The Section XI staff wishes you a very happy and healthy holiday season!

The Smithtown varsity gymnastics team was honored by the Suffolk County Legislature this week for winning their second consecutive Section XI title!

Congratulations to Northport’s Olivia and Natalie McKenna on being selected field hockey All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA).

Olivia, a midfielder, was named second team and Natalie, a goalie, was named third team.

The NFHCA serves as the recognized leader in naming All-American field hockey student-athletes.  The All-American teams are made up of student-athletes that represent the highest level of field hockey players concerning the nominating criteria.  NFHCA member coaches have the opportunity to nominate their student-athletes each fall.  Over 170 student-athletes at the high school and collegiate levels are recognized annually for this prestigious honor.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) announces its Fall 2022 scholar-athlete teams and number of individuals.

For Fall 2022, NYSPHSAA recognized 3,886 Scholar-Athlete teams and 49,801 individuals. A total of 627 schools across the state participated in the Scholar-Athlete program, which honors schools each season there is an interscholastic competition.

“The Scholar-Athlete program continues to highlight the amazing work our student-athletes do in the classroom each day”, said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “To see over 49,000 students recognized for the effort they put into their studies is truly remarkable. These young people continue to amaze with their ability to balance schoolwork and sports.”

The full list of Scholar-Athlete teams for the Fall 2022 season can be found here.

The full list of the number of Scholar-Athlete individuals per team for the Fall 2022 season can be found here.

The number of Scholar-Athlete teams increased by 61 from the Fall 2021, while the number of individuals honored increased by 1,778 compared to last fall.

The winter Scholar-Athlete submission period will begin on Monday, January 30. Deadline to submit for the winter is Monday, March 13.

About 250 student-athletes from across Suffolk County attended a Section XI Student Leadership Conference at Center Moriches High School on Friday. Students in attendance represented 45 schools.

The event was organized by Center Moriches Athletic Director Jeremy Thode.

“Honored to host and sponsor this worthy conference,” he wrote on social media. “It’s time we listen to our kids and let them use their voices concerning mental health, leadership, connection, sportsmanship, and the resources they need in schools.”

“It was a great day for the 250 student-athletes who attended,” said Section XI Executive Director Tom Combs. “This was a great success and we’re happy about the impact it made.”

Great Student-Athlete Leadership conference today at CM HS!! Student-Athletes from 46 HS gathered together to discuss and hear presentations on Character, Social Media and Mental Health. ⁦@NBHSPrincipals⁩ ⁦@KimSkillen⁩ pic.twitter.com/AJdWAApWAM

— North Babylon Athletics (@NBabAthletics) December 16, 2022

Thank you Jeremy Thode for hosting student athletes from @SCSD_HSW @SCSD_HSE @SmithtownCSD @SectXISuffolk pic.twitter.com/BgIEWXq0rQ

— StownBullsAD (@StownAd) December 16, 2022

Thank you to the 45 @SectXISuffolk High Schools for sending your student athletes, Athletic Directors and other leaders to our first Student Athlete Leadership Conference! #LeadershipMatters pic.twitter.com/NP2veqV9rm

— Dr. Masera (@CMSchools_Super) December 16, 2022

Let’s welcome the State Farm Billy Williams Insurance Agency as a new sponsor for Section XI!

CLICK HERE to learn more!

Thank you to our athletic directors and their teams for all the work they do to support athletics across Section XI!

Congratulations to Sayville High School on winning the Rutgers Trophy as the top football team in Suffolk County!

This was awarded earlier this month at the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association dinner.

Congratulations to the Section XI – Island Federal November Scholar-Athlete Nominees:

JT Mankowich of Sachem North Wrestling holds an impressive 101.8 weighted GPA while taking honors and AP classes. He is a 6-year varsity letter winner and 3x League II runner-up. Additionally, he’s involved with 7 Honor Societies and coaches youth wrestling within the Sachem district.

Katelyn Dawson is Shoreham-Wading River’s first 5-year cheerleading varsity athlete! In addition to being the team MVP she generously volunteers her time to benefit Toys for Tots, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Kent Animal Shelter, Fight Like a Girl Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Thomas Cutinella Memorial Foundation.

Both JT and Katelyn have been added to our Section XI Scholarship Watch List and will be finalist to receive $2,500 scholarships next May!