Anna Flynn of Ursuline School in New Rochelle is The Journal News Westchester/Putnam girls track athlete of the spring. June 28, 2015.

NEW ROCHELLE – Multiple stats exist online for Anna Flynn.

But not for every sport.

There’s no log — at least none easily found — for her time playing basketball and soccer. That could be because she scored exactly one, two-point basket and had one goal in soccer before giving those sports up in middle school.

Contrast that with track and cross-country, where the 16-year-old New Rochelle resident’s list of accomplishments is lengthy.

“I wasn’t really an athlete at anything else,” Flynn said. “When I finally found running I couldn’t believe I actually found a sport.”

Flynn, who recently completed her junior year at Ursuline, is The Journal News Westchester/Putnam girls outdoor track and field athlete of the year.

Her season was one of ups and downs but the ups certainly were high. She ran a 2015-Section 1-best 4:27.39 in the girls 1,500, finishing third at states. She also clocked a Westchester/Putnam-best 9.44.59 at 3,000 meters, had the second fastest time in Westchester/Putnam (2:11.04) in the 800 and anchored Ursuline’s 4×800 relay, which posted the second fastest time in the two-county region.

“She far exceeded any plan I had in my head,” Ursuline coach Jan Mitchell said.

Still, he and Flynn think she can do better.

A huge growth spurt didn’t help her. “There’s definitely days when my coordination is off,” said Flynn, who’s 5-foot-7 and still growing after gaining several inches since the spring of her sophomore year.

But she describes herself as being in the best physical shape of her life and Mitchell, who’s also Iona Prep’s boys coach, said, “She works harder than any boy or girl I’ve ever had.”

The two attribute a sprinkling of disappointing finishes, including 13th place at 3,000 meters at the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Oregon last weekend, to her mental approach. Pure running is a joy and “de-stresser,” bigger races something else.

“I have to start training my brain not to psych myself out,” Flynn said.

Still, Flynn’s already looking forward to more nationals and to simply running with her 14-year-old twin sisters, Sarah and Lily, who’ll be freshman at Ursuline next school year.

She’ll train with them on the Jersey Shore, where her family vacations summers and where Flynn will work jobs checking beach passes and selling ice cream and will do some surfing when not running.

Her dad, Tim, a former distance runner for U-Mass-Amherst, began the track and cross-country program at Flynn’s old school, St. John and Paul. She ran a little there but didn’t see a real future in the sport when first going to Ursuline, her mom Louise’s alma mater.

“Freshman year I definitely surprised myself qualifying for states in cross-country,” she said. “After my sophomore year in cross-country, I decided I definitely want to continue this (in college).”

That college is yet to be determined but it will be a Division 1 track school with a strong business program, she indicated.

First, though, will be her senior year.

Flynn, thinks Ursuline can win the Class B state cross-country team title and she’d also like to win the state individual title .

Other goals include becoming an indoor and outdoor all-America and teaming with her sisters on an all-America relay.

Indeed, the decision to give up basketball and soccer and even ballet for track is paying dividends.

“I’ve made friends I never would have and have gone places I never would have gone and had experiences I never would have had,” Flynn said. … “I love to run because I’d be a different person without it. It’s more than I ever could’ve dreamed of.”

Twitter:@HaggertyNancy

The rest of the Westchester/Putnam girls first-team all-stars

100 meters — Jhada Francis, So., Ossining

100 hurdles — Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr., New Rochelle

200 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington

400 — Jinjer Pearce, Jr., Rye Country Day

400hurdles — Olivia Morgan, Fr., New Rochelle

800 — Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

Steeplechase — Julia Stevenson, Jr., Hackley

4×100 relay — Irvington (Julia Correa, Sr.; Kiana Lee, Sr.; Briana Pierre, Fr.; Zoe Maxwell, Fr.)

4×400 relay — Bronxville (Caroline Kirby, Fr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kirsten Ircha, 8^th grade; Kaitlin Ryan, So.

4×800 relay — Bronxville (Delia Hayes, Sr.; Hilary Rizzo, Jr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kaitlin Ryan, So.);

High jump — Jaynie Criscione, Sr., Brewster

Long jump — Jaynie Criscione, Sr., Brewster

Triple jump — Emily Dugoff, Jr., Harrison

Pole vault — Maddy Luksha, So., Ursuline

Pentathlon — Hailey Thornton, Jr. Scarsdale

Discus — Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

Javelin — Olivia Morgan, Fr., New Rochelle

Shot put — Monae Cooper, Jr., New Rochelle

Coach of the year: Jim Mitchell, Bronxville

Second team

100 meters — Mia Yancy, So., Tuckahoe

100 hurdles — Hailey Thornton, Jr., Scarsdale

200 — Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr., New Rochelle

400 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington

400 hurdles — Caroline Kirby, Fr., Bronxville

800 — Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline

1,500 — Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

3,000 — Julia Stevenson, Jr., Hackley

Steeplechase — Brooke Nohilly, So., John Jay-Cross River

4×100 relay — Mount Vernon (Shana Kay Johnson, Jr.; Shenieka Gray, Sr.; Jamika Hypolite, Fr.; Tanjaneka Martin, Jr.)

4×400 relay — New Rochelle (Adraine Long, Jr.; Rachel Darius, Fr.; Diana Diaz, Fr.; Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr)

4×800 relay — Ursuline (Siobhan Schenk, Sr.; Kiera Tobia, So.; Nora Donahue, Sr.; Anna Flynn, Jr.)

High jump — Kene Odenigbo, Sr., Ursuline

Long jump — Olivia Bespolka, So., Valhalla; Rachel Darius, Fr., New Rochelle

Triple jump — Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr., New Rochelle

Pole vault — Vivian Mroz, Sr., Bronxville; Margaux Neborak, Sr., Somers

Pentathlon — Alexa Lapierre, Jr., Yorktown

Discus — Allie Amazan, Jr., New Rochelle

Javelin — Talia Kaufman, Jr., John Jay-Cross River

Shot put — Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

Honorable mention

Alexis Arnold, Jr., Hackley; Janel Batiste, Sr., Alexander Hamilton; Kristen Bayrakdarian, Sr., Scarsdale; Kendall Bensche, So., Scarsdale; Sochima Bishop, Sr., New Rochelle; Grace Bugara, So., Lakeland/Panas; Lauren Chapey, Jr., Mamaroneck; Florence Cuomo, 8^th grade, Brewster; Taylor Davis, Sr., Byram Hills; Katie Devore, Jr., Mamaroneck; Margaret Groton, So., Somers; Claire Hotchkin, So, Horace Greeley; Jessica Jeffrey, Jr., New Rochelle; Meng Jia Luo, Sr., Harrison; Rebecca Kearns, Sr., Scarsdale; Marissa LaMarca, So., Ursuline; Vicky Martinez, Jr., Fox Lane; Zoe Maxwell, Fr., Irvington; Maggie McDermott, Sr.; Rye; Katie Melly, So., Somers; Livvy Meyers, Sr., Scarsdale; Sam Morillo, Fr., Valhalla; Sunny Nagpaul, Jr., Lakeland/Panas; Kathryn Nohilly, So., John Jay-Cross River; Gemma Nuttall, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Maggie O’Keefe, Sr., Scarsdale; Sydney Orr, So., Ursuline; Zoe Peerman, Jr., Ursuline; Caroline Pennacchio, Jr., Briarcliff; Isabella Puig, Sr., Edgemont; Shari Rauls, Jr., Mamaroneck; Christina Vilbrun, Sr., New Rochelle; Gabriella Zak, Jr., Hackley

