For 95 years, Stony Brook students have distinguished themselves as true scholar-athletes, excelling in the classroom as well as on the playing field. The banners on these walls and the trophies on display in the cases bear witness to our school’s sustained athletic excellence. This past year, the latest generation of Bears added to that legacy.

• The boys’ soccer team earned its first League Championship in 12 years behind a strong core of seniors and the leadership of coaches Nate DiMauro and Frank Macchia.
• The boys’ basketball team won a record fifth consecutive Suffolk County Championship and earned a berth in the program’s first State Final Four under the direction of coaches Mike Hickey and Rick Miekley.
• And the volleyball team upset the top two seeds on the way to the program’s first Suffolk County Championship, coming back from two games down in the thrilling title game, led by head coach Stan Winston and Mr. Donovan’s rally glasses.
• Individual Bears felled school records, garnered League, County, Long Island, and New York State honors, and qualified for postseason play in 12 different sports.

These accomplishments represent a tremendous amount of work, belief, and sacrifice and they are worthy of recognition and celebration this evening. However, we would be remiss to not recognize other accomplishments from this year that were equally meaningful.

Though there are no plaques to commemorate them, these teams and athletes illustrate, along with those mentioned above, what being a Stony Brook Bear is truly about. The virtues of a Stony Brook athlete are many, and are displayed in the courage of Bobby Reuter returning to defend the lacrosse goal less than two weeks after fracturing his finger; the determination of Wensan Yin who tirelessly worked his way into a vital role on the varsity tennis team; the belief of coach Jennifer Moreno and her badminton teams in setting program wins records in a league with some of the largest schools in Suffolk County; the perseverance of the baseball team, winning the most games since 1999 despite spending half the season inside due to the terrible spring weather; the boundless positivity that Alyssa Martinez brought to each soccer and basketball practice; and the sacrifice of Harry Zhu, playing whatever role was asked of him in order to help the basketball team win.

I could go on and on and find positive qualities that each and every one you exhibited this past year, yes, even the ones I had to chase down about skipping practice. I wish I could honor all of you, but what you will find is that the virtues you have acquired this year are their own reward and will stay with you long after you’ve taken off a Stony Brook jersey for the final time.

With that, let’s honor some of the individuals who made this year in athletics so special.

---

Major Athletic Awards

John Long Manager’s Award

Given to the athletic team manager who shows the responsibility and dedication demonstrated by John Long, Class of ’75.

Our recipient willingly served during two varsity seasons and played varsity badminton in her third, going above and beyond her athletic requirement. For her service and dedication to the girls’ and boys’ swimming teams, it is my pleasure to present this award to...

• Tina Zhu

Clyde L. Mellinger Award

Two trophies in memory of Clyde L. Mellinger, the first Director of Athletics at The Stony Brook School, awarded to the eighth grade girl and boy, who have best demonstrated good sportmanship, courage, and best use of ability.

Each of these recipients made a significant impact on two different varsity teams this past year. It is my pleasure to present this award to...

• Harry Ou – Golf & Tennis
• Madison Logan – Soccer & Track

Thomas W. Brohard, JR ’25 Wrestling Award

Named in honor of the SBS faculty member who is credited with bringing interscholastic wrestling to Long Island schools.  This annual cash award, endowed by Thomas W. Brohard III ’65, the late John S. Cather ’35 and his widow Edith Cather, is given to offset the college expenses of a wrestler.

• Harry Hou

The Bear Blanket

Presented to athletes who demonstrate a consistent contribution of quality performances in athletic competition based on a points system and an application.

• Austin Amadio – Football, Basketball & Track
• Mac Bohuny – Soccer, Basketball & Lacrosse
• Jyles Etienne – Basketball & Track
• Morgan Pius – Soccer, Basketball & Track

O. Floyd Johnson ’32 Scholar/Athlete Award

A plaque endowed by Philip and Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, awarded for excellence in scholarship and athletics.

• John Eshirow – Basketball & Track

Marvin W. Goldberg Coach’s Award

Awarded to the coach who has demonstrated professionalism, expertise and compassion towards his or her athletic team. This award is voted upon by the varsity coaches of the Stony Brook School, lending the recipient the admiration of his or her peers.

