Darien's Case Matheis
Wilton's Mike Francia
Staples' Raphael Ray
New Canaan's Alex Farina
St. Joseph's Tyler Matakevich
McMahon's Bryan Daniello
After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the last 10 weeks, it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best. We have six outstanding finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Male Player of the Year award.
The winner will receive a trophy and a Player of the Year T-shirt with his name on the back from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.
Here are the finalists — each earned All-FCIAC and All-State honors — and their accomplishments:
BRYAN DANIELLO, BRIEN MCMAHON BASEBALL: Daniello, who was voted the FCIAC’s Player of the Year, had a 6-4 record with two saves, and batted .432, with three home runs, 16 RBIs, 25 runs scored and a .543 on-base percentage to help the Senators reach the Class LL quarterfinals.
ALEX FARINA, NEW CANAAN BASEBALL: Farina finished with a 9-2 record and 0.72 earned run average, with 89 strikeouts and just 11 walks and seven earned runs allowed in 82 innings, to help lead the Rams to the Class L semifinals.
MIKE FRANCIA, WILTON LACROSSE: Francia finished with 55 goals and 50 assists to become the Warriors’ all-time leading scorer with 329 career points, and helped lead the team to its first state title since 2004. He was named an All-American.
TYLER MATAKEVICH, ST. JOSEPH BASEBALL: Matakevich finished the season with a .479 average, 25 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and 12 extra-base hits to help lead the Cadets to the FCIAC regular-season title.
CASE MATHEIS, DARIEN LACROSSE: Matheis, before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the state playoffs, finished the season with 46 goals and 41 assists to help the Blue Wave win the FCIAC championship and reach the state semifinals. Matheis was selected as an All-American and named the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Player of the Year.
RAPHAEL RAY: STAPLES TRACK: Ray set a school record in the 400 (47.99) and won the title at the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open meets, and finished second at the New England Championships. Ray was also part of a 4×400 relay team that took first place at the Class LL and State Open meets, and set a school record (3:19.26) in winning the New England title.
Those are the six finalists. You have until noon on Wednesday to select the 2011 BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Male Player of the Year.
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Have no idea what you are talking about with all area – or discrepancies.
cooksey won all area not daniello…just clearing up any discrepancies
ALEX FARINA IS NOT ONLY A GREAT ATHLETE BUT HE IS A GREAT PERSON – ALWAYS WORKING HARD AND GIVING HIS BEST !!! “A-FAR” THE SUPERSTAR!!!!
Congrats to everyone selected…looks like Alex is leading the voting right now but it only makes sense if Bryan Daniello wins this award. Both are baseball players in the same conference and if the Daniello kid won Fciac player of the year then right there that puts him ahead of both baseball players selected. Just an observation from a baseball fan. Bryan had an amazing year. 1st team all-fciac, all-state, all CT post, all new haven register, selected to junior select game, and most likely all area MVP. Congrats Bryan
I am proud to say I am Alex’s High School baseball coach. So to say I am slightly prejudice would be an understatement. I watched as Alex dedicated himself, over the past off season, to make himself a better player. That hard work carried over to the recently ended high school baseball season. His dedication and work ethic was evident as it was reflected in the statistics he put up this season as the pitching ace of the New Canaan Baseball High School staff. We all read the stats; 82 innings, 89 k’s, 11 bb’s, .72 era, and posting a 9 and 2 record. Well that doesn’t even tell the whole story. The days Alex did not pitch he was the starting right fielder for the team. Alex also batted clean up throughout the season and proved to be a threat to opposing pitchers. For a big man Alex anchored the corner outfield position and proved to be more than extremely capable, his play was invaluable to his team. Without Alex this team would not have made the FCIAC playoffs or made it the the semi finals of the Class L state championship. So is Alex Farina FCIAC male athlete of the the year? In my eyes there is no one more deserving.
Alex Farina has had dreams of the MLB since he was three years old. Day by day I see my little brother get closer and closer to reaching his goal. He works so hard and he definitely deserves this. It was tough growing up in your shadows my whole life but I am so proud of you!
vote for matakevich. class act and a great ballplayer
To those of you checking because you sent in comments knocking one of the finalists – you won’t find them posted.
Alex Farina and me have played on the same AAU team for the last two years, and i know he is one of the best players around. He works hard and is without a doubt one of the best athletes in the state.
Alex Farina is the best! He’ll be in the major leagues. No doubt! Go Farina!
I consider them if they are nominated. Not sure, if this is serious, how you even argue with Alex.
I think Nick Pelli on the New Canaan Baseball team should have been considered for this award. Its a shame he wasn’t. But we all make mistakes Dave.
Alex, excellent season. We are very proud of you and look forward to watching you grow in the future. Best of luck. The Barnetts
Excellent season. We are very proud of you. goodluck. The Barnetts
Ray has the most talent here
Raphael Ray has performed year in and year out over his high school track career. This kid will be remembered as one of the Harrier’s elite and certainly deserves this title. In addition to what has been said about him above he has been All-State, All-County and All-New England all four years of his high school career. He holds three school records and one state! It has been a pleasure watching him run this year.
That’s why he’s here!
Dave & fellow voters,
I have watched Raph (Raphael Ray) Run track for the last four years, and he has been nothing short of spectacular. Every season he has led the team in points scored and always contributes gold medals when it comes to championship meets. This spring season alone he has earned 6 Gold and 1 Silver, including a third consecutive gold medal in the 4×400 meter relay at the New England Championships. Raph is an unbelieveable runner who will absolutely attain great success at the college level. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Staples T&F would not have had the success it has in the past 4 years without the assistance of one Raphael Ray. Good Luck Raph!
Dave,
My son Tyler played AAU baseball with Alex Farina for 2 years with the CT Black Sox. Alex is a outstanding baseball player. He help win some tournments for the team. My son pitch along side with Alex.
He can also hit the ball and play the field. Alex has a bright future in college. I know Alex did really well this year. I think if NC didn’t have Alex pitching well this year, they would have not made it to the semi finals. Good Luck Alex!