All-Section

100 — Nicole Dodrill, Jr., North Rockland; Jhada Francis, So., Ossining; Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

100 hurdles — Louise Jones, Fr., Nyack; Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr., New Rochelle; Hailey Thornton, Jr.; Scarsdale

200 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

400 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

400 hurdles — Kyra Greenbaum, So., Suffern; Louise Jones, Fr., Nyack; Sydney March , Jr.,

800 — Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

1,500 — Bella Burda, Sr., Arlington; Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

3,000 — Bella Burda, Sr., Arlington; Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade, North Rockland

Steeplechase — Alex Harris, So., North Rockland; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade, Suffern; Rachel Ludwikowski, So., Suffern

4×100 relay — Irvington (Julia Correa, Sr.; Kiana Lee, Sr.; Briana Pierre, Fr.; Zoe Maxwell, Fr.); North Rockland (Nicole Dodrill, Jr.; Marissa Mileski, Jr.; Emma Lauredent, Jr.; Camille Cameron, Jr.), Suffern (Terisha Theodore, Sr.; Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.)

4×400 relay — Bronxville (Caroline Kirby, Fr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kirsten Ircha, 8^th grade; Kaitlin Ryan, So.) ; New Rochelle (Adraine Long, Jr.; Rachel Darius, Fr.; Diana Diaz, Fr.; Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr.); Suffern (Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.; Kamryn McIntosh, So.; Renee Liporace, Sr.; Monal Daterao, 7^th grade)

4×800 relay — Bronxville (Delia Hayes, Sr.; Hilary Rizzo, Jr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kaitlin Ryan, So.); North Rockland (Claire Tantillo, So.; Sydney March, Jr.; Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade, Alex Harris, So.); Suffern (Anna Breton, Sr.; Kate Zendell, Sr.; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade; Kamryn McIntosh, So.)

High jump — Jaynie Cristione, Sr., Brewster; Britany Maragh, Sr., Nanuet, Kene Odenigbo, Sr., Ursuline

Long jump — Jaynie Cristione, Sr., Brewster; Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus; Kyra Greenbaum, So., Suffern

Triple jump — Emily Dugoff, Jr., Harrison; Anika Dwyer, Jr., North Rockland; Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus

Pentathlon —Abbey Stowell, Fr., Haldane; Hailey Thornton, Jr., Scarsdale; Sandra Wilson, Sr., Pearl River

Pole vault — Maddy Luksha, So..; Ursuline; Vivian Mroz, Sr., Bronxville; Margaux Neborak, Sr.. Somers

Discus — Allie Amazan, Jr.: New Rochelle; Monae Cooper, Jr.; New Rochelle; Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

Shot put — Sochima Bishop, Sr., New Rochelle; Monae Cooper, Jr., New Rochelle, Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

All-star schedule

Sunday, June 28: Baseball

Monday, June 29: Softball

Tuesday, June 30: Tennis

Wednesday, July 1: Golf

Thursday, July 2: Girls track

Friday, July 3: Boys track

Saturday, July 4: Girls lacrosse

Sunday, July 5: Boys lacrosse

SUFFERN – After the final race of June’s state track & field championships, Suffern had to collect its gold medals. Its 4×400 team of Nicole Becker, Imani Solan, Kyra Greenbaum and Kameron McIntosh ran 3:46.15, a Section 1 record, to win the federation title.

The fastest leg (53.56) was logged by the anchor, McIntosh, who, 20-30 minutes earlier, anchored Suffern’s second-place 4×800 relay.

The sophomore, the national indoor 600 record-holder, is known for her incredible speed and endurance.

But just as it takes teammates to win a relay, it took her team to help her to the podium.

“I was beyond miserable,” the 15-year-old recalled. “I couldn’t feel my legs. I was dizzy, tired. I was living but barely breathing. Teammates, coaches picked me up and gave me vitamin water. The coaches knew what to do. My body was overheated. I used every bit of energy running both races. I was completely drained. Friends had to help me smile.”

The picture doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. But The Journal News Rockland girls outdoor track athlete of the year did a lot of smiling this spring.

That included a day before the two relays, when McIntosh won the girls state 800 championship in a Rockland- and meet-record 2:05.63.

McIntosh, who went on to finish fourth in the 400 at nationals, running 53.28 to break her own Rockland record, no doubt inherited some of her speed from her mother, Susan (McIntosh) Starr, an all-county runner for Suffern, who graduated in 2000.

The younger McIntosh ran in the summer Suffern Track Club youth races beginning in elementary school. Her mom knew she was good early on, hearing that everyone wanted her daughter to run the mile.

But there’s good and there’s McIntosh good.

“I’m not surprised she’s a good runner. I am surprised at what she’s accomplished,” Starr said.

McIntosh, who ran the 200, 400, 800, 1,500 and 1,600 individual events and was on Suffern’s sprint medley relay, distance medley relay 4×400 and 4×800 relays this spring, guesses she was in seventh grade when she beat her mother’s time in the 400. Rather than be disappointed, her mom took her out to celebrate.

McIntosh, who played fall soccer in seventh grade, had planned to play volleyball that winter but high school track coach Jeff Dempsey said he wanted McIntosh and classmate Kyra Greenbaum to try out for winter track. He’s seen both run summers.

That was the end of volleyball and, for that matter, soccer, and the beginning of a bunch or records and deep friendships.

“When I came up to high school track, I got so close to the girls and coaches that I didn’t want to leave. From there, all I wanted to do is run,” McIntosh said.

That’s a year-round commitment. Even when she’s not running, she’s otherwise training for running. This summer she’ll rest her legs for a couple of weeks but will lift weights, do core exercises and swim before going back to a regular running routine.

“I won’t completely take a day off. If I do, I feel like I’m going backward two days,” she explained.

And McIntosh is intent on doing nothing but moving forward. McIntosh, who plays the violin and loves math and science, is already thinking of college — of studying sports medicine or something else involving exercise and science — and of running Division 1 track and maybe beyond that.

There will be lots of figurative and literal steps between now and then.

Her to-do list includes lowering her national-record time (1:28.78) in the 600; running about 2:45 in the 1,000; 2:03 in the 800; 52 seconds in the 400 and reducing her DMR mile to a 4:49 or 4:50.

Yes, with multiple races, there’s a good chance she’ll experience other moments when running another race is the last things she wants to do. But McIntosh seems ready for them.

“I can’t sit down, break down and give up,” she said.

Twitter:@HaggertyNancy

The rest of the Rockland girls first-team all-stars

100 — Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

110 hurdles — Kyra Greenbaum, So., Suffern

200 — Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

400 hurdles — Louise Jones, Fr., Nyack

1,500 — Kassidy Ayres, Sr., Tappan Zee

3,000 — Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade, North Rockland

Steeplechase — Alex Harris, So., North Rockland

4×100 relay — Suffern (Terisha Theodore, Sr.; Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.)

4×400 relay — Suffern (Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.; Kamryn McIntosh, So.; Renee Liporace, Sr.; Monal Daterao, 7^th grade)

4×800 relay — Kate Zendell, Sr.; Anna Breton, Sr.; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade; Kamryn McIntosh, So.; Elena Breton, Sr.; Jenna Borenkoff, Jr.

