Sports

Nanuet Lacrosse Alumni Gather for Game and Awards

Dale Abeling Scholarships were also given out to two Nanuet Seniors

Many lacrosse-loyal people attended the Nanuet’s Second Annual Lacrosse Alumni Weekend and Dale Abeling Scholarship fundraiser this past Saturday at Nanuet High School. It started with two varsity games, girls and boys, against Pearl River and then followed by a mens and womens alumni game. The entire day ended with a barbarque fundraiser.

Alumni Angela (Lozado) Farkas and Bill Kurisko were awarded the Player of Distinction awards.

“I played softball at first, but then I decided to start playing lacrosse,” said Farkas, 1998 All American. “The goalie was out for the day and they asked me to be goalie for that day. I never looked back.”

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In the girls’ varsity match, Nanuet Goalkeeper Allison Pedro set a school record by making 29 saves on Saturday, beating Farkas’ previous record of 26.

“She beat my record. It’s definitely earned,” said Farkas. “Congratulations to her.”

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“I played lacrosse … starting in seventh grade and up,” said Kurisko, 1987 lacrosse captain. “Lacrosse was never boring. You’re constantly moving. You’re never standing around. Practice was not just practice. It was a lot of energy and fun.”

Kurisko still lives in Nanuet with his wife and two sons. During halftime, Farkas and Kurisko received their Player of Distinction awards and the two Dale Abeling scholarships were given out. Abeling coached football and lacrosse at Nanuet and was very influential during his time at Nanuet HS.

“Dale (Abeling) had a stroke two years ago and this (Annual Lacrosse Alumni Weekend) was started for him,” said Kurisko who was coached by Abeling.

“I remember going to his house and shooting  hoops and having dinner with his family,” Kurisko added. “I remember how hard he tried to get me into college. I remember what he used to do for me and all the other student athletes. He was always there getting me better.”

“I feel very honored to have a scholarship in my name,” said Abeling. “The honor is that my former players set up the scholarship in my name and I’m really happy to be here today.”

The two Dale Abeling scholarship winners were Ryan Marchbanks and Megan Straut.

“It feels really great,” said Straut. “It’s a good honor. I plan to go to Scranton and study nursing.”

“I really appreciate it,” said Marchbanks. “It’s really amazing everything that Dale’s done for this program.” He added that he plans to attend Syracuse University to study Mechanical Engineering.

As for the Alumni game, it was split up into four 15-minute games, two for the men and two for the women.

“I think we were very out of shape,” said Steve Cartoccio

“It was really an awesome time,” said Matt Franchino. “It was great to get together with some old friends for a good cause.”

As for the women, the class of 2004 felt nostalgic.

“It feels good to be back together again. It brings back old memories as if we’re picking up where we left off,” they said.


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