Winter Track
BY TRISTAN PANDAY
The winter track team carries a tradition of success into another season. Last year, the boys’ team sent two individuals and the 4×400 team to the Meet of Champions, and girls sent their 4×800 squad.
The new relay racers expect to repeat last year’s success. “I’m confident we’ll do good, especially our 4×400 and 4×200,” explained sophomore Stephen Davies. “Our jumpers are pretty good too.”
The boys have prepared all off-season in the hope they will compete across all events. “I’m very excited for the upcoming indoor track season. We have a lot of strong runners on our team in all events,” said senior Owen Zapanta. “Once we get settled and find a groove into daily training again, I think we’ll be a real threat in these meets that are soon to come.”
The seniors on the squad have worked toward this season for their whole career. “I feel great about this upcoming season,” said senior Byron Forson. “It’s going to be my last winter season and my last season in the bubble. I’ve been doing off season work, and I’m confident I’m going to improve in every event.”
Gianna Tuso, Julia Garron, and Abigail Ressler return from the 4×800 team that competed in the Meet of Champions, and they are joined by new underclassmen. “Our team this year is bigger than it was last year,” said Ressler. “We have a lot of new faces and there is great potential.”
The seniors hope that the potential pays off in another outstanding season. “It’s my senior year, so I look forward to giving everything I have to these final seasons and making the most of my time here!” explained Tuso.
Posted on 12/19/22
Photos by Lors Photography
Swimming
BY TRISTAN PANDAY
The swim team aims to use their increased experience to improve upon last year’s 3-4 record and 5th place finish in the Red Division. “Last year, the guys’ team didn’t have any seniors, and this year we are going to have all four grades swimming,” explained senior Ryan Vanbuskirk.
This year, four seniors lead the boys team, including Michael D’Elia, Shereef Ellithy, Yann Rochelin, and Ryan Vanbuskirk. “I’m excited because it’ll be my last season,” said Ellithy.
The girls’ team will look to repeat as GMC Champions but will have to do so without six seniors from last year’s team, including record-setting standout Lia Vendel. “We had a really good team last year, and we lost many swimmers this year, but I am still excited to compete with the new swimmers this year,” said sophomore Madelyn Hopkins.
Every player has different opinions regarding opponents they are excited to face but they all have one team on their minds. “I am looking forward to going against East Brunswick, as they have many fast swimmers, so it will most likely be a tough meet,” added Hopkins. “Also, this is our first year of racing Marlboro so I’m excited to see how that goes as well.”
First Meet: 12/20 – 4pm @ JP Stevens
First Home Meet: 12/23 – 1:30pm vs East Brunswick (Home)
Posted on 12/15/22
Photos by Tim O’Neill and Lors Photography
Boys Basketball
BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
Coming off a 10-15 season last year, the boys basketball team, which returns two of last year’s top three scorers, seeks revenge in the GMC Red Division and success in the playoffs. “We have high expectations for this season, with our coach expecting us to make a playoff run and play as hard as we can,” said senior Ryan Witte.
Key returning players, including seniors Adam Scire and Witte and sophomore Krish Patel, aim to pave the way for the team. “We are going to lean on two senior guards to provide solid play and veteran leadership and are looking for Krish to take on a larger role beyond his excellent shooting, both with ball-handling duties and defense,” explained Assistant Coach Matt McCann.
Captain Adam Scire is confident the bonds the players have made will benefit the team on the court. “We have put in the time all summer and fall building team chemistry and a family, so we are hoping to make something happen in the playoffs,” shared Scire.
These boys are eager to start the season. Come out and support the boys basketball teams’ home opener on December 15 at 5:30 against East Brunswick.
First Game: 12/15 – 6pm vs. East Brunswick (Home)
Posted on 12/12/22
Photos by Tim O’Neill
Girls Basketball
BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
After finishing the 2021 season with a record of 13-9, the Girls Basketball team enters this season prepared to face off against tough opponents in the GMC.
Due to realignment, the team finds itself in a division where seven of the eight teams earned winning records last season. “We have some tougher competition this year, but that won’t stop us from reaching our goals,” senior Gabrielle Walker stated.
