West Senior Athletes of the Month
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The West Senior Athlete of the Month goes to an athlete the coach decides has great dedication and gives 110 % every day in both practices and games. The athlete with the most heart who contributes to the team in numerous ways. Congratulations to all athletes.
Each student will receive a T-shirt donated by Al Ross Sports Screening and a plaque donated by Trophy's Trophy's. These students are also eligible for the Athlete of the Year Scholarship given in June.
2023-2024 Recognized Athletes
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February
(Left to Right) Ryan Vanderlip. Drew Gastle, Ian Harris, Grace Donahue, Megan Waszkielewicz, Abigail Wheeler
Athlete of the Month
Name: Meghan Waszkielewicz Grade: 10 Month: February
Sport: Varsity Ice Hockey
Coach: Cooper/Embree
Athletic Performance: Meghan is a returning player to the HHEWS team. She has been playing Offense this season and has been successful with scoring a total of 4 goals and 2 assists so far this season. She was able to score 2 goals in one game and then the game winning goal against one of our opponents, Monsignor Martin.
Coach’s quote: Meghan is a dedicated player that will give you her best effort every time she is on the ice. Meghan has a genuine and kind disposition. She is always joking and having fun with her teammates. However, on the ice, Meghan will never put up with or back down to some of our opponents that may attempt to play in a more physically aggressive manner. Meghan will stand her ground and fight to win the puck in any situation during a game. She seeks out constructive feedback to perfect her skills and is always willing to help out a teammate. She is a kind and supportive athlete to Coach.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Abigail Wheeler Grade: 9 Month: February
Sport: Girls District Bowling Team
Coach: Sam Sebastian
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Jordyn MacNeill Grade: 11 Month: February
Sport: Varsity Cheerleading
Coach: Valeree Griffin
Example of sportsmanship:
Jordyn has an awesome attitude and always displays excellent sportsmanship. She comes to practice ready to give 100% and keeps pushing herself and those around her to achieve their goals. This month during our competition season, she has worked extremely hard in every stunt group she is in to make sure they stay in the air. Her back-spotting skills give each of her groups the reassurance and confidence they need to success.
Athletic performancec:
Jordyn is always ready and willing to step into whatever role is needed on the team! She back-spots our main stunt sequence, basket tosses and the main part in the pyramid. She has maintained such a positive outlook even dealing with an injury to her wrist this month.
Coach’s quote:
“Jordyn is an awesome cheerleader and teammate. I have had the pleasure of watching her blossom as not only an athlete but also a person. She has made huge strides increasing her difficulty level as a back-spot not only this year but really since she transferred to West a few years ago. I also coached Jordyn’s older sister Maddy and it’s so fun to watch Jordyn follow in her footsteps and become such a powerhouse stunter and an amazing leader. This season has had many ups and downs but Jordyn’s performance level continues to impress me!”
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Grace Donohue Grade: 11 Month: February
Sport: Indoor Track and Field
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Grace respects the sport and the effort that her teammates put in now more than ever before. She has finally realized what it takes to succeed in the sport and that has given her a new perspective on not just her mates but her competitors. She remains positive and receptive to criticism when it is given.
Athletic performance: Grace dropped over a minute off her 3000m in the month of February and dropped 12 seconds off of her 800m time in the month. Her personal best split of 2:35 in the 4x8 helped the girls 9th ranked relay place 5th at Sectionals as it was a 9 second drop from her previous best. Grace is on her way to becoming an individual sectional qualifier in the outdoor season at this pace.
Coach’s quote: Grace made great strides during the month of February. This was exactly the month she needed to have for her confidence. She is someone who thrives on relays and has used that team first mentality since last outdoor’s division championship to really fuel her time within our program. Grace will be a vital part of our distance running program moving forward.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Bellarose Milligan Grade: 9th Month: February
Sport: Girls Varsity Basketball
Coach: Joe Dougherty and Chloe Solomon
Example of sportsmanship:
Bellarose is the first person to cheer on her teammates. She is a player who gets just as excited, if not more, when she watches her teammates succeed. Bellarose has a smile that lights up the court. Her energy radiates through the team.
Athletic performance:
Bellarose is a young player, she’s small, but she's a force to be reckoned with. She has the ability to shift the energy the moment she steps onto the court. Bellarose has been a key player in many of our games, scoring right down to the last second. She has been an irreplaceable piece to our varsity team.
Coach’s quote:
“Kill them with success and bury them with a smile,” (Usain Bolt).
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Ian Harris Grade: 11 Month: February
Sport: Indoor Track
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Ian trains hard, runs hard and is equally hard on himself about his performances. He is not hard on his teammates though. He has thrived in relays in his first season of track because he is invested in his teammates performances. Ian is supportive of competitors and teammates alike.
Athletic performance: Ian has run a personal best in every single race this season. He saw even greater drops in time during the month of February. Ian ran his best 1000m at the team championships and his best 800m split at sectionals to lead off our season best relay time. When Ian ran personal bests, he managed to drop multiple seconds from each race. He was our most consistent mid distance runner this season in part because of his lofty expectations for himself.
Coach’s quote: Ian runs like a veteran even though he is a rookie. He put together an impressive season where he became a top 2 runner in several events on our team. His attitude and effort on race day was one of the best I have seen. He wants to be placed in premier spots in the lineup and embraces opportunities to improve..
