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William R. Groth
Dir. of Athletics, Health & PE
Phone: 369-6818
bill.groth@riverhead.net


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Riverhead School District takes special pride in the performance of its teams and the many sportsmanship and scholar/athlete awards the district has received.

NEW!!: RHS Sports and Wellness BROCHURE 1/14/10

RHS SPORTS SCHEDULE
SUPPORT THE BLUE WAVES BY ATTENDING THEIR GAMES!
Click HERE for a schedule of their games.

TEAMS
A list of all the sports teams at RHS.

COACHES
Fall Coaching Roster

Top Physical Education Award
The 2009-10 PE Zone Award.

Spring Sports Stories 2010

Riverhead clinches first league crown since 1976
BLUE WAVES 7, FALCONS 5
BY JAKE WILLIAMS | STAFF WRITER

SoftballTeamDEER PARK -- Deer Park had already scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Falcons had the tying run on second, the winning run on first and were poised to keep Riverhead from clinching the Suffolk County League IV softball title.

The Blue Waves had not won a league title since 1976.

Sole possession of the championship rested on the right arm of pitcher Julia Morrow. From the fifth inning she did not have her best stuff because, she said afterward, she expected the nail on her right index finger to fall off shortly. "I was kind of mad at myself," Morrow said. "But thankfully we pulled it out." >More

Morrow racks up her third no-hitter, with help from friends
BLUE WAVES 12, CLIPPERS 0 (5 INNINGS)
BY JAKE WILLIAMS | STAFF WRITER

MorrowRiverhead pitcher Julia Morrow tossed her third no-hitter this season against Bellport.

BELLPORT -- The only time Riverhead Blue Waves pitcher Julia Morrow's third-no hitter was in jeopardy came in the bottom of the fourth inning on Friday afternoon.

Another no-hitter from Julia Morrow as the Blue Waves inch closer to a league title.

Bellport catcher Cat Basilicato lofted a shallow fly ball towards Kelly Zilnicki in left field. There was nothing to do but watch what looked like the Clippers' first hit of the game against Morrow at Bellport High School.

"I was like, oh boy," Morrow said. "Then she showed up, and I was like, yes."

Zilnicki dove and snared the ball to preserve Morrow's no-hitter. She stayed splayed out on the ground for a moment before limping slightly back to her position. Two batters later, Rebecca Allen hit a sharp grounder up the middle, but second baseman Colleen Dougherty backhanded it and threw Allen out to end the inning for Riverhead (15-3 overall, 14-3 in Suffolk County League IV). The game ended early because of the 12-run mercy rule.
>MORE

Morrow records 19 strikeouts in one-hitter on Senior Night
BLUE WAVES 9, COLONIALS 0
BY BOB LIEPA | SPORTS EDITOR

StrikeThe Ks were wild; Julia Morrow was not.

Seniors shined Saturday night when the Riverhead High School softball team celebrated Senior Night in style. None, however, shined brighter than the pitcher, Morrow, who registered a career-high 19 strikeouts in her one-hit, 9-0 shutout of the William Floyd Colonials in the non-league game at Stotzky Memorial Park.

"It's my senior game," said Morrow, who received updates on her strikeout count during the game from one of the assistant coaches, John Maloney. "I wanted to do good and I wanted to win. I put everything out there."
>More

BOYS TENNIS: Patience is a virtue for Riverhead's fast-rising first singles player
BY BOB LIEPA  |  SPORTS EDITOR

TennisTo those who wouldn't think that skateboarding is an aid to producing good tennis players, we bring you Seth Conrad.

Conrad, a former skateboarder, said the balance he developed when he was a skateboarder serves him well now as a tennis player.

Evidently so. Conrad is a rarity in high school boys tennis -- a freshman first singles player. Better yet, he is a first singles player in only his third year in the sport and second year on the Riverhead High School team. Not only that, but he is a first singles player who has acquitted himself well this season, putting up a 2-2 record, all against older opponents.
>MORE

BASEBALL: This West Babylon pitcher catches on
BY BOB LIEPA  |  SPORTS EDITOR

BaseballCatcherWith the way the Riverhead High School baseball team's pitching staff has been keeping the Blue Waves afloat in this young season, it shouldn't come as a surprise that pitching made the difference on Thursday. The twist is, it wasn't Riverhead 's pitching, but that of West Babylon's Shane O'Connor, a converted catcher, that stole the show.

