Berkshire All Stars 2020

Honoring the Top Athletes from: Lee, Lenox, Mount Everett, Monument Mountain, Pittsfield, Taconic, Wahconah, Hoosac Valley, Mount Greylock, Drury, and McCann Tech.

Premiering on Monday, June 22nd at 6pm on BerkshireEagle.com/allstars or Facebook/berkshire.eagle Or watch it on your local TV: Pittsfield Community Television, Channel 1301 Northern Berkshire Community Television, Channel 1302 Community Television for the Southern Berkshires, Channel 1302

Hosted by

Jim Kaat Major League Baseball Legend and Broadcaster

SPONSORED BY:

Sunday, June 21, 2020 | Berkshire All Stars

Adaptability is key: A salute to the athletes and coaches of the 2020 All Stars

By Fredric D. Rutberg To steal from the title of a TV show from my youth, 2020 is the year that was.

Everything is upside down thanks to the virus. Change is the only constant in life, and adaptability is essential to handling changes in a successful life.

2020 has taught us all lessons in adaptability, from Zoom meetings to drive-in church services. At The Berkshire Eagle, we are proud that we have become nimble in adapting to the realities of covering the news in a pandemic.

Our plans for this year’s Berkshire Eagle All Stars gala began within weeks of last June’s event.

By the beginning of winter, we had arranged for a new and beautiful venue while being able to secure MLB pitching legend Jim Kaat as our speaker and emcee. Then we got to look at a major league curveball – COVID-19. The virus was such a

game-changer that we ignored planning for the gala for several weeks, as we absorbed the magnitude of the changes we faced.

We were able to adapt quickly to the times. We watched as other folks used 21st century communication tools to make lemonade from the lemons we were dealt.

When the idea of a “virtual gala” — a video production of the All Stars awards show in lieu of an in-person gala — was proposed, everyone in the room laughed. Within a week, we were well along the way to producing the video presentation you will see shortly.

The list of people who deserve thanks for this effort is much too long to include and I would be bound to leave someone out.

That said, I must acknowledge the adaptability and commitment of our sponsor Berkshire Bank without whom there could be no All Stars gala. And we give a special shoutout to

Jim Kaat who could not have been more enthusiastic or accommodating to be our All Stars awards show host.

The stars of the show have not changed. They were and they are the extraordinary young people whom we honor with the 2020 All Stars awards.

They had to learn to adapt to Zoom classrooms and isolation from their friends at a time in life where being with your friends and playing sports is almost everything.

Adaptability is key to successful in athletics. The purpose of all of the practice and training is to be ready for whatever the opponent might throw at you.

Game plans are important, but events on the field can render them useless in seconds.

Players and coaches who can accept the realities with which they are confronted and make effective changes on the spot are the ones who enjoy the most success. Halftime adjustments are real, and they can make a difference. And, they epitomize

a da ptability.

S o , as we gather in front of various types of screens in various plac- Fredric D. Rutberg es and times to watch the All Stars event on video, let us celebrate the accomplishments of a group of extraordinary people who have adapted to what the world and COVID-19 has thrown at them.

While we celebrate, let’s hope we get to see some of these athletes and coaches along with a lot of other young people perform on the field and in the gym next year, and let’s look forward to an in-person All Stars event in 2021. ____________________________ Fredric D. Rutberg is president and publisher of The Berkshire Eagle

BerkshireEagle.com

MLB legend Jim Kaat All Stars keynote speaker

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Major League Baseball pitching legend Jim Kaat’s Major League career lasted for 25 years and spanned four decades. A three-time All Star and 16-time Gold Glove winner, Kaat won a World Series title in 1982 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kaat appeared in 898 games in his career, starting 625 of them for a 283-237 record, and a 3.45 earned-run average.

Notably, Kaat, as a Minnesota

Twin, faced off against Sandy Koufax in three World Series games in 1965. Kaat won a career-high 25 games in the 1966 season.

After his pitching career, Kaat quickly transitioned into broadcasting and called New York Yankees games on YES Network. He is scheduled to call 10 games this season on MLB Network with broadcast partner Bob Costas, and another 10 games on the Twins’ TV net-

work. He also works as an assistant to the president for the Twins.

Broadcasting “keeps me in touch with the game,” Kaat said. “I’m fortunate that this will be the start of my eighth decade in Major League Baseball. I’m very fortunate that I have my health. Physically and mentally, I’m able to do it still, and as long as I feel like I can, I think that I should keep doing it.”

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

Fall Sports Golf PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Henry Sniezek, HOOSAC VALLEY The senior wrapped up his high school career in fine fashion, helping lead the Hurricanes to back-to-back Western Massachusetts Division II championships.

Sniezek was medalist in 10 of 16 regular-season matches, shot 40 or better in 10 of those 16 regular-season matches and was under 40 eight times. In the postseason, Sniezek shot 79 at The Country Club of Pittsfield, finishing second to Southwick’s Matt Garrity in the Western Mass. Division II tournament. But Sniezek was No. 1 for the Hurricanes as they beat Southwick 341 strokes to 344.

Henry Sniezek

COACH OF THE YEAR: Dick Salinetti, LENOX Salinetti, who finished his 16th season as a coach, guided the young Millionaires to a second-place finish in the Western Massachusetts Division III tournament. It has been a long climb for the Millionaires, who won the Western Mass. Division III title back in 2012. Lenox went from missing the tournament in 2013 and 2014 to finishing eighth, fifth, fourth and third in the next four seasons before breaking through to the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Lenox finished sixth in states, and the top Lenox finisher was Max DiGrigoli who was tied for 15th. Lenox went 15-1 in each of the last two seasons, losing only to Hoosac Valley, and by two strokes each time. Salinetti was ably assisted by Jon Cade and Mark Gilligan, when he was briefly hospitalized.

