Tommy Batistelli and Neneyo Mate-Kole: Inspirational Athletes

The class of 2013 seniors will soon depart from Hills West and continue on with their lives to make a name for themselves in the world. Many of these departing students leave behind legacies that remind everyone of who they are, especially senior athletes. Two such seniors that have excelled in athletics are Tommy Batistelli and Neneyo Mate-Kole. Four year track member Tommy Batistelli, and talented basketball player and track member Neneyo Mate-Kole have broken school records that will surely be remembered and venerated.

Tommy Batistelli has been an important part of the track and field team since freshman year, and a member of the varsity team since sophomore year. He has always been an extremely hard worker, and consistently trains and competes to improve. This hard work paid off; as a junior, he beat the previous school pole vault record of twelve feet. The same year he was awarded the All-Division and All-League awards. However, he did not relax after his junior year. This year, as a senior, he continuously trained until he beat his own record. At a meet against Hauppauge, Batistelli reached a height of thirteen feet and 3 inches. “I loved being a part of the team, and training and competing with my friend, Travis Ng,” said Batistelli. This amazing pole-vaulter plans on continuing with the sport next year. “I plan on continuing to compete in track and field in college. I have decided to pole-vault in Division 3 at Ithaca College, and I hope to pole-vault for all of my four years at Ithaca College,” explained Batistelli.

Neneyo Mate-Kole has been pushing himself to be the best he can be on both the basketball and track team. During his sophomore year, he accomplished a tremendous amount for both teams. On track, he broke the school high jump record, surpassing six feet to receive a high jump to six feet and one inch. That same year, he helped the basketball team to win the Long Island Championship; he even went to States. Unfortunately, for most of Mate-Kole’s junior year, he was unable to participate in athletics because of an ACL injury. However, after extensive rehab and hard work, he could play basketball later in the season. As of this year, he is back on both teams. “I hope that I am able to clear six feet and six inches on the high jump when on track,” explained Mate-Kole.  He plans on attending the University of Buffalo and commented, “In college, I plan on taking a couple years off from sports to focus on my studies. However, I will be training and working hard to get stronger in the hopes of returning to both sports to be better than ever in my later years of college.”

These two incredible athletes have left behind outstanding school records that will challenge future students to put their greatest efforts into beating them. While both are leaving the school, they both will continue to flourish in their respective sports. These two individuals display not only outstanding athletic talent, but also unbelievable determination. The hard work that both of these individuals have put into their training has entirely paid off, evident by their success on their teams.