Velocity Track Club competes in
the 2019 Toyota Youth Races
Warriors Celebrate
Successful Season
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M BTR ARCH 1-7, 2019 81
COACH WINSTON DINKINS
On Friday, February 22nd-
24th, Velocity Track Club
competed in the youth races
in the 2019 Toyota USATF Indoor
Championships at the
Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex
in Staten Island, NY. We
were excited to see the elite
track & fi eld athletes competing
for a National Championship,
while witnessing Athing
Mu break the American
600-meter record.
In order to participate in
the youth races, you must fi nish
in the top two in one of the
USATF New York previous
designated meets. Velocity’s
Cameron Joseph qualifi ed
for the eight & under 55-meter
dash. Hannah Defl orimonte,
Shyenne Blake, Ryan
Joseph and Brianna Burrell
qualifi ed for the Girls 9&10
age division 4x200 meter relay.
Julian Caldwell, Micah
Claxton, Jared Dawson and
Dontae Lindo qualifi ed for
the Boys 13 & 14 age division
sprint medley relay. Plaques
were giving to the three individuals
or teams in their
event.
Our Girls 9&10 age division
of Hannah, Shyenne,
Ryan and Brianna each
earned plaques by claiming
fi rst place in the 4x200
meter relay while posting a
personal record. Cameron
earned a plaque in the 8 &
under 55-meter dash from
a second place fi nish. Julian,
Micah, Jared & Dontae
also competed for Velocity in
their respective event. We are
truly proud of all our athletes
for earning an opportunity to
showcase their talents along
side the best in the USA.
Velocity is back in action
on Sunday, March 3rd as we
compete in the 2019 Youth
USATF New York Championship,
at the Ocean Breeze
Recreational Facility. Come
out and see your future Olympians
The Warriors Football
League celebrated the 2018
tackle football season with
a gala at Scavello’s on the Island
on Thursday February
21st. More than 230 players,
parents and friends were
on hand to join in the festivities.
The night was dedicated
to the memory of Warrior
Jeff Ortiz who passed
away in September. Councilman
Mark Gjonaj, clearly
under the weather, came to
the event to show his support
from his sickbed, telling
those in attendance how
important the Warriors are
to the community and touting
the opportunities the
League affords the youth
of the community. Councilman
Gjonaj presented a declaration
honoring Jeff Ortiz
to his wife Rosemary. Roe
and her family were also
present to receive a special
plaque to commemorate
Jeff’s contributions to the
Warriors.
League President Joe
DeSimone thanked Vice
President Jose Garcia and
Secretary Jim Pellicone for
their hard work this past
season, which saw the administration
team taking
on a slew of tasks while being
undermanned. Joe also
thanked Chris Miano for his
work as the Commissioner
of the Flag Division. Cardinal
Spellman Head Coach
Willy Cawley was also in
attendance to present the
Cardinal Spellman Tournament
trophies, a post season
tournament held at the
school that gives our youngsters
an opportunity to play
on a fi rst-class facility each
year.
A special thanks went
out to all of our loyal sponsors
and supporters including
Barino’s Market, Bronx
Design Group, Cardinal
Spellman HS, Dugout Sporting
Goods, Greenwhich
Shipping Services, Jimmy
Ryan’s, Middletown Animal
Clinic, Morris Park Community
Association, O’Connor
Carpets, Parkview Sports,
Parq Sports Bar & Restaurant,
Scavello’s on the Island
and Schuyler Hill FH.
Also thanks to PJ Brady’s
,Paddy’s on the Bay, St. Theresa’s
and the Zottola Family
for their support of our
journal every year.
The league recognized
the hard work and hours put
in by our volunteer coaches,
who received a rousing
ovation from the grateful
parents and players. A 10
Years of Service watch was
presented to Coach James
Bloss, while Coach Tim Lopez,
players Julius Lopez,
Ryan Weber, Nathaniel Cabrera,
Daniel Ortiz, Aydin
Mora, William Lappe,
Frankie Serrano, Neil Fico
and Ernie Beam received
their 5-Year hats.
All players were presented
with their trophies
and the Peewee Division
Champs Javelins and Jr
Peewee Division Champs
Spartans were presented
with their Championship
Trophies. The Peewee Rams
and Jr Peewee Ramblers
were presented trophies for
winning the Cardinal Spellman
post-season tournament.