Dick Salinetti

Cross-Country Running BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Ted Yee, LENOX

Ted Yee

Ted Yee returned to Lenox after studying abroad the year before, and he hit the ground running for the Millionaires. Yee opened the year by placing fifth in his first race, won five others during the regular season, and kept building on his progress until the postseason. At the Western Mass. Division II meet, Yee came in second

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place overall, and helped his team to its first Western Mass. crown since 2009. At states, Yee placed 10th overall and was the top placer from Western Mass.

GIRLS RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Kate Swann, MOUNT GREYLOCK Kate Swann left her competitors struggling to catch up in the fall, winning six Berkshire County League races during her sophomore campaign. Those six wins were double that of her closest competitor. At the Berkshire County Individuals, Swann won by 33 seconds to cap her regular season dominance. At Western Mass., Swann finished second overall to help her MOunties to a second-place team finish.

At states, Swann placed third overall in Division II, and helped her Mounties to take second place again.

BOYS TEAM COACH OF THE YEAR: Ted Collins, MONUMENT MOUNTAIN Kate Swann

For nearly two decades, Collins has been working with Monument runners to get them into the best shape possible. In 2019, all of that training came together for the boys team. The team opened the season with dual wins over powerhouse county programs Lenox and Mount Greylock, and kept it up for a 10-1 record overall, and a 6-1 showing in the Berkshire South -- good for the Berkshire League title. The Spartans placed third at the Western Mass. Division III championships, including three runners -- Diego Salinetti, Keegan Leach and Peter LaRochelle -- all finishing in the top seven.

Ted Collins

GIRLS TEAM COACH OF THE YEAR: Jeanne Teasdale & Laura Najimy

Jeanne Teasdale

Jeanne Teasdale has accomplished a lot in her career at Lenox, both in cross-country and in track. But in the fall, Teasdale and lead assistant Laura Najimy coached up their harriers to a program first -- a state championship. The Millionaires, with a healthy mix of veteran runners and young, eager athletes, peaked at the right time this year. At the Western Mass. championships, the Millionaires held off rival Mount Greylock by four points to take home first place, then followed that up a week later by beating the Mounties at the D-II state championships -- by 37 points. Lenox put four runners in the top 25 at states.

Laura Najimy

Boys Soccer PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Finn Welch, MOUNT GREYLOCK Finn Welch capped off his Mount Greylock career by scoring 28 goals and dishing out 17 assists as the Mounties made it to the Western Mass. Division III Finals and won a Berkshire North title. He had four hat tricks — including a five-goal game against Wahconah — two other games with two goals, and had at least one point in 16 of his team’s 19 games.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mitch Jezouit, MOUNT GREYLOCK

Finn Welch

Mitch Jezouit served as a senior safety blanket for the Mounties, helping to form a defensive line that gave up just 14 goals in 19 games during the 2019 campaign.

Jezouit also helped bring stability to the defense, as injuries forced different players to play in different positions. The Mounties pitched 11 shutouts on the season, and had five other games with just one goal allowed. Jezouit also had one assist on the season.

Mitch Jezouit

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kevin Huban, WAHCONAH

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Kevin Huban helped make the turnaround for Wahconah complete this year, as the Warriors got back to being a competitive, playoff-qualifying team. Huban’s 31 goals played a huge part in that, as he helped to carry the offense at times.

He had hat tricks in four games — including five goals against Taconic — and scored in 14 of his team’s 19 games. Huban also had three assists to add to his goal tally.

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BOYS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR: Blair Dils, MOUNT GREYLOCK

Kevin Huban

Blair Dils has spent 19 years at the helm of the Mounties, and this year’s squad was up there with some of the best. Greylock went 15-3-1 on the year, winning the Berkshire North title in the process as well as the No. 1 seed in the Western Mass. Division III tournament. Greylock made it to the finals this year before falling to Belchertown. Dils’ squad gave up just 17 goals on the year, while scoring 68.

Blair Dils

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Clara McWeeny, MOUNT GREYLOCK Clara McWeeny was once again among the leaders in scoring for Berkshire County this fall, racking up 18 goals and 13 assists to power a high-flying Greylock attack.

As a team, Greylock scored 51 goals in 20 games this year -- meaning McWeeny played a role in over half of her team’s tallies. McWeeny balanced the Mountie attack that featured several potent scorers, but also led the line by herself when injuries hit the team. McWeeny helped her team to a 12-4-2 record in the regular season, and a spot in the Western Mass. Division III quarterfinals.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Izzy LaCasse, MCCANN TECH

Clara McWeeny

To say Izzy LaCasse and the back of the net had an intimate friendship in 2019 is an understatement. The McCann Tech attacker put up an absurd 44 points in 22 games this fall, including a Berkshire County-best 35 goals. LaCasse, a sophomore, showed glimpses of promise in her freshman campaign, but blew all expectations out of the water once the action started. McCann went 12-2-4 in the regular season, took first place in the Tri-County League, recorded a home win in the Western Mass.

Division IV tournament, before LaCasse’s PK in the state vocational final pushed the Hornets through for their first voke title in 13 years.

Izzy LaCasse

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

Girls Soccer

CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Abby Wells, WAHCONAH The Wahconah defense was as solid as a board throughout most of the fall, and Abby Wells was critical in developing that unit. With her anchoring the defense, Wahconah gave up just 14 goals in 20 games this season. Along with classmate Michaela Monecchi in goal, Wahconah recorded nine shutouts in the fall despite losing some key players to graduation. Wells and Co. went 10-3-5 in the regular season, and won the Berkshire North title, as well, before making it to the Western Mass. Division III quarterfinals.

CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Taylor Knight, LENOX Taylor Knight was willing to do anything to win a Western Mass. title in the fall, and she did it as the Millionaires got back on top of the Division IV world. Playing anywhere on the pitch that coach Kyle Zinchuck needed, Knight spent time in goal,

Abby Wells

Taylor Knight

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in attack, in the midfield and in defense. Whichever role she was playing, Knight helped Lenox to eight shutouts this season, and just 33 goals against. Knight and her defensive teammates stepped things up in the Western Mass. tournament, as Lenox put up three straight shutouts to claim the Western Mass. title.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Kyle Zinchuk, LENOX

Kyle Zinchuk

Kyle Zinchuk entered the season without an All-Eagle MVP, and with back-to-back Western Mass. finals losses. No matter for the head man on the Lenox sideline.

Zinchuk got his team back to work in 2019 and never let them believe it was a rebuild. The team bought in, and even with a starting goalie out for much of the year, the Millionaires won the Berkshire South and qualified for Western Mass. by going 8-8-1. Once in the postseason, Zinchuk ramped up his coaching, locked in his defense and got the attack going as Lenox outscored its three Western Mass. opponents 6-1, en route to the D-IV title -- the first in Zinchuk’s seven-year tenure.

Kayanna Black

Volleyball CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kayanna Black, LENOX The Millionaires were the only team in the Berkshire South, with a record of 15-4, to reach the postseason and senior Kayanna Black was a big reason why. Black’s ability to fiercely fire any shot over the net resulted in more than 200 kills on the year. While she made her name as an offensive threat, Black grew into a role model for her fellow Millionaires and showcased versatility with over 60 blocks and 40 aces throughout the season.

CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Marie Butler, PITTSFIELD

Marie Butler

The Generals stormed into the Western Mass. D-II tournament and Butler’s height and athleticism gave Pittsfield the upper hand over most opponents. Double-digit kills looked less as an achievement and more as an expectation for the senior.

What put her a step ahead was her leadership as a captain and chemistry with her teammates, which established Pittsfield as one of Berkshire County’s premiere teams.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rachel Wendling, LEE Wendling, who stepped in as a first-year libero, wasted no time making her mark with a 25-dig performance against Pittsfield on Sept.11. These strong performances became routine for the sophomore as she also notched an 18-dig performance against Lenox and another 19 digs against Monument Mountain just a week later, before an eye-popping 28 digs against Haverhill. Wendling presented a smooth transition at libero with strong communication skills and ability to see everything happening on the court.

Rachel Wendling

COACH OF THE YEAR: Julia Warner, LEE

Julia Warner

Not only did the Wildcats earn the top seed in the Western Mass. D-III tournament, but finished the regular season with a record of 16-2 in Warner’s first year at the helm.

Her system focused on promoting the team as a whole, instead of worrying about individual stats. With that in mind, it didn’t stop Suriana Lee from becoming one of the league’s most consistent players, while a talented bunch of underclassmen continued to develop.

Football PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nolan Roberts, HOOSAC VALLEY

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Linemen never get the respect they deserve, but Roberts demanded it as a key cog on an offensive line that let a stable of backs run wild. Berkshire County football is known for its ground-and-pound style. Take away the running game and teams panic and the Hurricanes, led by Roberts, allowed just 10 rushing touchdowns in the regular season and held opponents to less than eight points in five of eight games. It is usually tough to identify a player’s success without touchdowns or yardage, but that was never the case with Roberts.

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emmanuel Nda, PITTSFIELD

Emmanuel Nda

The Generals scored 31 touchdowns in the 2019 regular season with Nda responsible for 17 of them. He proved he could score from anywhere with six touchdowns of at least 40 yards and finished the regular season with an eye-popping 1,432 rushing yards. Nda averaged 179 yards and two touchdowns in 2019 showcasing his ability

Nolan Roberts

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Luke Hescock, WAHCONAH Hescock was an intrical part of a devastating Warrior defense. The lengthy end could not only set the edge, but gave opposing quarterbacks fits. When he couldn’t reach the play caller he would often position himself in passing lanes and swat away any passes that came his way. Hescock’s pressence was much-needed for a team that lost a massive senior class, but coach Gary Campbell’s squad didn’t miss a beat.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Keith Thomson, LEE

Luke Hescock

From 1-3 to Western Massachusetts Division VII champions. The Wildcats ripped out a six-game winning streak and only one of the games were decided by less than 23 points. Thomson’s coaching played a big role in developing one of the deepest rosters in Berkshire County and to also instill the confidence needed to make an impressive playoff push, which included a win over the undefeated top-seed in the D-VII tournament, Hoosac Valley.

Keith Thomson

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Luke Patella, LEE What made the 2019 Wildcats so special was a roster loaded with versatile players.

Not only was Luke Patella a key member of Lee’s secondary and a physical threat on the outside at receiver, he was also the team’s kicker. He converted five extra point attempts in the Western Mass. Championship game over Ware and added another six made attempts in a win over Commerce early in the season.

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

as a game-changing threat and an irreplaceable offensive player that any team would love to have.

Winter Sports Boys Basketball Luke Patella

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mohamed Sanogo, TACONIC Sanogo’s trajectory in basketball has been eye-popping. Since arriving as a sophomore, Sanogo has grown and grown into a dominant force on both ends for the Braves, but most notably on defense. Sanogo, who won his third-straight Western Mass. Title this year and helped the team to a co-state championship, locked down some of the best players in the county and state, providing highlightreel blocks that fired up the fans and his teammates. In addition to defense, Sanogo also put up 14.3 points per game, and was a threat in transition with rim-rattling dunks.

