FDR Fall Sports Wrap-up

As the fall season starts comes to an end, the fall sports teams of FDR High School have also wrapped up their seasons. Across the board, the Presidents experienced highs and lows, with several teams clinching post-season appearances.

In its first season playing in Section 9, Class A, the FDR football team used a strong defense and an explosive offense to outscore its opponents 158-43 in its first four games, to start 3-1.

But the Presidents were struck a heavy blow when starting running back Avery Strother (470 rushing yards and four touchdowns) tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee on Oct. 4 against Cornwall. Following Strother’s injury, FDR lost its next three games, before ending the regular season with 35-13 victory over Monticello.

That win clinched a spot in the playoffs for the Presidents, where they faced Walkill for the second time. After falling to the Panthers 35-28 on Sept. 20, FDR found itself in a postseason shootout, with both teams exchanging touchdowns throughout the game before Walkill eventually came out on top, 55-47.

With the loss, the Presidents finished the season 4-5 overall and 2-3 in Class A.

The FDR girls’ volleyball team enjoyed tremendous success under first-year head coach Sam Lowe, dominating the regular season with a 15-1 mark. Co-captains Shannon Kelly and Sarah Hof led the way for the Presidents, who swept 11 of their 16 regular-season matches.

In the playoffs, however, FDR could not find similar success. In the Mid-Hudson Athletic League (MHAL) semifinals, the Presidents fell to Millbrook, 3-2, a team they had beaten 3-1 during the regular season.

After receiving a first-round bye to the semifinal as the second seed in the Class 9, Class A playoffs, FDR defeated Saugerties 3-2 to advance to the sectional final against powerhouse Cornwall. The Presidents battled valiantly, but the strength of the Dragons proved too much, and FDR ended its season with a 3-1 loss. The Presidents finished with a 16-3 record.

On the pitch, FDR’s boys’ soccer team experienced an up-and-down season. Led by senior captains Nick Petschko and Evan Qutani, the Presidents enjoyed wins over eventual playoff teams Warwick and Minisink Valley during the regular season. FDR also won the Joel Tomson Memorial Soccer Tournament for the seventh consecutive season, defeating Red Hook 1-0 in a thrilling overtime match.

The Presidents earned the seventh seed in the Class AA playoffs, where they fell 2-0 to second-seeded Warwick in the opening round. FDR ended its season at 6-7-1 overall.

While the boys’ team battled its way into the playoffs, the FDR girls’ soccer team struggled to find its way. The Presidents managed just a 1-10 mark during the season, with its lone victory coming against Pine Plains on Sept. 7, a 2-0 win.

The FDR girls’ swimming team also finished with a 1-10 record during the dual meet season. The Presidents boasted a young roster and will only graduate two seniors this year, co-captains Skye Haskell and Sarah Izzo. Junior Elizabeth Ryan and freshman Mack Jarvis posted solid times throughout the season for FDR and will be counted on next year to make a big impact in their senior and sophomore seasons, respectively.

With the fall season wrapped, the focus now shifts to the winter season. Keep an eye out for previews for each FDR squad in the coming weeks.

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