This year’s top sports story was our three state champions. Take a minute and see if you can name them. I’m guessing that most people can’t.
The most recent state champ is probably the easiest to identify. After finishing third in the statewide Class A cross country race, Karrie Baloga finished first in the Federation Race at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. The Federation Race includes everyone – the top runners from all classes, as well as the swiftest people from private and parochial schools.
It was Karrie’s second state championship. When she was a freshman two years ago, she was the state’s indoor champion in the 3000-meter run. Karrie joined a very select group of Cornwall athletes who have won more than one state crown.
In July, a group of 12 and 13-year-old Little Leaguers defeated Elmsford 3-2 to win the state tournament. In coming from behind, the champions were helped by a wild pitch and two balks. While they didn’t do much in the final contest, the Dragons piled up 40 runs in the three games that preceded it. And they played errorless ball so three runs were enough to win.
It was Cornwall Little League’s first state title since 1995. Because of COVID, the competition ended at the state level. There was no opportunity to go further.
Tom Fanning’s high school varsity baseball team can also be considered state champions, although possibly with an asterisk. There was no state tournament. But after winning all 21 of their games, the Dragons were deservedly ranked first in the state. And several of their wins came against larger schools.
The most exciting sports moment of the year probably occurred in Newburgh in September when the Dragon football team came from behind to beat their hosts.
The deciding play was a 57-yard pass from Dan Breheny to Cyrus Yarpezeshkan with less than two minutes left in the game.