Mohamed Sanogo

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kevin Huban, WAHCONAH

Kevin Huban

Huban was a walking bucket for his senior season. Berkshire County’s top offensive threat averaged 16.9 points per game this winter, helping Wahconah to a 15-5 record and the No.4 seed in the Western Mass. D-III tournament. Huban cleared 30 points 11 different times this season, cracked the 1,000-point mark in career scoring, and was held to under 20 points just three times this season. Huban also did it in multiple ways, scoring 619 points this season with less than 100 coming from 3-point range. Huban finished his career with 1,259 points – No. 2 all-time in Wahconah history.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Isaac Percy, TACONIC

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Percy, along with Defensive Player of the Year Mohammed Sanogo, led the Braves to a third straight Western Mass. Title this winter, and also helped the team claim a co-state championship. Percy was forced to carry a large scoring burden this year after graduation hit the roster, and he answered the call with gusto. Percy surpassed 1,000 career points this year and finished with 1,173 for his career – fourth all-time in Taconic history. He scored a whopping 128 points in a four-game span this season, jump-starting a 12-game winning streak that went right through the end of the season. In addition to his scoring prowess, Percy also stepped up his game on the defensive end, and became a lock-down defender for taconic.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Scott McGuire, DRURY Scott McGuire

McGuire finishes his Drury career as one of the greatest scorers to ever play in Berkshire County. Averaging 25.3 points per game this season, McGuire became the program’s all-time leading scorer in the regular season, and finished his career

Isaac Percy

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Sunday, June 21, 2020 | Berkshire All Stars

with 1,804 points – second all-time in Berkshire County boys basketball history.

McGuire broke his school’s scoring mark with a 52-point outburst, one of a handful of eye-popping offensive outputs. He hit 53 3-pointers this season, but also showed his ability to put the ball on the deck and take it to the rim. What took McGuire’s level to a new game this year was his defensive effort. Tasked with guarding all five positions at times, McGuire became the embodiment of what head coach Jack Racette asked for in his players, and it paid off with Drury’s second straight Western Mass. Championship.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Randy Koldys, MONUMENT MOUNTAIN

Randy Koldys

Koldys stepped back into the head coaching role at Monument two seasons ago, and has helped build the Spartans up ever since. Monument went 15-5 for the second straight season, and his boys went 13-3 in Berkshire South play this season to capture the league title. Koldys coached one of the better individual talents in Dion Brown, and surrounded the junior star with a system to create open looks for the entire roster.

Taea Bramer

Girls Basketball CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Taea Bramer, TACONIC Bramer’s leadership on the court was always apparent, answering the call when some veteran experience was needed. After using most of the regular to gel as a team, Bramer took the reins of the offense for a dominant playoff run where she averaged 17 points a game. The Braves marked up the record books with a record of 22-2 and a state title. None of that would have been possible without Bramer’s defensive prowess and basketball IQ.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Riley Robinson, HOOSAC VALLEY

Riley Robinson

Robinson played the role of safety in a destructive full-court press that held 11 opponents to 35 points or less. When she wasn’t picking off passes that were a bit too aggressive, she was communicating with her teammates on how to squash the half-court offense. On the offensive end of the court, she made her money with a devastating behind-the-back dribble before cutting into the paint, providing a level of consistency and leadership needed in order to repeat as Division III State champions.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Izzy LaCasse, MCCANN TECH Nobody in Berkshire County scored more often than LaCasse did throughout the 2019-20 season. Despite opponents knowing the type of damage she was capable of, LaCasse averaged 16.6 points per game to lead the Hornets into the Western Mass. D-IV tournament. The sophomore 20 points five times on the year and was held to less than 10 just once. With only 19 made 3-pointers, she leaned on her speed and slashing play style — cutting through opposing defenses at will.

Izzy LaCasse

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Maria Gamberoni, WAHCONAH

Maria Gamberoni

While the Warriors had a handful of impressive scorers, Wahconah’s success started on the defensive end. In a county loaded with talented guards, Gamberoni showcased the ability to slow down all of them. The Warriors held 13 opponents to 35 points or less on the season and Gamberoni never ran out of fuel. Not only does she fit, but thrives, in coach Liz Kay’s defense-first mindset, establishing herself as one of Berkshire County’s top talents in the 2019-20 season.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Matt Mickle, TACONIC

BerkshireEagle.com

Taconic’s potential was through the roof — but it was up to coach Mickle to help the Braves reach new heights. Coach Mickle didn’t change their lineup too much, but always found the most effective way to take advantage of opposing defenses with his talented roster.He instilled a culture that allowed his players to be themselves and speak their minds, but also developed a unit that came together to achieve the first state title in program history.

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Alpine Skiing BOYS SKIER OF THE YEAR: Andrew King, TACONIC Andrew King

Andrew King ran the table at Bousquet and then unleashed his speed on the state of Massachusetts at Berkshire East. It was a clean, season-long sweep for the Taconic junior, who put the league in his rearview each and every week of the

Matt Mickle

GIRLS SKIER OF THE YEAR: Helena Jankovic, LENOX

Helena Jankovic

A Week 1 stumble was all the motivation Helena Jankovic needed to dust herself off and then dust the league competition. The Lenox youngster bounced back from a 12th-place finish in the opener and was untouched over the remaining five weeks, still totalling a perfect 100 to claim the title of Berkshire County’s best. With a gaping win in Week 2’s slalom race of 5.66 seconds with a time of 51.35, Jankovic’s average margin of victory was 3.19 seconds. She took on all comers, with three other girls finishing as runner-up throughout the season. She helped guide the Millionaires to a repeat county title and led a full crew into the state meet at Berkshire East. On the biggest stage, Jankovic still produced, placing 12th in slalom and 13th in GS, which resulted in the ninth-best combined time (1:38.38) of the day. It was a heck of a season for the Lenox eighth-grader, and the best is still yet to come.