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Zachary Quinn Grade: 12 Month: February
Sport: Hockey
Coach: Kevin Rozo
Athletic performance: Zachary finished his senior season second on the team in scoring with 13 goals and 9 assists for 22 points. He scored several big goals down the stretch leading our team to a finals appearance at KeyBank Center
Coach’s quote: Zachary was a four year player on the West Fed Hockey team and served as captain this season. His leadership and drive were big reasons why we had the success we did in the postseason this year.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Ryan Vanderlip Grade: 12 Month: February
Sport: Boys Basketball
Coach: Owens
Example of sportsmanship: He was asked to play off the ball more during the Sectional game, and he accepted the role and put trust in his teammates to handle the ball.
Athletic performance: During February, Ryan averaged 13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2 apg. Ryan became more of a vocal leader and matured as the season progressed.
Coach’s quote: As a 3-year starter, Ryan will truly be missed as a building block for the rebuilding of the program.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Drew Gastle Grade: 11 Month: February
Sport: Boys Swim
Coach: Sereday
Example of sportsmanship: Captain of the swim team. Always willing to help out any teammate at practice and give rides home after practice.
Athletic performance: Dropped 5 sec at Class a championships from his best time in the 100 Breast, also qualified for sectionals with a time of 1:07.80. overall 7th place.
Dropped a bit more than 1 sec at Sectionals from his best time in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:07.73 Overall 17th place.
Coach’s quote: Has put in so much work this season and it showed at sectionals. Amazing leadership and excited to see what happens next season.
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December
Athlete of the Month
Name: Alexis Heyd Grade: 10 Month: January
Sport: Bowling
Coach: Sam Sebastian
Example of sportsmanship: Alexis always cheers on her teammates and creates a wonderful atmosphere of team sportsmanship.
Athletic performance: Alexis is improving each week of the season with her game average.
Coach’s quote: Alexis is a great teammate and works very hard to get better for each match.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Savannah Masella Grade: 12 Month: January
Sport: Varsity Cheerleading
Coach: Valeree Griffin
Example of sportsmanship:
Savannah has an extremely positive attitude and displays excellent sportsmanship at every practice and game. She enjoys cheering on her teammates by pushing them to achieve new skills as well as cheering for the basketball team hoping for a win each game!
Athletic performance:
Savannah is always ready and willing to step into whatever role is needed on the team. One day she may be flying, the next basing or even back spotting! I have complete confidence that she will always give 100% in everything she tries all while keeping a positive attitude. This season she has taken on the extra task of teaching some of her newer teammates all our sideline cheers and dances. This has been a huge help and an absolute pleasure to see her leadership skills shine.
Coach’s quote:
“Savannah is an incredible athlete. Her presence always brightens the mood, and she has such an amazingly positive attitude which spreads to those around her. She never misses practice and maintains her grades to a very high standard. It has been very special to watch her grow as an athlete and person over the last 6 years. I am very excited to watch her finish her senior year and embark on a new journey after she graduates. I know she will excel in anything she sets her mind to!”
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Lexi Hodil Grade: 12 Month: January
Sport: Varsity Ice Hockey
Coach: Cooper/Embree
Example of Sportsmanship: Lexi is one of the quieter athletes on the team. However, she is pretty easy going both at practice and during games! She is always in a good mood, never complains and is always willing to jump in the game without hesitation. She is a talented and humble player.
Athletic Performance: Lexi recently scored the winning goal against Williamsville. She currently has 2 goals and 1 assist so far this season.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Delaney Banks Grade: 12 Month: January
Sport: Indoor Track and Field
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Delaney is the most outwardly positive member of the team. She is always hyping up her teammates in drill sessions, the weight room and competitions. Her excitement for the sport is awesome to be around.
Athletic performance: Delaney hit personal bests and sectional qualifiers in the weight throw and shot put during the month of January. She has doubled down in practice and has clear goals she wants to achieve in throwing and the weight room. Achieving these has become a driving force for her throughout the month. She has also started running relays for us and added to our depth. She will often come to both the throwing and sprinting practices each day to keep herself ready in case we need her in a relay.
Coach’s quote: Delaney’s enthusiasm and success are tied together. Having fun and enjoying the sport goes such a long way towards improving yourself. She has put together a very good month and this should feed into our championship season. She is our team leader in her events and should continue to raise those stats throughout February. She makes the atmosphere fun to coach in.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Jayden Ecker Grade: 10th Month: January
Sport: Girls Varsity Basketball
Coach: Joe Dougherty
Example of sportsmanship:
Jayden always has a positive attitude and is always encouraging her teammates.
Athletic performance:
Jayden is averaging 12pts, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3.5 assists per game. She has had game highs of 21,20 and 17 points this month.
Coach’s quote:
Jayden practices everyday like it's game day and plays every game like it's her last. She gives everything that she has each and every game.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Kyle Dailey Grade: 12 Month: January
Sport: Hockey
Coach: Kevin Rozo
Athletic performance: Kyle recorded 226 saves on 244 shots for an impressive .926 save percentage and a 2.72 goals against average during the month of January. Including 45 saves on 48 shots against Will North. He also just led us to a huge 3-2 win over Clarence making 35 saves in that contest.
