By Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: January 04, 1986The difference between a seasoned, veteran team and a young,up-and-coming challenger was in evidence during last night's Burlington County League Freedom Division boys' basketball game between Delran and visiting Florence.
Florence, with four seniors and a junior in its starting lineup, continually hit the big shot - mostly from the foul line - in scoring an 80-64 victory over the Bears.
One of the differences in this lethargic game, in which 53 fouls were whistled (31 on Delran), was at the foul line.
Delran, with three underclassmen in its starting lineup, connected on two more field goals than the Flashes, but couldn't keep pace at the foul line. Florence, No. 9 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the division, mainly on its 34-for-45 free-throw shooting.
Delran (2-2 overall, 0-1 division) shot a respectable 25 for 46 from the floor, but sank just 14 of 23 from the foul line.
"We missed four one-and-ones in the first half alone, and that killed us," said Delran coach Don Constantine. "We came out strong, but are still learning how to win. The teams that are mature will stick the foul shots, and that's what Florence did."
Florence, bolstered by the effort of senior Darrin Kotch, put the game away in the second quarter by outscoring Delran, 25-10, to take a 39-20 halftime lead.
Delran could not get the margin lower than 14 points in the second half.
Florence led, 14-10, after the first quarter, but then Kotch broke loose after a quiet first 8 minutes.
The 5-foot-11 senior forward, who entered the game with a 19.9-point average, scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the decisive second quarter.
Kotch hit 4 of 5 from the field, mostly from close range, and sank all six of his free throws during a quarter in which Florence made 9 of 10 foul shots.
Kotch easily atoned for a subpar first quarter in which he scored just one point and missed his only shot from the field.
"I wasn't worried about my low-scoring quarter," said Kotch, "as long as everybody else was scoring. I usually score most of my points down low, because the guards do such a good job of getting me the ball."
Those guards - Kendall Holmes (8 points) and Mike Dengler, who came off the bench to score 10 - consistently penetrated the Delran defense.
The guards frequently got the ball down low to 6-8 Andy Eaton and 6-2 Mike Bunnick. Eaton, despite sitting out more than a quarter because of foul trouble, had 17 points and six rebounds, while Bunnick added 16 points.
Delran was led by junior Ken Thompson (19 points) and Chris Connearny (15), but the Bears' 6-5 sophomore, Tony Sacca, was held scoreless. He fouled out out early in the third quarter.
Florence doesn't have much time to cherish the win, since the Flashes host dangerous Pemberton today in a nonleague game. Despite the Flashes' unbeaten record, coach Art Bobik hasn't been totally satisfied with his team's effort.
"We're starting to play better," he acknowledged. "We played well against Bristol (a 62-58 win) and well in the first tonight, but we were sloppy in the second half. Toward the end of the year, I hope we're at the point, where we're really clicking" for the entire game.
Inspired By An Unhappy Memory, Fox Paves Way For Delran Victory
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151220130233/http://articles.philly.com/1986-02-09/sports/26090138_1_quick-pin-bout-freedom-titleBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: February 09, 1986For more than a year, Delran High senior Craig Fox had agonized every time he flashed back to last season's wrestling match with Moorestown.
Delran lost the match (28-26) and a conference title to the Quakers when Fox, leading by 3-1, was pinned by Bill Connors with less than 1 minute left in the heavyweight bout.
Yesterday, Fox, now wrestling at 188 pounds, enjoyed his long-awaited redemption.
The situation was simple: Delran trailed by 22-15 and needed victories from Fox and heavyweight Mike Tittel.
Fox was facing Moorestown's Ken Schilling, who entered the bout with a 14-1 record. When Schilling, who had wrestled mostly at heavyweight this season, escaped to take a 3-2 lead with 57 seconds remaining, it appeared that Fox would come up short again.
However, Fox scored a takedown with 30 seconds remaining to take a 4-3 lead and then held on furiously as Schilling came close but failed to escape.
Tittel's tougher-than-expected pin of Tony Valente with 28 seconds remaining at heavyweight capped visiting Delran's comeback in a 24-22 Burlington County League Freedom Division showdown.
With the victory, Delran, No. 8 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, improved to 13-1 overall and 7-0 in the Freedom Division. Because No. 7 Moorestown and Delran are considered to be the class of the division, the Bears' victory put them in a commanding position to win their fifth Freedom title in the last six years. Moorestown fell to 13-1 overall and 6-1 in the division.
"Let's face it," Delran coach Dennis Smith said, "Fox has to be the hero. He was the goat last year, but now he has the monkey off his back. The students don't forget what happened last year. They have been letting him have it since last year."
Fox didn't let last year's loss escape his mind - not even during his bout with Schilling.
"I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't thinking about last year even while I was wrestling," said Fox, who improved his record to 16-2. "It has been on my mind for a year. The students always jokingly, but in a serious way, remind me of the Connors match.
"Winning this is the greatest thing I've done. The last 30 seconds, after I got the lead, I never went all out like I did to keep him from escaping. And the funny thing is, I'm usually terrible when I'm on the top."
"Said Moorestown coach Jack Welch: "We put Ken (Schilling) at 188 and went for the win there. But when Fox won, we were in trouble."
Fox's victory moved Delran to within 22-18, and most people assumed that Tittel would follow with a quick pin. The 273-pound junior enjoyed a 63-pound advantage over sophomore Valente, who had never wrestled in a varsity match.
But there was no rapid ending, and Tittel led by only 4-0 with less than a minute left, despite having been on top for virtually the entire bout. He couldn't put Valente on his back until about 45 seconds remained. At that point, he scored a near-fall. Then he secured the pin.
"I hurt my shoulder last Wednesday and didn't have the strength to turn him over," said Tittel, who improved to 12-4. "I was pretty worried. Then, in the third period, I turned it on.
"They (his teammates) were going to kill me if I lost. Nobody would talk to me anymore."
"Anthony (Valente) was wrestling his first varsity match," Welch said. ''I thought he did a great job, lasting as long as he did."
Delran's Pete Gramlich raised his record to 16-2 at 101. He defeated Sean Hayes, 8-4, handing him his first loss in 13 decisions this season. The Bears also got victories from undefeated Joe Paoline at 122 and Mike Jackson, now 17-1 at 148.
"Gramlich and Fox were the keys," said Welch, whose team could meet Delran again in the Group 2 playoffs, because both are expected to be among the four selected this week.
Northern Burlington And Delran Again Are Front Runners
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919123957/http://articles.philly.com/1986-03-22/sports/26081058_1_first-scrimmage-competition-njsiaaBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: March 22, 1986Last year the Burlington County Freedom Division's fourth-place team, Burlington Township, ended up winning the NJSIAA state Group 1 title. That should give outsiders some indication as to the quality of competition in the Burlington County League's smaller division.
This season most of the conference contenders have a solid nucleus returning, which should produce an even higher caliber of play, if such a thing is possible.
One constant is the list of projected front-runners. Last year Northern Burlington won the title with a 15-2 league record. Delran, 14-4, was second.
The two schools should battle for the title again, while Maple Shade and Burlington Township cannot be counted out. The one difference this season is that the two favorites will be guided by new coaches.
Chris Haines takes over at Northern Burlington, and Nancy Fanelli is the new coach at Delran. Haines is especially aware of the immediate high expectations her defending champions have created.
"I'm sure teams will come at us harder because we are the defending champs," Haines said. "We have a reputation we are trying to uphold, but we don't feel as much pressure because we have only four returning starters."
While Haines bemoans a lack of experienced veterans, in the next breath she enthusiastically discusses her current crop of players.
"We had a scrimmage with Ewing, a very good team," she said recently, ''and we beat them, 3-2. Our main strength is pitching. For our first scrimmage, I was really pleased."
Northern Burlington lost its best pitcher, Barb Malespina, to graduation, yet pitching remains a strength. Translation: This is still the team to beat. Malespina was 13-4 last year with a 1.18 ERA, but the Greyhounds feel that they have two pitchers who will more than compensate for the loss.
Junior Laura Hay and senior Dagmar Tallman give Northern Burlington the league's deepest pitching staff. Hay backed up Malespina last year and threw a no-hitter in her first outing. Tallman was 19-2 for the junior-varsity team.
The key to Delran's success will be the pitching of senior Cathy Jefferson (13-4 last year), the league's top returning pitcher, who was a team- leading .389 hitter, to boot.
Still, Fanelli gives Northern Burlington the edge in the pitching department.
"Northern has the pitching staff to win it," Fanelli said, "and Maple Shade beat us twice last year, so we really have our work cut out for us."
Last year Maple Shade sneaked up on the competition. Besides beating Delran twice, the Wildcats led Northern by 10-0 in one game before losing, 11-10. Maple Shade finished with a 12-6 record, despite playing with a sophomore- dominated lineup.
"If the young kids come around," Maple Shade coach Jerry Mazza said, ''we'll be as competitive as any team. NBC and Delran are tough, and they always seem to have solid teams. I would like to think we are on their level, but that may be wishful thinking at this point."
Burlington Township (16-5) must replace Inquirer all-South Jersey pitcher Gina Fandetta (13-4). However, the Falcons' offense will match anybody's in the league. Junior third baseman Diane Flannery (.478) and sophomore Chris Osborne (.463) lead the explosive attack. If Osborne handles the pitching duties sufficiently, the Falcons could be in the hunt.
The competition is so difficult that a team such as Burlington (9-9), which appears improved, may not be able to move up in the standings.
"We should have a good solid team this year," Burlington coach George Masters said, "but the Freedom is so strong that we may end up being a fourth- or fifth-place team. We are hoping to be one of the top teams, but it will be very difficult."
That's the best way to describe the Freedom race - difficult to predict and even more difficult to win.
BORDENTOWN.
Coach: Ted Biagrani.
Last year: 5-12 overall, 5-12 league (8th place).
Strength: Good defensive infield should make rebuilding easier. Freshman Kathy Loretangeli will start at one infield position and is possibly the team's most talented player.
Key players: C Diane Matney and 1B Karen Schweppenheiser are the lone returning starters.
Outlook: With so few returning veterans, the Scotties will have trouble against many of their experienced Freedom Division foes. This team appears a year away from a winning season.
BURLINGTON.
Coach: George Masters.
Last year: 9-9, 9-7 (5th).
Strength: One of the best outfields in the conference.
Key players: CF Stephanie Schultz (.327); LF Shawna Plymale (.973 fielding average); 3B Kerry Toole (.351); SS Rosaland Moss (.333, 16 stolen bases).
Outlook: The Blue Devils have an improved team, but that might not translate into an improved record. Most of the conference contenders return a large number of veterans. Look for Burlington to play at the .500 level again this year.
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Coach: Leslie Tucker.
Last year: 15-5, 11-4 (4th).
Strength: Possibly the best offense in the division, with eight returning letter-winners.
Key players: OF Tricia Flannery, Theresa Darch; C Barb Sadlier; 3B Diane Flannery; 1B Missy Palentchar; INF Rose Dowdy; P-OF Christy Osborne; INF-OF Janet George; SS Andrea Hansell.
Outlook:The defending Group 1 state champs need to replace pitcher Gina Fandetta (13-4) to contend. Right now, the Falcons look like a dark horse. With their lineup, the pitching doesn't have to be great, but at this point it remains a question mark.
DELRAN.
Coach: Nancy Fanelli (1st year).
Last year: 15-5, 14-4 (2nd).
Strength: One of the league's top pitchers in Cathy Jefferson, plus an experienced lineup.
Key players: P-1B Cathy Jefferson (13-4, .389); INF Marianne Bowker; 2B Jill Deutsch; OF Tracy Deutsch; Maureen O'Connor; 1B Cyndi Torreca; OF Wendy Razzi; INF Jennifer Richter (.371).
Outlook: The Bears return eight starters from last year's second-place team. The experience is there to surpass last year's record and again challenge for the title.
FLORENCE.
Coach: Lou Guadagnino (1st year).
Last year: 6-11, 6-10 (5th).
Strength: The league's best catcher in senior Colleen Campbell.
Key players: Campbell (.478 and first-team all-league); SS Nicole Chanti; OF Holly Benedict; pitchers Donna Sassaman and Lisa Rebels.
Outlook: The Flashes, with Campbell as one of their few experienced seniors, appear likely to finish around the middle of the pack.
MAPLE SHADE.
Coach: Jerry Mazza.
Last year: 12-6, 12-4 (3d).
Strength: Eight key veterans returning, including consistent pitchers Cheryl Myers and Dawn Ruff.
Key players: Myers (16-4 over last two years) and Ruff (6-2); 3B Denyse Jacobs; SS Kristen Martinovich; 2B Tina Smith; CF Diana Smith; OF Maria Bush; C Cindy Tull.
Outlook: Although the Wildcats may not be as highly touted as Delran or Northern Burlington, they have the ability to win the league title. In preseason they are considered the league's third-best team, but that could change, especially if Ruff and Myers continue their development at pitcher.
MOORESTOWN.
Coach: Bill Kravitz.
Last year: 1-15, 1-14 (10th).
Strength: Probably the conference's best athlete in outfielder Carla Vesper. Fielding is the strongest part of the Quakers' game.
Key players: Vesper; SS Kathy Weeks; 3B Anne Apiema; 2B Janice Ward; C Mary Hanley; OF Stephanie Clark; 1B Meg Weeks.
Outlook: Some improvement is likely, but the Quakers' questionable pitching will hurt them against divisional opponents.
NORTHERN BURLINGTON.
Coach: Chris Haines (1st year).
Last year: 21-5 overall, 15-2 division (1st).
Strength: Defense and two pitchers capable of beating any other team in the league.
Key players: OF Niccole Blaese; catcher Kirsten Martz; pitchers Laura Hay and Dagmar Tallman (19-2 on junior varsity); INF Beth Sellers.
Outlook: Although only four starters return, the Greyhounds will battle Delran for the league title. Hay and Tallman should form the league's top pitching duo. If both show they can adequately replace graduated pitcher Barb Malespina, the Greyhounds could make it two titles in a row.
PALMYRA.
Coach: Ed Morgan.
Last year: 4-14, 4-13 (9th).
Strength: Seven returning letter-winners, including the entire outfield.
Key players: OF Dorreen Urian, Lynn Child and Beth Pine; P Mary Ann Cloran; C Helen Cloran; 1B LeAnn Conyers; 2B Terri Cox; 3B Jackie Miller.
Outlook: This one-time conference doormat is looking at a much brighter picture. The Pals should be vastly improved from last year, with .500 a realistic goal. This team is a year away from contending.
RIVERSIDE.
Coach: Harry Johnstone.
Last year: 7-12, 5-12 (7th).
Strength: Experienced pitching.
Key players: P-1B Joy Hoffman (.380); CF Kelli McMullen (.320); SS Lynn Lechleidner; P Darlene Vogelmann (.338).
Outlook: The Rams should be improved, but the problem is that most of the other Freedom teams can make the same claim. Not a contender, but with experienced pitching, a .500 season is realistic.
Off And Running With A Look At The Conference Races
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160102130449/http://articles.philly.com/1986-04-02/sports/26079492_1_discus-hurdles-meterBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: April 02, 1986Here is a look at some of South Jersey's strongest boys' track teams, as the season gets into high gear Saturday morning, with the Camden County Relays at Woodrow Wilson High.
Willingboro has won 94 straight dual meets and nine Burlington County Liberty Division championships in a row.
So how good is this year's squad?
"Just about as good as the first nine," said coach Paul Minore.
Leading the Chimeras again this year is sprinter Kenny Reynolds, who finished second in the state Group 3 100-meter dash last season. He will be joined in the sprinting events by sophomore Chris Donaldson, who, according to Minore, is already showing a lot of promise.
Other key people for Willingboro are Marvin Forchion (pole vaulter, hurdler and long jumper) and Don Dickens (shot put).
Penns Grove, winner of 107 dual meets in a row, is likely to extend that streak. Since 1977, the Red Devils have won conference and South Jersey championships every year.
The squad is without Jonathan Dickey, who won four events at the last two state meets.
But back are George Bland, a state champion in the 55-meter hurdles, sprinter Norman Rolle and discus thrower Russ Willitt, who set a South Jersey record last spring with a toss of 185 feet, 10 inches.
"We are a little stronger in the distances and hurdles than we were last year," said coach Jack Ware. "And we'll do well in the shot and discus. But Salem and Kingsway could make it interesting down the road."
Once again, Edgewood is the top squad in the Olympic Conference American Division. The Eagles, the three-time defending South Jersey Group 4 champion, graduated Kerry Vivett and Brian Bennett, among others, but they still have a solid nucleus that should carry them to their fifth straight league title.
Highland, Camden and Paul VI may be serious threats to Edgewood's American crown, while Pennsauken has an outside chance at the title.
Edgewood's main performers will be Ron Adams (440-meter run and 800 run), Jeff Linden (1,600 run and 3,200 run), and Greg Hines (shot put, discus and javelin).
"How we do in the first three or so meets will have a major effect on the outcome of our season," said Eagles coach Russ Bates. "Once we get through those, hopefully we'll be in good shape."
Eastern won the Olympic National last year but may not be able to repeat. When you lose Chuck Carter (a state-champion sprinter) and distance runners like Bill and Barry Shea, it is hard to come back as strong.
Overbrook and Woodrow Wilson bear watching this year.
"I'm expecting that we should be right in the thick of things for the championship," said Overbrook coach Randy Peddle. "We are a little inexperienced in the field events, but we are bringing those guys along a little faster than usual."
The Rams will be led by state Group 3 champion hurdler Firman Walden, sprinter Andre Brown and transfer 800-meter runner Rich Harrison.
Haddon Heights seems likely to unseat Haddonfield, last year's Colonial Conference champ.
"I think we have a pretty good team, but I won't say we'll win it all," said Heights coach Paul Briegel. "We are pretty good in both the sprints and distances, but we need improvement in the weight events."
Key performers for the Garnets are sprinters Dan Chambers and John Henley, distance runners Tom Tursey and Bob Walz, and hurdler Louis Wilson.
Haddonfield will be without Group 1 state-champion pole-vaulter Mark Murphy.
"We lost some front-line performers, but we still have a lot of depth," said coach Nick Baker. "But we might surprise before the end of the year."
Delran, last year's Burlco Freedom winner, is in good position to repeat with 14 letter-winners back, but will get competition from Florence and Moorestown.
"We have to have contributions from our newcomers in the hurdles and the high jump, and our distance runners must improve from last year for us to win it again," said Bears coach Lou Stickel.
The top returnees for Delran are Frank Chou (javelin), Rob Pandolfi (pole vault) and Malik Williams (sprinter, quarter-miler and long jumper).
Cumberland lost 12 lettermen from its Cape I championship team of last season, and there is no clear-cut favorite to take the title this season. Buena and Absegami appear slight favorites in a wide-open Cape II season.
Cumberland returns distance-runner Donnell Stafford, sprinters Doug Henriques and Andre Thomas and hurdlers Tim Lister, Alan Holden, Anthony Pritchett and Jonathan Russell. The Colts will have to fight Bridgeton, Vineland and Ocean City to repeat.
"It should be pretty even this year," said Cumberland coach George Hayducsko. "Any of those teams could go 8-0 or 4-4 in the conference. We will have to rely on our depth and get a lot of second and third places. It'll take a total team effort."
Previewing The Region's Strongest Teams
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150920190952/http://articles.philly.com/1986-04-03/sports/26076107_1_jump-meter-discusBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: April 03, 1986Here is a look at some of South Jersey's strongest girls' track teams. The season gets into full swing Saturday morning with the Camden County Relays at Woodrow Wilson.
Edgewood went undefeated last season and wound up as the sectional Group 4 champion, as outstanding returning hurdler Sonja Bennett led the way. This season, however, the Eagles may have their hands full just trying to win the Olympic Conference American Division over Paul VI, which will almost surely pile up points in the distance events.
Paul VI will be counting on Missy McNally (1,600- and 3,200-meter runs) and Danielle McManus (800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs) to improve on the good seasons they had last year.
A sensational junior season by Artrelia Turner, who won South Jersey championships in the 100 and 200 meters and the long jump, led Woodrow Wilson to the Olympic National title last year. Once again, the Tigers are favored.
But Overbrook, with Carla Brown returning after a good season in the field events, and Eastern, with state Group 3 100-meter champion Timi Crawford, once again could be stumbling blocks for Wilson.
The only thing that may hurt Wilson is its lack of depth. But the Tigers had the same problem last year and did well in dual meets.
Delran was undefeated in Burlington County League, Freedom Division, competition the past two years. But coach Mati Reinfeldt is not guaranteeing that his team will be able to do it again.
"It will be rather even this year in comparison to the past couple of years," he said. "It'll be interesting to see how the teams match up."
Delran lost Bonnie Yatcilla (long jump, shot and discus) and Michelle Harris (hurdles and high jump) to graduation.
But the Bears return Joann Sienkiewicz (javelin), Lauren Schoenberg (hurdles, discus and long jump), Cathy Kahl (shot put, long jump and high jump), Kim Potter (1,600- and 3,200-meter runs), Stephanie Grier (hurdles), Judy Yatcilla (shot, discus and javelin) and Stephanie Hardy (800 meters).
Willingboro, under Evelyn Lewis, annually fields a strong squad that is not lacking in numbers. The Chimeras won the Burlco Liberty as well as South Jersey Group 3 last season, and once again they have excellent sprinters, headed by Val Branch.
But Shawnee, Lenape and Holy Cross pose threats to the Chimeras in the league this season.
"I don't think anybody will blow anybody away," said Shawnee coach Mike Yurcho. "Whoever's team is healthy and improves when the dual meet season starts should win it. We have good distance runners but are lacking depth in the sprinting events and long jump."
Woodbury's chances of defending its Colonial Conference title look good with middle-distance runner Carole Brown and hurdler Terry Archie back again.
The Thundering Herd will receive its stiffest challenge from Sterling, which may have the best depth in the conference.
Haddonfield and Paulsboro also may contend. Last season, the race went down to the wire between Woodbury, Sterling and Haddonfield.
Kingsway, a Tri-County Conference team, was a young team last year when it won the South Jersey Group 1 title. And with nationally known senior sprinter Denise Liles heading an impressive cast of returnees, the Dragons are almost certain to repeat.
Clearview, also a Tri-County Conference team, is the defending South Jersey Group 2 champion.
Vineland's Carmella Johnson, a sprinter, may be Cape I's finest individual performer and could spark her team in a four-way battle, which also will involve defending champ Cumberland, Mainland and Atlantic City.
Since all four teams have adequate depth and should be strong in the sprinting events, the league race could depend on how healthy each team stays.
Buena is the defending Cape II champ, and coach Jim Marchetto has many reasons to believe his squad can repeat.
Among them are South Jersey Group 2 100-meter champ Zelda Spence (100 and 200 meters), sprinter Claudia Smith (100 and 200 meters), hurdlers Sean Graiser and Stephanie Aretz, and distance runner Connie Giovinazzi.
"The league will be improved over last year, but we are as good as we've ever been," Marchetto said. "How much our competition has improved will tell the story."
That competition is likely to come from Absegami, Cape May and Middle Township.
Despite Fears, Students Fly To Europe
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1986-04-09/news/26080650_1_school-sponsored-trips-student-group-cultural-heritage-allianceBy Nicole Brodeur, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: April 09, 1986When Delran High School principal David Lamborne, citing the threat of terrorism, withdrew on March 28 the school's support for an eight-day trip by some students to Europe, he met with surprisingly strong resistance from a majority of the students and their parents.
Forty-eight hours later, 13 of the 20 students who had signed up for the trip - nine girls and four boys - were flying across the Atlantic unchaperoned, and apparently with few fears for their safety abroad.
Their confidence was contrary to the concerns not only of their principal, but also of a growing number of American tourists.
In the past eight months, an American tourist has been shot and tossed over the side of a cruise ship; five Americans have been killed in shootings at the airports in Rome and Athens, Greece; Libya's radical leader, Moammar Khadafy, has growled threats of violence against Americans, young and old; and, last Wednesday, an explosion in a plane bound for Athens sent four Americans to their deaths.
Adding to the worries of those planning school trips is the recent death of a Milwaukee high school student who lost her balance and fell from the Eiffel Tower while posing for a photograph.
Overseas travel is being discouraged in record numbers across the nation. At least 170 school-sponsored trips are estimated to have been canceled, according to an official of the Philadelphia-based Cultural Heritage Alliance, one of the biggest travel agencies for scholastic trips to Europe.
The decision to withdraw the school's support had nothing to do with the financing of the trip, for which the students paid themselves. But Lamborne ruled that the two teachers who were to accompany the student group, Kathy Rossell and Richard Clauson, could not travel as representatives of Delran High School.
Both Rossell and Clauson remained stateside during the Easter-break trip.
"Delran High School was just trying to wash its hands of the whole thing, in case anything happened," said John Deren, an 18-year-old senior who made the trip and returned home Sunday.
As it turned out, nothing bad happened on the trip.
"There is more of a chance of us getting hit by a drunk driver right here than there was of anything happening to us in Europe," said senior Kim Gilbert, 18, who paid for her $900 passage with money she earned working at a convenience store. "We felt safer over there than we do here."
The students did spend some time unescorted on the trip, but that time was spent in the air. They went to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport unchaperoned but were met there by a representative of the Cultural Heritage Alliance.
There, the students boarded a plane and flew to London, again unchaperoned, according to Robin DeCamillo, manager of the alliance's air department. Once in London, she said, the group was met by another alliance representative, who stayed and toured with the group for four days and nights before putting them on a plane bound for Paris, where the group was met by yet another alliance representative.
"There was no one there to ride with the students, but those were the only times they were alone," DeCamillo said, adding that the alliance's representatives found the students "absolutely delightful."
"This is the best time of our lives," Gilbert said. "We had a great time. We weren't scared about anything."
Before she left, Gilbert said, her mother expressed some concern for her safety, but her parents left the decision up to her.
"Some of the teachers had said we would have to be accompanied by guards everywhere we went," Gilbert said, "but that was a big joke to us. When you first got off the plane, you could see there was no danger. There was no threat whatsoever."
She said the group often visited London and Paris discotheques and stayed out late - one night until 5:30 a.m. - with the alliance representatives. She added that when American songs were played in the clubs, the rooms almost shook as American tourists cheered and shouted in recognition.
"It was the best time of our lives," Gilbert said. "We're all alive."
Labosky Leads The Way In Relays
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104119/http://articles.philly.com/1986-04-13/sports/26078645_1_javelin-jump-markBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: April 13, 1986It was only a few days ago that Vince Labosky of Holy Cross High set a school record in the javelin throw and began to think about topping the South Jersey record of 226 feet, 11 inches, set by Dave Reiss of Haddon Heights 20 years ago.
Yesterday afternoon at Maple Shade High, where the Burlington County Hall of Fame Relays were held, Labosky reached his goal.
In combining with teammate Jerry Vitelli to win the Liberty Division javelin competition with a total of 398-2, Labosky made a throw of 229-1 to set the new standard.
Labosky's previous best was the throw of 225-2 on Tuesday that erased the Holy Cross school record of 224-4, set by Eric Schoenborn last season.
"When somebody puts their total effort into doing something, they get too tense sometimes and it can be disappointing," Labosky said. "I was relaxed today. I didn't worry about giving it my all. I just took it easy."
Labosky's effort - though it was the most significant - was not the only record yesterday.
In the high jump, Jim Bowles and Adam Brown of Rancocas Valley finished with a 12-4 to beat the meet mark of 12-2 set last year by John F. Kennedy's Mike Jones and James Bowles.
There were also a number of division records set.
In the Freedom Division:
* Bordentown's Pat Duffield and Jerome Robinson teamed up to for a 40-3 1/4 total in the long jump to break the record of 37-10 1/2.
* Palmyra's 3,200-meter relay team of Rodney Coon, Jim McKee, T. J. Martino and Albert Ricketts finished in 8:35.1 to top the record of 8:42.1.
* Brothers Rob and Rick McMullen of Northern Burlington had a 264-1 total in the discus to top the old mark of 249-2.
* Jo Ann Sienkiewicz and Judy Yatcilla's 200-9 total in the javelin broke the girls' mark of 189-4.
* Bordentown's 400-meter relay team of Jakara Siles, Michelle Conaway, Treonca Jones and Andrea Conaway was timed in 53.4 and bettered the record of 53.9.
* Burlington City's sprint-medley team of Lisa Upchurch, Lia Moore, Angela Curtis and Michelle Karteron beat the record of 4:55.2 with a 4:50.3.
* Long-jumpers Dawn Lovett and Tracey Graham of Burlington City put together a 28-0 to top the 26-9 1/4 that had been the standard.
In the Liberty Division:
* Bowles and Brown, with their 12-4 in the high jump, eclipsed the standard of 12-2.
* Shawnee's Vickie Burgin, Jenni Burgin, Jennifer Wheeler and Sherry Bradock were timed in 1:16.2 in the shuttle hurdles, to erase the mark of 1:19.3.
* Lenape's sister combination of Stacey and Sandy Hinson set records in the shot put and discus throw. Their 68-11 in the shot topped the old mark of 65-10 3/4. And, with a discus total of 204-2, they topped the record of 192-0.
*
Willingboro, the South Jersey champion last year in Group 3, looked very strong yesterday in winning six events.
"All of our spots are filled," said Kenny Reynolds, the squad's star sprinter. "We have a lot of depth. We don't have any purebred quarter-milers, but we can work that out."
Steven Spinner, who teamed with Don Dickens to win the Liberty discus competition for Willingboro with a total of 241-8, had this to say about throwing the weights:
"It's a lot of technique involved and you have to know it. You have to repeat it to your brain."
Kerry Hobbs, an Inquirer all-area basketball player, competes in the long jump and sprints for the Lenape girls' team.
She won the Liberty Division long jump with teammate Angie Hopson, as they combined for an effort of 31-6 1/4.
Hobbs said there was some similarity between the jumping she did on the basketball court and in track competition.
"With both, you have to get some height," she said. "Long-jumping is like going up for a layup without having a basketball in your hands."
Sandy Hinson, after she and her sister Stacey broke division records in the shot put and discus:
"We just come out and go as hard as we can every day, because we know the competition is tough."
Stacey Hinson performed despite a sore back that has been hindering her lately.
"I didn't think about the pain while we were competing," she said.
Deanna Germano of Shawnee, is eager to run again in the Penn Relays. Last spring, she finished fourth in the 3,000-meter run, even though she didn't know she was going to be in the race until just before it started.
"We never received the letter telling me I was in it, but I was looking in the program and saw my name as they were lining up," she said.
"I ran all the way from the paddock to the track. This year, since I know I'm going to be in it, I'm looking forward to it."
In the ninth annual Pennsauken Relays for girls, Kingsway won three events and placed second in the other three to successfully defend its Division B (small schools) team championship.
Edgewood won Division A with 21 points, and Overbrook's Carla Brown dominated the non-scoring field events by setting a meet record in the shot put (39-6), winning the javelin (116-3) and placing second in the discus (96-2) behind Haddonfield's Stacie DeCencio (106-1).
Denise Liles anchored each of Kingsway's wins, breaking the tape in the 400- (50.8), 800- (1:48.0) and 1,600-meter relays (4:17.9), helping the Dragons score 31 points and easily defeat runner-up Haddonfield (15), which set a division record of 10:21.3 in the 3,200 relay.
Cherry Hill East's Erin Halpin tied her career best and set a meet record with a 5-6 leap in the high jump.
Overbrook and Penns Grove won team championships in their respective divisions, and Edgewood was the overall winner in the third annual Lakewood Relays for boys.
Overbrook scored 34 points to win the Group 3 competition, as Doug Bowen and Bill Inge teamed to win the long-jump relay; Andre Brown, Doug Bowen, Mike Muse and Firman Walden won the shuttle hurdles; and Brown, Muse and Walden teamed for a first place in the 1,200 hurdles relay.
Penns Grove won eight of 13 events in Group 1 to pile up 66 points, Manchester Township captured the Group 2 trophy, and Christian Brothers was the Group 4 winner. On a comparison basis with all 47 schools in the meet, Edgewood scored 41 points and won the overall crown.
Overbrook's Late Win Good For A Tie
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160104030243/http://articles.philly.com/1986-04-20/sports/26079397_1_sprint-medley-edgewood-distance-medleyBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: April 20, 1986Going into the last event yesterday at the 14th annual Woodbury Relays, Overbrook High was in fourth place in the Group 3 competition.
But coach Larry Peddle wasn't about to count his team out.
A victory in the race - the mile relay - could mean a championship for the Rams.
"I was pretty confident we could do it," Peddle said. "We ran a 3:29 last week at the Lakewood Relays, and we were without Ron Weddington, who is one of our best runners."
Weddington was back in the lineup yesterday, and he joined Andre Brown, Paul Duhart and Firman Walden to take the mile relay with a time of 3 minutes, 22.5 seconds and put Overbrook in a three-way tie with Willingboro and Lakewood in the final standings with 19 points.
Before the mile relay, Absegami was in first place with 17 points, while Lakewood had 16, Willingboro 15 and Overbrook 13.
"We were disqualified at Lakewood, so today was redemption for us," Peddle said.
The titles in the other boys' divisions were won by Edgewood, Penns Grove and Salem.
Edgewood placed first in one event, second in four and fourth in another to capture Group 4. The Eagles wound up with 24 points, six more than second- place Camden, which took first place in each of the three events it entered.
"We were surprised by Camden," Edgewood coach Russ Bates said. "But it was a good, competitive meet. We are right on pace and exactly where we want to be at this point in the season."
In Group 1, Penns Grove (28 points) clinched the title with a first-place finish in the sprint medley - the next-to-last event - and Kingsway (22 points) used a first-place finish in the mile relay to take second.
And in Group 2, Salem broke a 20-20 tie with Haddon Heights by winning the mile relay. With the victory, Salem raised its point total 26. Heights had 23 points after finishing third in that final race.
*
In the girls' competition, Shawnee won Division A with 23 points by capturing three events and placing in two others.
Willingboro, which won one race and was second in three others, was the second-place team with 18 points, and Lakewood was third with 16.
"We caught a couple of breaks today," Shawnee coach Mike Yurcho said. ''Willingboro, Edgewood and Lakewood knocked each other off in the sprints. But we did what we set out to do. Nobody had a bad day. I hope we can keep it going from here."
In Division B, Sterling repeated as champ with 20 points, and Mindy Rowand was named most valuable female athlete of the meet after anchoring the Silver Knights to victories in the distance medley Friday and the 3,200-meter relay and sprint medley yesterday. Woodrow Wilson, which took firsts in the only three events it entered, was second with 18 points.
Sterling had only a one-point lead over Wilson entering the last two events - but Wilson didn't field a team in one of them.
"We were worried about Wilson, but they didn't have the depth to overtake us," Sterling coach Bob Grant said. "We each won three events. But we placed in two of the events they won; they didn't enter the races we won."
In Division C, Kingsway never was seriously challenged in scoring 27 points to 16 for second-place finisher Woodbury.
Kingsway collected two first, three seconds and a third, with Denise Liles anchoring it to victories in both the 400- and 1,600-meter relays yesterday. Woodbury - which was without its top runner, Terry Archie, for much of the day because of a hamstring pull she suffered in an early race - won one event and had one second-place finish and two third-place finishes.
"I felt we could dominate today," Kingsway coach Mike Klaszky said. "To win, you need to score in every event, and we did that. We wanted to show that we are one of the best teams in South Jersey and in the state."
When Haddonfield won the distance medley in the girls' Division C competition, it broke the division record it had set in 1984.
The new record-holders, with a time of 13:18.7, are Stephanie Naticchia, Julie Gercke, Wendy Gailey and Kelly Carpenter.
"It was a group effort," Haddonfield coach Bill Vogel said. "The girls have worked well together, and they push each other. I predict what I want them to run, and they try to be there. I try to make the goal faster than what they have run and give them something to work for."
Sterling's Kelly Settles spent last week fighting off the effects of an ear infection, the flu and tonsilitis to help Sterling win its girls' Division B title.
Settles, who had worked out only once since getting up from her sickbed, came from behind on the second leg of the distance medley to put the Silver Knights in the lead to stay. She was running third when she got the baton, but she was the first of the runners on her leg to pass the baton.
"I came here to do what I could to help the team win," she said. "I wasn't at my best, but I'm satisfied."
Wilson's Artrelia Turner, who has bounced back from shoulder injuries, was named the meet's most courageous performer. She contributed to three winning relay performances in girls' Division B and finished third in the girls' open long-jump competition.
The Absegami boys set a Group 3 meet record in the distance medley by finishing in 10:36.4. The old record was 10:37.4, set by Paul VI in 1974.
The Braves' Steve McLaughlin, who anchored the Absegami team, was named the most valuable male athlete of the meet. He also anchored the 3,200-meter relay team that finished second to Lakewood.
The other runners on the record-setting distance-medley team were Bob Anderson, Cherrom Johnson and Ron Welcer.
The boys' open pole-vault competition went down to the wire between Delran's Rob Pandolfi and Willingboro's Marvin Forchion. Each cleared 13-6, but Pandolfi won on fewer attempts after both failed in three tries at 14-0. There were 17 competitors in the event at the outset.
"(Forchion's) a good jumper, and I like going against somebody like him, because it pushes me," Pandolfi said. "When he cleared 13-6, I got a little nervous.
"We'll be seeing each other again, I'm sure."
Tony Johnson of Penns Grove took a spill on the third leg of the boys' Group 1 400-meter relay. Johnson, who has had experience in gymnastics, did a forward roll and was back on his feet and running again quickly. Although the fall set Penns Grove back, the quick recovery allowed the team to take third place.
"I didn't get out fast enough, and my legs got tangled with (Mike Mallory's)," Johnson said. "I feel like I let the team down."
Vince Labosky of Holy Cross, who won the javelin at Woodbury on Friday, set a meet record at the Father Judge Relays in Philadelphia yesterday with a throw of 201 feet, 6 inches. Teammate Jerry Vitale was third at 181-7.
The Penns Grove boys' squad has a chance to break the state record for consecutive dual-meet victories when it faces Gloucester on Thursday. The Red Devils tied the record of 112 - set by Deptford from 1966 through 1976 - on Tuesday against Clearview. They haven't lost a dual meet since 1974.
Body Of Delran Woman Found After Maine Canoe Accident
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150912012819/http://articles.philly.com/1986-06-11/news/26047082_1_canoeing-allagash-wilderness-waterway-paul-fournierBy Jane Cope, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 11, 1986The body of an 18-year-old Delran woman, who had been missing since a canoeing accident Friday, was found floating downstream from the Allagash Falls in northern Maine, a Fish and Games Department aide there said yesterday.
The body of Marian Lee Vander Vennen, a 1985 Delran High School graduate, will be taken to the nearest town, Fort Kent, said the aide, Paul Fournier. A medical examiner is expected to issue a report today.
On Friday morning, a canoe carrying Vander Vennen and a cousin, David Hackman of Hackettstown, Warren County, became stuck in rocks near the edge of the Allagash Falls, Fournier said. The two were either thrown into the water or tried to swim ashore, he said, and the strong water current swept both down the 50-foot falls.
Hackman was wearing a life preserver and suffered only leg bruises, Fournier said. It is unclear whether Vander Vennen was wearing a life preserver or if the flotation device was swept away from her by powerful water currents, he said.
Vander Vennen had been on a six-person canoeing trip, her father, Earl J. Vander Vennen, said yesterday in a telephone interview from his home in Burlington County. The family had given up hope of her being found alive, he said, and did not plan to go to Maine.
Known at Delran High School for her musical talent, Vander Vennen had been involved with the Mount Laurel Center for the Performing Arts almost all her life, her father said, recalling his daughter's love of music.
While at the high school, she studied violin as part of an independent study project, said principal David Lamborne. At graduation exercises last year, she performed a violin solo, and she returned this year to be part of the orchestra for the school's musical, Lamborne said.
Vander Vennen was a quiet and extremely gifted student, he said. "She was probably one of the brightest students to go through here," the principal said.
She completed secondary school in three years and finished fourth in her class, Lamborne said, adding that her final grade-point average was nearly perfect.
The Allagash River, part of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, is a popular northern Maine canoeing route used by 8,000 to 10,000 people a year, said Fournier. Canoeists pull ashore at either of two portages before the falls and walk around the waterfalls, he added. According to Fournier, Hackman told authorities that they did not see warning signs.
Divers, who had been at the scene since Saturday, were told to terminate their search Monday night because of the "thunderous rapids," Fournier said. ''It's a hellish place."
Rangers and wardens continued the search, he said.
Vander Vennen had just completed her freshman year at Lehigh University, where she was majoring in electrical engineering. In addition to her father, she is survived by her mother, Ruth, and a brother, Emmanuel, all of Delran.
Graduation Ceremonies: When, Where And Who
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150910154324/http://articles.philly.com/1986-06-18/news/26043712_1_graduation-ceremonies-commencement-exercises-valedictory-speechesBy Kenneth Glick, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 18, 1986T. Edward Hollander, the New Jersey chancellor of higher education, will be the featured speaker at the 16th annual commencement of Burlington County College, in Pemberton. The commencement will take place June 25.
About 450 graduates will receive associate degrees and certificates in arts, sciences and applied sciences at the outdoor graduation ceremonies, which will begin at 7 p.m.
The president of the student body, Dotti Pursley, will make a brief address before the annual presentation of the Teacher of the Year Award. In the event of rain, the exercises will be moved to the gymnasium.
Around Burlington County, students, parents, faculty and friends will be honor the Class of 1986 at a score of public high school graduations in the next two weeks.
Students from Wrightstown and New Hanover will be among the 133 seniors receiving diplomas at the Bordentown Regional High School commencement exercises, to be held at 6 p.m. Friday .
The ceremonies will take place at the high school football field, and will be moved to the auditorium in the event of rain. Guest speakers and the valedictorian have not been announced.
The 115 graduating seniors of Burlington Township High School will be honored at their commencement at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the high school football field, on Fountain Avenue. The ceremonies will be moved inside to the Thomas O. Hopkins Middle School gym, on Jacksonville Road, in the event of inclement weather. Timothy Dillon, a senior, is scheduled to deliver the valedictory address.
The Burlington County Vocational Technical Schools have two high school graduations scheduled for their Mount Holly and Medford campuses on Tuesday .
The Mount Holly commencement will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the campus parking lot off Woodlane Road, where 160 seniors will be graduated. Scheduled to deliver the valedictory and welcoming speeches are two seniors, Geraldine Wolff and Nancy Eigenbrood.
The other ceremony, at the Ossi Vocational Technical High School, on Hawkins Road in Medford, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Mark Rader, the valedictorian, will give the commencement speech to the 134 graduating seniors.
Both ceremonies will be moved indoors to the campus auditoriums in the event of rain.
Cinnaminson Township High School will hold its graduation ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. Friday at the George D. Paternoster Memorial Stadium, on Riverton Road. Three students have been designated as speakers from among the 252 seniors who will receive diplomas. The three are Michael Chih, Liza Mary Herschel and Sanand Raghunandanan. No rain date has been set.
Delran High School will graduate 190 seniors at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the high school football field, on Hartford Road. Pamela Shaw and Robert Rosenbaum, both seniors, are scheduled to deliver valedictory speeches. The ceremony will be moved to the gym if it rains.
In Medford, the Lenape High School graduation will take place at 6 p.m. today at the school's football field, on Church and Hartford Roads. About 430 seniors are scheduled to be graduated. Student speeches will include valedictory and welcoming addresses by two seniors, D. Michael Hobbs and Rosemary Jean Loverdi, and an address by the 1986 class president, Patrick Andrew McGrath. In the event of rain, the graduation will take place tomorrow.
At Shawnee High School in Medford, 535 seniors will be presented their diplomas at 6 p.m. today at the high school football stadium, on Tabernacle Road. Principal Gordon R. Galtere will deliver the commencement address. Student speeches will be made by the senior class president, Michael Maher; the student council president, Kelly Brown, and the class historian, Michael Nixon. In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Northern Burlington Regional High School commencement in Columbus will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the school's football field, off Mansfield- Georgetown Road. Walter D. Rudder, superintendent of the school district, and principal G. Richard Lange will present diplomas to 201 graduating seniors. The valedictory address will be given by Fred G. Kennedy 3d, a senior.
Pemberton Township High School No. 2 will hold its commencement for the 391 graduating seniors at 7 p.m. Friday. The ceremony will take place at the football stadium of Pemberton Township High School No. 1, off Fort Dix- Pemberton Road. In the event of rain, the ceremonies will take place at 7 p.m. Monday. Victoria Quarles, a senior, will give the valedictory address, and the 1986 class president, Jennifer Avery, will deliver a commencement speech.
Graduation exercises at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, on Jacksonville Road in Mount Holly, will take place at 6:45 p.m. Monday at the high school football field. Three students will deliver speeches to the graduating class of 220 seniors. The three are Christine DellaPena; the student council president, Timothy Hall, and the 1986 senior class president, Brian Veit. The ceremony will be held at the gymnasium in the event of rain.
In Willingboro, 312 seniors at Willingboro High School will be graduated at 6 p.m. Saturday. Ceremonies will be held at the Carl Lewis Stadium at the high school, off John F. Kennedy Way. Student speeches will be given by Leslie Lanphear; Tomika Smith, the 1986 class president, and David Bullock, the student government president.
