Massapequa Observer A’s Continue Roll

The Massapequa Observer A’s took 2 out of 3 last week to improve their record to 3-1. On April 9th, their bats came alive as they defeated the OMF Pediatric Nationals 11-5. Michael Homan picked up the win striking out six Nationals in three innings.  April 13th the A’s came up short losing to the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-1. Michael Grisanti pitches well in the loss giving up two unearned runs.  April 15th the A’s defeat the Big Al’s Fitness Rangers 10-4 behind four solid innings pitched by Brendan Castonguay and great defensive play with three runners being thrown out at the plate.

Run For ASPIRE

The 36th annual Run for ASPIRE 10K race was held, and runners from Massapequa and Massapequa Park captured some of the honors. The 10K Run started and finished at the H.B. Mattlin Middle School on Washington Avenue in Plainview, with a course that took the runners down Plainview Road to Haypath Road and up Round Swamp Road back to Plainview.

Runners from the Massapequas who came home from the ASPIRE 10K with awards included Chris Mammone of Massapequa (3rd OA,. 2nd 25-29), Matthew Wontz of Massapequa (3rd 25-29), Lorraine Heuther  of Massapequa (3rd woman 55-59), Howard Kestenbaum of Massapequa Park (3rd 80-84) and Ruth Maller of Massapequa Park (2nd woman 80-84).

Massapequa Coast Little League Hold Opening Day Celebration

It was less than six months ago when Superstorm Sandy swept into the area, bringing its wrath to many places, especially Massapequa. On October 30, 2012 the thought of baseball being played in Burns Park, or anywhere else in Masssapequa was a far-fetched notion. However, incredibly, in another sign of the resolve of Massapequa residents, the Massapequa Coast Little League held its opening day parade as Massapequa’s future stars paraded from Birch Lane School to a celebration in Burns Park for opening day festivities.

 

“This park was in a lot of trouble,” Craig Garland, president of Massapequa Coast Little League told the large crowd that had gathered for the celebration. “It needed a lot of work, but our supervisor and our town, behind the leadership of John Venditto did everything that was necessary to make this day happen for our players and our families.”

 

Local Runners Dominate Race

Runners from Massapequa and Massapequa Park took home many of the honors at the recent third leg of the four race Jonas Chiropractic Run Nassau Series of races leading up to the Long Island Marathon. The race was held at Old Bethpage Restoration Village and nearly 300 runners participated. The Series is co-sponsored by the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums and the Greater Long Island Running Club.

Tara Mannino, 24, of Massapequa was the first woman to cross the finish line, finishing in 21:10. Other Award winners from the Massapequas included Joanna DeSousa of Massapequa Park, who took first place honors in the women’s 14 and under age group, Kelly Short of Massapequa, was the third woman in the 20-24 age group, Monica Enright of Massapequa was the top finisher among the women in the 50-54 age group, and Howard Kestenbaum of Massapequa Park, finished second in the 80-84 age group.

The final event in the Jonas Chiropractic RunNassau Series will be a four-mile run at Eisenhower Park on April 27, the week before the Long Island Marathon.

Marxmen Win State Title

The Massapequa Rifle Team captured the New York State Championships last month at West Point. Coach Alex Norden, was quite happy about his team’s shooters, who first captured the Nassau County title, before winning state honors.

“We set a goal,” said Norden. “We had the right execution and performance when it counted. I’m very proud of them.”

College Bound Athletes

Two Massapequa residents, currently attending Kellenberg Memorial High School have received athletic scholarships and have signed letters of intent. Randall Turner will be attending Fordham University and be on the track team and Nicholas Rizzo will be attending Wagner College and playing football.

Sing For The Ducks

The Long Island Ducks, in conjunction with 106.1-FM WBLI, will hold their annual “Anthem Idol” contest on Saturday, April 6 at Bethpage Ballpark. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with contestants vying for six anthem openings. The panel of judges will consist of Ducks and WBLI representatives. Following “Anthem Idol,” the Ducks will be hosting tryouts for on-field host and public address announcer positions (start time is approximately 12 noon). Anyone interested in trying out for on-field host or public address announcer positions should send an e-mail expressing their interest to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Performances must be done a capella with a one-minute thirty second time limit and Anthem lyrics must be sung from memory. Instrumentalists and other unique performers are encouraged to participate as well. No tapes will be accepted.

Ducks Tickets At Costco

The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks announced that they have teamed up with COSTCO this season to present the “Long Island Ducks Fan Pack.” This offer, for COSTCO shoppers exclusively, combines tickets and team apparel for the first time in one convenient package, all at a discounted price.

“The Ducks and COSTCO are excited to team up to offer a great value for fans,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “This package exhibits the natural synergy between our brands and our desire to offer value to customers.”

Defeated In Title Game

A terrific basketball season for the Massapequa varsity basketball team, a fantastic season, came to a heartbreaking conclusion as the Chiefs were defeated by East Sachem 55-50 in the Long Island Class AA Championship game held at Hofstra University. Massapequa was tenacious throughout, and despite falling behind early, the Chiefs battled a tough East Sachem team throughout the game, However, the lead built by East Sachem proved too difficult to overcome and the Chiefs were dealt their only loss of the season.

Lauren Van Buren, one of the team’s leaders, got Massapequa off to a good start two and a half minutes into the game. Van Buren pulled down her own rebound and put it back for the first points of the game. It was the first of 19 points in the game for Van Buren, who led all players on both teams in scoring. However, that would be the only lead Massapequa would hold in the game. Sachem East’s Katie Doherty scored 10 points in the first quarter and Massapequa trailed 15-4, before rallying to close the deficit to nine points at the end of the first quarter.

Swimmers Qualify For Competitions

Massapequa residents Kiani Morisi, Justin Casement, and Danny Sohn have qualified to compete at the 2013 Metropolitan Swimming Junior Olympics.  These swimmers will compete representing the nationally ranked host team, Long Island Aquatic Club (LIAC). Each year LIAC sends a large squad to the Junior Olympics to compete for the titles as the best age group swimmers in the Metropolitan LSC.  The Junior Olympics take place March 15 – 17, at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, in Eisenhower Park. For more information on the Junior Olympics or the Long Island Aquatic Club visit LIAC’s website www.longislandswimming.com.