School Board Honors Babylon Student-Athletes

In recognition of what was perhaps the greatest single season in the history of Babylon High School athletics, the Babylon school board presented dozens of local varsity athletes with congratulatory certificates at its meeting in the high school library.

“I’m very pleased to announce the recognition of our student-athletes,” Superintendent Richard Rozakis said at the December 3rd school board meeting. “They have all had successful, winning seasons in their respective sports.”

Rozakis called upon district athletic director Michael DeJoseph to hand out certificates to the athletes, and the school board members assisted with the athlete recognition portion of the meeting. Students accepted certificate, shook hands with their coaches and school board members and received a round of warm applause from the crowd in attendance.

Looking back on the fall sports season, there were several team and individual accomplishments that will not soon be forgotten. Babylon’s girls volleyball team coasted past Oyster Bay, 3-0, on November 13th to secure their first Long Island championship in program history. Babylon’s girls soccer team also made a deep run into the playoffs, edging Center Moriches, 1-0, on November 9th in the Suffolk Class C championship game.

Additionally, Babylon’s boys cross-country team won the Suffolk Class C championship and participated in the New York State championships in Buffalo, N.Y. Lastly, the Panthers football team capped the fall season with a convincing victory over Roosevelt in the Long Island Class IV championship game on December 1st at Stony Brook University.

There’s no “I” in team, but it’s hard to overlook the stellar individual efforts of Babylon’s varsity student-athletes this fall season. Among the notable individual achievements and standout performances included Eric Schweitzer’s six rushing touchdowns in the LIC championship game, tying a longstanding Long Island record for rushing touchdowns in a football championship, and Shelby Fredericks’ game-winning goal in the Suffolk Class B girls soccer final.

In girls gymnastics, Genny Gravina, Mikaila Hartigan, Shannon Hopkins and Kayla McCarthy represented Babylon at the Suffolk championships, and McCarthy’s superb performance earned her a spot in the state championships slated for this spring. Standout swimmer Julianne Koch also represented Babylon at a New York State-level championship competition, swimming in the 200-freestyle and 100-backstroke events.