Coach’s quote: Kyle is a 4 year starter for us in goal on the West Fed team. As he wraps up his career he owns or will own almost all of the goaltending records at West. Bottom line he's just a great goalie who gives us a chance to win every night.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Robert Mundorff Grade: 12th Month: January
Sport: Varsity Wrestling
Coach: Dave Recor
Example of sportsmanship: Robert always displays sportsmanship like conduct in every Match and tournament.
Athletic performance: Robert has a 15 -8 record this season and he placed 3rd at the Ken-Ton Invitational and 5th in the Section 6 Class AA tournament.
Coach’s quote: Robert is always a team first guy- he works hard every practice to reach his goals for the sport of wrestling.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Daniel Muniz Grade: 11 Month: January
Sport: Indoor Track & Field
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Danny is very personable and can always be seen recognizing other athletes after their race, saying congrats and just being excited in general about the sport.
Athletic performance: Danny has worked tirelessly to improve his grades over the last 12 months and being in good academic standing during a full season is something he has worked towards and has achieved this year. This has allowed him to race a full schedule and become the runner our program knew he could be. Danny has qualified for sectionals in the 55m, 300m and 600m this month. He also ran personal bests in the 200m and 800m in January. Danny is our team leader in the 55m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 600m and 800m distances and is having his best season ever. He is our relay anchor in all of the relay distances and his teammates rely on his performances every week.
Coach’s quote: Danny has always shown that he has talent as he has several sectional patches thus far but truly unlocking his full potential has always been a question, I'm happy to say that this isn't the case anymore. He has had a breakout season in a wide variety of races and should be drawing interest from collegiate programs as his junior year progresses. His work ethic and attitude towards school have never been better and he is someone who makes my job very enjoyable.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Colin LeBron Grade: 12 Month: January
Sport: Boys Swimming
Coach: Sereday
Example of sportsmanship: Colin has helped push his teammates at practice and during meets to levels they were unaware of.
Athletic performance:
Overall he is very dedicated to the team while also balancing a job and school work as well.
Coach’s quote:Colins work ethic has improved so much this year. He continues to amaze the coaches and we are both excited to see how he does at Class A championship.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Jacob Clark Grade: 11 Month: January
Sport: Men's Varsity Bowling
Coach: Hockwater
Example of sportsmanship: Jacob has proven himself to be an excellent sportsman. Over the past month, he has taken our younger and less experienced bowlers under his wing, mentoring them. He has attended every match and practice, and proudly cheers on teammates from the sidelines.
Athletic performance: Jacob earned the highest average on the team (190.45). He had a very successful season, which led to him making sectionals as an independent bowler.
Coach’s quote: Jacob has been a pleasure to coach. He is a consummate role-model and leader, providing support and mentorship to the whole team. He is performing at the highest level of the team, and deservedly earned a spot at sectionals.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Christian Blackchief Grade: 11 Month: January
Sport: Boys Basketball
Coach: Reuben Owens
Example of sportsmanship: Everyday, Christian comes to practice ready and willing to work. I never have to question his work ethic.
Athletic performance: ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY, TOUGHNESS, TOUGHNESS, TOUGHNESS
Coach’s quote: Quote that sums up Christian, "Teams have great bench players. They are always engaged, bring energy, and are willing to play any role needed by them."
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November
Athlete of the Month
Name: Abigail Nocera Grade: 12 Month: December
Sport: Bowling
Coach: Sam Sebastian
Coach’s quote: Abbie is working very hard and coming to all practices with a positive attitude towards her sport and team members.
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Name: Brynn Holland Grade: 10 Month: December
Sport: Varsity Ice Hockey
Coach: Cooper/Embree
Example of sportsmanship:
Brynn is one of those athletes that always has a smile on her face. She easily makes friends, willingly works with anyone and is always giving 110% on the ice. No matter how tired she is, if they win or lose a game, she is always checking in on her teammates to make sure they are ok first. On the ice she shows the coaches, referees and opponents respect.
Athletic performance: Brynn is one of our players that transitioned from defense to a forward. She has shown a lot of growth in this position and success. She had 6 goals and 5 assists last season. This season has just started and she already has 3 goals. Even with her success, Brynn will still take time out of practice to ask follow-up questions to the Coaches to see where or how she can improve or perfect a specific skill.
Coach’s quote: “Brynn is one of those coachable athletes. She is willing to put in the time, the effort , and tackle some of the hard moments to make her the best athlete possible. That is a rare skill in some of our younger athletes. She continues to grow as one of the upcoming leaders on HEWS. It has been nice to see her growth in skills as well as her confidence. Coach Cooper and myself could not be more proud of her.” -Becca Embree
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Name: Christina Evans Grade: 12 Month: December
Sport: Wrestling
Coach: Dave Recor
Example of sportsmanship: Tina displayed good sportsmanship at the recent NT Tournament when interacting with athletes and coaches.
Athletic performance: Christina is undefeated so far this season and won the North Tonawanda LadyJack Wrestling Tournament for the third straight year.
Coach’s quote: Tina works hard toward her goals everyday in practice, she is one of our Captains and a team leader.
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Name: Gabrielle Tripi Grade: 12 Month: December
Sport: Indoor Track
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Gabby has embraced a leadership role and while there has not been one standout moment of sportsmanship, there have been many interactions with her teammates where she has shown compassion and empathy. She has taken an interest in seeing our athletes succeed and improve how they practice on the daily.