Marc Latimer

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

regular season. King amassed a perfect 100 to take home the Berkshire County crown, putting an exclamation mark on his dominance with a 2.48-second victory during the Week 6 giant slalom race. All of that was still just the appetizer for King to take on the best the state had to offer in Charlemont a couple weeks later. At Berkshire East, King was one of the most consistently excellent skiers on the slopes, carding a pair of fourth-place finishes in slalom and GS for a combined time of 1 minute, 29.58 seconds, also putting him fourth overall. With still another year of high school to go, King’s confidence, knowledge and willingness to attack the mountain will make him the man to beat in 2021 as well.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR: Marc Latimer, TACONIC On the boys side, the Berkshire County league looked to be wide open in 2020, and three different teams took home race victories, including the Taconic Braves.

Head coach Marc Latimer’s crew showcased some major in-season improvements highlighted by a runner-up spot in Week 4, before roaring to a win in the seasonfinale by 6.09 seconds over Monument Mountain. The Braves only carded five individual DNFs throughout the season, and sent two underclassmen skiers to states in county champion Andrew King and Shamus Gaherty. Latimer earns this nod for more than his work in making the Braves a tough out week in and week out, for more than a decade, he and his family have been a stalwart in keeping the sport of alpine alive in Berkshire County. From the elites like King to the freshest of rookies, Latimer makes life-long skiers out of his student-athletes.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR: Greg Knight, LENOX Greg Knight

The Millionaires are the standard-bearers right now for Berkshire County alpine skiing. Head coach Greg Knight and his staff have helmed a program that took home both the girls and boys regular season titles, and swept the season-long podium for All-Berkshire on the girls side. Lenox got a title from Helena Jankovic, and then backed her up with Madison DiGrigoli in second with 91 points and Molly Knight in third with 87. Senior Taylor Knight also wedged herself into fifth overall with a pair of runner-ups. DiGrigoli and Molly Knight each finished second to Jankovic twice as well, illustrating the consistency of Knight’s program. The Lenox girls won all six county races and then brought it home by placing fifth overall as a team at states with a total time of 306.14 seconds. The Millionaires sent eight student-athletes to states, including three boys, who helped take home four league wins on the season, edging Wahconah in second 53-51 for the county hardware.

Col McDermott

Nordic Skiing BOYS SKIER OF THE YEAR: Col McDermott, MOUNT GREYLOCK

GIRLS CO-SKIER OF THE YEAR: Mary Elliot, LENOX Mary Elliot

Elliot was as steady a skier as Lenox had throughout the regular season, then in the MIAA state championships she helped make sure that her Millionaires went home with the first-place trophy. Elliot finished first in one race during the regular

BerkshireEagle.com

Col McDermott threw down the gauntlet in the first race of the season and never looked back. The Mount Greylock senior took first in all of the league races during the regular season as the Mounties repeated as Berkshire League champs. He also held off a strong field of competition, as five other skiers finished in second place behind him. In the postseason he finished in fourth overall at Prospect Mountain as Mount Greylock reclaimed the MIAA state championship by holding off rival Lenox.

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season, added a second and a third, and had two, fourth-place finishes as she tied for second in the overall position race. With the competition around her solid, Elliot stepped her game up at Prospect Mountain in the state championships, skiing to a fourth-place finish as the Millionaires edged rival Mount Greylock for the title.

GIRLS CO-SKIER OF THE YEAR: Jackie Wells, MOUNT GREYLOCK Jackie Wells put together a solid and consistent showing throughout the Nordic season for Mount Greylock, finishing as the Mounties’ top placer in four of the six Berkshire League races this winter. Her average finishing position, 1.25, was best in the League, and came in a season where three other skiers averaged a 2.5 for finishing positions. At the MIAA state championships, Wells finished 12th overall, helping her Mounties to place second as a team.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR: Hiram Greene, MOUNT GREYLOCK Jackie Wells

Hiram Greene’s influence on Nordic skiing in Berkshire County can be felt nearly everywhere, but most certainly in the trophy cabinet. A three-decade veteran of the sport in the Berkshires, Greene’s boys teams have found consistent success in both the Berkshire League and the MIAA state championships, and this year was no different. The Mounties won the league title again, and a year after losing their grip on the state title, the coaches and skiers celebrated again this year when Greylock beat the pack at Prospect Mountain.

Hiram Greene

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR: Joe Bazzano and Kyle Zinchuk, LENOX The Lenox girls program has been steadily building for a few years now, and this winter the team capitalized on its strong foundation. Riding a strong underclassmen presence along with a few veteran skiers, the Millionaires got back on top of the MIAA world by winning the state championships at Prospect Mountain. In the process, the Millionaires defeated their archrivals, the Mount Greylock Mounties, to claim the ultimate prize.

