Florida Union Free School District believes that participation in sports provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences that benefit students in the classroom and in life. The district offers students opportunities to participate in a wide-range of various sports across three seasons. Florida UFSD is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, competing as a member of Section IX and the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA).
The mission of New York State interscholastic athletic programs is to foster the quest for excellence by creating an educational and competitive experience within an atmosphere of sportsmanship. Successful programs develop individual and team potential by promoting high standards of competence, character, civility and citizenship.
Parent information and alerts for sporting events
Did you know?
- You can access OCIAA schedules by following this link: http://section9sports.org
- Click on school schedules, select your school-specific schedule page and go!
- You can subscribe to game change notifications for your child’s teams:
- Go to your school’s schedule page and click the link to subscribe;
- Receive text or email of notifications of dates, times, site changes and cancellations.
- You can follow OCIAA and Section IX athletics on Twitter:
- @OCIAASport
- @SectionlXSports
Sports Updates/Important Dates 2022-2023
Here is information for the Softball team’s State Final Four:
Dates:
Friday, June 9th 6pm (Final Four)
Saturday, June 10th 2pm (Championship game)
Site:
Moriches Sports Complex
640 Moriches-Middle Island Road
Moriches, NY 11955
Admission & Tickets Sales:
$11.50 (NO CASH AT THE GATE)
https://nysphsaa.org/sports/2023/4/11/softballtickets.aspx
Video from Jim Wright State Softball Coordinator:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/8H0mjSSzz1tLOMs-sNdgaHOUOvuQmMtxBLJ6wOXA__ij6seH8rGZf_FjpQ_76xwL.jg1rn8eww4ND2tEH%20%20Passcode:%20Qq?B3ZA$
Follow Along Championship Brackets:
https://nysphsaa.org/sports/2022/4/6/softball%20Brackets.aspx
- May Student Athlete of the Month-Blake Lugo, Kaitlin Stolowski
- Spring Track Post Season: No one qualified for States
- Softball Postseason Sectionals: Beat Pine Plains 7-4; Regional Semi-Finals beat Tuckahoe 12-1, Regional Champs beat Friends Academy won 22-0.
Final four: Gauntlet Run at 8:20am down the hallway from gym to main lobby Thursday June 8th Bus at 8:30am to Long Island; practice in the afternoon
- June 9th vs Chatham HS at 6pm Center Moriches Complex (Final Four)
Championship Game: June 10th at 2pm - June 12: Spring Recognition 7pm Seward’s Cafe (Highlighting Double & Triple Spartans for underclassman)-Seniors will be represented at the Awards Ceremony
- June 13: Varsity Awards Dinner, 7pm Seward’s Cafe (Superintendent & Principal)
SPARTAN ATHLETIC NEWS
Congratulations to Kaitlin Stolowski & Kailey Stolowski for making the All Section Team for Class C. Kailey was player of the year for Class C and Coach Don Lewis was the COY.
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Softball Team who are 2023 Regional Champs!!!
Student Athletes of the Month of May
Blake Lugo
Blake Lugo is a senior and is a two year starter for the Varsity Baseball team. His timely hitting and efficient pitching helped his team to a 14-7 record this season.
Kaitlin Stolowski
Kaitlin is a senior and is a 5 year varsity starter for the Varsity Softball team. She leads the team with .629 batting average. Kailtin has 14 RBI’s and had her 100th career hit early in the month.
Congratulations to Kailey Stolowski for her 100th career hit!
Congrats to our Senior Scholar Athletes of the OCIAA
Camila Fuentes
GPA: 98.37
Class Rank: 5
Varsity Sports: Soccer; Basketball; Softball
Academic Honors/Extracurricular Activities: Newspaper Club; Literary Magazine Club; Student Council; National Honor Society
Athletic Honors: Most Improved 2022; Division Champion for Soccer 2022; Section Champion for Soccer 2022; Division Champion for Softball 2022; Section Champion for Softball 2022; Regional Champion for Softball 2022; Division Champion for Basketball 2023
Community Service: MAD Group in 2019-2020; Sunday School Teaching 2019-2023; Church Band 2022-2023; CYO Basketball in-house Coach 2022-2023
Future Plans: SUNY Delhi to major in Veterinary Technology
Joshua Medina
GPA: 99.52
Class Rank: 3
Varsity Sports: Soccer; Basketball; Baseball
Academic Honors/Extracurricular Activities: President’s Education Award; Public Speaking Most Outstanding Student; Physical Education Most Outstanding Student; College US History & Government Most Outstanding Student; College Board National Hispanic Recognition Award; College Board National Rural & Small Town Recognition Award; Spanish Club (President, 11); National Honor Society (Vice President, 11) (President, 12); Student Council (President, 11 &12); The National Society of High School Scholars (Member 12)
Athletic Honors: Varsity Basketball Captain 12; Division. Champion for Basketball 2023; Baseball 2 year varsity starter; Varsity letters; Scholar-Athlete Soccer 12, Basketball 11,12, Baseball 10, 11, 12
Community Service: NYPD Explorers Program 2019; National Honor Society Peer Tutor 2021-present; American Red Cross Blood Drive Program Leader 2021-2023; Coach for CYO In-House Basketball Team 2022 -2023
Future Plans: Binghamton University to major in Computer Science
April Scholar Athletes
Kailey Stolowski
Senior starting pitcher for our varsity softball team. Kailey is a leader on and off the field. Over 8 games, Kailey has compiled a 6-2 record with 103 strike outs, and an ERA of .739. At the plate, Kailey batted .750 with 2 Home Runs totaling 19 RBI’s.
Will Orlando
Senior starting catcher for our varsity baseball team. Will has thrown out 56 percent of base runners this year. He is the team’s leading hitter batting .412 with 19 RBIs.
Congratulations to Shannon Sgombick from being selected to the All State Team (6th) in Class C.
Congratulations to Kaitlin Stolowski on her 100th hit in her softball career!
Our Winter Scholar Athletes
Team Awards: Girls Basketball with 12 individuals:
Kaitlin Stolowski
Camila Fuentes
Joshua Medina
Raquel Hamling
Allison Staszeski
Taylor Vogt
Daniel Olsen
Timothy Raines
Kendall Dazi
Kendall Guerra
Arianna Rodriguez
Angelina Vargas
Congratulations to Ryan Swinea & Nick Perez for being named to BCANY’s Section 9 Class C/D Basketball All-Star Team.
Nick Perez
Congratulations to Kayla Valenti and Shannon Sgombick for being selected to Section IX’s Top 50 Basketball Players.

