Rifle Team On Target
Written by Ronald Scaglia, rscaglia@antonnews.com Friday, 08 February 2013 00:00
The Massapequa Varsity Rifle Team is in the midst of a very successful season. The team will head to the Nassau County championships next week, after finishing 9-1 in air rifle competition and winning the division title. The team also went 3-1 in smallbore competition with one match remaining. Alex Norden is in his eighth season as the coach of the team. He says a special combination of skills is necessary for success in this sport, which is also an Olympic event.“You have to be mentally disciplined,” he says. “It’s all about you and being able to control your mind. You have to train your body to do something it doesn’t want to do which is to stand still.”
Shooters in air rifle competitions, aim at paper targets 10m away. Of the six shooters on the team, only one, Chris Esposito, is a senior. He has been an All-County shooter the past two years, and was also a state qualifier last year. His coach had praise for Esposito, who is also a team captain.
“He’s one of those rare kids at this age who just knows how to talk to people,” the coach said. “Often I use him as an assistant coach. I can have him help the other less experienced members.”
Thomas Sarant is the team’s other captain. Both he and Esposito are among the leaders in the county in air rifle. They both qualified for the Junior Olympics. Norden also had high praise for Sarant.
“He’s probably the most focused on the team,” he said. “He works at his craft harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Matt McKeown was also a state qualifier last year in small ball. His coach said that he is a very steady, levelheaded athlete who is very good at helping other members of the team.
These three young men comprise half of Massapequa’s Varsity Rifle Team, with three young ladies comprising the other half. One interesting aspect of this sport is that males and females compete on an equal level. Erin Kohler, a junior, is quite skilled in the sport. In addition, she is also a very accomplished viola player.
“Her discipline and dedication translates beautifully in being able to perform under pressure,” Norden says.
Completing the team are Julie Kapuveri and Melanie Valentin. Both are in their first season on the varsity team, and their coach has high praise for their ability. He says both of them have improved dramatically and contribute significantly to the team’s success. They also still have a great deal of potential, and since they are only in their first year, Norden is expecting them to get even better.
Indeed, both the present and the future, look very promising for the Massapequa Varsity Rifle Team.
News
Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:00
Declining enrollment and
reserve funds are key factors
As voters in the Massapequa Union Free School District approach the Tuesday, May 21, budget vote, the proposed spending plan retains popular educational programs while keeping the rise in spending to 1.49 percent.
Despite what district officials call unprecedented increases in state-mandated employer pension contributions, as well as rising health insurance costs, the overall budget is up just over $2.7 million.
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
After Massapequa resident Sol Goldstein and several friends helped finish building a house for a family 20 years ago for Habitat for Humanity, they had a question: “What do we do now?” They were all retired, had enjoyed working together and accomplishing something for a family in need, and wanted to do more.
“I was looking for something [to do] hands-on,” said Joe Botkin, of Williston Park, a retired principal, who had worked with Goldstein in building the home.
Sports
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
Vinny Zanfardino started his coaching career in 1997 when he stepped up to coach his daughter’s Little League team.
What started as a hobby turned into a full-blown obsession for Zanfardino, 48. Coaching became an outlet to do some good for children while staying close to the game he loves: baseball.
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
On Saturday, May 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will conduct a ceremony to officially re-name its golf course in honor of Joseph Colby, a resident of Massapequa Park who served as the Town of Oyster Bay’s 56th supervisor. The Honorable Joseph Colby was appointed supervisor in 1977 and was elected to that office five times in the following ten years. He was then elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1988, a post he held through his retirement from public service in 1992. The unveiling will take place at the main entrance of the course off South Woods Road in Woodbury.
“When the sign for Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is unveiled, it will celebrate an outstanding career in public service,” Supervisor John Venditto said. “Joseph Colby has always had the needs of the public as his top priority and has been widely respected for his innovation and responsiveness. This golf course will now forever bear his name as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.”
Calendar
Line Dancing
Friday, May 17
Library's Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, May 22
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
