Sports

The Amenia Monarchs opened their season on a low note after being defeated by the Thomaston Threshers 7 to 1 during a constant downpour that dampened any sparks in offense. 

The Monarchs had their chances to score.  They put runners on base often throughout the nine innings of play, but weren’t able to get any clutch hits from their players.  Amenia put runners on by drawing walks or hitting singles in their first eight innings but couldn’t push more than one run across.  That run came off the bat of third baseman Caleb Huff who drove in a run with a groundout in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Center fielder Steve Hutchinson scored the run after doubling earlier in the inning and advancing to third on a ground out by Dylan Satori. 

Mary-Kate Bida, Millbrook’s standout runner in track and cross-country, chose SUNY Oneonta as her college after receiving letters of interest from about 40 schools.

Bida said she narrowed her choices down to Oneonta and the University of Rhode Island because both offer majors in fashion. Besides running track and cross country, Bida wants to get into fashion merchandising and design after college. 

The University of Rhode Island, a Division I school, was in the running until she realized what a financial burden it would be when there was no scholarship money. On an overnight trip to Oneonta, she fell in love with the campus. Oneonta is a Division III school, but Bida said the competition is strong and runners from different divisions compete against each other. 

Amanda Riebe, a senior at Millbrook High School, is looking forward to continuing varsity play at the  college of her choice after a season of heavy recruitment. 

An outside hitter for Millbrook’s Varsity team since her freshman year, Riebe holds the school record for kills.  Riebe wasn’t sure of the exact number but said it was close to 900. 

Her coach, Shawn Stoliker, said Riebe was the player opposing teams singled out for defense tactics. Stoliker added that Riebe holds the school record for aces as well as the record for kills.  He added that she was key on defense as well as offense.

It was a warm, sunny day Saturday afternoon at the Town Park, but the town of Washington’s little girls weren’t seen on the playground, but rather in the Camp Building getting their hair, nails and make-up done to feel like a princess at the American Girl Tea Party. 

Along with Recreation Director, Warren MacMillan, Assistant Rec. Director, Kelly Cassinelli, organized Saturday’s event.  In its third year, the event has been a hit with the town’s youngest girls.  Cassinelli said the idea was originally hers.  She said American Girl dolls are popular but they tend to be expensive in the city.  Along with getting their hair and make-up done, all of the girls entered themselves into a raffle with prizes including two American Girl dolls, a stroller and a crib to go with the doll.  The raffle money goes into the community and event fund for next year’s tea party.