The spring varsity sports season is back in full swing and student-athletes and their teams have already started competing against schools from across Long Island. The Colonial student-athletes and their coaches have spent months in preparation and all aim to put together competitive seasons filled with hard work and sportsmanship with the ultimate goal of coming out on top at season’s end!

---

Baseball (Head Coach: Keith Kobasiuk)
It has been a tremendous start to the season for William Floyd varsity baseball! The Colonials are currently 7-1, with series sweeps over Riverhead and Central Islip, and are at the top of League I. The offseason preparation, led by head coach Keith Kobasiuk and his coaching staff, are already paying huge dividends.

“We did a few things in the off season,” said Coach Kobasiuk. “Some of our players participated in a fall league run through the Town of Brookhaven. We have been working out twice a week since January. All of our athletes have bought in and worked hard to improve.”

The Colonials will be relying on a nice mix of young talent and veteran experience to lead them this season. Senior shortstop Angelo Velez will be relied upon to lead the offense, while Austin Panettieri and Jake Sambriski anchor the Colonial pitching staff. Junior Jack Molini will be a key player for the Colonials both with the bat and on the mound. Manning the outfield will be junior Jonnathon Bowden – along with first-year varsity players AJ Canett, Ryan Pletman, Caden Hetman and Paul Cucuzzo.

---

Softball (Head Coach: Fred Luhrs)
The William Floyd varsity softball team is off to a nice start this season with a 4-3 overall record. The Colonials are currently in fourth place in League I and expect to compete all season long with the top teams in Suffolk County.

In preparing for this season, head coach Fred Luhrs has held numerous indoor workouts throughout the fall and winter, with pitcher and catchers working together since Thanksgiving.

“To be able to compete on a daily basis is very difficult in League I, with a mixture of returning players and new group of younger players that are just breaking into the varsity level,” said Coach Luhrs. “To have the younger players develop winning characteristics that will help build team chemistry for their future playing years is key here at William Floyd.”

Leading the way for the Colonials is 2x Newsday Top 100 Softball Player Kiara Bellido. Kiara is a power hitting shortstop that is coming off a season where she was named Suffolk County’s Large School Player of the Year, League III Player of the Year and All-Long Island team member. The Syracuse commit will look to build upon her legacy in her senior season. She was recently named as among the top 100 high school softball players by Newsday.

Anchoring the pitching staff for the Colonials will be senior and four-year varsity starter Maddie Cizan. Marissa Caufield (1B) and three-year varsity starter will also be a leader on this year’s team.

---

Boys’ Lacrosse (Head Coach: Desmond Megna)
The William Floyd boys’ varsity lacrosse team is coming off two impressive victories (12-4 over Walt Whitman and 20-0 over Brentwood) that helped bring their record so far this season to 4-4 overall (3-3 in Division I). With a crowded Division I, the Colonials know that every game on their schedule is important and are well-prepared to face any challenge that comes their way this season.

Preparations for the spring season begun when last year’s season ended. According to head coach Desmond Megna, the Colonials participated in a big recruiting showcase tournament in June, followed by an eight-game summer league in July and August. When fall began, the Colonials participated in another recruiting tournament in November as well as winter league.

“Our expectations are to make the playoffs, play hard every game and represent our school and community with pride,” said Coach Megna.

When asked which players are instrumental to the team’s success this season, Coach Megna mentioned seniors Robby Ball, Jayden Bonner, JD Dolezal, Antonio Cortes and Wally Crane.

---

Girls’ Lacrosse (Head Coach: Nicole Alesi)
On the heels of a deep playoff run last season, the William Floyd girls’ varsity lacrosse team is back with high expectations in 2024. With a perfect 6-0 record so far in Division I (6-1 overall), the Colonials are proving that they are once again among Suffolk County’s best teams.

From the moment last season ended, the Colonials have been preparing for 2024. Summer and fall workouts, and playing in a winter league have prepared William Floyd to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a championship this season.

Head coach Nicole Alesi is confident in the talented and experienced group for this season, led by Newsday Top 100 Players Kayla Gilmore and Jacky Sutherland. All-American and Maryland commit Kayla Gilmore will enter her senior season as one of the program’s all-time best players. Alongside her will be fellow All-County members Jacky Sutherland and Kayden Meyer, who are both in their senior seasons as well.

“Our offense is led by All-County honorable mention sophomore Emma DiMaio and All-Division sophomore Ava Tiedemann,” said Coach Alesi. “Our All-Division senior Allison Filosa is looking to continue to lead the defense in another successful season. As a group, we have high expectations for the program.”

---

Boys’ Tennis (Head Coach: Michael Clauberg)
The William Floyd boys’ varsity tennis team is off to a solid start this season with a 2-0 record in League I (3-2 overall). First-year head coach Michael Clauberg has been preparing his student-athletes dating back to last summer when they held the annual William Floyd summer tennis camp.

Coach Clauberg entered this season having to replace his entire singles lineup and first doubles team from last year. “We will take it one day at a time, concentrating on each and every match with the goal of making the playoffs. We are working hard every day, working on skill sets and drills every practice to perfect our games.”

The Colonials will lean on captains Nick Kolongowski and Jeremiah Dominguez to be the foundation of the team. “They came off an undefeated season last year in the two-spot and now jump up to the first doubles role,” said Coach Clauberg. “Paolo Nogueira and Andrew Sanchez were almost undefeated at the two-spot and have hit on a regular basis recently.”

---

Girls’ Flag Football (Head Coach: Ron Krawczyk)
The William Floyd girls’ flag football team is back for their second season and are eager to get back on the gridiron! Through four games, the Colonials are 2-2 with wins over Sachem North and Bay Shore.

“As a young and inexperienced team with only one returning starting player from last season, I think the goal is to put the work in and hopefully see the team improve throughout the season,” said first-year head coach Ron Krawczyk. “We want to be a team that competes every play and every game.”

The Colonials will have a nice mix of experienced and younger players this season, with senior quarterback/running back Victoria Nelson leading the offense. Junior running back/safety Destiny Talbert will be playing both sides of the ball with senior linebacker Mya Bulger leading the Colonial defense. Coach Krawczyk is excited to watch his young talent grow on the field this season, including sophomore linebacker Veronica-Sky Williams, freshman wide receiver Savannah Pantry and eighth grade wide receiver/cornerback Milania Farrow.

---

Boys’ and Girls’ Spring Track
Both teams are off to solid starts this season with the boys’ varsity track team under head coach Ed Noll winning two of their first three meets with wins over Patchogue-Medford and Middle Country. The girls’ varsity track team led by head coach John Ryan hopes to continue their success. So far this season they are 1-2 in their first three meets with a victory over Patchogue-Medford.

 Good luck to all the student-athletes the rest of the season! Go, Colonials!