This past fall the volleyball team went where no previous team had gone in the program’s 27-year history by winning the Suffolk County Class C Championship. Midway through the season, when the team’s record stood at 3-4 and several key players went down with injuries, thoughts of a County Title faded from the dreams of many, but not this team. The resolve, hope, and passion which led them to an upset victory over Port Jeff in the semifinals and an astonishing comeback over Pierson in the Championship find their stillpoint in our Goldberg Award recipient.

In 2010 he was forced to give up the reins of the program and focus on defeating cancer. In the intervening years he has been asked to endure more than his fair share of trials, and has done it with grace and a steadfast joy in the Lord. In his first year back with the team, he was its heart and led it where it had never been before. It is my honor to present this year’s Coach’s award to…

• Stan Winston

Swanson Trophy for Superior Performance

Two trophies awarded in memory of the late Robert S. and Louise Swanson by Mary Jane and John P. Swanson ’47 for superior male and female athletic performance.

You could not write the history of our girls’ soccer program without this year’s female recipient. Her dynamic skill and competitive spirit were a mainstay for the Bears during her six-year varsity career. In 2011 she was part of a young core that led the Brook to a fifth straight County Title. In 2013 she scored a penalty kick goal in the County Final to lead the Bears to a miraculous come-from-behind win over Southold. Numerous other moments, too many to list, make her one of the best to ever step onto Fitch Field. But beyond her peerless skill, what further distinguishes our recipient was her willingness to subjugate her own desires for the team. As the team’s best athlete, she was often asked to play outside of her preferred position, doing whatever was asked of her to help the team win. This past fall she was named All-State for a third time, a distinction earned by only three other Brookers in our history. It is my honor to present the Swanson Female Performance Award to…

• Morgan Pius

For time immemorial, mankind has longed to fly. Da Vinci sketched flying machines in his notebooks, the Wright brothers raced down the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, and Neil Armstrong gazed at the moon, each overcome with a desire to conquer the sky. Our male recipient is part of that lineage. A season ago he soared to the New York State High Jump Championship and extended his own school record to 6' 11", yet his goal of 7-feet remained elusive. This year he left not only the 7-foot mark, but the Suffolk County indoor record, and the 38-year-old Suffolk County outdoor record behind. His leap of 7' 2.5" at the St. Anthony’s Invitational earned him the #1 indoor jump in America and the fourth-best in the world under-20 rankings this year. His time wearing the Blue & White is not yet done as he has County, State, and National titles to chase, but he has already compiled one of the greatest careers in Stony Brook history. It is my honor to present the Swanson Male Performance Award to…

• Jyles Etienne

Swanson Trophy for Best All-Around Athlete

Two trophies awarded in memory of the late Robert S. and Louise Swanson by Mary Jane and John P. Swanson ’47 to the persons whose all-around ability, sportsmanship, and courage in varsity competition enabled them to make the greatest contribution to Stony Brook teams.

Though she has only been here for a year, our Female All-Around Athlete made an instant impact. She took up soccer after running cross country at her previous school and helped anchor a strong defense. She showed her versatility on the pitch by scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-nil victory over Smithtown Christian. On the basketball court she was the team captain and quickly established herself as one of the most potent scorers in program history. She averaged 18.9 points per game, the 14th-highest average in Suffolk. Her 43 three-pointers were the fourth-highest total in the county, but it is perhaps her 6.7 steals per game that best illustrates our recipient’s true spirit and contribution. She leads by example, gives everything she has in every practice or game, and honors her family, team, school, and God in the process. It is my honor to present this year’s Swanson All-Around Trophy to…

• Beth Felix

Our male recipient will leave as much of a mark on Stony Brook Athletics as any athlete who came before him. On the soccer field, he was an All-Conference performer and his leadership and defensive prowess took the Bears to their first League Title in twelve years. On the basketball floor, he earned an All-State recognition while leading the program’s first State Final Four team in points, rebounds, and assists. On the lacrosse field, he led the team in goals and provided essential guidance for a young squad. Over his career, his contributions led his teams to an astonishing seven championships, but these accomplishments illustrate only a piece of his legacy.

