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(03/13/19 3:00pm)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On March 5, the lacrosse team defeated Ursinus College 16-1 and then went on to take down Dickinson College 16-9 on Saturday, March 9.
Starting the College off strong, junior attacker Talia Bouzakis scored the first goal within a minute into game play.
To continue the nine-goal rally, Bouzakis added two more goals and an assist. She also recorded a hat trick from an assist by junior defender Jessica Allen. Junior attacker Kasey Donoghue contributed two goals, one being off an assist by junior attacker Olivia Cleale.
Junior midfielder Alexandria Fitzpatrick scored her 100th career goal with 17:50 left in the first and went on to score four more goals and one assist.
With one second left, Donoghue scored the Lions’ 10th goal of the half to put the team up 10-1.
Outscoring Ursinus 6-0 in the second half, midfielders junior Chloe Pottillo and senior Erin Harvey both had four draw controls on the day. Senior goalkeeper Miranda Chrone finished the day with nine saves.
A pair of goals from Fitzpatrick started the team’s game against Dickinson strong and she went on to score three more goals and an assist before the final buzzer.
Harvey followed the first two goals with one of her own and went on to score three on the day. Cleale also contributed a goal before the first half was over.
Donoghue scored one of the team’s 10 goals in the second half and was followed by Fitzpatrick’s goal off an Allen assist and an Allen goal off a Cleale assist.
Finally, junior midfielder Allie Gorman had a goal to close out the game.
Chrone had an impressive day with 19 saves, setting a new career high.
The Lions have improved to 3-1 as of this past weekend. The team will take to the field again on Saturday, March 16 to take on Amherst College.
(03/12/19 7:40am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The Lions traveled to Roanoke, Virginia on Friday, March 8 to compete in the NCAA Championships. The team took eighth place overall. Senior Ryan Budzek, junior Dan Kilroy and sophomore Jake Giordano took the competition by storm.
Giordano started the day in the consolation bracket of the 133-pound category. After several takedowns, he moved on to the next round only to fall to his opponent and take a spot in the fifth-place match.
Earning a final takedown in the last seconds of the match, Giordano was able to secure fifth place in his weight class and finish the season with a 28-5 record.
Budzek began in the semi-finals of the 149-pound category and moved on to the finals after a 8-1 win.
After an even battle, Budzek came out on top in the final round to secure his championship title with a 4-2 victory. After four years on the team, he ended his career with an 84-20 record.
In the 174-pound category, Kilroy lost in the first round and then advanced to a consolation semi-final match, which he won. After advancing to the third-place match, Kilroy took the fall and settled for fourth place, ending his season with a 32-3 record.
Giordano ended the season with his first ever All-American honor.
Budzek ended his career as a two-time national qualifier and as a 2019 weight-class champion.
Kilroy ended his season as a three-time national qualifier, two-time regional champion and two-time All-American.
The team finished the season on a 16-match winning streak with a 16-1 record and was ranked 13th overall in the division.
(03/05/19 12:00pm)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Saturday, March 2, the men’s and women’s tennis teams battled Dickinson College at home and shut out their respective opponents.
The next day, the men’s team took on Franklin and Marshall College at home, shutting out its opponent as well.
The men’s team shut out Dickinson 9-0, winning each singles and doubles match for the day. Freshman Matthew Michibata and senior Tim Gavornik started doubles off strong with an 8-4 win. Junior Thomas Wright and senior Mitchel Sanders followed with a win of the same score.
The team of senior Matt Puig and junior Gokul Murugesan won its doubles match 8-2.
Sanders and Wright both won their singles match in two out of three sets, while Gavornik, Puig, freshman Mikhael Kadyrkaev and freshman Nikola Kilibarda all won their matches in two sets. The women also shutout Dickinson 9-0, sweeping all their matches as well. The team of freshmen Liya Davidov and Alyssa Baldi won its doubles match 8-1.
Freshmen Sarah Phung and Navya Yemula topped their opponents 8-5, while freshmen Ally Yan and Amy Yan won 8-6. Davidov, Baldi, Phung and Yemula all helped sweep the singles matches in two sets.
Freshman Julia Yoon and junior Audrey Chen all also contributed to singles wins with uncontested victories after the first two matches.
On Sunday, March 3, the men defeated Franklin and Marshall, shutting their opponents out by a score of 8-0. Doubles teams of Puig and Murugesan and Wright and Sanders both defeated their opponents 8-4. Michibata and Gavornik came out victorious by a score of 8-5.
Sanders, Gavornik, Puig and Wright all swept their matches in two sets and Michibata won his in two out of three matches.
Both teams are now undefeated, with the men improving to 4-0 on the spring season and the women to 3-0. The Lions return to the court on Saturday, March 9 when they travel to Salisbury University.
(02/27/19 12:00am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Feb. 16, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams opened their seasons against University of Sciences in Philadelphia and both won by a score of 7-2.
The men’s doubles teams dominated. Freshman Matthew Michibata and senior Tim Gavornik finished victorious at 8-1, along with senior Matt Puig and freshman Justin Wain.
Lions’ singles players showed no mercy, as senior Mitchel Sanders and junior Thomas Wright won their matches along with Michibata, Gavornik and Puig taking victories in their matches.