In his first career starting pitching assignment, O'Connor helped the Eagles avoid a three-game sweep in their Suffolk County League IV series with Riverhead . Though he was far from unhittable, O'Connor was effective, scattering 10 hits and giving up one earned run for a 9-2 complete-game victory in Riverhead . The senior right-hander struck out five, hit one batter and did not allow a walk. He was also supported by two inning-ending double plays (and struck by a foul ball that had been thrown back onto the field in the third inning).
>MORE

Winter Sports Stories 2010

NEW! Suffolk Sports Website with Up-to-Date Information on Blue Waves Teams

NEW! Riverhead Local Website with Up-to-Date Information on Blue Waves Teams

  basketball   MikeSmith   Katie

TrackSkinner    wrestling   
 (Click on Pictures to go to that Sports Story.)

Winter Season Standouts

Wrestling: The RHS Blue Waves are the League IV Champs. >MORE and >MORE

Girls Basketball: RHS girls’ team made the playoffs. >MORE and >MORE

Winter Track: See Earlier Summary Below (Title Waves in Harlem) - RHS tracksters broke several school records. Mike Smith and Travel Hatcher will go to the State Championships in March. >MORE / Katie Skinner (see below) and >MORE

Bowling: Elliot Jones, 11th grade Varsity Bowling >MORE
1] 2nd in Suffolk County with a 226.8 average
2] All County, All League
3] Section XI All Star Team
4] Bowling in March 6th, NY STATE Bowling tournament
 
Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team: Over $1500 was raised during the Riverhead and Deer Park Basketball game as part of the Coaches Vs. Cancer program. This money will be donated to the American Cancer Society for cancer awareness and research.

Coach of the Year - Girls' Varsity Basketball Coach Dave Spinella was voted  2010 League 4 "Coach of the Year"

Blue Waves Varsity Wrestling Team Win League Champs

Blue Waves Varsity Wrestling team beat the West Babylon Eagles yesterday 49-17, clinching the league title. >MORE and >MORE

Title Waves in Harlem

skinnersmallThis past weekend the Molly-Stanner Games at the Armory in New York City many waves performed well on the track and in the field events. There were three champions Treval Hatcher in the triple jump (44 feet 7 inches), Alex Budd in the high jump (5 feet 3 inches) and Mike Smith in the shot put (52 feet 3.75 inches) Alex's leap was also a school record.

Katie Skinner lead the way for the bluewaves on Saturday, who broke numerous records, running a 4:59:46 in the mile. This mark eclipses Ellen Dougherty who is currently running division I at Villanova. Sasha Scafer tied alumni Joe Verderbers' Pole Vault record (13 feet 6 inches), who was ironically in attendance to witness the feat. Ryan Budd impressively broke Shamel Lewis' 300m record running 37.2. Ryan Budd was also part of the school record breaking 4 x 400m team, which also featured Peter Rodriguez, Kevin Williams and Treval Hatcher breaking the school record by 5 seconds (3:30:75). This caps off an impressive weekend for the Blue Waves.

"This could quite possibly be one of the best days for a Blue Waves track and field team collectively in my time coaching here," Coach Loverde said when asked how amazing it was to break more than half a dozen school records in a day.


