The South Country Central School District Board of Education has appointed Martino Sottile as its new director of health, physical education and interscholastic athletics, effective July 3.

“We are excited to announce this new appointment,” said Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana. “We are certain that Mr. Sottile will prove to be an integral part in ensuring that our students receive a stellar athletic experience.”

Sottile, of Islip, joins South Country from the Brentwood School District, where he has served as an assistant to the administrative team at Brentwood South Middle School since 2022 and as a physical education teacher in the district since 2014. He also coached several teams at Brentwood, including varsity wrestling, varsity girls soccer, boys junior varsity soccer, middle school wrestling and girls lacrosse. 

As a coach, he earned Division 1 Coach of the Year three times for girls soccer, and as a wrestling coach, he earned League 1 Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year four times and Section XI Division 1 Assistant Coach of the Year two times.

Outside of the Brentwood School District, he has served as the Future Stars sports camp director at Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood campus, since 2022.

Sottile holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Science in health, physical education and recreation from Emporia State University, and  School Building Leader and School District Leader certification from the College of Saint Rose.

“I am excited to be a part of the Bellport community and am looking forward to working together to support our students in their athletic and academic endeavors,” Sottile said. “The tradition in Bellport is incredible, and I look forward to immersing myself into every program.”

Date Added: 7/24/2024

The spring sports season has wrapped up in the South Country Central School District with a number of high school athletes earning accolades. The district congratulates the following student-athletes:

Girls Spring Track and Field
Scholar Athlete Team
All-League: Alexa Allan, Ava Cooley, Shania Creary, Jocelyn Fitzgerald, Macy Neider, Rosemarie Okorafor, Stephanie Rodas and Arielle Ross
All-County: Arielle Ross

Boys Spring Track
Scholar Athlete Team
All-League: Izaiah Green, Raymond Kreamer, Sean Lannon, Vincent Pitre Jr., Josiah Salomon and Kyle Williams
All-County: Izaiah Green, Raymond Kreamer and Vincent Pitre Jr.

Girls Softball
Scholar Athlete Team
All-League: Gianna Brown and Giulia Gannon
All-County, Field Player of the Year – League 3: Bridget Barry

Baseball
Scholar Athlete Team
All-League: Nolan Comerford
Academic All-League: Michael Frankie

Girls Lacrosse
Scholar Athlete Team
All-Division: Ella Masem and Rebecca Pino
All-County: Brynn Johnsen and Andie Pedatella

Boys Lacrosse
Scholar Athlete Team
All-Conference, All-County, Honorable Mention: Shane Abrams

Boys Tennis
Scholar Athlete Team

Girls Golf
Scholar Athlete Team
All-League: Sarah Meininger

Date Added: 6/21/2024

Eighteen Bellport High School seniors who committed to compete in athletics at the collegiate level were honored during a signing day ceremony on June 11.

Family members, friends and coaches showed support as the students each signed a certificate symbolizing their commitment.

The South Country School District congratulates the following student-athletes:

Acro & Tumbling
Kierstynn Schoening – Wingate University

Cheerleading
Rileigh Vandekieft – Long Island University

Football
Ja’hden Oldums – Springfield College

Men’s Lacrosse
Shane Abrams – Felician University
Tatum Cipp – SUNY Plattsburgh

Softball
Bridget Barry – SUNY Oneonta

Track and Field
Izaiah Green – East Stroudsburg University
Arthur Henry – Suffolk County Community College
Josiah Salomon – Suffolk County Community College
Jovhan Salomon – Suffolk County Community College
Sanai Springer – Adelphi University

Women’s Basetball
Autumn Simon – Queens College
Women’s Cross-Country
Amira Hussein – Long Island University

Women’s Lacrosse
Amber Guiffreda – St. Bonaventure University
Brynn Johnsen – Messiah University
Andie Pedatella – Lafayette College
Women’s Volleyball
Madeline Budris – Muhlenberg College

Wrestling
Anthony Santana – Northern Michigan University

Date Added: 6/20/2024

The Bellport High School boys varsity 4x400 relay team finished their season with notable accomplishments. The runners qualified for the New York State Championship meet by taking second place at the state qualifying meet with a time of 3:20.96. The team also broke a 30-year school record at the North Shore Invitational, taking first place with a time of 3:23.28. The South Country School District extends its congratulations to Arthur Henry, Raymond Kreamer, Josiah Salomon and Jovhan Salomon on an impressive season.

Date Added: 6/19/2024

During its May 22 meeting, the South Country Board of Education recognized three fall athletes for earning All-State status. Varsity football players Tatum Cipp, Trey’von Holland and Caleb White were each presented with certificates of recognition for their athletic achievements.

Date Added: 5/30/2024