The women had a similar day as they swept all doubles matches. The teams of freshman Liya Davidov and senior Grace Minassian, senior Alyssa Baldi and junior Audrey Chen and freshmen Sarah Phung and Navya Yemula won by scores of 8-1, 8-5 and 8-4 respectively.
Minassian, Baldi, Phung and Chen all achieved victories in singles matches.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, the women took on Christian Newport University, winning by a final score of 5-4. In doubles, Davidov and Baldi won 8-5 and Phung and Yemula won 8-4.
The team dominated in the second half of singles with matches won by Chen, Yemula and freshman Julia Yoon.
On Sunday, Feb. 24 the men went up against Swarthmore College and came away with a 5-4 win.
To start off the doubles matches, Wright and Sanders claimed a 8-5 victory and Puig and Wain claimed the win with a 7-4 tiebreak.
Finishing the match in proper fashion, Michibata, Wain and Wright all won their matches and gave the team its tight victory.
The Lions continue their season on the road as they travel to Dickinson College on Saturday, March 2.
(02/26/19 11:00pm)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Saturday, Feb. 23 and Sunday, Feb. 24 the wrestling team traveled to Brockport, New York to compete in the NCAA Regionals, where it advanced nine wrestlers to the finals.
Taking second out of 18 teams, the Lions were able to advance five wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Championship on Sunday.
After the first day of wrestling, the team advanced the following nine wrestlers to the Sunday match— freshman Johnny Garda at 165 pounds, junior Dan Kilroy at 174 pounds, senior Ryan Budzek at 149 pounds, sophomore Robert Dinger at 141 pounds, sophomore Jake Giordano at 133 pounds, junior Dan Ortega at 125 pounds, sophomore Dan Surich at 184 pounds, senior JT Beirne at 165 pounds and freshman Thomas Marretta at heavyweight.
Giordano went on to win both his matches and will make his first collegiate trip to the championship.
Kilroy will travel to his second championship after a shutout and a decision.
Budzek took second in his weight class and will make his second career national team appearance.
Beirne and Dinger will make their first national team appearances after taking third place in their respective weight classes.
Lions who did not advance to the championship include Ortega, Garda, Surich and Marretta. Ortega and Garda took fourth, while Surich and Marretta placed seventh.
Head coach Joe Galante and his staff were named Regional Coach and Regional Coaching Staff of the Year after the tournament.
The remaining five wrestlers will travel to Roanoke, Virginia on Friday, March 8 to compete in the NCAA Championships.
(02/19/19 1:00pm)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Sunday, Feb. 17 the wrestling team traveled to Muhlenberg College to compete in the Futures Tournament.
The College placed 12 wrestlers on the day with two winning titles.
At 133 pounds, sophomores Jacob Falleni and Ryan Manahan both placed in their weight class with Falleni taking the title and Manahan coming in fifth.
Falleni had three pins in four matches during his run for the title. Sophomore Anthony Rua went undefeated during his battle for the 141-pound title.
Rua had one pin on the day and battled teammate freshman Steven Schwab in the final round.
Schwab fell to Rua but took second place in his weight class.
In the 174-pound weight class, the Lions placed three freshmen. Jon Borgognoni, Joe McCarthy and Alfonso Pinto Jr., placed for the Lions, third and fourth respectively.
At 125 pounds, sophomore Christian Deehan was able to place third along with sophomore Thomas Anderson and freshman Matt Surich.
Anderson placed third in the 184 pound category and Surich took fourth weighing in at 149 pounds.
In the 197-pound weight class, freshman Steven Giannios and junior Matthew Cornerly took third and fourth respectively.
Now finished with their regular season matches, the Lions return to action on Saturday, Feb. 23 when they travel to Brockport College to compete in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
(02/12/19 7:01am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The wrestling team went on the road on Friday, Feb. 8 to face Delaware Valley University and host Messiah College in a dual meet the next day.
Going up against Delaware Valley, the College added to its winning streak by topping its opponent 47-8. The team started off its match strong with four straight forfeits, which let it take a 24-3 lead.
Continuing the match, freshman John Garda, wrestling at 165 pounds, was able to pin his opponent early on; 174-pound junior Dan Kilroy won with a fall early in his bout as well.
Sophomore Dan Surich secured a technical fall at 184 pounds while senior Alex Mirabella, at 197 pounds, finished the match with a pin.
Going up against Messiah College, the Lions earned an easy 34-7 win at home, propelling their winning streak to 16 wins since their initial loss back in December.
Prior to the match, the team honored their five seniors: JT Beirne, Ryan Budzek, Mark Gerstacker, Kyle McIntyre, Alex Mirabella and their families, thanking them for their time at the college and wishing them the best of luck in the future.
Sophomore Jake Giordano won at 133 pounds with a technical fall and sophomore Anthony Rua took a major decision at 144 pounds.
Senior Ryan Buzdek had a takedown at 149 pounds while senior JT Bernie also secured a victory at 157 with a takedown. Kilroy earned a major decision and Surich secured the team win with a major decision as well.
Mirabella secured a shutout victory and freshman Steven Giannios finished the night securing a pin and the win at 197 pounds.
On the season, Kilroy and sophomore Robert Dinger have 11 pins each a team high for the 2018-19 season. Following closely is freshman Jon Borgognoni with seven pins, a high for his graduating class during the 2018-19 season.
