Girls Varsity Volleyball team

November 6th, 2023

Congratulations to the Tuxedo Tornadoes Varsity Volleyball team who are the Athletes of the Week for the week of November 6! The Lady Tornadoes beat Shelter Island School in the Section XI State Regional final on November 11, and are headed to the State Final Four!

On Saturday, November 18, the team will take on Section 2 champion Lake George High School at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, NY at 7:15 pm in the semifinal game. In the event of a win, the girls would move on to the State Championship game on Sunday, November 19 at 2pm.

Coach Hines and Coach Schweitzer are very proud of the team, saying “They have worked tremendously hard this season and deserve every title they have earned. Having well-minded, optimistic athletes makes it a joy to coach, and we love working with them every day.”

Way to go, girls!

Logan Saari-Poznanski

October 30, 2023

Congratulations to George F. Baker sophomore Logan Saari-Poznanski, our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week for October 30!  Logan led the Varsity Cross Country team at the recent Sectional meet with a time of 20:40. Coach Billy Brunner says Logan has shown tremendous work ethic since joining the team this year, quickly becoming the squad's fastest runner. “If he sticks with it and he continues to work hard, big things are on the horizon.”  Keep up the great work, Logan!

Devin Kearney & Brandon Marin

October 23, 2023

Congratulations to our Tuxedo Tornadoes Co-Athletes of the Week for the final week of October - Devin Kearney and Brandon Marin.  Seventh-grader Devin and eighth-grader Brandon play on the modified soccer team coached by John Cernuto, who speaks highly of their approach and team spirit.  “Devin and Brandon are always hustling.  They have a great attitude and want to do their best for the team.”  

This year marks the return of modified soccer to #TUFSD after a brief hiatus.  The season had the Tornadoes competing against neighboring Orange County schools and sister school Green Meadow.  The revival of modified soccer offers younger students the opportunity to be involved in a team sport, which research has shown to help in the development of critical thinking, communication skills and self-confidence.

Vanessa Duarte

October 16, 2023

Congratulations to Vanessa Duarte, our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week for October 16!

The senior led the volleyball team to three victories with 52 assists, five kills, 23 digs, 51 service points and 26 aces. A five-year varsity player, Coach Hines says “Vanessa has been a reliable competitor the entire season, and her career at Tuxedo.  I am extremely proud of her determination and dedication to the sport.”   Kudos, Vanessa!  

Emilia Kainatsky

October 9, 2023

Emilia Kainatsky is our Tuxedo Tornadoes “Athlete of the Week” for October 9!  A freshman on the Varsity Cross Country team, Emilia's hard work and dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed by her coach, Billy Brunner. He explains, “She arrives to practice every day eager to start and ready to work on improving her times.”  Emilia has set lofty time goals that she hopes to achieve in the coming weeks at the county and section cross county meets. “I have no doubt that her work ethic will allow her to crush those times,” said Coach Brunner.

Congratulations, Emilia!

Zyaire Velez

October 2, 2023

Congratulations to Zyaire Velez, our Tuxedo Tornadoes “Athlete of the Week” for October 2!  In his first season of modified soccer, ninth grader Zyaire continues to perfect his technique and skill. Coach John Cernuto says, “Zyaire has shown a lot of hustle and great team spirit in each game so far this season.” Keep up the great work, Zyaire! 

Arianna Saari-Poznanski and Logan Mascaro

September 25, 2023

Congratulations to our Tuxedo Tornadoes Co-Athletes of the Week for the Week of 9/25 -Arianna Saari-Poznanski and Logan Mascaro!

Although this is Arianna’s first year playing volleyball, she has shown to be a positive influence on the modified team, leading the team to its first double header victory against Chester. Coach Jenna Park says that the seventh grader “encourages teammates, is dedicated and coachable.” Way to go, Arianna!

Logan Mascaro is playing modified soccer for the first time as an eighth grader, but he has already contributed greatly to the spirit of his team. Coach John Cernuto reports “You can always catch Logan hustling, cheering on his teammates and being a helping hand on and off the field.” Kudos, Logan!

Madison Marsh

September 18, 2023

Junior Madison Marsh is our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week for September 18!

 As Middle Hitter on Varsity Volleyball, Madison recently had a breakout game against John S. Burke Catholic High School, tallying 18 kills and 7 blocks and leading the team offensively.  Coach Michelle Hines says Madi is a presence on the floor and a hype woman for the team.  “She is consistently optimistic, encouraging both her team as well as JV. We are lucky to have someone like her in our program, as she is a great role model for the JV and modified players.”  

Congratulations, Madi!

Camila Granillo

September 11, 2023

Camila Granillo is our Athlete of the Week for the week of September 11! Camila is a sophomore on the JV Volleyball team, and has performed very well in games as a setter. Coach Hines said “Camila had a great week behind the service line, providing many aces for her team against their opponents.” Coach Schweitzer was also quick to also commend Camila on her sportsmanship “We have been very happy with Camila's leadership both on and off the floor.“ 

Congratulations, Camila! Way to go, Will!

Will Sandak

September 4, 2023

Congratulations to Will Sandak, our Athlete of the Week for the week of September 4! The sophomore hit a personal best time of 24:50 at the Warwick Valley Wave Mania Cross Country Invitational. But he isn’t going to stop there - he continues to push, and has set lofty goals for his times in future meets. Coach Brunner explains “Will's hard work has been a motivator for the rest of the team to work harder every day in practice. With the work he is putting in I believe he will easily surpass those goals.” 

 Way to go, Will!