John F. Kennedy High School will hold its commencement for 294 seniors at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Carl Lewis Stadium. Two valedictorians, Jeffrey Fiarman and Frank Strieffler, both seniors, will deliver addresses. Edward Steinmetz, the student government president, and Vicki M. Essex, the 1986 senior class president, also will speak.
The guest speaker for both high school graduations will be Willingboro Mayor Dorothea Campbell. Rain dates have not been set.
All parochial school graduations were held earlier this month, including those of Holy Cross High School (June 7, 371 graduates), St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy in Burlington Township (Saturday, 16 graduates), King's Academy in Wrightstown Borough, (Thursday, five graduates), Calvary Christian School in Willingboro, (June 6, two graduates), and the Christian Academy, Juliustown (May 28, three graduates).
Graduation ceremonies were to take place last night at Burlington City, Riverside and Palmyra High Schools.
Wanamaker Is Moorestown Soccer Coach
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150911082306/http://articles.philly.com/1986-06-26/sports/26044987_1_wanamaker-jv-soccer-coachBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 26, 1986Tying together some loose ends along the scholastic sports beat.
Will Wanamaker, no stranger to Moorestown High, has been named the school's soccer coach.
Wanamaker, a Moorestown assistant for the last 10 years, replaces John Toppin, who retired after last season.
"He did the job on the JV and paid his time," Moorestown athletic director Mike Pilenza said, "and he should be given the opportunity."
Wanamaker, a 1968 graduate of Nyack (N.Y.) High who later attended the Air Force Academy, says he will probably use a three-player offensive line, the same alignment used by Toppin.
Wanamaker said Toppin "was really a firm believer in defense. I realize defense wins games, but I'm not quite as defensive-oriented."
Toppin, owner of a 131-127-34 16-year record, stepped down because of increased duties as the new vice principal at the Moorestown Middle School.
Pilenza also announced that Ginny Weber has been named the girls' soccer coach. Weber, who is also being promoted from the JV, replaces Steve Dunbar, who stepped down after three seasons.
*The pollsters who put together the Newark Star-Ledger baseball ratings surprisingly made Group 2 state champion Manasquan (25-4) the state's No. 1 team.
Florence (25-1), the Group 1 state champion and the top-ranked team in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, finished No. 2 - the same spot it occupied in the previous Top 20.
Manasquan leaped from No. 4 to No. 1 after scoring three tournamewnts wins - beating then-No. 1 South Plainsfield in the Central Jersey final, Pennsville in the state semis and Jefferson in the state final.
No. 11 Gloucester Catholic (24-7), No. 12 Shawnee (20-4), No. 15 Paulsboro (22-4) and No. 19 Pennsville were the other South Jersey teams in the final Top 20.
Gloucester Catholic won the Parochial B state crown, while Shawnee was the Group 4 state runner-up. Paulsboro lost to Florence in the South Jersey Group 1 final, and Pennsville bowed to Manasquan in the Group 2 state semis.
Billy Thompson, the 6-foot-7, 210-pounder who came to the Los Angeles Lakers by way of Camden (and Sterling) High, the University of Louisville and, for about 20 minutes last week, the Atlanta Hawks, is looked upon as a small forward-big guard by Lakers officials.
But in his first appearance with the team earlier this week - a practice session for rookies and free agents - Thompson displayed his versatility. He worked out at power forward and said that with the proper amount of weight work and conditioning, he wouldn't mind some time there during the season.
"He is a well-rounded player, and he plays more than one position," Laker general manager Jerry West told the Los Angeles Times in a copyrighted story. ''Hopefully, that will happen. But that's something we won't know until he moves up a level in (practice) competition.
"Particularly for a coach, it makes a lot of difference. Injuries are a factor that are figured into basketball teams, although not a positive factor, so the more versatile a player is will help him sustain a role."
Thompson, a cousin of entertainer Lola Falana, is the Lakers' third first- round pick since 1980 to have played for the NCAA champion that year. He joins Magic Johnson and James Worthy in that regard.
For the record, Bob Surette says he resigned from his position as the Delran High soccer coach.
For the record, Delran athletic director Rich Janulis isn't talking - at least when asked about Surette leaving.
Published reports said Surette was fired.
Janulis said he would not comment on any aspect of the situation.
Surette said there was a "mixup" and that he had, in fact, submitted his resignation letter.
He said he resigned "to pursue collegiate coaching" and that he was ''ready for a higher technique level."
He also resigned from his position as Delran's baseball coach, he said.
During his six years as Delran's soccer coach, Surette put together an 82-31-10 record. His 1983 team won the Group 2 state title.
John Culp has resigned after 19 years as Deptford's soccer coach. Culp, who started the Deptford program, compiled a 108-133-28 career record.
Frank Komkoski, a former soccer MVP at Penn State and a former high school coach in Pennsylvania, has been named his successor.
Deptford football coach Joe Corbi has been named a winner of a Distinguished Service Award by the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. He was one of 16 men to receive the national award, based on contributions to interscholastic athletics.
Corbi, a 1962 Temple grad, has spent the last 24 years teaching and coaching at three schools - Pennsauken, Woodrow Wilson and Deptford.
He was an assistant for seven years at Pennsauken before serving a combined total of 17 years as the head coach at Wilson and Deptford. He owns a 116-42-5 career record.
Absegami senior Steve McLaughlin, the state Group 3 champion in the 800 and 1,600, will attend Notre Dame on a partial track scholarship. Academically, McLaughlin ranks fifth in a class of 297. . . . Tony DiLeo, a 1973 Cinnaminson grad who later attended La Salle College, is coaching a women's professional basketball team in West Germany. . . . The South, which holds a 4-2-1 series lead, will face the North in Saturday's 1 p.m. state all-star football game at Rutgers Stadium. The game will be telecast live on Channel 9.
75 Demand Reinstatement Of Soccer Coach In Delran
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919205330/http://articles.philly.com/1986-07-15/news/26098291_1_soccer-coach-coaching-contract-demand-reinstatementBy Tony Frasca, Special to the Inquirer
Posted: July 15, 1986About 75 parents and students turned out at last night's Delran Board of Education meeting to demand the reinstatement of Delran High School varsity soccer coach Bob Surrette.
Surrette resigned June 9 after being informed that the board was not planning to renew his coaching contract for the next school term because of an April incident in which he allegedly pushed a student on the junior varsity baseball team. Surrette, who coached the team, has denied the allegation.
Jim Bernard, a student who played on the team, told the board last night, ''I was there. It never happened."
Bernard was one of many students, former students and colleagues of Surrette who spoke at the meeting in his defense.
The testimonials and recommendations presented on Surrette's behalf included a letter from Villanova basketball coach Rollie Massimino, who termed Surrette "a wonderful young man who extends himself to be the best he can be."
Dean Koski, the athletic director of Moorestown Friends School, told the board, "Coming from a Quaker school, a nonviolent school, I would have no hesitation hiring Bob Surrette."
Surrette, who attended the meeting with his attorney, contended that the board failed to investigate the matter properly by accepting only the word of a parent of a student involved in the alleged incident.
"It was not investigated, and that was wrong," Surrette said. "That was the board's duty, and they failed to do it."
Surrette, who also teaches health and physical education, said he probably would accept one of several soccer coaching offers he has received from colleges if the board does not reinstate him.
Board President Morris R. Burton said the board would consider the public reaction expressed at last night's meeting in any decision.
"We have listened," he said. "We will discuss."
A New Style Delran High Soccer Coach Predicts Some Changes
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1986-08-24/news/26064227_1_soccer-coach-junior-varsity-baseball-team-kidsBy Nicole Brodeur, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: August 24, 1986The 50 or so young men who will come out for the first practice of Delran High School's three soccer teams tomorrow morning won't know what hit them.
So says their new coach.
"These kids will be playing soccer in a style they have never played before," said John P. Hughes, who earlier this month was hired by the township board of education to replace Bob Surrette.
Surrette, who coached the team to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association soccer championship in 1983, resigned from his coaching position on June 9 after an incident in April in which he allegedly pushed a student on the junior varsity baseball team. Surrette has denied the allegations.
On Aug. 11, Surrette informed school officials that he had accepted the position of senior assistant soccer coach at Widener University. He will, however, remain at Delran High School as a physical education teacher.
Hughes of Cinnaminson retired from George Washington High School in Northeast Philadelphia two years ago, after teaching and coaching soccer for 21 years and varsity baseball for 13 years.
While at George Washington, Hughes was named 1979 Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Old Timers' Association. In 1981, he was named Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Journal, and All Sport Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Public School Association.
During the last few months, after more than two years off the field, Hughes started to miss coaching and decided to look for a job in the area.
"You have to like something to do it for as long as I did," Hughes said. " . . . I had been doing it so long that I really started to miss the kids."
Hughes said he heard "through the grapevine" about the opening at Delran High School, and, although he said he knew nothing about the soccer team, he took the job when it was offered to him.
"I didn't remember their record, but I knew they were good," he said.
Hughes said he met some members of the team for the first time two weeks ago. He said he had seen the team play "three or four times" and, based on the reputation of the township's recreation program, expected the players to be strong and enthusiastic.
"I didn't want to go to a school where the kids aren't really interested in soccer," Hughes said. "I'm hoping that the kids in Delran do have that big difference and that big interest. You want your team to have some heart, to want to win."
Hughes said he thought that his disciplined style would nurture aggressiveness and skill in the 13 or 18 players he selects to play on the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams.
Hughes, who declined to tell his age, started his soccer career at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he served as team captain. He played in college all-star games in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Chicago.
Since then, Hughes has played with professional soccer teams, such as the Philadelphia Americans, the New York Hakoah, the New York Hispanos, the Newark Polish Falcons, the Philadelphia Uhriks and the Philadelphia Ukrainians.
He was selected to play for the U.S. Soccer Team and has played in two dozen international games.
This year, Hughes was inducted into the Philadelphia Soccer Hall of Fame. In 1982, he was inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame.
"I think I'm a coach with so much experience that if I can't bring that experience to the kids, I'm missing the point somewhere," he said.
The Swing Back To School Discipline
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017104628/http://articles.philly.com/1986-08-31/news/26062391_1_dress-codes-school-discipline-new-disciplineBy Inga Saffron, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: August 31, 1986Back-to-school time in September often means new clothes, new teachers, new classes and new friends, but this year it could also mean a whole new set of rules for students.
While students were away on summer vacation, administrators in several local districts were busy tinkering with the discipline codes. What was OK in June could well be out-of-bounds by the time students show up for classes this week.
Tough new disciplinary codes will make their debuts this fall in the Cherry Hill, Lenape, Moorestown, Pennsauken and Washington Township districts, ending a flirtation with the more permissive educational experiments of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
These revised discipline codes, reminiscent of the rules-and-regulations days of the 1950s, tolerate fewer infractions, contain fewer loopholes and promise stiffer penalties, especially for drug and alcohol offenses. Cautioning words such as may and could have been edited out and replaced with the stronger and more definite will, as in, "A student will be suspended for. . . ."
"We're in the middle of an educational reform movement. School districts are getting more serious about education," said Joel Bloom, an assistant commissioner for education in New Jersey.
Many schools are adopting stricter codes as they gear up to meet the state's new proficiency tests, a requirement for graduation.
Under Moorestown's new provisions, students who come to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol will automatically receive a five-day suspension. Cigarette smoking will be a ground for suspension in Pennsauken, and students who accumulate more than three suspensions could be expelled under the district's new discipline code. Cherry Hill students will have to attend school even while on suspension.
All this is being done in the belief that order promotes learning. The new discipline codes are linked with other policies aimed at getting students into line: tougher attendance guidelines, more-stringent dress codes, increased graduation requirements and restrictions on leaving the campuses while school is in session.
Educators say the new rules represent their desire for a more structured school environment. They see a new respect for authority figures and a rejection of some of the freedoms permitted to students in the educational experiments of the last two decades.
"We're moving away from the late '60s and early '70s when things were kind of slack," said Dennis Fyffe, Moorestown High School principal. "In general, things are getting tighter. We're in a more conservative age now."
Although Fyffe said he believed that "there is less tolerence for inappropriate behavior," he said schools were also doing more to help problem children mend their ways. "It's not like the '40s and '50s, when either you toed the mark or they threw you out of school."
So, while the risk of suspension has increased, the notion of what a suspension is has changed.
Instead of being given several days off from school, suspended students in Cherry Hill will be sentenced to a supervised "quiet room" to work on their lessons. They will even eat lunch at their desks. Delran already has a similiar in-school suspension program.
"Suspension is viewed as a vacation from school, without proper supervision," explained Richard W. Serfass, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Cherry Hill. "We're trying to keep kids in school even though they violate the discipline code."
As part of the punishment in Cherry Hill, the district will make each offender formally acknowledge the errors of his or her ways by signing a ''contract" agreeing to the conditions of the suspension, said district spokeswoman Mary Louise Bianco.
Students who cut classes in Cherry Hill and Washington Township, where last year a student was suspended for hitting a teacher in the head with a grapefruit, will be required to attend Saturday classes. Those who continue to misbehave will be exiled to an "alternative program" that emphasizes discipline. In Washington Township, that means taking classes at night, Assistant Superintendent Rhoda Witlin said.
Pennsauken will experiment this year with a single alternative classroom. ''The system cannot afford to let people who are in the minority be disruptive and infringe on the rights of the majority," said Ricardo Taylor, Pennsauken High School assistant principal and disciplinarian.
The Lenape Regional District is considering a plan that would enable students to work off their suspensions by performing cleaning chores around the schools. Although the board must still vote on the plan, Superintendent Kiki Konstantinos said he wants to put students to work scraping gum from under the cafeteria tables or picking up cigarette butts in the parking lots.
In Moorestown, where stiff new penalties for drug and alcohol infractions go into effect in September, the district has created a Student Assistance Program to help ease a student's return to classes after a suspension. The program will also provide counseling to any students who have problems with drugs, alcohol, their family situations or personal lives, said Fyffe.
Fyffe said that anyone suspected of using drugs during school hours will be taken to a local emergency room for a urine test. Should the test results be positive, the district will notify local police and the state Education Department.
Moorestown students who are caught using drugs or alcohol will receive minimum five-day suspensions; those who sell drugs will receive 10 days. Previously five days was the maximum for both offenses. Now the suspensions can last up to four weeks.
Although the Moorestown school board adopted the strict new rules this summer, Fyffe said there was no evidence of serious drug or alcohol problems in the district. Cherry Hill has also seen no dramatic increase in discipline problems, according to district officials. The number of suspensions, as opposed to the number of students suspended, actually fell between 1983 and 1985, from 1,369 to 1,203, although it increased in 1986 to 1,489.
"We're not seeing kids falling down in class or making deals in the parking lot," Fyffe said. Rather, he said, the Moorestown school board adopted the policy "more because of the tenor of the times," the growing backlash against recreational drug use.
Sensing the renewed concern with discipline in the schools, the state Education Department last year issued an 86-page guide to student codes of conduct. The introduction notes that "the social movements of the last two decades gave rise to the view that the school should be an important model of democratic society. . . . Unfortunately, over the same years there has been a growing problem of disorder in the schools."
It was during the period of social change in the 1970s that Pennsauken decided to permit students to smoke in school, on the assumption that smoking could not be controlled. Instead of sneaking a cigarette in the lavatories, students could go to an outdoor courtyard called "The Patio."
The Patio was closed last year after a police undercover investigation that resulted in the arrests of eight students. High school principal Helen C. Powers said she believed some students were smoking marijuana on The Patio.
Palmyra Superintendent Daniel R. Mastrobuono said that he, too, would like to get rid of the district's smoking areas. "Why condone committing suicide?" he reasoned.
Smoking was the third most common reason for suspensions in Pennsauken last year, accounting for 131 of the 1,062 suspensions. Cutting class was first, with 213, and bad behavior was second, with 196. At least 180 students had more than one suspension, including one student who was suspended 10 times. The district has nearly 4,000 high school students.
Even though students at Pennsauken could be expelled if they are suspended three times for smoking, disciplinarian Taylor said, "You'll never stop kids from smoking."
Pennsauken school board member Joan Pinkstone vigorously opposed the district's new discipline code because it made no distinction between minor and major offenses when it came to expulsions. "I can't see denying a kid an education for smoking," she said. "Yes, you've got to make rules, but you've also got to protect kids."
Pinkstone is one of the few board members around who is still willing to give students who commit infractions second, third or fourth chances. "You have to remember that these people are not adults. I wanted a provision that they can't be expelled for minor offenses."
It is a philosophy that few of her fellow board members share. "You have to have a well-run shop," said board member Bernard Kirshtein. "If (students) want to break the law, they will have to suffer the consequences. If they're caught and suspended three times for smoking, just think how many times they were smoking and not caught."
While administrators deny they are imposing a "shape up or ship out" philosophy, they say the new codes should improve academic performance and give added currency to the devalued high school diploma.
"Our feeling is not 'shape up or out you go,' " said Cherry Hill's Serfass. "The more structured you can make it, the better education we can offer."
Bordentown And Delran Seek State Titles
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151225190826/http://articles.philly.com/1986-11-25/sports/26095249_1_state-finals-state-soccer-state-semisBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 25, 1986If all goes as planned, the Burlington County League Freedom Division will crown two state champions tonight - on the same soccer field.
Bordentown and Delran, which finished one-two, respectively, in the Burlco Freedom race this season, are one win away from delivering a one-two punch of their own.
Bordentown can win the first state championship in the soccer program's nine-year history by defeating Chatham Township in the 6 p.m. Group 1 final at Trenton State College.
Delran can win the second state crown in the program's 12-year history - the Bears won the title in 1983 - by defeating Millburn in the 8 p.m. Group 2 final, also at Trenton State. Millburn has won 24 straight after a 1-0 opening-game loss to Delbarton.
A look at the state finals:
GROUP 1
Bordentown (16-2-3) vs. Chatham Township (14-6-1).
Bordentown, despite playing without three injured starters, scored a 2-0 win over Bernards in the state semis and earned its first trip to a state soccer final.
The Scotties, No. 10 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, will play tonight's game without the services of two injured starters - forward John Horner, Bordentown's leading scorer with 25 goals, and winger Steve Weeast (6 goals). Matt Dowshen, a starting fullback who sat out the last two games because of a leg injury, will return to the lineup tonight.
Jay Swanson (11), Mark Conway (7) and Pat Redwood (7) are the team's offensive catalysts. Defensively, the Scotties are led by standout stopper John Blum - a four-year starter who was magnificent in Bordentown's win over Bernards - and senior goalie Craig Silverglade (0.76 goals-against average).
Bordentown has outscored its foes, 71-16.
Chatham Township, behind three goals by its leading scorer - sophomore left wing/center-forward Leo Alessi - scored a 3-1 win over Creskill in the state semis. Alessi played with a 102-degree temperature, according to his coach, Jerry Russo.
The Gladiators, who have five sophomores, three juniors and three seniors in their starting lineup, scored a surprising, 1-0 win over arch-rival Chatham Boro in the sectional finals.
During the regular season, Chatham Boro scored 3-2 and 1-0 wins over Chatham Township.
The Gladiators finished third in the Colonial Hills Conference, behind first-place Chatham Boro and runner-up Bernards. Chatham Township dropped a pair of 2-0 decisions to Bernards during the season.
That's the same Bernards team that Bordentown defeated, 2-0, in the state semis.
The fact that Bordentown defeated a team that beat Chatham twice doesn't bother Russo, the Chatham coach.
In fact, Russo says the situation might work in his team's favor.
"I think it's to our advantage," Russo said. "Maybe they'll take us lightly. All I know is, we lost twice to Bernards but we dominated both games. They just had our number.
"And we have such a young team and they're maturing and getting better each game. You can see them improve with each game. We're better right now (than at any point of the season.)"
Chatham Township is aiming for its third Group 1 state crown. The Gladiators won the title in 1977 and in 1981 - Russo's first year as their head coach.
Chatham Township, located in Morris County, revolves around Alessi, junior right halfback John Grawalsky, sophomore left halfback Jeff Kline and hustling senior center-halfback Tom Wilten. Junior goalie Ed Jelec, who has a 1.00 goals-against average, and senior sweeper John Helreigel anchor the defense.
"Wilten is our key," Russo said. "He gets the offense going, and he keeps the ball in play for us and plays good defense. He has great ball skills."
GROUP 2
Delran (17-5) vs. Millburn (24-1).
Delran is unranked in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings and the Newark Star-Ledger's state ratings.
But the Bears are gaining respect.
Quickly.
Delran scored a stunning 2-0 win over Shore Regional in the state semis.
Shore is ranked No. 9 in the state.
Consequently, Delran shouldn't be fazed by Millburn's No. 6 state ranking. (Kearny is No. 1)
The Bears revolve around sophomore forward Steve Cicali, South Jersey's second-leading scorer with 33 goals. Chris Delliponti has added 12 goals.
Goalie Bob Robidoux is coming off perhaps his best performance of the season, a 10-save effort against Shore. It was the senior's 11th shutout of the season.
Defensively, Delran is led by sophomore fullback Kevin Harrison, senior fullback Bill Fountain, junior sweeper Robert Grose and senior stopper Joe Bowyer.
The Bears have outscored their opponents, 60-16.
Millburn coach Pete Snyder Sr. says he will probably use senior stopper Steve Bailey to shadow Cicali.
Asked if he expected Cicali to present any defensive problems, Snyder said, ''We've played against Columbia's John Mairo in the Essex County championship - he's a 30-goal scorer, too - and he didn't score on us. Bailey did the job on the him. And I would think Mairo has scored more goals against better teams than Cicali. . . . They (Columbia) played three teams that were in the state Top 10."
Millburn, led by Dan Jahns' two goals, scored a 2-1 state-semifinal win over Lodi. Jahns, a senior forward, has scored 11 goals this fall.
The Miller, who have never won a state championship, dropped a 3-0 decision to Ridge in last year's Group 2 state final.
Highlighting the Millers' 24-game winning streak this year was the stunning victory over Columbia. At the time, Columbia was the state's only unbeaten team.
In the North II sectional finals, Millburn scored a 1-0 win over Berkley Heights.
Junior forward Eric Weiss (16 goals), Jahns, Bailey (11) and junior forward Mike Cogan (9) are the leading scorers for the Millers, who have outscored opponents, 76-9.
Senior goalie is Gregg Lemkau, who has yielded only six goals in 84 quarters, has compiled a 0.29 goals-against average and has helped the Millers collect 16 shutouts.
Other key players include senior midfielder Pete Snyder Jr. (the coach's son), sophomore sweeper Dan Milton, junior fullback Judd Emin and senior fullback Craig Benson.
Millburn, an Essex County school, won the Northern Hills Conference Southern Division title.
Parade Highlights Festive Day In Burlington
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222012024/http://articles.philly.com/1986-11-30/news/26095182_1_annual-christmas-parade-tree-lighting-high-school-bandsBy Charlie Frush, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 30, 1986Former Phillies' baseball star Richie Ashburn will be the grand marshal of Burlington City's annual Christmas parade on Saturday, a 90-minute celebration that starts at 4 p.m. and concludes with the annual Christmas tree lighting on the riverfront promenade at dusk.
An estimated nine bands, 10 floats, 12 marching groups and dozens of antique cars and decorated vans will participate in the parade, which assembles at Wood and Federal Streets at 3:15 p.m. and proceeds to High Street and north on High to the river.
In addition to Ashburn, celebrities in the parade will include Karyn Zosche of Pine Brook, the reigning Miss New Jersey, and Pamela Henderson of Evesham, Miss Burlington County.
The parade is sponsored by the Burlington Historical Society, with the cooperation of the city's Chamber of Commerce.
Nicholas P. Kamaras, Burlington City historian, said that downtown merchants will hold open house from noon to 4 p.m. and many will serve free refreshments. At 6 p.m., Santa will arrive at Hope Hose Fire Company on High Street to pass out candy to children.
The parade will also mark the 350th anniversary of the New Jersey National Guard, Kamaras said, and there will be an anniversary ceremony before the tree lighting.
High school bands expected to march in the parade include Holy Cross, Delran, Burlington City, Burlington Township and Philadelphia's Archbishop Ryan, plus the Burlington County Superstars Band, the Hal Chase Band of Cinnaminson and Crescent Temple and Lovatt Highlanders bands of Philadelphia.
Floats will be presented by the Boudinot School PTA, Life Center Church, St. Paul's School, All-Saints School, the Women's Auxiliary of Endeavor Fire Co., the Burlington Township cub scouts, the city Chamber of Commerce, the City of Burlington Historical Society, the 4-H Cloggers and the First Fidelity Bank.
Marching groups will include the New Breeds and the Cavaliers of Trenton; the Union Soldiers of Browns Mills; the Woman's Club of Burlington; the Challengers of Palmyra; the VFW Color Guard of Burlington; the American Legion Color Guard; the New Jersey National Guard color guard; the Blue Sapphires of Willingboro; the Burlington Township Baton Club, and the Oliver Cromwell Black History Society of Burlington. Bordentown's Coco the Clown is also expected.
In addition to the antique cars and decorated vans, Kamaros said, there will be horse and buggy teams and motorcycle teams from Willingboro.
C.h. East's Halpin May Bid For High-jump Records
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222092129/http://articles.philly.com/1987-04-01/sports/26195186_1_high-jump-long-jump-indoorsBy Doug Hadden, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: April 01, 1987There already is plenty of pressure on Erin Halpin. She is being counted on to produce as a top scorer in meets for her Cherry Hill East track team this spring in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump and long jump.
But the day might come in the next two months when Halpin is face to face with a high jump bar that is 6 feet off the ground. That will pose as much
pressure as any track athlete will feel this season, because no girl in New Jersey scholastic history has jumped higher than 5-10 3/4.
"She knows what the record is. We don't talk about it," said East coach Dale Wiltsee. "What will come, will come. She definitely looks stronger this year."
The anticipation of a 6-foot attempt is the result of a 1986 outdoor season that featured a jump of 5-9 - the best jump in the state last year and tied for the third best all-time. That jump came when the pressure was on: Halpin's third attempt at that height in the Olympic American Conference meet.
Halpin, a senior who says she jumps better after two misses, was second in the state all-Group meet, owns a share of the South Jersey record with Willingboro's Carol Lewis at 5-9 and soared 5-10 in mid-June at the AAU Junior Nationals in Ambler, Pa., while representing the Willingboro Track Club.
"She spends two or three days a week working on the high jump," Wiltsee said. "One of my assistants, Ed Canzanese, who has been the high jump coach at East since the mid '70s, works with her, and they're still playing around with getting the proper approach, the right speed and the right steps. She had a little bit of a hamstring problem indoors (where she had a season-best jump of 5-6), but seems to be alright now."
Tonya Lee, Rancocas Valley's talented junior, is not far behind Halpin, owning a personal best of 5-6 - second best in last spring's Inquirer Honor Roll. Paulsboro's Euridee McCormick, the returning South Jersey Group 1 champ, and Vineland's Dena Freimanis, a basketball standout, each cleared 5-4 as juniors last spring.
LONG JUMP
In addition to her other talents, Lee also is poised to become the fourth South Jersey long-jumper ever to sail 19 feet, hoping to join Willingboro's Carol Lewis (20-9 in 1980), Haddon Heights' Kathy Rankins (19-11 1/2 in 1980) and Deptford's Robin Taylor (19-2 in 1980).
Lee went 18-4 last year for the top jump by an underclassman in the state and third best overall. She placed third in both the high jump and long jump at the state Group 3 meet, and posted a career-best 18-8 in the recent indoor season.
Deptford sophomore Karen Corsey jumped 17-3 1/2 during her first varsity high school season, but improved that mark to 18-3 in summer AAU competition and her father, Deptford coach Bill Corsey, claims she had a 19-footer erased by a controversial foul.
Deptford's Tamara Kersey, Corsey's cousin, is a 17-foot jumper, and Clearview's Sharon Hughes (17-5 1/2) won the South Jersey Group 2 crown. And keep an eye on Woodbury freshman Jennifer Heisinger, who has done 15-11 1/2 in a practice meet.
WEIGHTS
South Jersey records will be challenged this spring in both the shot put and discus events.
Atlantic City's Paula Glass is the area's premier shot putter, bringing a career-best throw of 40-11 into her senior season - less than a foot behind the area record of 41-10 set by Willingboro's Denise Thomas in 1980. But don't ask Glass, who won the state Group 4 shot and had the state's second- best throw a year ago, to break any records on her home track.
"We're hoping for some good things," said Atlantic City coach George Perkins. "She threw 41 feet in a dual meet last year and has been throwing over 40 feet in practice.
"She came in off basketball season in real good shape. She's 6-1 and she's real strong in the legs and hips. I'd like to see 42 feet out of her; she's capable of it, but she doesn't do well at Atlantic City. Once she gets off the island, she does better because there are too many distractions here like the wind and the airport (Bader Field) next door."
Glass, who will attend St. Peter's in the fall, also spun the discus 116-2 as a junior, but that was only second best in South Jersey, well behind Lenape's Stacy Hinson.
Hinson led South Jersey and had the third best discus throw in the state with a 124-4 toss as a junior - an effort that already puts her fifth on the all-time South Jersey list - and has her sights set on the area record of 134-0 set three years ago by Pemberton's Lillian Rivera.
Other top performers in the shot and discus should be Sterling's Nicole Williams, who was fourth in the state Group 3 discus; Kennedy's Nicolette Muse; Deptford's Lori Vencius; Woodbury's Janeen Brown, and Edgewood's Tammy Wright and Shawanda Brown.
JAVELIN
The clear-cut standout here is Delran senior JoAnn Sienkiewicz. During a spring season a year ago that included a third place in the state Group 2 meet and fifth in the all-Group meet, Sienkiewicz posted a career-best throw of 130-1, which was the second-best effort by a New Jersey junior last year.
Kingsway's Becky Piloto was the state's second-best sophomore in 1986 with a 118-4 toss, and Mainland's Tammy Csaszar, also a junior, was close behind with a 116-8 effort.
Deptford's Team Is One Big Happy Family
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222074344/http://articles.philly.com/1987-05-07/sports/26162997_1_family-reunion-big-happy-family-track-athletesBy Doug Hadden, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: May 07, 1987Most coaches spend a lot of time and use plenty of amateur psychology in trying to make their athletic teams feel like one big family. For Deptford track coach Bill Corsey, that special unity was built-in from the first day of practice.
Corsey, who is officially the girls' coach but actually is in charge of the sprinters and jumpers from both the boys' and girls' teams, started the season with 16 athletes who were directly related - not only to each other, but to the coach himself. There was Corsey's oldest daughter, a variety of nieces and nephews, and mostly what Corsey broadly refers to as his "cousins."
Although just 11 relatives remain on the active roster - about a third of the school's track athletes - Corsey believes that the unusual situation makes for a good coach-athlete relationship.
"Everybody's aware of what I've done in sports," said Corsey, who graduated in 1968 from Clearview where he played football, long jumped and ran the sprints. "Family-wise, either their fathers or their fathers' brothers and sisters ran track for Deptford High School. These are the children of the people that ran for Jimmy Hawkins' teams that went undefeated (from 1965 to 1976). When you have the parents who can tell their kids what they had to go through to participate in sports, it makes it easier to coach."
Corsey's family is a matter of personal pride. At the last family reunion, Corsey said more than 2,000 relatives attended and he is certain he is part of the largest black family in the greater Philadelphia area.
Corsey has done extensive genealogical research, and found that there are three separate groups within the family - the North Woodbury group, the South Woodbury group and the Jericho group, which is a section of Deptford.
"We know who we are," said Corsey, who is from the South Woodbury part of the family. "We have tradition and we push academics in the family. At the reunion, there were lawyers, there were doctors and there were U.S. marshals.
"I always say my kids got their athletic talent from their mother, Gwen. My wife can run - I found that out in school when I used to chase her and pull her hair. I told her when we were in third grade that I was going to marry her."
The members of the Deptford track team related to coach Corsey:
Karen Corsey - So.
Chris Evans - Fr.
Charhonda Frazier - Fr.
Angie Giles - Jr.
Rhonda Harvey - So.
Angie Jenkins - Jr.
Leah Jenkins - Fr.
Yolanda Jenkins - Fr.
Tamara Kersey - Jr.
Margo Muse - Fr.
Eric Sinclair - Sr.
Kelly Williams - Jr.
ON THE MEND
It hasn't been an easy spring for the Delran girls' team. JoAnn Sienkiewicz suffered a knee injury during the Woodbury Relays, leaving the Bears without South Jersey's best javelin thrower, and coach Mati Reinfeldt also lost his two best sprinters, as Cathy Corr also went down with a knee injury without running a meet and Giselle Brooks pulled a hamstring after just three meets.
One of the bright spots came yesterday after a dual-meet loss to Palmyra when the squad took a post-meet field trip and visited the bed-ridden Sienkiewicz, who is not expected back at school for two more weeks and will not compete again this spring.
"JoAnn had radical surgery and was on the operating table for five hours," Reinfeldt said. "She had the cartilage out and had to have reconstruction of the knee itself. The entire team stopped by her place today and paid her a surprise visit. She was rather pleased and there were tears in her eyes."
Sienkiewicz, co-captain on the team for the last two years, will not be able to go for a fourth straight Burlco Freedom League javelin title at the conference meet this weekend. She was the only senior on the team who had planned to give up next week's senior class trip in Florida in order to compete in the county open championships. And, most discouraging, colleges have backed off with any possible scholarship offers.
"It's really a shame," said Reinfeldt, whose team will have a string of three straight division titles ended this season. "She was kind of proud of what she accomplished. She knew we had a 55-meter javelin ordered for her so that when she was ready to peak at midseason she could have used it. She never had the opportunity to show what she could do.
"What's ironic is that her throw at the Pennsauken Relays of 123-7 is still the best (in South Jersey this spring). And she only threw once."
Reinfeldt indicated that Sienkiewicz was looking forward to the possibility of being a walk-on next year after she decides on a college.
St. Joseph's Plans To Mark 25th Anniversary Of School
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222071908/http://articles.philly.com/1987-05-27/news/26161119_1_parish-full-day-kindergarten-classes-pastorBy Charlie Frush, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: May 27, 1987St. Joseph's Church in Beverly plans to launch the 25th anniversary year of its parish elementary school with a new scholarship program named for its previous pastor. In honor of the event, the church has invited all alumni to a Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday followed by a brunch in the parish hall.
The Father Barna scholarship fund will be used to assist families whose children "have shown a genuine desire to attend our school . . . but would not have money to do so," said the Rev. Joseph McHugh, the pastor of the church. Whole or partial scholarships may be awarded, he said. No monetary values have yet been established.
The Rev. William Barna died March 19, 1986. He had been a pastor at St. Joseph's for 14 years.
The parish is also inviting to the Mass all former faculty members and school principals, priests who formerly were stationed at the parish and parishioners. Reservations are required. For more information, call the rectory, 387-0172.
Baptismal records go back to 1857, when the church was still a missionary parish. In 1883, the Rev. Matthew Gibson was installed as first pastor and the first church was built, at the corner of Warren and Magnolia Streets. It stood until the present church was built in 1964.
With the burgeoning housing developments in nearby Edgewater Park in the early 1960s, families who wanted to provide their children with a religious education sought a parish school. They had been sending their children to parochial schools in Burlington or Riverside.
In 1963, the Rev. James Murphy, the church's pastor from 1956 to 1969, opened the first school, purchasing and converting a former old-age home next to the site of the present church. In 1967, the parish broke ground for the present school, located on Warren Street next to the church. The school graduated its first class - it opened with just three grades - in 1969.
The order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace staffed the school from its inception, although now there are but two nuns left on the faculty - Sister Joan Tresch, who teaches kindergarten, and Sister Patricia Mahoney, who teaches fourth grade. The other 10 faculty members are lay teachers.
The school today has eight grades and two full-day kindergarten classes. Its total enrollment is 263, including 44 children in kindergarten. During this academic year, it added art, physical-education and music-instruction programs, plus a social-services program furnishing a social worker and school psychologist, according to Florence Morton, the principal.
Not all students are from the parish, whose boundaries are the Delaware River and Route 130 on the north and south and Burlington Township from the old Shedaker School on the east and Delanco from Edgewood Avenue/Coopertown Road on the west. The school also has students from Delran, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton and Willingboro.
Mabel Anderson, the parish bookkeeper, said that through last year, 465 students had graduated from the school. Twenty-two will graduate this year.
Father McHugh said letters announcing the jubilee kickoff had been sent to ''all alumni we could find, but we are still searching for alumni we have not reached."
Delran Pta Wins National Honor
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1987-07-19/news/26197320_1_parents-books-surveyBy Gary Sternberg, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: July 19, 1987The Delran Elementary Parent-Teacher Association has won a national PTA award for motivating 750 students to read more than 30,000 books in five months. The Delran Elementary PTA received a runner-up award June 20 in Dallas from the National Parent-Teacher Association for the SOAR (Success Obtains Achievement in Reading) program at the district's three elementary schools, Pat Domanski, president of the Elementary PTA, told the Delran board Monday night.
SOAR enlisted the help of about 70 businesses and parents for the program, in which each pupil in kindergarten through fifth grade at Aronson-Bell, Millbridge and Cambridge Elementary Schools read about 40 books from November through March in the 1986-87 school year.
"Our main goal was to get at least one student to read who maybe didn't before," Domanski said after the meeting.
Students monitored their own progress using charts, and parents wrote notes indicating when their children had finished reading their books, Domanski said.
A key part of the program, Domanski said, was that about 70 businesses, many of them local, donated goods and services - such as pizza parties, bookmarks, prizes - as incentives.
Parental participation contributed to the success, she added. "We tried to encourage parents to read with their children," she said. Notes were sent home asking that televisions be turned off for one hour a night so that families could read together.
Many students swapped books to obtain books they had not read.
The SOAR project "took a lot of work, but it was worth it," said Domanski.
At Monday's meeting, the Elementary PTA also announced results of a survey it conducted in the district to determine the need for a school latchkey program.
The survey found that 72 families, with 106 children, wanted a day-care program both before and after school, Barbara Clauser, health and safety chairman for the Elementary PTA, told the board.
The survey showed day-care was needed from 7 to 8:45 a.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. each school day, she said.
Clauser, who heads the New Jersey PTA Juvenile Protection Committee, said the survey was part of a statewide effort.
At Delran High, Now Is The Time To Show Up On Time
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1987-10-25/news/26212667_1_punctuality-prize-studentsBy Rita M. Sutter, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: October 25, 1987"Punctuality is the thief of time," said Oscar Wilde, but not at Delran High School, where students are rewarded for getting to home room by 7:50 a.m.
"We felt that punctuality was something that needed to be ingrained in the students," said assistant principal Bonnie Weiskittle, monitor of the program and coordinator of the goal-selection committee.
"It was chosen as a goal because it is a positive work habit that is valued by business. Although we do not have a problem with absenteeism - attendance is 94 percent - this is something that needed to be addressed."
In 1986, the goal-setting committee, a group composed of parents, faculty and administration, devised a four-point plan targeting punctuality.
Late notes are now required of students; all school personnel are to focus on attendance and punctuality; and students who are chronically late will meet with administrators. As an incentive to those students who make it in every day, are not late and do not leave early, a prize drawing will be held at the end of each month.
The prizes, solicited by the Delran Parent-Teacher Association, are donated by area businesses. John Bucci of Bucci's Furniture store in Delran, gave September's prize - a $50 bond - to sophomore Dustin Paddock, 15.
Yolanda Benavides, office manager at Bucci Furniture, said that the bond was part of the stores' continuing commitment to community service.
"We're especially interested in education," she said. "Last year we sponsored a reading program; if a student read so many books he or she would win a prize. We try to do something every year."
Paddock said he had forgotten about the policy until he won. "Even when I won, I didn't believe it.
Paddock said some students dislike the new policy because it means they must bring in a note each time they're late.
"If they miss the bus and both of their parents work, they can't get the note."
Still, parents, faculty and administrators said they think the policy is helping most students build good habits, although it may not work for every child.
"The children are more responsible about their lateness," said Patricia Cahn, president of the PTA for Delran's middle and high schools. "This is an innovative and positive program, but I think that children are children and if they are perpetually late they are just going to be late no matter what.
"I had a friend who had her kid up at 6 a.m. every morning, and that kid was never on time," Cahn said. "I really hope it works. I know they've gotten some neat prizes."
A new "do" is what one teenager will get from Sunset Hairstyling in Delran. Merchants Judy and Joseph Cranmer are offering a free hair style, facial, makeover and shave.
"It hurts business when young people are late," said Joseph Cranmer. "I feel that kids today need to learn punctuality for the business world.
This community has been good to us. I wanted to do something for the community."
For October's drawing Ricky's Army and Navy Store in Riverside has donated two gym bags. "We try to support local activities," said Philip Joseph, store manager. "It's part of our civic duty."
Other businesses that have agreed to participate are Computerland of Cinnaminson, Executive Homes, Mancine Optical, Riverside Savings and Loan, Top Notch Travel, Triboro Pontiac Inc., Midlantic National Bank and MacMillan Publishing Co.
Petrino Promoted At Delran He Will Coach Boys' Basketball
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221073525/http://articles.philly.com/1987-11-10/sports/26172012_1_jv-coach-boys-bearsBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 10, 1987Jim Petrino was named Delran High boys' basketball coach at last night's Board of Education meeting.
Petrino, the Delran girls' JV coach for five years, replaces Don Constantine, who resigned after compiling a 57-44 record during his four years at the Burlington County school. Last season, Delran went 21-7 and equaled a school record for wins in a season. The 1985-86 team set the record with a 21-6 mark.
Constantine resigned for personal reasons, according to Delran athletic director Rich Janulis.
Petrino put together a 96-7 record as the girls' JV coach. He has also coached the JV softball team the last two years, compiling a 31-4 record.
"He's a winner, and he's very knowledgeable," Janulis said. "He's completely dedicated to Delran."
This year, the Bears will have two returning starters from last season's South Jersey Group 2 finalist: 6-foot-5 center Tony Sacca (20.4 points per game) and 6-foot guard Joe Murphy.
"The freshman team lost only one game last year, and the JV was above .500," Janulis said, "so it'll be a matter of blending in the young with the old. I think we'll be very competitive.
"A contender? In this league (Burlco Freedom), I don't know. Burlington Township, Florence and Burlington City are all going to be strong again. I really don't know if we can contend."
Delran's season ended in stunning fashion last year: The top-seeded Bears dropped a 59-50 decision to seventh-seeded Middle Township in the South Jersey Group 2 final.
State Test Scores Vary Widely Among Schools
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1987-11-11/news/26174509_1_basic-skills-language-arts-hsptBy Laura Quinn, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 11, 1987When the New Jersey Department of Education released the latest batch of standardized test scores last week, there were some striking differences in the achievement levels of students in different schools.
Even within the same school district, the 1986-87 scores on the basic skills tests given to third and sixth graders often varied significantly from school to school.
In Delran Township, 100 percent of the third graders at the Aronson Bell Elementary School passed the standardized reading test, while at the Cambridge Elementary School, only 81.3 percent passed. But, 100 percent of the students at both schools passed the language arts section of the test.
The test results "serve as benchmarks for local educators of their students' basic skills progress," said Education Commissioner Saul Cooperman.
"The tests also help educators identify students with basic skills deficiencies so that these students receive academic assistance early in their educaton," he said.
Statewide, students continued to show improvement on the basic skills tests.
Among third graders, 93.4 percent passed reading, 85 percent passed mathematics and 95 percent passed language arts. In 1985-86, 84.9 percent received passing marks in reading, 81.7 in math and 90.8 in language arts.
Sixth graders showed gains in everything except language arts. Results showed that 88.6 percent received passing marks in reading, 84 percent in math and 90.3 percent in language arts. The rates were 82.7, 81.4 and 93.4, respectively, in the previous year.
Standardized tests, designed to measure basic skills, are administered every year at each elementary- and intermediate-grade level, but school districts are required to send to the state only the scores of third- and sixth-grade pupils.
School districts are free to choose from among about 20 state-approved tests at the elementary and intermediate levels, including the California Achievement Test, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Stanford Achievement Test.
The passing scores were raised in 1985 to reflect the difficulty of the High School Proficiency Test (HSPT), the skills test begun two years ago for ninth graders. Scores on the HSPT improved each year, reflecting increases on the basic skills tests.
"Seeing parallel improvement in passing rates is encouraging because it suggests that curricula have not only been aligned to those basic skills, but also coordinated between grade levels," said Cooperman.
The differences among school districts on the basic skills scores were most striking when comparing urban schools with the statewide passing rates. Among urban third graders, 87.6 percent received passing marks in reading (vs. 93.4 percent statewide), 77.9 percent in math (vs. 83 percent statewide), and 90 percent in language arts (vs. 95 percent statwide).
In the previous year, 72.6 percent of the urban third graders passed reading, 72.7 percent passed math and 81.2 percent passed language arts. As with the HSPT, students in urban schools scored lower but made greater improvements.
Delran Names Basketball Coach
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228021321/http://articles.philly.com/1987-11-15/news/26175240_1_special-education-teacher-basketball-coach-varsityBy Gary Sternberg, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: November 15, 1987James Petrino has been appointed Delran High School's varsity basketball coach. Petrino, a special education teacher at the school, has been the girls' junior varsity basketball coach for the last five years.
