Florida Union Free School District > Athletics

Athletics

 

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.

 

OCIAA logoParent 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 2022-2023

 

  • Spring sports starts Monday 3/13 for HS and Monday 3/20 for Modified

           

          SPARTAN ATHLETIC NEWS

          Congratulations OCIAA DIVISION V First Team All Stars for Boys Basketball:
          Tony Durante

          Nick Perez

          Picture of Tony Durante and Nick Perez.

          Congratulations to Kayla Valenti and Shannon Sgombick for being selected to Section IX’s Top 50 Basketball Players. 

          Shannon Sgombick also received CO-MVP for the Class C/D of Section IX.

          Coach Joe DiMattina received Coach of Year by his peers for Class C/D of Section IX.

          Picture of Kayla Valenti, Coach Joe DiMattina and Shannon Sgombick

          February Scholar Athletes

           

          Brooke Ehlers

          Photo of Brooke Ehlers, February Scholar Athlete

          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

          Photo of Alec Pawliczek, February Scholar Athlete

          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

          Photo of Kendall Dazi, February Scholar Athlete

          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 

          Shannon Sgombick- January 2023 Athlete of the Month

          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 Media-January 2023 Athlete of the Month

          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

          Kendall Guerra- January 2023 Athlete of the Month

          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

          Hannah Perez- December Scholar Athlete

            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

            Tony Durante- December Scholar Athlete

            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 Valenti- December Scholar Athlete

            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.

            Jason Mitchell 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

            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

            October 2022- Student Athlete of the Month- Shannon S.

            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

            October 2022 Student Athlete of the Month- James W.

            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

            Student Athlete of the Month- October 2022- Joe S.

            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
            Abigail Orlando- Student Athlete of the Month- Sept 2022
            Abigail is a Sophomore starting setter and right side hitter on the varsity volleyball team. She is a leader on the court in both her mentality and skill.  She’s already racked up 40 kills, 64 Aces, 118 Assists, and 43 digs so far this season. 
            Taylor Vogt 
            Taylor Vogt- Student Athlete of the Month- Sept 2022
            Taylor is a Sophomore starting on the varsity girls soccer team and a member of the girls XC team. Taylor has already improved in her PR’s at multiple meets thus far. In soccer, she has 5 goals (second on the team) and 1 assist in 7 games thus far.
            Joe Buchalski 
            Joe Buchalski- Student Athlete of the Month- Sept 2022
            Joe is a Senior starting defender. Joe has had a spectacular September making many saves stopping multiple goals

            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!

            Three young women stand in front of a stone wall, each holding an orange certificate. Each has long hair and is smiling.

             

            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.

            Twelve young women all dressed in blue and black softball uniforms, flex their muscles in front of stands at a baseball field. They are smiling.

            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.

            A young man in a blue and orange baseball jersey that says Spartans with the number 9 on it, wears a blue and orange cap.

            A young man in a blue and orange baseball jersey that says Spartans with the number 9 on it, wears a blue and orange cap and winds up to 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.

            A young woman wearing a blue and orange softball jersey and black softball pants pitches a ball.A young woman wearing ablue softball jersey that says Spartans across the front stands with her hands on her hips. She is wearing a white cap, long braid over her shoulder and is smiling. She has black under her eyes.

            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!

            Three people in front of blue and orange star balloons. A man n the right, wearing a dark shirt, a high school senior in the center wearing a softball uniform - blue with orange letters that says Spartans - and a woman wearing a blue and white blouse on the right.
            Sophia de Jong
            Blue and orange stars balloons behind four people. A man, a young man, a high school senior girl wearing a softball uniform and holding flowers, and a woman on the end. All are smiling.
            Katie Mulhare

            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.

            A high school girl with long brown hair stands in front of a banner that says Florida Spartans. She is smiling, has her hands on her hips, and is wearing a blue tshirt that says Spartan Softball.

            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.

            A man wearing a blue baseball helmet, blue baseball jersey that says SPARTANS on it in orange.

            The number 300 in gold on sticks n the ground. There is a multi-color balloon above it.

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

            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.”

            A man stands in the center of four high school baseball players. They are all wearing baseball uniforms, blue top with orange lettering that says SPARTANS,. All have blue baseball caps on.

            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.

            A young woman with long blonde hair wearing a blue shirt sits at a long table that has many blue, orange and white balloons. The front says S.S. Seward Institute and Home of the Spartans.

            Katie is heading to Marywood University in Scranton, also a Division III school, to play softball.

            A young woman sits at a long table with blue and orange balloons and a banner in front that says SS Seward Institute. She is waring a blue tshirt that sayd Marywood and a white cap.

            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!

            A high school basketball player, waring a white uniform with blue and orange stripe down the side. It is an action shot, with her dribbling the ball. She is wearing a paper mask and her long dark hair is pulled into a ponytail.

            Boys’ varsity basketball team earns sportsmanship award

            Congratulations to our boys’ varsity basketball team for receiving the BCANY Sportsmanship Award for Class C.

            Thirteen high school boys , all wearing white basketball uniforms with Spartans written on them in blue and orange and numbers underneath. All are wearing masks. The back row has eight kids standing and the front has five boys kneeling.

            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
            A high school boy with short hair, wearing a gray tshirt that says Bronx Bombers. He is smiling.
            Cole Buchalski
            A high school boy wearing a white jersey that says Seward 12 on it in blue and orange. He has short, dark hair and is smiling.
            Gavin Acuna

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

            A high school girl with long blonde hair, wearing a beige shirt. She is smiling.
            Kassidy DeGroat
            A high school girl with long dark hair, wearing a pink shirt. She is smiling.
            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.

            A high school basketball player, waring a white uniform with blue and orange stripe down the side. It is an action shot, with her dribbling the ball. She is wearing a paper mask and her long dark hair is pulled into a ponytail.

            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.

            Two male basketball players. The one on the left is wearing a blue uniform with an orange stripe down the side. He is number 23 and his arms are up playing defense. The player on the right is wearing a white basketball uniform with orange down the side. He is shooting the basketball.

            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.

            A high school girl with long brown hair. She is standing by a window. She is wearing a blue, orange and white cheerleading outfit that says Spartans on it.

             

            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.

            An action shot of a high school basketball game. A young man dressed in a white basketball uniform that says SEWARD on it has the ball. He is running. A boy wearing a green basketball uniform is in front of him.