East Hampton High School had plenty to celebrate at its senior student-athlete awards ceremony on Tuesday, as 114 athletes were honored with more than 60 postseason awards, ranging from academic all-county recognition to all-New York State honors. Of those athletes, 62 are New York State Scholar-Athletes and 33 are members of the National Honor Society.
Livs Kuplins, a baseball and football player, opened the ceremony with reflections on the challenges of his high school athletic career rather than its triumphs, focusing on the mental side of sports. He recalled a poor play on a routine ground ball that triggered a two-year-long case of the yips — a condition in which athletes struggle to make routine plays, often caused by neurological distress.
“I struggled mightily to throw a baseball accurately from second base to first. All I could think about every game, every practice, every time I picked up a baseball was throwing. Suffering from the yips over and over again made me lose complete confidence in myself, which is one of the worst feelings you can experience. I’m very grateful that my coach sat me down before one of our playoff games and asked me straight up, ‘How are you doing mentally?’ “
That kind of care and concern helped Kuplins overcome his fears and go on to win the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Suffolk Zone Award for a student-athlete who demonstrates character, leadership, and outstanding participation in physical education, a Booster Club scholarship, and the Paul Yuska Award for the most outstanding student-athlete who demonstrates ability, sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication, and serves as a role model while playing two or more varsity sports during their senior year.
He was one of several athletes who carried home stacks of awards that evening.
Liam Knight, a swimmer and runner, won the Dellecave Award in recognition of exemplary representation of our community during the year for athletics; an Old Montauk Athletic Club (OMAC) Scholarship for the outstanding male athlete of the year; the Kendall Madison Scholarship for an outstanding athlete playing at least two varsity sports during senior year who is dedicated to their community, and a Gold Key Plaque for lettering in eight J.V. or varsity sports in grades 10 through 12.
Colleen McKee, a softball, tennis, and basketball player, also won the Dellecave Award, a Gold Key Plaque, and the Athletic Director’s Award, presented to athletes who have shown dedication to the “4 C’s” of East Hampton’s athletic philosophy: character, civility, citizenship, and competence.
Griffin Beckmann, a tennis player and runner, won a scholar-athlete Award for a two-sport athlete with the highest G.P.A. He is the valedictorian. Beckmann also received an Athletic Director’s Award. Charlie Stern, a runner and football player, won the other scholar-athlete award. The salutatorian, Stern was also named a News 12 Scholar-Athlete.
Brynley Lys, a softball and field hockey player, was named OMAC’s outstanding female athlete of the year. She also won a Steve Minskoff East Hampton Little League Scholarship, which is awarded to a softball athlete who shows sportsmanship, loyalty, and a strong work ethic; an Athletic Director’s Award; and a Gold Key Plaque. Jacen Sheades won the Minskoff Scholarship for baseball. He also won a Booster Club Scholarship.
Isabel Briand, a softball and field hockey player, won the Molly Cangiolosi outstanding female student-athlete award and the Paul Yuska Award.
Eduardo Calle, a runner and soccer player, won the U.S. Marine Corps Scholar-Athlete Award, given to two seniors who exemplify good character and student leadership. Cassandra Ceva, a field hockey player, was the female recipient. Calle also won a Gold Key Plaque.
Henry Cooper, a tennis player, won the James P. McNally Jr. Scholarship, which goes to a senior athlete in recognition of outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, and character.
Hailey Welsch, a lacrosse and field hockey player, won a N.Y.S.P.H.S.A.A. Suffolk Zone Award.
Sean Perez won the John O’Connor Runner of the Year Award from OMAC and a Gold Key Plaque.
Lylah Metz won the William O’Donnell Swimmer of the Year Award from OMAC.
Toby Foster, a basketball player, won the Art Jones Scholarship, which honors Art Jones, a 1982 Hampton Bays graduate who died on 9/11.
Emily Hurtado and MaryJane Vickers, both softball players, won Booster Club Scholarships, along with Joseph Martinez, a tennis and football player.
Trevor Meehan, a baseball and basketball player, won an Athletic Director’s Award.
Maxim Bellenoue, Angie Castillo, Pema Edwards, Sophia Figueroa, Shirley Jiang, Leah McCarron, and Kevin Quito also received Gold Key Plaques.
Two special retirees were also recognized: Joe McKee, East Hampton’s head football coach, and Kathy Masterson, East Hampton’s outgoing athletic director and the master of ceremonies for the night.
An emotional Masterson left her student-athletes with these parting words: “Remember who you are and where you came from. Go out and chase your dreams, but never forget the folks who helped you pack your bags. Visit your grandparents. Call your parents. When you achieve great things, don’t blow out somebody else’s candle just to make yours shine brighter. True strength lies in lifting others up, not tearing them down. It has been my honor and privilege to be your athletic director. Now go out and show the world what it means to be from Bonac!”