The Lions resume action on Sunday, Feb. 17 as they look to compete in the Futures Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg College.
(02/12/19 7:00am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The men’s and women’s track teams traveled to Boston University for the two-day David Hemery Valentine Invitational. This huge meet, with over 90 institutions entered and 3,500 participants, took place from Friday, Feb. 8 until Saturday, Feb. 9.
The men had a strong meet. Sophomore Daulton Hopkins took 29th in the 60-meter dash at 7.4 seconds and fellow sophomore Tariq Ali came in at 7.56 in the same race for 37th place.
For the 200-meter race, sophomore Anthony Lorenc locked in 87th place out of 203 runners with a time of 22.26. In the same race, Hopkins took 141st with a time of 23.26, senior Nathan Osterhus placed 168th with a time of 23.66 and Ali crossed the line at 23.80 to take place 174th.
In the field, freshman Jaiden Elliot jumped to 19th place with a mark of 13.83 meters in the triple jump and junior Tim Reilly took 30th with a jump of 12.92.
Freshman Colin Martin took 40th in the weighted throw putting up a mark of 11.97 meters.
The women also had a successful meet. Freshman Nicole Vadon took 17th place in the in the 60-meter dash, crossing the line at 8.15 seconds. In the 800-meter race, senior Kathleen Jaeger placed 44th with a time of 2:14.71 and freshman Ali Uhl took 71st, clocking in at 2:18.78.
Running the 400-meter race, junior Sam Gorman placed 52nd with a time of 57.88, sophomore Shannon Lambert took 54th at 57.99 and freshman Megan Gasnick crossed the line at 58.50 for 65th.
In the field, junior Christine Woods took 20th in the triple jump with a mark of 10.98 meters and junior Ally Zelinski took 30th with a jump of 10.20 meters.
The Lions return to the track Monday, Feb. 18 as they take to the road for the New Jersey Athletic Conference Indoor Championship. They will travel to the Ocean City Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York to cap off their winter season.
(02/05/19 7:09am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The mens’ and womens’ track teams went on the road to take on Rider University in a dual meet on Friday, Feb. 1. Both teams unfortunately lost ––– the men by a score of 113-42 and the women 89-69.
For the men, freshman Stuart Gruters finished third in the mile as he ran a time of 4:28.10 and freshman Michael Iannotta placed fifth in the same race with a time of 4:39.62.
Sophomore Anthony Lorenc took fourth place in the 55-meter race, clocking in at 6.71. Freshman Alex Amoia placed third in the 800-meter race, putting up a time of 1:58.49. In the 3000-meter race, sophomore Pelle Nogueria placed third and junior Mike Zurzolo took fourth with times of 9:06.96 and 9:10.81 respectively.
The women’s team was able to sweep the top four spots in the 400-meter race. Senior Kathleen Jaeger took the top spot with a time of 1:00.67 and freshman Victoria Vricella followed close behind at 1:01.27. Junior Katie La Capria and sophomore Emily Hirsch placed third and fourth with times of 1:01.27 and 1:01.75 respectively.
In the mile, the women took the top three spots with senior Erin Holzbaur taking first, running a time of 5:19.00. In second and third, freshman Kelsey Kobus ran a 5:19.08 and senior Natalie Cooper put up a time of 5:19.37.
Junior Sam Gorman won the 200-meter race with a time of 25.97. Senior Madeline Tattory took the top spot in the 3000-meter race, coming in at 10:38.44, while senior Gabby DeVito finished a close behind in second place with a time of 10:38.50.
The Lions return to action on Friday, Feb. 8 for the two-day David Hemery Valentine Invitational as they travel to Boston University.
(02/05/19 7:07am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Friday, Feb. 1, the Lions took on Centenary University, which they beat 28-12. The next day, the team went on the road to participate in the Messiah College Open, competing against more than 30 universities from the Northeast.
The College put forth a great effort against Centenary and continued its winning streak. Notable wrestlers include junior Dan Ortega, sophomore Jake Giordano, junior Dan Kilroy, sophomore Robert Dinger, freshman Quinn Haddad and senior Ryan Budzek.
The team dominated the Messiah Open, winning six matches against Division 1 opponents. Giordano wrestled through four rounds to win his second title of the season at 133 pounds.
Sophomore Thomas Anderson made his way to the final match in the 184-pound category, pinning one of his opponents and finally winning the title via a 7-0 decision.
Ortega pinned two opponents, but ended up taking second after falling in the final round to an opponent from the University of Maryland in the 125-pound weight category.
Both sophomore Anthony Rua and junior Nic Mele wrestled at 141 pounds and placed third and fifth respectively. Freshman Quinn Haddad and junior Matt Cornely took fourth and seventh respectively, wrestling at 197 pounds. Wrestling at 133 pounds, sophomore Jake Falleni won five matches to place fifth overall in his weight class.
Sophomore Christian Deehan wrestled at 125 pounds and placed sixth overall for his weight class. The Lions return to action when they travel to Delaware Valley University on Friday, Feb. 8.
(02/05/19 7:01am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the swimming and diving teams took on William Paterson University in a home dual meet. Both teams came out on top with the men’s final score being 194-79 and the women finishing at 168-90.