The decision to appoint Petrino was made after a closed-door meeting Monday night by the Delran school board. He replaces Donald Constantine, who resigned from the position last month. Petrino will receive a $3,030 salary for the coaching position in the 1987-88 season.
Petrino was one of four applicants considered by the board, the board's president, Ronald Napoli, said.
Under Donoghue, Delran Has Left Dog Days Behind
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222141217/http://articles.philly.com/1987-12-13/sports/26203604_1_football-field-holy-cross-delranBy Don McKee, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: December 13, 1987Jim Donoghue remembers his first season at Delran with a combination of humor and frustration.
"We were playing Northern Burlco in 1980, and they had Willie Drewrey," Donoghue recalled. "I knew there was no way we could stop him or even tackle him. So every time we punted, I ordered my punter to put the ball out of bounds.
"We couldn't let Drewrey even touch the ball in the open field. He didn't, either - and they still beat us, 56-0."
Those days are long gone. Donoghue took Delran from a graveyard program that had never enjoyed a winning season, and that one year didn't play a single home game, to an 11-0 record and the Group 2 championship.
For his accomplishments, Donoghue is the 1987 Inquirer football coach of the year.
Donoghue's first Delran team ended with an 0-9 record. The experience, he remembers, was a lot tougher than he imagined it would be, although he certainly had fair warning.
His predecessor, Lou Stickle, had taken a look at the spring sign-ups in May of 1980 and turned in his resignation.
"He said there was no use beating his head against the wall," Donoghue said. "He was looking at five legitimate players. He said he wasn't gonna get it done here, and he got out."
(Stickle had begun the Delran program in 1975. He is now an assistant at the school.)
Donoghue, a Riverside native who played quarterback at Syracuse in the mid- 1970s, was an assistant at his high school alma mater, Holy Cross, in the late 1970s. In August of 1980, he moved across Route 130 to take the Delran job.
"I viewed it as a challenge," he said. "I felt that with hard work and perseverance you could accomplish a lot. I took the attitude that, if you couldn't do it, it was no reflection on you; it was just the situation."
Reality quickly hit Donoghue in the face.
"Little did I realize it would be so tough," he said. "All of a sudden, my eyes were opened. A new staff, a new offense and a new defense were more than the kids could handle. There was not a lot of talent, and we did a poor job of performing."
Then, incredibly, things got worse.
Delran's football field needed to be re-sodded. But problems cropped up through the spring and summer of 1981, and the work was still being done in the fall.
Delran couldn't play on its own field and was forced to play nine road games. The Bears did manage to win one and tie one, however, and were on their way.
The most significant fact of Donoghue's tenure at Delran is this: The school has bettered its previous record in seven of eight years and has never suffered a setback.
The Bears progressed from 0-9 to 1-7-1 to 2-7 to 3-6 to 5-3-1 in 1984, the school's first winning season, in its 10th year of football. They repeated that record in 1985, went 7-2 last fall, and won them all this year.
"The biggest problem when I went there was that we weren't a strong team physically," Donoghue said. "We had some pretty good football players with no strength.
"So I instituted a weight program in the winter after school, and went in and opened the gym three nights a week in the summer."
None of that is time a coach gets paid for, but as Donoghue noted, "You felt you had to do it to compete. And our first goal was just to be good enough to compete with everyone on our schedule."
By 1985 Delran was good. The Bears had acquired the talent and the technique to play excellent defense. That year they won only five games, but all five were by shutout.
Last year's team started out 1-2, and Delran has not lost since. The Bears' 17-game winning streak is one of the longest in South Jersey in recent years.
Even though the electric passing game of quarterback Tony Sacca and ends John Ellison and Tom Verratti gets the headlines, Delran still wins with defense.
The Bears tied a South Jersey record with eight shutouts this fall. Add the five in 1985 and two last year, and the current seniors have rung up 15 shutouts in their three years.
"We have great offensive players," Donoghue said, "but we had eight shutouts, and that's the key to our success. That comes both from increased physical strength and an understanding of the techniques and knowing what to execute."
Donoghue praised some of his pint-size overachievers, such as 145-pound guard Steve Grello, 150-pound guard Ross MacDonald and stellar defensive back Verratti.
"Everybody can see Tony and John," he said about his high-tech passing combo. "Not everybody appreciates some of the smaller, less visible guys.
"But it was such a pleasure to coach those guys, you wonder if you'll ever have that kind of experience again."
The players can say the same kind of thing about the coach who had the perseverance to hang with them all the way from 0-9 and nine road trips to 11-0 and the top of the world.
Sacca And Delran Dump Burlington, 73-70
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151223033537/http://articles.philly.com/1988-03-04/sports/26278267_1_john-sacca-foul-line-tony-saccaBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: March 04, 1988It's tough to beat a team three times in one season.
Just ask the players at Burlington High.
Burlington (19-7 and No. 6 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings) had beaten Delran twice during the regular season, en route to winning the Burlington County Freedom Division title.
But last night it was Delran's turn, in a stunning, 73-70 win over host Burlington in a South Jersey Group 2 boys' basketball quarterfinal.
Delran's 6-foot, 5-inch forward, Tony Sacca, was the main obstacle to Burlington's attempt at a season sweep. He was a one-man wrecking crew, and he saved his best for last.
Sacca, who has accepted a football scholarship to Penn State after quarterbacking the Bears to the South Jersey Group 2 football title, broke a 68-68 tie with a driving layup between two defenders with 13 seconds remaining. Sacca was hammered hard on the play and converted the free throw for a 71-68 lead.
Burlington's John Rasberry then hit a layup, but the Blue Devils failed to call time out. In desperation, Rasberry fouled Delran's Joe Murphy with 2 seconds left. Murphy hit both free throws for the final three-point margin, and a Burlington desperation three-quarter-court heave at the buzzer fell way short.
The win advanced Delran (16-7) into tomorrow's South Jersey Group 2 semifinal against top-seeded Sterling, which defeated Northern Burlington, 61-51, last night.
Sacca, despite being double-teamed most of the evening, scored 33 points and had 10 rebounds. He shot 9 for 14 from the field, including two three- pointers, and was 13 for 15 from the foul line. But none of the points was bigger than his final three.
"I was just trying to take the ball strong and either get the basket or get fouled," Sacca said in recalling the winning shot. "It's great winning this, because if we lost, it probably would have been the end of my basketball career. I wanted to prolong it."
Sacca wasn't the only member of his team - or, for that matter, his family - to save a clutch play for the end.
His brother, John, a 6-2 sophomore, scored 16 points after being shut out the last time these two teams met. He scored nine points in the final period, when he sank both his field goal attempts and each of his five free throws.
"I put the past game behind me and thought I would have a good game," said John Sacca, who was 5 for 6 from the field and 6 for 8 from the foul line. "They were collapsing on my brother, and I knew I had to pick up the scoring."
Burlington held a 60-56 lead with four minutes remaining, but Tony Sacca hit a three-point bomb with 3:36 left. After Waldeck Paxton hit two of his team-high 28 points to increase the Burlington lead to 62-59, John Sacca tied the score on a driving, double-pumping layup and ensuing foul shot with 2:29 remaining.
John Ellsion hit two free throws for Delran, but Rasberry tied it at 64 with a corner jumper.
Frank Vogel, a 6-8 senior, scored from inside before Paxton answered with an inside move of his own.
John Sacca hit both ends of a one-and-one to put Delran up, 68-66, but then James Moore scored on a driving layup with 29 seconds left to set the stage for Tony Sacca's heroics.
Burlington was done in by its horrid shooting. The Blue Devils, who committed only nine turnovers, compared with 15 for Delran, shot 31 for 75 from the field and 8 for 15 from the foul line.
Afterward, Delran coach Jim Petrino said he could talk about Tony Sacca all night, but he dwelt, instead, on the contribution of the younger Sacca.
"Last time against Burlington, he didn't score, and we felt if John hit his season average of about 12 points a game, we would win," Petrino said. ''John needs a little bit of confidence sometimes, and when he gets it he can be some player."
Tony Sacca said he felt the Bears could win if "we kept it close near the end."
Delran kept it close, and then Tony Sacca did the rest.
Pupils Put Teeth Into Plaque Study
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155342/http://articles.philly.com/1988-03-09/news/26278383_1_oral-research-laboratories-plax-rinseBy Laura Michaelis, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: March 09, 1988There have been a lot of Delran fourth and fifth graders running around recently with yellow tongues.
No, it's not some rare form of jaundice. These kids are participating in a study to determine just how effective a pre-brushing dental rinse can be.
Designed and conducted by two University of Pennsylvania professors, Samuel Yankell of Moorestown and Robert Emling of Bala Cynwyd, the study was commissioned by Plax dental rinse, which is manufactured by Oral Research Laboratories of New York.
The new product has been extensively tested on adults, and now the company is trying it on 50 youngsters at Aaronson Bell School and Cambridge School.
The yellow tongues and teeth come from a plaque-testing dye with which the children rinsed their mouths. Yankell then examined their teeth under a special blue flashlight, and the plaque showed up yellow.
"Now it's my turn," one of the waiting kids said. "People are going to have wanted to wear sunglasses - my teeth are so yellow."
"It's radioactive," kidded another. "You glow in the dark."
The kids, who were asked not to brush their teeth before they went to school, then lined up for their pre-brushing rinse. They were given either a placebo or a dose of Plax dental rinse.
Once they rinsed and brushed with the toothbrushes they brought from home, the children again had their teeth checked. The difference in the amount of plaque was recorded for each child. Finally, they turned in their old toothbrushes for new ones and headed back to class. The old toothbrushes go to the lab to be studied by Yankell and Emling.
"We're interested in this from two points of view," Yankell said of the study. "How does the product work? And how can you relate good oral cleaning to the traditional toothbrush regime?"
"The key to this is that you want to control as many variables as possible in the research design," Emling said. "Random assignment assures us there's no bias. Each child was assigned last week to an active or placebo rinse. Today they get the opposite."
The study was performed in the Aaronson Bell school nurse's office last week and lasted about two hours. Testing for each child lasted 15 minutes.
The researchers, who got to know the children during the first testing cycle a week before, joked with them about the rinse, assuring one youngster that he would be the first bald kid in the class after he was tested. Fifth grader Anthony Spearman took the joke right in stride.
"Yeah, you can write about that," he said. "It'll be in the newspaper about a little school called Aaronson Bell in Delran in Burlington Country, where two doctors gave this stuff to little kids which makes their teeth glow."
Delran Falters And Loses In Group 2 Final, 74-53
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222233022/http://articles.philly.com/1988-03-13/sports/26278326_1_bears-orange-first-state-crownBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: March 13, 1988LAWRENCEVILLE — Most observers gave the Delran High basketball team only a slim chance of winning yesterday when it met Orange in the state Group 2 championship game at Rider College. Orange was considered to be one of the best teams - in any group - in the state, while Delran was a long shot to even reach the title game.
But for over three quarters, Delran had its more highly regarded opponent chasing the lead. That's why Orange's 74-53 victory, while convincing, was not as thorough as it may appear.
The Tornadoes (28-1), in winning their first state crown since 1979, took the game away from Delran (19-8) in the last five minutes.
The loss spoiled a superb 26-point performance by 6-foot-6 forward Tony Sacca, as well as an excellent effort for three quarters by the Bears.
"We played good basketball and then ran out of gas," Delran coach Jim Petrino said. "At the end of the third period, we lost our composure and they got the tempo. We did everything we wanted to for three quarters."
Delran led by eight points at halftime and answered several challenges by Orange to take a 44-39 advantage into the fourth period.
Orange evened the score for the first time in the game at 30-30 with 5 minutes, 40 seconds left in the third period and again at 36-36.
A three-point jumper by Sacca gave the Bears the lead again, and he scored three of his team's last five points in the period.
But Orange, which pressed from the opening tap, finally began reaping dividends in the final quarter and running the ball downcourt for layups.
The Tornadoes wound up outscoring Delran, 35-9, in the period. Forward Al Grant's three-pointer with 4:51 left in the game gave Orange its first lead of the game, 53-51.
In what seemed like a heartbeat, Orange had stretched its lead to 62-51. And with just over two minutes remaining, it was 66-53.
"I told the guys that we had worked hard all year, and that the fourth quarter was the sum total of it all," Orange coach Al Thompson said. "It was now or never, and we had to go get it."
Delran jumped out to a 16-8 first-quarter lead when the Tornadoes got off to a frigid start.
"Our shots were off, and we weren't rebounding," said Grant, a 6-5 forward, who scored 23 points and was voted the game's most valuable player. ''We were losing our heads and rushing our shots."
The Bears, like Orange, went halfcourt man-to-man the whole game. Orange's full-court zone press didn't bother Delran at all until the fourth period.
Mike McKee, Delran's 5-6 point guard, repeatedly got the ball upcourt or into the middle of the floor, where another Bear could advance it toward the basket.
As a result, Delran rarely had to deal with Orange's halfcourt man.
Most of the Bears' first-half points came in transition. And when they had to go into a halfcourt set, they found Sacca, who had little trouble getting to the hoop, scoring 16 first-half points.
After a free throw by Sacca tied the game at 4-4, Orange missed six of its next eight shots, and Delran capitalized on every miss.
Sacca did most of the damage. His six straight points midway through the period gave Delran a 10-6 lead. And a follow shot by guard John Eillison, a short jumper by McKee and a nice double-pump move to the hoop by Ellison made it 16-6.
At the end of the first period, Delran led, 18-10.
In the second period, the Tornadoes picked up their intensity under the boards and on defense.
Where they rarely got more than one shot in the first quarter, the Tornadoes began getting multiple shot opportunities.
After Delran increased its lead to 25-14 with just over three minutes left in the quarter, Grant was fouled on a follow shot and hit two free throws. And 6-0 guard Micheal Boyd powered to the basket and cut Delran's lead to 25-18.
Sacca hit a free throw and followed that with a dunk off an assist from his brother, John. When the teams left the floor at halftime, Delran was ahead, 30-22.
"A team like (Orange) is dangerous coming from behind," Petrino said. ''They weren't 27-1 for nothing."
Debating Principal's Role: A Teacher Or A Manager?
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221074403/http://articles.philly.com/1988-03-27/news/26275395_1_principal-jobs-elementary-school-principals-public-school-principalsBy Laura Quinn, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: March 27, 1988David Lamborne doesn't stay cooped up in his office.
As principal of Delran High School, he strolls through the cafeteria, roams the hallways and peers into classrooms. Here, he is at his happiest.
"To tell you the truth, if I had to do it all over again, I would go into education," he said the other day. "I love it. Working with kids keeps everybody young."
Like the 2,400 other public-school principals in New Jersey, Lamborne's job involves a delicate combination of skills. He is many things at once: referee, disciplinarian, adviser, manager, spokesman and diplomat.
Some principals, like Joe Clark, the controversial administrator of Eastside High School in Paterson, are tough. Others hate to be mean.
"I frequently sit down and discuss problems with students," said Lamborne, who seems to fit into the latter category. "My door is always open."
Occasionally, students come to him to appeal disciplinary decisions made by the school's assistant principal, and Lamborne may lighten their sentences.
What really makes a good principal? Today, as education officials search for ways to improve the public schools, more and more people are asking this question.
Next Tuesday, thousands of New Jersey voters will go to the polls to select school board members and approve or reject school budgets. Most of these elections will focus on the monetary aspects of education and on issues that affect the residents of individual towns.
However, there are dozens of other issues - most decided at the state level - that intimately affect the schools. This year, one of the biggest issues involves public-school principals, and what kind of credentials they should possess in the coming years.
It is a controversial topic.
The vast majority of principals in New Jersey today are former teachers.
"I don't think you can supervise teachers unless you've been" in a teaching job, said Martin C. Harmon, principal of Maple Shade High School. ''Otherwise, I don't know how you can understand their problems."
His views are shared by many.
"A knowledge of instruction is at the heart of the principalship, and practical experience in the classroom is essential to anyone who would lead others in improving instruction," said Samuel Sava, director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, who was in Trenton recently to testify against plans to revamp New Jersey's principal-certification system.
However, Saul Cooperman, New Jersey education commissioner, would like to see people who have strong management training, but who have not been teachers, become principals. Several months ago, the state Department of Education proposed major changes in principal-certification standards so that more non-teachers could fill principal jobs.
"Unfortunately, the system has evolved in such a way that . . . (it fosters) the continued misperception that the principalship is essentially still a teaching job rather than a distinct managerial leadership one," Cooperman said in a report on the issue.
The state now bars districts from hiring a principal who does not have a teaching certificate and three years' experience either teaching or working in another public-school job. Principals must hold master's degrees in any field, including three courses in education management.
Instead, Cooperman has recommended that a master's degree in management be the basic requirement for a principal certificate. Thus, somebody who has just graduated with an MBA from Rutgers University, let's say, could become a principal within a few months, even though they've never taught.
*The new proposals are expected to come to a vote before the state Board of Education in May. They also stipulate that principal candidates pass a state test in management skills and perform under simulated school conditions at an assessment center.
After they have been hired for a specific job, they would receive one or two months of pre-residency training in classroom instruction and then serve a one-year on-the-job residency. The commissioner compared the residency to a medical internship.
"What we're saying is you've got to pay a price" to become a principal, Cooperman said.
Senior teachers become principals, he argues, because it is the only remaining step on the career ladder and brings a higher salary.
The certification system "promotes the view that the principalship is the logical promotional opportunity for our best teachers," Cooperman said in his report, "Teaching Experience and the Certification of Principals."
"Therefore, no other promotional opportunities are needed that might allow teachers to advance in their careers while remaining in the classroom," he said.
"We want to get people who are well-trained and who sincerely have (the principal's job) as a career goal," said Leo Klagholz, an assistant education commissioner.
Klagholz points to the state's two-year-old Provisional Teacher Program, which allows people without education degrees to become teachers, as an example of how a more open-selection process for school jobs can attract highly qualified people. The teachers hired under the provisional program have scored, on the whole, higher on the National Teacher Exam than the average teacher, according to studies of the program.
Furthermore, state officials argue, the principal's job has grown more complex over the years. There are more state and federal regulations to observe, and more programs to administer.
Local principals confirm this.
"We're being asked to do so many things that we weren't asked to do previously," said Ronald Starrett, principal of the Nokomis and Neeta Elementary Schools in Medford Lakes.
"I look at (local) districts and I think, 'We're doing a nice job.' Not that we've solved every child's problem, but we've worked hard," he said.
However, state officials contend principals often lack the management skills to handle it all. "Many principals have told us they needed help in supervision," said the commissioner.
During the proposed pre-residency, future principals would receive instruction in curriculum and teacher evaluation, and would work briefly in a classroom, state officials said.
Many South Jersey principals agree that principals need more management training and support the idea of requiring principals to have management degrees and to go through internships. However, they say internships should not take place while a new principal is actually in charge of a school, and they overwhelmingly dispute the need for principals who have not been teachers.
Even though - if the new requirements are approved - individual districts could insist that their own principals be former teachers, critics of the plan contend it sets a low standard.
William G. Graf, the principal of Clementon Elementary School, worked for several years as the office manager of a computer company in Cherry Hill.
"If I had just come from that background, I wouldn't have had the skills to be a principal," said Graf, who was also a teacher for 12 years in public and private schools. "Children are so much different from adults."
At Clementon, Graf supervises 35 teachers. That means he often drops in on a class and observes a teacher's technique.
"When you go in and observe a teacher, there are certain things you're looking for," he said. "I really think having been there (in the teacher's job), I can evaluate their teaching styles."
"Particularly in a small district, it's absolutely essential that a principal have classroom experience," said John Herbst, principal of Wenonah Elementary School, which has 190 students. "If I want the teacher to change or make some modifications, that teacher better believe that I have something (worthwhile) to say."
Principals from larger schools, where teachers are supervised by department chairmen, also thought that the principal needed to be respected as a teacher.
George Reeves is the principal of Haddon Heights High School, which has 650 students.
"All of the principals that I know are both a good educational leader and a good manager," he said. "Somebody has to evaluate the department chairpersons' work. It's just like anything else, you have to have somebody overseeing the whole thing."
Last summer, in his first year as principal of Haddon Heights, Reeves faced insurrection among the students. They rebelled when he refused to allow them to wear shorts during the final hot weeks of school.
Students refused to go to class and demonstrated outside the school. The incident points to another burden of the typical principal: discipline.
"You're dealing with kids most of the time, not adults," said Reeves, who was a teacher in Haddonfield and Pemberton Township. "The end product (of education), you can't throw away and start all over again."
Graf said discipline should be different for children of different ages.
"You have to understand how to deal effectively with a kindergartner as opposed to a first grader," he said. "There's so many things that come from experience in dealing with chidlren you just don't learn from a textbook."
Why do teachers become principals? Several said they were attracted to the job at least partly because of the money.
"Obviously one of the payoffs of becoming an administrator is that you generally command a higher salary," said Starrett, of Medford Lakes. "I don't think it's any different in (private) industry."
However, principals said they also wanted the job itself.
Calantha Davis, principal of Monongahela Junior High in Deptford, was a teacher for 27 years before becoming a vice principal and then principal.
"I just felt that there was more that I could do as a principal in helping to mold the education of a student," she said. "You kind of get to see the whole picture when you're the principal. You get to see how everybody working together affects the child."
Faculties To Play Ball To Raise Scholarship Funds
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1988-04-20/news/26251172_1_faculties-short-game-basketball-courtBy Gary Sternberg, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: April 20, 1988Faculty members at Delran High School usually try to get students into college through skill at teaching in the classroom. But on April 29, they will be doing it through prowess on the basketball court.
That Friday night, the Delran High faculty will be taking on the teachers from Moorestown High School. Proceeds from the event will go to the Delran Scholarship Fund.
"Delran and Moorestown have a real good rivalry when it comes to the kids. The staff know each other well, so this should be a good game and everyone should have a good time," said Delran school board member Michael Pilenza, who came up with the idea and planned it with Delran's scholarhsip committee and Moorestown school officials.
The main game between the Delran and Moorestown faculties will be preceeded at 7 p.m. by a short game between members of the Delran Board of Education and faculty, Pilenza said.
Admission will be $2. Refreshments will be available.
This year, Pilenza said, all the proceeds will be going to Delran Scholarship Fund, but he hopes that the event is successful and that a tradition of alternating the games develops.
"We hope that if this year's game is successful, we'll hold it next time at Moorestown and let them have the money, and maybe we'll keep doing this every year," Pilenza said.
Delran And Palmyra Capture Track Crowns
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151229145553/http://articles.philly.com/1988-05-15/sports/26263152_1_track-crowns-jump-metersBy Gus Ostrum, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: May 15, 1988With Delran's entire senior lineup missing yesterday, the Bears did not seem to have much of a chance to win the Burlington County Freedom Division girls' track title at Moorestown High.
But the Bears have proved to be a team of depth and persistence. Delran, whose seniors were on a class trip to Florida, captured the division crown with 47 points to roll past runners-up Northern Burlington (38) and Palmyra.
While Delran was busy winning the girls' title, Palmyra (48 1/2 points) edged Moorestown (46) for the boys' Freedom Division crown.
FREEDOM GIRLS. Delran won the crown with just one first-place finish from Krista Smolda in the javelin toss (79-4). But coach Mati Reinfeldt's team claimed six second-place finishes, led by Rosemary Layne in the long jump and 400-meter dash, and Jennifer Hall in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
The Bears were missing key personnel such as Stephanie Grier (hurdles), Suzanne Plush (distance), Kim Potter (distance), Dana Warwick (distance), Donna Gergely (field events), and Martina Himes (field events).
"With those girls here we could have easily gotten another 12 points," Reinfeldt said. "It's a tribute to our underclassmen to come out and win this meet without our seniors."
Delran's title was its third in this meet in the last five seasons. The Bears also won crowns in 1984 and 1986.
Palmyra's Traci Shock, meanwhile, highlighted individual competition by winning the 800 meters (2:28.3), the 1,600 meters (5:38.5) and the 3,200 meters (13:04.6).
"Traci's times in all three events keep improving all the time," Palmyra coach Claudine Creaney said. "I'm glad to see her peaking at this time of the season."
In another highlight, Moorestown's Sandy Tokoto, a freshman, set a division record in the high jump with her leap of 5-foot-1. The old mark was 5-0, held by Betsy Kolarovic of Palmyra.
FREEDOM BOYS. Palmyra, with 48 1/2 points, nipped host Moorestown, which had 46 points. Also finishing in the top five were Bordentown (29), Burlington City (28) and Delran(27).
Matt Moore tied a division record in the 110 high hurdles with his time of 15.0. Other Palmyra first-place finishers were T. J. Martino in the 400 meters (51.1) and Rodney Coon in the 800 (2:03.1).
Additionally, the Palmyra 1,600 relay team of Martino, Coon, Jamie Hartman and Moore swept to a first-place finish in 3:30.2.
"Everything just fell into place for us today, and it's been a long time coming," Pals coach Kevin Potor said. "We had a few firsts, but also a lot of seconds and thirds. We're very pleased."
Runner-up Moorestown garnered just one first-place finish, Chris Luneberg's in the discus (135-4).
Burlington City's Demetrius Cope highlighted in individual competition with South Jersey's best leap in the high jump this season at 6-6. Cope bettered the previous mark of 6-4 by Willingboro's Wray Brown.
"I slipped when I jumped the 6-6 and I never thought I would get it like that," Cope said. "I was hoping to get 6-8, but it just wasn't meant to be. I seem to run into a mental wall every time I try that jump."
Other first-place finishes came from Burlington's Randy Lukis in the shot put (50-11 3/4), Northern Burlington's Jaime Caceras in the javelin (164-0), Bordentown's J. C. Slocum in the 100 meters (11.3) and Delran's Rex Myers in the 1,600 meters (4:24.6).
FREEDOM DIVISION BOYS
Team scoring: Palmyra 48 1/2, Moorestown 46, Bordentown 29, Burlington City 28, Delran 27, Burlington Township 18, Northern Burlington 15 1/2, Riverside 14, Florence 12, Maple Shade 2.
100 meters: 1, J.C. Slocum, Bordentown, 11.3. 2, Don Chapman, Florence, 11.3. 3, Steve Robinson, Moorestown, 11.4.
200: 1, (tie) J.C. Slocum, Bordentown and Don Chapman, Florence, 23.2. 3, Steve Robinson, Moorestown, 23.7.
110 hurdles: 1, Matt Moore, Palmyra, 15.0. 2, Dwayne Robinson, Moorestown, 15.4. 3, Keith White, Moorestown, 15.9.
400: 1, T.J. Martino, Palmyra, 51.1. 2, Pete Williams, Northern Burlington, 52.2. 3, Norm LaChance, Riverside, 52.3.
800: 1, Rodney Coon, Palmyra, 2:03.1. 2, Anthony Streletz, Moorestown, 2:03.5. 3, Clinton Bell, Bordentown, 2:04.4.
1,600: 1, Rex Myers, Delran, 4:24.6. 2, Clinton Bell, Bordentown,4:27.6. 3, Anthony Streletz, Moorestown, 4:29.7.
3,200: 1, Rex Myers, Delran, 9:38. 2, Allen Jarvis, Burlington Twp., 9:54.1. 3, Clinton Bell, Moorestown, 10:34.4.
400 hurdles: 1, Matt Moore, Palmyra, 55.3. 2, Keith White, Moorestown, 58.2. 3, Darrell Fisher, Florence, 1:00.8.
Pole vault: 1, Ross MacDonald, Delran, 12-0. 2, Bob Coppola, Burlington City, 11-6. 3, Jamie Hartman, Palmyra, 11-6.
Discus: 1, Chris Luneberg, Moorestown, 135-4. 2, Ron Trampe, Palmyra, 134-0. 3, Scott Bard, Riverside, 131-0.
High jump: 1, Demetrius Cope, Burlington, 6-6. 2, J.C. Slocum, Bordentown, 6-2. 3, Tony Wright, Burlington Twp., 6-0.
Javelin: 1, Jaime Caceres, Northern Burlington, 164-0. 2, John Lorenz, Palmyra, 161-4. 3, Eric Listick, Delran, 152-6.
Shot put: 1, Randy Lukis, Burlington City, 50-11 3/4. 2, Chris Luneburg, Moorestown, 50-7 1/4. 3, Ron Trampe, Palmyra, 50-0.
FREEDOM DIVISION GIRLS
Team scoring: Delran 47, Northern Burlington 38, Palmyra 38, Burlington 27, Moorestown 24, Burlington Township 22, Bordentown 15, Riverside 9.
100 meters: 1, Charlene Ganges, Palmyra, 13.0. 2, Daryl Martz, Northern Burlington, 13.0. 3, Camille Williams, Northern Burlington, 13.2.
200: 1, Nikki McGillberry, Bordentown, 28.0. 2, Desiree Barnes, Bordentown, 28.2. 3, Daryl Martz, Northern Burlington, 28.2.
100 hurdles: 1, Lacy Tokoto, Moorestown, 16.9. 2, Diana Scott, Burlington Twp., 18.2. 3, Stacy Konieczka, Delran, 18.3.
400 hurdles: 1, Diana Scott, Burlington Twp., 1:15.0. 2, Janeen Algood, Burlington, 1:17.2. 3, Lisa Bellamy, Burlington Twp., 1:17.3.
400: 1, Camille Williams, Northern Burlington, 1:03.5. 2, Rosemary Layne, Delran, 1:04.3. 3, Trina McGee, Burlington Twp., 1:06.2.
800: 1, Traci Shock, Palmyra, 2:28.3. 2, Jennifer Hall, Delran, 2:34.6. 3, Angela Silveri, Moorestown, 2:41.9.
1,600: 1, Traci Shock, Palmyra, 5:38.5. 2, Jennifer Hall, Delran, 5:59.3. 3, Jennifer Naus, Northern Burlington, 6:08.3.
3,200: 1, Traci Shock, Palmyra, 13:04.6. 2, Jennifer Hall, Delran, 13:42.1. 3, Stephanie Corr, Delran, 14:23.5.
1,600 relay: 1, Moorestown (Carrie Lawler, Angela Silveri, Sherri Cuzzimano, Sandy Tokoto), 4:30.7. 2, Northern Burlington, 4:32.4. 3, Burlington, 4:33.
Long jump: 1, Tonya Morris, Burlington, 15-4. 2, Rosemary Lane, Delran, 15- 1/4. 3, Kerishia Singletary, Burlington Twp., 14-7 3/4.
Shot put: 1, Patty Hesley, Northern Burlington, 29-3 1/2. 2, Tara Engram, Delran, 28-9. 3, Morgan Halasa, Riverside, 26-1.
High jump: 1, Sandy Tokoto, Moorestown, 5-1 (division record, betters 5-0). 2, Leslie Hyman, Palmyra, 4-8. 3, Ginina Jackson, Burlington, 4-8.
Javelin: 1, Krista Smolda, Delran, 79-4. 2, Vikki Witt, Palmyra, 76-8. 3, Kelly Paulson, Burlington, 76-5.
Discus: 1, Morgan Halasa, Riverside, 93-3. 2, Vikki Witt, Palmyra, 86-0.3, Delran, 84-2.
Delran Writes The Book On Kids Who Read
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1988-06-22/news/26264325_1_reading-program-national-pta-state-ptaBy Craig S. Palosky, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 22, 1988Barbara Clauser says her values are not much different from her mother's when it comes to children and education.
Clauser, 42, works part time at a doctor's office in the mornings, but tries to keep her afternoons free so that she can be with her youngest child, Michael, 12, when he returns from school.
As her mother had years earlier, Clauser joined the local PTA when her oldest child, Vera, now 19, entered kindergarten 14 years ago. Since then, Clouser she has run fund-raisers, sponsored holiday activities, worked with school administrators and, most recently, helped organize a recreational reading program.
It was the reading program that pushed the Delran Elementary Parent Teacher Association over the top.
In an annual nationwide competition among PTAs, Delran Elementary's was named number one in New Jersey for the second time in six years. As its president, Clauser was to travel yesterday to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the National PTA and World Book Inc. will present "Advocates of Children" awards to the best PTA in each state.
State PTA membership chairwoman Marilynn Fiure said that about 900 local units were eligible for the distinction, though not all the groups submitted applications. In addition to developing an effective program (such as Delran's recreational reading program), PTAs needed a 10 percent increase in membership and strong community involvement to qualify for the award, Fiure said.
As Clauser tells it, PTA involvment starts small and grows.
"Once you're on the executive board, they keep asking you to volunteer for something else," Clauser said. "You can't say no."
A PTA president for four years and a recently elected school board member, Clauser devotes much of her time working to improve education for her children and others in the Delran district, as she said her mother had done for her.
Clauser's group, which serves Delran's three elementary schools, was elected for the honor by the state PTA based primarily on the success of a six-month reading program during which almost 900 students read a total of 36,505 books - an average of more than 40 books each.
The program, known as S.O.A.R. (Succeed, Obtain, Achieve, Read!), attempted to increase interest in reading by providing incentives such as soft pretzels or pencils for successful students, according to Joan Maloney, 34, who helped run the program.
"The whole point was to encourage children to read for fun," she said. ''Hopefully, they will realize that reading is enjoyable and not just a chore."
Maloney, a former elementary school teacher who plans to return to work when her two children grow older, said many hours of volunteer work had been required to keep the program going from November to May.
Seventeen volunteers were needed just to keep track of how many books each student read, she said.
PTA members also made paper balloons for each child and posted them in the classrooms. As each finished a book, that balloon was moved to a higher place on a chart, until it reached that child's goal - 45 books for students in grades K-3 and 35 books for grades 4-5.
Jinny Lewis, 42, who last week took over Clauser's duties as the new PTA president, said that the program had achieved its goal of increasing reading among students. She cited the progress of her 8-year-old daughter Kimberly as an example.
"After she finished her goal, she kept on reading," she said. "She wanted to see her balloon go up."
Second grader Lindsay DeYoung, 8, read 355 books, more than any other student, which earned her a $50 savings bond. Two first-grade classrooms won pizza parties because all the students reached the target number of books.
Though Lewis does substitute teaching now and is involved in raising her three children, she still schedules time to work for the PTA.
"Sometimes you just have to juggle your schedule," she said. "If I'm working on Tuesday, then I'm not going to volunteer on Tuesday."
The PTA enlists mothers who work during the day to volunteer at night, while mothers who do not work outside the home take care of the daytime activities. She said that fathers also help, but usually only for specific projects, such as to program a computer or to dress as Dracula for the annual Haunted House.
"My husband does a lot of my artwork" for PTA projects, she said.
Fathers often bring their children to events, though they rarely attend monthly PTA meetings, Clauser said. No men serve on the PTA's 30-member board.
The three-year-old S.O.A.R. program may not continue next year, Lewis said, because she wants to relieve some of the heavy demands that the project has placed on PTA members and provide students with a change.
Even if the program is ended, however, the Delran PTA still will encourage students to read for pleasure.
"We would like to do something," Lewis said, "but we'd like it to be a little bit different, to provide motivation in some other way."
Delran Braces For A Host Of Challengers
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226040609/http://articles.philly.com/1989-03-24/sports/26128004_1_baseball-coaches-coaching-reins-bearsBy Sam Iannuzzi, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: March 24, 1989Unlike last season, there are very few Burlington County Freedom Division baseball coaches who don't believe they can win the title.
As it turned out last season, the league race was not a race at all. Delran waltzed to the title with a 14-0 division record en route to a 24-3 mark and the No. 1 ranking in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings.
With Delran returning just two starters, at least four coaches now think their teams can contend, while others feel they have an outside chance of winning the league crown.
Burlington City, Northern Burlington, Moorestown and Florence all could be contenders. Bordentown, Maple Shade and Riverside need a few things to go in their favor to contend. Palmyra and Burlington Township will fight hard to stay out of the basement.
"This is probably the most balanced the league has been in 10 years," said Delran coach Rich Bender, who is in his 14th season as the Bears' coach.
Burlington City, coached by Bruce McCutcheon, seems to have as good a shot at unseating the Bears as any team. Top hitter Ed Hesson and top pitcher Todd Herman could take the Blue Devils to the top.
Northern Burlington's Carmine Pastore, in his second year at the helm, has a solid pitching staff and has a .400 hitter in Paul Madson. Madson and 6- foot-1, 210-pound pitcher Darren Linton head a group of five solid returning starters.
Jim Maher's third season at Florence could be the charm. The Flashes have 10 letter-winners returning, including seven starters from a team that was second a year ago. Shortstop-pitcher Ed Yaris and infielder-pitcher Travis Corson both hit over .300 last season.
Moorestown's Jeff Hadden needs a little more offense to complement what should be a stable crew of hurlers. Only one Quaker returning regular, Karl Lodgek, hit over .290 last year.
With tradition and a seemingly unending supply of talent, it is safe for Freedom teams to always beware of the Bear.
Several key members on this year's Delran team did not get a chance to play on last season's talent-laden squad. The opportunity is there this year and they could make the most of it. Watch for 6-5 sophomore pitcher Mike Martin to make an impact.
A starting battery of pitcher Howard Hughes and catcher Andy Lydon give Bordentown coach Patrick Lynch reason to be optimistic in his second season. Pitching depth may stop the Scotties from contending.
Maple Shade has the stability of sixth-year coach Jim Varsaci and five starters to pin its hopes on.
Longtime Riverside coach Joe Willard has turned the coaching reins over to John Miranda, who coaches the school's football team. Miranda wants his seven returning starters to play aggressively. The new system could take some time.
New coaches Mike Pisa at Burlington Township and Greg Ogden at Palmyra face rebuilding years. Coincidentally, Pisa was the baseball coach at Audubon during the same time Ogden was the basketball coach.
BORDENTOWN
Coach: Patrick Lynch.
Last year: 10-8 overall, 7-7 division (tied for 6th).
Key returning players: P-3B Howard Hughes (.373, 4 HRs); C Andy Lydon (.356).
Promising newcomers: LF Dave Schneider; 3B Dan Marino; 1B Jeff Foster; 1B Fred Miller; RF Tom Diveley; 2B Bryan Lawyer; IF Rob Mercantini; OF Rich Mercantini; SS-P John Hardesky; IF Ron Hendrickson.
Outlook: Despite having only two returning starters, the Scotties have players moving into starting roles with good baseball knowledge through their feeder system. Hughes is a high-quality pitcher, but there is little depth. Look for Bordentown to be stronger toward the end of the season.
BURLINGTON
Coach: Bruce McCutcheon.
Last year: 11-7 overall, 9-6 division (4th).
Key returning players: CF Ed Hesson (.390); P-3B Todd Herman (6-4, 1.90 ERA, .320); 1B Frank Webb (.313); LF Scott Hans; C Steve Hesson (.250).
Promising newcomers: P Rob Warren; SS Pat Chester; 2B Jeff Waters.
Outlook: The Blue Devils return three .300 hitters to the middle of their lineup and have their ace pitcher Herman back for his final season. Contention is not out of the question, but a repeat of last year seems more likely.
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP
Coach: Mike Pisa.
Last year: 2-16 overall, 1-15 division (10th).
Key returning players: 1B-OF Ron Palanchar; P-1B Russ Player (.340); C-OF Blair Spencer; C-P Mike Parker (.350); SS Rich Sullivan; OF Brian Stevens; 3B Brian Lovendowski.
Promising newcomers: P Mike Gollnick (6-foot-3); P Steve Malloy; 2B Mike
Gavio; OF Brian Durham.
Outlook: Pisa has coached winners at Audubon and he expects to turn things around for the Falcons. Good nucleus for a rebuiding project. Sophs have to develop to get near .500.
DELRAN
Coach: Rich Bender.
Last year: 24-3 overall, 14-0 division (1st).
Key returning players: SS Brian Gorman (.287, 19 hits, 24 SB, 14 BB); P-1B- RF John Sacca (.238); P Mike Maerten (0-1, 6 saves, .250); P-3B Dave Travis.
Promising newcomers: C Steve Ferrara; 1B-DH Dave Angradi; P-1B Mike Martin; C Chris Bayne.
Outlook: Even in an apparent rebuilding year, Delran is considered a contender. The program is one of the best around. Bears will not waltz through the league, but will be near or at the top at season's end.
FLORENCE
Coach: Jim Maher.
Last year: 11-11 overall, 10-7 division (2d.)
Key returning players: SS-P Ed Yaris (.323, 11 SB, 2-0, 2.32 ERA 2 saves); IF-P Travis Corson (.300 13 runs, 12 SB, 15 BB); P-1B Troy Ingham (.250, 2.12 ERA); C Jeff Smith (.205); 1B-3B Jim Moller (.220, 7 RBIs, 14 BB); OF Gary Olaff (5 RBIs, 5 SB); OF Reade Edwardson; OF Cary Silinski; P Tim Carey (3.50 ERA, 13 strikeouts); P Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Promising newcomers: 2B Matt Dengler; P Chris Campbell (4-1 Holy Cross JV); IF-P Chris Cennenno; C Darren Mines (6-2, 230, 20 RBIs on JV); P Roy Meflin; P Scott Pullen.
Outlook: The Flashes will go as far as good defense, speed and experience will take them. The lineup is solid, but lacks consistent punch offensively. If some promising young pitching develops and seniors begin driving in runs, Florence could make a run in a wide-open race.
MAPLE SHADE
Coach: Jim Varsaci.
Last year: 10-9 overall, 10-8 division (3d).
Key returning players: 1B-3B Ron Cornett; 2B John Gee (.296); 3B-RF Keith Lightner (.256); 1B-CF Pat Curnew (.270); C Bill Lindsey (.256); P Rob Perkins (2-0); P-OF-SS Bill Weingartner (6-2, 1.89 ERA, 64 strikeouts in 63 innings).
Promising newcomers: P Bob Barnabei; SS Jeff Frett; SS Glenn Gaugler; OF Anthony Cerasi; OF Jason Ballantyne; IF Bill Winkler; SS-OF Kevin Hehring (.429, 12 doubles JV).
Outlook. It is a year when a host of teams see themselves as contenders. The Wildcats are no different. A title will be difficult without a solid No. 2 or 3 pitcher and consistent production from the offense. Even so, Maple Shade will beat some good teams.
MOORESTOWN
Coach: Jeff Hadden.
Last year: 8-9 overall, 7-7 division (tied for 6th).
Key returning players: OF Tom Arzillo (.265); P-OF Karl Lodgek (.295, 2.64 ERA, 50 strikeouts); OF Adrian Mathew; 2B Glen Calhoun; P-OF Eric Stewart (1-2).
Promising newcomers: OF Lars Moestue; IF John Ravikio; C Andy Sundstrom; OF Chris Lewis; P Mike Bandish.
Outlook: Don't look for the Quakers to score runs in bunches. They must find some clutch contact hitters to complement what could be a solid pitching staff. Should one or two seniors emerge as offensive forces, Moorestown could make some noise, but not until then.
NORTHERN BURLINGTON
Coach: Carmine Pastore.
Last year: 10-9 overall, 8-7 division (5th).
Key returning players: P-1B Darren Linton (2.35 ERA); IF Paul Madson (.411); OF Chris Matthews (.330); C John Bunce (.300); CF Eric Bayley.
Promising newcomers: 2B Chris Jackson; 3B Gene Reilly; P-IF Art Kershaw.
Outlook: Linton could be one of the division's top arms and Madson is already one of the top hitters. A championship season hinges on finding depth on the mound. Otherwise, the Greyhounds could be off and running.
PALMYRA
Coach: Greg Ogden.
Last year: 8-10 overall, 6-9 division (8th).
Key returning players: SS Kevin Walsh (.300); P-IF Andy Mourey; P Mike Bazulis; C Mark Nece; 3B-P Jeff Patchel; 1B-OF Jim Cox; P-OF Dave Guzman; 1B Craig Stevens; DH Hugh O'Brien.
Promising newcomers: none.
Outlook: Only Walsh hit over .300. In addition, the Pals struck out 11 or more times on five occasions last year, including 15 against Pitman and 14 against Moorestown. Pitching could be decent, but if the hitting doesn't come around, this could be a long season.
RIVERSIDE
Coach: John Miranda.
Last year: 6-12 overall, 5-11 division (9th).
Key returning players: SS Rich Buonomo (.377); CF Rich Loveland (15 SB); 1B Brian Bentcliff; 2B David Mitchell; RF Robert Miller; P Steve Meenan; C John Burbage.
Promising newcomers: P-3B John Garbe (6-1 JV); LF Scott Ward; LF Greg Sinkleris; C Derrick Maruski; 2B Ed Kenney; OF Mark Canulli; OF Eric Gauntt; P David Chafin.
Outlook: Any senior-dominated team with three or four good arms should be watched. The Rams took their lumps last year while the nucleus of this year's team learned some lessons. Look for Miranda's aggressive style of coaching to slowly take effect as the Rams move over the .500 mark.
Youngsters Come Through To Keep Delran High Rolling
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150914084623/http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-16/sports/26112901_1_bears-hitters-softballBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: May 16, 1989With four freshmen and two sophomores in her starting lineup this season, Delran High softball coach Nancy Fanelli wasn't sure how her team would mesh.