High jump — Britany Maragh, Sr., Nanuet

Long jump — Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus

Triple jump — Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus

Pole vault — Alison Stern, Sr., Clarkstown South

Pentathlon — Sandra Wilson, Sr., Pearl River

Discus — Samantha Oberdier, Sr., Clarkstown South

Javelin — Sienna Perry, Jr., Tappan Zee

Shot put — Julia Wojciechowski, Sr., North Rockland

At large — Rachel Ludwikowski, So., Suffern; Katie Zendell, Sr., Suffern; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade, Suffern

Coach of the year Jeff Dempsey, Suffern

Second team

100 — Maya Owens, Fr., Nyack

100 hurdles — Kaitlyn Lavan, Sr., Pearl River

200 — Gesnide Pierre, Jr., Spring Valley

400 — Nallah Sutherland, So., Spring Valley

1,500 — Mary Borkoski, 8^th grade, Pearl River

4×100 relay — North Rockland (Nicole Dodrill, Jr.; Marissa Mileski, Jr.; Emma Lauredent, Jr.; Camille Cameron, Jr.)

4×400 relay — North Rockland (Amber Lubaszka, Sr.; Ariana Marino, Jr.; Kailee Stephens, Fr.; Sofia Housman, Fr.; Sydney March, Jr.)

4×800 relay — North Rockland (Alex Harris, So.; Claire Tantillo, Jr.; Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade; Maria Garcia, Jr.; Sydney March, Jr.)

High jump — Madjeanna Brutus, So., Spring Valley

Long jump — Maddy Jackson, Fr., Tappan Zee

Triple jump — Anika Dwyer, Jr., North Rockland

Pole vault — Kerry Qualter, So., Clarkstown South

Pentathlon — Cassandra Duitz, Sr., Suffern

Discus — Tara Coyne, So., Tappan Zee

Shot put — Helen Joyner, Jr., Tappan Zee

Honorable Mention

Kiandra Antenor, Sr., Suffern; Jenna Castro, Fr. Suffern; Erin Clinton, Fr., Pearl River; Sarah Hayes, 8^th grade, Pearl River; Siobhan Mariquit, Jr., Suffern; Kettlaine Mesidor, Jr., Spring Valley; Brianna Montgomery, So., Suffern; Allison Moroney, Sr., Pearl River; Yhaker’ra Mullings, Jr., Spring Valley; Liana Najaroen, Jr., Clarkstown North; Sienna Perry, Jr., Tappan Zee; Brianna Pertuz, So., Tappan Zee; Catherine Rayward, Sr., Pearl River

All-Section

100 — Nicole Dodrill, Jr., North Rockland; Jhada Francis, So., Ossining; Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

100 hurdles — Louise Jones, Fr., Nyack; Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr., New Rochelle; Hailey Thornton, Jr.; Scarsdale

200 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Imani Solan, Sr., Suffern

400 — Kiana Lee, Sr., Irvington; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

400 hurdles — Kyra Greenbaum, So., Suffern; Louise Jones, Fr., Nyack; Sydney March , Jr.,

800 — Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Kamryn McIntosh, So., Suffern; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

1,500 — Bella Burda, Sr., Arlington; Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Kaitlin Ryan, So., Bronxville

3,000 — Bella Burda, Sr., Arlington; Anna Flynn, Jr., Ursuline; Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade, North Rockland

Steeplechase Alex Harris, So., North Rockland; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade, Suffern; Rachel Ludwikowski, So., Suffern

4×100 relay — Irvington (Julia Correa, Sr.; Kiana Lee, Sr.; Briana Pierre, Fr.; Zoe Maxwell, Fr.); North Rockland (Nicole Dodrill, Jr.; Marissa Mileski, Jr.; Emma Lauredent, Jr.; Camille Cameron, Jr.), Suffern (Terisha Theodore, Sr.; Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.)

4×400 relay — Bronxville (Caroline Kirby, Fr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kirsten Ircha, 8^th grade; Kaitlin Ryan, So.) ; New Rochelle (Adraine Long, Jr.; Rachel Darius, Fr.; Diana Diaz, Fr.; Victoria Jones-Alleyne, Jr.); Suffern (Kyra Greenbaum, So.; Nicole Becker, Jr.; Imani Solan, Sr.; Kamryn McIntosh, So.; Renee Liporace, Sr.; Monal Daterao, 7^th grade)

4×800 relay — Bronxville (Delia Hayes, Sr.; Hilary Rizzo, Jr.; Laura Holland, Fr.; Kaitlin Ryan, So.); North Rockland (Claire Tantillo, So.; Sydney March, Jr.; Katelyn Tuohy, 7^th grade, Alex Harris, So.); Suffern (Anna Breton, Sr.; Kate Zendell, Sr.; Mary Hennelly, 7^th grade; Kamryn McIntosh, So.)

High jump — Jaynie Cristione, Sr., Brewster; Britany Maragh, Sr., Nantuet, Kene Odenigbo, Sr., Ursuline

Long jump — Jaynie Cristione, Sr., Brewster; Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus; Kyra Greenbaum, So., Suffern

Triple jump — Emily Dugoff, Jr., Harrison; Anika Dwyer, Jr., North Rockland; Chontel Fils, Sr., Albertus Magnus

Pentathlon — Abbey Stowell, Fr., Haldane; Hailey Thornton, Jr., Scarsdale; Sandra Wilson, Sr., Pearl River

Pole vault —Maddy Luksha, So..; Ursuline; Vivian Mroz, Sr., Bronxville; Margaux Neborak, Sr.. Somers

Discus — Allie Amazan, Jr.: New Rochelle; Monae Cooper, Jr.; New Rochelle; Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

Shot put — Sochima Bishop, Sr., New Rochelle; Monae Cooper, Jr., New Rochelle, Nijera Manuel, Sr., New Rochelle

All-County schedule

Sunday, June 28: Baseball

Monday, June 29: Softball

Tuesday, June 30: Tennis

Wednesday, July 1: Golf

Thursday, July 2: Girls track

Friday, July 3: Boys track

Saturday, July 4: Girls lacrosse

Sunday, July 5: Boys lacrosse

Kamryn McIntosh who is Rockland girls track star of the spring is photographed at Suffern High School on June 25, 2015.

Eric Favors of North Rockland High School, is the Rockland boys track athlete of the spring. Favors, photographed June 24, 2015, will attend the University of South Carolina and compete in the shot put.

THIELLS – Some people seem to be born with athletic gifts. And some make themselves into great athletes.

Three years ago, then-North Rockland freshman Eric Favors began the winter track season by throwing the shot an unimpressive 29 feet.

This spring, Favors, The Journal News Rockland boys outdoor track and field athlete of the year, threw it 66 feet, 7 inches, the best all-time in Section 1.

His improvement doesn’t surprise his older brother, Darius, who introduced Eric to the sport when Eric was in eighth grade.

“He caught on really quickly,” said Darius, who recently finished his collegiate career at SUNY-Brockport, where he was one of the top Division III discus throwers in the country.

Favors added nearly 6 feet to his outdoor shot throw from eighth to the end of ninth grade, then tacked on more than 13 feet during his sophomore season before continuing to progress.

“He feels he can do so much more than he has,” Darius said. Agreeing, he added, “He can achieve anything.”

Favors, who’ll throw on scholarship for the University of South Carolina next year, pointed to his sophomore year as key.

“I had a big personal best and thought, ‘This is fun now.’ I started watching YouTube videos (of shot putters),” he recalled.

