SULLIVAN COUNTY — From start to finish, 2023 was a year to remember for sports across the county. From Sectional appearances and State Championships to a new winning team at the Sullivan County Democrat golf tourney for the first time in three years, there are plenty of great moments to look back on.

February

On February 21, Monticello graduate Aaliyah Mota netted her 1,000th point against Minisink Valley during her final basketball season, becoming just the ninth Panther to join the club.

March

The SUNY Sullivan Generals secured their fifth consecutive Region XV Championship with a close 73-70 victory over SUNY Orange. The Women’s team also earned a Region XV Championship for the second straight year with a decisive 65-28 victory over Westchester Community College.

Monticello Skier Alexis Heins won the State Slalom Championship to conclude the winter season.

Esteemed Eldred alumna Tammi Reiss was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for her work at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

April

Tri-Valley graduate Adam Furman was named USATF Youth Cross Country Athlete of the Year before committing to West Point to run in college.

June

Two Tri-Valley golfers, Kaylee Poppo and Gavin Clarke, earned a trip to the NYSPHSAA State Championship tournament, and both signed letters of intent to play college golf before graduating in June. 

Nine county athletes punched their ticket to states for Track and Field in June. Adam Furman, Taina DeJesus and Gabriela Almonte medaled at States.

The Monticello Middle School Spartan Club raced at Bethel Woods.

In 2023, the Roscoe Mountain Club (formerly Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club) opened its doors. Roscoe golfer Collin Tallman recorded the first hole-in-one on the new course.

July

The Delaware Youth Center’s annual River Run turned 25 this year, and more than 400 runners flocked from all over to take part in the event.

August

Former President Jimmy Carter was honored by the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM) as this year’s recipient of the Lee Wulff Conservation Award.

Michael Scuderi and Michael Decker won the 42nd Democrat golf tourney after finishing as the runner-up team in 2022. Their opponents in the finals, Mike Cardo and Blake Kilcoin, defeated the back-to-back-to-back winners Sean Semenetz and Joe Winski in the semi-finals.

The Sullivan Strikers won the first Town of Liberty Adult Women’s Soccer League Championship in August after the league’s inaugural season came to a close.

Resorts World Catskills announced the reopening of the renowned Monster Golf Club. 

September

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced a reclassification, adding the AAA division for larger schools, which has had a ripple effect through the Sullivan County schools, with some being bumped up to new classes for the 2023-24 school year.

October

Conservation Officer Ricky Wood was named as the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County’s 2023 Sportsman of the Year.

The Livingston Manor Lady Wildcats won the Class D Girls Soccer crown by defeating Eldred 5-1 in the Section IX Championship.

The Fallsburg Comets earned their first 8-man playoff victory in program history as they defeated Tri-Valley in an instant classic 38-32.

November

In the 8-man semi-final game, Fallsburg led Sullivan West for nearly the entire game, but a last-minute goal line conversion for Sullivan West propelled the Bulldogs to the 8-man Championship for Section IX.

Sullivan West followed up their come-from-behind victory over Fallsburg with an 8-man Championship victory over undefeated Pawling. The Bulldogs trailed 20-0 early in the first quarter before scoring 32 unanswered points to win 32-20.

Van Furman picked up where his brother, Adam, left off, handily winning the 2023 State D Championship for Cross Country. The youngest of the three, Anna, finished as the Class D runner up. Van followed up the State Championship win with a Federation Race victory, a first for Tri-Valley athletics.

Seven additional runners from around Sullivan County headed up to Vernon-Verona-Sherill HS alongside the Furmans to vie for a Cross Country State Championship.

December

Steven Duarte won the 50th annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest with a buck that scored 77.50. George Dean’s 170-pound buck took first in the Heavy Deer Contest.