Athletic performance: Gabby has had a great start to the season. She is among the team leaders in the 55m,200,300,400 and 600m. She has run lifetime bests in the 300 and 600m this month and is close to sectional qualifications for both events. She is a key member of our relays and truly shines when others are relying on her.
Coach’s quote: Gabby was with our program before the pandemic and has evolved as much as the team has in the last 5 years. There is no doubt that she is going to be successful wherever she decides to run in college. She becomes more mature by the day. She asked to not be put in the jumping events this season to focus on the track and it has paid off in a big way for her.
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Name : Ava Gunnells Grade: 10 Month: December
Sport : Basketball
Coach: Joe Dougherty
Example of sportsmanship: Ava is the first girl to help her teammates or opponents up if knocked done. She is not one to talk to opponents on the court. She goes about her business in a mature manner.
Athletic Performance: Ava for the month of December has averaged 18 points a game , with a season high of 24 vs Williamsville North as the girls have opened with a 4-0 record. She has shot 52% from the field while averaging 9 rebounds per game.
Coaches quote: Ava has been a great addition to the team since returning from St. Mary’s high school. She leads by example.
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Name: Aubrey Willis
Grade: 9
Month: December
Sport: Varsity Cheerleading
Coach: Valeree Griffin
Example of sportsmanship:
Aubrey has an extremely positive attitude and displays excellent sportsmanship at every practice and game. She enjoys cheering on her teammates by pushing them to achieve new skills as well as cheering for the basketball team hoping for a win each week.
Athletic performance:
Aubret is one of the strongest flyers we have on the team this year. She is always ready to try whatever new skills we are working on without fear or hesitation. I have complete confidence that she will always give 100% in everything she tries. She continues to impress me with her strength and determination. This season she has learned several new flying skills as well as becoming more consistent in her elite level tumbling pass.
Coach’s quote:
“Aubrey is one of the most hard-working athletes we have on the team. She wants to not only better herself, but also her stunt group and teammates by continuously encouraging them and pushing them to try their hardest too. I can’t wait to see her continue to excel as we continue in our competitive cheer season!”
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Name: Nathan Rainero
Grade: 10
Sport: Hockey
Coach: Kevin Rozo
Example of sportsmanship:
Nathan always treats his opponents with respect and has yet to take a penalty this season
Athletic performance: Nathan finished off his first month on the Fed team by leading it in scoring. In 9 games he recorded 7 goals and 3 assists for 10 points. He is also tied for second on the team in plus/minus rating with a +2
Coach’s quote: Nathan is a true character and a pleasure to coach. He's been asked to play on multiple lines and in multiple different scenarios and has always come through. He has a high hockey IQ and nose for the net. I look forward to seeing what he brings to the table not only for the rest of this season but for years to come.
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Name: Aaron Lazaros
Grade: 10th
Sport: Varsity Wrestling
Coach: Dave Recor
Example of sportsmanship: Win or lose Aaron ALWAYS displays sportsmanship qualities towards Coaches, opponents and referees
Athletic performance: Aaron has a 7-4 record on the Varsity winning big matches for us when we needed a spark.
Coach’s quote: Aaron is one of the hardest workers in the room and continues to improve every day.
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Name: Xavier Mohamed
Grade: 12
Sport: Indoor Track and Field
Coach: Brian Kader
Example of sportsmanship: Xavier has been a supportive and enthusiastic member of our team this season. While there may not be one specific moment that stands out, he has been a positive role model for the youthful boys distance team. He is respectful to the sport and to others. He was injured for a brief stint and he showed up each day, saw the trainer, did what he could in the weight room so that he could return on schedule. It seems like something that all athletes would do, but it's a select few who actually carry through with the plan.
Athletic performance: Xavier is on the brink of qualifying for 3 individual events and he has never qualified for indoor sectionals in an individual race before. He has personal bests in the 3200m (10:44.57), 1600m (4:56.78) and 400m (59.4) this season. He is our top 800m runner and the anchor of the 4x800m relay. He is on pace to have his best season to date and has the versatility to cover all of the distance races for our team.
Coach’s quote: Xavier will come across as someone who lacks confidence if you speak to him about his performances, but when he actually takes the track he is a highly confident runner who pushes in the lead pack. It is his way of being humble but hungry. He is someone who I am very proud of coaching and watching take the next step this year. He used to be someone who would always come close to race expectations but never exceed them and he is now someone who raises the bar with each performance.
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Name: Dylan Russell
Grade: 9
Sport: Boys Swimming
Coach: Nick Sereday
Example of sportsmanship:
Always willing to try new events and cheers on his teammates
Athletic performance:
Dylan continues to train hard and gets best times at almost every swim meet.
Coach’s quote: Dylan, keep up the amazing work, you have challenged yourself and it is seen at every practice and swim meet. Well Done!
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Name: Thomas Kibler
Grade: 12
Sport: Varsity Bowling
Coach: Michael Hockwater
Example of sportsmanship:
Tom is a very respectful, hard-working team player. As our team captain, he rallies the athletes and inspires them to perform at the highest level. Tom has not missed a single practice or match, and is often the first to arrive and last to leave. He mentors other players on the team and helps them to improve their individual game.