For the men, seniors Alex Skoog, Angelo Stefani, Brendan Pilaar and Sam Maquet placed first in the 20-meter medley relay with a time of 1:38.43. The 4x200-meter relay team of sophomores James Keane, Griffin Morgan, Kai Michaud and Stephen Walsh placed first at 1:31.99. Sophomore Jay Soukup had an eventful day in the diving well, putting up scores of 491.93 in the one-meter dive and 513.68 in the three-meter dive.
Placing first and second in the 1000-meter freestyle, Keane swam a time of 10:14.65 and DJ DeSomma came in close behind at 11:00.18. Sophomore Andrew Duff took first in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 59.91 and junior Eli O’Connor placed second with a time of 1:02.04. In the 200-meter freestyle, Skoog placed first with a time of 1:44.82 and Morgan followed close behind in second, clocking in at 1:54.40. Junior Harrison Yi took the top spot in the 100-meter backstroke, touching the wall at 55.51, while freshman Joe Om placed second with a time of 56.90.
Sophomore Andrew Thompson won the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 1:55.97 and Maquet took a close second, clocking in at 1:56.81. Thompson also took the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 1:58.88. Yi placed first in the 50-meter freestyle, clocking in at 22.26 Junior Derek Kneisel came in second .34 seconds later. Kneisel then came in first in the 500-meter freestyle at 4:59.21.
Sophomore Patrick Bakey swam to first in the 100-meter freestyle, putting up a time of 49.18, while Morgan took first in the 200-meter butterfly at 53.16. Skoog placed first in the 200-meter backstroke, touching the wall at 1:56.88, while Duff won the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:16.76.
For the women, the 200-meter medley relay team of sophomore Anna Kisker and juniors Samantha Askin, Kazia Moore and Annie Menninger placed first with a time of 1:57.82. The 200-meter freestyle team of seniors Maddie Hyonski, Gabi Denicola, Hailey Thayer and Courtney Thompson took first, clocking in at 1:50.10. In the 200-meter freestyle, sophomore Melanie Fosko placed first at 2:04.14 and Moore followed close behind in second at 2:06.47. In the 1000-meter freestyle, sophomore Darby VanDeVeen took first and freshman Kori Jelinek took second with times of 11:40.14 and 11:50.13 respectively.
Hyonski placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke at 1:16.67 and sophomore Nicki Meskin took first in the 200-meter butterfly, touching the wall at 2:23.14. Winning the 50-meter freestyle, sophomore Kelsey Ballard finished at 26.78. Thayer took first in the 100-meter freestyle, clocking in at 57.86.
Meskin also won the 100-meter butterfly at 1:04.45, while Jelinek took home the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:22.80. Denicola took first in the 500-meter freestyle, clocking in at 5:29.19.
Winning the 200-meter backstroke, Elise Fraser swam a 2:22.06, while Fosko also took first place in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:38.66.
The Lions return to the pool on Feb. 22 for the three-day Metropolitan Conference Championships.
(01/30/19 7:00am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
Over winter break, the wrestling team had a huge winning record, improving to 13-1 overall.
First competing in the Mariner Duals on Dec. 9, the team took down New York University by an overall score of 29-15 and defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy 34-12.
During a home quad match against Muhlenberg College, King’s College and New York University on Jan. 4, the Lions topped both Muhlenberg and King’s by a team score of 37-14 and 58-0 respectively.
From Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, the team competed in the Budd Whitehill Duals at Lycoming College, continuing its winning streak. Wrestling first against Castleton University, the College won by a final score of 34-9. The team then topped University of Wisconsin-EAU Claire 28-13 and closed out the day by taking down Lycoming College 37-9.
Securing a record 10th team title at the Budd Whitehill Duals, the Lions took down two more teams the next day. Taking down Springfield College, the team started off the day strong with the 37-3 win, followed by a 37-10 victory over University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
On Friday, Jan. 25, the team took down Springfield again in a dual meet by a score of 38-7. Wrestling at 125 pounds, sophomore Jacob Falleni fought to a major decision victory, while sophomore Jake Giordano fought hard for the win at 133 pounds. Sophomore Robert Dinger quickly pinned his opponent, easily securing the win at 141 pounds.
At 149 pounds, senior Ryan Budzek pushed the Lions to a 17-0 lead, while senior Mark Gerstacker helped seal the deal for the Lions with at win at 157 pounds. Junior Dan Kilroy delivered another pin at 174 pounds and freshman Quinn Haddad pinned his opponent at 197 pounds to finish out the match.
The team rounded out its winning streak with three victories at the John Reese Duals on Sunday, Jan. 27. The 13th-ranked Lions extended their record after a 13-game win streak during winter break, with the second win of the tournament being the 100th victory for head coach Joe Galante.
To start the day off, the Lions topped SUNY Oneonta by a score of 37-12 and finished the day beating out Lackawanna College in a 43-0 shutout, but the most eventful match of the day came against 21st ranked Rochester Institute of Technology, whom the Lions beat 21-19.
Against Oneonta, the team won its first eight matches, leading to a very impressive 37-0 lead and several pins. After a hard-fought match against RIT that went down to the wire, the College was able to edge its way to a win.
Exemplary performances throughout these matches included freshman Johnny Garda with five pins, Dinger with six pins and Kilroy with seven pins. Kilroy’s performance allowed him to take the fourth spot in program history for pins.
