By Asmita Saha
Each season, Newsday puts together a list of 100 of the best student-athletes across Long Island. This year, four New Hyde Park Memorial students were honored as Newsday’s Sports’ Top 100 athletes.
Throughout the years, New Hyde Park has seen many student-athletes make it on to the list, and this year has been no different. From soccer to football, three seniors and one junior have earned their titles as the top 100 athletes in their sport: seniors Sofia Bigeni, Aidan Garvey and Jake Gruosso as well as junior Eamon Griffin.
Sources by Linda Cheung and Areej Zaidi
Newsday-recognized NHP athletes in action: Aidan Garvey, Eamon Griffin, Jake Gruosso, Sofia Bigeni
Senior Sofia Bigeni made Newsday’s top 100 list for girl’s soccer. An elite midfielder, she has earned her spot on the list for two years in a row.
“This was a goal for me throughout my soccer career, especially this year,” Bigeni said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to win the top 100 because I also won it last year. Winning for two years in a row was a goal for me. My coaches and teammates were very happy for me when I was noticed as one of the top 100 soccer players. They have always been very supportive of my successes throughout the season.”
Both senior Jake Gruosso and junior Eamon Griffin were named on the top 100 list for boys soccer.
“It means so much to me to be recognized as a top 100 soccer player,” Gruosso said. “I put lots of hard work and dedication into this sport and to see myself in the newspaper was really a dream come true. This was always a goal of mine throughout my soccer career. Seeing all my older friends make this list encouraged me to work super hard and finally make my way into the top 100 players.”
“It means a lot to me,” Griffin said. “It means that all of the dedication that I’ve put into the sport, I’m getting recognition for. I think that I am going to hopefully be better next year, and be in the top 100 players next year. My goal is eventually to become top 100 in multiple sports.”
Griffin also stressed the importance of having a support system to achieve his goals.
“My family, my mom and dad, they were my first ever coaches,” Griffin said. “My mom was intramurals, and my dad is my club coach. My brother and my sisters all push me to my limits, and show me the greatness in putting effort and achieving your goals.”
Senior Aidan Garvey, who scored nine touchdowns for the Gladiators last season, was named as one of the Top 100 Football Players.
“To be a Newsday Top 100 football player means a lot to me,” Garvey said. “It’s been a sport I’ve played since I was young, so to be honored at such a high level got me thrilled and my younger self would be very proud. During the off-season, you try to get better and better, and without my teammates, I don’t know where I would be. My teammates help me day in and day out, whether it comes to new moves, new plays, and even confidence.”