Now, the third-year coach knows the answer: Delran is doing very well, thank you. The Bears haven't lost a game in three weeks, to run their record to 9-1, and they have taken over the No. 10 position in The Inquirer's South Jersey top 10.
"I was afraid there would be a gap between our upperclassmen and our underclassmen, and we wouldn't jell," Fanelli said. "But our seniors have been leading, and our underclassmen have followed. We have good teamwork, and there aren't any cliques. I'm very pleased."
Led by senior centerfielder Sherry Watson (.500), senior first baseman Kim Rodano (.348) and junior pitcher Desiree Szeliga (7-1, .316), Delran has put pitching, defense and hitting together.
Szeliga has thrown two no-hitters and three one-hitters, and the entire pitching staff has allowed just 23 hits in 10 games. Offensively, the Bears are averaging 10 runs and 9.2 hits a game.
"The best thing that has happened is our hitting," said Fanelli, who has been part of the Delran program for 10 years. "Since I've been around, Delran has always been a good defensive team but not a good hitting team."
Delran's only loss this season is Florence - the No. 9 team in the ratings - and the Bears trail only Florence in the Burlington County League Freedom Division standings. The teams will meet again on June 1. Delran has never won the division crown.
"Our goal is to leave a banner in the gym," Fanelli said. "We don't have one for softball yet. Whether its the league or South Jersey, anything to leave our mark in the gym would be wonderful."
Delran will meet Clearview today in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament. Fanelli said she expects her team will treat the contest as it has its others this season.
"We're not a rah-rah kind of team," she said. "We go out on the field, get down to business and do what we have to do. The girls get their heads into the game real well, and they don't get rattled. We'll go for each game like we've been doing."
*It's not very often that a team joins the top 10 after losing twice in the same week. But that's what Cumberland (11-3) accomplished after losing to No. 1 Lenape, 4-0, in 17 innings on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Hammonton Tournament, and to No. 4 Mainland, 4-3, in 10 innings on May 8. In between those games, Cumberland downed Vineland, 11-3, and knocked off then-No. 9 Hammonton, 3-2, in the first round of the Hammonton Tournament.
Cumberland is now No. 7, and Hammonton fell from the ratings for the first time this season.
The other team to fall from the ratings was Sterling, which was No. 10 last week. The Silver Knights (9-2) were defeated by Haddon Township, 3-2, on Friday. Township's Gail Shelly was the winning pitcher, and she also had a double and a triple to lead the Hawks' offensive attack.
"We feel if we play good, we can beat anybody in the Colonial Conference," said Shelly, whose team's record is 8-5. "If we play bad, which we've done, we lose to teams we should beat. Against Sterling, we played good defense, and everybody was hitting the ball. I guess I got psyched for Sterling because they're always a tough team."
Triton's Angela Cardamone threw a perfect game at Overbrook on May 8 in her team's 7-0 victory.
Cardamone can thank Mustangs rightfielder Fran Donohue for keeping her bid alive in the sixth inning of the contest. Donohue charged a line drive that fell in front of her and threw out the batter at first base.
"As soon as I saw the ball hit the ground, I figured that was it. Now, I'm working on a one-hitter," Cardamone said. "Then, all a sudden, Fran was right there and threw it to first. I was stunned. I didn't think she'd get there quick enough to get the out."
Cardamone pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against Woodstown on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Hammonton Tournament to move the No. 6 Mustangs into a semifinal clash with No. 4 Mainland. The other semifinal finds No. 1 Lenape going against No. 2 Cherokee.
The tourney championship game will follow the semifinals on Saturday.
With the regular season winding down, just about every league crown is still up for grabs.
Only Eastern (9-1), which entered this week with three fewer losses than second-place Bishop Eustace (8-4) in the Olympic National Division, is atop a division with any kind of breathing room.
Woodbury (8-2) and Sterling (7-2) are leading the Colonial Conference; Gloucester (11-3) is being chased by Schalick (9-3) in the Tri-Co Classic Division; Pennsville (7-0), Delsea (10-1) and Woodstown (9-2) are vying for the Tri-Co Royal title; Washington Township and Triton are tied for first place in the Olympic American Division with 11-1 records; Mainland (11-2), Millville (9-2) and Cumberland (9-2) all still have a shot in the Cape I League; Buena (9-1) leads the Cape II League, while Lower Cape May (8-2) and Hammonton (7-2) aren't far behind, and Florence (9-0) has a slim lead over Delran (8-1) in the Burlco Freedom Division. And Lenape has a two-game lead over Cherokee in the Burlco Liberty Division.
For High School Seniors, Words To Live By
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-25/news/26105751_1_guidance-counselor-graduation-valley-regional-high-schoolBy John Devine, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 25, 1989Local educators bid farewell to the Class of '89. Administrators, teachers, counselors and staff from Burlington County's public and private high schools were asked for words of wisdom about what students should think about as they graduate.
Here is what they said:
Never stop learning. Don't think of graduation as an end to education but as a beginning to your education for life.
MARGARET NELSON - Spanish teacher and senior adviser, Burlington Township High School
Graduation is just the start for what's coming next. You have many roads to encounter. You will choose the path best for you. You have made your mark on your high school . . . I'm sure you will make your mark on other institutions and people in your life. God bless you all!
ROBERT NAUGLE - guidance counselor, Cinnaminson High School
Students should learn to face the future with knowledge, courage, humor, energy, patience, love and kindness. If we teach nothing else, I think we have been successful.
MICHAEL GALLUCCI - principal, Delran High School
In every walk of life, you have to believe that you are a champion. Reflect pride. Be a responsible and accountable person and remember to say thanks to all the people who have helped you. If you are coachable, then God can use you.
ARCHIE STALCUP - football coach, Lenape High School
Graduations mark beginnings as well as endings. . . . When you leave here, you can do anything you want with your life. Most of you are of legal age and are now free of being told what to do and where to go. If you want to have a good life, you have to make something happen as opposed to waiting for something to happen. Good luck in creating whatever it is you want.
ALBERT BORRIS - student assistance counselor, Moorestown High School
Aim high because your dreams can be fulfilled if you are willing to work hard for them. Hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. I would like to encourage graduates - the leaders of tomorrow - to use their talents to better this world and our society.
CATHY SOMMER - guidance counselor, Palmyra High School
Be honest with yourselves and set high expectations. Strive to be the most you can be and have the utmost confidence in yourselves. You are capable of being the best as long as you put your best foot forward.
SHARON DOYLE - guidance secretary, Pemberton Township High School
You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Whatever choices you make in life, you have to be well-prepared for it and do it right the first time.
HENRY CRAM - superintendent, Rancocas Valley Regional High School
I would advise you that your lives will be judged not by how much money you make, but by the manner in which you treat other people and your respect for the people you will come in contact with in life. Maybe this class could be the start of a generation that is equally concerned about others as well as themselves.
BOB JOLLEY - math teacher, John F. Kennedy High School
Success is based on hard work, pride in your craft and commitment to your goals.
PATRICIA GRODECK - principal, Burlington County Vocational and Technical High School, Medford
I wish you joy and health. I wish you happiness in your choice of future work. I wish you well as you leave this high school and go on to whatever vocation you choose. You have been an outstanding class that has contributed overall to making Maple Shade a better place than it was when you entered. May that concern and caring continue after you leave high school.
FRANCES PLISKIN - director, pupil personnel services, Maple Shade High School
It is always our hope that the seniors will take with them the Christian values we have taught them and use them in the different circumstances in their lives. We feel you have enriched our lives and are grateful for making Holy Cross a better place.
SISTER MARY PERSICO - principal, Holy Cross High School
Enjoy the end of high school. It will never be this much fun again. You are going on to more difficult challenges. College is much more difficult. Do not forget to share your successes with your former instructors. We will always care about you.
JOHN LaVIA - English teacher and college advisor, Saint Mary's Hall-Doane Academy
As Vocational and Technical graduates, you should continue your vocational training wherever possible . . . Be ready to adapt as today's technology changes the workplace and the jobs that you will perform. With the education you have received thus far, I'm sure you will be successful.
DON SCHREIBER - principal, Burlington County Vocational and Technical High School, Westampton
This is just the end of the beginning for you. I'll expect that you should meet with any challenges that come before you with dignity, pride and much success. The potential is there - use it! Parents, teachers and administrators have invested much love, time and energy in you. All we want in return is your happiness and success.
SHIRLEY McALWAY - English teacher and senior adviser, Willingboro High School
This is a time to enjoy being with our friends and a time to look back on what you have done and where you have been. This is the time to think of your favorite memories and all that you have yet to experience.
DONNA HOBSON - health and physical education teacher and senior adviser, Northern Burlington Regional High School
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Don't be afraid to try. Carpe Diem! (Seize the day!) It's been a pleasure to work with this class. The Class of 1989 is destined to do great things.
BETTIE COLONA - senior class adviser, Riverside High School
Be careful. Be interested. Enjoy the present and plan for the future.
WILL PERKINS - dean of grades 11 and 12, Moorestown Friends School
Take pride in yourself and your performance each day. . . . Don't poison yourself with drugs, and don't let anyone or any organization poison the environment in which you and all of us must live. . . . Be dependable. Keep your word and your promises. Strive each day to improve yourself, your community and your country.
JANE BOWERS - chairwoman of the guidance department, Burlington City High School
Hughes Is Re-hired By Delran
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221185445/http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-27/sports/26108694_1_soccer-assistant-john-hughes-soccer-coachBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 27, 1989Shortly after the boys' soccer season ended last fall, John Hughes' coaching job at Delran High appeared to be in jeopardy - even though he had directed the Bears to a 20-0-1 record and a share of the Group 2 state championship.
At last night's Board of Education meeting, however, Hughes was re- appointed as Delran's boys' coach. Rudy Klobach was also named Delran's girls' soccer coach.
The appointments were announced by Joseph Chinnici, Delran's superintendent.
Klobach's hiring, in effect, probably saved Hughes' position.
Klobach replaces Carol Young, who resigned for personal reasons, according to Delran athletic director Rich Janulis. After starting the girls' soccer program in 1980, Young's teams compiled a 147-21-10 record, won four sectional titles and three state crowns. Delran also won the last eight Burlington County League Freedom Division championships.
After the soccer season ended, Klobach - who has been a girls' soccer assistant at Delran since 1982 - expressed interest in the boys' soccer position.
At the time, the girls' job was not open.
Klobach, a teacher in the Delran school system, appeared to have an excellent chance to replace Hughes.
The reason?
Hughes is retired from teaching. And a New Jersey Department of Education rule requires schools to hire qualified coaches from within the district - when possible.
But when Young resigned, Klobach applied for the girls' job.
Thus, Hughes' position was solidified.
In three coaching years at Delran, Hughes has compiled a 52-9-3 record and has led his team to a share of two Group 2 state titles. Hughes has 39 years of coaching experience.
"I'm very happy the way things worked out," said Janulis, the athletic director. "John has certainly proved himself, and Rudy has been an assistant for a long time and we're glad he can take over."
Delran is looking for an assistant girls' soccer coach.
Warning: Butane Sniffing Kills
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151227103302/http://articles.philly.com/1989-09-06/news/26101955_1_inhalants-butane-counselorsBy Ruth Masters, Special to The Inquirer Correspondent Mike Franolich contributed to this story
Posted: September 06, 1989Claire Whatley knew from the bike-hitting-ground clatter that her son, Jason, was home from delivering newspapers. Only moments before on that muggy July 28 evening, she had sat down on the brick steps leading up to their metallic-blue colonial-style home in Delran.
She asked Jason, 13, what had gone on that day while she was working in the bakery at the Cinnaminson Acme. He calmly told her that he had tried inhaling butane that afternoon. The gas, used in cigarette lighters, induces a dreamy anesthetized state when inhaled.
Whatley immediately took Jason, who had experimented with drugs before, to Rancocas Valley Hospital in Willingboro for a physical and psychological evaluation.
While in the waiting room, Jason told Whatley that he was ready to get help. And he talked about the future and how he hoped that if he was admitted he would be out of the hospital in time for the Philadelphia Folk Festival, held two weeks ago.
Yet less than 12 hours later, Jason again sniffed butane. And within minutes, he was dead.
*
Whatley, 38, sat on the edge of one of the floral-covered sofas in the living room of her Delran home about three weeks after Jason's death, cradling a cup of coffee in her hands. Her blond, curled hair alternately fell into her face or back from it as she looked to the floor or up to the ceiling as if the reasons for the death of her only child could be found there.
She has decided to tell Jason's story because she wants other parents to be aware of the dangers of inhalants. And she wants other teenagers to learn from Jason's death.
"If people think that they are close to their kid and their kid can't get caught in this, they're wrong," Whatley said. "My son came to me and told me he was doing it."
Butane is one of the many solvents, aerosols and gases that many teenagers inhale to get high. Although not a popular form of drug abuse, it is one of the most deadly, according to substance-abuse counselors.
It is a fast high that goes directly to the lungs and into the bloodstream, the counselors said. It can cause heart attack, cancer and lung, brain and nerve damage - and death.
About 17 percent of 2,000 New Jersey high school sophomores, juniors and seniors reported in a statewide 1987 survey that they had used an inhalant at least once in their lives to get high, while 13.6 percent reported sniffing glue. Alcohol, which was the most frequently used substance, had an 89.2 percent response rate.
The survey, taken between 1984 and 1986, was published by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety. Students were asked to give a "yes" answer if they had ever used any of 11 substances listed. The numbers did not measure frequency of use.
Seven counselors interviewed said that they saw only a few "huffers" - people who use inhalants - each year. Huffers tend to be found in clusters, counselors said. In some neighborhoods huffing may be popular, and in others it may not.
But within Delran, "huffing" does not seem to be popular. Several police officers and detectives said that they had not heard of usage among township students until Jason's death.
And 12 Delran youths said they did not think inhaling substances was a popular way to get high and that they had never tried it. The students, who were outside the Tenby Chase Swim and Sports Club where Jason swam sometimes, named alcohol, marijuana and cocaine as the substances more likely to be abused by young people.
The counselors said that most users are between 12 and 18 and that inhalants can be psychologically, but not physiologically, addictive. They also said that because inhalants were easily accessible, they were often the stuff of initiation into the drug scene.
Huffers can just go to the corner drug store or gas station and buy any of a number of products that will give them a high. Or they can unscrew the gas cap of any vehicle, the counselors said. Glue, White Out, nail polish and paint thinner are other products frequently used by huffers.
"I think accessibility is the key factor," said Gary Popick, program coordinator for the Camden County Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. ''If you're 12 or 13 years old, you can't go down to the liquor store. Plus, a lot of them, being young, aren't in the drug scene," he said.
"For people prone to drug use who don't have the social skills or street knowledge of how to work with the drug scene, inhalants are a real easy, quick drug to get a hold of," said Jeffery Clayton, executive director of Services to Overcome Drug Abuses Among Teenagers, based in Woodbury.
"These people are sniffing things which other people come and clean up in white suits with protective gear," Clayton said. "It's like going to a toxic waste dump and swimming in it."
That July evening, Whatley and her son arrived at Rancocas Valley Hospital in Willingboro around 6 p.m. The doctor who examined Jason found nothing physically wrong with him. But Whatley said a counselor who interviewed Jason told her, "Your son has got a serious problem. He's self-destructive."
This was not Jason's first encounter with counseling. Last November, Whatley had begun taking him to a counselor because she was concerned with his apparent low self-esteem, hyperactivity and the disparity between his high scores on standardized tests and his average grades in school.
The teenager began seeing a female counselor, with whom he had a good rapport, Whatley said. The counselor had told Whatley that Jason was ''terrific," but she recommended that Jason see a male psychologist, believing that he needed another male role model. Jason's father had died when Jason was 4 years old.
"A life-long thing was that his father died before he got to know him," Whatley said. "He had his father built up on a pedestal."
But Jason was standoffish with the two male counselors he saw successively, approaching them with what Whatley described as an "I dare you to help me" attitude. Whatley, frustrated by her son's lack of cooperation, stopped taking him for sessions in April.
The July 28 hospital visit also was not his first trip to an emergency room. Last winter, while he was undergoing counseling, Jason "cried and screamed" when Whatley dragged him to a hospital for a physical immediately after she caught him inhaling gasoline.
The doctor found no physical problems. Whatley and her brother, Richard Graff, who lives in the same house, both say that Jason stopped inhaling gasoline after that visit.
His behavior in that incident contrasted with the July 28 one. In the butane-sniffing incident, Jason went willingly to the hospital. And as they waited for a doctor to admit him, he talked about how he wanted to get better.
"He said, 'I'm ready,' " Whatley recalled. "He knew he had a problem and couldn't resist this temptation to get high."
But not even the gravity of the situation could quash Jason's irrepressible vitality. At one point during the waiting, he took a surgical glove and blew it up - a trick he learned from watching Howie Mandel, one of his favorite comedians. For Whatley, that action brought back memories of a happier Jason.
In a fifth grade talent show, guitar in hand, Jason danced around the stage lip-syncing the Steppenwolf 1969 rebel anthem, "Born to be Wild."
As the Tin Man in the sixth grade production of "The Wizard of Oz," he ''jumped up and down," "put in words" and "tried to steal the play," according to one eighth grader who saw the production. Whatley merely said with a smile that he "embellished" the role.
And the hazel-eyed boy with the below-the-shoulder blond hair also was quite popular with girls. At a Fourth of July fireworks display in Philadelphia, Jason wandered off into the crowd and returned with three girls in tow, his mother said.
He met some girls at last year's Philadelphia Folk Festival, corresponded with them during the year and anticipated meeting up with them again this year, she said.
Claire Whatley and Graff believe that Jason tried butane sniffing because of peer pressure. Whatley said Jason told her that a friend suggested he try inhaling butane.
Jason tried butane "because all the other kids try it, all the cliche reasons, wanting to fit in, curiosity," Graff said.
The principals of both the Delran Middle School - where Jason would have entered seventh grade this week - and Millbridge Elementary school said that Jason had "a tendency to follow," an assessment that fits in with both Graff's and Whatley's belief that Jason was susceptible to peer pressure.
But drug abuse counselors disagree on whether there is a profile of the typical huffer.
"I would say that if you spoke with 100 (huffers), you would get 100 specific answers about why they used inhalants," said George L. Forman, director of substance abuse services at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center in Camden.
For instance, Clayton, of Services to Overcome Drug Abuses Among Teenagers, said that depressed people are more likely to become huffers than to abuse other substances, since inhalants dull the brain, thereby dulling the hurt and anger that often cause depression.
But Forman disagreed, saying that depressed people tend to choose stimulants.
Counselor Popick, from Camden County, said that huffers tended to be thrill seekers and risk takers.
"I think somebody who would try just about anything has to be a greater risk taker than someone who would just experiment with, say, alcohol," he said. Alcohol is a risk, he explained, but youths know that people drink it all the time, seemingly with no side-effects.
About 9 p.m., three hours after they arrived at the hospital, Whatley said the counselor who had interviewed Jason gave her a card with the name of a psychiatrist to call. Hospital officials decided that Jason could be treated on an outpatient basis, according to hospital spokesman Anthony Cirillo.
Whatley said she was upset about his release because she didn't believe she could give Jason the type of 24-hour-a-day help she felt he needed.
"I took him (to the hospital) because he was doing it as a whole, not because he was high at the time, but because he needed emotional support," Whatley said.
In the parking lot on the way home, Jason asked Whatley why she was angry with him. She explained that she was angry with hospital officials.
He said, "Why? I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow morning."
They arrived home around 9:45 p.m., ate dinner and watched a movie on television.
While preparing dinner, Whatley read the warning printed on the butane canister - "harmful or fatal" - to Jason and showed it to him. She then put the container back down on the kitchen counter, where she had placed it before they went to the hospital.
"He said he was sorry he did it," she said. "That he was foolish for doing it.
"I really felt confident that he was really looking forward to tomorrow being a change in his life, and I didn't think he would try it one more time," she said.
At about 1 a.m. Claire Whatley went to her room to go to bed. Jason came in and asked her to read to him from a book that she had been reading. But she told him that she wasn't going to read the book that night. He left the room, and she went to sleep.
Sometime after she fell asleep, Jason went downstairs, took the butane canister from the kitchen counter by the stove and tried to get high again. After inhaling, Jason began climbing the stairs to his bedroom, but he had a heart attack and tumbled down the steps into the front foyer.
The crash of Jason's body against the floor awoke his mother and uncle at about 3 a.m. They called an ambulance, and squad members tried unsuccessfully to revive him before taking him to Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital in Riverside, where he was pronounced dead at 4:50 a.m.
The toxicology tests showed traces of butane in his system, which would have caused the heart attack, according to Delran Detective Edward Perrino.
"Kids think that parents are saying, 'I don't want you to do this because I don't want you to have fun,' " Whatley said. "What I want to get across is for kids to talk to their parents and no matter how much they think their friends know, their parents have already been through everything. Trust your parents because they care more about you than anyone."
Her brother added, "The reality and the bottom line of these canned chemicals is that they can kill you, and they will kill you. This isn't a fairy tale."
Bears Again Shaping Up As Division Contenders
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151227143210/http://articles.philly.com/1989-09-20/news/26099942_1_john-sacca-delran-high-school-defensive-endBy Ronni Finkel, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: September 20, 1989Delran High School looks again to be a contender in the Group 2 Burlington County Freedom Division.
Its key games this year in the division will be against Florence, Burlington City and Northern Burlington, who they will play in a four-week stretch.
Those three teams tied for first in the division at 8-1 last season, and the Delran Bears lost to each.
Delran will look to the arm of quarterback John Sacca for another successful season.
COACHING. In his ninth year at Delran, coach Jim Donoghue expects to improve on his 40-40-3 record.Helping him out will be Pete Miles, Matt Lenguadoro and Mike Wallace, and coaching the freshman team will be Jim Henion and Paul Cundiff.
LAST YEAR. The Bears finished 6-3 in the Burlco Freedom Division.
LETTERMEN LOST (11). Four two-way starters have graduated: Steve Hanson at offensive tackle and defensive end, Ross McDonald at offensive guard and defensive tackle, Todd Ogan at tight end and Scott Smith at defensive tackle.
LETTERMEN RETURNING (12). Returning for the Bears on offense are senior quarterback Sacca, juniors Darrell Parker and his twin Derrick, both running backs, and senior Brian Gorman at wide receiver.
Returning on defense are senior Chan Chung, linebacker; junior Miguel Ribeiro, linebacker; Darrell Parker, cornerback; Derrick Parker, cornerback; senior Dave Harris, safety, and Sacca, safety.
PROMISING NEWCOMERS. A transfer student from Willingboro High School, senior Jamie Moore, will see time at running back and linebacker.
Newcomers include junior Dennis Jordan at wide receiver; sophomores Ken Bennett and Nate Hemsley vying for both tight end and defensive end, and sophomore Tom Kelvey at both offensive and defensive tackle.
PROBABLE STARTERS - OFFENSE. Sacca will be at quarterback, Darrell Parker at fullback, Derrick Parker at tailback, Gorman as wide receiver, Jordan as wide receiver, junior Sean Duff at offensive tackle and Kelvey at offensive and defensive tackle.
PROBABLE STARTERS - DEFENSE. Marvin Bussie will be at middle guard, Hemsley at defensive end, Bennett at defensive end, Duff at defensive tackle, Chung at linebacker, Ribeiro at linebacker, Darrell Parker at cornerback, Derrick Parker at cornerback, Harris at safety and Sacca at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS. Senior Mike Maerten, a second-year starter, will both punt and kick.
OUTLOOK. Donoghue says his team should be in contention this season.
"We lack depth and overall size to be a front-runner," Donoghue said. ''But we should have good speed."
"We've got John Sacca, a highly recruited quarterback; Darrell Parker is an excellent player, and Moore is very good on both offense and defense."
Donoghue says the teams to beat are the three teams who beat the Bears last year: Burlington City, which has a strong running game; Northern Burlington, which is always big, strong and well-coached, and Florence, which is also strong and makes few mistakes.
SEASON OPENER. Delran hosts rival Riverside on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Delran coach Jim Donoghue says John Sacca may be the best quarterback in South Jersey.
Sacca first gained the limelight when he was a sophomore. He threw a 2- point conversion pass on a broken play to give Delran a 21-19 overtime victory against Kingsway in the Group 2 semifinals in November 1987. At the time, Sacca was the holder for place kicks at Delran.
Last year, Sacca took over the quarterbacking job from his brother, Tony, now the quarterback at Penn State.
"He's really head and shoulders above the rest," Donoghue said of Sacca, who's now a senior.
The coach knows about quarterbacks - he was a four-year starter at Syracuse in the 1970s.
As a junior, Sacca completed 72 of 126 attempts (57.1 percent), passing for more than 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Donoghue said Sacca, who is also an outstanding runner, scored 6 touchdowns last season.
Along with his offensive skills, Sacca is also a two-year starter at defensive back.
Sacca, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds, said he is not concerned with his personal statistics. Instead, he hopes to match his brother's feat of going 11-0 and winning a Group 2 championship.
"Our goal is trying to win all 11 games," Sacca said. "The team is optimistic that we can win every one."
For Collingswood Coach, Opportunity Knocks Twice
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150918202901/http://articles.philly.com/1989-09-25/sports/26099827_1_board-member-board-meeting-football-coachBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: September 25, 1989A funny thing happened in December when Collingswood's Bob Barikian resigned as football coach: The Board of Education would not accept his resignation.
However, the sixth-year head coach says he is glad to be back at a place he never left, especially since the Panthers opened with a 7-0 victory over Paulsboro. It was Collingswood's first triumph over Paulsboro since 1978 and its first shutout of the Red Raiders since 1971.
"I had resigned, but the kids who were going to be seniors showed up at a board meeting," said Barikian, whose team was 4-5 last year. "What happened was that one board member, who is no longer there, was upset at our loss last year to West Deptford.
"The board member told me there would be a decision on my status in March. I didn't want the kids to go through all the uncertainty, so I resigned in December. It turns out that the board didn't accept my resignation, and I'm glad to be here."
Collingswood won without throwing a pass. Darren Wallace, an honor-roll student, scored on a 2-yard run late in the fourth quarter to provide the victory.
"At halftime, I'm not sure the kids thought they could beat Paulsboro," Barikian said. "The longer we stayed with them - I could see the confidence growing."
MIXED RESULTS. South Jersey teams are 3-4-1 against squads from outside the area.
The winners have been Cherokee, which beat East Brunswick, 12-7; Middle Township, a 38-8 winner over Bristol, and Shawnee, which routed J.P. Stevens, 35-7.
The defeats were suffered by Cherokee, a 21-14 loser to Pennsbury; Vineland, which was beaten by Delaware's Salesianum, 13-0; Willingboro, a 10-0 victim of North Bergen, and St. Joseph's, a 14-6 loser to Blair Academy.
In addition, Camden played Bayonne to a 0-0 tie.
Vineland received a baptism under fire during its loss at Salesianum. The Sallies are annually one of the premier teams in Delaware. Although it was Vineland's opener, the game was the third of the season for the 1-1-1 Sallies.
"It was a great learning experience for the kids, going out of state against a quality program," Vineland coach John Pierantozzi said. "It was a bad break being their third game and our opener, but I thought we did a good job.
"They were a little too big for us. Their tackles were about 225 to 230 each. We have 15 underclassmen starting and feel that we will have a good team in time."
The veteran Vineland coach cited the performances of linebacker John Hursey and the secondary, which consists of Anthony Lane, Stanford Broom, Leroy Gree and Dwayne Price.
Speaking of Salesianum, the Sallies will host Pennsauken on Oct. 20.
BOLTING BACK. When Millville gets down by a few touchdowns, it has teams just where it wants them. At least that has been the pattern for the team's first two games. On Sept. 15, Millville overcame a 13-0 deficit to defeat Atlantic City, 14-13, on Scott Shea's field goal with 42 seconds left.
On Saturday, the Thunderbolts dug themselves in a hole by falling behind Cumberland, 14-0. However, running back Billy Cannon scored on a 7-yard run on fourth down with 35 seconds left in the first half, and Millville kept the momentum in the final two quarters while defeating the Colts, 24-14.
"After our first game, we told the kids we don't want to get off to a bad start," Millville coach Tony Surace said. "Our goal was not to fall behind early. So what do we do? To say these have been two unbelievable comebacks in my years is an understatement."
Millville returned just three starters from last year's 6-2-1 squad. Cannon, a two-way performer who already has seven career interceptions, was a starter at defensive back last season; Frank Benevito returned at middle guard, and defensive lineman Ted Georgis was a part-time starter.
Despite the inexperience, the Thunderbolts have a junior-laiden team. The current crop of juniors has not lost a game on other levels, having been undefeated as freshmen and sophomores in junior-varsity play.
RATING THE PLAYERS. While South Jersey's crop of Division I collegiate prospects may not be as plentiful as last year's, there are still quite a few players who qualify.
A Division I assistant coach who is responsible for recruiting in South Jersey recently assessed the talent. The coach, who requested anonymity, rated Woodrow Wilson's Marvin Goodwin, a defensive back and safety, as South Jersey's top prospect.
"He's my top pick because he's big, is a physical guy, a hitter and one heck of an athlete," the coach said. "He's also a very good student. He's big enough to play either free or strong safety in college."
The coach also rated Pennsauken's Scott Gould, a wide receiver and defensive back, very highly. "He's just a tremendous athlete," the coach said. "We like him very much as a defensive back."
Commenting on a Camden defensive lineman, William Davis, the coach said, ''He's probably the most highly touted kid in South Jersey. We like him, but sometimes we would like to see more effort from him. One kid from Camden we really like is the junior George Hegamin. He may be the top prospect around next year."
Hegamin is a 6-foot-8, 335-pound agile defensive lineman who went out for football for the first time this year.
The coach also said that Palmyra's Terrance Benson, who is 6-5 and 280, and Woodrow Wilson's Ernie Brown, 6-5 and 290, have the size to interest Division I schools. Both players are two-way linemen.
Three other players the coach mentioned favorably were a Shawnee linebacker and fullback, Erik Wood; a Shawnee two-way lineman, Geoff Smith, and Delran quarterback John Sacca, the brother of Penn State's Tony Sacca.
"Sacca is one of the top quarterbacks around," the coach said. "He's not as big and doesn't have as strong an arm as his brother, but he has more patience and maybe a better touch."
TOUCHDOWN TALES. During the first full week of the South Jersey football season, two players scored four touchdowns or more.
Middle Township's Jeff Peterson scored four in the Panthers' 38-8 victory over Bristol of Pennsylvania, while Northern Burlington's Juan Dixon scored four in the Greyhounds' 31-20 triumph over Burlington.
In addition, Douglas Burnett of Highland and Damon Brown of Washington Township, as well as Delran's Darrell Parker, scored three touchdowns.
In other action, Bordentown, which had not beaten Florence, a local rival, since 1982, reversed the tide with an 8-0 victory over the Flashes on opening day.
Bordentown's Wilbert Johnson made the most of his two carries. He gained 6 yards on his first carry, and then scored on an 80-yard run.
There was a reason why Johnson did not see more action. After deciding not to play football last year, he went out for the team late in this preseason.
"Wilbert just wasn't ready to carry the ball a lot," Bordentown coach Patrick Lynch said. "We knew in certain instances he could help us out, and he proved that."
During the previous three years, Florence had outscored Bordentown, 110-0.
"It is a big win over a quality program," Lynch said. "Florence is always well-coached and always ready for their first game. We are absolutely ecstatic over this and have worked hard preparing for the game.
"Florence is down. They only have two seniors out for the team, but they are still a quality team, just not like some of the powerful Florence teams of the past."
NOTABLE. Holy Spirit has won 14 consecutive games, and has South Jersey's longest current winning streak. Next are Woodbury, with 13 straight victories, and Buena, with 12. . . . Lenape, the defending Burlington County Liberty Division champion, is 2-0 for the first time since 1984. The Indians, who have triumphed over Cherry Hill West and Rancocas Valley, will host Northern Burlington on Saturday. They have not opened a season with three consecutive victories since 1970.
Cinnaminson, with victories over Palmyra and Triton, is 2-0 for the first time since 1970, when the Pirates won their first four games. . . . Holy Spirit, with a 6-0 triumph over Oakcrest, has now won seven consecutive season openers. . . . Gloucester Catholic extended its opening-day unbeaten streak to 13 games with a 6-6 tie against Cherry Hill West. During that span, the Rams are 11-0-2. The other tie, a 20-20 deadlock with Highland, came in 1982.
Highland's 41-0 triumph over Paul VI marked the first time since 1974 that the Tartans opened the season with a victory. . . . Highland's Ralph Ross, one of the most successful wrestling coaches in South Jersey history, is now an offensive backfield coach for the football team. . . . Haddon Heights' 12-7 victory over West Deptford was the Garnet's first opening-day triumph since the team defeated Collingswood, 43-0, in 1974.
Paulsboro's 7-0 loss to Collingswood was only the Red Raiders' second opening-game defeat in this decade, and the first since 1980. . . . Delsea presented coach John Oberg with his 200th career victory in South Jersey. . . . Quarterback Norman Frisbey of Woodrow Wilson has thrown seven touchdown passes in his first two games.
Delran Is Racking Up The Points At A Pace Suited For Basketball
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103210131/http://articles.philly.com/1989-10-09/sports/26116633_1_john-sacca-washington-township-bearsBy Don McKee, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: October 09, 1989Looking back at the fourth weekend of football season and taking a look ahead.
In a season where parity has been the keynote, it has taken nearly half the schedule to separate the real contenders from the pretenders.
But a few are starting to emerge. There is no doubt Holy Cross (4-0) is the team to beat in the Burlington County League's Liberty Division. Delsea (3-0) is grabbing the Tri-County Conference, Royal Division by the throat. Buena (3-0) appears headed for its third straight unbeaten conference schedule in the Cape-Atlantic League's National Division.
Woodrow Wilson (3-0) is in a league by itself, although the Tigers remain formally attached to the Olympic Conference National Division. And Delran - 3-0 and outscoring opponents to the tune of 157-13 - may have to forgo the rest of its Burlco Freedom schedule to play Penn State for the Sacca family championship.
There still will be good races in the Colonial Conference, where Collingswood has emerged as a serious challenger to favored Woodbury; in the Olympic American, where Pennsauken, Washington Township and Camden are strong, and in the Cape American, where Millville, Vineland, Ocean City, Egg Harbor Township and Holy Spirit remain tangled.
WINNERS & LOSERS, PART 1:
Delran is killing people, having outscored three straight overmatched opponents with as diversified an offense as there is in South Jersey. The Bears crushed Florence, 53-0, Saturday and now are averaging more than 52 points a game, a decent average for a lot of basketball teams.
That has led to two problems. First, when a team wins so easily, it can't always work on offensive plays the coaching staff would like to try, for fear of rolling up the score too badly.
Second - no matter how you slice it - critics are going to complain about the size of the victories.
"I can't tell yet how good we are," said coach Jim Donoghue, "because we haven't really played anyone yet. We're not even getting a chance to work on the things we need to work on to beat the good teams."
Donoghue said that Delran scored 21 points on its first three offensive plays in a 60-7 opening-day win over Riverside and that the Bears had 21 points after just two offensive plays against Florence Saturday. (A 43-yard run with a blocked punt accounted for the third touchdown).
Delran has two of the premier offensive weapons in South Jersey in quarterback John Sacca (the younger brother of Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca), and in running back Darrell Parker.
"John is such a threat everybody plays us very loosely," Donoghue said. ''The defensive backs and linebackers are back and, with Darrell Parker, if you just give him a crack, he's gone. We have a little draw play, and he hasn't been tackled on it yet in two scrimmages and three games. He went for a 70-yard touchdown on it the other day that got called back."
Regarding the charges that Delran is running up scores, Donoghue is unemotional.
"We threw 10 passes against Riverside and 10 against Florence," he said. ''That's not even a good workout. We can't get better at passing throwing it only 10 times a game. I have five receivers, and I'm not keeping them happy throwing it only 10 times.
"Against Riverside we had our second team and then our third team in, and they still were able to score. What are you gonna tell your underclassmen? Don't run? Don't try?
"On that final touchdown against Florence Saturday, we threw the ball. But they had gotten off a bad punt, and they got hit with an unsportsmanlike- conduct penalty that put the ball on their five-yard line. I let John throw to Darrell, who is nearly unstoppable.
"Maybe that was rubbing it in a little, but it was right at the start of the fourth quarter, and there was a whole quarter left where we didn't pass.
"You hear little things here and there. But I don't think too many people were upset at us beating Florence. If you listen to the people in the stands, they wanted more. When I first got here, we got beat by 50 many times, and nobody felt sorry for us."
WINNERS & LOSERS, PART 2:
When Collingswood coach Bob Barikian sat down last winter to plan for the current season, he realized he had a potential gold mine on defense. He also realized he had a potential disaster on offense.
The Panthers had eight good starters returning to the defense, but had run the error-prone "run-and-shoot" offense the year before. That, Barikian realized, was juggling dynamite.
"We totally revamped our offense," he said last night. "We went to the power I with a double tight end.
"We knew the defense would be strong, so we didn't want to make any mistakes on offense that would cost us games. And, through three weeks now, we've only had one fumble."
Collingswood raised its record to 3-0 last Friday, defeating then-unbeaten Haddon Heights, 14-6. The tailback in the Panther I formation, Darren Wallace, carried 27 times for 109 yards. The senior has rushed for 99, 102 and 109 yards in the three Collingswood victories, and has carried between 24 and 27 times a game.
"As we told the kids in the beginning," Barikian said, "all we need is four yards a play, and to avoid mistakes, to be there at the end."
The Panthers also have a solid offensive line, led by 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle Craig Schuehler, who has been "murdering people," according to Barikian. Schuehler is flanked by guard Mike Taulane and 200-pound tight end Joe Filinuk, both experienced blockers.
"We line Taulane and Filinuk up on either side of Schuehler and just go straight ahead," Barikian said.
Barikian outlined this offensive plan in March, and his team has enthusiastically accepted it. Since spring players have been coming to school at 6 a.m. to lift weights.
"We open the weight room early because nobody has to work or baby-sit younger brothers at 6 a.m.," Barikian said, laughing. "They came all summer, and they're reaping the benefits now. Between the football players and the wrestlers, we have between 30 and 35 people in our weight room every morning."
Collingswood plays host to Gateway (1-2) Friday night and is hoping to open a season with four straight wins for the first time since the 1978 team won its first nine games.
WINNERS & LOSERS, PART 3:
Clearview has won its last two games and has entered the Tri-County Conference Royal Division race. The Pioneers will meet unbeaten Woodstown (3-0) this week, and the winner of that game will be the only remaining challenger to Delsea (3-0 and unscored upon).
Both Delsea and Woodstown were expected to be good, but Clearview is a bit of a surprise.
"We have a lot of new faces," said coach Dan Pidcock. "I would say the reason we're 2-1 is because the younger ball players are coming through both offensively and defensively. We're playing solid football. We're hitting and performing the fundamentals well."
Clearview returned only two starters, center Chris Reuter and tackle Pat Gorman, who is starting for the third year. They have teamed well with a trio of new running backs to give the Pioneers steady offense.
The Burns brothers, senior fullback Andrew and junior halfback Chris, start in the backfield along with junior Bill Coles - the biggest of the trio at 5-9, 150.
"They're small," Pidcock said, "but they run extremely hard. They know how to go to the goal line, and they block very well for each other."
WINNERS & LOSERS, PART 4:
A few teams that have been losing saw some rays of hope this weekend, including Cherry Hill West, Cherry Hill East, Willingboro and Holy Spirit.
West (0-3-1) lost narrowly at No. 10 Highland Friday night, but got an excellent second half from sophomore quarterback Walt Clymer.
He was the third quarterback West used in the 14-6 defeat, replacing senior Steve Cohen, who had replaced starter Mark Cummings.
Cohen had been the starting quarterback in the season's first three games but, according to coach Tom Trotman, Cummings had earned a shot at starting from his play the week before. Cohen, a versatile athlete, was moved to wide receiver.
When Cummings was injured in the first quarter, however, Cohen was moved back to quarterback.
"But we wanted to use Cohen at wide receiver later in the game," Trotman said, "so we went to Clymer. He did well."
In the second half Clymer completed four of five passing attempts for 61 yards. He also scored West's touchdown on a 13-yard bootleg.
*
Holy Spirit was The Inquirer's No. 1 team a year ago, finishing the season 10-0. The year before that the Spartans were 10-1. Spirit hasn't had a whole lot of experience losing games lately, which makes the current 1-2 start harder to swallow.
But the Spartans are taking away some hope from Saturday's 45-22 thrashing by Holy Cross. After allowing Cross to score the game's first 39 points, Spirit rallied to score three touchdowns.
"I felt a lot better after that second half," coach Ed Byrnes said later. ''I saw nothing bad in our second half - and I had seen nothing good in our first half.
"I'm gonna torch that film. I won't even watch that first half again."
Byrnes said he made no adjustments at all at half time, but the plays that had failed before intermission suddenly succeeded in the second half.
"We matured as a team," he said. "We only had two starters back and had to regain the confidence factor. I think we're gonna be fine. We'll see Holy Cross again in the state playoffs."
Willingboro had lost twice to excellent opponents (North Bergen and Holy Cross) and faced unbeaten Shawnee Saturday. The Chimeras got their first victory, 7-6, but their difficulty in scoring points - two touchdowns in three games - remains something of a mystery.
"We haven't really scored in two years," coach Ty Belford said the other day. "It has made me wonder if we shouldn't re-examine everything we're doing."
NOTABLE
* Woodbury crushed Haddonfield, 57-6, Friday night, the worst beating Haddonfield has absorbed in nearly 50 years. A search of records back to 1926 showed only one other game in which Haddonfield surrendered more than 50 points - a 59-0 loss to Collingswood in 1942. Since then, the worst Haddonfield defeat was 45-0 to Haddon Heights in 1973.
* The last time Holy Cross was 4-0 was 1977, when the Lancers went on to finish 9-2 and win the South Jersey Parochial A championship. The 1979 team that also won the Parochial A title started its season 5-0-1, but tied the fourth game after three straight wins.
* Cherry Hill East is 0-3, but the Cougars have lost to No. 2 Pennsauken, No. 10 Highland and No. 4 Washington Township. They should break their mini- losing streak Saturday against Paul VI (0-3).
* Highland is 3-0 and, counting a Thanksgiving Day victory, has won four straight. The last time Highland won four straight games was in 1973, when the Tartans won five straight at one point to finish 7-2. That remains the only winning season in the school's history.
* Glassboro running back Steve Lester is out for the year after suffering a knee injury two weeks ago against Williamstown.
* Woodrow Wilson's Norman Frisbey has thrown 13 touchdown passes in three games. The South Jersey record for touchdown passes in a season is the 25 thrown in 11 games last fall by Cherry Hill East's Glenn Foley. The state record is the 28 thrown in 12 games in 1984 by Franklin Township's Darrin Roberts.
Delran Shuts Out Point Borough
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103121113/http://articles.philly.com/1989-11-19/sports/26140591_1_john-sacca-bears-defenseBy Joe O'Gorman, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: November 19, 1989POINT PLEASANT — The talented Delran High football team turned a chilly November trip to the Jersey shore into just another day at the beach. The Bears easily handled previously unbeaten Point Pleasant Borough, 25-0, yesterday in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 semifinal.
The victory sends the 9-0 Bears, who are ranked third by The Inquirer, into the South Jersey final against Delsea, which defeated Woodstown, 12-7.
Delran used a staunch defense, which came up with a pair of interceptions, a fumble recovery and a safety. The offense got a pair of touchdowns from Darrell Parker, another by Derrick Parker and a Mike Maerten field goal to thwart the Panthers, who came into the contest with an 8-0 mark.
"I was pleased on both sides of the ball," said Delran coach Jim Donoghue, whose team last won the South Jersey crown in 1987. "The way we play it, each side helps the other. Offensively, we're able to sustain drives and keep the other team off the field, and when you put the other team in poor field position, it makes the defense's job easy. Both sides played well; the defense was outstanding."
Point Borough found out just how tough the Bears' defense was on the first series of the game. Despite the help from a penalty, it couldn't generate a first down and was forced to turn the ball over to the Bears.
"We felt they'd have trouble defending the throw," said Donoghue. "We felt thay'd have trouble with our speed if we could get outside quickly. If we could get a lead on them early, we could take them out of their style of play."
The Bears granted the coach his wish and they drove from the Point Borough 45 to the end zone in 12 plays - with Derrick Parker getting the final yard for the touchdown with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left in the initial quarter. The key plays came from quarterback John Sacca, who finished the day with nine completions in 17 attempts for 146 yards. Sacca found Jamie Moore over the middle for 21 yards and Darrell Parker on an 11-yard play to the 1.
"I felt real confident coming into the game," said Sacca. "After we saw the films, we thought we could throw on them. They play pretty deep, so we felt we could throw the underneath patterns."
While the defense had designs on keeping the Panthers bottled up, the offense saw a couple of opportunities go by the board. A drive died at the Point Borough 20-yard line, an interception at the Point Borough 4 stopped another and the clock halted another scoring chance, leaving the Bears with a 7-0 halftime advantage.
