Winter 2010
Boys Basketball
Ravaged by graduation losses and playing in one of the toughest conferences in the state, the basketball team struggled to a 7-17 finish. Dan Doherty returned as coach after a one year hiatus and had to rebuild a team that had lost all five starters from the previous year.
The highlight of an otherwise forgettable season was a February victory over Westfield.
Fortunately, Doherty had Seton Hall transfer Charles Oliver, who was the team’s most consistent player and provided the team with much needed leadership. Oliver, a junior, led the team in scoring and teamed with fellow junior Patrick Dougher, the younger brother of 2008 all state guard Bryan Dougher to give the Raiders two dangerous three point scoring threats. Sophomore Matt Jegede and junior Matt Manns provided rebounding and interior defense. Junior guard Tim Bonacum also showed potential and should be a big factor next year.
Girls Basketball
Like the boys, the girls’ team began the season with a totally inexperienced and new lineup. First year coach Jennifer Ryan’s team finished 6-17 and often played three freshmen. Junior guards Rebecca Kreyer and Evie Klotz and freshmen Tara Sweeney, Renee Oliver and Taylor Sebalao paced the team.
Following their pattern of emulating the boys, the girl’s season highlight was also an upset win over Westfield and like their male counterparts will have almost everyone returning next year. Junior forward Aysia Peterson, went down with a knee injury in early January
After leading the victory over Westfield and was sorely missed.
Bowling
The bowling team improved to 12-2 and finished second in the Union County Tournament. The team qualified for the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. The three top individuals were Peter Citera, Mike Tufaro and Katarina Nier, the first girl in Raider history to qualify for the tournament of champions. The individual highlight of the season was a perfect
Girls Swimming
The Raiders were once again one of the top teams in the state, but were continually thwarted by neighbor Westfield, one of the state’s top teams. The Raiders were second in the county tournament to Westfield and lost a dual meet to the Blue Devils. The Raiders made it to the sectional finals but were edged by Chatham.
Senior Ana Bogdanovski emerged as an individual star in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Senior Kelsey Rossi had another outstanding season in the freestyle and breaststroke. Junior Hannah Markey, senior Steph Baliko, Becca Dunn, Jodie Thompson and Caitlyn English were also consistent stars for the team.
Boys Swimming
The Raiders won their first section title since 2003 when they crushed Summit. Other season highlights included the first victory over Westfield in twenty years, a close second place finish in the county meet and a season long ranking among the state’s top ten teams. The Raiders fell one point short of making the state finals in a loss against Mountain Lakes. Coach Jess Hulnik’s team was almost completely comprised of underclassmen.
Junior twins Mike and Dan Napolitano and sophomore Greg Baliko all won county championships and combined with Joe Dunn and Mike Henkels to form strong relays. Other key contributors included Mike Rizzo Ryan Gajdzisz and Andrew Van Haasteren.
Wrestling
Senior Tristan Bundy highlighted the season when he won the district title at 125 pounds and then qualified for the stare finals with a second place finish in the regions. Bundy wound up 31-3 after losing in the preliminary round of the state finals.
Sophomore Mike Steinfeld and junior Andrew Jacobs were the only other qualifiers for the regions. The team finished its dual meet season with a 7-16 mark.
Injuries to key wrestlers all year held the Raiders back as a difficult schedule left them with a 7-19 record. The Raiders fell to fourth in the District 11 tournament and were fourth in the Watchung Conference. Senior Mike Ferrara was the teams’ only district champion winning at (152). Ferrara also won his 100th career match during the District 11 finals, finishing his career 101-42 and becoming the fifth Raider Wrestler to record over 100 wins. Senior Wes Morrison (130) placed second in the District 11 Tournament. Junior Mike Ridge took the county title at (145) and placed third in the Districts. Junior Tristan Bundy (119) placed third in the County Tournament and third in the District Tournament. Freshman Sean Cannon placed second in the District Tournament.
Boys Indoor Track
Lamar Parkes was one of the county’s top hurdlers. Alex Parker led the distance runners and Matt Alfano excelled in the middle distances.
Girls Indoor Track
Senor Kim Wenson often placed high in the shot put and senior Sarah Canfield was one of the area’s top all around talents.
Ice Hockey
The nascent program continued to have growing pains in its fourth year struggling to a 1-17-1 record but Coach Matt Gualteri predicts better times are ahead.
Some of the leading players included Captain Terence White, Adam Terry, Andrew Skoog and Ed Logier.