The Lions are now ranked 13th with a 13-1 record, undefeated since their first match. The team hosts Centenary University for its next match on Friday, Feb. 1, followed by an away match against Messiah College on Saturday, Feb. 2, hoping to extend its win streak over these two matches.
(01/30/19 3:33am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
Sports and competitive athletics are a huge part of most high school students’ experiences. Whether they are athletes, spectators or members of the band, the sounds of football, basketball, baseball and many other sports still ring in their ears to this day.
Consistent objects of the collective dislike of onlookers are the referees, officials clad in black and white stripes with patches signifying the organization they work for in this case –– the NJSIAA.
Any New Jersey athlete can share stories of NJSIAA referees making insane calls and blatantly ignoring serious fouls. One athlete of a recent event can share a horror story of his own.
According to nj.com, on Dec. 20, as a 16-year-old wrestler from Buena High School was preparing for a match against his opponent from Oakcrest High School, he could not begin to imagine what would be asked of him before he stepped foot on the mat.
In general, as long as a wrestler has the proper head cover for hair that reaches below his ear lobes, he is allowed to wrestle.
One wrestler, Andrew Johnson, was asked by the referee to cut his dreadlocks before a match or be forced to forfeit, therefore awarding the other team six additional points to its total score.
Rather than take the fall, Johnson chose the haircut, which proved to be a quick and messy job done by his trainer with the scissors she uses to cut medical tape.
Johnson’s hair, which at its longest did not go past his shoulders, was still cut despite the teenager’s obvious distress concerning the matter. While Johnson had been allowed to wear a cap covering his dreadlocks in previous matches this season, the match’s referee denied him the pre-approved right to use the cap.
The judge and jury of this controversial call was Alan Maloney, a referee from south Jersey who frequented championship matches and is known for being racist in the past, according to nj.com.
In March 2016, Maloney was accused of using a racial slur during a referee social gathering following a youth wrestling tournament in Wildwood.
The comment was followed by an African-American referee slamming Maloney to the ground, according to nj.com. Both referees faced suspension, but returned to their jobs after an appeal. The NJSIAA gave schools the right to veto Maloney’s assignment to any of their matches but there are no records of this ever happening.
On the day of Johnson’s match, Maloney reportedly showed up late, missing the pre-match meeting where issues such as hair length, weight class and other debatable aspects of wrestlers are usually discussed.
The Johnson family alleges Maloney evaluated Andrew prior to the match and did not express any concerns about the wrestler’s eligibility to compete. Maloney is currently not being assigned to any matches due to a pending investigation.
This event has proven not to be the only of its kind in existence, but rather one of the first to surface so publicly.
The topics of proper headgear, its availability to wrestlers, reliability of referees and the accountability of the NJSIAA in wrestling and many other sports are all being called into question, at no surprise to many.
The length of the list of ignored claims and referee misconduct by the NJSIAA is currently unknown to the public because it is a private organization, but a brief conversation with any high school coach or player will reveal nothing short of countless attempts to add to that list.
The Johnson incident has the potential to spark an interest in keeping the NJSIAA honest and loyal to the games its referees officiate.
(01/30/19 3:10am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
Over winter break, the men’s and women’s indoor track teams competed in several invitational meets, with the women placing very high among crowds of competitors.
Traveling to Princeton for the Princeton New Year’s Invitational on Dec. 8, both the men’s and women’s teams put forth a valiant effort, with the women placing many runners on the podium.
On Jan. 11, the teams traveled to New York City to compete in the Ramapo Season Opener with both teams placing runners. Jan. 12 was a successful day for both teams at the Lions’ Indoor Invitational in New York City with the women placing fifth out of 14 teams and the men taking ninth out of 15.
On Jan. 18, the team dominated in the NYC Gotham Cup with the men placing 13th out of 41 teams and the women taking first out of 33. The following day, the Lions traveled to Ursinus College for the Collegeville Classic, where the women grabbed the fifth spot out of 19 teams and the men took sixth out of 24.
For a two-day meet on Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26, the teams participated in the Bucknell University Bison Open and Multi. Freshman Brett Schuett placed fourth in the 500-meter race, clocking in at 1:08.51.
In field events, freshman Jaiden Elliot took third in the triple jump, posting a mark of 13.30 meters, while junior Tim Reilly took fifth with a mark of 13.11 meters.
The weekend proved very successful for the women, as they took the top three spots in the 400-meter race. Junior Sam Gorman took first with a time of 59.27, freshman Megan Gasnick followed at 1:00.09 and sophomore Shannon Lambert placed third, clocking in at 1:00.11. Freshman Alli Uhl also took fifth in the race, running a 1:01.15.
In the 500-meter race, freshman Victoria Vricella took first with a time of 1:19.64 and senior Kathleen Jaeger placed second in the 800-meter race, clocking in at 2:19.19.
Gasnick, Lambert, Jaeger and Gorman took the top spot in the 4x400-meter relay race, coming in at 4:01.93. Gorman also took fourth place in the 200-meter race, stopping the clock at 26.00.
In the field, freshman Nicole Lester tied for first place in the pole vault, clearing the final mark of 3.45 meters.
