Hammell cheers Millbrook’s winter sports season success
Nolan Kozera of Millbrook High School is the boys 55-meter Division VI champion as well as the boys 300-meter Division VI champion. Photo submitted

Hammell cheers Millbrook’s winter sports season success

MILLBROOK —  Al Hammell, athletic director at Millbrook Central School District, is celebrating his fourth year as director — that includes all COVID-19 seasons, which made the job even harder. For various reasons, there were fewer meets, competitors and all-around incentive, yet the energy and the competitive spirit remained.

In a statement, Hammell said: “The Blazer boys’ basketball team has been competitive all season with second-year head coach Brian Laffin at the helm. As a surprise team in their division, the team won the division and qualified for the MHAL League Playoffs. Team captains Branden Alexander and John Connolly have shown great leadership on the team. Although the team lost in the first round of sectional play, everyone is proud of a great season.”

Hammel also mentioned the indoor track and field team led by head coach Darren Sullivan. Both Hammell and Sullivan are impressed with the improvement of all of the athletes as the season progressed. 

In the division meet, Nolan Kozera is the boys 55-meter Division VI champion as well as the boys 300-meter Division VI champion. His times were 6.85 seconds and 37.58 seconds respectively. Kozera also qualified as one of the runners in Section 9 to compete in the 3,400-meter intersectional relay at the New York state track and field championships.

Rocco Popovic placed fourth in shotput and fifth in weight throw, Kaden Daley placed fifth in the 55-meter long jump, Jose Vasquez placed fifth in the 1600-meter long jump, and Caden Murphy placed fifth in long jump and eighth in the 600-meter long jump. Overall, despite some athletes out with injuries, the team placed fourth in the division.

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