Darya Vishnevskaya

August 28, 2023

The AOTW for the week of August 28 is Darya Vishnevskaya.  A sophomore on the Junior Varsity team, Darya played well during the scrimmage tournament in Port Jervis last week. Having no fear of diving for a ball, Coach Schweitzer complimented Darya's assertive approach on defense. 

Congratulations  Darya! 

Rachel Marin

August 21, 2023

Congrats to junior Rachel Marin,  AOTW for the week of August 21!  Although she is new to both Tuxedo and volleyball, she has taken to the sport quite well.  Previously a soccer player, “Rachel is a fabulous team player and shows a positive attitude on the floor,” said Coach Schweitzer. 

Congratulations to Hamza Imran and Sarah Cruz Granillo, our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athletes of the Week. Sarah, a freshman on the junior varsity softball team, was nominated by Coach Jenna Park for her “positive attitude” and adaptability. Normally a shortstop, Sarah played three positions, outfield ad infield, during a game late last month. Park says Cruz Granillo is a “leader” who “always shows up for her team, makes good plays and hustles down the line.”

Hamza, an eighth grader on the modified baseball team who plays right field, was called a “sponge” by modified baseball coach Ryan McKenna for his ability to learn and apply the mechanics of the game. McKenna says, “Hamza is always there to cheer the team on and keep them fired up. His efforts and participation during practice is what every player should mirror."

Congratulations to Casey Juance, our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week! The George F. Baker High School sophomore may be a starting pitcher on the junior varsity softball team, but Coach Jenna Park says Juance is also a go-to catcher for the team, noting she “begs” to get behind the plate. As for Casey at the bat; Park notes she had a big hit against O'Neill on Wednesday. Way to go Casey!

The Sandak brothers are the Tuxedo Tornadoes' Athletes of the Week. George F. Baker High School freshman Will is a pitcher on the Junior Varsity baseball team and older brother Jake, a junior at GFB, is the team's first baseman. Coach Matt Van Houten says Jake "has been very versatile over the last week and was able to play catcher when we needed." As for Will, Coach notes he has "pitched well and had two big hits to help drive in multiple runs last week."

Congratulations to Lilianna Sosa, our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athlete of the Week. During this week's modified softball game against Chester, the first baseman drove in four runs on two hits and scored twice. Coach Dowling notes the seventh grader's "hard work and dedication to the team has really paid off!"

It's an ‘Athlete of the Week’ battery. Junior Varsity Baseball players and junior classmates Jimi Reedy (Catcher) and Anthony Arone (Pitcher) were nominated by Coach Matt Van Houten for their performance last week against Tri-Valley. Coach Van Houten says Arone has not only pitched well in relief, but is “showing more consistent power at the plate.” As for his teammate, Reedy; he not only had a pick off at third but according to Van Houten has provided a “spark to the offense.”

Congratulations to Brooke Bower and Gabriel Ogden. Our Tuxedo Tornadoes Athletes of the Week! Brooke, a seventh grader on the Modified Softball team, was nominated by Coach Dowling for her “hard work and commitment.” Dowling singled out Bower’s performance against the Spartans, when she hit a single into left field and played “great” defense. Ogden is an eighth grader on the Modified Baseball Team. Coach McKenna says Ogden is a team leader with a positive attitude who comes up big when the team needs him.  “An example is he came in to pitch in our game against Seward and even though he was nervous, he was able to pitch the last three innings and held their team off from scoring and tying the game.”

Congratulations to Evangeleen Ortiz, the Tuxedo Tornadoes ‘Athlete of the Week.’ Ortiz, a freshman at George F. Baker High School, plays centerfield for the Girls Junior Varsity Softball Team. Coach Jenna Park calls Ortiz a “positive leader at practice” who “hustles on and off the field.” Park also noted how Ortiz takes the time out during practice to help others when learning new drills. Way to go Evangeleen!

Congratulations to JV Basketball's Jack Reilly, our "Athlete of the Week." Coach Emily Dowling says since the beginning of the season, the freshman has shown a great deal of commitment to the team. This includes spending extra time working on his skills in the gym outside of scheduled practices.

"This extra time has definitely paid off in our season, where he demonstrated an intense level of play," says Dowling. "He gives 100% effort at all times and is always eager to try anything he is challenged to do in and outside of the classroom. Throughout the season Jack made tremendous progress both offensively and defensively."

Its a Tuxedo Tornadoes Twofer! Basketball players Matthew Keech Murillo and Jimi Reedy are our “Athletes of the Week.” Reedy, a junior on the boy’s varsity team put up 20+ points in his last two games. Coach Takeuchi says he challenged Reedy during half-time in the game against Florida to score in the paint at least once. “He proceeded to score on three consecutive drives to the basket; going above and beyond what I challenged him to do.” 

Eighth grader Matthew Keech Murillo gave “110% during this week’s game” says modified boy’s coach Jenna Park. Park says Keech Murillo “hustles up and down the court on every single play with a smile on his face, and takes constructive criticism while also building up his team."

The sophomore led the Junior Varsity basketball team to their first victory on February 2; scoring 24 points against Tri-Valley High School. Coach Emily Dowling notes Bello's "extreme determination and hustle" on the court, making him worthy of this honor. Way to go Logan and go #tornadoes🌪 !

The George F. Baker High School Junior led the Tornadoes with 18 points in their game on January 6th against league rival Eldred and has been a key contributor to the basketball program on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor.  Coach Matt Takeuchi says Essoka has been a leader and a role model with nearly perfect attendance and an incredible work ethic. “Sean has also proven to be extraordinarily unselfish and committed by his play on the court and by placing personal commitments on hold for the good of the team.”