Also on Saturday, Jan. 26, the teams participated in the Seamus McElligott Invitational at Haverford College. Both teams performed well, as the men placed fourth and the women took fifth, both out of eight competing teams.
For the men, freshman William Mayhew got the second spot in the 3000-meter race, clocking in at 8:56.89. In the mile, sophomore Robert Abrams picked up fifth place with a time of 4:24.
Freshman Fabian Mestanza placed third in the 800-meter race and freshman Alex Amoia was right behind in fourth, putting up times of 2:02.71 and 2:03.09 respectively.
The women also performed well with senior Natalie Cooper winning the 3000-meter race, topping 24 runners with a time of 10:10.49. Senior Erin Holzbaur also placed second in the 3000-meter race at 10:15.21.
Taking third place in the 800-meter race, Emily Prendergast put up a time of 2.27.70.
The teams return to the track on Friday, Feb. 1 to take on Rider University in a dual meet.
(01/30/19 2:43am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The swimming and diving teams swam in several meets over winter break. The men faced two teams while the women took on three opponents.
On Jan. 17, the women’s team took on Kean University and won by a score of 119-52. This was the 100th victory for head coach Jennifer Harnett (’93), marking a successful day for the women’s team.
On Jan. 18, the Lions traveled to Southern Connecticut State University. The men won their meet 169-124 and the women fell by a score of 175-123.
The men’s 400-meter relay team of sophomores Andrew Thompson and Griffin Morgan, senior Alex Skoog and junior Harrison Yi topped the competition with a time of 3:13.05.
Freshman Matthias Altman-Kurosaki took the 1650-meter freestyle with a time of 16:55.80. Freshman Brett Clauhs took third, clocking in at 17:36.25.
Yi took first in the 200-meter freestyle at 1:45.76 while Morgan followed close behind, posting a time of 1:46.35.
The team took the top three spots in the 100-meter backstroke with Skoog taking first, Thompson placing second and junior Daniel Kneisel coming in at third with times of 52.25, 52.74 and 53.12 respectively.
Skoog then took the 50-meter freestyle at 21.71 and Morgan followed in second place, clocking in at 21.90.
Skoog topped the competition for a third time in the 100-meter freestyle swimming with a time of 46.94, while Yi took second at 48.27.
Yi also grabbed the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 4:49.43. Thompson won the 200-meter backstroke, posting a time of 1:57.28. Kneisel took the next spot at 1:58.38.
Despite losing the meet, the women’s team put up a valiant effort in the pool. The Lions’ 200-meter medley relay team placed second with senior Hailey Thayer, junior Annie Menninger, freshman Zoe Chan and sophomore Elise Fraser putting up a time of 1:38.25.
Chan took the top spot in the 100-meter backstroke as well as the 100-meter butterfly touching the wall at 1:01.44 and 59.11 respectively.
Fraser finished on top in the 50-meter freestyle at 25.42 and freshman Melanie Fosko clinched the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 56.26.
Menninger placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke at 1:09.39 and sophomore Hailey Crispell was right behind in second with a time of 1:13.29.
Menninger also went on to win the 200-meter breaststroke, stopping the clock at 2:31.56.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, the swimming and diving teams traveled to Rowan University, where they both unfortunately lost their meets. The men fell by a score of 167-133 and the women were defeated 218-82.
The men’s 400-meter relay team of Yi, Thompson, Skoog and Morgan placed first with a time of 3:10.16.
Sophomore Jay Soukup was able to place second in the three-meter dive, scoring 266.10 points. Morgan took the 1000-meter freestyle clocking in at 9:53.89.
Morgan also won the 200-meter butterfly and 200-meter individual medley with times of 1:55.17 and 2:00.23 respectively.
Yi was able to come out on top in the 200-meter freestyle at 1:41.95, as well as in the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 4:48.68.
Thompson won two races as well, putting up a time of 1:53.79 in the 200-meter backstroke and 51.75 in the 100-meter butterfly.
Skoog also took two races, clocking in at 52.16 in the 100-meter backstroke and at 46.87 in the 100-meter freestyle. Sophomore Patrick Bakey placed second in the 50-meter freestyle, putting up a time of 22.04.
Kneisel took third in the 200-meter backstroke, touching the wall with a time of 2:00.78. Senior Sam Maquet also placed third in the 200-meter butterfly, clocking in at 1:57.68.
For the women’s team, Chan had an eventful day, placing first in the 200-meter butterfly and 100-meter butterfly stopping the clock at 2:12.12 and 59.32 respectively. She also took second in the 200-meter backstroke, touching the wall at 2:13.86.
Menninger took first in the 100-meter breaststroke at 1:08.81 and placed third in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:30.96.
Junior Kazia Moore placed third in the 100-meter freestyle, clocking in at 57.10. Fraser took second in the 50-meter freestyle at 25.56.
Freshman Gabi Denicola placed second in the 500-meter freestyle and third in the 1000-meter freestyle with times of 5:27.82 and 11:09.48 respectively.
Freshman Kori Jelinek also placed third in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 2:17.88.
The Lions return for their next meet on Saturday, Feb. 2 at home against William Paterson University.
(01/30/19 2:17am)
By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
As I grew older, I found that more pressure and value were placed increasingly on one thing –– standardized tests. In high school especially, the goal of a school day seemed less about furthering knowledge and more about preparing for a four-hour test that would determine my scholarships, college admission and ultimately my future –– the SAT.