Ravaged by graduation losses and playing in one of the toughest conferences in the state, the basketball team struggled to a 7-17 finish. Dan Doherty returned as coach after a one year hiatus and had to rebuild a team that had lost all five starters from the previous year.
The highlight of an otherwise forgettable season was a February victory over Westfield.
Fortunately, Doherty had Seton Hall transfer Charles Oliver, who was the team’s most consistent player and provided the team with much needed leadership. Oliver, a junior, led the team in scoring and teamed with fellow junior Patrick Dougher, the younger brother of 2008 all state guard Bryan Dougher to give the Raiders two dangerous three point scoring threats. Sophomore Matt Jegede and junior Matt Manns provided rebounding and interior defense. Junior guard Tim Bonacum also showed potential and should be a big factor next year.
Girls Basketball
Like the boys, the girls’ team began the season with a totally inexperienced and new lineup. First year coach Jennifer Ryan’s team finished 6-17 and often played three freshmen. Junior guards Rebecca Kreyer and Evie Klotz and freshmen Tara Sweeney, Renee Oliver and Taylor Sebalao paced the team.
Following their pattern of emulating the boys, the girl’s season highlight was also an upset win over Westfield and like their male counterparts will have almost everyone returning next year. Junior forward Aysia Peterson, went down with a knee injury in early January
After leading the victory over Westfield and was sorely missed.
Bowling
The bowling team improved to 12-2 and finished second in the Union County Tournament. The team qualified for the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. The three top individuals were Peter Citera, Mike Tufaro and Katarina Nier, the first girl in Raider history to qualify for the tournament of champions. The individual highlight of the season was a perfect
Girls Swimming
The Raiders were once again one of the top teams in the state, but were continually thwarted by neighbor Westfield, one of the state’s top teams. The Raiders were second in the county tournament to Westfield and lost a dual meet to the Blue Devils. The Raiders made it to the sectional finals but were edged by Chatham.
Senior Ana Bogdanovski emerged as an individual star in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Senior Kelsey Rossi had another outstanding season in the freestyle and breaststroke. Junior Hannah Markey, senior Steph Baliko, Becca Dunn, Jodie Thompson and Caitlyn English were also consistent stars for the team.
Boys Swimming
The Raiders won their first section title since 2003 when they crushed Summit. Other season highlights included the first victory over Westfield in twenty years, a close second place finish in the county meet and a season long ranking among the state’s top ten teams. The Raiders fell one point short of making the state finals in a loss against Mountain Lakes. Coach Jess Hulnik’s team was almost completely comprised of underclassmen.
Junior twins Mike and Dan Napolitano and sophomore Greg Baliko all won county championships and combined with Joe Dunn and Mike Henkels to form strong relays. Other key contributors included Mike Rizzo Ryan Gajdzisz and Andrew Van Haasteren.
Wrestling
Senior Tristan Bundy highlighted the season when he won the district title at 125 pounds and then qualified for the stare finals with a second place finish in the regions. Bundy wound up 31-3 after losing in the preliminary round of the state finals.
Sophomore Mike Steinfeld and junior Andrew Jacobs were the only other qualifiers for the regions. The team finished its dual meet season with a 7-16 mark.
Injuries to key wrestlers all year held the Raiders back as a difficult schedule left them with a 7-19 record. The Raiders fell to fourth in the District 11 tournament and were fourth in the Watchung Conference. Senior Mike Ferrara was the teams’ only district champion winning at (152). Ferrara also won his 100th career match during the District 11 finals, finishing his career 101-42 and becoming the fifth Raider Wrestler to record over 100 wins. Senior Wes Morrison (130) placed second in the District 11 Tournament. Junior Mike Ridge took the county title at (145) and placed third in the Districts. Junior Tristan Bundy (119) placed third in the County Tournament and third in the District Tournament. Freshman Sean Cannon placed second in the District Tournament.
Boys Indoor Track
Lamar Parkes was one of the county’s top hurdlers. Alex Parker led the distance runners and Matt Alfano excelled in the middle distances.
Girls Indoor Track
Senor Kim Wenson often placed high in the shot put and senior Sarah Canfield was one of the area’s top all around talents.
Ice Hockey
The nascent program continued to have growing pains in its fourth year struggling to a 1-17-1 record but Coach Matt Gualteri predicts better times are ahead.
Some of the leading players included Captain Terence White, Adam Terry, Andrew Skoog and Ed Logier.
posted by David Lazarus at 12:31 PM
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