Joe Bazzano

Hockey

Kyle Zinchuk

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryan LaPierre, WAHCONAH Ryan LaPierre finished off his hockey career in dominating fashion, scoring 20 goals and dishing out 14 assists as the Wahconah hockey team made a run to the Western Mass. Division III-A championship game. LaPierre scored four goals in the playoffs to get his team to the final, had one hat trick in the regular season, and recorded multiple points in 10 games. He also had multiple assists in two games this season, including three in a win over Chicopee Comp.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jake Risley, WAHCONAH Jake Risley’s senior year was broken up at times due to illness, but the cold was about the only thing that could get to the netminder during the season. Risley recorded two shutouts on the year, and in a four-game span near the end of the season, he gave up just four goals while his team scored 15. During the team’s Western Mass. Division III-A final run, Risley gave up just four goals in three games, and had 37 saves in the final before Greenfield finally broke through for the win.

Ryan LaPierre

Jake Risley

Matt Risley took over two years ago, and showed off his abilities as coach by getting the Warriors to the Western Mass. Division III-A championship game in the 201920 season. Risley was able to mix together kids from three different schools — Wahconah, Taconic and Pittsfield — and get them to buy into a team-first message.

Risley’s kids spread the puck around throughout the season, and were defensively stout as they made their run through the D-IIIA tournament.

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COACH OF THE YEAR: Matt Risley, WAHCONAH

Swimming BOYS SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: Sam Cybulski, MONUMENT MOUNTAIN

Matt Risley

Cybulski shined in his sophomore season, registering 12 points for Monument at the Western Central Massachusetts swim meet by slicing two seconds off his seed time in both the 100-yard backstroke and 200 freestyle. His tenth-place finish in the 100 backstroke, with a time of 59.98, was good for seven points, the most any local swimmer earned in any event. Cybulski showcased the versatility needed to stand out as one of the County’s strongest swimmers.

Sam Cybulski

Stone was The Berkshire Eagle’s girls swimmer of the year for the 2018-19 season after two bronze medals at the Western/ Central Mass. swim meet and raised the bar at this season’s meet — crushing her seed times and earning two first-place finishes. Stone’s confidence continued outside of the swimming lanes, becoming a leader for a roster that is on the younger side.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jill Svirida, MONUMENT MOUNTAIN

Asa Stone

The names may change, but the Spartans continue to thrive under coach Svirida. On the boys side, a second-straight undefeated season. Meanwhile, the girls finished with an impressive 8-2 record. Svirida isn’t just a swimming coach, but a life coach who invests the same amount of time in and out of the pool. The Spartans enter each season with high hopes and rarely miss the mark with a sustainability that is rarely seen at the high school level.

Jill Svirida

Wrestling UPPER WEIGHT WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Dylan Burke, TACONIC Burke capped his dominant career at Taconic by repeating as a Western Mass Division III champion and claiming a second MIAA Division III championship, this time at 182 pounds, before going on to place third at the MIAA All-State meet.

Burke broke the school’s all-time wins record this year and finishes with 176 wins to his name. Burke also broke the school’s single-season wins mark, recording 55 in his senior campaign. Burke finished first in his team’s Taconic Invitational, at the Wayland Holiday Tournament, and at the Red Raider Invitational. He also placed fifth at the prestigious George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament, and finished second at the Mountie Invite.

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

GIRLS SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: Asa Stone, MONUMENT MOUNTAIN

CO-LOWER WEIGHT WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Zack Lupiani, MOUNT EVERETT Lupiani joins his dad, Dave, as a wrestling All Star this winter. The elder of the Lupiani siblings currently on the team, Zack’s season was one of redemption, as he climbed back on top of the Western Mass. Division III world by winning the sectional title at 126 pounds -- the second sectional title of his career. Lupiani went on to place third at the MIAA Division III championships, and qualified for the All-State championships, as well. During the season, he won the Mountie Invite, the Eagle Holiday Classic and the Berkshire Holiday Tournament, and he finished second at the Chad Antoch Memorial Tournament and the Taconic Invitational.

Dylan Burke

Zack Lupiani

CO-LOWER WEIGHT WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Mike LaFreniere, TACONIC LaFreniere capped off his Taconic career by winning a second straight Western Mass.

D-III title, this time at 132 pounds. LaFreniere went on to place second at the MIAA D-III championships, and qualified for the All-State meet. LaFreniere went over 150 career wins during the season, and finished with 155 -- third all-time in program history.

During the regular season, LaFreniere took home first-place finishes at the Mountie Invite, Wayland Holiday Tournament, Red Raider Invitational and Taconic Invitational.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Dave Lupiani, MOUNT EVERETT

Congratulations to 2020 Seniors, and all local All Stars!

Mike LaFreniere

(413) 447-3800 AvAilAble 24/7

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Dave Lupiani is a veteran of the wrestling game in Berkshire County, and now he Dave Lupiani can add Coach of the Year honors to his cabinet. Lupiani’s Mount Everett team has been low on numbers for a while now, but his few kids put up big performances in the 2019-20 season. Lupiani’s sons, Nick and Zack, won Western Mass. D-III titles in the winter, and the Eagles also had Jerimiah Tomascak and Eduardo Rodriguez place at sectionals en route to placing fourth as a team. Dave Lupiani’s team also went 4-2 in the regular season to finish second in the Berkshire League, and Nick Lupiani made it to the finals of 18 Oak St, P*ttsfi-.d, MA 16 Oak St., P*ttsfi-.d, MA the MIAA Division III championships.

(413) 443-7111

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Sunday, June 21, 2020 | Berkshire All Stars

Spring Sports

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all spring sports were canceled this year. Therefore, to honor the athletes, below is the list of every senior who would have played a spring sport.

