Magnotta and Ricciardi Named Athletes of the Year

The Harrison Central School District honored each of its senior student athletes Thursday, in what has become a yearly tradition within the district

The district awarded Jessica Magnotta and Steven Ricciardi athletes of the year. Magnotta was the lone captain of the school’s softball team this spring, and as a five year starter she is the proud owner of several school records. Next year the shortstop will attend Manhattanville College where she will look to continue her on-field success. Ricciardi played football, basketball and track and field for the Huskies and in his senior year was All-Section I in football and track and a scholar athlete during all three seasons. Next year he will be attending the U.S. military academy where he will be playing football and possibly track.

Peter Morris and his mother Helaine awarded senior track star Zaid Al-Doori with the Abbott W. Morris Scholarship. After speaking briefly about Abbott Morris' career at Harrison, the family gave Al-Doori, who only a few years ago escaped the reign of Saddam Hussein before coming to America, the award. Harrison Athletic Director Patricia Seligman added that Al-Doori's story "embodies the American Dream."

Seligman spoke briefly of the accomplishments of the senior class, specifically, the impressive 24 scholar athlete teams. In total, 283 athletes made up the 24 teams and each was asked to stand during the ceremony. Harrison Superintendent Louis Wool and Harrison High School Principal James Ruck commended students for their hard work and effort, making sure to point out all the contributers to each individual athlete's success, including the efforts of coaches and parents. Specifically, Christina Quan and Nadia Jajm, the school's trainers and Robin Webb, athletic department secretary, received the Appreciation Award for their work this year.

Harrison's Joni Cooper and Nick Lovinger were selected as student speakers. Cooper, a scholar athlete for both the soccer and golf teams, talked about how much she had grown in previous years up to this point and thanked everyone who helped her. Lovinger, a winter track and baseball player, recalled his memories of playing on teams in elementary school and how athletics kept him and his friends together though the years.

Other award winners were as follows:

Three-sport athletes:

• Duke Alvora
  
• Gary Castelli
• Nick Puliafico
• Chris Repecki
• Steven Ricciardi

Heart and Soul Award 

• Duke Alvora
  
• Dana Annattone
• Nate Berman
• Nick Lovinger
• Joe Papa
• Greg VanTogeren
• Bennett Wissak
  

The Dean Marantis Scholarship

• Rob Merritt
  

Athletic Director's Award

• Brandon Bonistall
• Ivan Cabrera
• Gary Castelli
• Tanner Knox
• Brendan O’Shea
• Chris Repecki
• Sofie SanMarco

David Basso Memorial Scholarship

• Michael Chiarella

Scholar Athletes of the Year

• Andrea Moschetta
• Michael Jacobson