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When Ursuline senior Ava Papaleo was growing up, she heard the names Maddy Coon, Cassie Reilly-Boccia, Tammy Wray, Shannon Becker, and Laura Sweeney.
One name stood above the rest and that was Reilly-Boscia, the former Yorktown standout.
"Cassie has been my trainer, mentor, and someone I've looked up to since I was 12 years old," Papaleo said. "She taught me so much about the game, but even more about the work ethic, discipline, and mindset it takes to compete at the highest level."
She recently joined her mentor in some very exclusive company.
The University of Virginia-bound center fielder became the sixth Section 1 softball player to be named the New York State Gatorade Softball Player of the Year. The honor was announced on June 5.
John Jay-East Fishkill's Sweeney (2002) did it first. She was followed by Horace Greeley's Coon (2005), Reilly-Boccia (2008), Somers' Wray (2010) and Mahopac's Becker (2020, 2021).
"Growing up, these were the names I looked up to and the players who helped shape what softball in our area could be," Papaleo said. "To join (Reilly-Boccia) and so many other incredible players who have left such a lasting impact on New York softball is truly special. It's a full circle moment for me that I'll always be grateful for and truly fills my heart up with joy."
Papaleo missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, so being back in 2026 put things into perspective including winning this award.
"It truly means the world to me and is an absolute honor to be recognized at this level," Papaleo said. "What makes this award so special is the trust I've had to have in God's plan while overcoming two major surgeries throughout my career. Those experiences strengthened my resilience while also deepening my appreciating for the game. I couldn't be more grateful to receive this award, and I'm incredibly thankful for everyone who's supported me along the way. My passion and love for the this game make this recognition even more meaningful to me."
In her senior year, Papaleo finished with a .548 batting average, .685 on-base percentage, 1.177 slugging percentage and 1.862 OPS. She had 34 hits, 13 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 37 runs scored, 21 walks (13 of which were intentional), 19 stolen bases and 31 RBI. In 89 plate appearances, she struck out only three times and was hit by pitch eight times.
Papaleo completed high school with a .554 batting average, 153 hits, 59 doubles, 10 triples, 256 home runs, 140 RBI and 80 stolen bases. Her play in center field was unmatched, committing only three errors her whole high school career.
Ursuline coach John Pirone was very appreciative of the play of his center fielder.
"I'm thankful for her work ethic," Koalas coach Pirone said. "Thankful for her humbleness. Appreciative of her mindset to always want to get better and help her teammates get better."
The Gatorade Player of the Year award has recognized the top high school student-athletes across the country for accomplishments on and off the field since 1985. The company awards each winner a $1,000 grant which is donated to the local/national youth sports organization of the winner's choice.
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie; @LoHudSoftball
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ava Papaleo makes softball history as Gatorade Player of the Year
Continue reading...
One name stood above the rest and that was Reilly-Boscia, the former Yorktown standout.
"Cassie has been my trainer, mentor, and someone I've looked up to since I was 12 years old," Papaleo said. "She taught me so much about the game, but even more about the work ethic, discipline, and mindset it takes to compete at the highest level."
She recently joined her mentor in some very exclusive company.
The University of Virginia-bound center fielder became the sixth Section 1 softball player to be named the New York State Gatorade Softball Player of the Year. The honor was announced on June 5.
John Jay-East Fishkill's Sweeney (2002) did it first. She was followed by Horace Greeley's Coon (2005), Reilly-Boccia (2008), Somers' Wray (2010) and Mahopac's Becker (2020, 2021).
"Growing up, these were the names I looked up to and the players who helped shape what softball in our area could be," Papaleo said. "To join (Reilly-Boccia) and so many other incredible players who have left such a lasting impact on New York softball is truly special. It's a full circle moment for me that I'll always be grateful for and truly fills my heart up with joy."
Papaleo missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, so being back in 2026 put things into perspective including winning this award.
"It truly means the world to me and is an absolute honor to be recognized at this level," Papaleo said. "What makes this award so special is the trust I've had to have in God's plan while overcoming two major surgeries throughout my career. Those experiences strengthened my resilience while also deepening my appreciating for the game. I couldn't be more grateful to receive this award, and I'm incredibly thankful for everyone who's supported me along the way. My passion and love for the this game make this recognition even more meaningful to me."
In her senior year, Papaleo finished with a .548 batting average, .685 on-base percentage, 1.177 slugging percentage and 1.862 OPS. She had 34 hits, 13 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 37 runs scored, 21 walks (13 of which were intentional), 19 stolen bases and 31 RBI. In 89 plate appearances, she struck out only three times and was hit by pitch eight times.
Papaleo completed high school with a .554 batting average, 153 hits, 59 doubles, 10 triples, 256 home runs, 140 RBI and 80 stolen bases. Her play in center field was unmatched, committing only three errors her whole high school career.
Ursuline coach John Pirone was very appreciative of the play of his center fielder.
"I'm thankful for her work ethic," Koalas coach Pirone said. "Thankful for her humbleness. Appreciative of her mindset to always want to get better and help her teammates get better."
The Gatorade Player of the Year award has recognized the top high school student-athletes across the country for accomplishments on and off the field since 1985. The company awards each winner a $1,000 grant which is donated to the local/national youth sports organization of the winner's choice.
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie; @LoHudSoftball
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ava Papaleo makes softball history as Gatorade Player of the Year
Continue reading...