The Standardized Aptitude Test. The SAT.
But it scored more than just aptitude. The scores also determined your status at school, especially among honors students. Students who scored a 1500 were automatically placed above those who scored 1499 or below and the utmost reverence was given to those who scored above 1500. When those scores were eventually sent out to colleges and universities, it was clear that a higher SAT score overruled any other qualities on a student’s resume.
In middle school, I excelled at standardized tests, scoring in the top one and two percent of students taking the same tests across the country. As I got older though, my ability to retain and spit back information for a standardized test declined rapidly.
In the eyes of the American education system, I was failing at the one thing I was supposed to do. Teachers would question how I was doing, commenting on how this was so unlike me and how I seemed so bright despite my scores.
This whole idea confused me. I was a very good writer, I excelled in my video production class, I had hundreds of hours of service and was a two-sport varsity athlete. I had everything I needed to start preparing for my future career as a sports reporter –– so why was that not good enough?
I believe standardized tests are important overall, but I find a problem with the weight put on them and the frequency at which they are administered. The pressure put on students to learn for a test and not learn for a future career or life in general can be toxic to how students value their own intelligence.
There is so much more to a person than how much information they can remember and spit back. A person’s intelligence should not be defined by a score on a test, but rather by a variety of skills and knowledge that they can apply to their careers and day-to-day lives.
A change as simple as this one can start the ball rolling for the adjustments that need to occur in our country’s education system. We can start by nurturing the needs of its most important element –– the student.
(12/04/18 10:41am)
By Christine Houghton
Staff Writer
On Saturday, Dec. 1, the men’s and women’s track teams traveled to the Armory Track in New York City for the TCNJ Indoor Open to start their winter season.
For the men, sophomores Anthony Lorenc and Daulton Hopkins placed ninth and 14th in the 300-meter race at 36.45 and 37.03, respectively. Running the 400-meter race, freshmen Kai Zachman-Muira and Dylan Peck took eighth and ninth, running a time of 54.90 and 54.97, respectively.
Freshman Brett Schuett finished 10th at 1:26, while freshman Andrew Gratti placed 12th at 1:27 in the 600-meter race.
In the long jump, junior Tim Reilly jumped to a mark of six meters to take 11th place.
For the women, junior Katie La Capria took fourth place in the 600-meter race with a time of 1:36 and was followed close behind by senior Kathleen Jaeger, who clocked in at 1:37 for fifth place.
Sophomore Kim Lewis placed third in the 400-meter race with a time of 1:04 and freshman Marissa Kaplan took fourth in the same race at 1:06. In the 300-meter race, sophomore Shannon Lambert took seventh place with a time of 42.39 and freshman Megan Gasnick took 11th, clocking in at 43.00.
In the weight throw, junior Angela Rambert placed ninth with a throw of 13.55 meters. Freshman Kassidy Mulryne took sixth in the long jump, putting up a mark of 5.29 meters.
The Lions continue their season on Saturday, Dec. 8, as they travel to the Princeton New Year’s Invitational.
(12/04/18 10:41am)
By Christine Houghton
Staff Writer
The wrestling team traveled to York College to compete in the New Standard Invitational on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1. The College placed seventh out of 16 total teams, placing three wrestlers in the finals.
Junior Dan Kilroy, weighing in at 174, finished the day with a second-place win in his weight category. Kilroy won four matches to advance to the final round, but fell to his opponent by a score of 9-5.
Sophomore Daniel Surich was able to pin two of his four opponents on his way to the match for third place in the 184-pound category. He was finally able to secure third place with another pin against his opponent.
The team’s last wrestler in the finals was freshman John Garda, who was able to advance to the semi-final round for the 165-pound title. After a roller coaster of wins and losses, Garda landed himself in the match for third place, but fell 7-1 and took fourth place.
Sophomores Anthony Rua and Robert Dinger, both at 141 pounds, senior Mark Gerstacker at 157 pounds and freshman Matt Surich at 149 pounds, all won three matches over the course of the competition.
The Lions return to action Sunday, Dec. 9 when the team travels to Kings Point, New York to compete in the Mariner Duals at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Over break, the team has a quad-match at home on Jan. 4, a dual match on Jan. 11 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and another quad-match in Williamsport on Jan. 19.
(12/04/18 10:39am)
By Christine Houghton
Staff Writer
The Lions’ swimming and diving teams hosted an invitational meet from Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 2 in Packer Hall. Competing against several other schools, the men and women finished the first day with over 250 points and both teams placed first as a unit after the day’s events.
To start off the meet for the women, freshman Zoe Chan placed first in the 200-meter individual medley finals with a time of 2:10. Sophomore Melanie Fosko took fourth in the same race, clocking in at 2:14.
Fosko also took third in the finals of the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 5:18. In the same event, junior Annie Menninger took fifth at 5:19 and senior Gabi Denicola placed sixth with a time of 5:20.
Two Lion relay teams also placed in Friday’s finals. The 200-yard freestyle team of Fosko, senior Maddie Hynoski, junior Kazia Moore and sophomore Elise Fraser placed third with a time of 1:40. Also, the 400-meter medley relay team of senior Hailey Thayer, Menninger, Chan and Moore took third, clocking in at 4:01.
