Athletes took center stage in Spring 2024
08-21-24
Freshman Zach Shallat secures berth at states – he is the youngest in 15 years to qualify.
On Wednesday, May 22, the Boys Varsity Golf team captured top honors, individually and as a team, at the county tournament at Eisenhower Park after finishing as the 3rd best team in Nassau County.
Freshman Zach Shallat (right) finished 4th as an individual and secured a spot in the NY State Tournament on June 1-3rd in Ithaca, NY. This is the first time in at least 15 years that a freshman at Friends has qualified for the state tournament.
During Wednesday's tournament, the team stayed competitive despite a very high cutline – 88 for individuals – with Zach battling for second, junior Liam Jachetta tied for 9th. Head Coach Geoff Nelson acknowledged that the team in general "played with so much heart and positive energy."
The Girls Golf Team advanced two players, from a field of 48, through to the finals of the county tournament – senior Serena Biondi, who finished 12th and qualified as an alternate for the NY State Tournament, and sophomore Mary Droesch, who finished 16th out of a field of 24 as first-time tournament player.
"Both girls represented Friends Academy and our Girls Varsity Golf team exceptionally well and earned the respect of coaches and players throughout the county," praised both Head Coach Gail Baker and Athletic Director Alan Quackenbush.
Senior Serena Biondi finished 12th in the county tournament and is an alternate for the NY State championships.