Also See: http://www.riverheadlocal.com

Skinner breaks her own Riverhead mile record -- thrice
New mark stands at 4:59.46
  

Katie Skinner just keeps getting faster.
The senior on the Riverhead High School girls winter track team, who broke the school record in the mile Jan. 9 in the Hispanic Games at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan, returned to that venue twice more in the last week, and reset the school record each time.
>MORE

Katherine Skinner Chosen as Channel 12 Scholar Athlete

KatieJanuary 11, 2010 – Riverhead, NY) Katherine Skinner, an amazing Scholar/Athlete, was chosen by Channel 12 as their Scholar Athlete of the Month. Her video clip was aired on Channel 12 on Monday, January 11, 2010. Only 20 scholar athletes from throughout Long Island are given this distinction. This award is given to students who show high academic achievement, student leadership, diverse talents, and outstanding athletic ability. Katie has done all that and more! >More

Ho-hum. It's another Riverhead school record for Smith
Senior throws shot put 55 feet 10 1/2 inches in Hispanic Games

BY BOB LIEPA | SPORTS EDITOR

MikeSmithIt wasn't the reaction one would have expected from someone who had just set a school record.

If Mike Smith didn't look happy after his throw of 55 feet 10 1/2 inches broke his own indoor school record in the shot put, there was an explanation for it. The Riverhead High School senior believed he could have thrown further had he more attempts left.

As it was, Smith's third and final throw in the Hispanic Games on Saturday at The Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan surpassed the old mark of 54-3 3/4 that he established last year when he became the first Riverhead boy to win an indoor state title. Despite his record throw on Saturday, Smith finished second to Joshua Haghighi of Wheatley, who covered 61-9 1/2 on one of his attempts.
> MORE

This victory was all but gift-wrapped for Riverhead
BLUE WAVES 58, CLIPPERS 23

BY BOB LIEPA | SPORTS EDITOR


basketballWith the holiday season here, it's good to remember that it's always better to give than to receive. Of course, that doesn't pertain to basketball, a sport in which taking is the name of the game.

The host Riverhead Blue Waves played the role of a holiday season grinch to near perfection last Thursday, stealing the ball 27 times from the rattled Bellport Clippers and running off to a 58-23 win in a Suffolk County League IV girls basketball opener.
>More

Fall Sports Stories 2009

   Skinner    Meyer    Morrow
                                     (Click on Pictures to go to that Sports Story.)

NEW! Suffolk Sports Website with Up-to-Date Information on Blue Waves Teams

KATIE SKINNER RUNS LIKE A GIRL!
Katie Skinner won the County and the Division Championship, was named the Section XI “Runner of the Year” and won the Sportsmanship award for this cross country season. Katie placed 11th for clas AA schools and 14th in the State overall and was the fastest LI runner with a personal best and school record of 17.51. Katie also received the sportsmanship award for Section XI ( which was announced at the start of the race).*

BLUE WAVES 7, BULLS 6
Minus Cater, Blue Waves eke out win for seniors
BY BOB LIEPA | SPORTS EDITOR
EdPerryEdwin Perry of Riverhead was brought down by Smithtown West’s Ryan McKean, left, and Dan Lubarda (No. 45) after picking up a fumble during the third quarter.

With no Malcolm Cater and precious little offense, the Riverhead Blue Waves, for the second week in a row, did just enough to win a football game.
>More

Cater (4TDs, 239 yards) shoulders load when Meyer goes down
by Bob Liepa/Sports Editor
CaterWEST ISLIP -- The West Islip Lions were

"Caterized" is the term former Blue Waves lineman Andrew Smith came up with to describe the rock-hard hits Malcolm Cater delivers on defense. Well, "Caterized" may also be used to describe Cater's hard-hitting, punishing running style when he carries the football on offense. >More


Hard work begins as Blue Waves feed the fire

by Bob Liepa/Sports Editor
kimmelmansmYes, the RHS football team certainly accomplished a lot last year. The only thing is, don't expect to hear the Blue Waves spending a lot of time discussing that magical season, the best in history.