"We got the score on the opening drive, then we had a couple of missed opportunites, so I was concerned because that is the kind a game (Point Borough) plays," said Donoghue. "They like to keep the score close and wait for the mistakes. I felt the key was for us to take the second-half kickoff and do something with it."
The Bears did. Sacca hit Dennis Jordan for 11 yards, and Derrick Parker added runs of 18, 4 and 5 yards. Darrell Parker put the Panthers in a 13-0 hole when he scored on a 31-yard run.
"I saw the opening, darted left, broke a tackle and went in," said Darrell. "They were a big team and they hit harder than anyone we've played. It was tough to run. They were a good hitting team."
The Panthers found the Bears can hit just as hard, when Rob Clayton fumbled the kickoff and Delran's Tony Thompson recovered.
"Our defense is pretty good, and we take a lot of pride in it," said Moore, who added an interception. "Our coaches prepared us so well. We knew they weren't going to pass so we could key on one thing."
Behind the play of Moore and Marvin Bussie the Bears limited the grind-it- out offense of Point Borough to 14 yards rushing and 54 yards passing.
Darrell Parker made it 20-0 with 1:35 left in the third period on a 2-yard run. But, it was a fourth-down completion to Brian Gorman for 30 yards that put the Bears in position to score.
"The bottom line was our speed and quickness," said Donoghue. "Darrell and Derrick had their usual day. John (Sacca) performed well in a tricky wind and Brian Gorman turned a few catches into big gains."
After a 22-yard field goal by Maerten, the Bears capped off the scoring when Moore tackled Dan Burns in the end zone for a safety.
"We ran a crossfire and knew we could get the safety," said Moore. ''Marvin (Bussie) almost had it on the play before, then I just beat them for the safety."
Delsea Vs. Delran: A Perfectionist's Dream
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922092553/http://articles.philly.com/1989-11-29/sports/26136634_1_playoff-tradition-teams-delseaBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: November 29, 1989Undefeated teams will compete for the South Jersey Group 2 football title for the second straight year when Delsea plays host to Delran in a matchup of 10-0 teams at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Both teams remain strong contenders for No. 1 ranking in The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 10. Delran is rated No. 2, and Delsea is No. 4.
Last year, Buena gained a 21-0 victory over Salem in the Group 2 championship game. This year's battle of the unbeatens should be much closer, however.
BACKGROUND. Delsea, coached by the veteran John Oberg, has been one of the most successful playoff teams in South Jersey history. The Crusaders have won five playoff titles, a record they share with Paulsboro of Group 1 and Bishop Eustace of Parochial B.
Delsea has qualified for the playoffs nine times and is 5-0 in championship games.
The Crusaders' overall playoff record is 11-3. They won Group 2 championships in 1976, 1982, 1984 and 1986. Delsea also won the Group 3 title in 1979. The Crusaders advanced to this year's final by defeating Woodstown, 12-7.
Delran is not as steeped in playoff tradition. But the Bears are the only local team that has appeared in more than one playoff and still remains unbeaten in postseason play.
The Bears won the Group 2 title in 1987 under their current coach, Jim Donoghue. They won this year's semifinal over previously unbeaten Point Pleasant Borough, 25-0, to run their playoff record to 3-0.
Delran has been one of South Jersey's most successful teams in the last four seasons. The Bears have won 34 of their last 39 games, and, with a victory Saturday, would have their second 11-0 season in the last three years.
Oberg is the most successful coach in South Jersey's modern history. Now in his 30th year with the program he founded in 1960, Oberg has won 209 games while at Delsea and 218 in his scholastic career. Only Howard "Skeets" Irvine ever won more in South Jersey, winning 223 games at Collingswood before his death in 1948.
PERSONNEL. Delsea uses the Delaware wing-T. The leader of the potent running attack is tailback Keith Alba, who has gained 1,189 yards on 142 carries and has scored 15 touchdowns, 14 of them rushing. Jamiel Josey, who gained 108 yards rushing in the semifinal victory over Woodstown, is another explosive offensive weapon.
Bryan Scott, known more for his big-play ability as a runner, guides the team at quarterback. Delsea uses two tight ends, Joe Kelly and Rashaan Josey, the twin brother of Jamiel. Kevin Fennal is the wingback.
Delsea has a decided size advantage on the offensive line. Anchoring the veteran group is center Dave Halikman. The guards are Vince Doyle and Brian Zimmer, and Larry Willis and Gregg Dare are the tackles.
Delsea's 5-3 defense is led by Dare at middle linebacker. He has 84 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. The outside linebackers are Thamon Wright and Chris Funk.
Zimmer heads the defensive line from his nose guard position. The other linemen are Andre Ray and Kelly, the ends, and Willis and Halikman, the tackles. Fennal and Jonas Barbaro share time at one cornerback spot, while Rashaan Josey is at the other. Earl Simmons is the free safety.
Delran's pro-set offense is run by quarterback John Sacca, who has completed 77 of 115 passes for 1,081 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The running backs are Darrell and Derrick Parker, who are twins. They have combined for 33 touchdowns - 21 by Darrell, who also has gained 840 yards on 102 carries. Derrick has gained 599 yards on 125 chances.
Brian Gorman, who has caught seven touchdown passes, is one of South Jersey's most sure-handed receivers. Dennis Jordan is another member of a talented group of Delran receivers, and Jamie Moore gives Sacca a good target from his tight end position.
The offensive line, which began the season without a single returning starter, has formed into a cohesive unit. The all-junior line is anchored by tackles Sean Duff and Dan Garant. Joe Theis is the center, and the guards are Miguel Ribeiro and Chris Bayne.
The leader of the 5-2 defense is Moore, who also is a linebacker and one of two starters remaining from the 1987 championship team. Darrell Parker fills the other linebacker spot.
Nose guard Marvin Bussie leads the front line. Nate Hemsley and Mike Fisher are the ends, and Duff and Chan Chung occupy the tackle positions.
Sacca, a starter on defense for the 1987 team, heads the defensive backfield from his free safety position. Dave Harris, Derrick Parker and Gorman round out the secondary.
Delran has the special-teams advantage in placekicker Mike Maerten, who has five field goals and 38 conversions. Delsea, on the other hand, does not employ a kicker for conversions.
OUTLOOK. Besides Sacca and Moore, Delran has two players who were reserves on the 1987 team - Gorman and Bussie. Delsea's last playoff appearance came in 1986, when the current seniors were freshmen, so none of them has experience in a championship game.
"I think having a few guys who went through a title game before is a big help," said Donoghue. "There's a feeling among this group that they know what they have to accomplish, and they have gone out and done it. There hasn't been one game this year where we have come out flat."
The game is a classic matchup of the size of Delsea against the speed of Delran. However, as Delsea coach Oberg correctly observes: "We may not be as quick as Delran, but we're not exactly slow."
While Delsea is basically a running team, Delran offers the type of balanced attack that gives even top-flight defenses fits.
"We have a lot of weapons," said Donoghue. "A lot of teams have gone into games trying to stop our pass, and we have defeated them with the run. We've run the ball much better than I anticipated. I knew that Darrell and Derrick were great backs, but our offensive line has been a pleasant surprise."
Delsea must keep the Delran offense off the field by playing vintage Crusaders football - ball-control.
"We have got to hold the ball, take it and go eight minutes - and mix in a few passes along the way," said Oberg. "They are the quickest team we'll see all year. Sacca can really throw the ball, and they have four or five top receivers - and the Parkers are excellent runners. We will have our work cut out for us."
The statistics suggest it could be a high-scoring game, but in this case, the statistics may lie. Delran is averaging 38.2 points per game, while yielding an average of 4.3. Delsea is averaging 38.4 points, while allowing just 5.5.
"Normally speaking, championship games are low-scoring," said Donoghue, whose team beat Sterling, 20-0, in the 1987 title contest. "As coaches, you usually take fewer risks in the title game and become more conservative. When you have two good defenses against two good offenses, the defense usually dictates the game."
The teams appear to be as closely matched as their records and rankings indicate. Give Delran a slight edge for its more diversified attack, but the game will probably be decided by a touchdown or less.
Which makes it a tossup.
Sacca, Delran Rock Delsea, 28-8, For Title
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228081409/http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-03/sports/26156928_1_john-sacca-delsea-sectional-championshipBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: December 03, 1989Juniors Darrell and Derrick Parker, the Delran High twins who developed into two of South Jersey's most dangerous running backs this year, were held to a combined total of 60 rushing yards in yesterday's South Jersey Group 2 championship game at Delsea.
But it didn't matter.
It didn't matter because Delran senior quarterback John Sacca scored two touchdowns and threw for nearly 200 yards - including a 7-yard TD pass to Brian Gorman - to lead the Bears to an impressive 28-8 victory.
With 3,000 fans watching at Delsea's wind-swept field, Delran:
* Ended its second 11-0 season in the last three years.
* Won its second Group 2 title. The 1987 team - led by Sacca's brother, Tony, who is now quarterbacking at Penn State - also won the sectional crown.
* Staked a claim to the No. 1 spot in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings. Delran, which outscored its opponents by a staggering 409-51 margin this season, is currently ranked No. 2. Woodrow Wilson (11-0), which will play at Lacey Township (10-0) in Saturday's Group 3 final, is ranked No. 1.
* Handed No. 4 Delsea (10-1) its first loss of the season - and its first- ever defeat in a sectional championship game. Delsea had been 5-0 in sectional finals, including four in Group 2.
John Sacca completed 13 of 20 passes for 182 yards to pace the Bears, whose defense was anchored by linebacker Jamie Moore and nose tackle Marvin Bussie.
Delran held an advantage in total yardage (262-129) and first downs (14-8), as it recorded its 35th win in its last 40 games.
"They're the best team we've seen, by far," said Delsea coach John Oberg. ''They might even be the best in South Jersey."
Added Oberg, who said he probably will be back for his 31st season at Delsea next year, "We took them out of their running game, but that's what makes them such a great team - they can beat you in a lot of ways."
First, Delran showcased its defense late in yesterday's first quarter.
Delsea, with tailback Keith Alba (14 carries for 30 yards) breaking off 11- and 15-yard runs, drove to the Delran 2. The drive had started at the Delsea 47 following a blocked punt by the Crusaders' Andre Ray.
But after reaching the Delran 4, Nate Hemsley, Darrell Parker, Chan Chung and Sean Duff made important tackles on three Delsea running plays, limiting the Crusaders to only two more yards. Then, after an offside penalty pushed Delsea back to the 7, quarterback Bryan Scott (5 of 12 for 40 yards passing) was sacked by Hemsley for a 5-yard loss on fourth down.
"I think that turned the game around," said Sacca, who also starred at safety.
Midway through the second quarter, a shanked punt (into the wind) put Delran on the Delsea 18. Five plays later, Sacca, running an option to his left and using Darrell Parker as a decoy, scored on a 5-yard run. Mike Maerten, who finished with 42 conversion kicks - one shy of the South Jersey record - booted the first of his four extra points.
With 1 minute, 11 seconds left in the half, Gorman - a shifty 5-foot-7, 150-pound senior who made five catches for 46 yards - capped an eight-play, 54-yard drive by grabbing a 7-yard TD pass in the left corner of the end zone. It was Gorman's eighth TD reception of the season and it helped Delran build a 14-0 halftime lead.
Delsea, on its first possession of the second half, covered 75 yards on 10 plays. Junior Earl Simmons finished the drive by scoring on a 32-yard sweep. Simmons, though not the intended receiver, then caught the conversion pass after it was deflected by linebacker Darrell Parker.
Suddenly, Delsea was within 14-8 with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
But Sacca ran for 16 yards and completed three passes (for 50 yards) during Delran's ensuing drive. Sacca, again using Darrell Parker as a decoy, scored on a 5-yard option run around right end. Maerten's kick made it 21-8.
With 8:35 left in the game, Darrell Parker - who gained 51 yards on nine carries while his brother, Derrick, gained 9 yards on nine carries - finally broke loose, securing the win with a 35-yard touchdown run.
Sterling Grad Calvin Cass Pounds Out Yards For Army
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228135242/http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-09/sports/26156059_1_penn-state-sterling-army-navyBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: December 09, 1989Army junior Calvin Cass of Sterling is expected to have a big role in today's traditional Army-Navy game. Cass is in his second year as a starting halfback. Last year, he rushed for 582 yards. This season, in 10 games, he has gained 655 yards in 100 carries for a team-leading 6.55 yards per carry.
Cass has scored seven touchdowns rushing and two more receiving. He was the only member of last year's offensive backfield to start all 12 games, and he hasn't missed a start this season for the 6-4 Cadets.
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Villanova senior defensive lineman Paul Franco of Wildwood has been selected second-team All-Yankee Conference. Franco started all 12 games for the 8-4 Wildcats and was involved in 63 tackles.
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Juniata junior placekicker John O'Neill of Cherokee finished the season connecting on 5 of 7 field-goal attempts and 10 of 13 conversions. For his career, he has kicked 16 field goals and added 34 conversions.
Penn State senior linebacker Andre Collins of Cinnaminson has been selected to play in the Japan Bowl all-star game on Jan. 13 in Yokohama.
Collins, a first team all-America selection by the Football Writers Association, has 130 tackles, the third highest single-season total in Penn State history. He also had two sacks, two tackles for losses, three caused fumbles and one interception. He also has broken up six passes.
Gerry Collins, Andre's brother, also of Cinnaminson, is the Nittany Lions' second leading rusher. He has gained 293 yards on 62 carries for a 4.7 average and one touchdown.
Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca, a sophomore from Delran, has completed 56 of 137 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns.
BASKETBALL
Last year, Michael Edwards was competing for one of the top basketball teams in New Jersey, state Group 3 champion Eastern High. This season, the 5- foot-11 point guard is a key reserve on the top-rated college basketball team in the country, Syracuse.
In his first four games, last year's Inquirer player of the year was averaging 14.8 minutes, 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Despite losing an 80-50 decision to Philadelphia Textile, West Chester University received a strong performance from Matt James, a senior from Wildwood. James scored 10 points and added five assists for the Golden Rams.
Monmouth College junior Dave Calloway of St. Joseph was averaging 18.3 points per game after the Hawks' first three contests. Calloway, who led the nation last year in three-point shooting percentage, was 11 for 21 (52.4 percent) from three-point territory in the first three games.
Monmouth sophomore Alex Sturm of Cherry Hill West also started the Hawks' first three games. Sturm was averaging 3.3 points and three rebounds.
Stockton State senior Pat Holden of Lower Cape May scored 25 points and went over the 1,000-point career scoring mark in a 79-72 win over Millersville. Holden, who played two seasons for Trenton State before transferring to Stockton, was leading the Ospreys in scoring with an average of 18.3 points per game and in assists with four per contest.
Philadelphia Pharmacy guard Phil Rocco of Bishop Eustace was named to the all-tournament team at the Westminister Rotary Tournament hosted by Western Maryland. For the two-day tournament, the 6-foot-3 junior scored 26 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and led PCPS with four three-point field goals.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Even though Fairleigh Dickinson dropped a heartbreaking 67-63 decision to Princeton, FDU received encouraging performances from two area freshmen.
Guard Donna Schules of Paul VI had six points, two assists and three steals in 25 minutes. Rita Bernert, a freshman from Bishop Eustace, scored eight points and added one assist in 21 minutes.
St. Joseph's senior Jeanine Reynolds of Washington Township was averaging 13 minutes a game coming off the bench for the Hawks. She was averaging 8.7 points, while shooting 54.2 percent (13 for 24) from the field in the Hawks' first three games.
After her first three games, Lehigh senior Jeanne Mooney of Collingswood was the East Coast Conference's second-leading scorer, averaging 19.7 points. Fellow Lehigh senior Sherie Androlewicz of Paul VI was seventh in the ECC in scoring with an average of 17.3. She also was second in assists, averaging 7.7 per game, and steals, with an average of three per game.
Mooney was first and Androlewicz was second in three-point field-goal percentage. Mooney was shooting 38.5 percent (hitting 5 of 13 shots) while Androlewicz was second, hitting 4 of 11 for a 36.4 percentage.
West Chester University sophomore Kristin Lee of Triton scored 11 points in the Golden Rams' recent 90-78 win over Molloy.
MISCELLANY
East Stroudsburg heavyweight wrestler Doug Arena of Paul VI has compiled a 4-2 record in his first six bouts.
Muhlenberg sophomore Jamie Baraldi of Edgewood earned his first varsity soccer letter. Baraldi scored one goal and one assist for the 18-2 Mules.
The men's swimming team at Glassboro State received standout performances from a number of area underclassmen in a recent 126-82 win over Rutgers Camden. Freshmen Joe Semus of Millville and Fred Burwell of Atlantic City each took first place in two events. Semus won the 200-meter individual medley and 200-meter backstroke and Burwell was first in the 200 and 500 freestyle.
Scott Hughes, a freshman from Millville, won the 1,000 freestyle and was third in the 100 freestyle. Jim Dallett, a sophomore from Vineland, won the 100 freestyle.
Jamie Edelman, a freshman from Cherokee, finished second in the 200 freestyle and 200 breaststroke. Phil Hinman, a freshman from Highland, was second in the 200 backstroke.
Seasoned Players Give Bears Strength
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103080108/http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-13/news/26157841_1_shooting-guard-bears-backcourt-leadershipBy Ken Glick, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: December 13, 1989Jim Weber isn't a talkative man by nature. The Delran girls' basketball coach prefers to let his players make their own statements on the court.
Over the last 11 seasons, the Bears' teams have been successful at this, compiling a .752 winning percentage under Weber.
Last year was the first time since 1984 that Delran failed to win 20 games - the Bears won only 19, hardly cause for their Burlington County Freedom Division rivals to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Six of the eight roster players are returning letterwinners, making up a frontline that averages 5 feet, 10 inches.
The Bears missed tying for the Freedom Division title with Bordentown by one game last season, following a South Jersey Group 2 championship in 1988.
COACH. Weber has a career mark of 218-72, one of the top winning records in South Jersey basketball. He begins his 12th season as head coach. Don Constantin joins him as an assistant this year along with veteran Pete Miles.
LAST SEASON. The Bears ranked second in the Freedom at 15-3, and were 19-7 overall. They came within one step of getting to the state Group 2 championship game, beating Collingswood and upsetting Buena before losing to Freedom rival Burlington City in the semifinals.
PLAYERS LOST. Only two players graduated, 5-8 center Kim Rodano (15 points, 9 rebounds per game) and 5-5 shooting guard Sherri Watson (14 points per game). Rodano was a first-team all-Freedom Burlington County all-star. Watson earned honorable mention as an all-star and now plays for Burlington County College. Both were key leaders down the stretch.
PLAYERS RETURNING. Starting at center will be 5-10 senior Sherry Saul, "a good rebounder and good shooter inside close," Weber said.
Alicia Keeports, a 5-10 junior, will play one of the forward spots. She averaged 12 points a game last year and could back up Saul at center. "We're very happy with her. She really came into her own last year," Weber said.
Another 5-10 veteran, senior Rose Layne (7 points, 8 rebounds per game) can play both forward positions, but Weber hasn't decided which one yet. "She's very quick, jumps well, has a good shot and is a hustler."
The backcourt leadership will be handled by 5-6 senior point guard Sandy Dickson, a three-year starter. Sophomore Michele Bailey, a 5-7 shooting guard- forward (10 points per game), has good range out to 15 feet and can either start or come off the bench. Junior forward-guard Cara Slominski, at 5-8, is an excellent rebounder and defender but missed most of last season due to illness.
NEWCOMERS. Ileana Sanchez, a 5-6 shooting guard who played well for the junior varsity team, is Weber's first choice to start next to Dickson in the backcourt. "She's a good ballhandler with a good short jumper," Weber said. Adding more depth upfront is sophomore Andrea Landis, a 5-9 forward-center whom Weber likes as a strong rebounder.
OUTLOOK. The Bears play a strong man-to-man defense and excel at cutting down the passing lanes. Height advantage and jumping ability make for a superior inside game. Delran is also an excellent foul-shooting team.
"I was pleased with what the kids did last year, when we had a lot of inexperience," Weber said. "This year we have a little more depth and that will help."
Florence, Bordentown and Moorestown are all contenders, but look for the Bears to return to 20-win form this year and challenge for the Freedom Division title.
Paulsboro Pair Set To Finish With Flair
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018141758/http://articles.philly.com/1990-02-22/sports/25881223_1_district-crowns-state-championship-wrestlerBy Gus Ostrum, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: February 22, 1990With the District 29 wrestling championships scheduled for Gloucester County College this weekend, Paulsboro High's Duke DiJoseph and Ricky Tucker will begin the long road toward possible state championships.
Both DiJoseph, a senior 119-pounder, and Tucker, a senior 145-pounder, have come close in state competition in the past. In the coming month, the two Red Raiders, who helped their team win an eighth consecutive Group 1 state championship last weekend at Roselle Park, will be looking to finish the job.
DiJoseph (26-0) is considered one of the top 119-pounders in the state, as he finished fourth in the state as a sophomore at Cumberland and won Region 8 championships as a sophomore and a junior.
DiJoseph is the top seed in District 29, and might face a difficult championship match if he faces second-seeded Demea Heyward (14-1) of West Deptford. Heyward won both District 29 and Region 8 crowns last season.
"This will be a tough weekend for Duke, and he's not taking it lightly," Paulsboro coach Paul Morina said. "Heyward is a tough wrestler, and Duke expects some tough competition."
DiJoseph, who has a career record of 98-15, will try to become the 18th wrestler in South Jersey history to reach 100 career wins this weekend. This season, he has survived some tough battles, beating Delaware Valley's highly touted Brian Conly, 13-2, in Caldwell's tournament and winning the 119-pound title at the Deep Creek tournament in Virginia.
Tucker (25-0), who finished fourth in the state at 145 last season, is the top seed at 145 in District 29. If he gets past the districts, he will most certainly face tough competition from Delsea's Dan DeSilvio and Highland's Etienne Miszczak in the Region 8 meet the following weekend.
"How I do in the districts and regions will be a good indication of how well I can do upstate," Tucker said. "South Jersey is really tough this season, but I'm confident I can pull away and win the districts and regions. My goal is to win a state championship, but it's going to be long, hard road."
The Red Raiders will also have several other wrestlers looking to win district crowns, including 140-pounder Matt Suter (21-3-1), 152-pounder Larry DeVault (19-3), 160-pounder Joe Bucco (19-3-1), and heavyweight Rob Burnett (11-1-1).
DISTRICTS THIS WEEKEND
The districts will be this weekend at various sites around the state. Wrestlers who place in the top three of each weight class will advance to the regional tournaments March 2-3.
The districts will be held Friday evening and all day and evening Saturday at these locations:
District 25: Hamilton East High.
District 26: Rancocas Valley High.
District 27: Moorestown High.
District 28: Pennsauken High.
District 29: Gloucester County College.
District 30: Overbrook High.
District 31: Buena High.
District 32: Absegami High.
Wrestlers who place in the top three in each weight class in Districts 25 through 28 will advance to the Region 7 tournament on March 2-3 at Eastern Regional High. Those placing in the top three in each weight class in Districts 29 through 32 will advance to the Region 8 tournament at Absegami High. Team championships will also be awarded in the districts this weekend.
Last season's Region 8 tournament produced a South Jersey-record five individual state champions at Princeton University's Jadwin Gym, while Region 7 produced two state titlists.
The lone returning state champion from South Jersey is Ocean City junior Patrick Lynch, who will attempt to win a District 32 crown at 171 pounds this weekend.
Other state place-winners from last season who are looking for district crowns are Delsea's Dom DeSilvio (189) in District 31, Paulsboro's Ricky Tucker (145) in District 29, Delran's Nate Lashley (130) in District 27, Highland's Ken Johnson (152) in District 30, Haddon Township's Brian Farnham (112) in District 28, and Pemberton's Kemal Pegram (160) in District 25.
NEARLY PERFECT IN PLAYOFFS
In the 11-year history of state playoff competition in wrestling, Paulsboro High has been nearly flawless.
The Red Raiders, who have won eight consecutive NJSIAA Group 1 championships, have compiled a 39-1 overall record since 1979-1980. Their only loss was to Roselle Park, 29-24, in the Group 1 state title match in February 1982.
Since that defeat, which was in the first-ever state championship match, no one has come close to beating the Red Raiders. Only sectional playoffs were held in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981.
Paulsboro returned to Roselle Park on Saturday and routed the host team, 56-7, in the state semifinals, and Bernards, 63-3, in the final to win its eighth consecutive championship.
During Saturday's romp to the state title, Paulsboro nearly recorded another first when it came close to shutting out Bernards. The Raiders built a 57-0 lead before losing in the 189-pound match.
"We've picked each other up all season long, and Saturday was no exception," Paulsboro coach Paul Morina said. "That was the best we've wrestled all year."
The Raiders finished with a 20-1 overall record and the No. 1 position in The Inquirer's South Jersey wrestling rankings. They will lose just three seniors, and appear a cinch to continue their dominance in state playoff competition next season.
SUPERB SEASON
Eastern High coach John Sanders and 119-pounder Mike Pierce aren't down about last week's 34-29 loss to Highland in the South Jersey Group 3 championship bout.
Eastern (19-2) had defeated the Tartans, 45-27, during the regular season and was heavily favored to win the sectional crown. But Highland, which had been victimized by seven pins in the first meeting, turned the tables on the Vikings to advance to the state Group 3 semifinal last weekend.
"We had a lot of little things go wrong, and our big guns didn't pick up enough points," Pierce said. "We're in a state of shock, but this loss doesn't take away from the great season we had."
Sanders insisted that it was difficult to beat any playoff team twice in one season.
"I was very leery about having to wrestle Highland," Sanders said. "How many teams beat them once in a season, let alone twice? They have enough quality kids to get by, and their coaching staff made enough adjustments this time to put it to us."
Sanders said had his Vikings advance to the state Group 3 tournament at Voorhees High, they would have made out very well. But Highland lost a tough 30-29 decision to High Point in the semifinals before finishing third with a 52-15 win over Cedar Ridge.
"If we had gone upstate, we would have been very competitive, Sanders said. "Even though we lost to Highland in the sectionals, my team is capable of beating anyone in the state on any given day, just as Highland is."
LOOKING FOR FIRST CROWN
Despite placing sixth in the state at 189 pounds last season, Dom DeSilvio has never won either a District 31 or Region 8 championship in his four-year career.
DeSilvio, who has a 19-2 record this season, should have little trouble winning a district crown this weekend at Buena High, where he is the top seed in his weight class.
"It's ironic that Dom is definitely one of the best 189-pounders in the state, yet he's never won a district championship," Delsea coach Steve Iles said. "He certainly wants to fill that gap this weekend at Buena."
In last season's District 31 189-pound title bout, DeSilvio lost a 6-5 decision to Pennsville's Chris Widger, whom he had defeated during the regular season.
DeSilvio, whose brother, Dan, is 23-0 at 145 pounds for Delsea, helped the Crusaders win the South Jersey Group 2 crown, and place second in the state in Group 2 to Delaware Valley last weekend.
Once Again, Delran Is The Team To Beat
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151231154126/http://articles.philly.com/1990-03-21/sports/25902805_1_bases-freedom-coaches-bearsBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: March 21, 1990Although it may be difficult to name all the major contenders in the Burlington County Freedom baseball race, there's no mistaking the prohibitive favorite.
Delran High, which has won three consecutive Freedom titles and 31 straight league games, enters the season not only as the clear-cut favorite, but the Bears also could challenge for the No. 1 position in South Jersey.
Maple Shade and Florence should emerge as the main challengers, and Burlington, Riverside and Palmyra appear capable of producing winning teams. The only team with a new coach is Palmyra, where Mike Tumelty takes over for Greg Ogden.
Moorestown returns only two starters, but one is Karl Lodgek, who should be one of the league's premier pitchers. The Quakers probably won't contend for the title, but any day Lodgek is pitching, they are a serious threat to win.
Northern Burlington, Burlington Township and Bordentown seem headed for rebuilding seasons.
Delran coach Rich Bender, who enters his 15th season with a 210-114 career record, returns nine starters from a 22-3 team that finished seventh in the final Inquirer South Jersey Top 10 and lost to Pennsville in the South Jersey Group 2 title game. Bender is assisted by By Hopkins, who spent the last 18 years as the head coach at Willingboro.
With two pitchers who combined for 20 wins last year, Delran's biggest challenge may be fighting complacency. Senior Mike Maerten earned second-team all-South Jersey honors after posting a 10-1 record and 1.15 ERA, and junior Mike Martin was 10-1 with an 0.91 ERA.
But the Bears have much more than pitching. Returning first-team all- Freedom selections Brian Gorman and John Sacca lead the offense. Gorman, a senior shortstop, hit .385 with a team-leading 29 stolen bases. Sacca, who catches and plays first base, batted .338 with 25 stolen bases and 19 RBIs.
In addition, Delran was successful in 123 of 134 stolen-base attempts.
With such imposing statistics, it's not surprising that the Bears were Freedom coaches' unanimous choice as league favorite. Bender doesn't discourage the selection.
"We have experience, pitching, defense," said the Delran coach, whose team has appeared in three consecutive sectional finals. "We had 25 players hitting, lifting, running on their own since September. We are bigger, stronger, quicker and more experienced. We'll see the results on the playing field. They are great kids, with exceptional attitudes."
BORDENTOWN. Coach: Patrick Lynch (3d year), 14-20 record. Last year: 4-12 overall, 4-12 division (7th place). Key returning players: P-3B John Hardesky; 2B Mike McDermott; OF Brian Guire; SS Rob Mercantini. Promising newcomers: C Bill Nelson; 3B-P Dave Burton. Outlook: The Scotties don't have enough experience to be mentioned with the league's elite teams. Improving last year's record would be a good accomplishment.
BURLINGTON. Coach: Bruce McCutcheon (15th year), 156-111 record. Last year: 11-7 overall, 10-5 division (tied for 2d place). Key returning players: C Steve Hesson (.325); 1B Jeff Waters (.400); 2B Pat Chester (.320); P Rob Warren (4-2); 3B Eric Massimi (.300). Promising newcomers: P Frank Fiorelli (7-2 on junior varsity); SS-P George Camac (.450 on jayvee last year). Outlook: McCutcheon will have a potent offense, but pitching is still a question. If Fiorelli can match his jayvee production of last year, and if Warren becomes a consistent No. 1 pitcher, the Blue Devils could improve on last year's record and might contend for the league title.
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP. Coach: Mike Pisa (10th year), 94-72 record. Last year: 3-11 overall, 3-9 league (9th place). Key returning players: C Mike Parker; P Steve Malloy; P Mike Gollnick; SS Rich Sullivan; 1B Mike Gavio. Promising newcomers: INF Brian Adams; OF Matt Kensler; P Ray Stewart. Outlook: The Falcons hope for improvement, but with such a young team it will be difficult to move up too far in the standings. This is a team to watch for the future, especially if freshmen Adams, Kensler and Stewart get good experience at the varsity level this year.
DELRAN. Coach: Rich Bender (15th year), 210-114 record. Last year: 22-3 overall, 15-0 division (1st place). Key returning players: P-3B Mike Maerten (10-1, 1.15 ERA, .392 batting average); P-RF Mike Martin (10-1, 0.91 ERA, 61 strikeouts); 1B-C John Sacca (.338); SS Brian Gorman (.385); 2B Ryan Kakowski (.304); OF Greg Lewis (.263); C-DH Chris Bayne (.269). Promising newcomers: C Tom Kelvey; 3B Ray Skorney; 1B-DH Bill Jesunos; OF Todd Knorr. Outlook: The Bears are the heavy favorite to win their fourth consecutive league crown. One key will be developing a third pitcher to complement Maerten and Martin, but all the other ingredients are there.
FLORENCE. Coach: Jim Maher (4th year), 37-29 record. Last year: 11-9 overall, 10-5 division (tied for 2d place). Key returning players: SS Travis Corson (.254, 19 runs, 13 RBIs); P-1B Troy Ingham (3-0, 3.48); RF-3B Cary Silinsky (.284, 2 HR, 17 RBIs); C Darren Hines (.286 12 RBIs); P-OF Chris Campbell. Promising newcomers: P Scott Pullen; P-OF Brandon Opne; OF Shawn Warner; C-1B Keith Scully; P-DH Ray Heflin; 2B Mike Farr; OF Joe Gadbois; INF Mike Scott. Outlook: Though Maher returns only four starters, Florence could contend if the pitching comes along. A key will be Pullen, who won five games on a jayvee team that went 11-3 last year. The Flashes will be a much better team in the second half of the season, when some of last year's jayvee players gain experience.
MAPLE SHADE. Coach: Jim Varsaci (7th year), 67-50 record. Last year: 11-7 overall, 9-6 division (tied for 4th place). Key returning players: OF Anthony Cerasi (.419); OF Jason Ballantine (.345); 3B-OF Bill Winkler; P-OF-INF Bill Weingartner (two-year record: 12-5, 2.71 ERA, 133 striketous); OF-SS Kevin Nehring (.359); 1B Mark Furphy (.318). Promising newcomers: P-INF Dan Wolfinger; C Ray Bruce; OF Vince Bartnolf; P-2B Dave Bimmer. Outlook: The Wildcats, though not the favorites, should be prime contenders. Weingartner, a junior, is one of the premier pitchers in the division, and Wolfinger, a transfer from Philadelphia's North Catholic, should be a big addition.
MOORESTOWN. Coach: Jeff Hadden (7th year), 57-53 record. Last year: 6-9 overall, 5-8 division (6th place). Key returning players: P-3B Karl Lodgek (3-4, 2.81 ERA); C Andy Sundstrom (.270); INF John Ravikio; INF Mike Green; INF Dave Govito. Promising newcomers: P-OF Jeff Legath; P Mike Griffis; INF-OF Mike Lomvrno. Outlook: They lack enough experience to contend for the title, but the Quakers could vie for a .500 record. With Lodgek on the mound, the Quakers will be in most games. However, Lodgek and Sundstrom are the only returning starters, and in this division, experience is almost mandatory for survival.
NORTHERN BURLINGTON. Coach: Carmine Pastore (3d year), 21-22 record. Last year: 4-13 overall, 2-11 division (10th place). Key returning players: C-SS Chris Matthews; 2B-SS Chris Jackson; OF John Salter; P-OF Rich Simone; P-OF Andy Ellis; OF Will Klentzcris. Promising newcomers: 1B-OF Joe Kucowski; 2B-3B Craig Shaw; P-3B Randy Feig. Outlook: The Greyhounds will again have trouble competing in the Freedom. Pitching is a question mark, and the loss of junior shortstop Brian Wilson with a knee injury will hurt the offense. Moving a step up in the standings would be a good accomplishment.
PALMYRA. Coach: Mike Tumelty (1st year). Last year: 14-9 overall, 9-6 division (tied for 4th). Key returning players: SS Kevin Walsh (.355); C-2B Larry Pross (.414); P-3B Jeff Patchel (.375); OF Hugh O'Brian; C Adam Cowchak. Promising newcomers: P-2B Chris Bailey; P-OF Dave Guzman; P-1B Chris Small. Outlook: The Panthers appear headed for another winning record, but they can't be regarded as a major contender because of questions about the pitching staff. If some of the junior-varsity products produce on the mound, Palmyra could become an outside contender.
RIVERSIDE. Coach: John Miranda (2d year), 8-10 record. Last year: 8-10 overall, 3-8 division (8th place). Key returning players: P-3B John Garvey (.290); C Derrick Maruski (.310, 22 SB); OF Ed Kenney (.457); OF Ricky Loveland (.273, 15 SB); 1B Greg Davidson (.357); SS-P Joe Doherty (.340); 2B Mike Garbett. Promising newcomers: P-3B Steve Elliott; DH Jeff Newman; C Brian Mitchell; P-SS Mike Tuscano. Outlook: Riverside has the offense to match most teams, but pitching is a question mark. Garvey is the only experienced pitcher, and if Miranda can develop some dependable starters, Riverside should produce a winning record.
Grappling With Some Post-tourney Questions
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160104023807/http://articles.philly.com/1990-03-21/sports/25901492_1_ocean-city-state-regional-championBy Don McKee, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: March 21, 1990The NJSIAA individual tournament that ended Saturday provided answers to all the usual questions. Here are a few more questions - and answers.
Question - Can Patrick Lynch break the new state record for victories in a career?
Answer - Certainly.
Lynch, an Ocean City junior, ended the season with 98 victories. Johnny Gardner of High Point finished his brilliant career Saturday with the 189- pound championship and the state record of 131 wins.
Lynch entered the state tournament at 31-0 for the season. Presuming Ocean City wrestles a similar schedule next winter, he could enter next March's state tournament with 129 career victories. If he again gets a bye as a regional champion - and he has won Region 8 for three years - he will have four more potential bouts, giving him a possible total of 133 wins. And if Ocean City should qualify for the Group 3 team tournament next February, he could wrestle up to four additional bouts.
Lynch has won 67 straight bouts since losing in the state tournament wrestlebacks as a freshman. The existing South Jersey record of 125 victories, set by Highland's Joe Melchiorre in 1983, is in jeopardy.
Q - What was the biggest surprise of the state tournament?
A - Probably the performance of two precocious freshmen from Region 8 - Matt Suter of Paulsboro and Lee Moorer of Penns Grove. Each advanced to the semifinals before losing to an eventual state champion.
Suter entered the tournament as the region champion at 140 pounds and won two bouts before running into Kittatinny's Steve Dalling. He lost to Dalling by 9-7 and finished sixth overall. His final record was 30-6-1.
Moorer was the runner-up at 103 pounds in Region 8 and entered the state round with a 25-7 record. He caught fire at Princeton and won three bouts before losing to Irvington's unbeaten Tarrance Paul. He rallied to win a wrestleback and finished fourth in the state. He wound up with a record of 29-9.
Suter and Moorer both come from distinguished wrestling families. Suter's brother Jason was The Inquirer wrestler of the year in 1986. Moorer's brother Charles was The Inquirer wrestler of the year in 1989. Both Jason Suter and Charles Moorer were undefeated state champions as seniors.
Q - Which team did best in the states?
A - How about Pemberton? Only two Indians qualified for the state round, but both won medals. Kemal Pegram won the championship at 152 pounds, and Robert Carradine finished third at 112.
Carradine finished his career with 101 victories. Pegram, who did not wrestle on the varsity as a ninth-grader, finished with 88. He was 15-0, with 15 pins, for the freshman team and lost only six bouts in his career, including a 2-1 defeat by Gardner at Princeton last year.
Q - Who had the toughest state tournament?
A - Nate Lashley of Delran and Duke DiJoseph of Paulsboro ran into tough luck.
Lashley finished Friday's 130-pound quarterfinals with a record of 33-0 for the season and 117 victories for his career - the second-highest total in South Jersey history. But the senior never got another. He lost to Millville's Toby Fagan, who was 26-0 and went on to win the state title, then was beaten twice more in the wrestlebacks to finish sixth. The losses in the wrestlebacks were to Absegami's John Martin, who finished the season 32-2, and Eastern's Brian Mauri, who was 32-2. So the combined records for the season of Lashley's conquerors was 90-4. Lashley finished fourth last winter, also at 130. He wound up qualifying for the state tournament four times.
DiJoseph, like Lashley a senior, suffered a bad cut on his forehead in the Region 8 finals and was forced to default to West Deptford's Demea Heyward. In his 119-pound state quarterfinal, suffering from the lingering effects of the injury, he again had to forfeit, allowing Summit's Leo Pietrantuonoto advance. Pietrantuono lost to eventual champion Ed Moore of Philipsburg by only 6-5, making it appear that DiJoseph would have had a good chance to beat Moore. As it was, DiJoseph entered the wrestlebacks and finished third overall. He finished his career with 108 victories.
Q - Who else had significant tournments?
A - Brian Abdon of Lower Cape May set a school career victory record - 91 - while finishing a surprising fourth. He lost to Jackson's Rob Johnson, an eventual state champion, in the semis and finished the season 32-3.
Heyward tied the West Deptford record for career victories - 83 - set a year ago by Mike Colonero. He won two bouts at states but did not win a medal.
Dave Longo tied the Absegami career record of 92 victories. Vince Levin had won 92 in a career that ended with his winning the 108-pound state title in 1980. Longo had an opportunity to break the mark but did not win a bout at Princeton.
Q - What's in store for next year?
A - A big year for Region 8. Of the 39 wrestlers from the region who qualified for states this year, 25 were underclassmen. Lynch, Suter, Moorer and Edgewood's Damien Baylock, the fourth-place medalist at 189, all will return. Only seven of the qualifiers from Region 7 were underclassmen.
Q - Any predictions on who'll be the best team?
A - Paulsboro went 20-1 and finished No. 1 in The Inquirer Top 10 with seven freshmen or sophomores in the starting lineup this winter.
Mail Paulsboro the trophy right now.
Florence Knocks Off Delran, 6-2 Flashes Get 3 Runs On A Squeeze Play
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018063223/http://articles.philly.com/1990-04-11/sports/25920553_1_bases-squeeze-florenceBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: April 11, 1990It seemed that a team would have to come up with an extraordinary effort to snap Delran High's longstanding dominance in the Burlington County Freedom Division.
Besides being ranked No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, visiting Delran entered yesterday's Freedom Division baseball game with Florence having not lost in the division since 1987.
To counter the powerful Bears' attack, Florence used a suicide squeeze that cleared the bases and upset Delran, 6-2.
The win improved Florence to 2-1 both overall and in the division and snapped the Bears' league winning streak at 33 games. Delran fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Freedom.
Delran ace Mike Maerten (1-1) coasted through the first four innings, allowing no runs on two hits. However, as the drizzle began to fall with regularity in the fifth, Maerten loaded the bases by walking the first two batters; a third reached base on an error.
Maerten then got a pinch-hitter to hit a slow grounder to the mound. The Delran pitcher's throw home was low, enabling Joe Gadbois to score Florence's first run.
Maerten got the first out on a strikeout before being doomed by the game's most bizarre play.
With the bases loaded, Florence centerfielder Shawn Warner dropped a perfect suicide squeeze, easily scoring Mauro Corenti. However, Maerten threw the ball into right field in an attempt to get Warner at first, enabling Brandon Opre and Campbell to score, while Warner reached third, giving the Flashes a 4-2 lead.
Warner seemingly would have beaten the throw to first anyway, and he was awarded a base hit.
"We were due to get some breaks against Delran after losing to them the last five games we've played," said Florence coach Jim Maher. "Of those five we lost, we led in three of them entering the seventh inning, so today we got the big break."
Florence padded its cushion with RBI singles in the sixth by Corenti and Opre.
And while the Flashes did get a break with a bases-clearing suicide squeeze, there was nothing lucky about the pitching performance of junior lefthander Troy Ingham (1-1).
Ingham limited a Bears team that was averaging nearly 10 runs a game to just four hits, while striking out 12 and walking none. Both runs were unearned, coming in the first on second baseman Ryan Kakowski's two-run double.
"That's the best Troy has ever pitched," Maher said. "He showed today that he is one of the best in the league."
The win served as vindication for Ingham, who lost a 5-2 decision to Burlington in his previous start on Thursday.
"Against Burlington City I lost my composure," said Ingham. "I learned from my mistake that game and wanted to make up for it against Delran."
Ingham, who kept Delran off balance by spotting his pitchers, especially his slider, had another reason for wanting to defeat the highly regarded Bears.
"I was so pumped up because, in reading the papers, Delran gets everything, and I think Florence baseball is good, and we are just as good a club," he said.
Delran coach Rich Bender now finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to regroup his team after a league loss.
"Sometimes a game like this is good to humble the players," said Bender. ''Something we haven't done in some time is lose our composure, but that's what happened. We were prepared for the squeeze, but didn't execute. I said I doubted any team in the conference would go undefeated, but we'll still be there in the end."
Holy Cross Wins Delran Classic Walker Paces Lancers With Seven Rbis
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018093755/http://articles.philly.com/1990-04-29/sports/25919711_1_lancers-defense-morning-semifinalBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: April 29, 1990Holy Cross' Jim Walker hit his way out of a slump during yesterday's Delran Spring Classic.
Walker, who entered the tournament hitless in his previous three games, led Holy Cross to the title by going a combined 6 for 9 with seven RBIs in the Lancers' 14-4 semifinal win over Notre Dame of Trenton and 16-5 title victory over host Delran.
Against Notre Dame, Walker hit for the cycle, going 4 for 4 and driving in five runs. He added two more hits and two RBIs in five at-bats as the Lancers defeated neighboring Delran in the afternoon final. Both games were six-inning affairs because of the 10-run rule, under which a game is halted if a team is leading by 10 or more runs after the fifth inning.
Holy Cross, No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, improved to 9-1 with the two wins yesterday. No. 8 Delran fell to 12-3.
"I was really in a slump," said Walker, who was voted Most Valuable Player of the four-team tournament. "This will help me out of it."
Walker also earned his school the town's bragging rights, since Holy Cross is located in Delran.
"It's extra special to beat Delran," he said. "Even though they are in a different division, it's a natural rivalry."
Walker's resurgence rivaled his team's. Holy Cross was still smarting from a 7-6 upset loss to Shawnee on Tuesday that will most likely drop the Lancers from the top spot in the ratings.
"That loss gave us more incentive," Walker said. "It made us wake up. I think today we proved ourselves."