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Hoosac Valley Liam Feeley - Boys Lacrosse Aiden Maturski - Boys Lacrosse Cairagan Greene - Girls Lacrosse Faith Hall - Girls Lacrosse Syrah Bradley - Softball Kelsey Wohrle - Softball Logan Stansfield - Softball Zachary Swistak - Baseball Henry Sniezek - Baseball Luc Trombley - Baseball

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Cole Desroches - Baseball Ryan Audet - Baseball Logan Keyes - Baseball Colby Rougeau - Baseball Ken Chesbro - Baseball Zach Boulger - Baseball Jackie Case - Track & Field Jenna Levesque - Track & Field Shaleigh Levesque - Track & Field Grace Kronick - Track & Field Madelaine Martin - Track & Field Rayanna Therrien - Track & Field R Joe J Delmolino - Track & Field Travis Dozier - Track & Field T Jackson Keplinger - Track & Field J Daniel Pompi - Track & Field D Nolan Roberts - Track & Field N Wahconah W Emma Adams - Girls Lacrosse E Maddie Naef - Girls Lacrosse M Emily Figiela - Girls Lacrosse E Cameryn Catelotti C Unified Track & Field Hayden Robb H Unified Track & Field Jess Duma - Softball J Hailey Lenski - Softball H

Wells - Softball Abby A Bailey Shippee - Softball B Amelia Bergquist - Track & Field A d Janna Looney - Track & Field J K Kate Mathews - Track & Field B Becca Morris - Track & Field H Hailey Pickard - Track & Field C e Corey Bazonski - Boys Lacrosse D e Dominic Orlandi - Boys Lacrosse D Donny Nealon - Boys Lacrosse H e Hayden Kendall - Boys Lacrosse J Jack Perenick - Boys Lacrosse T Tyler Meunier - Boys Lacrosse G e Gavin Henshaw - Boys Lacrosse M Mike Acevedo - Track & Field E Easton Eberwein - Track & Field I Graham - Track & Field Ian M Mitch Gray - Track & Field J Jaden Kuzia - Track & Field S Shea McIlquham - Track & Field J Jack Minella - Track & Field C Cam Newsome - Track & Field J Jack Pudlo - Track & Field Z Zach Rogers - Track & Field Charlie Salinetti - Track & Field Griffen Salvini - Track & Field Fred Sears - Track & Field Alex White - Track & Field Kevin Huban - Baseball Luke Hescock - Baseball Zak Bernardo - Baseball Gabe Davis - Baseball Caden Frazier - Baseball Alex Walker - Baseball

Drury Dante Woodson - Baseball Hunter Sarkis - Baseball Keeghan Vidal - Baseball Payton Barnes - Baseball Scott McGuire - Baseball

Mount Greylock Tyler Canata - Baseball Mitchell Jezouit - Baseball Joseph Jones - Baseball Paul Roeder - Baseball Brayden Smith - Baseball Sarah Egan - Girls Lacrosse Brooke Phelps - Girls Lacrosse

Tarryn Gaherty - Track & Field Brandi Gill - Track & Field Saville Keyes - Track & Field Cairra Ramos - Track & Field Madison Ross - Track & Field Grace Sanchez - Track & Field Chase Angelini - Track & Field Owen Crowell - Track & Field Nima Darafshi - Track & Field Brandon Fahlenkamp Track & Field Brendon Goss - Track & Field Jonah Kelly-Whitney Track & Field Malcolm Skinner - Track & Field Finnian Welch - Track & Field

Nick Nicotra - Baseball Amelia Reis - Track & Field Jett Steinman - Baseball Zach Suffish - Track & Field Isaac Tabakin - Track & Field Spencer Villinksi - Track & Field Monument Mountain Sam Cormier - Baseball Kade Groeber - Baseball Rhiana Louw - Softball Greta Luf - Softball Finn Gerow - Track & Field Chris Becker - Track & Field Nicholas Lussier - Track & Field Caleb Pollard - Track & Field Nick DeRis - Track & Field Augustine Free - Track & Field Leo Rosenbaier - Track & Field

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Natal Paredes - Baseball Dontay Carr - Baseball Jackie Moulton - Softball Megan Guyette - Softball Jayden Tower - Softball Isabel Lescarbeau - Track & Field Alison Felix - Track & Field Hannah Singer - Track & Field Emily Burdick - Track & Field Holly Boudreau - Track & Field Brian Czarnecki - Track & Field Francisco Alicandri - Track & Field Jacob Swan - Track & Field Braedon Delmolino - Track & Field Jadon Hartley - Track & Field

Liam Brady - Boys Lacrosse L Alexander Falk - Boys Lacrosse A Cole Filson - Boys Lacrosse C James Hetherington J Boys Lacrosse Marleigh Briggs - Softball M Taylor Cornell - Softball T Evelyn Fuls - Softball E Nicole Overbaugh - Softball N Anna Welch - Softball A Ryan Narey - Boys Tennis R Gabriella Alvarez - Track & Field G Miriam Bakija - Track & Field M Elizabeth DeGraff - Track & Field E Lily L Edge - Track & Field Ashtyn Faas - Track & Field

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

Lenox Jake Lyons - Crew Maxwell Daoust - Track & Field Heather Dennis - Track & Field Keveen Delgado - Track & Field Peyton Doyle - Baseball John Fielding - Baseball Lexi Fletcher - Softball Lindsay Heppleston Track & Field Olivia Johnson - Track & Field Karla Kalvo - Softball Kendall Lamm - Crew Claire Lynch - Softball Emily Molini - Track & Field

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Sunday, June 21, 2020 | Berkshire All Stars BerkshireEagle.com

Parker Bell-Devaney Track & Field Adam Boscarino - Track & Field John Broderick - Track & Field Patrick Yeung - Track & Field Riley Bailey - Track & Field Rosa Barnaba - Track & Field

