GRAHAMSVILLE – Nearly 40 years ago on June 13, 1986, the Tri-Valley Bears varsity softball team defeated Afton on nothing short of fierce determination and grit to win the New York State Class D Title. 

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and after an error on first base by Afton, the Bears capitalized, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh after trailing 1-0. 

The Bears would have their last attempt to defeat Afton. The Afton Indians were the defending Class D State Champions. Their not-so-secret weapon was sophomore pitcher Holly Aprille, who had thrown a no hitter so far in the game and had just broken the national scholastic single season strikeout record of 312 that morning. 

But the Bears boasted a record of (22-1) during the ’86 season. During that final inning, senior Alison Helthaler would connect bat to ball on a single, the first hit of the game for the Bears. 

After advancing two bases, Kim Bingham stepped to the plate hitting a grounder to bring Helthaler home to tie the game. Kim Lepke of Tri-Valley scored the winning run after a ground ball and another error from the mound to seal the 2-1 victory for the Bears, adding their names to the history books! 

To mark this special celebration the Tri-Valley community came together  on Friday, May 1 for a special ceremony to honor the members of that 1986 team. Each member was presented with a rose from members of the 2026 varsity team. 

Though Alison Helthaler has passed away, her spirit was present as her family attended the ceremony in her honor. Finally, Coach Mary Feusner, who dedicated 37 years of her life to coaching softball and soccer in the Tri-Valley Central School District, was the last to receive a special rose.

What will hang in the field of the Neversink Community Park is a special sign dedicated to the State Championship team.

TV senior catcher Emily Lucak caught a pitch from Tonya Ackerley of the 1986 state championship team, and the spectators erupted with a cheer! 

To make this day extra special the Tri-Valley Bears would close out the day with a 5-3 win over Chapel Field. Avery Carrier went 3-for-3 at the plate on 3 doubles and bringing in two runs. Caitlyn Monell went 2-for-3 with on doubles and brought in 2 RBI.

For the visiting Chapel Field Lions pitcher Megan Winter threw 8 strikeouts, and Bella Renwick had finished the day with two doubles and 2 RBI.

Margaret Helthaler, Alison Helthaler’s sister expressed her thoughts before the start of the game saying, “I think it was really nice of them to do this.” 

1986 Head Coach Mary Feusner praised current head coach Jared “Jed” Carriere for putting the ceremony together saying, “It’s a motivator for the younger kids to stay involved with softball and it was nice that Larry [Whipple] made the sign to hang in center field for everyone to see.”