The championship game offered little suspense as the Lancers scored six runs in the top of the first inning without the benefit of an extra-base hit. The catalyst was leadoff hitter Andrew Dengler, who got two singles and scored a run in the decisive first. Dengler finished the game 4 for 5 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. He also made a spectacular diving catch in deep center field in the fifth inning to rob Chris Bayne of extra bases and save two runs. It was the kind of defense that was missing for Delran, which had defeated Cherry Hill East, 5-1, in a morning semifinal.
"That catch in center field was the greatest catch I've seen by an outfielder in 15 years of coaching," said Delran coach Rich Bender.
The Delran coach wasn't as lavish in his praise for his team's defense. ''I'm very disappointed in the way we fielded," said Bender. "I'm not as disappointed in our pitching. It's no secret that we are looking for a No. 3 pitcher, but we could have done a much better job defensively."
Against Holy Cross, Bender was forced to start pitcher John Karwacki, who lasted only two-thirds of an inning. Delran's No. 1 pitcher, Mike Maerten, got a complete-game win in the semifinal against Cherry Hill East, and junior Mike Martin had thrown on Thursday.
Holy Cross, on the other hand, was able to start Steve Sabatino, who is expected to be its ace. However, it was the first time in three weeks that Sabatino had pitched after turning an ankle early in the season. The senior lefthander allowed just two hits in three innings, but when he walked the first three batters to start the fourth, he was relieved by Brian Carter, who got the win, limiting the Bears to just one hit.
After the game, Holy Cross coach Greg Luzinski said he was happy that Sabatino was able to get some work in. The fifth-year coach was more ecstatic about an offense that scored 30 runs and drilled 36 hits in the two games.
"It makes things a lot easier when they hit like that," said Luzinski. ''Some of our players were struggling, and we were kind of waiting for a showing like this."
Pure Science, Pure Fun
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228082110/http://articles.philly.com/1990-05-05/news/25887713_1_physics-day-physics-students-centripetal-forceBy Sari Harrar, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: May 05, 1990JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — In the name of pure science, Todd "The Physics Man" Bogda and the guys from honors physics rode the big rides with the big names and even bigger drops here yesterday.
It was for physics' sake. Honest.
Why else would the Cherry Hill High School East classmates lug stopwatches, protractors and accelerometers onto lose-your-lunch amusements like FreeFall, Lightnin' Loops and Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great Adventure?
Let tourists laugh on the uphills and scream on the way down. The physics students came to be squashed by centrifugal force and shoved by centripetal force - and to express those wrenching experiences in cool, precise numbers. They came to conduct human experiments on the laws that move the universe.
"When else will you have experiences like this and realize the physics involved?" said Bogda, 18, called "The Physics Man" by his friends. ''You're on this ride and you're falling . . . accelerating at a rate of negative 9.8 meters per second. It's really fun."
He wasn't alone on Physics Day at Great Adventure. The eight-year-old event drew 7,000 high school and college science students from 150 schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers, Physics Day has its own 24-page textbook written by the association's New Jersey chapter.
For $15 apiece, students got five hours of rides - and a hefty class assignment.
"They'll be graded on this," said physics teacher Glenn Berryann of Cherry Hill High School East. "This is like a five-hour physics lab. The workbook will count the same as about five labs, or half a test."
Berryann said Physics Day allows students to make connections between the real world and the formulas they study in class. Students can feel the effects of the laws behind the formulas. And they can build enthusiasm for a complex field of study.
Their excitement remained high as the sky threatened rain. Loudspeakers piped honky-tonk organ music amid the candy colors of the merry-go-round and bumper cars. As on any school trip, the lines at the best rides were interminable. And the stomachs of even the most serious junior physicists grew queasy.
"We were spinning, and then the floor dropped out," reported Delran High School junior Rick Carragher, 16, after he stepped off one hair-raiser called The Roter. "It's like your head gets banged against the wall. We were going about 7 meters per second."
On the FreeFall, a ride that simulates weightlessness, senior Alan Bienstock of the Peddie School in Hightstown tried to consult his home-built vertical accelerometer, a small weight suspended by a spring inside a plastic tube. If he watched closely, Bienstock could tell when he reached zero gravity, weightlessness.
But dropping nearly 100 feet in 1.4 seconds was disconcerting.
"It worked for about the first millisecond," said Bienstock, 18. "Then I just grabbed my stomach and looked down. Then it was over."
A trio of Delran High School math and science teachers took the same trip. They, too, tried to concentrate on science. One let go of a wad of paper as their car descended and, indeed, the paper seemed to float in front of them, falling at the same speed they did. Another tried to concentrate on the fleeting feeling of life without gravity.
"Afterward we got our workbooks out and discussed the phenomenon," said Delran calculus teacher Paul Ordog. "I tried to concentrate on the experiments during the ride, but all I felt was my hands gripping the railing and my feet pushing into the floor."
From the world of pure science came more human admissions.
"On the way up I was wondering why I was doing this," said Delran science teacher Nick Kulina. "I wasn't feeling physics. I was feeling the adrenaline."
Her Dream Of Strength For Children
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228025954/http://articles.philly.com/1990-05-30/news/25889269_1_drug-program-drug-and-alcohol-abuse-dollBy Ovetta Wiggins, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: May 30, 1990You can see it in her eyes.
It's a determination that promises to bring even more success to Karen Ellen Stone's future.
She describes herself as an educator, mother and businesswoman. For some women, that might be enough. But for Stone, you can see that there's more to come.
Stone envisions parents from all over standing outside toy stores, pushing and shoving in aisles and waiting in long lines to purchase a C.J. doll for their children.
The doll, which includes a song and book, was created by Stone more than four years ago. C.J. is not just another Cabbage Patch or Teddy Ruxpin, Stone says. She is an avenue through which Stone hopes to share with children her ideas on self-worth and developing a strong self-image.
She tried to market the doll a few years ago but failed because of a lack of financing and business expertise, she said. But she has not given up on the doll.
"I am going to do (market) that doll again," Stone said with self- assurance. "I feel that it (a positive self-image) is the most important issue today."
Until the day C.J. hits the stores, Stone promotes her views through a program she developed called ACTIONS. The program, which is for parents, teachers and children, features seven steps that can lead to a positive self- image.
Stone describes the program as a very simple "how to" presentation, with each letter of the word ACTIONS representing a step to be followed.
Since a pilot program on ACTIONS three years ago in Camden County, teachers and parents in a number of communities, including Moorestown, Delran, Haddonfield and Edgewater Park, have viewed it.
The presentation was given in Edgewater Park as part of its Drug and Alcohol Prevention Week last month. Members of the Township Committee and school board who are affiliated with the Statewide Community Organization Program (SCOP) sponsored the program in an effort to combat teenage drug and alcohol abuse.
Walter Dold, the Edgewater Park Township school superintendent, said he decided to have the program because he believes low self-esteem and poor self- image lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
"Drug and alcohol abuse (are) a symptom of other problems," Dold said, ''and we want to address the problem rather than the symptom."
Stone believes that "children have to stop being victims" and that it is important for them to make different choices and accept responsibilities for those choices.
The lack of alternatives is the main fault Stone finds in the drug program pushed by Nancy Reagan.
"Up to now, the drug program says, 'Just Say No' to drugs, but it doesn't say what to say 'yes' to," Stone said. "By saying 'yes' to yourself, you're given a feeling of self-worth that leads to positive action, and that is something that takes the place of the drug.
"It's a positive approach to feeling good, something that lasts. When you have successes, you can feed off them and become more successful."
Stone, a Mount Laurel resident, is the director of the Britannica Learning Center in Moorestown and has worked as an education consultant for Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center in Camden for two years. She worked with children with cancer for two years and has more than 20 years' experience in education.
Despite her long list of credentials, Stone considers her greatest accomplishment to be the raising of her mentally disabled son.
"I've brought my own personal experiences into the program," Stone said. ''Because of the work that I've done with self-esteem, my 16-year-old son has become a well-adjusted, self-sufficient young man.
"When he was young, I was told he should have been institutionalized. He now holds a part-time job."
Stone is a strong believer that "if you feel good about yourself, there's nothing you can't do."
South Jersey North Falls To Delaware
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103161302/http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-10/sports/25912282_1_delaware-north-rally-basesBy Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 10, 1990The South Jersey North squad didn't have much difficulty scoring runs in the early innings when it faced Delaware yesterday in a first-round Carpenter Cup game at Veterans Stadium.
North's problem was holding onto a lead.
Delaware, which was out-hit by North, 12-6, answered a five-run North rally in the fourth inning with five runs of its own and went on to an 11-10 victory.
It was the first time in three years that Delaware had advanced to the second round of the tournament, and the first time in as many years that North didn't. Delaware has a quarterfinal date with Chester at 2:30 p.m. today.
"I'm not disappointed," said North manager Rich Bender of Delran. ''Pitching-wise, hitting-wise and moving runners, we did fine. I thought we could have caught the ball better and threw it better, but that's high school baseball. In a game like this, I couldn't have asked for much more from the kids. We just came up short."
North held a 3-1 lead after two innings, but Delaware got a pair of unearned runs in the third to knot the score, 3-3. Then, North appeared to put the game away with its five-run fourth, which included a two-run triple by Holy Cross' Ryan Luzinski (3 for 3) and a two-run single by Brian Gorman of Delran.
But Delaware loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning on two walks and a single with Wayne Shelton of Cherokee on the mound, and one run crossed the plate when Jeff Tidwell of Sussex Central singled. After Shelton wild-pitched another run home, a two-run double to left-center field by Paul Caldwell of Dickinson produced two more runs and chased Shelton, who pitched only one- third of an inning. Caldwell, who went to third on the relay after his hit, made the score 8-8 when he scored on a ground out with Karl Lodgek pitching for North.
"The turning point of the game was when we got five runs, and they came up and got five," Bender said. "We didn't need any big plays in that inning; we just needed some outs. That was the inning that hurt us."
North took the lead again in the top of the fifth against winning pitcher Tim Crutcher (Tower Hill). Holy Cross's Andrew Dengler walked and stole second, went to third on a single by Bob Kriza of Holy Cross and scored on a sacrifice fly by Maple Shade's Kevin Nehring.
Once again, however, Delaware responded, scoring twice to take a 10-9 lead. Lodgek, who suffered the loss, walked in one run and hit a batter after Delaware had loaded the bases on a double by William Penn's Bill Gillman and a pair of walks. Delaware scored its last run in the seventh inning against Troy Ingham of Florence with a single, an infield out, a steal of third and a sacrifice fly.
North provided the final margin with an eighth-inning run, driven in by Luzinski after Maple Shade's Bill Weingardner reached second base on an error.
North's first three runs were the result of a game-opening triple to right field by Gorman, a double by Mike Maerten of Delran and a sacrifice fly by Florence's Travis Corson. After North starter Bryan Ward (Rancocas Valley) wild-pitched a run in the bottom of the first inning, North made it 3-1 in the second when Dave Smith of Shawnee singled to drive in Dengler, who had walked and stolen second.
"The first couple of innings, we always seem to fall behind here," Delaware manager Woody Long said. "We got behind, 6-0, last year and lost. I was glad to come back. We were concerned because we played (an all-star game in Delaware on Friday) with these same players playing against each other, and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. I knew if we didn't score here it'd be trouble."
He's Eyeing Soccer's Top Honor
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221191723/http://articles.philly.com/1990-11-11/sports/25929474_1_bob-reasso-rutgers-scarlet-knightsBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: November 11, 1990Rutgers senior Steve Rammel of West Deptford High has been nominated for the Hermann Award, college soccer's version of the Heisman Trophy. Rammel, a former Inquirer South Jersey Athlete of the Year, is currently 11th in the country in scoring with 17 goals and nine assists for 43 points.
He has been named the Atlantic Ten Conference Player of the Year and last week was named the most valuable player in the Atlantic Ten Tournament, won by Rutgers.
Rammel scored three goals and had one assist in leading the Scarlet Knights to wins over George Washington and Penn State.
The victory gave Rutgers the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Eastern Regional. Rutgers (17-2-2) received a first-round bye in the 28-team NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights will host the winner of the Brooklyn-Adelphi first-round match on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.
Rammel, who transferred to Rutgers after two seasons at the University of Connecticut, has 34 goals in 44 career games at Rutgers. In games in which he has scored at least one goal, Rutgers is 21-0.
The Scarlet Knights, who are ranked No. 3 nationally in the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America Coaches' Poll, have received big contributions from two other South Jersey products.
Sophomore Jeff Zaun, a former Inquirer South Jersey Soccer Player of the Year from Shawnee, has started 20 games. Zaun moved to sweeper after the 10th game, when Alexi Lalas suffered a ruptured appendix. Lalas, who was considered one of the top sweepers in the country, is ready to return for the NCAA Tournament, but he will move to midfield because of the solid job Zaun has done anchoring the defense. For the season, Zaun has one goal and four assists.
Rutgers junior goalie Bill Andracki of Paul VI is second in the nation with an 0.31 average. Andracki has 11 shutouts. A transfer from Mercer County
College, Andracki had to beat out senior Dave Barrueta, who entered the year with 37 career shutouts, the second highest in NCAA history. Both goalies split time the first six games, but Andracki has been the starter ever since.
Rutgers, coached by former Delran coach Bob Reasso, has a few other South Jersey players in its program. Sophomore Steve Cicali of Delran is redshirting this season after injuring an ankle in preseason.
Sophomore Geoff Starks, a former Inquirer South Jersey Soccer Player of the Year from Willingboro, will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season in an attempt to improve on his grades.
Rutgers junior Lou Holder of Camden Catholic has been a reserve defender. Holder recently earned his second varsity letter.
Dan Beaney, a sophomore defender from Cherry Hill East, has started 19 games for national soccer power UCLA. Beaney has one assist in his defensive role for the 15-1-4 Bruins, who also received a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament.
Today, Glassboro State College will play host to Bethany West Virginia in a 1 p.m. Division III quarterfinal game.
Junior Andy Logar of Lenape is second on Glassboro State in scoring with nine goals and seven assists for 25 points. Three of his goals have been game- winners. Logar has started in 21 of 22 games for the 17-3-2 Profs.
John Kennedy, a senior from Sterling, has five goals and six assists for 16 points. Kevin McGarrity, a junior from Cherokee, has recently returned to action after suffering from a foot injury. McGarrity has appeared in 10 games, including five starts. He has one goal and three assists for five points.
Rich Buckley, a senior from Clearview, has started in 21 of the 22 games at defense. Buckley has also added six assists.
Mat Santoro, a junior midfielder from Cumberland, has started all 22 games and added two goals and four assists for eight points.
Claudio Torres, a sophomore from Maple Shade, has appeared in 18 games in a reserve role for the Profs. He has one goal and one assist. Dan Alvarez, a sophomore from Glassboro High, has scored two goals and one assist for five points also in a reserve role.
Rider College finished with a 7-9-2 record and qualified for the East Coast Conference Soccer Tournament for the fourth year in a row. Two of the Broncs' three leading scorers are from South Jersey.
Mike Hoff, a junior forward from Shawnee, missed the first two games of the year with a concussion, but still finished as Rider's leading scorer with nine goals and one assist for 19 points in 16 games. His nine goals also led the ECC.
Rick Emery, a sophomore from Washington Township, started all 18 games at defender, midfielder and forward. He was third on the team in scoring with six goals and four assists for 16 points.
Matt Myers, a freshman from Delran, started 17 of 18 games for St. Joseph's. Myers had four goals and two assists, including two game-winning goals.
Jim McCole, a senior from Palmyra, appeared in 17 games and started eight at defense for the 8-10 Hawks.
Once Again, Delran Spoils Delsea's Season
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151225192733/http://articles.philly.com/1990-11-25/sports/25929606_1_crusaders-7-yard-line-fieldingBy Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 25, 1990This is starting to become a habit.
For the second straight year, Delran handed Delsea its only loss of the football season, outlasting the Crusaders, 21-12, in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 semifinal yesterday.
With 2,500 fans watching at windy Delsea, junior quarterback Ray Skorny threw a 16-yard touchdown pass and - from punt formation - made two key runs for first downs after fielding poor centering snaps, helping to send fourth- seeded Delran (9-1) into Saturday's 1 p.m. championship game at second- seeded Hammonton (9-0-1).
Hammonton defeated Cinnaminson, 22-0, yesterday.
Top-seeded Delsea ended its season with a 9-1 record. Last year, the Crusaders finished their 10-1 campaign with a 28-8 loss to Delran in the sectional final.
Darrell Parker scored two touchdowns and gained 75 yards on 23 carries, and his twin brother, Derrick, added 112 yards on 19 attempts for Delran.
Yet, the Parkers weren't the difference.
"I thought Delsea did a great job on the line of scrimmage; they limited us to just a couple of things," said Delran coach Jim Donoghue, referring to a packed-in Delsea defensive line that was led by end Kevin Huntsinger. "But today, we just got the breaks."
* Break number one: Delsea won the coin flip, but ended up kicking off - and into the wind.
* Break number two: After fielding a one-hop centering snap in punt formation, Skorny avoided a tackler and gained 17 yards to the Delsea 36 early in the first quarter. The drive eventually stalled at the 34, but when the Bears punted, it set up . . .
* Break number three: Delsea's Bryan Scott, who ran admirably from his quarterback position, fielded the punt on his own 7-yard line and fumbled after being hit by Tony Webb. Delran's Tom Kelvey recovered on the 6 and, two plays later, Darrell Parker's 3-yard TD run made it 6-0 with 7 minutes, 40 seconds left in the first quarter.
Pat O'Neill added the first of his three conversion kicks. His third extra point gave him 44 PATs this season, breaking the South Jersey record of 43 held by Palmyra's Keith Myers (1978) and Delran's Mike Maerten (1989).
* Break number four: Delran defensive tackle Stan Mastil recovered a Scott fumble after Delsea had driven to the Bears' 9 early in the second quarter.
Delsea, with Scott (14 carries, 77 yards) gaining huge chunks of yardage on bootleg runs, completed a nine-play, 62-yard drive that ended when Jonas Barbaro scored on a 2-yard run with 1:42 left in the half. Sean Kennedy missed the conversion kick, so Delran maintained its 7-6 lead.
Delran, which held a 286-229 edge in total yardage, took the second-half kickoff and went on a 12-play, 77-yard scoring march. On fourth and 10, Skorny (4 for 10, 54 yards) threw a 16-yard TD pass to Mike Martin, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior wide receiver.
Martin, flanked on the left side, ran a down-and-out pattern and caught the perfectly thrown pass at the 2.
"That," Donoghue said, "was a great throw. He's (Skorny) throwing into the wind, to the wide side of the field - and it was a wide pattern. I wasn't sure he could make that type of throw."
Delsea marched to the Delran 31 on the next series. But the drive ended when junior Nate Hemsley - who played brilliantly at middle linebacker - intercepted a pass at the 18 and made a 23-yard return.
Delsea committed three turnovers, Delran none.
Still, Delsea got to within two, 14-12, when Scott scored on a 2-yard run with 11:09 left in the game, capping a a nine-play, 62-yard drive.
But on the conversion, Hemsley and linebacker Darrell Parker stopped Jamiel Josey (13 carries, 57 yards) at the 2.
With 2:40 left, Delsea forced Delran to punt from the Crusaders' 38. But Skorny short-hopped another low snap and gained 24 yards on a fourth and 2, setting up Parker's second TD run.
"To tell you the truth, after he fielded it, I was hoping he punted," Donoghue said. "But he saw a lane and took off."
Another break. Another play that helped Delran win for the 44th time in its last 50 games.
Another season-ending loss for Delsea.
"The kids did an outstanding job this year," said Delsea coach John Oberg, adding that he will return for his 32d season at Delsea next year. "We thought .500 would be a great year. And I don't think our kids were outplayed (in any game) and, as a coach, that's all you want.
". . . But this puts a damper on things for me, because the last one is the one I'll remember."
Burlington Will Still Be Tough To Beat
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150912122638/http://articles.philly.com/1990-12-04/sports/25924944_1_ppg-freedom-division-burlington-townshipBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: December 04, 1990The Burlington County Freedom boys' basketball race could become a reflection of last season's finish. Burlington was the league champion, followed in order by Burlington Township, Maple Shade, Bordentown and Delran in the 10-team league.
The first five teams of a year ago again appear to be the main contenders this season.
Burlington (21-5 overall, 16-2 league) won't relinquish its title easily.
Veteran coach Bob Williams, who enters the season with a 142-86 record, welcomes back three of his top four scorers from a team that advanced to the South Jersey Group 2 finals before losing to Middle Township. Leading the way is 6-foot-2 junior forward Fred Hannah, who averaged 15.9 points. The other top scorers are the excellent backcourt combination of 6-2 senior Quincy Baker (9.2 ppg.) and 5-9 senior Dan Butts (10.7).
Junior forward Wallace Marshall, who was last year's sixth man, is also expected to be a key contributor.
Last year, Burlington Township finished tied for second with Maple Shade, compiling a 14-4 league record. The Falcons, who were 17-8 overall, have one of the league's most dangerous scorers in 6-3 junior Marcus Andrews (18.0 ppg). Last year, a knee injury limited Andrews to 11 games. Coach Ken Faulkner, who enters the season with a 400-78 record, has pronounced Andrews fit and that's bad news for the rest of the league.
The Falcons will depend on the inside scoring of 6-5 senior forward Marcus Hubbard (10.0 ppg.). A third returning starter is junior forward Phil Pittman.
The Falcons also will benefit from junior transfer Frank Burg, who averaged 10.6 points last year at Florence and who is one of the league's top outside shooters.
Delran coach Jim Petrino is experimenting with using 6-5 senior Dennis Jordan at point guard. The multi-talented Jordan is the top returning Freedom Division scorer after averaging 19.2 points last year.
The key for Delran (17-9) will be whether the supporting cast can pick up the scoring slack of graduated John Sacca (18.2 ppg.) and Chris Kane (10.0).
Returning veterans include 6-3 junior football standout Nate Hemsley, 6-1 senior Ray Gonzalez and 6-2 junior Ken Bennett.
Bordentown coach Brian Ford enters the season with a 192-109 record and also one of the top frontcourts in the league. The Scotties (18-8) have one of the league's top forwards in 6-3 senior Darren Winningham (14.8 ppg.). Dave Wood, a 6-5 senior, averaged 12.8 points last season, and veteran Mike Novatkowski, a 5-8 senior returns at guard.
If the Scotties can pick up the scoring left by graduated Wilbert Johnson (16.0), then they could surface as contenders.
Maple Shade (21-5) is also a team that could contend if the Wildcats can replace the scoring of graduated Dan Wolfinger (15.5) and Anthony Barbaccio (12.5).
Leading the way is 6-1 fourth-year starter Bill Weingartner, who averaged 18.1 points last year and enters the season with 912 career points.
Junior point guard Doug Bimmer, who averaged 6.5 assists and 6-2 senior forward Karahn Davis are expected to have a larger role in coach Craig Ranshaw's offense.
Palmyra (8-18) and Florence (9-11) appear ready to contend for a state tournament berth. Teams with a .500 or better record by the Jan. 29 cutoff date will qualify.
Palmyra coach Jack Davis must replace leading scorer Craig Stevens (16.9 ppg.). Gantry Fox, a 6-0 senior, averaged 10.8 points and football quarterback Mike Merritt, a 6-1 senior, is also a returning veteran. Joe Davis, a 6-5 sophomore, also will be trying to increase his scoring total after averaging seven points per game.
Florence coach Art Bobik welcomes back his leading scorer, Brandon Opre, a 6-1 senior who averaged 16.9 points. Raphael Stillings, a 6-1 junior, averaged 9.3 points.
The Flashes will be hurt by the transfer of Burg and the loss of junior point guard Matt Dengler, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in football.
Moorestown (8-15), Northern Burlington (7-19) and Riverside (5-21) could be a year away from winning records.
Fifth-year Moorestown coach Bill Winston will depend heavily on 6-1 junior guard Anthony Smith (11.0 ppg.) and 6-2 forward Matt Bush.
Northern Burlington coach John Black has two of his three leading scorers returning in 6-3 senior forward John Salter (14.4 ppg.) and 6-5 senior center Jeff Wolf (10.2 ppg.). The Greyhounds must develop a backcourt in order to move up in the win column.
Riverside second-year coach Jay Flanagan has one of the youngest teams in the league. Even though the Rams return a number of key lettermen, they must replace leading scorer Derrick Maruski (17.2 ppg.). Mike Tuscano, a 5-9 junior point guard who averaged 9.6 points, will once again run the Rams offense.
Delran Heavyweight Overcomes A Cut To His Forehead
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150915092128/http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-15/sports/25792274_1_state-tourney-patrick-lynch-pinsBy Don McKee, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: March 15, 1991PRINCETON — The scariest moment on the first night of the state wrestling tournament at Jadwin Gym came when Delran heavyweight Bill Duff went down in a pool of blood.
Duff's forehead was cut in his preliminary-round bout Wednesday night against Bruce Spaulding of Piscataway, and Duff was down on the mat for about 15 minutes while trainers and doctors worked to stop the bleeding.
Duff eventually completed a 2-1 win while wearing a bandage around his head. He later lost to Southern's John Lombardo in the pre-quarterfinal.
According to Delran coach Dennis Smith, the cut was caused by defective headgear worn by Spaulding.
"There was three inches of bare metal exposed on that earpiece," Smith said. "It shouldn't have been used. I don't think the other kid did it on purpose, but that headgear never should have been on the mat."
Duff (27-5-1) will meet West Deptford's Chris Strano (22-8) in tonight's wrestlebacks.
LYNCH UPDATE. Whatever else Patrick Lynch may do in his wrestling career, he has cemented his place in New Jersey scholastic history.
The Ocean City senior won twice Wednesday night, tying the all-time state record for career victories, and setting a record for career pins.
The quick pin and a rare six-minute win raised Lynch's career victory total to 131. That tied the mark set by High Point's Johnney Gardner here last year.
Lynch can break the record when the tourney resumes tonight. The 189- pounder will face Piscataway's Wylace Liggon (28-0) in the 6 p.m. quarterfinals.
Lynch now is 131-3 in his career. He pinned Craig Harrison of Pompton Lakes in 1 minute, 38 seconds in last night's preliminary round to set another state record with 100 career falls.
Still, no matter what happens this weekend in Lynch's pursuit of his third consecutive state championship, he always will be remembered for the gripping 189-pound final of Region 8 on March 2.
In that bout, Overbrook's Damien Covington defeated Lynch, 8-4, snapping Lynch's 99-match winning streak.
Lynch (33-1) was philosophical about the loss.
"I've lost before," he said Wednesday, "and I'll probably lose again."
In the pre-quarterfinal late Wednesday night, Lynch beat Bill Coon of Columbia, 16-9. Coon joined Covington as the only wrestlers to go six minutes with Lynch this year. Lynch went six minutes only once all of last year, in a state semifinal victory.
He already has accepted a full scholarship to Arizona State, the runner-up in last spring's NCAA champinships.
STILL ALIVE. Twenty-seven South Jersey wrestlers survived the massive first night of the state tournament.
Of the 11 South Jersey wrestlers who had entered the state tourney undefeated, 10 survived.
They included Dave LaGamba of St. Augustine, who takes a 28-0 record into the 119-pound quarterfinals; Frank Dickenson of Vineland, 26-0 at 125; Chuck Gras of Oakcrest, 32-0 at 130; Peter Klaus of Haddon Township, 29-0 at 130; John Martin of Absegami, 31-0 at 135; Dan White of Millville, 30-0 at 140; Matt Suter of Paulsboro, 34-0 at 145, and Nikos Pavlides of Eastern, 32-0 at the same weight; Larry DeVault of Paulsboro, 34-0 at 152, and Covington, 28-0 at 189.
FIRST LOSS. Mike Yankanitch of Cherokee, the Region 7 champion at 119 and undefeated until Wednesday, took his first loss of the season when he was pinned by Clevan Robinson of Paterson Eastside.
Yankanitch (28-1) moves into tonight's wrestleback rounds and still could finish as high as third in the state. Yankanitch will meet Phillipsburg's Scott Frinzi (29-4).
ON TRACK. Eastern's Greg Land, the No. 1 seed at heavyweight (27-1), also advanced into tonight's quarterfinals. Land, the Region 7 champion, will meet Overbrook's Nick O'Brien (27-2), the Region 8 champion.
NO LONGER NO. 1. Only one of the 13 top seeds failed to survive. Elmwood Park senior Evan LaManna, the top seed at 160 pounds, lost to Jody Crouse of Phillipsburg, 10-6.
DON'T FORGET. Any number of lower-seeded wrestlers from South Jersey took a strong step forward Wednesday night.
Among them were Rob Schnur of St. James at 103, Mike Ware of Oakcrest at 112, Mark Peditto of Maple Shade at 125, Walt Robinson of Penns Grove at 130, Kevin Farnham of Haddon Township at 135, Tom Crescenzo of Delsea at 140, Dan Law of Ocean City at 145, Joe Robinson of Eastern at 152, John Koss of Collingswood at 160, Chuck Ramsey of Paulsboro at 171, Bill Tassogloy of Haddon Township at 189, and O'Brien and Jason Jenkins of Oakcrest at heavyweight.
Schnur (29-3) was the Region 8 champion last year as a sophomore, but he suffered a slight neck injury in the districts this year and lost his crown to Ed Groce of Delsea.
Schnur was strong Wednesday night, advancing on a 17-2 technical fall and an 11-7 decision.
Groce, meanwhile, suffered a 7-6 loss to Phillipsburg's Pete Poretta.
Ware (31-2) advanced with a pin and a 4-3 decision over Region 7 champion Kyle Young of Cherry Hill West.
Peditto (30-1) advanced with a routine decision, and Walt Robinson (27-4) won two routine decisions.
Farnham (29-1) advanced with two decisions, including a 4-3 overtime victory over Region 6 champion Sam Delio of Middletown South.
Crescenzo (29-3-2) advanced in the loaded 140-pound bracket with two decisions, including a 4-3 win over previously unbeaten Region 1 champion Justin Naddeo (28-1) of Bergen Catholic.
Crescenzo is in the quarterfinals, along with two defending state champions and unbeaten Region 8 champion Dan White (30-0) of Millville. The powerful weight class also includes Steve Dalling of Kittatinny, who won at 145 last year. Crescenzo's bracket also includes Fran Durso of Ridge, who won the title at 135 last year.
Law, a sophomore, now is 31-3 and in the quarterfinals of the powerful 145- pound class. That weight also includes Suter and Pavlides, and undefeated Mike Francesca (29-0) of Union, the No. 2 seed.
Joe Robinson won two solid decisions at 152. Koss won a solid decision in his only bout at 160 and may have a shot at advancing farther; top-seeded LaManna is out of winner's bracket.
Ramsey narrowly stayed alive at 171 with a 4-3 overtime win against Matt Thompson of Hunterdon Central. If he beats Anthony Vitola (24-4-1) of Freehold Township tonight, Ramsey probably will get a shot at No. 1-seeded Rob Johnson of Jackson Township. Johnson (26-0) won the championship at 160 last winter.
Tassogloy gets overlooked at 189, which has been dominated by talk about Covington and Lynch, but he pinned Paulsboro's Charles Fones in 3:39 on Wednesday night to run his record to 27-1.
O'Brien and Jenkins joined Land in the quarterfinals at heavyweight. O'Brien will meet Land tonight, after defeating Jim Dietimeier of Toms River North, 6-4. Land advanced with a 1:21 pin over Belvidere's Mike Graffam.
Jenkins pinned Montclair's Len Watkins in 1:02, then demolished Bergen Tech's Chris Fischer, 9-2.
A Boycott Honored Teacher Skips Meal With Florio
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1991-05-16/news/25798002_1_florio-substitute-teachers-biology-teacherBy Marego Athans, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: May 16, 1991Nineteen hundred fifty of his peers enjoyed a day off, a lunch of chicken and red-bliss potatoes and praises from Gov. Florio at Princeton University last Thursday.
Eric Clauson would have none of it.
By his own choice, the Delran High School biology teacher spent the day dissecting a sheep's heart, prepping seniors for their Advanced Placement exam and chewing on Florio's educational policies at lunchtime in the teachers' lounge.
Clauson was among the recipients of this year's Governor's Recognition Award, given to one outstanding teacher from each of the state's public schools.
Each received $500 to spend on school programs and was invited to last week's celebratory luncheon.
But Clauson wasn't in the mood.
About 13 teachers from his district will lose their jobs because of a lack of funds, programs will be cut and computers and lab supplies for his science class are, to use his word, in a "woeful" state.
A luncheon for about $70,000, plus nearly $100,000 to hire substitute teachers for the day?
He could think of better ways to spend the money.
So he stayed home, taught class and had an apple for lunch.
"Florio talks about waste in education," Clauson said, referring to an April 29 speech blaming school officials for tax increases - which prompted his boycott. "How about this luncheon? I'd rather see Florio give the money to a district - any district - to save a couple of teachers or programs."
"Here's the honor," said Clauson, pointing to his lunchmates in the teachers' lounge.
"The people I teach with and the kids. If I could have lunch with Florio personally, let him see how we're losing technologically, let him meet the teachers who won't have jobs next year, that would be an honor."
Clauson's lone voice of protest was probably not heard at Princeton's Jadwin Gymnasium, where 2,000 teachers and administrators applauded speeches by Florio and Education Commissioner John Ellis, among others.
But his frustrations are resounding among South Jersey's teachers and school officials for whom Florio's original Quality Education Act became - as Delran School Board President Ronald Napoli dubbed it - "a cruel hoax."
The region's educators were once among Florio's supporters, enlivened by his pro-education stance, by the fact that his wife, Lucinda, was a teacher and that he was a rare governor from South Jersey.
As originally conceived, the Quality Education Act was supposed to give poor districts an additional $1.1 billion in state aid.
After it was revised, $360 million was diverted to property tax relief, and $229 million more ended up as tax relief because of state-mandated limits on increased spending.
This year in Delran High School, there will be too few computers, officials said, and there will be cuts in foreign language, art, physical education and home economics programs.
Voters rejected the district's $17.7 million proposed budget last month, which could mean further cuts.
With the funds they had, said Superintendent Bernard Shapiro, the district's task was no longer how to provide a quality education, but "how to get the doors open in September."
Not surprisingly, thumbs-up signals and "Way to go" were the reactions to Clauson's boycott in the halls of Delran High School.
"It's great he's standing up for us," said Julie Tieman, a senior. "It's horrible that these programs are being cut. Even though I'm graduating, I still care about the younger kids and about the future. I'm glad someone else cares."
Emma Byrne, Florio's spokeswoman, said last week that Florio had not yet seen Clauson's letter protesting the luncheon. She said the April 29 speech that offended Clauson was not intended to blame educators for fiscal problems but rather to urge voters to "be aware of how the districts are spending tax dollars."
"The point is that both the governor and Mr. Clauson care about quality education and they care about New Jersey's schoolchildren," Byrne said.
But Delran High School Principal Michael Gallucci had his doubts. "We're trying to prepare these children for a technological world . . . and we can't do our job," he said. "The politicians have sacrificed the education of New Jersey's students for votes."
Delran Twins Seek Separate Identities
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921054927/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-18/sports/25786169_1_identities-parkers-collegesBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 18, 1991For the last three years, Derrick and Darrell Parker of Delran High have created havoc on the football field.
As two-way starters for three years, the Parkers helped lead Delran to a 27-4 record and two straight South Jersey Group 2 titles.
But when the time to choose a college came along, the twins were adamant about creating separate identities. Derrick chose Pittsburgh, while Darrell will attend Syracuse.
The separation will begin officially at 8 p.m. Friday at the inaugural South Jersey Football Coaches - Rotary Hall of Fame Blue-Gold All-Star Game, at Glassboro State. It will mark the first time the Parkers won't be suiting up alongside one another.
Derrick will compete for the Blue squad, which will consist of players from the Burlington County League's Freedom and Liberty Divisions, along with those of the Cape-Atlantic League's American and National Divisions.
The Gold team will be composed of players from the Colonial Conference, the American and National Divisions of the Olympic Conference, and the Tri-County Conference's Royal and Classic Divisions.
Darrell Parker will participate in the New Jersey North-South state all- star game on June 28 at the Meadowlands, and will be an interested observer Friday.
"I really enjoyed playing with my brother, but this gives me a chance to have my own identity," said Derrick, who gained 1,130 yards on only 155 carries, scored 20 touchdowns, and added four interceptions last season. "I am very proud of all he accomplished, but I'd like to be labeled as Derrick Parker, not one of the Parker brothers."
Derrick, who was recruited as a cornerback by Pitt, is looking forward to Friday's game. During the spring he participated on Delran's track team for the first time, and said the effort had paid huge dividends.
"It feels good to get in another game before I go to Pitt, and I'm anxious to see how I have improved," said Derrick, who ran the 40-yard dash this spring in 4.55 seconds. "I feel that track made me a couple of steps faster. I feel I have quicker reactions."
Entering their final year, Darrell was receiving much more interest from colleges. He only enhanced his value during his senior year when he gained 1,118 yards on 140 carries and scored 34 touchdowns, a South Jersey single- season record. He finished his career with 62 touchdowns.
Delran coach Jim Donoghue attributed the greater interest in Darrell to his carrying the ball much more than his brother as a junior. Donoghue set out to rectify the situation this year because he felt colleges were slighting Derrick. As a result, Derrick carried the ball 15 times more than his brother during their senior year.
"Coming into the season, I wanted to make a point to try to utilize Derrick more offensively," said Donoghue. "I would literally have them alternate carries. This year they gained close to the same yardage rushing, but Darrell was our main receiver. Our passing game was basically throwing it to Darrell."
He gained 597 yards on 22 receptions.
Donoghue realized that both Parkers were among the elite players in South Jersey, and he talked to Derrick about his getting less publicity than his brother.
"I thought I had to talk to him about it because he would never complain," said Donoghue. "Derrick was glad for his brother, but in his heart he knew he was as good as any player around.
"Derrick handled it about as well as any kid could. He's got great competitive drive. He's not going to go in a corner and sulk about accolades his brother got. He's out to prove to people that he is on that level."
The Delran coach said there was a distinct difference in the twins' running styles.
"Darrell is an elusive open-field runner," said Donoghue. "Derrick is a slasher, much tougher running in between tackles. Derrick doesn't have the same elusiveness, but he is more likely to take on a tackler."
However, Donoghue lumped the brothers together when talking about their character.
"They are two of the greatest kids you'll ever want to coach," he said. ''For all the success they have achieved, they are very humble. They are quiet, good students, and solid kids. They are both ideal role models."
Pitt is pleased to have gotten Derrick Parker.
"We look at Derrick as a defensive back who is an excellent athlete," said recruiting coordinator Larry Petroff. "Another thing that impressed us is his ability to return the ball on punts and kickoffs. He's a good athlete who was constantly moving on the field and runs very well. That is always something we are looking for."
On defense, Derrick won a reputation for being one of the hardest hitters in South Jersey, despite usually being one of the smallest players on the field.
"People underestimate me because I'm not big, but I can hit hard," he said. "I've also been working out with the weights to improve my strength for college."
Donoghue, a former starting quarterback for Syracuse, sees a bright future for Derrick.
"He's very similar to Charles Fryar," said Donoghue, comparing Derrick to a former Burlington all-South Jersey running back and defensive back who was a three-year starting cornerback at Nebraska and an all-Big Eight selection two years ago.
"Both are about the same size, and while Charles was more explosive offensively, Derrick may be a better hitter defensively," Donoghue said. "I think Derrick has a chance to be a real good defensive player in college."
Even though practice for Friday's game started just yesterday, Derrick said the game could not come soon enough.
"Not only will it show me what I need to work on," he said, "but I have a lot of energy that I'm ready to release. I can't wait to get started."
And he'll also be launching phase two of his football career as he attempts to carve out his own identity.
Delsea's Two Crowns Were The Jewels Of Winter
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018075232/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-26/sports/25789703_1_champions-state-semifinals-basketball-titleBy Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: June 26, 1991The story of the 1990-1991 South Jersey winter sports season was the almost unparalleled success achieved by Delsea High.
The Crusaders became only the third team in New Jersey scholastic history - Phillipsburg and Paul VI are the others - to win state titles in both boys' basketball and wrestling in the same season.
Teams from the seven-county South Jersey area won a total of eight state titles during the winter season:
* Delsea was the Group 2 champion in boys' basketball and wrestling.
* Wildwood won the Group 1 girls' basketball title.
* Paulsboro won Group 1 in wrestling.
* Highland won Group 4 in wrestling.
* Bridgeton captured the Group 3 title in indoor track.
* Delran was the Division B boys' champion in swimming.
* Camden Catholic was the Division A girls' champion in swimming.
Here is a review of the winter-sports season:
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Upstart Delsea, which had never challenged for a state basketball title, got the headlines. But, in the end, it was a familiar name that emerged No. 1 in South Jersey.
TEAMS. Delsea's drive to its first state championship was dramatic. The Crusaders overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat Hillside, 63-62, in overtime for the state Group 2 championship.
In the state semifinals, Delsea overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat South Plainfield, 71-65. Even in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals, the Crusaders had to rally, coming back from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Cinnaminson, 65-62.
The Crusaders upset Group 3 state champion Clifford Scott, 59-47, in the Tournament of Champions before suffering their only loss of a 29-1 season. Delsea dropped an 86-46 decision to nationally ranked St. Anthony of Jersey City in the Tournament of Champions semifinals. St. Anthony went on to defeat Seton Hall Prep for its second Tournament of Champions title in three years.
Delsea was led by 6-foot-8 1/2 senior Demetrius Poles, who was named The Inquirer's South Jersey player of the year. Poles averaged 26.8 points, 17.1 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocked shots a game. He finished with 1,793 career points, and received a scholarship to St. Joseph's.
The Crusaders' Bob Briles was named The Inquirer's South Jersey boys' basketball coach of the year.
Camden, South Jersey's dominant team for nearly two decades, finished 28-3 and was named The Inquirer's No. 1 team for the second year in a row. Camden defeated Atlantic City, 90-87, in the South Jersey Group 4 championship game for its 16th sectional title in 18 years. At the time, Atlantic City was No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, Camden No. 2.
Camden went on to defeat Trenton in the state Group 4 semifinals, 87-85, in double overtime. The victory, at Monmouth College, was accompanied by controversy; a postgame fight among spectators marred the game.
The Panthers' season ended with a 76-70 loss to Elizabeth in the state Group 4 finals.
Other highlights:
* Woodrow Wilson won the South Jersey Group 3 championship, but the Tigers' quest for their first state title since 1986 was thwarted by Clifford Scott in the state Group 3 championship. Clifford Scott held Wilson to 32 percent shooting from the field in downing the Tigers, 68-62.
* Florence scored one of the season's biggest upsets by defeating Burlington, 63-56, in the South Jersey Group 1 championship game. The victory avenged a 38-point regular-season loss to the Blue Devils. Florence went on to lose to South River, 59-44, in the state Group 1 semifinals.
* Bishop Eustace overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit against St. Augustine and defeated the Hermits, 83-80, in quadruple overtime to win the South Jersey Parochial B crown. The sectional title was the Crusaders' first since 1976. Eustace later lost, 85-48, to St. Anthony of Jersey City in the state final.
* McCorristin of Trenton won the South Jersey Parochial A championship by defeating Camden Catholic, 92-58.
* Woodbury, 9-17 in 1989-90, improved to 21-4 and won the Colonial Conference title.
* Washington Township doubled its victory total from 1989-90, going 18-9 in Steve Selby's first season as its coach.
PLAYERS. South Jersey players reached a number of milestones. Woodrow Wilson junior Reggie Welch and Buena senior Walter Heard each passed the 2,000-point mark in career scoring.
The 6-5 Welch is in line to become South Jersey's all-time leading scorer. He will enter his senior year with 2,024 points, and is well within reach of Camden's Kevin Walls, who finished his career in 1984 with 2,776 points. Heard finished with 2,003 points.
Paulsboro junior Quincy Lee was the top scorer in South Jersey with a 36.9 average. Despite missing the last five games of the season because of a broken wrist, the 6-3 guard scored 664 points in 18 games. Welch was second with 897 points in 30 games for a 29.9 average.
LOOKING AHEAD. The rich should get richer. With the exception of Delsea - whose starting lineup has graduated - the perennial powers should continue to dominate. Camden, Woodrow Wilson and Atlantic City should once again battle for South Jersey supremacy. Shawnee, Washington Township, Bishop Eustace and Middle Township also should continue their recent success.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
This was not a year in which South Jersey girls' basketball teams distinguished themselves in the state tournament.
TEAMS. Wildwood was the only team from South Jersey to win a state championship. Dave Troiano's Warriors defeated Cresskill, 53-36, in the Group 1 final for the school's first state title in the sport.
Gloucester Catholic had an undefeated season spoiled when it lost, 45-44, in overtime to St. Peter's of New Brunswick in the South Jersey Parochial B title game. The Rams finished 28-1, and won their second straight Olympic Conference National Division title under second-year coach Lisa Angellotti.
One of the surprise stories in South Jersey was the young cast of hard workers assembled by Sam Botta at Egg Harbor Township.
