Benji Parkes and Ed LaVigneLansing Varsity Boys Soccer Team Coach Benji Parkes recieves a proclamation from Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne

Lansing Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne presented a proclamation Wednesday honoring the Lansing High School Varsity Boys Soccer Team for winning the Class C State Championship for the second year in a row.  LaVigne read the proclamation aloud before presenting it to Head Coach Benji Parkes.

"We had a conversation at the benefit for the soccer team by the North Lansing Auxiliary, and I asked you 'how can you top being New York State Champions last year?'," LaVigne reminisced with Parkes. "And you calmly said, 'Do it again.'  And you did it again!"

The Lansing Boys Varsity Bobcats finished the regular season 21-1-0.  They won its third consecutive Section IV title, then went on to States, where, on November 11th, they defeated Geneseo in Middletown to become Class C final at Middletown High School, State Champions for the second year in a row.

Parkes is losing eight seniors, but is going into next year's season with a strong, experienced roster.

"I lose a total of eight seniors, and I have 19 returning players," he said. "I have a class of 16 juniors that will now be my 16 seniors.  We're a pretty deep team coming into next year.  I'm looking forward to it."

Lansing Soccer ProclamationClick to view larger image

Team members:
  • Seniors: Erik Goehler,Langston Hopkins, Aidan Huslebosch, Matthew Kirkwood, Phillip Linnick, Jason Littlefair, George Taylor, Ethan Zemanick.
  • Juniors: Eli Bartholomew, Joe Besemer, Aidan Burt, Ethan Burt, Mason Edwards, Ben Infante, Tristan Lyndaker, Sean O'Callaghan, Sam Panzer, Gill Richardson, Kyle Romeo, Alex Rose, Gavin Suwara, Julian Tornusciolo, Matt Weil, Sean Wenzel.
  • Sophomores: Jack Collins, Kyle Reid, Morgan Somchanhmavong.
  • Freshman: Tomas Vence.
Coaches:
  • Head Coach Benji Parkes
  • Coach David Schlesinger
  • Coach Andrew Triosi
LaVigne acknowledged the town Recreation Department soccer 'feeder programs' that provide a consistent soccer experience from a very young age all the way through the varsity program at Lansing High School.

"This is not just a baseball town any more," he said.

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