Daily Sports Digest: Clarkstown Hockey Wins Big

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Whether it be Bobby Dodd, Jerry Sandusky, or Bernie Fine the last few months have not been great for college sports, however over the weekend a game took place in Landover Maryland that was much more important then playoff races or conference championships.

Army took on Navy for the 112th time since 1890 on the football field, and while it would seem that two teams with poor records would be uninteresting this game carries with it a larger meaning then any other in sports. Not only are the athletes playing in it some of the brightest young men in the United States, but they have already dedicated their lives to serving their country and protecting the freedoms we know and love.

The rivalry itself has been the subject of books, movies and television specials and this year the game was so important that Barack Obama stopped in to attend it personally. Like most college rivalries the Army Navy games posses a palpable hatred between the two teams but unlike Alabama/Auburn or Michigan/Ohio State there is such respect for the opposing players because after life on the gridiron the athletes will be playing on the same team in the United States Armed Forces.

Former three sport athlete at Harrison High School Steven Ricciardi got his first taste of the rivalry over the weekend as he his now a member of the Army football family. Ricciardi has been a member of the junior varsity team at West Point all year and he has played on both sides of the ball.

“From day one all you hear is Beat Navy. It grows on you and throughout the year you realize how big of a game this actually is.” Said Ricciardi, “If you go to West Point you do not like Navy, period.”

Navy ended up winning the game 27-21 and Army hasn’t won since 2001.  

“One day you are on the field against each other but when we graduate we'll be playing on the same team.” Said Ricciardi.

Locally we are all well aware of rivalries like Harrison/Rye, Pearl River/Nanuet, and White Plains/New Rochelle, but the Army Navy game is unlike any rivalry in sports because despite the outcome the seniors walking off the field for the last time immediately shed their team colors and put on a much more important uniform, and no matter which one they put on, it is a uniform we can all cheer and root for regardless of any rivalry.

Yesterday’s Results:

Sport: Ice Hockey

Game: Clarkstown vs. Sleepy Hollow/Irvington

Score: Clarkstown Won 8-2

Highlights: Mitch LeSueur had four goals and three assists in the victory, teammate Jake Dickson had three assists as well.

Sport: Boy’s Winter Track & Field

North Highlights: Senior Jake Devin came in first place in the 55 meter dash with a time of 6.93. Junior Jeremy Job finished in first in the high jump.

South Highlights: Patrick Flood finished in forth in the 1000 meter run with a time of 2:41.60. Bobby Arbuco finished in second in the 1600 meter run.

Sport: Girl’s Winter Track & Field

North Highlights: Senior Uche Emili finished in second in the shot put.

South Highlights: Senior Breanna Roadarmel finished in third in the pole vault.

Sport: Wrestling

Game: Mamaroneck Wrestling Tournament

Score: Clarkstown North 2nd Place Overall

Highlights: Mike Seligson (106), Justin Hong (113), and Mat Begley (126) all came out of the tournament with gold for the Rams. Joey Fields, Brian Hong and Jake Salesky finished with silver.

Today’s Schedule:

In Ice Hockey, Clarkstown and Irvington will square off at the Palisades at 6:30 p.m.

In Girl’s Basketball, Clarkstown North will be at Monroe Woodbury at 4:45 p.m.

In Boy’s Basketball, Clarkstown North will be at Monroe Woodbury at 6:30 p.m.

In Boy’s Basketball, Clarkstown South heads to Suffern at 6:30 p.m.

In Girl’s Basketball, Nyack heads to North Rockland at 5:45 p.m.