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Elsie Dilisio - Track & Field Alyssa Kend - Track & Field Gracie O’Brien - Track & Field Olivia Raifstainger - Track & Field Sara Rawson - Track & Field Ally Saunders - Track & Field Gabby Theirling - Track & Field Kylah Rivest - Girls Lacrosse Henry H Eustis - Boys Lacrosse Nathan N Reynolds - Boys Lacrosse Brady B Whalen - Boys Lacrosse Curt C Wilton - Boys Lacrosse Mount M Everett Carly C Duval - Tennis Laynie L Mullen - Tennis Shelby S Tinker - Tennis Madeline M Von Ruden - Tennis Gray G Duval - Tennis Cole C Duval - Tennis Jake J Martin - Tennis Marc Gogel - Tennis M Andrew A Haiss - Tennis Faith Angell - Softball F Ashley Atwood - Softball A Madeline Soudant - Softball M Megan Smith - Softball M Andrew A Consolini - Baseball Kenny K Zucco - Baseball P Pittsfi eld C Cami Diehl - Track & Field M Megan Francoeur - Track & Field R Rhylie Garvey - Track & Field

Abby Kittler - Track & Field Emelyn Theriault - Track & Field Brandon Cook Emanuel Brown Kevin D’Aniello - Track & Field David Kankam - Track & Field Tony Hunt - Track & Field Nasim Purry - Track & Field Adam Quinto - Tennis Brian Lavinio - Tennis Alexander Masiero - Tennis Liam Fitzgibbons - Tennis Ali Henderson - Tennis Marie Butler - Tennis Ella Korte - Girls Lacrosse Sierra Murray - Girls Lacrosse Maleah Speers-Brown Girls Lacrosse J Jadyn Petitte - Girls Lacrosse Madison Tobin - Softball J Jordyn Lummus - Softball Szofia Lewis - Softball Shawn O’Shea - Boys Lacrosse Matt Wick - Boys Lacrosse Noah Elzner - Boys Lacrosse Roger Cook - Boys Lacrosse Brandon Jozefiak Boys Lacrosse Omar Miranda - Boys Lacrosse Ryan Polastri - Boys Lacrosse Ryan LaPierre- Baseball Mason Alfonso - Baseball Josh Bean - Baseball George Bissell - Baseball Alexis Cruz - Baseball Danny Dimassimo - Baseball Nick Taylor - Baseball Lucien Lamoureux - Baseball McCann Tech Mya Daigneault - Softball

Casey Daigneault - Softball Hailey Miller- Softball Hailey Williams - Softball Hanna Williams- Softball Alesia Yeaton - Softball Kiera Kupiec - Softball Rebecca Poulton - Softball Jared Swan - Baseball Dalton Tatro - Baseball Andrew Levesque - Baseball Jacob Swan - Track & Field Jadon Delmolino - Track & Field Jadon Hartley - Track & Field

Taconic Billy Ellis - Boys Lacrosse Wyatt George - Boys Lacrosse Elyjah English - Boys Lacrosse Takoda LaFont - Boys Lacrosse Natalia Agrelo - Girls Lacrosse

Sara Curry - Girls Lacrosse Leeyia Hoose - Girls Lacrosse Alora Mahoney - Girls Lacrosse Jenyka Ostellino - Softball Mary Lee - Softball Addison Lyon - Softball Taea Bramer - Softball Kirstyn Carrigan - Softball Allie Puia - Softball Jaylin LaCasse - Softball Jaelynn Sistrunk - Softball Tamia Patrick - Softball Risley - Baseball J Jake Dylan Burke - Baseball D Luke Whitehouse - Baseball L Wayne Moore - Baseball W Cole Lander - Baseball C Abigail Heath - Track & Field A Ana’Lisha Ortiz- Track & Field A S Sydnie Sherman - Track & Field Dairis Brignoni - Track & Field D Ashlee Langlois - Track & Field A F Faith Ezan - Track & Field A Adan Garcia Normandin Track & Field C Chanze Filippi - Track & Field C Chris Adams - Track & Field D Dakota Brazee - Track & Field E Ethan Milette - Track & Field E Evan Fawcett - Track & Field

Berkshire All Stars | Sunday, June 21, 2020

Dana Canales - Girls Lacrosse Jason Delisle - Boys Lacrosse Liam Politis - Boys Lacrosse Darian Tovani - Boys Lacrosse Darius Tovani - Boys Lacrosse

J k Paris P i - Track T k & Field Fi ld Jake Jeff Crosier - Track & Field Josh Tayi - Track & Field Justin Forrest - Track & Field Kyle MacDonald - Track & Field Mike LaFreniere - Track & Field Mohammed Ahmed Track & Field Phil Evans - Track & Field Sam Akuffo - Track & Field Sincere McGirt - Track & Field Thomas Rabasco - Track & Field

L Lee Abby Chaffee - Girls Lacrosse Jack Purcell - Boys Lacrosse Taggart Roosa - Boys Lacrosse Brock Bauman - Boys Lacrosse Bob Stevens - Boys Lacrosse Hunter Briggs - Boys Lacrosse Caleb Kollmer - Boys Lacrosse Suriana Lee - Girls Tennis Cole Redstone - Baseball Michael Somerville - Baseball Declan Drozd - Baseball

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Sunday, June 21, 2020 | Berkshire All Stars

All Wallets Welcome Here

Even you, duct tape.

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We’re Proud to Support Berkshire’s All Star High School Athletes We take pride in the diversity of our employees and customers as well as the vibrancy of communities. We’re grateful we can lend a hand in helping your cause succeed.

Banking products are provided by Berkshire Bank: Member FDIC.

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