Beefing Up The Back End With A Power Play QB

Isles swap ’13 third-rounder for Lubomir Visnovsky; Fourth pick yields blue-chip D-man Griffin Reinhart

Recently, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was the site of the Islanders’ 12th annual Draft Party. Calling the event festive was an understatement as the old barn had the aura of a carnival right down to the line of kids waiting to use the myriad of bounce houses, the multigenerational families wandering around clad in blue and orange and even a Ferris wheel whose passenger cars were festooned with the team’s logo.

After the Edmonton Oilers took Russian junior right wing phenom Nail Yakupov with the overall first pick, speculation was rampant as to who the Isles would take with the fourth pick. Forty-year-old father and fan, Jeff, hoped his Islanders would go in more for more scoring punch to go along with John Tavares and Matt Moulson.

More Olympic Glory For Sue Bird

Third consecutive gold medal performance for Syosset native

The recently completed London 2012 Summer Olympics brought more basketball glory for Syosset native Sue Bird. Not only was she a member of the gold medal-winning women’s basketball squad, she also served as team captain, leading the United States to its fifth gold medal in Olympic play.

The 86-50 win over France in the championship game gave Bird her third consecutive gold medal as she was also on the winning U.S. squads at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 games in Beijing. Published reports hold out the possibility that Bird may compete, Michael Phelps-style, in her fourth Olympics in the 2016 games in Rio de Janerio. During the London games, Bird provided steady leadership for the talent-laden U.S. squad, combining her talents as passer, scorer and floor leader. Bird’s finest moment in this year’s games may have come in a semifinal game against perennial powerhouse, Australia, one where the U.S. squad faced an uncustomary deficit at halftime. In her role as team captain, Bird took charge, giving a halftime pep talk to her teammates, which helped to inspire them to an 86-73 win over the talented Australian team.

Register Now For Relay Race

Registration is now open for the 27th annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union Ocean to Sound 50-Mile Relay.

The date is Sunday, September 23, but it’s not too early to start putting your team together for Long Island’s biggest running extravaganza.

Family Football Night To Be Held On August 23

Interactive scrimmage featuring C.W. Post College players

Sports enthusiasts from throughout the Town of Oyster Bay are invited to attend a Family Football Night at John J. Burns Town Park in Massapequa on Thursday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. Residents will feel like a part of the action during the evening’s planned activities, including a live interactive scrimmage with players from C.W. Post College.

Longhorns Undefeated In Baseball

Eight-year-olds dominating Long Island opponents

Massapequa is always a top baseball spot in Long Island and this summer, the Massapequa Longhorns, an 8-year-old travel baseball team is having a standout season.

The Longhorns started the spring season playing in the N.J.B.L. (National Junior Baseball League), American Division. The American Division is the best division of N.J.B.L. baseball and the team currently plays in the L.S.W. Summer A Division Travel League.

Scholarships For Local Soccer Stars

Judged by a volunteer committee looking at academic and athletic achievement plus community service, 24 players from the Long Island Junior Soccer League, the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), received $1,000 college scholarships on Sunday, July 22 in a ceremony at the Huntington Hilton. The 24 recipients, entering college this fall, were chosen from over 300 applicants. All recipients received certificates of achievement from local politicians as well as from Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Massapequa Runners Score In Runner’s Edge LI Women’s Run

Top finishes for Chelsea Hroch, Margarita Hernandez and Ruth Maller

A record field of 456 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes participated in the 29th annual Runner’s Edge Long Island Women’s Run on July 14 and local runners were prominent in the list of award winners.

Leading the local contingent was 15 year-old-Chelsea Hroch of North Massapequa, who took third place honors in the 15-19 age group.  Melissa Kennedy of Amityville won first place honors in the 60-64 age group, Margarita Hernandez of Massapequa, was the fourth place finisher in the 70-74 age group, and oldest finisher Ruth Maller of Massapequa Park, 83 years young, took the first place plaque in the 80 and over age group.

Polo Matches At Bethpage State Park Being Held On Sunday Afternoons

Country Farms Polo presents Polo at the Park, a series of special polo events at Bethpage State Park each Sunday afternoon through Oct. 14. Polo, once referred to as the “game of kings,” is now gaining popularity among competitive sports fans and those seeking casual, local and low-cost entertainment. Country Farms Polo operates a polo training and equestrian center in Medford, NY with indoor and outdoor polo fields operating year round.

“With its high speeds and energy, polo is the original extreme sport.  With Polo at the Park we wanted to introduce Long Islanders to polo in a way that is accessible to everyone.  Long Island has a tradition of horsemanship and a thriving equestrian community; polo is a natural fit for those looking for a new experience that is thrilling and relaxing at the same time,” said Bob Ceparano of Country Farms Polo in Medford.

Firecracker Race In Massapequa

Mayor James Altadonna was on hand to start the Massapequa Road Runners’ Annual Firecracker 5K Race.  Pictured here are Mayor Altadonna and Trustees Tina Schiaffino and Teresa Spinosa. Photo by Ed Cox

Massapequa HS Athletic Awards

The following are Athletic Awards presented to Massapequa High School students at the June 12 Athletic Awards banquet.