"We don't even talk about last season," Coach Leif Shay said.   >
More

Hard work begins as Blue Waves feed the fire
by Bob Liepa/Sports Editor
kimmelmansmLeif Shay was the first to make the symbolic gesture of dropping a stick in the bucket. then he, the Riverhead High School football coach, was followed by his assistants, who did likewise. the players followed after that in their own way, working out under the hot, blazing sun last Thursday morning when the defending Long Island Class II champion Blue Waves opened their preseason training camp. >More

2009-10 Sportsmanship & Scholar/Athlete Team Awards

Championships, Awards and Scholarships
bluewhitecup
See All Sports

2008 Football:
The Blue Waves Varsity Football Team finished Undefeated! FOOTBALL ROSTER FOR 2008

The Blue Waves Varsity Football Team
also won the Blue-White Cup for the third straight year. >More

Duo Dons Hofstra Hats with Pride signing
(February 3, 2009) Two seniors, Miguel Maysonet, the three-year starting halfback, and senior defensive end Andrew Smith, of the Riverhead Blue Waves varsity football team, celebrated “Signing Day” by agreeing to study and play football at Hofstra University. >More


Jimmy Powers to Attend Temple
JimmyPowerssmBaseball: RHS senior Jimmy Powers has a mean curve ball, can throw a fastball at 88-89 mph, and he’s a lefty. He’ll be on the mound this spring for Riverhead High School after sitting out most of last year due to a shoulder injury. After being pursued by about 50 Division I colleges and universities, Powers has accepted a scholarship, signed an intent to play, and plans to take his lanky 6’1” / 180 lb. pitching powers to Temple University (Philadelphia, PA), a Division I school. >More


Lacrosse Players who will continue to Play in College
LAX
Coach Tony Lawrence is proud of his 2009 Lacrosse team recognized as a Scholar/Athlete team at the June Board of Education meeting. In 2008 seven lacrosse players went on to play in college. In 2009 another crop of senior LAX players were picked up to play in college (see below).

Peter Kurzyna - Mercy College Lacrosse Scholarship
Blaze Yeager - New York Tech Lacrosse Scholarship

Tim Dayton - Plattsbugh State
Will Lehmann - Plattsburg State
Zach Palm - Nazareth College

Dylan Hewkin - Boston College
Nick Contino - Costal Carolina

Kyle Zilnicki - Muhlenberg College


2009 Graduating Athletes who are going to College (pdf)

Recent Graduates who received Scholarships to Play in College
A brief three-year overview of student athletic achievement.


More Student and Alumni Sports News
Email submissions of current student and/or alumni athletic achievement.


2004 Scholar/Athlete Team Award
In the Spring of 2004 sports season, the Riverhead High School Blue Waves were awarded the "Scholar/Athlete Team Award" by the NY State Public High School Athletic Association for "outstanding scholastic achievement by varsity level student athletes." Not only are our athletes outstanding competitors, they are also "scholars." In addition, the school's teams are well-known each year for their sportsmanship awards.

2005 Section XI “Good Sports” Award Winners
In the Fall of 2005, the Riverhead Blue Waves were awarded the 2005 Section XI “Good Sports” Award. Riverhead’s teams scored the highest overall average of sportsmanship team points. The teams are rated by opposing teams and awarded by NYPHSAA.


Physical Education Course Offerings
The district also offers a full range of physical education courses.
For the complete description of course offerings see the Course Offering Guide (Physical Education starts on page 56 in the thumbnail pages of pdf, which is page 52 of the Course Offering Guide).


Intramurals and Special Programs
In addition to interscholastic sports, the district has an excellent intramural and physical education program.

The Intramural Golf Team thanks the Cherry Creek Country Club for their generous donation of 200 golf clubs to the school's golf program.

Some of the special programs the Physical Education Department have participated in include the Core-Based Fitness Training Program, the Coca Cola Corporation's Step-O-Meter Program, Project Adventure classes, the Rowing Club, the Outdoors Club and the President's Fitness Challenge.

Physical Education, Athletics, and Wellness
The district also offers a full range of Physical Education and Wellness opportunities to our students. We have made up a brochure to highlight some of these and our alumni.

Related Links: Sports Schedule, Scholar Athlete Award, 2007-08 Sports Season, Ellen Dougherty, Jeremy Hobson, Mike Owen, RHS Rowing Club, Seven Lacrosse Players, 2007 Track Summary, Physical Education Class Offerings, NCAA Requirements, Bigger, Faster, Stronger Program