School Board Honors Kennedy Boys Volleyball Team

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District board of education, John F. Kennedy High School administration and staff honored the Kennedy boys volleyball team for their fall clinching of the Nassau County Class B title.

“We are here to congratulate the dominant, dynastic power that is JFK volleyball,” Superintendent John DeTommaso said. “It’s not about winning or losing. They play for each other, they play for you (coach) and they play hard. That’s what high school athletics is all about.”

Board trustee Dr. Nancy Kaplan, whose son Josh is on the team, distributed certificates of recognition to the boys as a packed boardroom applauded.

‘The poise that you showed under pressure, you represented us so beautifully,” Dr. Kaplan said.

This is the third county championship in four years for the team and the sixth in the last eight years.

Coach Dennis Ringel was also awarded Nassau County Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his eight years of coaching.

The Cougars defeated Jericho in November in straight sets — 25-18, 25-20 and 25-19.

Michael Ianniello was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Harrison Ivers was named All-County Tournament Honorable Mention and Jonah Zeitlin and Josh Levine were named to the All-County Tournament team.

Other team members include Tyler Anderson, Dylan Judd, Josh Kaplan, Mitchell Mass, Steve Carlson, Jordan Kappel, Garrett Krassner, Jeff Lowell, Owen Bradley, Shawn Linzer, Evan Rothchild, Peter Cuttitta and Harrison Marcus.

Photo Captions:

1: The Kennedy Cougars boys volleyball team.

2-3: Board trustee Dr. Nancy Kaplan distributed certificates of recognition to team members.

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District