2019 Fall Athletic Awards

Prior to the coaches recognizing their teams and handing out awards, Athletic Director David Hinman addressed the student body and referenced a few highlights from the fall season. He gave the following speech:

Good Morning.  This fall will be remembered for moments of great faith and spirit, for incredible perseverance, and for a senior class who has represented our school with exceptional leadership.

We are here this morning to celebrate the efforts of so many during the fall athletic season, but it is hard not to recognize the greater St. Sebastian’s community.  From the exceptional leadership of our student body president, to the tremendous performance by Mr. Rogers and the entire Robin Hood cast, to the service projects that seem to be an important part of every week at St. Sebastian’s, there is so much to celebrate at this school.  And at the heart of all that is happening is a senior class that is making the most of their final year on this campus. 

If you simply evaluated our teams on their final winning percentage, this fall would not be seen as our strongest.  We certainly had some great moments.  Our cross-country team performed at their highest level on the final day of the season, tying Tabor for 5th at the 16 team ISL championship.  Our soccer team had great performances throughout the year and battled league powers Belmont Hill and Brooks to 1-1 ties.  And on the final play of the game, Matt Joyce kicked the football team to an improbable 17-16 finish at Belmont Hill on their way to an impressive 5-3 season.

These outcomes are significant, but what will be remembered most about this fall is the way our teams carried themselves both on and off the field of competition.  In my time as a player, coach, and athletic director, I have seen plenty of teams quit after suffering heartbreaking defeats.  It takes great leadership, faith, and perseverance to overcome disappointing outcomes and that is exactly what happened here this fall. 

 For example:

 -I think of Pat McDonald, who by example taught his young cross country team to keep pushing themselves to be their very best from the first practice in September to the final race in November. 

 -I think of Teddy Daniel, who over the first half of the season might have been the best football player in the league, suddenly having his season come to an early end due to an injury.  Teddy never gave up on his team and remained a constant presence at every practice and every game.  What a great example for his teammates!

 -I think of Owen Smith who battled numerous injuries of his own but found ways to get back on the field even when he probably should have remained sidelined. 

The soccer team would have been better with a healthy Owen and the football team might have qualified for the postseason with Teddy, but their mere presence and commitment to the program made our teams stronger.  These three captains are just a few of the many examples of our senior class setting the tone for the rest of us to follow.

 As I turn the morning over to the head coaches, I want to again thank everyone for the perseverance, spirit, and support you have given to St. Sebastian’s this fall.  We should all be incredibly proud of these traits that have defined our teams, and I look forward to our winter teams building on an already successful year. Thank you.

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes for their efforts this fall season.

The following athletic awards were presented:

FOOTBALL

All-ISL:
Cole Hanifin '20
Louis Hansen '21
Michael Phelps '21
Kristian Rosario '20

ISL Honorable Mention:
Scotty Behman '21
Dylan Crandall '20
Teddy Daniel '20
Nick Vallace '21

Ennis Award:
Presented to a senior who displays the qualities of commitment, teamwork, and dedication to the football program.
Jack Hodgson '20
Tommy McCarthy '20

Big Hit Award:
Presented to the player who makes a positive impact on our opponents.
Kristian Rosario '20

Captains-elect:
Scotty Behman '21
Seamus Foley '21
Louis Hansen '21

SOCCER

All-ISL:
Gabe Twohig '21

ISL Honorable Mention:
Jose Castelo '20

Peter Kerr Award:
Presented to the soccer player who displays sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment to the soccer program.
Krishna Thach '20

NEPSSA Junior All-Star:
Gabe Twohig '21

NEPSSA Senior All-Star:
Jose Castelo '20

Captains-elect:
Paul Vallace '21
Jack Mahoney '21
Gabe Twohig '21
Colm Kearney '21

CROSS COUNTRY

All-ISL:
Patrick McDonald '20

Coaches Award:
Patrick McDonald '20

Captain-elect:
Joey Pandit '21