Athletic performance:
Tom's average for the month of December is 171. His high game was 207, and his high series was 555. He leads the team in second-place for total number of pins, at 3,595. In our first match of the season against Pioneer, Tom had a strong finish which clinched us the win.
Coach’s quote:
Tom is a great student athlete. He inspires and empowers his teammates to be the best that they can be, all while performing at a high level himself. His mentorship of other athletes and demonstration of mutual respect and rapport with the team has earned him this nomination.
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Name: Gavin French
Grade: 11
Sport: Boys Basketball
Coach: Reuben Owens
Example of sportsmanship: Provided Leadership and Encouragement during our 8 games in the month.
Athletic performance: Scored a career high, 23 points, in an OT loss to Williamsville South
Coach’s quote: Since returning from St. Mary's, Gavin has improved his overall game on and off the court as a true student-athlete.
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October
Athlete of the Month
Name: Marissa Domagala Grade: 11 Month: October
Sport: Girls Varsity Tennis
Coach: Ms. Trampert
Athletic performance: Marissa had several key victories at the 2nd singles position including Springville, Tonawanda & Iroquois. Marissa along with her doubles partner, Megan Mulderig represented West Seneca West in the 2023 ECIC Doubles Championships on October 6th.
Coach’s quote: I have always been impressed with Marissa’s great respect for authority and leadership. Her ability to persevere and work through tough arduous practices, skill enhancement, and strategy drills has always been Marissa’s forte. This dedication to focused repetition and conscious effort to improve has paid off for Marissa, moving up from 3rd singles to 2nd singles this season. I am excited to see what Marissa’s senior season entails! ______________________________________________________________
Athlete of the Month
Name: Bella Sellan Grade: 10 Month: October
Sport: Soccer
Coach: Justin DiLoro
Example of sportsmanship:
Bella always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She is constantly encouraging teammates to be the best they can be. Bella keeps the mood of the team upbeat.
Athletic performance:
Bella scored the first goal against West Seneca East and the lone goal in West’s win against Lake Shore–both were considered game-winning goals.
Bella tied for the team lead in goals this season.
Coach’s quote:
Bella is an electric player. She plays with a great deal of energy and intensity. She constantly puts pressure on opposing defenses.
Bella is a joy to coach. She works hard in all game situations. Her influence helps make the team better.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Stella Szefler Grade: 9 Month: October
Sport: Girls Swimming
Coach: Jeff Kunkel
Example of sportsmanship: Stella constantly shows great sportsmanship throughout the season. She is passionate about the sport and gives credit where credit is due whether it is a teammate or opponent. She is constantly congratulating her competition after her events and throughout the meets.
Athletic performance: Stella has been working hard throughout the season helping her to be able to do events she didn’t think she was capable of doing. She has shown that she can swim in any event that she is entered in. Stella has continued to drop time in all her events this season.
Coach’s quote: Stella has a passion for swimming and it shows in her work ethic, attitude, and desire to enhance her skills in all of her events. She asks to be put in new events and always does well when she is given the chance. Stella wants to be the best swimmer she can be and is always looking to her coaches and teammates to refine her techniques and is receptive to the information given to her. She is an absolute pleasure to coach.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Kaylin Theurer
Grade: 11
Month: October
Sport: Varsity Cheerleading
Coach: Valeree Griffin
Example of sportsmanship:
Kaylin has an extremely positive attitude and displays excellent sportsmanship at every practice and game. She enjoys cheering on her teammates by pushing them to achieve new skills as well as cheering for the football team hoping for a win each week.
Athletic performance:
Kaylin is one of the strongest back spots we have on the team this year. She is always ready to try whatever new skills we are working on without fear or hesitation. I have complete confidence that she will always give 100% and protect her flyer and stunt group from falling. She continues to impress me with her strength as well as leadership skills. She never gives up and keeps pushing herself as well as her stunt group.
Coach’s quote:
“Kaylin is one of the most hard-working athletes we have on the team. She wants to not only better herself, but also her stunt group and teammates by continuously encouraging them and pushing them to try their hardest too. I know I can always count on her to help lead the team and do whatever it takes. I can’t wait to see her continue to excel as we continue in our competitive cheer season!”
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Gabby Tripi Grade: 12 Month: October
Sport: Field Hockey
Coach: Kelli Ruchalski
Example of sportsmanship: Gabby is always helping with equipment and clean up. She also makes sure that her teammates stay focused during practices and games
Athletic performance: Gabby scored 5 goals in October and has 7 total for the season. She scored both goals in our 3-2 overtime loss to the #1 Class A team, Clarence.
Coach’s quote: Gabby has really stepped up her game in October. She has been outstanding. She can run hard for the full 60 minutes. Her stick skills are incredible and she can easily get around her opponents. When Gabby plays well the whole team follows. She is very dedicated and wants nothing more than her team to win.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Sophie Hunter Grade: 11 Month:October
Sport: Girls Varsity Volleyball
Coach: Hannah Boltz Assistant: Sue Deitz
Example of sportsmanship:
Sophie is a silent leader both on and off the court. She always has an extremely positive attitude that rubs off on others. Sophie is always cheering on her teammates and JV members.
Athletic performance:
Sophie leads the team in kills. She is our go to offensive player, as she is able to read the other side of the court and put the ball away. Sophie has received several compliments from officials and coaches on her athletic ability. We can count on Sophie offensively both in the front row and back row. She is a talented all around player.