Beginning last year, he supplemented his normal weight training, receiving permission to use the high school weight room before school three times a week.

“I always stayed on the weights. I think the morning workouts really helped improve me a lot,” the 6-foot, 245-pounder said.

But, cognizant of the need to maintain flexibility, he also regularly runs and does agility exercises.

That may come in handy in college, since he’s being encouraged to change from his glide-and-throw release to a release off a spin.

“Speed equals power, too. I don’t want to be a big blob,” said Favors, who is also first-team all-Rockland in discus.

Favors’ commitment is evident in his summer plans. A Jersey Shore vacation will include gym trips. He missed both his prom and high school graduation last week to compete in the U.S Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Favors, who was state indoor and outdoor shot champ this year (his indoor win coming on a “pretty nerve-racking” state-record last throw), threw his personal-best 66-7 outdoors at the New Balance Nationals in North Carolina in June.

That gave him third place. The top three throwers earned an all-expense-paid July 9-10 trip to Chicago, where they’ll receive tips from Olympic throwers before competing.

Favors, who competed there last year, too, expects to try spinning at that time.

It’s how his shot idol, Adam Nelson, throws. Like Nelson, Favors encourages the crowd to clap before his throws, a psyching-up mechanism. And he also screams upon letting the shot go, something his late coach, Bob Murphy, encouraged.

“I think screams get a couple more feet into it,” Favors said.

Murphy, a longtime Rockland coach, who returned to the school in Favors’ sophomore year but only coached him briefly before becoming ill, developed three 60-foot-plus and 30 50-foot-plus shot putters during an earlier 26 years at North Rockland.

Favors would have been his fourth 60-footer.

Referring to Murphy and current coaches Tom Donohue and Gene Dall, among others, Favors said,, “The support here is amazing. I love all the coaches. They treated me well and really helped me a lot.”

Favors then glanced up at one side of the high school gym, where state champions from Murphy’s era and others are honored with banners bearing their names.

“I left on a high note. I PB’d,” he said, referring to his personal-best throw, “and I finally made it on the wall.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

The rest of The Journal News first-team boys Rockland boys outdoor track all-stars

100 meters — Wyatt Brooks, Jr., North Rockland

110 hurdles — Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarkstown North

200 — Wyatt Brooks, Jr., North Rockland

400 — Mike Merced, Sr., Pearl River

400 hurdles — Chima Ezeilo, Jr., North Rockland

800 — Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee

1,600 — Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee

1 mile — Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee

3,200 — Liam Burke, Sr., Tappan Zee

Steeplechase — Patrick Hehir, Sr., Tappan Zee

4×100 relay — Nyack (Adonis Acine, Sr.; Malyk Michel, Jr.; Justin Marsland, Fr.; Dante Brown, So.)

4×400 relay — North Rockland (Kingmil Miceus, Sr.; Chima Ezeilo, Jr.; Philippe Louise-Juste, Jr.; Wyatte Brooks, Jr.)

4×800 relay — Tappan Zee (Ellis Guzewich, Jr.; Pat Hehir, Sr.; Liam Burke, Sr., Luke Gavigan, Sr.)

High jump — Luqman Issah, Jr., Pearl river

Long jump — Yanik Martin, Sr., Clarkstown North

Triple jump — Jamal Akpaloo, Sr., North Rockland

Pole vault — Matt Leanza, Sr., Suffern

Pentathlon — Matt Brady, Sr., Nanuet

Javelin — Sean Smahaj, Sr., North Rockland

At large — Jared Benn, Sr., Suffern; Josh Ayala, Jr., Clarkstown North; Parris Heath, Jr., Ramapo

Coach of the year: Gene Dall, North Rockland

Second team

110 hurdles — Jeff Sanawong, Sr., Nanuet

400 — Lugduni Derosiers, Jr., Spring Valley

400 hurdles —Frank Schiavone, Sr., Nanuet

1,600 — Brian Camillieri, So., Nanuet

Mile — Brian Camillieri, So., Nanuet

3,200 — Ricky Stephens, Sr., North Rockland

Steeplechase — Matt LeMoine, Sr., North Rockland

4×100 — North Rockland (Rob Schepis, Jr.; Nicholas Cortez, Jr.; Jamal Akpaloo, Sr.; Wyatt Brooks, Jr.; Raheem Givans, Sr.)

4×400 — Pearl River (Sean Sorohan, Jr.; Mike Merced, Sr., Liam O’Sullivan, Jr., Joe Metcalfe, So.); Ramapo (Chris Scott, Sr.; Decarlo Richards, Sr., Gerry Gilot, Sr.; Rollens Florvil, Jr.)

4×800 — Pearl River (Mike Merced, Sr.; Matt Politis, Fr.; Liam O’Sullivan, Jr.; Brian Mahoney, 8^th; Ben McDermott, Sr.)

High jump — Ryan Dwyer, Jr., Nanuet

Long jump — Ethan Dowie, Sr., Pearl River

Triple jump — Tom Abrahamson, Sr., Pearl River

Pole vault — Daeseob Lim, So., Tappan Zee

Pentathlon — Luis Santory, Sr., Suffern

Discus — Failey Celestin, Sr., Nanuet

Shot put — Ricksen Opant, Sr., Nyack

Honorable Mention

Harvin Bhandal, Sr., Clarkstown North; Mike Danyluk, Jr., Clarkstown South; Kevin Diaz, Jr., North Rockland; Liam Donohue, Sr., Tappan Zee; Caleb Ferdilus, Sr., Ramapo; Trevon Gordon, Jr., Ramapo; Peter Holohan, So., Clarkstown South; Stanley Johnson, Sr., North Rockland; Kieran Lacassade, Sr., North Rockland; Jake Kurzhais, Jr., Pearl River; Zach Levine, Sr., Suffern; Brandon O’Connor, Sr., Nanuet; Liam Mallon, Sr., North Rockland; Antony Misko, So., Suffern; Julio Polanco, Sr., Clarkstown North; Evan Santana, Sr., Clarkstown South; Lamar Seward, So., North Rockland; Myles Solan, So., Suffern; Eric Swerdin, Sr., Clarkstown North; Tarique Wilson, Sr., North Rockland

All-section

100 meters — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow; Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarksown North

110 hurdles — David Adams, Jr.; Beacon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow, Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarkstown North

200 — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Wyatt Brooks, Jr., North Rockland; Josh Dacres, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

400 — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Abdul Byabusha, Sr., Ossining; Josh Dacres, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

400 hurdles — David Adams, Jr., Beacon; Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow

800 — James Asselmeyer, Sr., Arlington; Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee; Patrick Watts, Sr., Pleasantville

1,600 — Mike Delfay, Jr., Brewster; Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee; Benito Muniz, Sr., Carmel

3,200 — Drew Dorflinger, Jr., Pleasantville; Kevin Hazelwood, Jr., Brewster; Sawyer Maher, Sr., Carmel

Steeplechase — Eion Nohilly, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Grant Sheely, Sr., Dobbs Ferry; Ben Smith, Sr., John Jay-Cross River

4×100 relay — Lakeland/Panas (JT Aggrey, Sr.; Sean Chatman, Sr.; Avalon Garrick, So.; Josh Dacres, Sr.); Mount Vernon (Tyrese Moore, So.; Akeim Brown, Sr.; Robert Romney, Sr.; Cody Housen, Sr.); Ossining (Abdul Byabusha, Kaiel Blake, Shea Holbrook, AJ Otero)

4×400 relay — Lakeland/Panas (Jason Bingay, Sr.; Cullen Malzo, Sr.; Josh Dacres, Sr.; Veeral Shah, Sr.); Mount Vernon (Rai Benjamin, Sr.; Jason Perlaza, Akeim Brown, Joshua Zincke); North Rockland (Kingmil Miceus, Sr.; Chima Ezeilo, Jr.; Philippe Louise-Juste, Jr.; Wyatte Brooks, Jr.)