Coach Joe DiMattina received Coach of Year by his peers for Class C/D of Section IX.
February Scholar Athletes
Brooke Ehlers
Brooke is an 8th grader who was promoted from the jv girls basketball team to the varsity team for the last 5 games including the postseason. Her effort, toughness and versatility proved to get her playing time and a start in the Class C Finals.
Alec Pawliczek
Alec is a senior on the boys varsity basketball team. Alec is a first year varsity basketball player. He is a defensive specialist on the court. His effort and energy provides his teammates with a needed boost of energy every time he steps on the court.
Kendall Dazi
Kendall is a Freshman on the Varsity Cheer team and is a great student! Her first year of Varsity Cheer she was a strong backspot and tumbler. She worked on perfecting her back handspring and getting her back tuck. She was a great asset to the team and look forward to seeing what the next few years have in store for her and the team.
January Scholar Athletes
Kendall Guerra
Kendall is a Junior and is currently in the nursing program at BOCES. She is one of the flyers on the Varsity Cheer squad. Kendall is one tough flyer and is continuing to improve and try new things. She is one of our main tumblers as well.
Josh Medina
Josh is a Senior. Josh is a second year Varsity Boys Basketball player who excels on the court and in the classroom. Josh is a hard working role player for the basketball team. He prides himself on rebounding and defense.
Shannon Sgombick
Shannon is a Senior and is currently playing in her 5th season on the Girls Basketball Varsity team. She is a leader on and off the court. Shannon currently has 1,256 career points, averaging a double-double this season thus far.
Shannon Sgombick was selected to the All State Class C Third Team for soccer.
December Scholar Athletes
Hanna Perez
Hanna Perez is a sophomore Cheerleader. She is involved in many school activities and clubs around the school. Hannah is an all around hard worker and brings joy to whatever she is doing. No surprise she is a key component to the Varsity Cheer Team. Hannah is in her second year of cheer as a flyer. Her determination to hit stunts and try new things to help her team out is truly one of a kind! Great job Hannah on and off the cheer mat!
Tony Durante
Senior Basketball player. Tony Durante. Tony is a second year Varsity Basketball player who excels on the court and in the classroom. Tony is a starter and team leader in rebounding on the court. Tony is currently ranked 23rd out of 61 in the class of 2023.
Kayla Valenti
Kayla is a 9th grader starting on the varsity girls basketball team for the second straight year. She increased her skill development in the off season and has become the second leading scorer in the first 5 games of the season. She was selected to the All-Tournament in the Seward Invitational and is a big part of the early winning success.
Girls and Boys Soccer: Individuals were selected for the 2022 Season
Shannon Sgombick C/D All Star & All Section
Maddie Rosado C/D All Star
Jason Mitchell C/D All Star & All Section
Alec Pawlicek C/D All Star
Joe Buchalski C/D All Star
Fall Team Scholar Athlete
Girls Soccer & Volleyball
We also had 22 Scholar athletes this Fall
Taylor Vogt
Josh Medina
Joe Santiago
Maddie Rosado
Kristen Celiz
James Walsh
Sophia Brady
Camila Fuentes
Cameron Gafa-Byrne
Shannon Maher
Maris Neuman
Stephanie Reicherter
Eliana White
Will Orlando
Timothy Raines
Derrick You
Abby Orlando
Kailey Stolowski
Jackie Tomassi
Saniya Walker
Kendall Dazi
Mikaelah Schreibeis
Jason Mitchell was selected to the 1st team Small School All State for soccer.
Congratulations to Kailey Stolowski (1st Team), Abby Orlando (2nd Team) and Ava Kirschke (Honorable Mention) for being selected to the Class D Volleyball All Star Team.
Congratulations to Joe Santiago, was named by the Section IX Football Coaches Association to the All League Class C Team, the All Star and All Section Team which recognizes the top 48 players in Section IX!!! Special thanks to Chester Academy!!

