A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield Leader eader eader eader eader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, March 26, 1998 Page 11
A C E S
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1 to 5 W 1 to 5 W 1 to 5 W 1 to 5 W 1 to 5 Week Pr eek Pr eek Pr eek Pr eek Prog og og og ogr rr rrams Be ams Be ams Be ams Be ams Beginning June 29 ginning June 29 ginning June 29 ginning June 29 ginning June 29 th th th th th Ag Ag Ag Ag Ages 5-15 – Be es 5-15 – Be es 5-15 – Be es 5-15 – Be es 5-15 – Beginner ginner ginner ginner ginners thr s thr s thr s thr s through Ad ough Ad ough Ad ough Ad ough Adv vv vvanced anced anced anced anced Morning • La Morning • La Morning • La Morning • La Morning • Late Afternoon • 9am-3:30pm Full Da te Afternoon • 9am-3:30pm Full Da te Afternoon • 9am-3:30pm Full Da te Afternoon • 9am-3:30pm Full Da te Afternoon • 9am-3:30pm Full Day yy yy T TT TTr rr rranspor anspor anspor anspor ansporta ta ta ta tation F tion F tion F tion F tion For W or W or W or W or Westf estf estf estf estfield W ield W ield W ield W ield Wor or or or ork kk kkshop Students shop Students shop Students shop Students shop Students
to T to T to T to T to Tennis Camp a ennis Camp a ennis Camp a ennis Camp a ennis Camp at 12:30pm t 12:30pm t 12:30pm t 12:30pm t 12:30pm Indoor F Indoor F Indoor F Indoor F Indoor Facilities Guar acilities Guar acilities Guar acilities Guar acilities Guarantee Pla antee Pla antee Pla antee Pla antee Play - R y - R y - R y - R y - Rain or Shine ain or Shine ain or Shine ain or Shine ain or Shine
TENNIS CAMP TENNIS CAMP TENNIS CAMP TENNIS CAMP TENNIS CAMP
THE WEEK IN SPORTS
RAIDERS WILL RETURN A STRONG TEAM NEXT YEAR
Raider Wrestlers Complete Memorable, 10- 7, Season
TODD, KIVETZ, FRIEDMAN, BALY END WHS CAREER
Blue Devil Wrestlers Finish Mat Season With 5- 8 Record
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Boasting eight Region 3 qualifiers, the most in recent Scotch Plains- Fanwood history, the Raiders completed a memorable and very successful 10- 7 wrestling season. Five of the eight Region 3 qualifiers will be returning next year to make up a strong nucleus of the Raider program.
Seniors Luke Cerchio at 145, Chris Stiglitz at 160, Eric Viscardi at 171, Tony Zardecki at 189 and Frank Thorne at 215 have wrestled their final bouts as Raiders. In addition, this season, the Raiders have celebrated the 40th year of their high school wrestling program.
Cerchio came on very strong toward the end of the season, finishing second in the Union County Tournament, placing second in District 12 at 147- pounds and ending with a 20- 10 record. In the Regionals, Cerchio won his first bout handily but was edged, 3- 2, in his final bout.
Zardecki also caught fire in the final three weeks of the season, finishing with a 17- 12 record, taking fourth in the Union County Tournament, placing second in the districts and qualifying for the regionals. A few weeks after taking fourth in the Union County Tournament, Thorne captured the District 12 title at 217,
qualified for the regionals and finished with an impressive 20- 8 record.
Junior Tony Melendez, who placed first in the Union County Tournament, seized the 12th District's 127- pound title and placed second in the Region 3 Tournament. Melendez compiled a 24- 7 record this season and will be a major candidate to make a trip to Atlantic City next year.
Junior Jim Feeley showed his best determination of the season when he won the District 12 title at heavyweight to qualify for the Region 3 Tournament. Feeley finished with a 19- 10 record.
Josh Ricca, a junior, showed steady improvement throughout the season and placed second in the District 12 Tournament at 154 pounds. Ricca went on to win his first bout at the regionals before losing to Todd DeWitt of Johnson (Clark). Ricca compiled an 18- 11 record.
