By Joseph Staszewski
Another Queens high school sports season is getting set to start.
New stars emerge and old ones put the finishing touches on their careers, so here is a look at the players I think you should keep an eye on during the upcoming fall season.
Terrence Chavis, Flushing football
Chavis helped the Red Devils to a historic campaign a year ago. Flushing went 9-3 and reached the PSAL City Conference semifinal for the first time. The current senior was a pick part of that run by throwing for 1,371 yards and 17 touchdowns.
A lot more of the offensive burn will fall on Chavis with graduation of a large group of key seniors.
Medina Mulic, Christ the King girl’s soccer
The junior midfielder is one of the best all-around girls’ soccer players in the city. Mulic, a two-time All-Queens first team selection by TimesLedger Newspapers, scored goals and dished out assists last season to help lead the Royals to a third straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I title.
Her speed, strength and skill should continue to frustrate defenses all season.
Chris Manfre, Holy Cross football
Manfre did his thing with Brandon Pelzer at running back and next to Jordan Francklin last season. His role grows exponentially with the latter two lost to graduation.
Manfre, an All-Queens First Team selection by TimesLedger, has proven to be an effective runner and playmaking defender. The senior will now be given a chance to really shine for the Knights.
Alexa Trunz, Bayside girls’ soccer
Tronz quick helped everyone at Bayside forget about the loss of leading scorer D.J. Glazer to Marist. Last year, the current senior tallied 19 goals and dished out eight assists. She also had the knack of scoring late and when her team needed her most.
The forward helped lead Bayside to a third straight Queens A-IV division title. Look for her to pick up where she left off.
Juan Carlos Obregon, Christ the King boys’ soccer
The senior midfielder was a dangerous force, a speedy and athletic Christ the King offense last season as a junior. Obregon tallied seven goals and 11 assists last season as the Royals reached the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals.
Obregon may be asked to score more this year with Christ the King losing leading scorer Cesar Oviedo to graduation.
Chris Ray, Archbishop Molloy boys’ soccer
Ray has shown a knack for scoring big goals in the past. He had a playoff winner two years ago and the deciding score in a victory over St. Francis Prep last season. The senior will become one of the focal points of the Stanners’ offense this season with the graduation of Denes Kostel.
Molloy wants to regain the CHSAA Class AA Intersectional title after losing to St. Francis Prep in last year’s final.
Pamela Arce, Bryant girls’ volleyball
Arce stepped up in a big way last season when more responsibility was placed on her. The setter was fifth in the PSAL with 151 assists during the regular season to help Bryant finish on top of the Queens A North/East division.
The senior will look to improve on her play and help the Owls make a deeper playoff run after a first-round exit last season.
Jessica Vishnudat, St. Francis Prep girls’ volleyball
She may have been playing behind plenty of star last year, but Vishnuday may have made the play of the Terriers’ season. The right-side hitter’s dig of Duke commit Leigh Meyer in the CHSAA state final swung the match’s momentum.
SFP went on to win its first crown since 1986. Plays like that will be needed more consistently this season.