4×800 relay — Arlington (James Asselmeyer, Joseph Morrison, Reece Ragusa, Eric Sbrollini, Devere Knight); Pleasantville (Eli Waxler, Sr.; Eamon Coburn, Sr.; JC Yahia, So.; Patrick Watts, Sr.);Tappan Zee (Ellis Guzewich, Jr.; Pat Hehir, Sr.; Liam Burke, Sr., Luke Gavigan, Sr.

High jump — Josh Ayala, Jr., Clarkstown North; Luqman Issah, Jr., Pearl River; John Wiley, Sr., Eastchester

Long jump — Josh Ayala, Jr., Clarsktown North; Rayvon Grey, Jr., Beacon; Yanik Martin, Sr., Clarkstown North.

Triple jump — Jamal Akpaloo, Sr., North Rockland; Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarkstown North; Rayvon Grey, Jr., Beacon

Pole vault — Daesob Lim, So., Tappan Zee; Jeff Sanawong, Sr. , Nanuet; Matt Leanza, Sr., Suffern

Discus — Eric Favors, Sr., North Rockland; John Andersen, Sr., R.C. Ketcham; Rickssen Oponte, Sr., Nyack

Shot put — Eric Favors, Sr., North Rockland; Parris Heath, Jr.; Ramapo; Rickssen Oponte, Sr. Nyack

All-County schedule

Sunday, June 28: Baseball

Monday, June 29: Softball

Tuesday, June 30: Tennis

Wednesday, July 1: Golf

Thursday, July 2: Girls track

Friday, July 3: Boys track

Saturday, July 4: Girls lacrosse

Sunday, July 5: Boys lacrosse

Mount Vernon High School’s Rai Benjamin, the Westchester/Putnam boys track athlete of the spring, is photographed June 24, 2015 at the high school’s track.

MOUNT VERNON – The pictures that hang on the wall near the main office at Mount Vernon High School speak of possibility.

They make up a miniature Hall of Fame, celebrating former students who later excelled in different professions.

There’s Art Carney, the actor who played Ed Norton on The Honeymooners.

Dick Clarke, the television icon and entrepreneur, who rang in the New Year for multiple generations of Americans.

Ralph Branca, the accomplished ballplayer best known for giving up Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard Round the World.”

Ben Gordon, who scored the NBA’s 10 millionth point.

E.B. White, who authored Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.

Row after row of photos but with room for more.

On a recent day, a framed Con Edison Award certificate lay just feet away on the office counter. And one day, its owner, Rai Benjamin, may make the leap onto the wall across the hall.

Benjamin, The Journal News Westchester/Putnam boys outdoor track athlete of the year, had a Hall of Fame career on the high school level.

His resume includes state indoor records at 200 and 300 meters and a national indoor 400 title.

Benjamin ran the seventh fastest 400 hurdles high school time in U.S. history outdoors last month, setting a new state record of 49.97. He also owns the Section 1 record in the outdoor 200 and 400 and was also the top area 100-meter runner.

Benjamin, the Gatorade State Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year for New York, did this while maintaining a B average despite missing school for races in the Bahamas, Antigua, Saint Kitts, Oregon and North Carolina.

“I can’t even tell you how long I’ve been in school each week,” he said. “I had understanding teachers, willing to give me work on the road.”

The Bronx-born Benjamin, whose parents are from Antigua and who spent many of his pre-high school days in school there, ran his blistering 49.97 hurdles at June’s New Balance Nationals in North Carolina.

“It felt really, really slow. It felt like the longest 49 seconds of my life,” he said. But of seeing his time, he added, “I was like, ‘Yes!’ I was so happy.”

Benjamin has lived in Mount Vernon with his mother, Jeanette Mason, throughout high school. But his mother, a Head Start program director, is moving to Texas. He will move west to UCLA to run on full scholarship.

Of his mother, he said, “I think she’s proud of everything I’ve accomplished and that I’ve stuck with it and made the best of the situation. …She says I motivate her but I feel she’s doing more of the motivating. During the season, I had ups and downs and she helped me through.”

A main down was the now-ceased, sometimes “unbearable” back pain through which he ran most of the spring. He attributes that to growing an inch to 6-foot-4.

Because he’s only 160 pounds, UCLA will try to add muscle to his frame. His goal is to help the school win championships and to improve his personal times. He’ll largely rest until leaving for UCLA August 1.

“My summer agenda is strictly nothing,” Benjamin said. “I’ll probably go to the gym a little but I’m not doing too much. I’m definitely not running. I had a lot of high-level competition and my body needs rest. I will be a normal kid.”

He’ll study political science at UCLA, where he’ll run the 400 hurdles, the 400 dash, the 4×100 relay, the 4×400 relay and possibly the 200 dash.

His plan is to eventually run professionally, so that he can “do a little traveling and see new places,” although he said, ultimately, he’d like to settle somewhere in Westchester.

A pro career would likely get him a photo on the high school wall. But right now the kid who’s all about speed is thinking about a pro career bringing him a different kind of speed.

“I tell myself if one day I have a Lamborghini I will know I have made it. Money isn’t the drive,” he said. “It’s just being happy, being comfortable.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

The rest of the Westchester/Putnam boys first-team all-stars

110 hurdles — Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow

800 — Patrick Watts, Sr., Pleasantville

1,600 — Benito Muniz, Sr., Carmel

1 mile — Mike Delfay, Jr., Brewster

3,200 — Kevin Hazelwood, Jr., Brewster

Steeplechase — Eion Nohilly, Jr., John Jay-Cross River

4×100 relay — Hackley (Elijah Ngbokoli, Jr.; Darius Inzar, Jr.; Anthony Roderick, Jr.; Winston Britton, So.)

4X400 relay — Lakeland/Panas (Jason Bingay, Sr.; Cullen Malzo, Sr.; Josh Dacres, Sr.; Veeral Shah, Sr.)

4×800 relay — Pleasantville (Eli Waxler, Sr.; Eamon Coburn, Sr.; JC Yahia, So.; Patrick Watts, Sr.)

High jump — John Wiley, Sr., Eastchester

Long jump — Anthony Roderick, Jr., Hackley

Triple jump — Josh Diakanwa, Sr., Iona Prep

Pentathlon — John Burns, Sr., New Rochelle

Pole vault — Ryan Herrera-Murphy, Sr., Iona Prep

Javelin — Kiegan Lenihan, Sr., Hackley

Discus — Andrew Cannistraci, Jr., Iona Prep

Shot put — Andrew Cannistraci, Jr., Iona Prep

Coach of the year: Tom Patterson, Pleasantville

Second team

100 — Elijah Ngbokoli, Jr., Hackley

110 hurdles — John Burns, Sr., New Rochelle

200 — Josh Dacres, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

400 — Abdul Byabusha, Sr., Ossining

400 hurdles — Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow

800 — Benito Muniz, Sr., Carmel

1,600 — Martin O’Connell, Sr., Eastchester

3,200 — Sawyer Maher, Sr., Carmel

Steeplechase — Grant Sheely, Sr., Dobbs Ferry

4×100 — Ossining (Abdul Byabusha, Kaiel Blake, Shea Holbrook, AJ Otero)

4×400 — Mount Vernon (Rai Benjamin, Sr.; Jason Perlaza, So.; Akeim Brown, Sr.; Joshua Zincke, Fr.)