Sophomore David Loewinger, wrestling at 103, placed second in the District 12 Tournament to qualify for the Region 3 Tournament. Loewinger ended with an 18- 11 record. Sophomore Mike Loewinger placed fourth in the District 12 Tournament at 114, and finished with a 13- 15 record.
Junior Charlie Tripet qualified for the Region 3 Tournament by placing third in the District 12 Tournament at 121. Tripet
ended with a 14- 11 record. Sophomores Mike Grabel at 142 and Mike Natale at 137 both placed fourth in the District 12 Tournament. Grabel finished at 14- 14 and Natale turned in a 13- 14 record. Rounding out the Raider varsity regulars was A. J. Romeo, who experienced plenty of action at 127 and 132.
As a team, the Raiders placed fifth in the Union County Tournament, qualified for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 State Tournament, then exploded into recognition by placing a strong second in the District 12 Tournament.
The Raiders have enjoyed having a strong and sizable junior varsity (JV) squad this season. Several of those JV's will break into the varsity lineup next year and will add fortification to the varsity.
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Four fine wrestlers will surely be missed next year as Dan Todd, Jeff Kivetz, Nick Friedman and Mike Baly have wrestled their last bouts for the Westfield High School wrestling team. The Blue Devils, in a rebuilding year, finished with a 5- 8 regular season record.
Todd, wrestling at 125, wrapped up his senior year with a 13- 13 record and finished his varsity career with an even 40- 40 record. Of those 40 victories, 26 came via pins. Todd placed second in the Blue Devil Classic three times, third in the rigorous Wallkill Valley Tournament once and sixth in the Union
County Tournament once, while placing third and fourth in the District 11 Tournament once each. Todd, also academically inclined, has been accepted to West Point.
Kivetz, at 130, 'krashed' his way to a 16- 14 season and ended with a 37- 27 varsity record, while collecting 15 pins. Kivetz took a second and a fourth in the Wallkill Valley Tournament, placed fourth at the Blue Devil Classic on two occasions, grabbed a second and a third in the District 11 Tournament and took a fourth and a fifth in the Union County Tournament. Kivetz will be attending New York University in the fall.
At 140, Friedman rock- and- rolled his way to a 17- 10 record this season and completed his varsity career with 33 wins and 17 losses. Friedman acquired 15 career pins, placed first in the Wallkill Valley Tournament in 1996, took a second and a third in the Blue Devil Classic and placed fifth in the Union County Tournament in 1997. This season, the powerful Friedman exploded to first place at the District 11 Championships by crushing Tom Petrusko of Rahway, avenging two earlier season losses to Petrusko. Friedman will be wrestling the books at Syracuse University this fall.
Baly had an outstanding high school wrestling career, amassing an incredible 91- 29 record. Of those victories, 33 were pins. This season Baly finished 25- 4. Baly won the Wallkill Valley tournament in 1996 and 1997, and took a second in 1995 and fourth in 1994. Baly also won the Blue Devil Classic in 1996 and 1997, and placed second in 1995 and fourth in 1994. In the Districts, Baly won the title in 1996 and placed second in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Baly took third in Region 3 in 1997 and 1998 and placed in the top 16 in the state at 162 in 1997. Baly has been accepted to attend Harvard University this fall.
Another very sparkling seasonal performance was turned in by junior Onur Tezucar, who compiled an outstanding 27- 5 record at the 147- pound class while placing first in the districts, the regions and the super regions. Tezucar blazed his way to a fifth- place finish at the New Jersey State Championships in Atlantic City on March 13- 14.
Sophomore Mike Kivetz always provided excitement while wrestling at 152. Kivetz put score keepers to the test as he got involved in many very high- scoring bouts while inventing several interesting maneuvers to score points. Kivetz also placed third in the District 11 Tournament and qualified for the Region 3 Championships.
