Each year, as the fall sports seasons kick off in Suffolk and Nassau County, Newsday compiles countless lists of the best high-school athletes on Long Island.

These lists, ranging from Top 100 down to Top 30, recognize high schoolers who have put in a tremendous amount of effort on their fields and courts to sharpen their athletic abilities and compete at the highest levels.

Here at Patchogue-Medford, we’ve enjoyed student-athlete presence on these lists for several years, and this fall sports season has been no different.

Spanning boys’ soccer and boys’ volleyball, the district has had three representatives chosen for Newsday’s fall sports lists.

For boys’ soccer, Senior team captains Logan Guzik (Goalkeeper) and Andrew Tapia (Midfielder) were selected for Newsday’s Top 100 on Long Island list, even having the opportunity to visit the newspaper’s headquarters in Melville for a photo shoot.

Guzik, who is being honored on the list for the second year in a row, explains, “Being on this list again means a lot to me, especially because of the vast amount of talent that Long Island soccer has.”

Guzik also says, “although the list may be overlooked in the long run, it’s a big boost of confidence not only for myself but also for our squad and coaching staff.”

Tapia then added that this type of acknowledgement is extremely valuable to him, declaring, “It’s a special moment for me because of all the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve put into this sport. It’s all paying off and I really am overjoyed by that.”

Like Guzik, Tapia has received an increase in confidence from Newsday’s list. “It makes me feel more confident in myself, which can be effective in game,” he explains.

The star midfielder hopes the list will put him on the radar and grant him more exposure. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me, and I’m ready to keep working hard to accomplish my goals,” continues Tapia.

Also a Senior and team captain, Julian Frey (Middle) was placed for a second consecutive year in Newsday’s list of Top 50 boys’ volleyball players, an accolade he says “has really validated all the hard work” he’s put in.

Frey states he is over the moon “all the bloody knees, ankle and shoulder issues, slipping and sliding on gym floors, and hours upon hours of non-stop reps” have finally started to pay off.

“This achievement means I get to not only continue to push my level, but also focus more on helping others,” claims Frey.

“Whether it’s picking up slack, helping them at a low point, or being able to pull through for them on a do-or-die moment, I am more than ready to give my all for the squad.”

Despite their placements on Newsday’s lists, Guzik, Tapia, and Frey all said that their team’s work is not finished this season.

Both Pat-Med teams will hope to qualify for playoffs and earn a high seed, setting the squads up for a deep playoff run.

The teams will continue to pursue playoff qualification this coming week, with the soccer team hosting Sachem North on September 23rd, and the volleyball team hosting East Hampton on the 26th.