Coach’s quote:
Sophie has a strong work ethic that shows both on and off the court. Sophie demonstrates confidence, leadership, and a high level of sportsmanship not typically seen by someone her age. She comes into every game and practice to better herself and owns up to her mistakes. She is aware of her ability and works hard to make sure
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Olivia Breeden Grade: 11 Month: October
Sport: X-Country
Coach: Pete Szymanski
Example of sportsmanship:
Olivia has always shown good sportsmanship throughout the season and especially towards other student-athlete from other teams. She shows a respect for all - Has a Positive Attitude while putting forth her best effort.
Athletic performance:
Olivia who came from Pembroke High School as a transfer where she ran X-Country, played Basketball and ran Track has become a key member to our Girls X-Country Team. Olivia bouncing back and forth as being our 2nd - 3rd or 4th runner was a surprise in its-self. Olivia finished 15th at the Southern-Tier Invitational at Allegany-Limestone on Saturday, October 7th. Olivia also finished 44 out of 120 runners at the Burnt-Hills Invitational back on Saturday, October 14th and capped off an amazing race at the E.C.I.C. X-Country Championships at Alden High School by finishing 50th out of 210 runners and in the process of finishing 9th in the Division II race where she made 2nd Team All-Star status.
Coach’s quote:
Olivia has come a long way since the beginning of the season. It really is amazing that she is running at all because last January, Olivia was playing Basketball for Pembroke High School and tore her ACL. Olivia had surgery last March and continued to rehab with the GOAL of committing to run X-Country this September for West Seneca West. Through some aches and pains early on at the beginning of the season Olivia has come on as strong as ever. Olivia continues to work hard day-in and day-out and is starting to build the confidence within herself; an Excellent Student-Athlete in the classroom as well.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Martin Patcherezov Grade: 11 Month: October
Sport: Boys Varsity Soccer
Coach: Brian DeGlopper
Example of sportsmanship:
Martin was put in a few difficult circumstances this season, when penalty kicks were awarded to other teams. Although most of these calls could be considered questionable, he always kept his composure and never expressed his frustration with the call.
Athletic performance:
Martin started 15 of our 16 games this season in goal, and was a major reason we were able to keep games close and within striking distance. When he was not in net, he helped shut things down for us defensively as well when he played in the field. Martin made a huge penalty kick stop against perennial powerhouse Clarence this season as well. He also recorded a shutout against Tonawanda during our last game of the regular season in a 2-0 win.
Coach’s quote:
Martin has been our starting goalie for the past 2 seasons. I have noticed improvement in his game each year. He has become more confident in his role, and is known for making some pretty acrobatic saves when his number is called upon. Coaches in ECIC I are starting to take notice as well, as I often receive positive comments from them regarding his play. I look forward to seeing what he is able to accomplish next season during his senior year.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Colton Brown Grade: 11 Month: October
Sport: Boys Volleyball
Coach: Brett Widman
Example of sportsmanship:
Colton is always the kind of teammate that will support the team and individual players, going out of his way to help in any way he can. Whether it be setting up the team store, ordering warm ups, being positive and level headed on the court, he is the embodiment of the culture we have strived to achieve, a positive attitude, responsibility in and out of the classroom, an individual who sacrifices himself for the betterment of the team.
Athletic performance:
Second in kills. Second in Digs. Number one in hitting percentage.
Coach’s quote:
Colton is the type of player that any volleyball coach would want on his team. The consummate teammate who displays consistent habits that not only represent the boys volleyball program, but of West Seneca West sports, school, and community.
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Name: Hunter Rautenstrauch Grade:12 Month: October
Coach: Pete Szymanski
Sport: Cross-Country
Athletic performance:Hunter finished 68 th out of 403 runners at the Great American X-Country Festival in Cary, North Carolina on October 7 th . Hunter also finished 23 rd and Medaled at the Burnt Hills X-Country Invitational at Saratoga State Park out of 159 runners. Furthermore, Hunter finished 11 th out of 207 runners at the E.C.I.C. X-Country Championships at Alden High School on Saturday, October 28th . Hunter also was named to the 1 st Team All-Star Team in Division II where he finished 2 nd out of the 44 Division II Runners. Hunter
also helped his teammates win the Division II – Title for the 1st Time in 26 years. Hunter is our lone Captain – 2 years now and has been one of our top Two Runners all season Long. His desire to be the best is outstanding.
Coach’s Quote:
Hunter has come a long way in the past two years. Hunter has clearly been
putting in the time to be a dominant runner to be reckoned with. Hunter’s
continued training during the summer months has shown his commitment
and dedication to the sport of X-Country. Hunter is in Great Position to be
one of the Top Five Individuals to qualify for the New York State Public
High School Athletic Association X-Country Championships come
November
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Aiden Wojtusiak Grade: 11 Month: October
Sport: Football
Coach: Mike Vastola
Example of sportsmanship:
Aiden competes as hard as anyone on the football field this fall, but always plays within the rules and his assignment. He is a great teammate, always working to bring the best out of his team.
Athletic performance:
Aiden became a star in the division this October, as the football team went 4 and 0 during the month, rattling off victories against McKinley, Niagara Wheatfield, W.S. East, and a quarterfinal playoff victory at Sweet Home. West’s first team defense only gave up one touchdown the entire month, and Aiden was a major reason for that.