4×800 — Haldane (Trevor Van Brunt, Sr.; Jonathan Clemente, Sr.; Nick Farrell, Fr.; Theo Henderson, Jr.)

High jump — John Burns, Sr., New Rochelle

Long jump — Brent DiVittorio, Sr., Brewster

Triple jump — Obehi Adubor, Sr., Iona Prep

Pole vault — Matt Fay, Sr., Iona Prep

Pentathlon — Brent DiVittorio, Sr., Brewster

Javelin — Tim Faranda, Sr., Stepinac

Discus — Cameron Thompson, Jr., Lakeland/Panas

Shot put — Frankie Hagan, Sr., Iona Prep

Honorable mention

Whitman Anderson, So., Horace Greeley; Ryan Bird, Sr., Rye; Angel Betancourt, Sr., New Rochelle; Kris Brethower, Sr., North Salem; Akeim Brown, Sr., Mount Vernon; Adonis Carrasco, Sr., Ardsley; Ricardo Castello, Sr., New Rochelle; Jashua Celestine, So., Lakeland/Panas; Daniel Dore, Sr., New Rochelle; Drew Dorflinger, Jr., Pleasantville; Tyquel Fields, Jr., Stepinac; Kedar Glover, Jr., Woodlands; Jason Holland, Jr., Somers; Luke Holtzman, Sr., New Rochelle; Somers; Eric Hughes, Jr., Pleasantville; Steven Ircha, Sr., Bronxville; Matthew Izuchukwu, Jr., Yonkers; Matt Konigsberg, Jr., Harrison; Angelo Martinez, Sr., Mahopac; Russell McGahren-Clemens, Sr., Eastchester; Armand Pappas, Jr., Croton-Harmon; Alex Parkinson, Sr., Mamaroneck; Jason Perlaza, So. Mount Vernon; Ben Smith, Sr., John Jay-Cross River; Jack Stern, Sr., New Rochelle; Nuku Tsiagbe, So., New Rochelle; Jordan Washington, Sr., Iona Prep; Jahkeem Wheatley, Sr., Iona Prep; Emilio Wilson-King, Jr., Yonkers; Jared Yanis, Jr., Rye Country Day; Joshua Zincke, Fr., Mount Vernon

All-section

100 meters — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow; Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarksown North

110 hurdles — David Adams, Jr.; Beacon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow, Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarkstown North

200 — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Wyatt Brooks, Jr., North Rockland; Josh Dacres, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

400 — Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Abdul Byabusha, Sr., Ossining; Josh Dacres, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

400 hurdles — David Adams, Jr., Beacon; Rai Benjamin, Sr., Mount Vernon; Danny Elia, Sr., Sleepy Hollow

800 — James Asselmeyer, Sr., Arlington; Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee; Patrick Watts, Sr., Pleasantville

1,600 — Mike Delfay, Jr., Brewster; Luke Gavigan, Sr., Tappan Zee; Benito Muniz, Sr., Carmel

3,200 — Drew Dorflinger, Jr., Pleasantville; Kevin Hazelwood, Jr., Brewster; Sawyer Maher, Sr., Carmel

Steeplechase — Eion Nohilly, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Grant Sheely, Sr., Dobbs Ferry; Ben Smith, Sr., John Jay-Cross River

4×100 relay — Lakeland/Panas (JT Aggrey, Sr.; Sean Chatman, Sr.; Avalon Garrick, So.; Josh Dacres, Sr.); Mount Vernon (Tyrese Moore, So.; Akeim Brown, Sr.; Robert Romney, Sr.; Cody Housen, Sr.); Ossining (Abdul Byabusha, Kaiel Blake, Shea Holbrook, AJ Otero)

4×400 relay — Lakeland/Panas (Jason Bingay, Sr.; Cullen Malzo, Sr.; Josh Dacres, Sr.; Veeral Shah, Sr.); Mount Vernon (Rai Benjamin, Sr.; Jason Perlaza, So.; Akeim Brown, Sr.; Joshua Zincke, Fr.); North Rockland (Kingmil Miceus, Sr.; Chima Ezeilo, Jr.; Philippe Louise-Juste, Jr.; Wyatte Brooks, Jr.)

4×800 relay — Arlington (James Asselmeyer, Joseph Morrison, Reece Ragusa, Eric Sbrollini, Devere Knight); Pleasantville (Eli Waxler, Sr.; Eamon Coburn, Sr.; JC Yahia, So.; Patrick Watts, Sr.);

Tappan Zee (Ellis Guzewich, Jr.; Pat Hehir, Sr.; Liam Burke, Sr., Luke Gavigan, Sr.

High jump — Josh Ayala, Jr., Clarkstown North; Luqman Issah, Jr., Pearl River; John Wiley, Sr., Eastchester

Long jump — Josh Ayala, Jr., Clarsktown North; Rayvon Grey, Jr., Beacon; Yanik Martin, Sr., Clarkstown North.

Triple jump — Jamal Akpaloo, Sr., North Rockland; Josh Etkind, Sr., Clarkstown North; Rayvon Grey, Jr., Beacon

Pole vault — Daesob Lim, So., Tappan Zee; Jeff Sanawong, Sr. , Nanuet; Matt Leanza, Sr., Suffern

Discus — Eric Favors, Sr., North Rockland; John Andersen, Sr., R.C. Ketcham; Rickssen Oponte, Sr., Nyack

Shot put — Eric Favors, Sr., North Rockland; Parris Heath, Jr.; Ramapo; Rickssen Oponte, Sr. Nyack

All-star schedule

Sunday, June 28: Baseball

Monday, June 29: Softball

Tuesday, June 30: Tennis

Wednesday, July 1: Golf

Thursday, July 2: Girls track

Friday, July 3: Boys track

Saturday, July 4: Girls lacrosse

Sunday, July 5: Boys lacrosse

Julianna Cabrera, North Rockland

“I think both are challenging because they’re equally demanding, and hard work and dedication are required for both.”

Julianna Cabrera, North Rockland

Kassidy Ayres, Tappan Zee

“I think it’s harder to be a scholar because our sport is what is our passion so we love doing it anyway, even though it’s hard work. So it’s harder to be a scholar, but it’s harder to balance both.”

Kassidy Ayres, TappanZee

Julia Wojciechowski, North Rockland

“I think it’s a combination of both of them because balancing athletics and school at the same time is really the hardest because it’s just a lot of stuff.”

Julia Wojciechowski, North Rockland

Matthew Lemoine, North Rockland

“I would say being a scholar is more difficult because you have to put in a lot of work outside of school, and it’s a lot of studying and doing stuff on your own, whereas running you have people who are with you all the time.”

Matthew Lemoine, North Rockland

Imani Solan, Suffern

“I think it’s harder to be a scholar just because athletic ability can come naturally. With school, in addition to coming naturally you really have to work at it because classes can be challenging.”

Imani Solan, Suffern

See all the responses we collected by following lohud on Instagram and look for #lohudgrads.

