominees representing baseball, track and field, golf, tennis and lacrosse.
Last week's Athlete of the Week winners were John Jay softball player Lyla Dwyer, who received 24,273 votes to win the large-school poll. Red Hook's Karl Russell got 4,111 votes to take the small-schools poll after his walkoff two-run double lifted the baseball team to a 5-4 comeback win over New Paltz.
Voting will be open until 6 p.m. Friday. This week's nominees:
Large-school nominees
Connor Hitt, Ketcham track and field
The senior took first in the boys 1,600 meters (4:21.52) at the Kingston Tiger Relays on Saturday. Hitt's time was the sixth best in the state this season.
Jocelyn Pepe, Arlington softball
The Framingham State commit was 7 for 12 with two homers, three doubles and 13 RBI last week, leading the Admirals to victories in their four games.
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A big dance: Prom-bound Highland first avenges section final loss to O'Neill
Mackenzie Velsmid, Wappingers girls lacrosse
The senior notched her 300th career draw control and recovered her 100th groundball during Wappingers' 14-10 win over Tappan Zee last Thursday. The midfielder specializes in gaining and maintaining possession for her team, and those milestones are indicative of her excellence at that.
Kayla Baez, Roosevelt softball
The senior struck out seven in a complete game and was 4 for 5 with a homer and four RBI for the Presidents in an 8-3 win over Wallkill.
Beckett Anderson, Beacon boys tennis
He won at first singles, leading the Bulldogs in a 4-3 win over defending Section 9 champion Cornwall last Thursday. He earned another win during their 4-3 victory against Goshen on Saturday.
Caelyn Deserre, Arlington girls golf
The freshman shot a 5-over 41 at Trump National Golf Club, leading the Admirals to a narrow victory in the Mid Hudson Regional Tournament. Arlington totaled a 146, finishing ahead of Wappingers at 149.
Jason Due, Ketcham baseball
He went 3 for 3 with three RBI and pitched four innings, leading the Storm in a 9-5 win over Yorktown on Saturday. He also had two hits each in their wins over Mahopac and Clarkstown North.
Noah Tarkos, Roosevelt track and field
The junior tied for first in the boys high jump at 6 feet at the Kingston Tiger Relays on Saturday. Tarkos' jump was the 21st best in New York this season.
Cole Mackin, Arlington baseball
The right-hander allowed a hit and struck out six in 5⅓ innings to lead the Admirals in a 6-0 win over rival John Jay on Saturday.
Corey Martin, Poughkeepsie baseball
The senior allowed a hit and struck out 12 in six innings and went 3 for 3 with an RBI to lead the Pioneers in a 10-0 win over Peekskill last Thursday.
Jenny Nardelli, Ketcham softball
The senior went 3 for 4 on Saturday, including her 100th career hit and the 102nd, which broke a program record. In all, Nardelli was 15 for 20, including five doubles, last week while borrowing teammate Claire Moore's bat.
Small-school nominees
Drew Cornax, Lourdes boys lacrosse
The senior had five goals and two assists to lead the Warriors in a 13-4 win over Saugerties last Thursday, reaching 253 points in the process to set a new program record. Cornax eclipsed the previous mark of 249 that was held by 2017 graduate Dillon Rispoli.
Kalista Birkenstock, Marlboro softball
The senior went 4 for 5 with four stolen bases and four runs, including the 100th of her career, leading the Iron Dukes in a win over New Paltz. The performance also extended her hit streak to 30 games, though it was snapped later in the week.
Dan Collins, Spackenkill baseball
The senior went 2 for 2 with three runs and RBI, including the 100th hit of his career. Collins joined 2015 graduate Justin Etts as the only Spackenkill baseball players to reach that milestone.
Logan VanZandt, Highland girls lacrosse
The freshman totaled nine goals in two wins last week, including a 10-6 victory over James I. O'Neill that avenged the Huskies' loss in the Section 9 final last season.
Joseph Nuzzo, Lourdes track and field
The junior won the boys 1,600 meters in a personal-best 4:27.59 and was part of the winning 3,200 relay (8:39.41) at the Iron Duke Relays last Friday. Nuzzo, earlier in the week, took first in the 800 and 1,600 to lead the Warriors in a dual meet at Wallkill.
Brooke Sikula, Pine Plains softball
The sophomore allowed a run, struck out three and walked none in seven innings, leading the small-school Bombers in a 7-1 win over Highland, one of the better teams in Section 9 Class B.
Evan Giachinta, Haldane boys lacrosse
He had four goals and three assists to lead the Blue Devils in a win over Rye Neck last Wednesday and, in a 7-4 loss to Farmingdale of Long Island on Saturday, the High Point-bound senior scored three goals.
Deirdre Connolly, Lourdes girls lacrosse
The senior scored her 100th career goal for the Warriors in a win over New Paltz.
Mikaela Mammola, Pawling softball
She allowed a run and struck out 14 in a complete game and went 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs to lead the Tigers in a win over Haldane.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie-area Athletes of the Week voting for April 22-28