St. John the Baptist Fall Sports Recap: Cougars Claim Three Championships

The 2010 fall sports season at was capped with a and the first ever Class A NYS championship for the girls volleyball team. In addition to these outstanding wins, other SJB teams had exciting fall seasons to continue the school's rich history of successful athletic programs.

Football

Record: 5-4

The Cougars had a roller coaster season, losing their last two regular season contests. Despite that, they still earned the No.1 seed and after dominating Cardinal Spellman 42-2 in the semifinals, they leaned on the man they turned to all season, , in the championship game against St. Peters. Hunter ran for 214 yards and four touchdowns in that game to help clinch the CHSFL Class A Title in a 29-6 win.

The Cougars rallied behind teammate Vinny Macchio, who had lost his father a day before the game.

"For Vinny, and his younger brother who plays on JV, this was an outlet for them," said Cougars head coach Keith Schweers. "All the kids in our program knew they were here to escape what was going on. We knew the inevitable was coming but we rallied around him."

Hunter, behind a terrific offensive line, not only had a great season for the Cougars, but he led Long Island in rushing with 2,294 yards (826 yards and 118 carries more than second place finisher Donte Colter of Roosevelt) and 24 touchdowns. Hunter earned MVP Honors for the championship game, but the humble senior summed up what's most important to him very succinctly.

"What matters most is winning that championship," Hunter told Patch after the game. "MVP, that's second. But it's still a really good feeling to finish the year."

Girls Volleyball

Regular Season Record: 5-8

Despite a lackluster 5-8 record in the regular season, the Cougars turned it on when it mattered for an unbelievable run all the way to its first ever  NYS Class A championships in the NYSCHSAA. They defeated Cardinal Spellman 3-1 led by Colleen DeGraff's 14 kills and Gabriella Gilmartin's 39 digs, four aces and two kills to clinch the title. Gilmartin also had 18 digs and five aces in the Cougars' 3-1 semifinal victory over St. Joseph Hill.

Boys Soccer

Record: 6-4 CHSAA, 7-5-1 Overall

The boys soccer team went 2-0-1 in its final three games of the regular season to earn the No.3 seed and a matchup with No.2 Chaminade in the semifinals of the CHSAA playoffs. Chaminade, who lost just once during the season, defeated SJB 3-0 in that game to end the Cougars' playoff run.

John Barry led the Cougars and cracked the top 25 in the private school rankings with seven points in 2010 and was also tied for the team lead in goals (5) with Emmett O'Hara. Ian Stewart added four goals for the Cougars while Andres Sandoval led the team with three assists.

Record: 8-3-1 CHSAA

The Cougars earned the No.4 seed in the CHSAA playoffs and defeated St. Francis Prep 1-0 in the out bracket game to set up a contest with St. Anthony's in the semifinals. After a hard fought first half the Cougars were down by one, .

Jackie Roth and Faith Daley led the Cougars with eight points a piece in 2010 as both girls had six goals and two assists each. Kelly Cirimello managed five goals on the season for the Cougars while Megan Attanasio led the team with four assists.

Girls Tennis

Record: 11-7 CHSAA

After the girls lost the A Division finals to St. Francis Prep, they defeated St. Mary's 7-0 before taking care of Our Lady of Mercy 5-2 to win their second CHSAA Division B Title.

Kat McDermott and Claudia Most starred in first doubles for the Cougars all season, while Courtney Line and Shannon Stergis led the team in first and second singles.

Girls Gymnastics

Record: 3-3

It was another successful season for the gymnasts at SJB.  Kristen Licata led the team in all-around points for each of their three victories.