Mahopac varsity football players from left, Christian Donahoe, Joseph Cavaciuti, Tom Murray, Dan Foley, Chris Kocovic and Mike Paolello pose at Mahopac High School Aug. 17, 2015.

MAHOPAC – Jordan Spieth came up short in his bid to win the PGA Championship Sunday. But Tom Donahoe figures it was more like Jason Day won with a record 20-under-par than Spieth lost at 17 under.

The 11-year Mahopac football coach looks at his squad’s 2014 season in much the same way.

The Indians finished 6-3. Their three losses were close and came to similarly strong teams in John Jay-East Fishkill, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle.

The Pearl River boys varsity soccer team run drills during a practice at the school, Aug. 18, 2015.

Pearl River boys varsity soccer players Craig MacDonald, Aidan Miller, Kevin Doorley, Manuel Arango and Mark Russell are photographed during a practice at the school, Aug. 18, 2015.

Damon O’Keefe, the Pearl River boys varsity soccer coach, encourages his players during a practice at the school, Aug. 18, 2015.

PEARL RIVER Nearly a year later, the wound is still fresh.

A 16-win season ended in an upset loss for the No. 1 seed in the Class A quarterfinals.

A 1-0 loss.

Pearl River’s boys soccer team worked out Tuesday with many goals in mind but one major one is to write a different ending this season.

“It was heartbreaking,” senior midfielder Aidan Miller recalled of last year’s only setback.

The loss, coming after the Pirates’ 2013 section final loss, is fuel for this year’s team.

“A lot of kids are working really, really hard,” junior Craig MacDonald said.  “I think we’ll be able to put a lot of goals in net this year.”

Pearl River, which will carry 24 or 25 players, graduated nine, including six starters.

The Pearl River boys varsity soccer team run drills during a practice at the school, Aug. 18, 2015.

The Pirates excelled on defense last year, allowing just six goals. But their entire starting defensive unit was lost to graduation, including Rockland player of the year Vincenzo Galvano, who’s now playing for SUNY-Brockport.

While coach Damon O’Keefe allows that the D is a “work in progress,” he doesn’t seem worried, indicating he has players with ” pretty much the same mental toughness” as those lost.

“I’m not concerned. We’ve had good people come up,” added senior Mark Russell, an outside midfielder, who led the team in scoring last year.

“Manuel Arango, a senior middie and center back, who expects to see more time in the latter position, said, “A focus of our game is shutting teams out. That’s the mentality.”

The Pearl River boys varsity soccer team run drills during a practice at the school, Aug. 18, 2015.

Five players are going out for goal with Dolan Ocasal and Matt Coffey appearing to have the inside edge.

Just one offensive player is gone from a team that’s known for its attack — its 1-0 playoff loss to Eastchester notwithstanding.

“We know each other so well, which improves our ball movement,” said senior center middie Sean Coughlan, who spent part of Tuesday on a training-room  exercise bike due to back problems.

Russell, who made All-Section last year after transferring from Albertus Magnus, cited his team’s drive and remarked even its younger players, including the juniors MacDonald and Kevin Doorley, are hungry.

“We’re going to score a lot of goals,” Russell predicted. “We’re a very attacking team and will come after every team.”

“This team is great in almost every way,” MacDonald said. “We have a lot of different kids but we all get along because we all have a common goal.”

That, of course, is winning the section championship.

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Rye field hockey players practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

From left, Rye’s Fusine Govaert and her brother Phile, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

From left, Rye’s Sean Walsh moves the ball up the field during field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

From left, Rye’s Fusine Govaert (15) and her brother Phile, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

From left, Rye’s Phile Govaert and his sister Fusine, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

From left, Rye’s Fusine Govaert and her brother Phile, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

Jenna Fox moves the ball in front of goalie Megan Mallozzi, as the North Rockland High School field hockey team workout in the early morning on the field at the school, Aug. 20, 2015.

Jenna Fox, Kaitlyn Gutenberger, Cayleen Murphy and head coach Jess Nasuti, with the North Rockland High School varsity field hockey team, Aug. 20, 2015.

RYE — The word came out of one mouth, then two, then three and four and five.

Lakeland.

It may be August, but the Rye field hockey team is already thinking about the postseason and second chances.

The Garnets had three losses last season.

Loss number three continues to stick in their craw.

Rye led Lakeland late in their sectional matchup before eventually losing 3-2 in double overtime. Lakeland, of course, went on to win its sixth consecutive state championship, and has not lost to a New York opponent since 2008.

“It was a wake-call,” said midfielder Mallory Lynch, who will serve as a captain with fellow senior middies Mallory Lynch and Laura Martinelli this year.

From left, Rye’s Phile Govaert and his sister Fusine, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

“Coming so close is definitely motivating,” Abate added.

Rye also has a lot of reasons to be optimistic. It lost just two starters and three players overall from last year.

Additions include star center-mid Fusine Govaert’s freshman brother, Phile, who played on the junior varsity squad last year.

Yes, that’s right: Rye has a boy on the team. In fact, it has two, the other one senior Sean Walsh, a center-forward who played on the varsity last year.

Walsh is tight friends with senior goalie Ali Howard, who’ll vie for the top keeper position with sophomore Maggie Devlin. Howard also happens to play with Walsh on Rye’s ice hockey team, one of several girls who play on predominately boys ice hockey teams locally.

Initially, a few boys from that team expressed interest in playing field hockey.

“No one else wanted to go through with it,” Walsh said.

But he’s glad he did.

“I had a great time last year,” he said, explaining he was treated as just another player.

The Govaerts are from Holland, and in Europe field hockey is a huge sport for both boys and girls, so both started playing when they were 5 or 6.

From left, Rye’s Phile Govaert and his sister Fusine, take part in field hockey practice at Rye High School Aug. 20, 2015.

Phile Govaert agreed to wear a skirt to play on the JV team last season, since the state insists on team uniformity. The varsity team opted to skip traditional skirts for shorts for Walsh’s sake. He’s hoping that’s the decision this year, as well.

While Fusine Govaert personally prefers skirts, she said, “In the end, it doesn’t matter what we look like. It’s how we play.”

She and her brother are joined on the Garnets by fellow Dutch players Anna Rogaar, a senior and her sister, Lotje, a sophomore.

Last year’s coach, Emily Murphy, who had a baby after the season, has stepped down, replaced by Emily Townsend Prince, who, as it happens, had a baby Monday. Junior varsity coach Lisa-Marie DiRusso ran Thursday’s practice for Prince, who plans to return next week.

But new coach or not, the Garnets are optimistic.

“We want to beat Lakeland and win states. We have a new coach and an awesome team,” Fusine Govaert said.

Lynch, Abate and Martinelli, who don’t plan to play in college, agreed.

“We want to end our field hockey career with a bang,” Lynch said.

Early Rockland risers

The sun had barely risen Thursday but the North Rockland field hockey team had already been practicing for half an hour and were in a full sweat.

Practicing at 6 a.m. — during your summer vacation, no less — isn’t ideal but the Red Raider coaches, considered it almost mandatory.

Kaitlyn Gutenberger moves the ball as the North Rockland High School field hockey team workout in the early morning on the field at the school, Aug. 20, 2015.

Since the opening of the fall sports season on Monday, countless practices across all sports have been cancelled due to dangerous heat. According to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, if the heat index — the actual feeling of temperature combined with humidity  — reaches 95 degrees, all athletic activity must be called off unless conducted indoors in air conditioning.