Botta previously gained acclaim as the boys' basketball coach at Mainland, but had never guided a girls' basketball team. In Botta's first year, the Eagles went 29-1, and didn't lose until absorbing a 59-47 setback against Clifford Scott in the state Group 3 championship game.
Egg Harbor Township finished No. 2 in The Inquirer's final South Jersey ratings. The Eagles started five sophomores, paced by leading scorer Shea Matlock, who averaged 18 points a game.
Sterling, which had won the previous two state Group 2 championships, saw its quest for a third title end. The Silver Knights (23-6) lost to Point Pleasant Boro, 53-30, in the South Jersey Group 2 final.
* Shawnee won the South Jersey Group 4 title, defeating rival Lenape, 44-39, in the final. The Renegades' season ended with a 50-44 loss to Piscataway in the state semifinals.
* The South Jersey Parochial A champion was St. John Vianney, which went on to win the Tournament of Champions title.
* Williamstown won the Tri-County Conference Royal Division title, going 18-1 in the league and 22-4 overall. Coach Nancy Manzoni's team had gone 13-10 the previous year.
PLAYERS. Kristi Mroz, a 5-9 Gloucester Catholic forward, earned Inquirer South Jersey player-of-the-year honors after averaging 17.5 points and 10 rebounds a game. Mroz, who will attend Monmouth College, finished with 1,452 career points, second in school history to Angelotti, who ended her career in 1984 with 2,035.
LOOKING AHEAD. As in boys' basketball, this past season's top teams should continue to prosper. Gloucester Catholic will return three starters, including 5-10 Lisa Cermignano, an Inquirer third-team all-South Jersey pick, who will be a junior.
Much will be expected of Egg Harbor Township after it reached the state finals with an all-sophomore lineup. Shawnee, led by third-team all-South Jersey guard Amy Giello, once again could be a top-five team in the ratings.
WRESTLING
It was another banner year for individuals and teams in South Jersey.
TEAMS. Three South Jersey teams won state titles: Paulsboro in Group 1, Delsea in Group 2 and Highland in Group 4.
Perhaps the most stunning development was Highland's championship. The Tartans, who have fielded one of the state's stronger programs for two decades, weren't as highly regarded in 1990-91. They were seeded fourth in the four-team state Group 4 bracket, but emerged as champions by defeating North Bergen, 52-16, in the semifinals and Manalapan, 32-21, in the finals.
Highland coach Ralph Ross guided his team to the title even though the Tartans did not have a wrestler selected to The Inquirer's first, second or third all-South Jersey teams.
Paulsboro continued to dominate the sport as few other schools dominate any sport. The Red Raiders won their ninth straight state Group 1 title, defeating Roselle Park, 42-18, in the final. That extended the Red Raiders' state- tournament winning streak to 37 matches. Coach Paul Morina's team finished 22-0 and was No. 1 in The Inquirer's final South Jersey ratings for the sixth straight year. Paulsboro has won all 12 South Jersey Group 1 championships since the tournament was established in 1980. The Red Raiders were chosen as the No. 1 team in the state by the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association.
Delsea lost only to Paulsboro during a 22-1 season, and won its first state title. The Crusaders won their fifth sectional championship of the last eight years. Steve Iles was named The Inquirer's coach of the year, and was honored as the state coaches association's coach of the year.
Brick Memorial was the South Jersey Group 3 champion, and Paul VI and St. Joseph won South Jersey Parochial A and B titles, respectively. It was the ninth title in 10 years for Paul VI, which went on to lose to Bergen Catholic, 32-18, in the state final. St. Joseph was defeated by powerful St. Benedict's Prep, 54-8 in the final.
Washington Township was among the most improved teams, posting a 14-3 record after going 6-10 in 1989-90. Lenape, which was 9-9 in 1989-90, improved to 15-2 in 1990-91.
INDIVIDUALS. Four wrestlers from the seven-county South Jersey area won state championships. Three came from the Colonial Conference: Collingswood junior John Koss, who won at 160 pounds; Paulsboro sophomore Matt Suter, who won at 145, and Paulsboro junior Larry DeVault, who prevailed at 152.
Damien Covington of Overbrook won the 189-pound title over two-time defending champion Patrick Lynch of Ocean City.
Covington finished with a 31-0 record and was named The Inquirer's South Jersey wrestler of the year. He handed Lynch his only losses of a 35-2 season. Covington's 8-4 decision over the Ocean City senior in the Region 8 finals came in one of the most anticipated bouts in South Jersey history. With the victory, Covington snapped Lynch's 99-bout winning streak, which had tied a state record.
Covington was named the New Jersey wrestler of the year by the state's coaches. Lynch finished his career with 133 victories and 101 pins, both state records.
Suter and DeVault each finished 37-0, and Koss went 28-1.
LOOKING AHEAD. With nine returning starters, Paulsboro should again be one of the state's elite teams. The Red Raiders will miss the leadership of all- South Jersey senior Chuck Ramsey (34-3 at 171), who graduated, but could have enough talent to be a nationally ranked team.
INDOOR TRACK
Bridgeton's state championship in Group 3 can be attributed largely to the work of Warren DeShields and Bobby Griffin in the shot put. DeShields won the event with a heave of 55 feet, 9 1/2 inches, and Griffin was second at 51-1. The two accounted for 10 of the Bulldogs' 17 1/2 points.
South Jersey also had three individual win state championships. As a tuneup for an outstanding outdoor season, Willingboro senior Lamont Smith won the 400 meters in 48.68 seconds, a meet record.
Moorestown senior Sandrine Tokoto won the high jump in 5-4, and Bridgeton freshman Helen Wilks took the 55-meter hurdles in 8.45.
SWIMMING
Camden Catholic's girls' team won its second straight state Division A title. Coach Sue Disney's team went 12-2 and easily defeated previously unbeaten Immaculate Heart, 112-58, to win the title.
Camden Catholic sophomore Sue Mayo was South Jersey's only gold-medal winner in the NJSIAA individual girls' championships. Mayo won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.
Shawnee (14-1) proved to be the class of the boys' swimming programs, defeating every South Jersey team it faced. Shawnee's only loss came in the South Jersey Division A tournament to West Windsor-Plainsboro.
One of Shawnee's victories was over Delran, which went on to capture its second straight state Division B championship. Delran (11-2-1) won 10 of 11 events to defeat Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 103-67, in the state final.
South Jersey swimmers captured six gold medals in the individual boys' state championships. Delran's Jason Rosenbaum won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.27, and the 100 freestyle in 45.76, setting state records in both events. It marked the third year he had won two individual events.
Woodstown's Jeff Farschon was another double winner. He won the 100-yard backstroke for the fourth consecutive year in a time of 51.31, and took first place in the 200 individual medley in 1:53.02.
Vineland earned gold medals in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. Mike DePalma, Tom Forrest, Brett Buonadonna and Erric Hetzer won the 200 medley in 1:39.39. The 400 freestyle relay victory, in 3:14.28, was accomplished by Forrest, Hetzer, Ryan Ploch and Jeff Snyder.
BOWLING
Gloucester Catholic's Tricia Fronczek won the individual title at the South Jersey girls' bowling championships. Fronczek rolled a three-game series of 551.
Collingswood's Julie Williamson was the only other bowler from South Jersey in the top five. Williamson rolled a three-game series of 531.
Teens Getting Edged Out In A Tight Summer Job Market
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222200037/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-30/news/25789040_1_summer-jobs-applicants-job-marketBy Suzette Parmley, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 30, 1991Just last year, the 7-Eleven on the corner of Welsh Road and Old Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia couldn't attract enough applicants to fill the vacancies, so Michael Quinn, one of the cashiers, helped a 16-year-old high-school buddy get a job.
"At one point, we couldn't get anybody to work here," Quinn said. "We were going crazy trying to do everything with so few people."
This summer, the 7-Eleven is swamped with applications. And Quinn, 17, finds himself handing out jobs not to teenagers, but to 30-year-olds.
"We're getting an unusual number of applications from older-aged and middle-aged people," Quinn said. "And when it's a choice between hiring teens or older applicants, an employer always goes for the older applicants because they're more mature."
This is not the summer to be a teenager in need of work.
The economic recession has brought on intense competition for coveted summer jobs - jobs that just a few years ago were plentiful for any high schooler. This summer, teens find themselves losing out to laid-off adults, homemakers entering the job market, senior citizens and recent college graduates.
Even employers on the Jersey Shore, who just two summers ago were hiring foreign exchange students because there weren't enough applicants, found their openings grabbed by local college students by early June.
Last year, Jack Tindall, general manager of the Golden Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Avalon, stalked college job fairs to find summer workers. ''This year they came to me," he said.
The crippled economy, combined with cuts in federal funding for youth summer employment programs and the boost in the minimum wage last October from $3.80 to $4.25, has made it tough for teenagers to get hired.
"Employers want a better return for their money," said Israel Chestnut, regional director of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. ''Before, you could hire an inexperienced person for $3.80 an hour."
Now, he said, "they're less willing to hire someone inexperienced when they can hire a seasoned adult."
Accordingly, unemployment among teenagers has increased dramatically. For youths 16-19 in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the unemployment rate is now 19 percent - way up from 13 percent last year in Pennsylvania and 14.5 percent in New Jersey, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"You name it, I've applied for it," said Tim Micsko, 17, a senior at La Salle High School. "I've been looking for more than a month - and still nothing," he said of his search through the want ads, phone calls and visits to stores and restaurants to drop off applications - 14 so far.
"I get upset when they don't even return my calls."
Linda Misztuk, a 16-year-old from the Mayfair section of the city, expressed similar disappointment while resting on a bench at Roosevelt Mall.
"I applied a couple of months ago to three mall stores, nothing yet," she said. "They all say the same thing - that they're not hiring right now. So I'm just kind of hanging out with not much else to do."
Which is not to say there are no openings out there. Some teenagers refuse to even look at some minimum-wage jobs.
"I don't want to get my hands dirty," said Micky Landherr, 16, who attends Father Judge High School in the Northeast. "No restaurant job for me."
Still, counselors at local high schools have seen a large drop-off in the number of summer job placements requested by employers in their communities. At Upper Darby High School, where many students are eager to work, job placements are down by 50 percent.
"I only had three placements this whole month," said jobs counselor Flora Patterson. "And these kids need more than minimum wage to get by."
Even traditionally unglamorous summer jobs - such as tollbooth operators and amusement park attendants - had record numbers of applicants:
* Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, the largest seasonal employer of teens in New Jersey, saw a 29 percent increase in applicants - from 7,000 to 9,000 job-seekers that included adults, teens and senior citizens - for 3,500 jobs.
* The New Jersey Turnpike Authority received 1,200 applications, 70 percent more than last year, for 125 summer toll-collector slots and 90 grass-cutter jobs; the percentage was way up among older applicants.
* Clementon Amusement Park in Clementon, N.J., received more than 1,000 applications for 300 openings. Office manager Sarah Meyers said she won't even get to the remaining 700 applications.
"We've usually had just enough applicants to get by," Meyers said. "This year, everybody's out of work. We've had quite a few people in their 30s apply, and we've never had them before."
Jobs in the public sector, which were fairly easy to obtain in the mid- 1980s, have been just as difficult to come by this season, as funding has dried up. For this year, Pennsylvania received $27 million from Washington to provide jobs for disadvantaged youths - about $6 million less than last summer.
In Philadelphia, a joint city-corporate program for 14- to 21-year-olds, known as Phil-a-Job, has seen employment opportunities dwindle from 18,620 jobs in 1986 to 7,800 this summer - a 58 percent drop-off.
Funds from the federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) - Phil-a-Job's major support - have spiraled downward from $6.6 million five years ago to $4.2 million this year. And corporate sponsors have also retrenched, causing even fewer job openings.
For instance, this summer the Southwark Metal Co., which manufactures home heating systems and air conditioners in South Philadelphia, did not hire teenagers through Phil-a-Job for the first time in six years. Business is down 30 percent and the staff has shrunk from 300 full-time employees to 198. The remaining employees have taken voluntary days off to prevent further layoffs.
"We've had quite a few 18- and 21-year-olds coming through the front office looking for work," said Mark Serembus, personnel manager at Southwark. ''We tell them there's nothing right now and to check back next month."
The story of lean times is echoed in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties, which run similar programs funded by the JTPA.
"We've told guidance counselors out front to tell kids not to count on getting employment through us this summer," said Albert C. Battinelli, youth opportunity coordinator at the Gloucester County program. There are only 80 summer jobs available - down from 140 last summer.
"It's a bad year for everyone," Battinelli said. "The office is flooded with people coming from all over, even out-of-towners looking for work. I've never seen so many white-collar workers."
The Burlington County youth employment office last week was making phone calls to students telling them there were no more jobs left. About 100 had to be turned away, including 14-year-old Christine Brown of Beverly.
"I was really depending on getting a job this summer," said Brown, who lives with her mother and sister in a neighborhood where she said children sell crack on street corners.
"We don't have money like other people," Brown said, matter-of-factly. ''It's messed up. I think that's why so many kids end up on the streets here. Where else is left for us to go?"
Once, kids went to college in the hope they'd never have to work in a low- paying job again, but this year college students have lowered their expectations, cutting into the high schoolers' pie.
"In the present economy, we're finding older college-aged kids who are working for less - for minimum wage," said Missy Sutherland, communications director at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn. "Our feeling is that the trend has been developing over the past few years."
At a Roy Rogers on Cottman Avenue in the Northeast, 20 percent of the job applicants are college students, 5 percent are adults, while 75 percent are high school kids.
"It's very unusual to see such a high rate of college applicants in this area when they have other upper-echelon places to work," said manager Gus Jones. "It's an indication that it's tough all over."
So imagine what it was like for 14-year-old Kim Barker of Delran, N.J., who started looking for summer work back in January.
The only job she found was feeding cows at Sunnyside Farms for $4.50 an hour. But she's not complaining.
"It feels really good to get a real paying job," Barker said. "It beats babysitting all summer."
For Grads, A Job Hunt That Leads Nowhere He's Contacted 100 Firms And Is Ready To Contact 100 More. "I Could Paper A Room With My Rejection Letters."
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921044906/http://articles.philly.com/1991-07-07/business/25784556_1_victor-r-lindquist-collegiate-employment-research-institute-job-huntBy Andrea Knox, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: July 07, 1991They are 22, 23, 24 years old, fresh out of college, eager to start their careers. They have done all the right things: earned good grades, amassed work experience in their fields, conducted aggressive job searches.
But so far they haven't found jobs.
This year's college graduates are leaving campus at the worst time for job- hunting in nearly a decade.
The economy is still in the tank, despite the first feeble signs of revival. Some of the big employers who do the bulk of campus recruiting are laying off workers, while others are just holding the line. Finding the occasional small or medium company that is hiring may require an arduous search.
No one knows exactly how bad it is: Campus placement offices won't do job- placement surveys of this year's graduates until the end of summer. But there are some indicators:
* Employer participation in campus job fairs and recruitment interviews was down after several years of increases. And many firms that did come to interview had fewer jobs than last year or no jobs at all, placement officers report.
* Glassboro State College's career-development office got 3,500 requests for resumes this year; last year it was 4,000. New Jersey employers listed 1,600 jobs available this year, down 24 percent from last year.
* Last fall, employers told the Collegiate Employment Research Institute of Michigan State University they would make 9.8 percent fewer job offers to this year's college graduates than they made to 1990 graduates. But the situation has worsened since then, said Victor R. Lindquist of Northwestern University, editor of the Lindquist-Endicott Report, another survey of post-college employment. Lindquist expects job offers this year to be down 20 percent to 30 percent from last year.
In human terms, that means thousands of college graduates are back home with mom and dad while struggling to get on their feet.
Alan Poliner, 23, lives with his parents in Northeast Philadelphia while trying to find 100 more companies to contact about a job. The Temple University electrical engineering grad already has run through 100, with no luck, despite a 3.75 grade point average (out of a possible 4 points) and a year of co-op work experience.
"I only had one interview, and I didn't get that job. I could paper a room with my rejection letters," he says gloomily.
Over in Delran, the same frustration eats away at 24-year-old Varsha Patel, who graduated from Rutgers University's Camden campus with an accounting degree.
"Accounting should be marketable," she said. "I didn't expect I wouldn't be able to find a job."
Patel says she sends out 15 resumes a week, some in answer to newspaper advertisements. So far, she has had four interviews and no job offers. She hoped to find a temporary job that might lead to a permanent position, but even that has eluded her.
Patel, a U.S. citizen, and her husband, newly arrived from India, are living with her parents because they cannot afford their own place.
"I never had this situation before," she says. "Whenever I wanted a job, I got a job. I am having many sleepless nights because of this."
And in St. Davids, Linda Chessock, 23, a dean's list student at Randolph- Macon College, is a part-time sales clerk at a bakery - the same job she did for spending money when she was in high school.
Chessock, a sociology major who graduated in 1990, concedes that she hasn't put as much hustle into her job search as she might have. But, she says, ''it's real discouraging. Maybe a quarter of my friends who graduated with me have real jobs. The rest are working at malls, things like that."
Her tattered optimism took another hit recently when she lost another part- time job, caring for a family's children. The reason: The children's father lost his job.
"It's a difficult year for all students," says Patricia Nevius Sancho, director of the career development center at Temple University.
"It used to be that a graduate would have three interviews at a firm and then an offer would be extended. We now find they are being put through four and five interviews before an offer is extended. It's also taking a longer time when they send letters or have interviews for employers to get back to them. That's probably because there are so many applicants."
At the University of Delaware, the top quarter of the graduating class usually has job offers by early spring, says Jack Townsend, director of the Career Planning and Placement Office. "This year even the top quarter was not employed by the end of the year, and some very strong candidates are still looking for employment," he says.
Not all of the jobless are top students or savvy job-hunters. But when even the top students are struggling, the less qualified have even more trouble, placement officers say.
However, at least one crop of graduates is having a banner year: Nursing graduates can find jobs just about anywhere at starting pay second only to salaries paid engineers.
Starting pay offered to nursing graduates, averaging $30,800 a year, is up 9 percent from September, says the College Placement Council Inc., in Bethlehem.
If they can get jobs, graduates with bachelor's degrees in engineering can command starting salaries of between $34,000 and $38,000, according to the Council. But the same engineers and computer scientists who would have had three or four job offers just a few years ago are now averaging only one or two, says L. Patrick Scheetz, director of the Michigan State employment survey.
The average starting salary for a bachelor in business administration is about $25,000, while the average for humanities and social science grads is in the low 20s.
The real pain is being felt by graduates with social science and liberal arts degrees, of whom there are "probably three or four times as many grads as jobs available," Scheetz says. Many of those graduates will start out in jobs that don't require college degrees, such as secretarial posts or courier assignments.
Sancho and other placement counselors say that to find jobs, this year's grads must be persistent and may have to scale down their expectations.
Lindquist is channeling Northwestern University grads toward medium and small companies. But he warns that finding jobs with those outfits, even those in a position to hire, is not a piece of cake.
Smaller firms don't usually interview on campus, which means the job-seeker must search them out. And since many small companies don't have personnel departments, the job candidate also must be persistent in tracking down the right person to talk to.
"You have to reach out and make yourself accessible," Lindquist says.
Some students have not found jobs because they expected too much, too soon, says Temple's Sancho.
Despite the current slack environment, "there are some students who feel they can turn down a job because they believe they will eventually find something," she says.
Also, she adds, 22-year-olds often don't have the patience a job search requires. "Research shows it takes three to nine months to find the job you really want," she says.
Sancho says jobs are available for people who really want them, including those with less marketable credentials, such as general liberal arts degrees.
She notes that Temple's current job listings include a crisis hotline position for someone with a B.A. in psychology; a legal assistant post for which any degree is valid, and a sales and publication job requiring a background in history or social science.
But while the jobs may be there, the fierce competition makes chances of landing a particular job that much slimmer.
"There are more people out there on the market . . . more that meet our criteria," says Gus Tolson, director of corporate employment for CoreStates Financial Corp. But from that expanded pool, CoreStates will hire for its management training program the same number of college grads as it did last year.
"I've interviewed at about 14 companies that actually had a position open, but not many had more than one position. And they may interview as many as 40 people for that position," says University of Delaware grad Amy Smith. Her 3.7 grade point average in business administration has not helped her land the marketing job she is seeking.
Continuing the job hunt in the face of those odds takes tremendous willpower, says Delaware's Townsend. Graduates go to interviews that seem to go well, only to be told they were up against dozens of other candidates and didn't get the job.
"How long can you maintain optimism about finding a position when that happens over and over again?" he says.
Testing The Creative Talents Of Some Exceptional Students
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017205708/http://articles.philly.com/1991-10-24/news/25812727_1_arts-workshop-talented-programs-arts-programBy Louise Harbach, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: October 24, 1991Being creative is a lot of hard work.
Take, for instance, Brie Pearson's dilemma: Fashioning a court jester's costume on a zero budget in less than a day's time.
There wasn't any money for costumes in the budget of a two-day arts workshop for seventh- and eighth-graders from five Burlington County school districts last week at Palmyra High School, so the seventh-grader from Maple Shade tied bells to a black skirt of hers and wrapped it around her head for her part as the jester in a play about a dragon who ate the Knights of the Round Table.
"It's a good way to test your ingenuity," exclaimed Ann Russell, an eighth grader from Moorestown of her efforts to make a dress from a sheet for her part as Guinevere.
Sheets, shower curtains and even bathroom plungers saw double duty as props for a series of plays that would be the finale of an arts symposium, the first of its kind for middle-school students in the gifted and talented programs at Palmyra, Moorestown, Delran, Riverside and Maple Shade schools.
The symposium was the idea of Susan Benson, the head of the gifted and talented program in the Palmyra School District, who saw an arts workshop as an opportunity for students in her district to draw on the talents of others.
"In just one district there's only so much you can do, but cooperation with other districts creates more opportunities for all the children," said Benson of Palmyra's invitation to nearby districts to be a part of the symposium, the first of its kind the district sponsored for gifted and talented middle-school students.
Based on their interest and abilities in dance, acting, visual arts, music and writing, 10 students from each participating district were selected to attend the workshop under the direction of the Sewell-based Educational Information and Resource Center (EIRC), a public agency specializing in educational programs and services.
One of those services is the National Talent Network, an arts program for gifted and talented students that features guest artists who lead workshops and other activities centered on a theme, with this year's theme being medievalism.
"It really forces a student to be creative," said Benson of the program in which student groups were asked to supply the ending in a dramatic production in which the Knights of the Round Table have disappeared.
"It's really been an exciting two days," said Troy Fisher, a seventh- grader from Delran just after his team's dress rehearsal. "I really had a chance to learn everything, not just what interested me before I came here."
To teachers and administrators, the chance to have their students participate in the workshop with students from other schools was worthwhile.
"For many of these students it's a different learning experience," said Bruce Smith, the assistant principal at Millbridge Elementary School in Delran. "At the beginning, most of them were very quiet and shy, but soon they started to pull together and work as a team."
Middle Twp. Tops Delran For Title
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151223113402/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-11/sports/26016830_1_foul-line-melissa-swain-startersBy Tom Williams, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER
Posted: March 11, 1992Undefeated Middle Township, playing the final three minutes without four of its starters, scrambled to hold on for a 50-46 win over Delran last night in the South Jersey Group 2 championship game at Pennsauken High School.
The Panthers (29-0) had entered the final period with a 35-25 lead, but in the next five minutes three of their starters fouled out - sophomore center Crystal Robinson, junior forward Megan Compain and sophomore guard Dinean McBride. A fourth starter, sophomore forward Erin Jones, will probably miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
"Our depth has helped us all year long," said Middle coach Gary Barber, ''but it's never been tested as much as it was tonight."
The Panthers ran out to a 12-4 lead after one period with Robinson hurting Delran (21-5) inside with six points.
The Panthers were leading, 19-10, with 3 minutes, 45 seconds left in the second period when Micki Bailey (18 points, nine rebounds) nailed a three- pointer for Delran and Melissa Roberts (16 points, 10 rebounds) added two. After Melissa Swain scored for the Panthers, Roberts hit again with 12 seconds left to cut the halftime margin to 21-17.
Middle built the lead to 35-25 after three periods, but then that foul trouble started.
Delran took advantage.
The Bears, with Bailey popping from outside and Roberts working the baseline, chipped away at the lead until they trailed by just three, 49-46, after freshman April Pilenza hit two free throws with 48 seconds left.
But Delran missed its three remaining shots, including one from the foul line, and senior guard Allison Copson hit a free throw with three seconds left to seal the championship.
A key player for the Panthers, while its starters were sitting out foul trouble, was sophomore Brandee Kennedy. She hit once from the perimeter as Middle was building its 10-point lead and scored five important points in the fourth period to help hold off the Bears.
"I'm really happy with our effort," said Delran coach Jim Weber. "We felt we took away their transition game and really gave them a battle. Our team is young and has improved all season."
Middle will face Central Jersey champion Manasquan tomorrow night in a state semifinal at Toms River East.
New Tournament Site Is Popular, But Format May Need Changes
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226014343/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-21/sports/26019654_1_tourney-format-njsiaa-executive-committee-wallkill-valleyBy Don McKee, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: March 21, 1992Summing up the recently completed wrestling season and taking a look ahead.
The reviews of the new format employed in the 1992 NJSIAA wrestling tournament have been mixed.
The New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association will meet Monday and the tourney format will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion.
Keep in mind that the coaches have no formal authority to change the format. But their suggestions to the NJSIAA wrestling committee will carry weight. (The wrestling committee will meet next month.)
The coaches, and most of the wrestling people throughout the state, felt the new Super Regionals (where the eight regions met head-to-head on four sites) were a rousing success.
But there was much more criticism of the regionalized pairings, a departure from the statewide pairings of recent years, and of the lack of full wrestleback rounds.
Nearly everybody liked Atlantic City, where the tourney was held this year after 20 years in Princeton's Jadwin Gym, and most feel the tourney should return to the Shore resort next spring.
Paulsboro athletic director Bob Fredrick, now a member of the NJSIAA Executive Committee, is one of the state's strongest voices where wrestling is concerned.
He had some pertinent general observations when contacted the other day.
"The Super Regionals were extremely financially rewarding," he said. "We had four gyms packed to the gills. Fans were turned away at at least two sites. You had a huge attendance, and no overhead."
Since the format and location changes were prompted by the heavy costs of renting Jadwin, that financial windfall should guarantee the return of the Super Regionals next year.
For example, the three-night rental of Jadwin last year cost about $45,000, according to the NJSIAA.
The Super Regionals (held at Cherry Hill East, Wallkill Valley, Union and Red Bank Highs) drew at least 10,000 fans. That means the NJSIAA made at least $40,000 off the events.
The costs of renting Atlantic City's Convention Center have not been released. One source on the wrestling committee estimated $20,000. Another extimated the cost at $26,000.
In any case, with at least 10,000 more paid admissions in Atlantic City over three sessions, the NJSIAA stands to make money on this year's tournament.
That alone guarantees the retention of the Super Regional format.
As a member of the Executive Committee, Fredrick looks at the big picture.
"We're in a situation where only four sports carry the other 27," he said, referring to football, wrestling, basketball and track. "Unfortunately, wrestling requires an expensive facility. So the financial considerations must be met."
All of that said, Fredrick (a former coach) also joined in criticizing the seedings.
"We asked eight runners-up from the Super Regionals to go to Atlantic City and only four could get back into the tournament," he said. "That is a catastrophe."
The NJSIAA elected to use the "follow-the-leader" format used by the NCAA at its national championships. Basically, a Super Regional runner-up only gets into the wrestleback rounds if the wrestler who beats him wins his subsequent bout.
"I understand why they did it," said Highland coach Ralph Ross, "but I'm not in favor of retaining it. I'm sure after all the negative feedback they got, they'll consider changing it."
Delran coach Dennis Smith also criticized the seedings.
"I think they should return to full, statewide seedings in each bracket," he said. "The Super Region isn't really a state tournament event, it's just another regional. And it eliminates about a third of the kids who used to be able to go to states."
Fredrick said he could live with the smaller field at the states, but felt it was absolutely wrong to ask competitors to drive to Atlantic City with no guarantee of getting to wrestle.
"Next year, if nothing else, we have to be able to tell kids, 'If you come to Atlantic City, you'll get a bout, guaranteed,' " he said.
One way to do that is to add an extra session to the two-day finals. This year, there were three sessions: Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon.
To restore full wrestlebacks would, according to Fredrick, mean adding 52 bouts.
To do that, Fredrick would add a session to Saturday's schedule. The tourney thus would run Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening.
An alternative would be to have two sessions Friday and retain the two sessions on Saturday as they are now.
Since nearly all of the NJSIAA executive board members are principals, few coaches believe the board will permit a session during school hours Friday.
"I think it's unrealistic to think that the wrestlers are going to class on Friday anyway," said Ross, who also favors an all-day session on Friday. ''I know a lot of teams that go down there on Thursday night."
"If they are in school Friday, their heads certainly aren't in their classrooms," said Smith.
But there may also be a compromise schedule that would allow the NJSIAA to restore the missing 52 bouts. There is plenty of floor space in the Convention Center. If the wrestling tourney officials added two more mats, they could hold those 52 extra bouts in less than an hour.
This year the Friday evening session began at 6 p.m. and ended well before 11 p.m.
If the action started at 5 p.m., the extra bouts could be wrestled without any great inconvenience.
That would end the practice of "follow the leader," and allow 16 wrestlers per weight class to compete in the finals.
The final consideration under review by the wrestling committee is the site of the finals. There was some sentiment in favor of taking the finals to Rutgers.
But the Louis Brown Athletic Center can accommodate only six mats, so that would mean continuing this year's truncated field.
Also, the Rutgers arena is several miles from any sort of lunch or dinner facilities. Since the arena is cleared between the morning and afternoon sessions (fans are charged to re-enter for the second session) that is a serious problem.
It also was a problem at Princeton, made worse by Jadwin's limited parking.
There was ample free parking in Atlantic City and dozens of eating facilities within a few yards' walking distance of the Convention Center.
So Atlantic City probably will retain the tournament.
But the format will continue to be debated.
Stay tuned.
Program Provides Drug Lessons Early - In Kindergarten
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103120303/http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-28/news/26014166_1_training-high-schoolers-alcoholism-and-drug-dependency-special-education-teacherBy Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: May 28, 1992Delran instructor Barbara Hartmann looked out over the group of about 20 soft-eyed kindergartners who were waiting attentively for the puppet skit to begin.
"Today Buttons and Bows have another problem.
They have to learn coping skills," Hartmann earnestly told the pupils at Cambridge Elementary.
Halfway through the 15-minute skit, Recovering Reggie (a dog) had words of warning for Buttons and Bows (two bears) who were home alone and very sad because their parents said they could not have any guests.
"I didn't have good coping skills at one time, so to keep from feeling mad, I drank alcohol to help me handle the things that made me unhappy."
Sound a little heavy for 5- and 6-year-olds? In Delran, supporters of BABES - Beginning Alcohol and Addiction Basic Education Studies - don't think so at all.
The two young bears eventually manage, with the help of Early Bird and a wise owl named Donovan Dignity, to cure their sadness with fun activities.
This is how BABES, a program for kindergarten through second grade, typically stresses high self-esteem and good decision-making skills, Hartmann said Hartmann, a special education teacher.
With them, designers and users of BABES hope that children will never get involved with substance abuse.
The Delran Municipal Alliance-DAAD (Drug and Alcohol Abuse is Deadly), a community-wide volunteer organization that promotes substance-abuse prevention, wrote the application that brought BABES to Delran.
In 1991, DMA-DAAD used part of the $13,588 grant obtained from the county to train three of its teachers at the Somerset Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency.
The Somerville-based group introduced BABES to New Jersey five years ago.
"We have found by statistics that the earlier we get to children to teach them how to make informative decisions about chemical use, then the better off they'll be," said Ann Barone, the Burlington County coordinator for local municipal alliances.
Her office distributes funding to them from the Governor's Council on Drugs and Alcohol.
The other money went to training high schoolers in peer mediation, sponsoring a "Just Say No" week, and running a parenting workshop for parents.
The money comes from motor-vehicle fines, said Peg Knight, chairwoman of the Delran alliance.
The Delran Township Council contributed $2,500, Knight said.
This year, she expects to receive about $9,000 from the county and another $2,500 from the council.
Delran's program, which began in January, is the first in Burlington County, Barone said.
The program has won wide acclaim in Somerset and Middlesex Counties, according to Diane Drobinski, executive director of the Somerset Council.
Although it is too early to analyze the program's success in Delran, teachers, administrators and parents praised the program for its honesty, means and, most of all, its message.
"I think it's an exciting way to get young people's attention about the issue," said Dianne Dudek, who is a parent of a kindergartner and a second grader.
The kindergartners already have seen the puppets deal with decision-making, peer pressure, self-image and feelings. Later units will cover the subject of children with chemically dependent parents and touch directly on drug and alcohol, Hartmann said.
BABES fits in with the kindergarten-through-second-grade curriculum, which puts an emphasis on feelings and decision-making, kindergarten instructor Betsy Linville said.
"It really is a lesson that children can use as a foundation for independent living," she said.
Delran To Introduce Team Teaching In The Incoming Sixth-grade Class The Approach Fosters Student-teacher Interaction. If Successful, The Program Will Be Extended.
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1992-07-12/news/26025568_1_team-teaching-science-teachers-students-and-curriculumBy Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: July 12, 1992The conventional middle school atmosphere is a swirling melange of students, classes and teachers.
Friends might see each other only rarely. Students often do not spend two consecutive classes together. And teachers, who struggle to form intellectual and emotional ties with students from three different age groups, repeatedly see hard-won bonds broken by the bell.
Team teaching seeks to integrate all the players into a more closely-knit unit that works more like a family, said Delran Middle School principal Stephen R. Falcone.
Come September, team teaching will be tried for the first time in Delran schools with the incoming sixth-grade class of 145 students.
"You should be able to get to know every student a little better" with team teaching, Falcone predicted. "You should know what buttons to push to make them achieve their maximum potential."
If proven successful, team teaching will be expanded into the seventh and eighth grades, he said. One standard will be how well the first group scores three years from now on the state's Eighth Grade Early-Warning Test, which is given to all eighth graders, he said.
Falcone said there will be two largely self-contained groups, each one a mirror image of the other in terms of educational ability, socio-economic background and racial mix. Two four-teacher teams will continue instructing the conventional subjects of reading, language, math, science and social studies. The same group of teachers will be dealing with smaller groups of students and there will be more interaction between them.
Falcone, who spent three years as assistant principal at Delran High School before becoming the middle school principal in December, refers to team teaching as a "school within a school." He said other Burlington County schools, such as those in Cinnaminson and Medford Townships, have satisfactorily used team teaching and that the strong support it received from the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development influenced his decision to pursue the change.
"A lot of people (educators and teachers) have read the report and have moved in that direction," said Falcone.
One of team teaching's inherent strengths is that it encourages teachers and administrators to discuss students and curriculum with each other, a dynamic now missing, Falcone said. Once the new school year begins, each of the teaching teams will meet weekly with the administrators, guidance counselors, and the special education and basic skills teachers.
He said the discussion would encourage coordination of educational goals and give attention to individual students.
Teachers and administrators would have better control over and use of time. If, for instance, "one of the science teachers wants a double lab, he can simply go to one of the other teachers . . . and it can be done," Falcone said.
Unanticipated Dismissal Of Coach Sparking Heated Protests In Delran
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919101034/http://articles.philly.com/1992-07-26/news/26026864_1_lacrosse-coach-lacrosse-program-field-hockeyBy Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: July 26, 1992The rehiring of coaches is normally a routine end-of-the-year matter for the Delran School Board, but the procedure during the July 13 meeting showed one noticeable omission.
Not rehired was highly successful girls' lacrosse coach Ginny Weber.
The omission, though perhaps temporary, has outraged parents and players. The highly respected Weber had led the team to four consecutive appearances in the state finals, including this year. She had been praised for starting a Saturday feeder program among younger children, helping establish with her captains a code of ethics for team members, and helping her players get into college.
"This is very distressing to me," Jennifer Hasan, recent graduate and former tri-captain of the lacrosse team, said to a packed cafeteria. "Mrs. Weber has changed the program from one extreme to the other. The first year she came here we made the states (finals). Our success is entirely due to Mrs. Weber."
Other comments at the meeting complained of unfair treatment of Weber and of a double standard between male and female coaches. In the absence of comments by board members, there was a suspicion that Weber was being blacklisted for receiving a "yellow card" during an intense, early-spring game against arch-rival and eventual state champion Shawnee. A yellow card is the equivalent of a reprimand from the referee. Two yellow cards result in explusion from the game.
Weber's supporters also feared the board intends to eliminate the lacrosse program, despite board assurances that the program would stay intact.
Parents who spoke in Weber's support at a board work session in early July waited past midnight as the matter was discussed in executive session.
Board members told them afterward that Weber's status would be reviewed and a decision on her $3,200-per-season coaching position could be expected by the next public meeting on Aug. 31.
Athletic director Richard Janulis Jr., who said he would not comment on a personnel matter, and high school principal Michael Gallucci recommended that Weber not be rehired. Gallucci is on vacation and could not be reached for comment.
Weber has a long and successful coaching record. For the last five years, she has coached field hockey at Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa. Prior to that, she coached lacrosse, field hockey and swimming at Moorestown High School, where her boys' varsity swimming team won a state championship.
"I put four years into the (Delran) program," said Weber, a mother of three. "I have a good team. I didn't think I had a problem."
She said after receiving the yellow card, Janulis told her the incident had been cleared up. Despite having been ejected from a game four years ago, she said her evaluations have been good.
"Last year everything was outstanding; the year before was outstanding. This year everything was outstanding except for how I get along with other opposing coaches and the other was conduct on the field," she said.
Several coaches of boys' teams have received red cards and even reprimands from the board, according to some of the parents, and they have all been rehired.
Delran Helps Students Avoid Failing
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222075520/http://articles.philly.com/1992-12-06/news/25995906_1_risk-students-social-studies-major-subjectsBy Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: December 06, 1992DELRAN — Failures. Two of those and a student at Delran Middle School could be held back a year, left watching as friends and classmates moved on to newer things.
It was rare, but it happened, according to principal Steve Falcone.
However, faced with nine possible retentions last spring, he pushed through a radically different approach to the challenge: allow the youngsters to proceed to the next grade while giving them the educational support necessary to succeed.
The result was a 30-hour after-school program that has turned around some struggling students. At a minimum, it has created a more positive attitude for others, Falcone said.
The change was driven by evidence that holding back students merely increased their distaste for school instead of compelling them to learn.
"Retention in the middle grades is tantamount to forcing them out of school," Falcone said. The program is "something we must do to keep our at- risk students."
The carefully monitored experiment aims to increase each student's report card by one grade. Two students did not complete the program: One boy, whom Falcone called the most improved, transferred to the Delanco school system in early November, and a girl was released for disciplinary problems.
But the results are in on the seven who finished the two-month course. After examining the five major subjects - math, science, reading, language arts and social studies - Falcone said six had improved, though on different scales.
The poorest performing student went from a 0.4 to a 0.6 grade point average, while another jumped from 0.6 to 2.6, equal to a C+.
The latter success story was a shy student named Ramia, 14. The eighth grader's voice softly but resolutely described the positive effect the program has had on her school life.
"I never have any homework (now) because I do it in school," which leaves her more time to do artwork or help her little brother with his homework, she said.
Ramia said her main motivation was not to stay back a year, as she had done before.
"I'll do a lot of stuff to get good grades as long as I don't have to stay back," she said.
The program began Sept. 14 under the supervision of two teachers - Lynne Dubin and Mary Chiaccio - whose salaries and teaching materials are supplemented by a $2,100 federal Chapter I grant.
Upon arriving at the after-school program, the students were trained in discipline and study skills. Eating or listening to the radio was not allowed.
Since the skill the students most often lacked was organization, teachers helped them prioritize their class work and pick out the corresponding books.
Before implementing the program, Falcone felt obliged to push it past some of his more traditionalist staff members who felt "the students that made a mockery of (the system) needed to be retained. I asked them to bear with me and see what the after-school program accomplished."
Now, he said, the critics are raving about the students' classroom performance.
She's Ending Her 18-year Whirlwind Ride In Westampton Politics
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091144/http://articles.philly.com/1992-12-06/news/25993819_1_nice-people-hard-work-christmas-eveBy Charlie Frush, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: December 06, 1992Marilyn J. Rand didn't really want to hold office. She had a nice job, children still at home and enough community involvement to keep herself satisfied.
But neighbors gave her no peace, and she finally agreed to run for the Township Committee in Westampton.
That was in the early '70s. Now, 18 years later, she's still on the governing body, been the mayor 13 times and presided over a community that showed the greatest growth in the county in the '80s.
Not too bad a report card to take home to Mom's, which is where she might be headed after she retires Dec. 31. One of the reasons she is leaving office is because her 93-year-old mother, who lives in Lynn, Mass., might need some looking after.
Despite the hard work, Rand said she enjoyed government.
"The best part was you meet so many nice people," she said, "and learn a lot. The job is really common sense more than anything else."
And long workweeks.
Sometimes she put in 40-50-60 hours. "When needed I was there," she said. ''I don't think a day went by that I didn't go in the building.
"I met a lot of nice people, I enjoyed the work, and I don't hold a job per se so I could donate as much time to the position as I wanted to. And it was nice working, bringing in ratables to the township. And we brought in a lot - Hampton Hospital, Highland Business Park, two Wawas, Ikea, Lignotock, plus a couple of nice office buildings and a couple of nice shopping centers."
One duty she became accomplished at was performing weddings - more than 200 a year.
"A mayor in New Jersey can marry anywhere in the state," she said. A couple of years ago, "I did one from McGuire Air Force Base in an airplane, a six-seater, as they flew over their new home in Westampton. I've done weddings Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve . . . in their home."
Even before taking office, Rand was a people person. She loved her job as a waitress at W.T. Grant in the Fairgrounds Plaza Shopping Center, until the company went out of business.
In rearing six children, she was active in the Girl Scouts and PTA, volunteered at the Army Community Service Center and was first president of the Waiting Wives group at Fort Dix during the Vietnam War.
"When my husband was in Vietnam, I used to collect baby clothes and get a church to pay the postage and send packages for the kids in the orphanages over there," she recalled.
Rand's husband, Thomas W., who is retired after 28 years in the military, never objected to her political involvement, even during the year when she served concurrently on the Township Committee and the school board, to which she was appointed to fill an unexpired term.
Being an easy target, as an elected official, never bothered her.
"Sure, people give you hard times. I told the fellow who ran in my place, 'You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.' You've got to have a tough skin and let things roll off your back. Especially if you're the mayor."
The Rands have lived in Westampton 30 years, but some things die hard. Like her New England accent. "I haven't lost a bit," she admitted. "The minute I say, 'Let's play cahrds' or 'I'll park the cahr,' people say, 'We know where you're from.' "
So what will she now that she doesn't have to sort out the problems of Westampton?
"I'll probably get involved with the senior citizens," she said. "Every time something starts, I call it a new chapter in my life."
*In today's hustle-bustle society when a parent dies, too often the child finds no one to lean on, including the surviving parent, who is overcome with his or her own grief.
It's a problem that Louise M. Aldrich of Cinnaminson comprehended and one she decided to do something about. Successfully, too. She has been nominated the National Hospice Award of Excellence in Education Programming for her work with grieving children and the program she founded for Children Adjusting to New Situations (CANS).
Aldrich, a first-grade teacher at the Aronson Bell School in Delran and a teacher for 21 years, saw the need for a support group for bereaved children a few years back.
When one parent dies, "the parent at home who then becomes the double parent is grieving so much they can't help the child," Aldrich said, "so the child is reaching out for an adult who can help. It's all normal grieving, but it's something society doesn't expect. Society expects us to move on in two or three weeks, and that's not so.
"It's very difficult when a spouse dies - you're so emotionally involved, so you need an outside person (to help). It's very important that they have a facilitator, but children really help themselves. They find out that the person next to them feels the same way, and that validates their feelings, and they come away feeling they are not isolated or different from other kids their age.
"I do a lot of workshops with teachers/counselors as a community service for Samaritan Hospice," Aldrich said. "I teach teachers how to work with kids. We've had a tremendous need for this."
But mainly she conducts six-week CANS counseling sessions at the hospice, on Second Street in Moorestown, for four age groups - 6- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 12-year-olds, teenagers and adults. The seasonal sessions (winter, spring, summer, fall) are free, although donations are accepted.
"I feel we've really made a difference," she said. "Not everybody can talk about death."
When Aldrich decided to act on her convictions, she realized she needed to know more, so she earned a master's in social work and counseling in 1990 and served internships at the hospice and at Rancocas Hospital, working with families dealing with death.
As an outgrowth of all this, last summer she established a private practice as a loss and grief counselor and is associated with PUIG Associates of Cherry Hill, which conducts a psychology practice.
Aldrich and her husband, Skip, a management engineer, have two daughters. Mary is a social worker at Medford Convalescent Nursing Center, and Kathleen a sophomore at American University.
Perfection. That's what John Curtis attained on his SAT.
The 18-year-old Moorestown Area High School senior recently learned he had scored 800 on both the verbal and math sections of the test, a total of 1,600, the maximum possible.
