Sports
You Picked It: Harrison’s Male Athlete of the Year, Michael DeLacy
After a week, and over 350 votes, Harrison has elected the baseball captain Mike DeLacy Harrison's 2009-10 male athlete of the year.
On Monday we revealed the results of the Harrison athlete of the year poll. During a week-long vote, a whopping 71 percent of participants chose Mike Delacy over Paul Bouonocore, Bryan Merlos, Andrew Planamento and Dennis Rinaldi, all of whom were well-deserving athletes.
Even after a great year, DeLacy was surprised to find out that he won Harrison Patch's first ever athlete of the year award.
"I was excited and shocked that I won," said Delacy. "I thought it was going to be a close race between Dennis Rinaldi, Bryan Merlos and myself."
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DeLacy crushed the competition in the race for this award. He pulled in 71 percent of the votes, while second place finished with 15 percent.
DeLacy had a superb senior season hitting .431 and slugging .597 he was also on base in over half of his plate appearances. He did everything from leading the team as a captain to being the centerpiece in the Harrison lineup and an excellent defender at third.
Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"He is a great player," said Harrison pitcher Zach Eklund. "Coach never needed to name him the captain because all the guys on the team looked up to him because of his talent and his leadership. Pitching is always easier when you know you have someone like that on your team who can field and hit."
DeLacy said he was happy to win an award that was voted on by Harrison sports fans.
"This award is very special," said the third baseman. "Everyone in Harrison votes on it rather then just the school, so I am happy to know that my work on the field was appreciated."
This spring DeLacy led the Huskies to the section championship game and was a key cog in the Harrison machine down the stretch. He said the recognition of his teammates was the most important thing he received this year, more so then any other award.
"People on the team told me they could not have done it with out me," said DeLacy. "It makes me feel appreciated and that I meant something to the team."
Next year, DeLacy plans to allow his athletic career to take a back seat so that he can concentrate on his academics and possibly play big time college baseball in the future.
