2007 Winter
Boys Basketball
The Boys Basketball team has battled through an unrelenting Watchung Conference schedule, replete with top twenty teams and has held up well with a 13-13 record which qualified them for the state tournament.. The Raiders won their opener over Middletown South before bowing by three points to top seed Colonia.
Four of the Raider’s losses were to top ten teams, with perhaps their top effort coming against top ranked St. Patrick’s in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals where they were tied with five minutes left.
Junior Bryan Dougher.had a tremendous season leading the team in scoring and nearly every other category. His most memorable shot was a fadeaway corner three pointer that sent a game against Westfield into a second overtime where the Raiders won their most exciting game of the year...
Although his scoring dropped from his junior year, senior guard Greg Bayard was a steadying influence when defenses doubled Dougher. Junior Center Lordley Okarter provided the team with its major indoor presence and was the top rebounder and shot blocker. Senior Darnell Dortch, Sophomores Kevin Maroney and Reggie Solomon and Juniors Greg Zabel, rob Zekunde and Dan DeCataldo also played major minutes.
Girls Basketball
The outside/inside combination of Senior guard Allie Zazzali and Sophomore forward Jackie Law enabled the Raiders to compile a 17-9 mark and win the Union County Tournament for the third time in four years defeating arch rival Westfield 44-36 in overtime. The victory avenged two regular season losses to the Blue Devils.
Zazzali showed great leadership at point guard on both offense and defense, averaging 20.8 points in the county tournament. Law and Sophomore Kaylin Jaichon were inside forces and Senior Lauren Mains provided defense and hustle for second year coach Bruce Davis.
Two of the Raiders’ losses were to the number one team in the state, Shabazz. Junior twins Emily and Molly Meehan gave the team accurate three point shooting and Sophomore Laura Degnan was also a fine outside shooter. Sophomores Saxony Neilsen, Kathryn DeCataldo or Nicky Mineo, also logged playing time and expect to be important contributors next season.
Girls Swimming
The two time defending state champions fell short this season but were still one of the top teams in the state. An injury to Senior Co-captain Jillian Murphy midway through the season slowed the Raiders, who finished second to Westfield in the County tournament.
The powerful Blue Devils, second in the state, also handed the Raiders season opening and season ending defeats. Hampered by injuries last year, Junior Melissa Helock had an outstanding season highlighted by firsts in the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle in the county meet.
Murphy courageously returned from a broken arm to help the Raiders advance to the sectional finals with a victory over Bridgewater. Junior Mary Henkels had another outstanding year
With junior breaststroke star Becca Fox also missing time, Coach Jessica Hulnik was fortunate to have a talented freshman class to augment the veterans. Kelsey Rossi won county title in the 100 yard breaststroke. and Stephanie Baliko, Kelly Gajdzsz, and Becca Dunn all played key roles in the team’s success.
.Other key members included Brittany Larkin, Kim Rizzo and Kate Johnson
Boys Swimming
A young team used balance for a successful season. The Raiders finished with a 10-4 record and made it to the sectional semi finals, where they lost to Westfield.
They finished third in the Union County meet and were led by Seniors Mike and Matt Miller, Junior Brain Pesin, Sophomore Zach Peart and Freshman Mike Henkels.
Wrestling
With balance throughout the lineup and dominance in the middle weights the Raiders
have compiled one of their finest seasons ever with a 20-5 record. The Raiders easily captured the Watchung Conference and District 11 crowns. They finished third in Union County and lost a close match to Warren Hills in the Section championships.
Seniors Patrick Mineo and Sal Gano paced the team by each winning their first regional championships. At press time Gano was 35-0, wrestling at 125 pounds and Mineo 34-1 at 140. Also qualifying for the state finals in Atlantic City was Senior Ricky Olsson, who finished third in the regions at 135. Mineo led the Raiders at Atlantic City finishing eighth.
Mineo also captured his fourth district crown. winning at 140 for the second straight year and was named outstanding wrestler breaking his brother Steve’s school record with his 120th career victory.
Also taking a third straight title was Gano, who had won at 119 the last two seasons... Other district champions included Olsson ,Trevor Cannon (152) and Junior Joe Blaes(Heavyweight).