In the homecoming game against McKinley, Aiden had 10 tackles (2 solo), a sack, recovered 2 fumbles, and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Against Wheatfield, he added 2 more sacks among his 6 tackles. Versus West Seneca East, he was all over the field, recording 7 tackles, including 2 solos and 2 tackles for loss. He saved the best for last as West’s defensive line terrorized the Sweet Home QB. Aiden recorded 8 tackles, including 4 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.
Coach’s quote:
When coaches get together and talk about their team’s prior to games, Aiden Wojtusiak kept coming up as the first person coaches would mention. They would say he was a real problem for them, and they were afraid they didn’t have a plan to handle him. He is the fastest player on our team, and does things on the field we haven’t seen here at West in a long time. Quarterbacks have to know where he is, and the fact that he comes back next year will only make us more scary next year. His compete level matches his skill, which is immense, and why he is so productive for us on defense and special teams.
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September
Athlete of the Month
Name: Eliza Freeland Grade: 12 Month: September
Sport: Field Hockey
Coach: Kelli Ruchalski
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Liza always has a positive attitude and is supportive of her teammates. She offers suggestions during half time and at practices and will do anything to help the team get better.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Liza currently leads the team in points. She has played very well so far and continues to be a great team leader.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Liza is the heart of our team. She took on a new position this year and has done an excellent job. Her attitude, commitment, and dedication to the team are everything a coach could ask for. She is a great role model for the younger girls on the team and she always gives 110%.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Carly Lawrence Grade: 12 Month: September
Sport: Soccer
Coach: Justin DiLoro
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Carly is one of our captains for this year’s squad. She helped organize our team-building activities to get us started for the season. She’s constantly encouraging teammates to give their best on the field. She provides constructive feedback to her teammates as well.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Carly scored our game-wining goal against Orchard Park. She capitalized on a penalty kick to give West a last-minute win.
Carly leads the team with two goals and three assists through the first half of the season.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Carly is a tremendous teammate. She is constantly looking for ways to improve on the field. She also works diligently to help her teammates become stronger players as well. Her dedication to the sport is unrivaled at this level.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Jaida Gorczyca
Grade: 11
Month: September
Sport: Varsity Cheerleading
Coach: Valeree Griffin
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Jaida has an extremely positive attitude and displays excellent sportsmanship at every practice and game. She enjoys cheering on her teammates by pushing them to achieve new skills as well as cheering for the football team hoping for a win each week. I know I can always count on her infectious smile to help the team stay positive no matter the outcome of the game.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
So far this season, Jaida has been perfecting two new tumbling skills, a round off back handspring back tuck as well as a standing tuck! She also has begun learning a new stunt position as a flyer and is excited to keep working all of her new skills. She continues to impress me with her strength and perseverance. She never gives up and keeps pushing herself as well as her stunt group. I can’t wait to see her continue to excel as we continue in our competitive cheer season!
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
“Jaida is not only an amazing athlete, but she is also an incredible teammate. She wants to not only better herself but also her stunt group and teammates by continuously encouraging them and working hard. Jaida is always so fun to watch perform and catches your attention right away. Her positivity and passion truly make her a standout.”
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Meghan Mulderig
Grade: 12th
Month: September
Sport: Girls Varsity Tennis
Coach: Ms. Trampert
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Meghan had two key victories so far this season at the 1st singles position including Frontier & Tonawanda. Each of those victories propelled our team to capture an overall team victory. Meghan will represent WSW with junior Marissa Domagala in the 2023 ECIC Doubles Tournament in October.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Although we face some very tough teams, I have been proud of Meghan's ability to maintain the highest level of sportsmanship, leadership, and enthusiasm. As number #1 singles, she faces the best of every team, every match. Despite knowing that she faces these tough opponents it doesn't stop her from trying her best each and every match. She is a role model of persistence and hard work. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm will definitely be missed next season!
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Payton Stitt Grade:12 Month: September
Sport: Girls Swimming
Coach: Jeff Kunkel
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Payton is always congratulating her teammates as well as her competition. She is not afraid to show credit where credit is due.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Payton has been working hard at practice and it has shown in her events this season. Payton has dropped 13 seconds in the 500 this month and 5 second in the 200.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Payton is a very dedicated and determined athlete. She strives to do her best at all times and it is giving results in her times.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Jayden Ecker Grade: 10 Month: September
Sport: Girls Varsity Volleyball
Coach: Hannah Boltz Asst.: Sue Deitz
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Jayden is a team player as well as a leader on and off the court. She holds herself and her teammates accountable. Her communication with teammates shows a high level of maturity. Jayden is always trying to better herself and her teammates to be successful.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Jayden’s performance on the court has been impressive. She took on the role as the teams setter this year and is performing above expectations. Jayden’s athletic ability gives her and the team an opportunity to succeed. Her competitive nature and drive is unmatched for a varsity athlete. No ball has a clean path to the ground with her on the court and in pursuit.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Jayden is a standout student-athlete. The praise she receives from other coaches, officials, and players is well deserved. Jayden may only be a sophomore, but she plays well beyond her years and stature. The confidence she displays makes others believe there's nothing she can't accomplish. It is a joy coaching her and watching her compete.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Madison McMahon
Grade: 12
Month: September
Sport: Cross Country
Coach: Pete Szymanski
An Example of Sportsmanship:
At the Annual Gary Geiser Elementary Run on Saturday, September 23rd at Sunshine Park, Madison was one of many rabbets from our X-Country Team who would lead the 4th Graders through the ½ mile run to the finish line.
