Boulders Take Another Swing at Bullying

The Can-Am League Rockland Boulders, who entertain the defending-champion Quebec Les Capitales in a three-game series this weekend, are sponsoring a day of anti-bullying training today at the Summit Hill School in Pomona.

The Boulders and Capitales meet at Provident Bank Park (PBP) in Pomona at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and then meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the series finale.

The workshop, which will be administered by McGrath Training Systems and courtesy of the Boulders, will be comprised of a general assembly as well as individual classroom training sessions. It is being provided free to administrators, teachers, and students, and is the final part of the Boulders organization’s Boulders Against Bullying initiative which included “Education Day” at PBP on May 23 against the Newark Bears. That game attracted more than 5,000 students and included informational segments by Miss New York 2011 Kaitlin Monte and former football Giants player Keith Elias.

Friday’s workshop will be conducted by licensed attorney William Berard, a leading McGrath’s Programs trainer since 1995 who regularly trains schools around the country on anti-bullying.

In a statement from the team, executive vice-president Shawn Reilly expressed excitement at extending the organization’s effort into the community: “Children are our greatest asset and The Boulders are committed to creating programs to help alleviate bullying in the schools,” he wrote. “We have the unique opportunity to use the kids’ love of baseball and the Boulders to reinforce this important message. Boulders Against Bullying will continue to be an integral component of our community outreach program.”

Mortarboard musings

• Third-seeded St. John’s University (37-21) meets second-seeded East Carolina University (35-22-1) today at 1 p.m. in the first round of regional play in the NCAA Baseball World Series at Chapel Hill, NC.  North Carolina (44-14), the No. 6 national seed, will face No. 4 Cornell (31-15-1) at 6 p.m. The 65th College World Series begins play on June 15 at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, NE. Among those leading the Red Storm into the tournament are southpaw ace Sean Hagan of Larchmont, and junior outfielder Jimmy Brennan of Airmont.

• The Colgate men’s lacrosse team (14-4) finished the season with its highest ranking in program history with the No. 8 spot in the final Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, and its second NCAA Tournament appearance. Senior defenseman Kevin Gordon of Rye played in every game for the Raiders, posting three goals and one assist. Derek Katchis of Chappaqua, a sophomore defenseman, saw action in 13 games, as did junior midfielder Connor Brown of Pleasantville, who had three goals and two assists. Rookie midfielder Jack O’Callaghan of Rye had one goal in three games, and sophomore midfielder Chris Seter of Purchase got into five games.

• Dominican College freshman Allison Smithwick of Commack has been honored as the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) women’s lacrosse rookie of the year. Smithwick enjoyed a breakthrough freshman campaign from her attack position as she posted 54 points, which ranked ninth among the CACC leaders. She also finished the regular season with 37 goals (12th in CACC) and 17 assists (6th in CACC).

• New Nyack College basketball coach Jason Crafton wasted little time before adding add new talent, in the form of twin brothers Frank and Miguel Martin of Miami, FL. The standout 6-foot-7 forwards helped lead Doral Academy HS to the state tournament with each averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.

• St. Thomas Aquinas College baseball players Matt Marotta of Suffern, Mike Russo of Boca Raton, FL, and George Wargo of West Haverstraw have been named to the ABCA all-East Region Team. Russo was named to the first team as the DH, while Marotta and Wargo were selected to the second team. Marotta, a graduate of Don Bosco Prep, was a two time ECC Pitcher of the Week this season leading the conference in wins eight. The senior came back after sitting out due to injury last season and broke the school record for wins and most strikeouts in a season (70). Wargo, a North Rockland alum, was an ECC first-team all conference selection finishing fourth in runs (31) and ninth in batting average (.333).

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The 'College Sports Notebook' is published each Friday. Please send items of interest—including local athletes competing at out-of-town colleges—to marcmaturo@aol.com.