Tristan Bundy(112), Mike Ferrara (130), Mike Ridge (140), Dave DeNicholo (160), Joe Bachi (171) and Billy Jacobs (189) also qualified for the Regions as runner-ups and Keith Baker (215) also advanced as a third place finisher.
Bowling
The bowling team had its best season in many years, compiling a 14-4 record against a tough schedule. The Raiders were giant killers, knocking off state number 3 Westfield and number 6 Linden in regular season matches.
The team was fifth in the Union County meet and also qualified for the state tournament.
Coach James Mason’s team was led by Senior twins Eric and Ken Wasserman and Junior Joe Tofaro.
Boys Indoor Track
Junior Mike Alleman provided the highlights of the season when he captured the State Group 3 shot put title with a throw of 59-6 ¼ to break the school record. A week later he won the Meet of Champions with a throw of 59' 3", becoming the third Raider in school history to capture statewide honors. Alleman bettered his top throw when he hit 59-11 ¼ at the Eastern championships.
Alleman also won the Union County title and teamed with John Badala and Jon Birnbaum to win the Union County relays. He and Badala also finished second in the Group 3 Relays.
The Raiders narrowly missed defending their Union County title, finishing second as Junior Pat Doliber and Senior Kyle Rowbotham joined Alleman as individual champions.
Girls Indoor Track
Senior Lauryn Adams and Junior Erin Rossi provided the top moment of the season when they combined to win the Group 3 Relay championship. Adams also won the Union County individual title and combined with Rossi to win the county relay.
Sophomore Brittney Veeck provided most of the running highlights, finishing sixth in the Group 3 1600 and second in the county mile. Veeck also placed sixth in the state 1600 and was the only Raider to qualify for the Meet of Champions.
Ice Hockey
In their first season as a varsity team, the Raiders nearly qualified for the state tournament, finishing 9-11-2. Nick Ryskasen and Max Jones led the team in scoring. Brian Jascur did a fine job as netminder and Alex Deduck, Alex Trombley and Mike Rivera paced the defense for Coach Pete Haubruck Other offensive contributors included Eric Kaufman and Dan Jones.
The Boys Basketball team has battled through an unrelenting Watchung Conference schedule, replete with top twenty teams and has held up well with a 13-13 record which qualified them for the state tournament.. The Raiders won their opener over Middletown South before bowing by three points to top seed Colonia.
Four of the Raider’s losses were to top ten teams, with perhaps their top effort coming against top ranked St. Patrick’s in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals where they were tied with five minutes left.
Junior Bryan Dougher.had a tremendous season leading the team in scoring and nearly every other category. His most memorable shot was a fadeaway corner three pointer that sent a game against Westfield into a second overtime where the Raiders won their most exciting game of the year...
Although his scoring dropped from his junior year, senior guard Greg Bayard was a steadying influence when defenses doubled Dougher. Junior Center Lordley Okarter provided the team with its major indoor presence and was the top rebounder and shot blocker. Senior Darnell Dortch, Sophomores Kevin Maroney and Reggie Solomon and Juniors Greg Zabel, rob Zekunde and Dan DeCataldo also played major minutes.
Girls Basketball
The outside/inside combination of Senior guard Allie Zazzali and Sophomore forward Jackie Law enabled the Raiders to compile a 17-9 mark and win the Union County Tournament for the third time in four years defeating arch rival Westfield 44-36 in overtime. The victory avenged two regular season losses to the Blue Devils.
Zazzali showed great leadership at point guard on both offense and defense, averaging 20.8 points in the county tournament. Law and Sophomore Kaylin Jaichon were inside forces and Senior Lauren Mains provided defense and hustle for second year coach Bruce Davis.
Two of the Raiders’ losses were to the number one team in the state, Shabazz. Junior twins Emily and Molly Meehan gave the team accurate three point shooting and Sophomore Laura Degnan was also a fine outside shooter. Sophomores Saxony Neilsen, Kathryn DeCataldo or Nicky Mineo, also logged playing time and expect to be important contributors next season.
Girls Swimming
The two time defending state champions fell short this season but were still one of the top teams in the state. An injury to Senior Co-captain Jillian Murphy midway through the season slowed the Raiders, who finished second to Westfield in the County tournament.
