Brian Pickup Named Rye’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year

The Osborn’s formal dining room was the scene June 13 for the 13^th annual Lions Club Athlete of the Year ceremony. Nine Rye High School scholar-athletes, their families, and coaches gathered to learn whom the RHS student body voted in as the best of the best.

Chris Lyons, Maddy Chabot, Lillian McCabe, Brian Pickup, Jennifer Lee, Kevin Hughes, Lia Bellizzi, Luis Del Pezo, and Laurel Kennedy

Lions Club Secretary/Treasurer Dave Heller presided at the dinner, the 13^th annual presentation of the award, during which retiring football coach Tom Maloney and former Mayor Steve Otis, both members of the organization, made remarks. Mr. Heller then introduced the contenders, each a winner of the Athlete of the Month award during the 2010-11 school year.

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Chabot Earns Lions Club Distinction

Maddy Chabot, a senior captain on the girls’ lacrosse team, was honored with the Lions Club Athlete of the Month award for April.

Chabot joined the JV squad back in 2006, and was named the team’s MVP. Her ascension to the top of the program continued with varsity. The starting midfielder was named to the All-Elite team in 2010, and she also received the Coaches Award. One of just four seniors on this year’s team, Chabot will likely be a major reason for Rye’s success if they advance in the Section playoffs.

Pickup and Hughes Honored with Lions Club Award

Rye High School seniors Brian Pickup and Kevin Hughes were selected as Lions Club Athletes of the Month for February and March, respectively. It is the second time Hughes has earned the distinction. He won it as a junior in 2010.

Chris Lyons Honored as Lions Club Athlete of the Month

In an obvious case of “it takes one to know one”, Chris Lyons, a senior captain on the Rye boys’ swim team, was named the Lion Club Athlete of the Month for January.

Lyons has been with the varsity swim team since way back in 2005, and recently captured a Section title in the 200-meter individual medley. The senior will represent Rye at the State championships in early March, and has put together a laundry list of accolades in his career including both All-American and All-Section status.

Bellizzi, del Pezo, and Kennedy Earn Lions Club Athlete of the Month Awards

Rye senior Laurel Kennedy was recently named Lions Club Athlete of the Month for November. Fellow seniors Luis del Pezo and Lia Bellizzi were tabbed as the winners for October and September, respectively.

Max Robinson Runs Away with Lions Club Athlete of the Year Honor

Max Robinson, Rye High’s track and cross country star, was announced as the Lions Club Athlete of the Year June 7 at the organization’s 12^th Annual Scholar Athlete Award Dinner. Robinson, pictured with fellow Athlete of the Month winners at the Osborn, was elected to the prestigious honor by his peers in a schoolwide vote.

“It was a great feeling when I first found out I was an Athlete of the Month,” said Robinson. “It was nice to know what I do was being recognized. Receiving this today was totally unexpected. It’s amazing, and I appreciated the Lions Club and all they do.”

Samantha Lee Earns Lions Club Athlete of the Month Distinction

Softball stalwart Samantha Lee was recently selected as May’s Lions Club Athlete of the Month.

“The award is an incredible honor that was completely unexpected,” said Lee. “Thank you to all who were involved in the selection process and I am glad that I can help softball gain its deserved recognition for the improvement of the program.”

Molly O’Brien Chosen as Lions Club Athlete of the Month

Molly O’Brien, a senior co-captain of the Rye girls’ lacrosse team, was selected as the Lions Club Athlete of the Month for April.

The starting attacker and midfielder has long been a force for the Garnets. In her final regular season game, O’Brien tallied a stunning 10 goals, bringing her career total to 198. In 2009, she was named All-League, All-Section, All-American Honorable Mention and Academic All-American. She was also on the Lower Hudson Valley National Tournament team last year, and was a past member of the Connecticut Futures select team.

Molly O'Brien

Lions Club Tabs Kevin Hughes as Athlete of the Month

It’s not often a junior is named Lions Club Athlete of the Month. Then again, swimmers like Kevin Hughes – a recent winner of the award – only come around every so often.

Kevin Hughes

“I was very surprised that I was chosen because seniors usually win,” said Hughes. “I’ve been part of the Rye swim team for four years, and every year we get bigger and better.  Carle Fierro has been my coach since I was 7 years old and she continues to improve my performances each year.”

Paul Mundinger Named Lions Club Athlete of the Month

Paul Mundinger is a triple threat. The Rye senior is a gifted student in the classroom, generous with his time in the community and just put the finishing touches on a stellar season as captain for the ice hockey team. For his efforts in all three areas, Mundinger was selected as the Lions Club Athlete of the Month.

Paul Mundinger

Along with co-captain Taka Katsuta, Mundinger led the Garnets to a 15-6-3 record and the program’s third Section championship in four years. He finished the season with 30 goals and 28 assists, and was recently tabbed All-State Honorable Mention on top of his All-Section and All-League selections. The Lions Club nod was icing on the cake.