Joe Santiago
Congratulations to Volleyball player, Abby Orlando as she hit a milestone on November 2nd, 2022 with her 500th career assist!
Scholar Athletes of the Month- October 2022
Shannon Sgombick
A senior. Shannon is our varsity soccer starting midfielder.
Shannon scored her 28th goal of the season becoming the 2nd
leading scorer in Seward history with 148 career goals. Shannon
is a true leader as she helped an inexperienced team to 10 wins
on the season. She also leads the team in assists with 11.
James Walsh
James is currently a sophomore who competes on the
Seward cross country team. James comes to practice every day
ready to work hard. He has shown great improvement throughout
the season by lowering his previous personal best times from
2021 by over a minute on multiple courses this season.
Joe Santiago
Joseph Santiago has a complete repertoire of “student tools”
that allow him to find success in the classroom and on the football
field. Joseph is well regarded by his teammates and coaches,
displays critical thinking skills beyond his years and
communicates clearly.
Student Athletes of The Month – September 2022
Abigail Orlando

Taylor Vogt

Joe Buchalski

Spartans named all-state in softball
Congratulations to Kailey Stolowski, Katie Mulhare and Kaitlin Stolowski who were named all-state for softball this past weekend. Kailey was named all-state first team, while Katie and Kaitlin were named second team! Way to go Spartans!
Seward softball team has incredible 2022 season
Congratulations to the 2022 Seward Spartan softball team. This group of young women went all the way to the state final four this season. Great job to all!
Congratulations to our awesome coach, Don Lewis.
2022 Seward Softball Team
- Haley Carmack
- Sophia de Jong
- Camila Fuentes
- Raquel Hamling
- Brook Irizarry
- Kristen Matuszewski
- Katie Mulhare
- Abby Orlando
- Stephanie Reicherter
- Kaitlin Stolowski
- Kailey Stolowski
- Taylor Vogt
Aidan Finley and Kailey Stolowski named May student-athletes of the month
Aidan is a senior who went 4-0 in the month of May as Seward’s starting pitcher. He brings versatility and energy every game, even when he doesn’t pitch.
Kailey is a junior who led her team to a division and sectional title in softball this season as the starting pitcher. Kailey went undefeated in May with a 9-0 record. Her team is still playing in the postseason.
Softball, boys spring track and field earn scholar-athlete team status;
Congratulations to our spring scholar athletes for 2022. This spring, the softball team received team recognition as did the boys spring track and field team. In addition, 15 individuals earned the scholar-athlete designation.
At the end of each sports season, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) honors those teams and individuals that excel academically.
To receive scholar-athlete team recognition, the team’s average GPA must be greater than or equal to 90 for 75 percent of the roster.
If a team does not meet the scholar-athlete criteria, the individuals on that team with a 90 or above GPA are named individual scholar-athletes.
Spring Scholar-Athletes:
- Alex Cotes-Aguilar
- John Cutrona
- Joshua Medina
- William Orlando
- Haley Carmack
- Camila Fuentes
- Raquel Hamling
- Kristen Matuszewski
- Abigail Orlando
- Stephanie Reicherter
- Kailey Stolowski
- Kaitlin Stolowski
- Taylor Vogt
- James Walse
- Katie Mulhare
Team Scholar-Athlete Awards
- Softball
- Boys Spring Track
Cheers to our seniors softball players
Big congratulations to our senior girls softball players Katie Mulhare and Sophia de Jong! Katie and Sophia are concluding their athletic careers here at Seward and were recently honored by their coaches, teammates and families for their contributions on and off the field.
Great job and best of luck to you both in the future!