Some coaches have opted for film sessions or other activities without physical exertion. But North Rockland’s Jess Nasuti simply moved things up to a cooler part of the day.

“We had 8 a.m. practices and then it got kind of hot,” Nasuti said. “I had a couple of girls throw up from the heat.”

“I’m just happy to be at practice,” said freshman Meghan Delisio, who’ll play her first full varsity season this year. “Mornings it’s not fun to get up but it’s okay because then it’s not as hot and it’s not as hard on your body.”

Taylor McCarthy returns a shot during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

Julia Mines returns a shot during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

Julia Mines works a drill during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

Lauren Donohue and Taylor McCarthy are seen during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

Lauren Donohue works out during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

CROSS RIVER Yes, their all-everything libero has graduated  — a girl so talented that she passed up volleyball scholarship offers for one to play Division 1 softball, someone that teammate Julia Mines, an all-state volleyball player in her own right, calls her the “most athletic girl I’ve ever met.”

Taylor McCarthy and Lauren Donohue work out during John Jay’s volleyball team practice at John Jay High School Aug. 21, 2015.

But if anyone believes the John Jay volleyball team thinks it won’t repeat as Section 1 Class A champion after Theresa Swertfager’s departure, think again.

The Indians’ seventh trip to the finals in 12 years finally resulted in that title last season. This year, John Jay has been hammered by graduation, losing five starters, (including three who were named All-Section.)

But coach Tom Rizzotti doesn’t appear worried.

“One of the things I’ve been blessed with are girls who want to succeed and who worked hard in the off-season,” said the 11-year head coach. “I’m excited. It’s yet to be seen but I think we have all the pieces to be successful this year.”

John Jay will carry 12 players, among them returners Lauren Donahue, Cate Bauer, Alex Hall and Amanda Wien, who, Rizzotti said, “really put themselves in a position to help us.”

But the key players should be senior outside hitters Taylor McCarthy and Mines.

“They have experience and talent,” Rizzotti said.

Wien and Mines’ sophomore sister, Katie, will set, although Rizzotti hasn’t decided how he’ll use them.

The off-season not only included winter and spring club play in which 11 of the 12 players participated, but informal volleyball practices at the school throughout the summer.

McCarthy said some players worked out together for a couple of hours every day.

“We’re more athletic this year and, overall, our team is working harder,” said Julia Mines, who pointed in part to the addition of freshman twins Vivian and Christina Turriago as a positive.

“This is not a rebuilding year,” Mines emphasized. “We’re taking what we had and polishing it.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, Sept. 1, beginning at 11 a.m., football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: T.J. Morrison

School: Stepinac

Positions: CB/WR

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175

Fast facts: Morrison has an area-best 10 Division I offers, including Buffalo, Sacred Heart, Army and Rhode Island. He had 53 tackles and four interceptions and caught 11 passes for 195 yards and four scores as a junior.

T.J. Morrison, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

T.J. Morrison, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

T.J. Morrison, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Mike Rolfe, Scarsdale football Aug. 14, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, Sept. 1, football writer Josh Thomson is revealing his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Michael Rolfe

School: Scarsdale

Positions: QB/S

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Fast facts: Rolfe is a Division I prospect at defensive back with offers from Colgate, Cornell and Columbia. As a junior, he also became the starting quarterback because of injury and led the Raiders to a 6-2 season.

Mike Rolfe, Scarsdale football Aug. 14, 2015.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Mike Rolfe, Scarsdale football Aug. 14, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Shane Martin, Iona Prep football Aug. 20, 2015.

Shane Martin, Iona Prep football Aug. 20, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, Sept. 1, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Shane Martin

School: Iona Prep

Positions: RB/LB

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

Fast facts: Martin emerged at the end of last year, rushing for 424 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games. The two-way starter has established himself as Iona Prep’s featured back.

Shane Martin, Iona Prep football Aug. 20, 2015.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Shane Martin, Iona Prep football Aug. 20, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley football Aug. 18, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 – the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, Sept. 1, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Elijah Ngbokoli

School: Hackley

Positions: RB/S

Height: 5-7

Weight: 175

Fast facts: As a sophomore, Ngbokoli played for an undefeated football team, won a state wrestling title and competed in track and field nationals. He was clocked at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash this summer.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley football Aug. 18, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown football Aug. 18, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Nick Santavicca

School: Yorktown

Positions: RB

Height: 5-8

Weight: 175

Fast facts: Santavicca was one of the breakout stars of 2014. After just 27 carries the year before, he emerged to rush for 1,726 yards and 13 TDs for the 9-1 ‘Huskers, who reached the Section 1 Class A final.

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown football Aug. 18, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North football Aug. 11, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, Sept. 1, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Prince Emili

School: Clarkstown North

Positions: OL/DT

Height: 6-3

Weight: 298

Fast facts: Emili, the son of Nigerian immigrants, is in just his third year playing organized football. He already has Division I offers from Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Penn.

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North football Aug. 11, 2015.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Daniel Negron, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Daniel Negron

School: Stepinac

Positions: LB/FB

Height: 6-0

Weight: 220

Fast facts: At the center of the area’s top defense last year, Negron led the CHSFL champs with 135 tackles. He also scored six touchdowns on offense despite being limited to short-yardage duty.

Daniel Negron, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Daniel Negron, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac  

Dan Foley, Mahopac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Dan Foley

School: Mahopac

Positions: QB/DE

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

Fast facts: Foley’s brother, T.J., quarterbacked Mahopac to a berth in the Section 1 Class AA final in 2010. Like his brother, who plays lacrosse at Drexel, Foley will play lacrosse in college at C.W. Post.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Dan Foley, Mahopac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Daniel Negron, Archbishop Stepinac

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Chase Pratt, Rye football Aug. 11, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 — the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Chase Pratt

School: Rye

Positions: RB/TE/LB

Height: 6-0

Weight: 225

Fast facts: Pratt has been a rare, four-year starter for the Garnets and a two-time captain. He was one of the captains as a junior when Rye won the first Section 1 Class A title in program history.

Chase Pratt, Rye football Aug. 11, 2015.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Dan Foley, Mahopac

Daniel Negron, Archbishop Stepinac

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac

Tyquell Fields, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Every year at lohud.com, we honor our Super 11 – the 11 best returning football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Past Super 11 honorees have gone on to high school glory and later played major college football for some of the top programs in the country. Some have even starred in the NFL.

So who are this year’s Super 11? All day Tuesday, football writer Josh Thomson will reveal his selections for lohud.com’s top preseason honor.

Name: Tyquell Fields

School: Stepinac

Position: QB

Height: 6-3

Weight: 185

Fast facts: Despite splitting time with senior Brandon Coleman, the coveted Fields threw for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for another 369 yards and three scores for the CHSFL AAA champs.

Tyquell Fields, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

The Journal News/lohud.com Super 11 high school football picks

Tyquell Fields, Stepinac football Aug. 11, 2015.

Read more on the other 2015 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Chase Pratt, Rye

Dan Foley, Mahopac

Daniel Negron, Archbishop Stepinac

Nick Santavicca, Yorktown

Elijah Ngbokoli, Hackley

Prince Emili, Clarkstown North

Shane Martin, Iona Prep

Michael Rolfe, Scarsdale

T.J. Morrison, Archbishop Stepinac