LUPINACCI WELCOMES STATE CHAMPION WALT WHITMAN WILDCATS TO CAPITOL

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) welcomed the New York State Class AA champion Walt Whitman Wildcats Boys Soccer team to Albany Wednesday, where they toured the Capitol and were introduced on the floor of the New York State Assembly.

State Soccer Champs Walt Whitman HS at Capital

Nearly the entire championship team, including team captains Michael Lorello and Witman Hernandez; was on hand when the Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution commemorating the team’s first-ever state championship. They were accompanied by coaches John DiGiacomo, Brian Karcz and Seth Goldman; South Huntington Superintendent Dr. David Bennardo; Dr. James Wright. Supervisor of Physical Education, Health, Athletics, and Recreation; and South Huntington School Board Vice President Nick Ciapetta.

“Watching the Wildcats march to the state title was a thrill for the South Huntington community,” Lupinacci, an alumnus of the South Huntington School District, said. “It is truly a privilege to spotlight this very special group of young men who made history at Walt Whitman High School.”

The Wildcats compiled a stellar 20-1-1 record for the 2015 season and won the Suffolk County title in a thrilling 1-0 victory over Brentwood on November 5. They captured the Long Island championship on November 8 by defeating Hicksville 4-1.

Then, at State Championships in Middletown, N.Y. on Nov. 14 and 15, the boys defeated Hilton 7-3 and Ballston Spa 5-1 to capture Walt Whitman High School’s first-ever state boys soccer title. This feat was record-breaking in more ways than one – as these young men scored the most goals in State Championship game history.

The Walt Whitman Boys Soccer team has been ranked 11th in the nation and features three All-State players –Michael Lorello, Blake Aronson, and Witman Hernandez. Hernandez also earned All-American honors, the first such designation in school history.

An embossed copy of the resolution celebrating Whitman’s historic championship run will be presented to administrators at a later date.