Since 1933, Bruce Vanderveer has been held up as the paragon of a Stony Brook sportsman. Upon Bruce’s tragic death in 1932 while a sophomore at Harvard University, our school established the Vanderveer Award, given to the member of the football team who displayed the highest qualities of sportsmanship. For the last 84 years, Bruce’s legacy has been the standard for the thousands of Brookers that followed him. Our recipient embodies Bruce’s spirit as well as any athlete who has ever worn the Blue & White. His toughness and tenacity was always perfectly balanced with a respect for his opponent and a love for his teammates. His leadership had a magnetic quality that simply brought others along without much needing to be said. In short, he will be sorely missed, but he has left an example for all of those who will follow. It is my honor to present the Swanson All-Around Trophy to…

• Mac Bohuny

---

Fall Athletic Awards

Marvin Goldberg Boys’ Cross Country Award

Two plates endowed by the late David W. Cloos, M.D. ’61 and Nancy Cloos Babin.

• Performance: Louis Wang
• Contribution: Justin Moreno

Girls’ Cross Country Award

• Performance: Miranda Harrigan
• Contribution: Cianka Haynes

Golf Award

• Performance: Steven Ou
• Contribution: Christopher Kang

Fall Dinghy Sailing Award

• Performance: Joshua Martin
• Contribution: Kadin Via

Brandon Stuckey Boys’ Soccer Award

Two plates endowed by Phyllis and Schuyler Stuckey with love and pride for their son, Brandon Stuckey ’93.

• Performance: Mac Bohuny
• Contribution: Caleb Lindo

Girls’ Soccer Award

• Performance: Morgan Pius
• Contribution: Efosa Enoma

Girls’ Swimming Award

• Performance: Rebecca Crane
• Contribution: Maria Volovaya

Buyers Girls’ Tennis Award

Two plates donated by Fred and Karen Jordan.  Mr. Jordan was the coach of the girls tennis team for its first fourteen years.

• Performance: Sadhana Sridhar
• Contribution: Marta Bennett

Volleyball Award

• Performance: Samantha Petersen
• Contribution: Lois Ezi

---

Winter Athletic Awards

Taft Boys’ Basketball Award

Two plates endowed by Lyman Taft ’45.

• Performance: Mac Bohuny
• Contribution: Brandon Providence

Girls’ Basketball Award

• Performance: Beth Felix
• Contribution: Rochelle Vassell

Boys’ Swimming Award

• Performance: Hunter Markowitz
• Contribution: Joshua Martin

Norman J. Wiedersum Wrestling Award

Two plates endowed by Norman J. Wiedersum ’39.

• Performance: Justin Moreno
• Contribution: Sam Ajewole

---

Spring Athletic Awards

Boys’ Badminton Award

• Performance: Jerry Liu
• Contribution: Haban Weon

Girls’ Badminton Award

• Performance: Elena Chen
• Contribution: Amber Beg

Swanson Baseball Award

Two plates given by Mary Jane and John P. Swanson ’47.

• Performance: Ben Tutuska
• Contribution: Aidan Mega

Boys’ Lacrosse Award

• Performance: Mac Bohuny
• Contribution: Ben DiRuggiero

Girls’ Lacrosse Award

• Performance: Elizabeth Robbins
• Contribution: Kate DiRuggiero

Spring Dinghy Sailing Award

• Performance: Thomas DeRose
• Contribution: Matthew Sparacio

Pierson Curtis Boys’ Tennis Award

Two plates given by the family of Mr. Jan C. Parmentier ’43, in memory of the School’s first tennis coach.

• Performance: Brandon Gicquel
• Contribution: Steven Ou

Downey Boys’ Track Award

Two plates given by the family of Bill and Earl Downey ’45, in their memory.

• Performance: Austin Amadio
• Contribution: Steve Zhou

Laura J. Shybunko Memorial Girls’ Track Award

Two plates endowed by the family of Laura J. Shybunko, mother of Donna Shybunko ’83 and Anne Shybunko Moore ’89, in memory of her life of courage and strength.

• Performance: Miranda Harrigan
• Contribution: Meghan Hutzler

---