Point guard Walker and captains and four-year varsity players Leena Tran and Malvina Sullivan form the backbone and provide leadership for the squad. “I am relying on [Walker, Tran and Sullivan’s] experience to help us learn some new strategies that I believe will make us successful,” coach Alec Alspach explained.
The girls are confident they can put the team in a position to win. “One of our central mottos is ‘Pride, Effort, Persistence’, and by incorporating these qualities through our practices, games, and in the locker room, we can really do BIG things this year,” senior Leena Tran stated.
The girls’ basketball team is ready to fight to the top of the tough GMC Red Division. Come out and support the girls basketball team’s home opener on December 22 at 5:30pm against St. Thomas Aquinas.
First Game: 12/15 – 6pm @ East Brunswick
Posted on 12/8/22
Photos by Tim O’Neill
Wrestling
BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
The dominant wrestling team, after finishing 18-8 as a team last winter, is preparing for continued success in the upcoming season. Two of the team’s three individual qualifiers for the State Tournament last year, senior Tyler Sagi and junior Logan Roman also return to make another run.
Tyler Sagi and Logan Roman who rank among the best in their weight classes in the state and lead a group of athletes who have worked together as a team for years. “We all have grown up wrestling together through Mat Rats, and we are ready to show out this year,” Roman confidently stated.
The team features a lot of seniors, including Brandon and Jesse Koczon, Austin Miller, Dan Hennessey, Robert Orzol, and Nick Caruso, who are all ready for a good challenge on the mats. “We were told in the 8th grade that if we all stuck together, this year was going to be a great one,” Orzol explained.
Coach Post, who was named Coach of the Year by the GMC Coaches’ Association, is confident in leading this experienced squad to individual and team victories. Post explained, “This is a season that many of the young men on the team have been working toward for the last four years.”
The wrestling team is eager to start the season. Come out and support the wrestling team’s home opener on December 15 at 6:00pm against North Hunterdon.
First match: 12/15 – 6pm vs. North Hunterdon (Home)
Posted on 12/7/22
Photos by Tim O’Neill and Lors Photography
Ice Hockey
BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
Following a disappointing 2-12-1 record last season, the ice hockey team looks to prove that performance does not define them. The team returns with more experience and most of last year’s top contributors.
Coach Fischer is thrilled to get the season rolling. “I think that this year as a team we are going to take a huge step forward and I’m excited to see the growth out of everyone from a year ago,” said Fischer.
Key players returning for the team, including seniors Chris Locierco and Shane Culley and juniors Michael Pellicciotta and Patrick Apgar, are ready to make a statement on the ice. “Our chemistry is building from last year and, as a team, we look to build off that,” Pellicciotta, a team captain, expressed.
From the second the puck drops to the final buzzer, Coach Fischer expects his team to play tough yet smart in order to make a run in GMC’s and states. “To be successful we need to stick to our systems, work hard in practices, and play harder than the other teams in games,” senior Shane Culley explained. The ice hockey team is looking for revenge this upcoming winter season.
The ice hockey team is eager to start the season. Come out and support the ice hockey team’s home opener on December 14 at 4:00 against Monroe.
First game: 12/9 – 3:15pm @ South Brunswick
Posted on 12/6/22
Photos by Katelyn Buchalter
Bowling
BY SEAMUS TIERNEY
The bowling teams will look to build on a 2021-22 season which saw each team pick up 5 wins. “This season, our team has had more time to practice, and I think we will see higher scores across the board,” said senior Matthew Pedi.
Since a new season is on the horizon, the old guard that has graduated makes way for the new, and those coming up from middle school can make their name. “We have a bunch of newcomers who try out. I’m always curious to see how they do and see what the future of our team is going to be like,” senior Ryan Frudden stated.
Junior Savannah Gomez, the leading scorer of the girls team last year, expects the team to add some bowlers who will help the team compete. “We will be receiving new people that will be joining the team and we can work to become better and stronger,” said Gomez.
As players enter their senior season, it is imperative for them to make a mark as the oldest and most experienced members of the team. Theresa Fischetti, the coach of both sets of bowling teams, expects “to hopefully have the seniors be competitive in the red division.”
First game: 12/5 – 4pm @ Woodbridge
Posted on 12/5/22
Photos by Lors Photography
Knight Life 