Hey everyone,

We’re getting closer and closer to determining who will make the state final four in each class, but first, I wanted to comment on the boys sectional final.

What a well played match between Suffern and Clarkstown North. The Mounties won 3-0, but all three games were very competitive. Also, I was really impressed with Suffern’s Oliver Svoboda. Just a sophomore, he seemingly played the entire match above the net and finished with 17 kills and five blocks.

Suffern stayed undefeated but it will certainly be challenged in regionals against teams from other sections that have been playing for years. Should be interesting to see what happens.

Also today, I had a story in the paper on Rye swimmer Ryan Feeley, who signed a letter-of-intent with the University of Michigan. Since there isn’t a swimming blog, I wanted to give him some props, but also it reminds me of a streak I have going.

I have had my player-of-the-year for the sport I’ve covered the last two seasons win The Journal News Athlete of the Season Award for Westchester/Putnam. A pretty good streak considering before that I had never had a player from my beat earn that prestigious honor. Can someone from this volleyball season keep the streak going? Only time will tell.

As for the upcoming weekend, trips to Patchogue and New Paltz will continue to push my car odometer up at a rapid rate. The drive to and from Elmira did at least give me a chance to stop in my old favorite town of Deposit, New York, a place I wrote extensively about on the Teeing Off Blog last year.

I wanted to check in on the Wendy’s there and see if the signed picture of the actor who played the role of Simon on the TV show 7th Heaven (talk about something having 9 lives…) was still up. Unfortunately, I missed the exit and settled for a Taco Bell in Liberty, where sadly, there were no such celebrity pictures hanging from the wall. I guess I’ll have to wait for the state golf championships in June for a return trip.

Speaking of golf, apparently I missed a glorious day to play during my drive up to Section 4. Of course I came back last night only to see the bleak weather report this morning. I will be back out tomorrow morning with a few fellow Journal News colleagues, though. Conditions won’t be optimal, but once you get this late in the year, you just have to take what you can get.

Okay, time to go to bed if I’m going to make that 9:30 tee time (not my choice). Goodnight.