Freshman Mike Sawicki at 103 and sophomores Dan Sawicki at 112, Francisco Vasques at 135, Brian Williams at 215 and Nick Clark at heavyweight made up the remainder of the regular varsity squad. Freshmen Jim Villane at 119 and Ricky Roig at 103, sophomores Tom Hanscom at 145, Sean Joffe at 125, Greg Giresi at 171 and Joey Sanders at 215 and junior Matt Castaldo at 140 also saw varsity action this season.
Baly, who was quite a takedown artist led the Blue Devils with 104 takedowns followed by Friedman with 40, Tezucar with 33 and Jeff Kivetz with 30. Tezucar chalked up the most near- fall points with 123, followed by Todd with 62, Friedman with 58 and Baly with 56.
With the loss of the four fine seniors, the Blue Devils will be looking to increase their numbers and to continue to rebuild the wrestling program.
BOYS MUST COPE WITH LOSS OF ELMUCCIO, SANDERS
Devil Girls Track Team May Be More Powerful This Year By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Competitors were terrorized by the awesome strength of the Scotch PlainsFanwood High School boys' track team last year when the boys combined their blazing speed on the track with their powerful record- setting field squad. The Raider girls were very impressive in the sprint and short distance events. Many of the speedsters on the boys' and girls' team remain, but many of the magnificent fieldmen have graduated.
Gone are the gifted triumvirate of Chris LaCosta, Pat Dempsey and Peter Kane, all of whom soared to incredible heights in the pole- vaulting events. Each were capable of catapulting more than 12 feet, 6 inches and LaCosta even cleared the highest altitude in the state last year at 14 feet, 7 inches. Also gone are shot putter
Tom Stein, who heaved the 12- pound shot more than 50 feet on many occasions; and Brian Sincavage, who whirled the discus to great lengths, taking first in the event for the majority of the meets. Stein was also very strong in the javelin.
Leading the Raider runners is senior James Canterbury, who has turned in exceptional performances in the distance events, especially the 1,600- meter run. Last year, Canterbury reached deep and crossed the finish line in 4: 21.78 to place fifth in the 1,600- meters at the Group 3 Championships. That time was six seconds better than his previous personal best.
Senior Karl Jennings will be a major factor in the sprint events, the long jump and in the high jump. In the Group 3 Championships, Jennings just missed qualifying for the Meet of Champions in the 110- meter high hurdles, turning in a
time of :14.9, just :00.03 behind the sixth- placed qualifier.
Adam Bowser, a senior, who glided over 21 feet consistently in the long jump, will also be strong in the high jump and some sprinting events. Junior Blair Woodward will offer additional punch in the long jump, the high jump and some sprint events.
Sophomore Dan Loomis will be strong in some field events, especially in the shot put where he was recently selected to the All- Union/ Middlesex Boys Winter Track by The Courier News.
The Raider girls will miss the services of distance runner Meghan Langevin, who qualified to compete in the Group 3 State Tournament in the 1,600- meter run. Another position the Raiders must fill will be that of Melissa Hicks, who
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Known for its perennial dominance in the distance relay events, the Westfield High School girls track team will most likely maintain that tradition and may even add more depth in the sprints and short- distance- relay events. The Blue Devil boys track team, however, have quite a challenge in matching the success of last year's magnificent distance runners.
Gone from the Blue Devil girls is Suzy Kozub, who was excellent in the 800- meter and distance relay events; however; returning are Sage Stefiuk, Megan Shutts and Lindsay Totams, who teamed
with Kozub to record the third fastest time in the state last year in the 4x800- meter relay at 9: 29.3.
Also returning are Katie Egan and Heather Dennis, who combined with Kozub and Shutts to place second in the Union County Tournament last year in the 4x400- meter run and Laura Brucia, who excelled in the 3,200- meter events. Shutts and Stefiuk also qualified individually for the State Group 4 Championships. Senior Mary Korfmacher will be sharing the responsibilities as team captain with Stefiuk, Egan and Abie Bercovicz.
