Champions honoring champions in Berkshire County

New members were welcomed on Saturday during a formal ceremony at the Proprietors Lodge in Pittsfield.

Dasen Woitkowski, Riley Robinson, Terri Salinetti Labrecque, Peggy Steuerwald, Debbie Carey Decker, Brooke DiGennaro, McKenzie Robinson, Mark Kaley, and Bill Robinson were inducted as part of the Class of .

Notably, three inductees bear the same surname, as father Bill Robinson was honored alongside his daughters McKenzie and Riley. He is recognized as the head coach of the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team, a role for which he has received multiple accolades and has successfully led to six championships in Western Massachusetts.

In , a dedicated father of three daughters initiated the Berkshire Mountaineers Girls AAU Basketball Program. Since its inception, the program has experienced substantial growth and has significantly contributed to the development of athletes throughout the region, including numerous participants in the renowned Hoosac Valley girls varsity basketball team.

Among these athletes are McKenzie and Riley Robinson. McKenzie completed her education at Hoosac in , achieving the distinction of being a three-time Western Massachusetts champion, and she competed in two state championship games before advancing to play at MCLA. During her tenure with the Trailblazers, she established the record for the most assists in a single season in her junior year.

During her time in competitive sports, she secured championships and earned three Western Massachusetts titles, culminating in her recognition as The Berkshire Eagle’s Athlete of the Year for the – season. Riley furthered her athletic career at Springfield College, where she contributed to the team’s advancement to the NCAA Division III Sweet in .

Among her contemporaries and competitors were the Robinson sisters and Brooke DiGennaro, a graduate of Drury High School class of . DiGennaro also participated in AAU basketball with the Mountaineers. Although neither of the Robinson sisters took part in the game, DiGennaro was the top scorer for the Blue Devils during a loss to Hoosac Valley in the Western Massachusetts Championship. Throughout her career at Drury, DiGennaro amassed a total of , points.

DiGennaro, after earning a gold medal at the Bay State Games under the guidance of Coach Liz Kay, subsequently continued her athletic journey at MCLA. Notably, she was one year behind McKenzie Robinson and achieved recognition as a second team All-MASCAC player in , averaging an impressive . points per game.

Two distinguished individuals were inducted into the hall of fame from Lenox High School, each hailing from distinct time periods. Debbie Carey Decker, who graduated in , competed under Coach Lenny Miller, while Peggy Steuerwald, who completed her studies in , played for Coach Fred Lafave.

Beginning her career as an eighth-grader for the Millionaires, Steuerwald secured five Southern Division championships before dedicating two years to further competition.

At Westfield State University,

Carey Decker played a pivotal role in guiding Lenox to secure the Division I Western Massachusetts championship in . The following year, she contributed to the victory of the Division III State Championship against Boston Cathedral. During her final year, she was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the Division III Western Massachusetts Tournament. At Mitchell College, Carey Decker distinguished herself as an All-American in soccer and was instrumental in leading the women’s basketball team to an impressive overall record of wins and losses over two seasons.

Terri Salinetti Labrecque completed her education at Lee High School in , having earned varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and softball. Notably, she follows in the footsteps of her sister, Lisa Salinetti Ross, who is also enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

She served as a four-year starter for the Wildcats, garnering All-Western Mass. honors during her senior year, prior to achieving significant success at Wheaton College. Throughout her tenure with the Lyons, she accumulated a total of , points, which positions her as eighth on the institution’s all-time scoring list. Furthermore, she holds the record for the most successful free throws made, totaling , and ranks fourth in program history with steals. In addition, she received All-NEWMAC recognition in both her junior and senior years.

Dasen Woitkowski competed at Pittsfield High until , where she established herself as an exceptional scorer before injuries affected her performance in her junior and senior years. She captured a Western Mass. championship during her freshman season and was averaging approximately . points per game.

In Summary

In conclusion, the remarkable achievements of both Carey Decker and Terri Salinetti Labrecque exemplify the dedication, talent, and resilience that define not only their individual careers but also the rich athletic tradition of their respective schools. Carey’s impressive accolades as an All-American and her impact on the women’s basketball team showcase her multifaceted skill set and leadership on the field. Meanwhile, Terri’s athletic prowess in multiple sports and her connection to her sister, a fellow Hall of Famer, highlight the enduring legacy of excellence in their family. As we celebrate their accomplishments, we are reminded of the power of commitment and passion in sports, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness in their own journeys.