Athlete’s Performance(s):
Madison is out Top Girls runner for our Team and has accomplished so far:
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Finished 7th overall at the Red Dragon Invitational among 92 Runners
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Finished 2nd at our 25th Annual West Seneca West X-Country Classic among 44 runners
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Finished 15th at the 58th Annual McQuaid Invitational among 173 runners
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Madison won the dual Meet against West Seneca East
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Madison won the dual meet against Williamsville East
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Madison won the dual meet against Hamburg
Quote about the Athlete:
Madison is one of the hardest working runners we have had. She is very attentive to her ability to succeed in every way possible. She has always wanted what was best for the team; a Team-Player is every aspect. This level of responsibility allows her to be the best she can be in all phases of who she is.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Cheyne Morton
Grade: 11
Month: September
Sport: Boys Varsity Soccer
Coach: Brian DeGlopper
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Cheyne is one of our captains, and leads our team in scoring this season.
He scored both of the game winning goals in our wins against Pioneer & Amherst.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Although we have not been able to generate much on offense this season, when we do Cheyne is usually involved. He converted a penalty kick against Amherst, which completely changed the momentum and led to a second consecutive win for us. He also has a strong shot, and distributes the ball well through our midfield. As we approach the end of our regular season and prepare for the playoffs, I am hopeful that Cheyne will continue to find the back of the net for us down the stretch.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Kieran Eagen
Grade: 12
Month: September
Sport: Boys Varsity Volleyball
Coach: Brett Widman
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Kieran has displayed excellent sportsmanship on and off the court acting as a mentor for both the underclassmen on the varsity squad and members of the JV squad. He maintains a level head in matches and always has a positive and calm demeanor with his teammates and opponents. He has received several compliments from officials, coaches, and opposing team fans about his leadership skills
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Led the team in kills and aces. He is a potent offensive weapon who can serve aggressively, dominate play at the net, and defend well when in the back court. His presence as a player and leader has helped us to reach a number 5 ranking in the WNY coaches poll
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote): Kieran is a great teammate and a leader who demonstrates confidence, leadership, and sportsmanship. He always comes to play at a high level and is willing to help teammates at practice to refine their skills. He is exactly what you would expect from a captain.
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Ryan Vanderlip
Grade: 12
Month: September
Sport: Cross Country
Coach: Pete Szymanski
An Example of Sportsmanship:
At the Annual Gary Geiser Elementary Run on Saturday, September 23 rd at Sunshine Park.
Ryan helped lead a Visually Impaired (Legally Blind) 4 th Grade Female runner through the ½
mile run to the finish line.
Athlete’s Performance(s):
Ryan is one of our Top runners on our Team and has accomplished so far:
1) Finished 6 th overall at the Red Dragon Invitational among 140 Runners
2) Finished 3 rd at our 25 th Annual West Seneca West X-Country Classic among 55 runners
3) Finished 15 th at the 58 th Annual McQuaid Invitational among 182 runners
4) Ryan won the dual meet against Williamsville East
5) Ryan won the dual meet against Hamburg
Quote about the Athlete:
Ryan is one of the hardest working runners we have had. He is very attentive to his ability to
succeed in every way possible. He has always wanted what was best for the team; a Team-Player
is every aspect. This level of responsibility allows him to be the best he can be in all phases of who
he is.
Ryan’s attitude is incredible to say the least. Ryan’s work ethic is one of the things that shows how
much he cares about the sport of cross country. His attitude is the classroom along with his
teammates is tremendous as well. Ryan is always encouraging with his teammates, fellow girl’s
teammates and fellow competitors. He is developing this “attitude” as he matures and I believe this
impact will be prevalent through all of his endeavors..
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Athlete of the Month
Name: Sean Clouden
Grade: 12
Month: September
Sport: Football
Coach: Mike Vastola
Provide an example of sportsmanship the athlete displayed during the month:
Sean is a quiet leader in the classroom, weight room, practice field, and game field for the football team. He is always doing what he needs to do to perform his job, and has represented the team as a game captain 3 times. He plays the game the way it is meant to be played, a competitor on the field, a gentleman off the field.
Briefly describe the athlete’s athletic performance during the month of nomination to include but not limited to statistics, key contributions, etc:
Starting at middle linebacker, Sean led the Warhawk defense for the first month of the season, exemplified by his game in a 31-0 win at Williamsville North. He amassed 11 tackles that game, including 4 tackles for loss and 3 solo, and added a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
He added on another 11 tackles against Kenmore West, 9 more against Clarence, and 12 more against Lockport. Sean also contributes on several special teams, and during the Kenmore West game was forced into action on offense as a tight end following an injury to a starting player.
Please provide a quote about the athlete (Coach’s quote):
Sean is a tremendous player and an even better person. He is always doing what he should be doing, and setting a model for other players to follow. Whatever is asked of him to do, he prepares and performs at his best, regardless of the situation. Congratulations to Sean on a terrific first month of his senior season!
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