by Kate McLaughlin
On Thursday, March 2nd, Irvington High School and Middle School gathered in the Campus Gym, along with local political dignitaries and district administration, to honor the recent State Championship titles won by the varsity girls soccer team and a cross country athlete Indy Minkoff.
High school and middle school students gathered enjoyed performances by the high school band, flag team and chorus before politicians rose to give speeches and award accolades to the honorees.
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins spoke about title IX and the advancements that have made moments like this possible in women’s sports. Also speaking were Westchester Deputy County Executive Kenneth Jenkins, county legislator MaryJane C. Shimsky, Irvington Mayor Brian Smith, and Irvington graduate (Class of 2006) and newly elected county legislator David Imamura.
Parents of the athletes were welcomed to sit in the center of the gymnasium, while the rest of the school community joined in the bleachers. The athletes were honored alongside their coaches. Patrick DiBenedetto and Randi Myers accompanied the girls soccer team, while Christopher Barry was along with junior Minkoff.
During their 2022 season, the girls soccer team won their first Section 1 Class B title since 2006. The girls advanced even further, winning a spot in the regional finals for the first time in 34 years, and then their first-ever regional title in Irvington history. In the state final game, played on Sunday, November 13, at Cortlandt High School, the Haverling Rams sent the Bulldogs into overtime with a score of 1-1. Luckily, senior Kyli Parsons saved the day with a goal eight minutes into overtime and gave the Bulldogs their first state title.
Junior Indy Minkoff also represented Irvington in the cross country state championships. The state championship was held on November 12, at Vernon Verona Sherrill High School in Verona, NY. Minkoff finished 13th in his race, with a time of 17:40.1. This was the runner’s second year in a row taking part in the state championship race.