Gone is Kelly Burns who placed first last year in the state sectional tourna ment in the javelin and nailed first in the
javelin in the Blue Devil Classic with a toss of 115 feet, six inches, which happened to be the second- best toss in Westfield High School history. Returning is Allison Checchio who qualified for the Group 3 Tournament and propelled the javelin to her personal- best throw of 96 feet in that meet.
The Blue Devil girls will be more experienced in the middle distance and sprinting events with the return of junior Nikki Hester and seniors Becky Hamilton and Korfmacher. Newcomer freshman Alexis Anzelone will dazzle opponents in the distance events and may solidify
BOYS WILL MISS POLE VAULTERS, SHOT PUTTERS
Raider Tracksters Will Return Speedy Boy and Girl Runners
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
OFFENSIVE STRATEGY IS THE KEY
Devils Intend to Defend Conference in Volleyball
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Matching or even improving the accomplishments of last year's team would be quite a challenge for this year's Westfield High School girls' volleyball team.
Last year, the Blue Devil girls amassed an 18- 3 record, captured the Union County Championship for the second consecutive year and placed second in the tough Dayton Tournament; however, the biggest achievements came when they won the Watchung Conference title for the first time and finished as the third- ranked team in the state.
Having lost only to Cranford, Eliza beth and East Brunswick High Schools,
the Blue Devils elevated their self- esteem even higher by defeating Cranford on two later occasions. First, the Blue Devils tamed the Cougars, 15- 9 and 15- 11, then later aced them in three games, 3- 15, 15- 13, 15- 9, in the semifinals of the Union County Tournament.
Two superb players, Meghan Sheehy and Lauren McGovern were lost to graduation; however, several talented Devil girls have returned. Sheehy, the team captain last year, was multitalented and was especially very strong on defense.
"Meghan (Sheehy) was strong on deCONTINUED
ON PAGE 14
Raider Feeley Makes All- Area Wrestling
Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School junior Jim Feeley has been selected by
The Courier News to the First- Team 1998 All- Area Wrestling list. Two Westfield High School wrestlers and four additional Raiders were selected either as First- Team All- Union/ Middlesex or as Honorable Mentions.
Feeley won the District 12 Heavyweight Title, completed his season with a 20- 11 record and recorded a :06 pin against a Cranford High School opponent. Feeley also qualified for the Region 3 Tournament and won his first round before losing to New Jersey State Heavyweight Champion Antonio Garay from Rahway High School.
Raider senior Frank Thorne at 215 and junior Tony Melendez at 125 were named to the All- Union/ Middlesex list. Blue Devil senior Mike Baly at 160 and Onur Tezucar at 145 were also named to the All- Union/ Middlesex list. Raider seniors Luke Cerchio at 145 and Tony Zardecki at 189 were named as Honorable Mentions.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times MENTALLY PREPARING… Westfield High School Volleyball Head Coach Bev Torok, second from left, concentrates as she observes the Union Catholic girls warm up just before the Union County finals.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times BLUE DEVIL TRIUMVIRATE… Responsibilities rest in the capable hands of seniors Dave Citrin, left, Dave Geissler, center, and Steve Dennis.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times BLUE DEVIL FEARSOME FOURSOME… Pictured, left to right, are: Sage Stefiuk, Abigail Bercovicz, Mary Korfmacher and Katie Egan.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times PART OF THE RAIDER FORCE… Pictured, left to right, in front; are Andrea Maggi, Karen Haight, back; Jaimie Langevin, Kate Vanderheyden
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times MAJOR RAIDER FORCE… Pictured, left to right, in front, are: James Canterbury, Adam Bowser, back; Karl Jennings, Blair Woodward.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times APPLYING TOP PRESSURE… Blue Devil Mike Baly, top, grinds Jason Crutchfield of Rahway to the mats in a dual meet in Rahway.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times STOPPING THE STANDUP… Blue Devil Nick Friedman, back, grabs Raider Mike Grabel's arm and ankle to prevent a successful escape.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times SETTING UP THE GUILLOTINE… Raider Tony Melendez, top, begins to sever relationships with Tom Erhardt of Governor Livingston.
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