We have just gotten word that two recent Walt Whitman graduates have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically. Long Island University Freshman Joe Calderone finished the season with a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Tournament last week in St. Louis. Calderone's podium-caliber performance earned him the LIU Post Pioneers' first All-American distinction in the program's first season back in nearly three decades.
Calderone finishes the season with an overall record of 29-11 in 40 bouts across his freshman campaign. He recorded the most victories for the Pioneers this season and also amassed a team-high 15 pinfalls. To put that in perspective, Calderone was never pinned once across the five-month season.
Standout North Florida cross country runner Michael Damato added one more honor to his solid season performance as he was recently named to the USTFCCCA Division I Cross Country All-Academic team. The men's program earned All-Academic team distinction.
Damato was among 153 women and 91 men in Division I who earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. Honorees must have compiled a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and have finished in the top 25 finishers (or 10 percent) at regional’s or as an All-American at the national meet. AFinance major at UNF, Damato led the way for the Ospreys in each of the six races he competed culminating with his 12th-place finish at the NCAA South Regional. Damato becomes the first male cross-country runner to garner the honor for North Florida.
Congratulations Joe Calderone and Mike Damato, you make Walt Whitman High School and South Huntington proud.
↧