The New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) announces its 2018-19 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction and School of Excellence Award winners.

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide honor. This year, 35 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 135 schools earned the School of Excellence Award.  An additional 5 schools received the School of Distinction Award and 19 more received the School of Excellence Award compared to 2017-18 school year. This year’s figures represent the highest number of NYSPHSAA member schools being recognized for their academic achievements.

“To see the numbers of schools honored increase again is a true testament the kind of student-athletes were have here in New York State,” said Dr. Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “We continue to be proud of this program that highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics, as well as athletics.”

Schools can earn School of Distinction status by having 100% of its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To earn the School of Excellence Award, 75% of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award. The full list of School of Distinction and School of Excellence Award winners is below.

SCHOOLS OF DISTINCTION FROM SECTION XI

• BABYLON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
• ELWOOD/JOHN GLENN HIGH SCHOOL
• KINGS PARK HIGH SCHOOL
• NORTHPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
• ROCKY POINT HIGH SCHOOL
• SHELTER ISLAND SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL-WEST
• WESTHAMPTON BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE FROM SECTION XI

• CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL
• COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL
• COMSEWOGUE HIGH SCHOOL
• EARL L VANDERMEULEN HIGH SCHOOL
• MILLER PLACE HIGH SCHOOL
• NEWFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
• NORTH BABYLON HIGH SCHOOL
• PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
• PIERSON MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
• RIVERHEAD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL-EAST
• SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL
• WALT WHITMAN HIGH SCHOOL

Wishing you a happy, healthy and very proud Fourth of July! #USA

The following is a recap of spring NYSPHSAA championships …

Boys Tennis Recap

The 2019 NYSPHSAA Boys Tennis Championships once again took place at the Billie Jean King USTA Tennis Center in Flushing.

Ryan Fishback of Geneva (Section V) won the singles championship, while the doubles team of Nikolay Sahakyan and Jason Shuler of Scarsdale (Section I) won the doubles championship.

To see the complete results from the tournament click here.

Girls Golf Recap

Deerfield Country Club in the greater Rochester area hosted the NYSPHSAA Girls Golf Championship for the first time ever in 2019.

Melanie Green of Medina (Section VI) won the individual state championship for the second consecutive year. While Scarsdale (Section I) won the team state championship and Section I took home the section state title.

For complete results from the tournament click here.

Boys Golf Recap

The Robert Trent Jones golf course at Cornell University was once again the site for the 2019 NYSPHSAA Boys Golf Championship.

Nathan Han of Somers (Section I) won the individual state championship. This is the second time in three years that Han won the NYSPHSAA championship. Section I was the team section champs for 2019.

To see the complete results from the 2019 championship click here.

Track & Field Championships

Middletown High School was the host for the 2019 NYSPHSAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Over two days on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 the best male and female track & field student-athletes across the state competed for state championships.

To see the complete race and event results click here.

Girls Lacrosse Recap

For the 25th consecutive year, SUNY Cortland hosted the NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships.

Semifinals were played on Friday, June 7 and Finals played on Saturday, June 8. Congratulations to the 2019 state champions:

• A) Northport (Section XI)
• B) Eastport-South Manor (Section XI)
• C) Cold Spring Harbor (Section VIII)
• D) Mattituck (Section XI)

Boys Lacrosse Recap

St. John Fisher College in the greater Rochester area hosted the 2019 NYSPHSAA Boys Lacrosse Championships on Saturday June 8.

Congrats to the 2019 state champions:

• A) Massapequa (Section VIII)

B) Victor (Section V)

• C) Shoreham-Wading River (Section XI)
• D) Lafayette/Onondaga (Section III)

Baseball Recap

The greater Binghamton area once again hosted the 2019 NYSPHSAA Baseball Championships.

Semifinals were played at five sites on Friday, June 14 with the finals played at Union-Endicott High School and Binghamton University on Saturday June 15.

Congrats to the 2019 state champs:

• AA) McQuaid (Section V)
• A) Ballston Spa (Section 2)
• B) Center Moriches (Section XI)
• C) Ticonderoga (Section VII)
• D) Whitehall (Section 2)

Softball Championships

Moreau Recreational Park in South Glens Falls hosted the 2019 NYSPHSAA Softball Championships. This was the 35th anniversary Softball Championship tournament.

Semifinals and finals were played on Saturday, June 15.

The game everyone was talking about was the class A Semifinal between Ballston Spa and Sayville. It took 20 innings, a new NYSPHSAA tournament record for longest game, with Ballston Spa winning 2-1.

Congrats to the 2019 state champs:

• AA) Corning-Painted Post (Section IV)
• A) Williamsville East (Section VI)
• B) Ardsley (Section I)
• C) Edison (Section IV)
• D) Deposit (Section IV)

Wishing the very best to our Section XI student-athletes who are graduating this week and ending this chapter of their lives.

To those who are playing sports in college, enjoy the experience and keep making Suffolk County proud.