The powerful Blue Devils, second in the state, also handed the Raiders season opening and season ending defeats. Hampered by injuries last year, Junior Melissa Helock had an outstanding season highlighted by firsts in the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle in the county meet.
Murphy courageously returned from a broken arm to help the Raiders advance to the sectional finals with a victory over Bridgewater. Junior Mary Henkels had another outstanding year
With junior breaststroke star Becca Fox also missing time, Coach Jessica Hulnik was fortunate to have a talented freshman class to augment the veterans. Kelsey Rossi won county title in the 100 yard breaststroke. and Stephanie Baliko, Kelly Gajdzsz, and Becca Dunn all played key roles in the team’s success.
.Other key members included Brittany Larkin, Kim Rizzo and Kate Johnson
Boys Swimming
A young team used balance for a successful season. The Raiders finished with a 10-4 record and made it to the sectional semi finals, where they lost to Westfield.
They finished third in the Union County meet and were led by Seniors Mike and Matt Miller, Junior Brain Pesin, Sophomore Zach Peart and Freshman Mike Henkels.
Wrestling
With balance throughout the lineup and dominance in the middle weights the Raiders
have compiled one of their finest seasons ever with a 20-5 record. The Raiders easily captured the Watchung Conference and District 11 crowns. They finished third in Union County and lost a close match to Warren Hills in the Section championships.
Seniors Patrick Mineo and Sal Gano paced the team by each winning their first regional championships. At press time Gano was 35-0, wrestling at 125 pounds and Mineo 34-1 at 140. Also qualifying for the state finals in Atlantic City was Senior Ricky Olsson, who finished third in the regions at 135. Mineo led the Raiders at Atlantic City finishing eighth.
Mineo also captured his fourth district crown. winning at 140 for the second straight year and was named outstanding wrestler breaking his brother Steve’s school record with his 120th career victory.
Also taking a third straight title was Gano, who had won at 119 the last two seasons... Other district champions included Olsson ,Trevor Cannon (152) and Junior Joe Blaes(Heavyweight).
Tristan Bundy(112), Mike Ferrara (130), Mike Ridge (140), Dave DeNicholo (160), Joe Bachi (171) and Billy Jacobs (189) also qualified for the Regions as runner-ups and Keith Baker (215) also advanced as a third place finisher.
Bowling
The bowling team had its best season in many years, compiling a 14-4 record against a tough schedule. The Raiders were giant killers, knocking off state number 3 Westfield and number 6 Linden in regular season matches.
The team was fifth in the Union County meet and also qualified for the state tournament.
Coach James Mason’s team was led by Senior twins Eric and Ken Wasserman and Junior Joe Tofaro.
Boys Indoor Track
Junior Mike Alleman provided the highlights of the season when he captured the State Group 3 shot put title with a throw of 59-6 ¼ to break the school record. A week later he won the Meet of Champions with a throw of 59' 3", becoming the third Raider in school history to capture statewide honors. Alleman bettered his top throw when he hit 59-11 ¼ at the Eastern championships.
Alleman also won the Union County title and teamed with John Badala and Jon Birnbaum to win the Union County relays. He and Badala also finished second in the Group 3 Relays.
The Raiders narrowly missed defending their Union County title, finishing second as Junior Pat Doliber and Senior Kyle Rowbotham joined Alleman as individual champions.
Girls Indoor Track
Senior Lauryn Adams and Junior Erin Rossi provided the top moment of the season when they combined to win the Group 3 Relay championship. Adams also won the Union County individual title and combined with Rossi to win the county relay.
Sophomore Brittney Veeck provided most of the running highlights, finishing sixth in the Group 3 1600 and second in the county mile. Veeck also placed sixth in the state 1600 and was the only Raider to qualify for the Meet of Champions.
Ice Hockey
In their first season as a varsity team, the Raiders nearly qualified for the state tournament, finishing 9-11-2. Nick Ryskasen and Max Jones led the team in scoring. Brian Jascur did a fine job as netminder and Alex Deduck, Alex Trombley and Mike Rivera paced the defense for Coach Pete Haubruck Other offensive contributors included Eric Kaufman and Dan Jones.
posted by David Lazarus at 6:38 AM
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