Kailey Stolowski named TH-R softball player of the week
Congratulations to Kailey Stolowski for being named softball player of the week (May 16-22) by Times Herald-Record readers. Kailey has had an extraordinary season for the Spartans. Read the TH-R story here.
Coach Steele reaches 300 wins
Big congratulations to Coach Bill Steele who won his 300th game as Seward baseball coach, quite a milestone not often attained. What makes it even more special is that Coach Steele also had his 300th win in the fall as the varsity soccer coach.
Coach Steele has been the Seward varsity baseball since 2002. The 300 wins were achieved in 20 seasons (the 2020 season was canceled).
“The 300 wins in 20 seasons means that my baseball program has been consistently successful,” said Coach Steele. “It means that I have been blessed with good players and great parents.”
McKenzie Richner, Katie Mulhare sign to play college athletics
Congratulations to seniors McKenzie Richner and Katie Mulhare, Seward student/athletes who will continue their athletic careers in college.
McKenzie will play soccer at Division III Mount Saint Mary College.
Katie is heading to Marywood University in Scranton, also a Division III school, to play softball.
Best wishes for much success to both McKenzie and Katie as they venture out and compete on the next level.
Girls basketball team, 10 individuals named scholar athletes
Congratulations to our winter scholar athletes for 2022. This winter, the girls basketball team received team recognition along with 10 individuals.
At the end of each sports season, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) honors those teams and individuals that excel academically.
To receive scholar-athlete team recognition, the team’s average GPA must be greater than or equal to 90 for 75 percent of the roster.
If a team does not meet the scholar-athlete criteria, the individuals on that team with a 90 or above GPA are named individual scholar-athletes.
Scholar Athlete Team:
- Girls Basketball
Individual scholar-athlete status:
- Kaitlin Stolowski
- Kassidy DeGroat
- Camila Fuentes
- Shannon Sgombick
- Joshua Medina
- Bernard Rebaya
- William Shannon
- Kayla Valenti
- Kyra Falone
- Calleigh Perrino
Shannon Sgombick honored by NYS sportswriters/coaches
Shannon Sgombick was selected to the 10th All-State Class “C” Basketball Team by New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports. Congratulations to Shannon on an awesome season!
Boys’ varsity basketball team earns sportsmanship award
Congratulations to our boys’ varsity basketball team for receiving the BCANY Sportsmanship Award for Class C.
Four Spartans chosen to All-Division V Team
Congratulations to four of our varsity basketball players who were selected to the All-Division V Team:
- Gavin Acuna
- Cole Buchalski
- Kassidy DeGroat
- Shannon Sgombick




In addition, Shannon Sgombick was selected to the BCANY’s (Basketball Coaches Association of New York) Top 50 Girls Basketball Players in Section 9. Now that is simply awesome!
Shannon Sgombick and Tony Durante are the Seward athletes of the month for February
Shannon is a junior, playing in her fourth season on the Seward varsity girls’ basketball team. In addition to being a dedicated student in the classroom, Shannon leads in most offensive and defensive categories. She just completed a milestone of 1,000 career points. Shannon ended the 2021-2022 season with 1,004 career points. As a captain, she brings leadership, experience, dedication to her team and the sport of basketball.
Tony is a junior center on the Seward varsity boys’ basketball team. In addition to being a dedicated student in the classroom, Tony is a defensive presence for the Spartans. His shot blocking and rebounding led the Spartans to the Section IX playoffs. Tony had his best offensive games down the stretch this season.
Melissa Cutrona and Joshua Medina are the Seward athletes of the month for January
Melissa is a sophomore who was recently inducted into NHS and is a varsity cheerleader. Melissa is dedicated on and off the mat. Her versatility, dedication, and commitment to her team is second to none.
Joshua Medina is a junior on the varsity basketball team. He is an extremely versatile team-oriented player. Joshua brings constant energy to the team. His dedication and commitment does not go unnoticed.