Given the fact that two former East Hampton High School athletes, namely Teresa Schirrippa and Crystal Winter, have played on national flag football teams that have won medals at the World Games, you would think that success when it comes to the three-year-old program here cannot be far off.
While this spring’s buoyant group went winless, its head coach, Erin Gillott, and her assistant, Josh Brussell, were impressed by their players’ grit, and also by the fact — as was evident to anyone who saw them play — that their charges were having fun, which presumably ought to serve as a big draw when it comes to upping the sport’s numbers even further.
Kathy Masterson, the East Hampton School District’s athletic director, said recently that she didn’t care about the record. “As long as these girls are out there participating and having fun, that’s all that matters. . . .”
To assure the new sport’s continued growth, Masterson has said she’ll recommend to the school board that a junior varsity be added next year, obviating cuts for the most part.
Though East Hampton wound up at the bottom of the heap in League II, at 0-16, its roster was filled with winners, as was made clear in Coach Brussell’s parting remarks concerning its seniors — Ava Castillo, Evelin Marin, Natalia Neal, Salome Galindo, Audrey Smith, Jocelyn Garcia, Kerri O’Donnell, and Clio McCarty — made here before the regular-season finale with West Islip on May 12.
Whatever path Marin chooses, Brussell said, “it’s going to be great. Her favorite moment was playing offense with her sister, Mia, a reminder that family, both on and off the field, means everything. . . . Your calm strength has been a joy to witness.”
Neal’s favorite moment, he said, “was making an interception and running the wrong way. Hey, we’ve all been there. Baylor University is about to meet one of the most fearless, fun-loving people we know.”
“Salome, who’s off to Wesleyan to study neuroscience with a studio art minor, does it all. . . . Salome, you bring brains, balance, and brilliance to everything you do.”
“Jocelyn is heading for George Washington University to double up in biology and business. Her highlight? Getting literally flipped in the air by an opposing team’s defense. If that doesn’t define commitment, I don’t know what does. Jocelyn, you’ve always brought resilience and laughs. We’ll miss you tons.”
Brussell said he could not wait to see what Castillo, who’s headed to Connecticut College, would do next. Ditto regarding the Wake Forest-bound Smith, whose “flexibility and fight will take you far.”
As for O’Donnell, who’s to attend Clemson University in the fall, Brussell said, “Clemson is lucky to have someone with your drive. . . . We’ll miss your energy and heart!” Her favorite memory, he said, was “scoring her first touchdown, a moment that showed us just how much fire she brought to the field.”
“Clio’s favorite memory was when we had to stop the game to consult the rule book. Only Clio could cite that as a highlight. She’s off to Ithaca College, where she’ll study sports media and broadcasting. We know you’re going to shine on and off the field.”
Finally, Brussell gave a shout-out to McCarty, O’Donnell, Garcia, Smith, and Galindo, “who have been with us since this team began three years ago. You have helped build the sport from the ground up. Thank you for giving this team your everything.”
