Thomas Edson and Maddie Scullion
Editor in Chief and Co-Editor of Production
Number one in Section III. Number seven in the state. The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District had itself quite the year in athletics in 2015-16. The Red Rams collected Section III Championships in nine sports, and made appearances in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association State Championship in girls soccer, girls basketball and boys lacrosse. J-DHS won it all in girls basketball and boys lacrosse.
According to the ranking system used in the article on Syracuse.com, schools were awarded points based on how far their teams went into the post-season. Two points were awarded for sectional championships, one point for joint sectional championships (i.e. J-D and Fayetteville-Manlius’s combined girls gymnastics team), and three points for state semifinal appearances, state championship appearances, or state championships.
“I think we have a lot of great athletes who are really dedicated to their sports,” said senior and multi-sport athlete Matthew Cappelletti. J-D High School Principal Paul Gaspirini agreed, praising J-D students for their hard work and dedication, not only in athletics, but in all areas. “As a school we talk a lot about the keys to life, like communication, and I think these keys translate well into sports. I think as student-athletes we do a good job taking them into our sports to be successful,” said junior girls lacrosse player Riley Burns.
Mr. Gaspirini added that he believes the rankings are a great reflection on the community surrounding the school. He believes it shows that their support for the students shows in all facets of academics and extracurriculars, especially sports.
Not only is J-D performing at a high level, but they are doing so against tough competition. “We have a top of the league that is good, and a bottom of the league with losing records, but even those teams with losing records advance two or three rounds in sectionals,” said Jamesville-DeWitt Athletics Director John Goodson. Mr. Goodson, like Mr. Gaspirini attributes this to the kids being ready to compete, setting goals of winning, and working hard to achieve those goals.
“Keeping the competition high and building team chemistry allows all our teams to be successful, and we need to keep that going this year,” said senior girls soccer captain Sophia Dimkopoulos.
J-D is off to another strong start athletically, with nine out of ten fall sports teams boasting a .500 record or better. With sectional and state tournaments on the horizon, the Rams of fall look to continue their success before passing the torch to the winter athletes.
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