For the men’s team, junior Harrison Yi was able to win the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 4:40. In the same race, sophomore James Keane placed fifth with a time of 4:47.64 and was followed closely by senior Sam Maquet, who swam a time of 4:47.74 for sixth place.
In the 200-meter individual medley, sophomore Griffin Morgan placed third with a time of 1:56 and sophomore Andrew Thompson finished sixth at 1:58. Finishing third in the 50-meter freestyle, sophomore Patrick Bakey put up a time of 21.81.
The men’s team also placed two relay teams in the day’s finals. The 400-meter medley relay team of Morgan, Thompson, freshman Joe Om and sophomore Andrew Duff took second with a time of 3:32. The 200-meter freestyle relay team of Morgan, Yi, junior Eli O’Connor and sophomore Nolan Kuscan also placed second with a time of 1:26.
On the second day of competition, both teams maintained their first place stances with well over 650 points each.
Chan won again for the women, this time taking the top spot in the 100-meter butterfly at 57.56, while freshman Kori Jelinek took fourth with a time of 1:00. In the 100-meter breaststroke, Menninger took second place at 1:07 and sophomore Chiara Mennonna followed close behind, clocking in at 1:08.
Taking first in the 200-meter freestyle, Fosko clocked in at 1:57. In the 400-meter intermediate medley, junior Samantha Askin placed third with a time of 4:54.40, Denicola took fourth at 4:54.80 and sophomore Nicole Meskin placed fifth at 4:57.
For the 200-meter medley, the women had one relay team place first on the day with a time of 1:49. The team consisted of Thayer, Menninger, Chan and Fraser.
The men’s team also had an eventful day, which began with Yi taking first in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:41. Senior Brendan Pilaar took third in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 53.30.
Duff added to the wins with a victory in the 100-meter breaststroke, clocking in at 58.46. In the 100-meter individual medley, Morgan placed third at 4:10 and Maquet followed close in fourth place at 4:13.
The men also placed three relay teams during the second day. The 800-meter freestyle relay team of Morgan, Yi, freshman DJ DeSomma and sophomore Kai Michaud swam to victory with a time of 6:58.
Junior Derek Kneisel, Duff, Pilaar and Yi manned the team to place second in the 200-yard medley relay, clocking in at 1:35. Following close behind for third place in the same race was the team of Om, Thompson, Kuscan and senior Angelo Stefani with a time of 1:36.
Rounding out the weekend and securing the first place victory, both the men’s and women’s teams posted over a thousand and over 900 points, respectively.
For the women, Fosko took fourth in the 200-meter backstroke at 2:30 and Mennonna followed in sixth place with a time of 2:31. In the 200-meter breaststroke, Menninger swam a time of 2:28 to grab third place and Fosko took fourth with a time of 2:30.
In the 100-meter butterfly, Chan took first place again with a time of 2:08, freshman Kori Jelinek placed third with at 2:14 and Askin took fourth, swimming a time of 2:16. In the 1650-meter freestyle, Menninger took third at 18:17 and Denicola took sixth at 18:41.
The 400-meter freestyle relay team of Fosko, Moore, Menninger and Fraser placed third with a time of 3:39.
For the men’s team, sophomore diver Jay Soukup put up a score of 423 in the one-meter dive to take fourth place. In the 200-meter butterfly, Maquet placed first at 1:53.
Yi took first place in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 47.83. Kuscan came in third with a time of 48.18 in the 100-meter freestyle. Kneisel took second at 1:55 in the 200-meter backstroke and Thompson took fourth at 1:57.
In the 200-meter butterfly, Morgan placed third at 1:56, while sophomore Joshua Oh placed fourth at 1:59. Morgan also took third in the 1650-meter freestyle clocking in at 16:34.60, while Yi followed closely in fourth place with a time of 16:34.83.
The 400-meter relay team of Morgan, Thompson, Yi and Kuscan took second with a time of 3:10.
Both teams will be back to compete after the break. They will be on the road on Jan. 18 to compete at Southern Connecticut State University.
(11/27/18 1:51am)
By Christine Houghton
Staff Writer
Traveling to Geneva, New York, the women’s soccer team went up against Williams College in the sectional round of the NCAA Division III Championships. Despite losing the game in penalty kicks, the team put forth a strong effort and was able to finish the season 15-1-2.
From early on in the game, it was clear the two teams were evenly matched in terms of scoring, but the Lions still maintained their usual defensive stronghold.
Junior goalkeeper Nicole DiPasquale recorded her 26th career shut out and the defensive front held Williams to only seven shots.
The game remained scoreless until the very end, when it eventually resorted to penalty kicks. Junior defenseman Ally DiRiggi, senior midfielder Arielle Curtis and sophomore midfielder Kelly Carolan were all able to convert their penalty kicks, but Williams was able to edge by with four kicks made to secure the win.
This game marks the 28th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Sophomore and junior midfielders Faith Eichenour and Taylor Nolan were both named First Team All-NJAC.
Four players were named Second Team All-NJAC including junior defenseman Jen McGrogan, freshman midfielder/forward Nikki Butler, Curtis and DiRiggi. DiPasquale received an honorable mention.
The team returns to play next season, losing Curtis, the team’s only senior, in the off season.