According to the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, Curtis did something that only 12 out of 1.8 million high school students accomplished in last year's testing.
It helped, Curtis said, that he was taking the test for the second time. He scored 1,480 his first time. That would have been fine for many, but not him. He could have paced himself better, he concluded. But being familiar with the test helped the second time, he said.
"Experience definitely helps," said Curtis. "I think a person should take the test once to get to know the format and style of the testing."
Curtis has filled out only one college application - to Princeton - but plans to put his impressive credentials, including a 3.9 grade-point average, on applications to the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and Rutgers.
"I know that if I attend college in the state of New Jersey that I'll receive a scholarship," said Curtis, who is leaning toward Princeton.
When Curtis is not studying English, history and math, which is his favorite subject, he's playing defenseman for his club lacrosse team or playing his electric guitar. He plans to take music courses in college while fulfilling premed requirements. "I have a lot of fun playing music, and I want to continue playing," he said.
Curtis said he listens to all kinds of music but especially likes rap and heavy metal.
"I like heavy metal because of the guitar and the newer rap groups like Cyprus Hill," he said. Public Enemy, a rap group that started receiving national attention in 1987, is a favorite of his. Curtis said he liked the way Public Enemy blends political ideologies and history. His own political awareness seems to be strong.
"One of my favorite heroes is Malcolm X," he said. "In fact, his autobiography was the first political book that I've ever read."
Among The Region 7 Contenders, Delran Trio Will Be Tough To Beat
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160101221537/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-05/news/25949782_1_top-seed-key-bout-second-straight-regional-crownBy Gus Ostrum, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 05, 1993Three undefeated Delran wrestlers - Brett Matter, Nate Lashley and defending state heavyweight champion Bill Duff - will be among the top contenders when the Region 7 wrestling tournament continues tonight with the quarterfinals at Eastern.
The matches are scheduled to start at 5:30.
Tonight's winners will advance to the semifinals tomorrow at 9 a.m. The consolations and finals will start at 5 p.m..
Matter, 26-0 and the No. 1 seed at 119 pounds, will face Bordentown's Tim Riced (19-8). Lashley, 24-0 and the top seed at 125, will have a tough quarterfinal opponent in Holy Cross' Bob Onorato (26-3).
Duff (26-0) will get his first real test when he takes on Gloucester Catholic's John Chambers (22-1).
Holy Cross' Chris Carpino (28-0) will chase a second straight regional crown when he meets Collingswood's Tom McConnell (22-4) at 135.
Defending 145-pound regional champ Kevin Farnham of Haddon Township (20-0) will take on Burlington Township's Myron Brown (22-5). Other 145-pound contenders include Rancocas Valley's Walt Holland (19-1) and Collingswood's Rick Koss (24-1 with a loss to Farnham).
Paul VI's Joe Micela, 25-0 and the top seed at 189 pounds, is seeking his first regional championship after placing second a year ago. He will meet Pemberton's Ron Jensen (19-5).
In another 189-pound bout to watch, second-seeded Kevin Landolt (27-1) of Holy Cross will meet Haddon Township's Matt Klaus (17-4).
Pemberton's top-seeded Sean Reynolds (23-1) will face a challenge at 103 pounds when he meets Shawnee's Ryan Normandin (16-6). In another key bout, Lenape's second-seeded Brad Bauer (23-1) will meet Collingswood's Bill Roseboro (11-5).
Shawnee's Mike Sferra, 20-1 and top-seeded at 112, will meet Cherry Hill East's Achilles Alon (22-4).
Lenape's Justin Hurst (24-3), who is unseeded at 112 after being upset by Sferra last week, will take on Bishop Eustace's Mike Donato (17-6).
Sferra and Hurst should eventually end up in the 112-pound finals in a rematch of their District 26 title bout, which Sferra won, 6-4.
Audubon's Jason Player (14-1), the No. 1 seed at 130, will take on Moorestown's Justin Hagen (19-5). Dave Sulkin (26-1) of Cherokee, the No. 2 seed at 130, will meet Haddon Township's Bob Armstrong (15-9).
The 140-pound field appears wide open. Top-seeded Merlin Gerst (20-2) of Pemberton will meet Shawnee's Brian Scioli (17-5). Second-seeded Bill Cooper (20-3) of Haddon Heights will meet Cherry Hill East's Steve Stalcup (15-10). Camden Catholic's Zac Papa (23-3) also is a contender.
In another wide-open field, Mark Baraczek (18-2) of Shawnee will take on Cherokee's Scott Stickel (20-8) at 152 pounds, while Angelo Carter (23-2) of Pemberton will meet Lenape's Ken Hunter (13-4).
Chris Gromilovitz of Shawnee, 18-2 and seeded first at 160, will meet Northern Burlington's Neil Begren (16-9).
Top Finishers To Meet In The Super Regional The Prelude To The State Tourney Includes 16 Undefeated Champions From Regions 7 And 8.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222082350/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-08/news/25951971_1_undefeated-champions-state-tourney-atlantic-city-s-convention-hallBy Gus Ostrum, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 08, 1993Paulsboro's Matt Suter, the senior who has won more matches than any other wrestler in New Jersey history, leads 16 undefeated regional champions into tomorrow night's Super Regional Tournament at Cherry Hill East.
The Super Regional brings together the top three finishers in Region 7 and Region 8 in what serves as the preliminary round of the state wrestling tournament.
The state quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be Friday and Saturday at Atlantic City's Convention Hall.
Suter, the Region 8 champion at 152 pounds, has a season record of 32-0. He claimed the state's career victory record Saturday night when he scored a 20-4 technical fall in four minutes over Oakcrest's Jason Brown in the 152-pound finals.
That triumph gave Suter a 134-7-1 career mark, eclipsing the 133-4 mark set by former Ocean City star Patrick Lynch, who graduated in 1991. Suter, a state champion as a sophomore and a state runner-up at 145 last season, earned career win No. 133 in the semifinals with a 38-second pin of Middle Township's Kevin Nelson.
Following his record-breaking victory over Oakcrest's Brown, Suter was presented with a commemorative plaque by Paulsboro athletic director Bob Fredrick, the former Paulsboro wrestling coach, and Suter received a lengthy standing ovation from the capacity crowd at Absegami.
When asked about the pressure of setting the state record for career victories, Suter simply shrugged.
"There's always a lot of pressure," he said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself. I don't even like to lose a volleyball game in gym class. In anything I do, I like to go out and win."
Suter, who lost a narrow decision to Overbrook's Kip Covington in last season's 145-pound state final, said that his season won't be complete unless he earns his second state championship in three seasons.
"It's not over with at all," Suter said. "This week will be the biggest week of my high school career. I'll be uptight all week long."
OTHER UNBEATENS. The list of unbeaten regional champions includes three from Delran and two each from Washington Township and Buena.
Delran's unbeaten Region 7 champions are Brett Matter (29-0) at 119 pounds, Josh Lashley (27-0) at 125 and Bill Duff (29-0) at heavyweight. Washington Township's unbeaten Region 8 champions are Mike Sandelier (27-0) at 125 and Tony Marsella (27-0) at 130. Buena's undefeated Region 8 titlists are Bob Hanson (31-0) at 112 and Eric Harring (30-0) at 189.
The other undefeated champions from Region 7 are Holy Cross' Chris Carpino, 31-0 at 135; Haddon Township's Kevin Farnham, 23-0 at 145, and Paul VI's Joe Micela, 28-0 at 189.
The other undefeated champions from Region 8 are Pennsville's Mike Fithian, 28-0 at 103; Millville's Mike Saul, 25-0 at 135; Highland's Jim Dively, 31-0 at 145; Oakcrest's Justin Bird, 32-0 at 160 and Deptford's Ernie Carter, 24-0 at 171.
COACHES. Maple Shade's Mike Schuld, who guided the Wildcats to a 16-4 record, was named the Region 7 coach of the year Saturday night.
Absegami's Gene Barber, who led the Braves to a Group 3 playoff berth, was named the Region 8 coach of the year.
WRESTLERS. To no one's surprise, Paulsboro's Suter was named most valuable wrestler of the Region 8 championships.
In Region 7, Shawnee's Mike Sferra, the 112-pound champion who has a season record of 23-1, was named most valuable wrestler. Sferra knocked off defending region champion Justin Hurst of Lenape, 4-2, in overtime.
NO OVERTIME. Burlington City's Jon Baer knew his mission as he entered the final minute of his 130-pound bout in the Region 7 finals against Moorestown's Justin Hagen with the score knotted at 6-6 - don't let the match go into overtime. Baer (23-2) got it done in regulation, breaking Hagen's tight hold from behind and scoring a point on an escape as time expired for an exciting 7-6 win.
"I didn't want the match to go into overtime, and I worked up until the last second," Baer said. "When it gets to overtime, anything can happen, so I wanted to finish it off in regulation."
The win was Baer's fourth over Hagen in five tries over the last two seasons. Baer finished third in Region 7 last season.
OUT OF NOWHERE. Cherry Hill East's Steve Stalcup was unseeded in the 140- pound bracket in Region 7, with a 14-10 record and little respect.
But Stalcup never gave up on himself and finished a respectable third in the region to qualify for the Super Regional.
Stalcup, who dropped a tough 5-4 semifinal decision to eventual champion Sam Haines of Lenape, bounced back to defeat Cherokee's Jason Lehman, 11-9, in a consolation bout for a third-place finish.
"I'm wrestling well enough that I hope to keep on moving through the tournament," said Stalcup, a sophomore. "Just the experience of being in the states will help me later in my career."
Duff Repeats As State Wrestling Champ The Delran Senior Finishes His Career 119-10-2. He Becomes New Jersey's Winningest Heavyweight.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922081355/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-14/sports/25949928_1_ric-flair-unbeaten-wrestlers-shirtBy Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 14, 1993ATLANTIC CITY — The shirt, like its bearer, is retired.
Like an omen of destruction, the white-on-black skull T-shirt worn by Delran heavyweight Bill Duff throughout his high school career has gone to that great big trophy case in the sky.
With it go memories of more than 100 vanquished foes.
"The Punisher," Duff said, describing the shirt shortly after becoming a two-time NJSIAA state wrestling champion yesterday at the Atlantic City Convention Center. "I'll frame it or something."
With a career record of 119-10-2, Duff is the state's winningest heavyweight ever, but win No. 119 culminated a senior-year struggle, fraught with high expectations from observers and other wrestlers who assumed Duff would cruise to the title he gained last night.
"That pressure of repeating," Delran coach Dennis Smith said. "You could tell it was wearing on him."
"Coach told me to dismiss all that," Duff said. "You can't go through listening to everything people say."
Indeed, Duff was booed at the Region 7 meet. He wasn't as dominating as the junior who pinned his way through the entire state tournament, so some fans assumed he wasn't putting everything into it. In a sense, it was liberating.
"Everyone wanted to see me lose," he said. "I kind of liked it, because I didn't have to worry about pleasing the crowd. I felt like (professional wrestler) Ric Flair."
It's always tougher, the cliche goes, to repeat. This was true in Duff's case, as he was forced to battle for every one of his wins during the postseason, in which he defeated four previously unbeaten wrestlers.
"Since I was the state champion, everybody wrestled me like it was the state championship," he said.
In the match that actually was, he faced an opponent, Secaucus' Alex Rodriguez, whose 275 pounds outweighed Duff by 45.
"The first time I took him down, I had my head between his legs," Duff recalled. "He came down with all his weight on my neck. I'll probably have ice on it for four days."
Duff struggled through much of the first two periods of the bout, taking a 3-0 lead into the final two minutes but also taking two stall warnings in the process as he tried to figure some way to turn the massive Rodriguez.
"He had a hard time breaking (Rodriguez) down," Smith said. "Soon, we were going to have to let him go and go for the takedown."
Duff finally made that unnecessary, turning Rodgriguez and pinning him at 5:03 of the match. As he leapt to his feet, the expression of relief on Duff's face seemed to be one exorcising a season's worth of stress.
"Last year was great, because it was the first," Smith said. "This year, it's more satisfaction. There's been so much pressure for him to repeat."
"I wouldn't do it any differently," he said. "It was about 10 times tougher this year. All of a sudden, all these tough guys popped up.
"But the first (championship) will always be a little bit sweeter. I was really hungry for it. This was more for satisfaction - to show that I could do it again."
The skull on his shirt seemed to be grinning. But then again, the guy wearing it was, too.
Delran's 'Clueless' Attacker Learns Fast Schofield Had Never Seen A Lacrosse Stick Until Ninth Grade.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151231222554/http://articles.philly.com/1993-04-23/news/25980683_1_lacrosse-field-clueless-goalsBy Rich Fisher, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: April 23, 1993Meghan Schofield recalled the first day she stepped on a lacrosse field.
"I was clueless," the Delran senior said.
Schofield was equally clueless as to how she scored the goal earlier this season that made her the Bears' career scoring leader.
"I guess I did it this year," she said when asked to recount the goal. ''It was against Cherokee, but I don't really remember the goal."
The memory lapse speaks volumes on Schofield's attitude. She is the classic team player who did not list breaking Kim Beiker's scoring record as an objective this year, despite being eight goals shy entering the season.
"I didn't really want to worry about it," Schofield said. "I just don't want to be like that. My goal is to win a playoff game. We've been in the playoffs all three years I've been here and lost in the first round."
"You feel you achieved something, but it's not something that's really a thrill," she said of the record. "I am shocked that I did it, though."
Schofield had never seen a lacrosse stick until ninth grade. Soccer was her first love, followed by basketball. While looking for a spring sport, she considered track and field, but was steered to the lacrosse field by one of the coaches.
Even though it is in its eighth year, Delran's program is one of the newest in South Jersey. Coach Ginny Weber is used to getting novice players, but there was something different about Schofield.
"She was a natural athlete," Weber said. "Lacrosse is a very easy game, in terms of skill, to learn. It's just that the rules of the game that have come into play the last five years are difficult to teach."
Weber made it easy for Schofield her first year.
"She just used me as a chaser because I didn't have any skills," Schofield said. "I would just pester people - chase everybody around the field and create turnovers."
Weber praised Schofield's defense that year and noted that she also scored 11 goals. The record of 159 that Bieker set in 1986-1987 seemed safe, at least as far as Schofield was concerned.
But she fell in love with the sport because it involved a lot of running, which is what Schofield does in her free time. She took it upon herself to improve, going to Temple's lacrosse camp after her freshman year and putting up a net up her back yard.
The result was a switch to attack wing that produced 70 goals her sophomore year. The word was out that Schofield was a scoring threat. Despite being heavily marked, she scored 70 more goals as a junior.
This year, opposing defenses are geared to stop Schofield, but she had 35 goals in Delran's first six games.
"I think it's a tribute to Meghan that last year, with everyone picking her up, she was able to repeat her 70 goals," Weber said. "This year she's scoring with people just hanging on her."
Schofield praised her teammates for much of her success, noting that three newcomers from other sports and four fellow seniors have added to the team's effort. Weber thinks her scoring star is being modest.
"She creates a lot of her own scoring opportunities," the coach said. ''She'll stick-check someone or get a ground ball and go right to the goal.
"You don't find a lot of people like that. You'll find people that can throw and catch, or have good speed. But you don't have a lot of kids that can put the ball in the net. She's worked hard to develop a good shot."
Schofield's efforts have made her Delran's first scholarship lacrosse player. She recently accepted a half scholarship to Rutgers.
She plans to sharpen her game this summer. She also plans to step up her work pace as a waitress to help pay college tuition. Schofield wants to major in the health field at Rutgers.
She will leave behind a legacy that Weber hopes might get more girls interested in lacrosse.
"But girls are funny," Weber said. "They're scared about trying something new. If they've never seen it or played before and they're good athletes, they don't want to fail. And they don't want to sit on the bench for a year, trying to learn the game."
One look at Schofield should be proof that by working hard, you can start out clueless and still end up in the record book.
Delran Earns A Chance To Take A Shot At Mighty Shawnee Delran Has Some Weapons. Shawnee, The Defending State Champion, Won't Be Easy To Bring Down.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922044956/http://articles.philly.com/1993-05-17/news/25962991_1_shawnee-tourney-game-bearsBy Jeff Offord, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: May 17, 1993Delran coach Ginny Weber isn't about to say that her lacrosse team will upset undefeated Shawnee tomorrow in the second round of the state tournament.
On the other hand, she isn't about to say the Bears can't win.
The Bears, after all, have history on their side.
In the last two years, Delran has found a way to put a scare into the highly teams it has played in the postseason.
In 1991, Delran, which was seeded 14th, gave third-seeded Montville all it could handle before bowing, 8-7. Last year, Delran, seeded 15th, dropped a tough 9-5 decision to second-seeded Moorestown.
"Last year against Moorestown we realized that we could play with them at halftime," Weber said. "We just have to get off to a good, fast start this time."
Another reason why the Bears may pose a threat to the Renegades, making tomorrow's game an intriguing one, is the play of Meghan Schofield.
Schofield, a senior, is the Bears' all-time leading scorer with 227 goals. The old record was 159, set by Kim Bieker in a career that ended in 1987.
Schofield leads South Jersey in goals with 76.
Even with a scorer of Schofield's ability and a history of playing tough in tournament time, do the Bears really have a chance to pull off an upset?
"When we played Shawnee the first time, we had a number of new players who had come right to practice from playing basketball all winter," Weber said. ''They had never picked up a stick before, and two weeks later, they were playing Shawnee.
"I'm not saying that we have better stick work than Shawnee now. But I'm sure it's better than when we met ther first time."
Indeed, the Bears are a better team than they were when they lost to Shawnee, 16-5, earlier this season.
But Delran will need to be much better if it is going to entertain the notion of topping the Renegades.
The Bears won their first tourney game ever on Friday, getting seven goals from Schofield to top Madison Boro, 14-12, in a first-round game. Delran has an 8-6 overall record and is seeded 16th in the tournament.
The top-seeded Renegades are the defending state champions and have looked unbeatable this season, rolling to a 14-0 overall record.
Weber, though, isn't about to give up hope.
"I hope the girls look at this game as a challenge," Weber said . "I know I do. I'm not looking at this game as some kind of death sentence.
"We really haven't put together a good game since we beat Cinnaminson 11-7 a couple of weeks ago. This would be a great time to put finally things together."
TOURNEY UPDATE. Cherry Hill East topped Dwight-Englewood, 11-8, in the other first-round tourney game Friday. The Cougars, who are 7-5 overall, got three goals each from Traci Cravitz and Donyelle Pulliams, and two goals from Beth Morowitz, in topping the 18th-seeded Dwight-Englewood. East, seeded 15th, will face No. 2 seed Montville tomorrow.
A Heavyweight In South Jersey Sports Is Named Male Athlete Of Year Delran's Bill Duff Is A Champion In Wrestling And Track. His Real Talent Is In Football.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150916132543/http://articles.philly.com/1993-06-18/news/25971345_1_jersey-team-football-field-state-heavyweightBy Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: June 18, 1993For somebody who specializes in sacking quarterbacks and flattening heavyweight wrestlers, Delran senior Bill Duff isn't all that intimidating when he's out of uniform.
On the football field and the wrestling mat, however, he earned a reputation as a holy terror.
"He is so intense when he competes that it gives people the impression he is a big bully," said Delran track coach Lou Stickel, "but he is pleasant and very well liked by his peers."
Duff, The Inquirer's 1992-93 South Jersey male athlete of the year, was dominant in three sports. In both football and wrestling, he was twice named to The Inquirer's all-South Jersey team.
He was a three-year starter in football, earning first-team all-South Jersey honors 1991 and 1992. As a junior, he was an all-South Jersey offensive lineman. As a senior last fall, he made the all-South Jersey team as a defensive lineman. Duff also helped lead the football team to South Jersey Group 2 titles in 1990 and 1992.
"Bill has a wealth of power and strength, plus he had a great ability to concentrate while on the field," said Delran football coach Pete Miles. ''Besides his physical ability, he is a very technical athlete who listens to instructions and then goes out and performs."
In wrestling, Duff lost just once in the last two years. He won two straight state heavyweight championships and was named to the all-South Jersey team in 1992 and 1993. He set the state record for career wins by a heavyweight with 119.
In track this spring, Duff was a South Jersey Group 2 champion in the discus and shot put.
The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Duff was a menacing site on the football field.
"The way I see it, I don't care who you are on the field," said Duff. ''You can be my best friend and I'll rip your head off. When the game starts, I am in a certain zone."
After accepting a football scholarship to Tennessee in February, it would have been easy for Duff to slack off on his other sports. Instead, he worked twice as hard.
In wrestling, he was the defending state heavyweight champion, but as a junior he had lost one bout. Duff's goals this past season were to defend his state title and go undefeated. He did both, going 33-0 en route to to his second title.
"It really meant a lot to him that he finished the year unbeaten," said Delran wrestling coach Dennis Smith. "And he worked hard to achieve it. He is so big and dominating that when he spoke up in the practice room, everybody listened. It was great to have a leader like that on our team."
Duff combined mental and physical toughness to become a champion in three sports. There is no better example of that than what he did this spring in track.
"What a lot of people don't realize is that two nights before the South Jersey track championships he had blood drained from his knee," said Stickel. ''It shows you the courage the kid has. Many wouldn't have competed. He was out for a week and practiced just one day before the sectional final and one day before the state meet."
Duff finished second in the state Group 2 shot put and discus.
Duff said his biggest thrill in high school was winning the 1990 sectional football championship with his brother, Sean, then a senior lineman at Delran. Sean Duff is now playing football at Delaware.
"Playing on that title team with Sean is the thing I'll remember most about my time at Delran," said Duff. "He was a defensive tackle and I was a defensive end, and being there with him made it special."
Duff recently was named to the South squad for the state all-star football game, which will be played July 2 at the Meadowlands.
"We feel so good for him," said Smith, the wrestling coach. "He is humble. He takes a lot of this adulation and coverage in good stride. It has never gone to his head. He has always been confident, but never cocky or arrogant. The success he has enjoyed couldn't have happened to a better person."
Former coach cries foul over policy, sues to get job back Paul Konieczka cites his winning record at Delran Middle School. The board says health is the issue.
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1993-10-10/news/25938034_1_track-coach-board-coach-at-both-schools and https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9489289/gallucci/By Lynnette Khalfani, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: October 10, 1993DELRAN For 23 years, Paul Konieczka was the boys' basketball coach at Delran Middle School, becoming one of the district's winningest coaches, with a record of 241-78.
Now, as the winter sports season begins, Konieczka faces one of the biggest challenges of his career, one that won't be decided on the basketball court, but in a court of law.
At issue is a dispute between Konieczka and the school board over a district policy that Konieczka contends was adopted to justify his removal. The policy has prompted a legal battle whose outcome will determine whether Konieczka returns to his coaching job.
The case also might set a precedent that defines what school boards can and cannot require of coaches.
Konieczka, 51, a tenured social studies teacher, is suing the Delran board over its "medically fit athletic coaches policy."
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 18, 1992, in Burlington County Superior Court, alleges discrimination and says board members replaced Konieczka in 1991-92 about two years after he hurt his back on the job. The injury occurred Jan. 26, 1990, as Konieczka tried to break up a fight among students, according to court records. He later filed a claim for workers' compensation benefits.
The lawsuit seeks Konieczka's immediate reinstatement as coach, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and interest. It also requests a jury trial, for which no date has been set.
Doctor opinions disputed
District officials contend Konieczka was replaced only after doctors said he could no longer perform the job.
"His win-loss record is not the issue. It's his medical status that is," said John T. Barbour, attorney for the district.
"There was no discrimination against Mr. Konieczka," Barbour, said. "His own doctors reported that he was medically not able to perform the functions of the job."
But Konieczka's attorney, Steven Cohen, disputes Barbour's statements.
"That is absolutely untrue," Cohen said. "We know of no statement by any physician to that effect." He added that if district officials had such a doctor's report, they violated court rules of discovery by not disclosing it.
Barbour refused to produce a doctor's report or reveal the name of the doctor who allegedly had written such a report.
Konieczka was boys' basketball Coach at Delran Middle School from 1968 to 1991. He also was an assistant track coach at Delran High School for eight years.
After hurting his back, he continued to coach at both schools through the 1990-91 term, according to court records.
School officials then recommended that Konieczka be reappointed to his coaching positions for 1991-92.
'Medically fit' policy
In a June 10, 1991, evaluation of Konieczka as assistant boys' track coach at the high school, athletic director Richard Janulis and principal Michael Gallucci ranked Konieczka in the "highest group" in all categories, court records show.
School officials declined to comment on the case or the written evaluations of Konieczka's coaching, saying it was against district policy to discuss pending litigation. But in answering the 14-page lawsuit, the district said that "such recommendations are made pro forma for all incumbent coaches."
About one month after Konieczka received the letters supporting his reappointment, the school board adopted its "medically fit athletic coaches policy."
The policy, adopted July 22, 1991, requires coaches to be "without any risk of a reinjury to a previously existing medical condition."
In the lawsuit, the former coach alleges that school board members adopted the policy in retaliation for Konieczka's workers' compensation claim.
School Board President Ron Napoli denied that allegation.
The board felt that the policy was in the district's best interest and in the taxpayers' best interest and in the coaches' best interest," Napoli said. "No one effects a policy directed at an individual, because that policy affects all individuals.
The lawsuit also alleges that the policy, especially the "risk of a reinjury" clause, does not give handicapped people the same opportunity as non-handicapped people.
"We have contended that the policy is discriminatory," said Cohen.
But Barbour suggested that Konieczka is especially at risk of reinjury, saying the former coach suffered "a series of injuries," not just the back injury.
Documents filed in court also indicate that district officials believe Konieczka suffered more than one injury.
After policy was adopted, Konieczka apparently sought to allay the school board's fears about his back injury.
According to court records, Konieczka went to Dr. Benjamin Smolenski of Mount Laurel for treatment. In a letter dated Aug. 27, 1991, Smolenski said: "Mr. Konieczka has been under my care, and he has had minimal back pain. He may return full time to his coaching position. Any questions please feel free to contact our office."
But Barbour said the district believed that "the human concern and the economic concern would be that you don't put previously injured coaches in that position."
Since district officials did not want to reappoint Konieczka, employment notices were posted in October 1991, soliciting applicants for the two coaching positions.
Konieczka applied for both, citing his experience and career records.
The response to his applications came in a letter dated Nov. 22, 1991, from Delran Superintendent Carl I. Johnson, who is also named in the lawsuit. It stated: “As discussed this morning, please be advised that on the advice of the legal staff at the Disability Compensation Board, you will not be approved as athletic coach by the Delran Township Board of Education.”
District officials said coaching appointments probably will be made at the board meetings before the start of the winter and spring seasons.
N.j. Cleric Indicted; Charged With Aiding Priest In Sex Case The Rev. Joseph M. Laforge Allegedly Gave The Priest $5,000 Drawn From Church Accounts.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919031024/http://articles.philly.com/1993-10-15/news/25934880_1_priest-pastor-rectoryBy Stephanie Grace, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: October 15, 1993The former pastor of a Medford, N.J., Catholic church was charged yesterday with helping a second priest who was facing allegations of molesting four teenage girls flee to his native Philippines.
The Rev. Joseph M. LaForge, 56, former pastor at St. Mary of the Lakes Church, wrote a $5,000 check from church accounts to the other priest, the Rev. Florencia P. Tumang, 70, and then had the check stub altered, prosecutors said yesterday.
Father LaForge, who was St. Mary's pastor for 10 years and had been a Delran High School principal in the 1970s, now works at a North Carolina church. He said yesterday in a telephone interview that he would surrender to authorities "soon" and declined to comment further on the charges.
Those charges include two counts of hindering apprehension and one of falsifying records. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
The indictment, returned yesterday by a Burlington County grand jury, comes at a time when numerous Catholic parishes across the country have been rocked by allegations of sexual misconduct by priests. Father LaForge is not accused of sexual abuse, but of hindering the investigation of a priest who worked for him.
In April 1992, after two teenage girls' allegations against Father Tumang first surfaced, Father LaForge wrote the $5,000 check to Father Tumang, Burlington County Prosecutor Stephen G. Raymond said yesterday at a news conference.
Then, the prosecutor said, the pastor told a church secretary to write ''expenses for the convent and rectory" on a white adhesive label and stick it onto the check's original stub - covering a notation that the check was a "personal loan" to Father Tumang.
That was just a few days before Father LaForge watched the other priest pack his bags and leave the Medford rectory in a van, Raymond said. Both priests had already been told by Trenton Diocese officials that Father Tumang should stay in town, the prosecutor said.
Soon thereafter, Father Tumang, who had worked in the parish for eight years before he fled, was indicted on charges of aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. He has since been spotted in Alabama, Florida, upstate New York, and several parts of New Jersey, Raymond said yesterday.
Authorities believe Father Tumang went to the Philippines and then returned to this country, where he remains a fugitive.
The Trenton Diocese has cooperated fully with the investigation, Raymond said.
Father LaForge knew as early as 1990 that least two other young girls had accused Father Tumang of kissing and fondling them at church functions that year, Raymond alleged.
Father Tumang, Father LaForge and the diocese have been sued in civil court by the families of four girls, ages 13 to 17 at the time of the alleged assaults, who said Father Tumang molested them between 1987 and 1992. The families claim that Father LaForge and other church officials failed to investigate Father Tumang's background, and that Father LaForge covered up the allegations made in 1990.
Joseph DeLorenzo Jr., lawyer for the four girls, said yesterday that the indictment of Father LaForge "has, in a sense, vindicated them. They were made to feel like they were persecuting the church."
At a news conference yesterday, Raymond laid out the following chronology:
On Saturday, April 4, 1992, Tumang allegedly molested a 13-year-old girl at a church-sponsored event. Raymond did not offer details. The girl went home and told her mother, who tape-recorded her daughter's account, the prosecutor said.
Three days later, the girl's father contacted Father LaForge, who confronted Father Tumang. The next day, Father LaForge notified the Rev. Walter E. Nolan, personnel director at the Trenton Diocese. Father Nolan met with both priests and contacted the alleged victim's family.
That was on a Friday. On the following Sunday, Father Tumang allegedly told Father Nolan "he was planning a vacation" - which would have been odd, Raymond said, because it was the beginning of Holy Week, a busy time for priests.
Father Nolan warned the other priest not to leave town. It was later that day, Raymond said, that Father LaForge allegedly gave Father Tumang the $5,000 check.
That night, Father Tumang packed his bags and rode off in a van with four other people as Father LaForge watched, Raymond said. He said the pastor then alerted Father Nolan but did not mention the check.
The next day, Raymond said, Father LaForge told his secretary to alter the check stub.
Father LaForge, who suffers from diabetes and other illnesses, has been on medical leave from the diocese since July 1992. He resigned as pastor of the Medford church after the first round of publicity about Father Tumang, according to Michael Herbert, the diocese's lawyer.
Father LaForge served as a priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Whiting, N.J., until one month ago, when friends in North Carolina asked him to help out there, according to Joseph M. Donadieu, director of communications for the Trenton Diocese.
Father LaForge had served as pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Church, whose parishioners number 3,600 families, for a decade before he resigned last year. He was principal of Holy Cross High School in Delran from 1973 to 1978.
Delran Girl Paints Anti-drug Picture "I Don't Want Drugs In My Life," Lauren Seybert Said.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922101102/http://articles.philly.com/1993-08-01/news/25968724_1_anti-drug-contest-thrift-drug-school-contestBy Stanley M. Brown, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: August 01, 1993DELRAN — Nine-year-old Lauren Seybert's name is up on a billboard now, along with the gingerbread figure she painted and the anti-drug slogan she wrote.
The third grader at Aronson Bell Elementary School gained her spot of fame (and a $500 savings bond) by being one of 18 regional winners in the fourth annual "Tell It Like It Is" contest sponsored by Thrift Drug. This year, the contest drew nearly 4,000 students from more than 180 schools across South Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.
But Seybert, the only Burlington County winner, almost didn't make it to the contest.
When basic-skills teacher JoAnn Karwacki went around the class in March to collect contest entries, she discovered that Seybert had forgotten to do hers.
Karwacki remembered the anti-drug drawing Seybert had created in October for a school contest.
"I thought the drawing was very good. She really thought about how drugs and alcohol can affect a person's life. Her drawing conveys the message in such a way that other kids could understand," said Karwacki.
She called Lauren's parents, Kenneth and Crystal Seybert, and Lauren spent the next weekend feverishly re-creating her work. On Monday, two days before the deadline, Karwacki sent off Lauren's and the other entries from the school by express mail. Lauren's was the only one to win a prize.
Her red, yellow, green, and blue gingerbread figure is depicted as a jigsaw puzzle, with each piece listing something of significance to her - "family," ''church," "school," "art," "Nintendo," "sledding," "Girl Scouts," "singing" and "friends." The figure is accompanied by the admonition "Don't let drugs be a piece of your life."
"I wanted to show things that I wanted to be in my life, and I don't want drugs in my life," Lauren said.
The winners were picked by six students from three Philadelphia high schools.
Lauren's 8-by-10-inch drawing has been enlarged to 1,500 times that size and looks down on traffic along Route 130 northbound, across from the Delran Ford automobile dealership.
A side benefit for Lauren was the opportunity to observe as artists and technicians at Revere Outdoor Advertising Co. of Philadelphia worked to transplant her design onto the billboard.
"I liked how they painted the different billboards and how they worked on the computers," Lauren said.
Lauren first drew her gingerbread figure in October for an anti-drug contest organized by the local PTA. It placed first in her grade level.
The contests make "people realize that kids have a good understanding, even at that level, about the dangers of drugs and alcohol," said Karwacki.
Paul Vi Looking For Some Better Breaks A 6-3 Start For The Eagles Could Easily Have Been8-1. Two Of Their Losses Were By A Point.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151225145103/http://articles.philly.com/1994-01-27/news/25825946_1_paul-vi-washington-township-big-differenceBy Bob Hoffman, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: January 27, 1994Carol Stutzer-Harris has been the girls' basketball coach at Paul VI for what "feels like a million years." By the time this season ends, it may seem like even more.
The Eagles, ranked No. 13 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, are off to a 6-3 start. That's not bad, but Paul VI is a couple of baskets from an 8-1 record. The Eagles lost to Middle Township, 47-46, Dec. 27 in the Big Mac Classic at Washington Township. And they dropped a 35-34 decision Saturday to Olympic Conference National Division foe Bishop Eustace.
"This year has been like a yo-yo," said Stutzer-Harris, a teacher at Paul VI for 24 years and a head coach for seven. "The loss at Christmas killed us. We lost at the buzzer and ended up playing for seventh or eighth place because we lost to Delsea in the second round. If we beat Middle Township, there's a big difference.
"After that, we started to play fairly well. We beat Camden Catholic, a big win for us in our conference, and then we ran into eight days off. Then, we lost to Bishop Eustace on Saturday. The layoff hurt both teams, but a couple of loose balls made the difference. It made me think they wanted the game more than we did."
Paul VI has more than enough players to chase down loose balls. Stutzer- Harris regularly shuttles 10 to 12 players in and out of games. None scores at a double-figure pace.
"We have a lot of players who are good enough to play at the varsity level," Stutzer-Harris said. "As a result, we don't have a go-to player. You can't shut down one player and beat us."
Paul VI's steadiest player has been Patty Foster, a 5-foot-10 senior forward. Foster is averaging 9.1 points per game while playing out of position.
"We have Patty in the 'four' spot now because we need her rebounding," Stutzer-Harris said. "She's more of an outside player, but we need her inside."
"I had to adjust," Foster said. "I don't mind playing inside, but I'm normally a guard or a wing player and it's hard to adjust. Everybody has a role on this team. We can all shoot threes, and there's a lot of talent on the bench. Everybody can get points this way, and I think we can be a powerful team."
WHO'S HOT. No. 1 Washington Township (9-0), No. 4 Sterling (10-0) and No. 5 Moorestown (9-0) - South Jersey's only unbeaten teams - are the hottest. Next in line is No. 7 Gloucester Catholic (10-2), which has won seven straight. Then there's Mainland, which has won six in a row after a 1-5 start.
UP AND DOWN. Millville lost four in a row after chalking up six wins to start the season. The Thunderbolts snapped the losing streak Monday with a 60-35 victory over Absegami and followed up with a 53-48 win over Holy Spirit on Tuesday to improve to 8-4.
2,000 WATCH. Sterling's Kate Schmid is on target to become the eighth girl in South Jersey history to reach 2,000 career points. Schmid fired in 24 points on Tuesday against Paulsboro to push her total to 1,741. The 6-foot senior, who is headed to the University of Miami, stands third on Sterling's all-time scoring list behind Jackie Donovan (2,516) and Teri Cinelli (1,796). Schmid is averaging 22.7 points a game this season.
Hammonton's Christina Smith is second to Schmid among active South Jersey players. Smith, a 5-3 senior guard who is averaging 22.4 points a game this season, has a career total of 1,549.
LONG BREAK. Almost every team in South Jersey was idle last week because of ice, snow and cold. The best example of a team on vacation is No. 6 Delran, which defeated Penn Charter, 37-32, on Jan. 11 and then sat around until Tuesday's game with Rancocas Valley. No games for the Bears in two weeks. Not many practices, either.
Monday "was our first day of practice in a week," Delran coach Jim Weber said. "In all my years, I've never seen a winter like this one. The kids were rusty. We basically had to start over and go over everything again. It's been unbelievable."
Delran dealt with the delay well. The Bears drilled nine three-pointers and dropped Burlco Patriot rival Rancocas Valley, 52-42, on Tuesday.
At the other extreme was Atlantic City. Michele Farrell's team was far from cold last week, going 3-0 with victories over Egg Harbor Township, Absegami and East Orange.
QUICK QUIZ. Name the last team to win despite being shut out for half the game. That's easy - Haddonfield, on Monday. The ninth-ranked Bulldogs scored not at all in the second and third periods against Paulsboro, but managed to win, 18-11, because the Red Raiders didn't score in the middle periods, either.
Paulsboro coach Jay Luberti engineered the slowdown and his team, a heavy underdog to the defending Group 1 state champion, closed to within 15-11 in the fourth period before bowing.
Through Pain, Sandelier Chases Another State Title The Washington Township Senior Is Being Hindered By A Strained Neck Muscle.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922094814/http://articles.philly.com/1994-03-01/news/25851633_1_wrestler-washington-township-painBy Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 01, 1994Nobody is invincible, but entering this season, Mike Sandelier seemed to be the nearest thing.
If any wrestler in South Jersey seemed destined to assume the mantle vacated by the graduation of Paulsboro's Matt Suter last year, it was the Washington Township star, the state champion at 125 pounds last season.
But as the district tournament began this past weekend, few knew what to expect. Sandelier had been out of action since Feb. 1, when he struggled through a 10-5 victory over Buena's Octavio Liriano.
Sandelier has a strained neck muscle that puts pressure on a shoulder nerve and causes the senior a great deal of pain when he wrestles. He missed three weeks of practice before returning to the mat a week ago, and although he handled the district tournament in typical fashion, no one knows what the results will be as his opponents become more and more talented.
"I think he'll find he definitely has to step it up a notch," Township coach Frank Consiglio said. "He's done it before, and he's going to have to do it again."
For now, questions about Sandelier's match stamina abound. His injury is such that wrestling inevitably causes him pain. When will the pain be too much?
"It'll be either Michael, his uncle (a guardian) or a trainer who will make that decision," Consiglio said. "I never make a decision about how much a kid is hurting."
What is clear, of course, is that Sandelier is hurting now, and Consiglio says it is evident in his wrestling.
"It does affect him," the coach said. "You can see he's more tentative. He's not the same as he was. He's wrestling almost like he's waiting for it to hurt. But it's not irreparable."
That much is obvious, and Sandelier, top-seeded in Region 8 at 130 pounds, still has his eye on another state championship.
"That's still his goal," Consiglio said. "I really don't think it'll come down to the injury. If somebody beats him, it'll be because he's a better wrestler.
"It has nothing to do with ability. It has to do with how much pain he can tolerate. But if he gets through this and wins another (state title), I won't be shocked. Impressed, but not shocked."
MISSING IN ACTION. The name of one returning district champion was noticeably absent from the past weekend's District 27 results.
Cinnaminson's Dave Young, who won the 152-pound title in the district last season, was disqualified from the Pirates' final dual meet of the season against Delran, along with 171-pounder John Zell, for violations during bouts against Delran wrestlers.
If the disqualifications had occurred in the middle of the season, each wrestler would have had to miss two dual meets, according to NJSIAA regulations. As it stands, however, both were disqualified from the district meet - and, of course, any further postseason competition - as well as the first match of next season.
That - along with the fact if the disqualifications - has Cinnaminson coach Doug Cunningham upset.
"To begin with, it was an unjust DQ," Cunningham said. "In Dave's match, he'd already been awarded two penalty points for unnecessary roughness. In the second period, after (his opponent) grabbed (Young's) testicles, Dave jumped up and called him a dirty so-and-so, and the ref DQd him."
As for Zell, "he had no penalty points against him, but he flailed his legs out of bounds after getting punched and getting his testicles grabbed," Cunningham contended.
Said Delran coach Dennis Smith: "I don't condone the squeezing of testicles in wrestling. I don't teach it, and I don't condone it. There are a lot of wrestling moves, of course, that involve going through the crotch. Very common moves."
As for the specific bouts, "at 152, things started getting a little rough, but (Young) had a penalty point against him, too," Smith said. "There was a referee there the whole time, and I think the ref was awarding penalty points where they were deserved.
"Maybe he should have warned the wrestlers, gotten them together and explained that a disqualification could cost them. But I feel like I'm getting a little victimized myself. I feel very bad about the whole thing."
That's one point he has in common with Cunningham, who thinks that the severity of the sanctions is unfair.
"The crime, in this case, doesn't justify the punishment," he said. "The facts are that neither one got to wrestle districts - they weren't even allowed to be in the gym - and the state has no appeal process. It won't hear any appeals on officials' decisions."
If there is a silver lining to this, it's that neither Young nor Zell is a senior. Thus, each will have the chance to return next season.
UPHILL BATTLES. Two of Saturday's district championship matches were lost
because of illegal holds or moves, and in each case, itwas a top-seeded wrestler who ended up with the defeat.
While both of the loers - Millville's Mark Saul at 145 pounds and Shawnee's Mark Baraczek at 160 - qualified for regional action as district runners-up, they'll face uphill climbs out of the losers' bracket rather than the less demanding road for district champions.
Baraczek, by the way, was a district champion last season at 152 as well as a Region 7 runner-up.
GOOD NEWS. One of South Jersey's best-liked coaches, Vineland's Denny Miller, got a scare last week when he experienced symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. After a series of tests, it was found that Miller had not suffered a heart attack. He will have a gall bladder operation today and should recover fully.
Miller might not make it to Absegami for the Region 8 tournament this week, but he should see many more.
CRUNCHING NUMBERS. Of the 104 champions crowned in Districts 25 through 30 last weekend, 33 won district championships last season as well.
Of those, 14 repeated as champions in the same weight class - Brad Bauer, Lenape (103 pounds); Greg Bauer, Lenape (119); Aaron Taylor, Camden Catholic (103); Sean Stoner, Cherokee (160); Jeff Kellmer, Cherry Hill East (189); Mike Belh, Paulsboro (189); Joe LaMalfa, Highland (112); Brian Lewis, Highland (160); Anthony Ricciardi, Washington Township (heavyweight); Dennis Lamond, Egg Harbor Township (112); Tony Rodriguez, Oakcrest (125); Jason Brown, Oakcrest (152); James Jenkins, Oakcrest (189), and Carnelius Cruz, Oakcrest (heavyweight).
The district with the most winning names with a familiar ring was 32. Eight wrestlers who won championships in 1993 in that district won them again. District 28 had the most new champs, with only Ken Merrigan of Paul VI taking a second straight title. Merrigan won at 135 in '93 and at 140 this time.
RANKINGS CLARIFICATION. Highland's Steve Kucinski was misidentified as a 119-pounder in yesterday's rankings. He won the District 30 championship at 125 pounds this past weekend.
The correct rankings for 119 and 125 are:
119: 1. Bob Hanson, Buena (29-0); 2. Greg Bauer, Lenape (24-2); 3. Tom Casino, Overbrook (27-2); 4. Joe Melchiore, Kingsway (23-1); 5. Dave Sterling, Absegami (23-2).
125: 1. Justin Hurst, Lenape (23-3); 2. Tony Rodriguez, Oakcrest (25-1); 3. Octavio Liriano, Buena (25-4); 4. Steve Kucinski, Highland (27-2); 5. Guido Vinciguerra, Gloucester Catholic (22-1).
FINAL INQUIRER WRESTLING TOP 15
RANK/TEAM REC. LW
1. Highland 22-0 1
2. Lenape 14-1 2
3. Buena 19-2 3
4. Absegami 19-2 4
5. Oakcrest 13-5 5
6. Paulsboro 20-1 6
7. Collingswood 16-3 7
8. Haddon Twp. 13-4 8
9. Pennsville 15-4 9
10. Wash. Twp. 12-6-1 10
11. Camden Cath. 16-5 11
12. Delran 13-3-1 12
13. West Deptford 9-9 13
14. Paul VI 11-4 14
15. Holy Cross 10-5 15
3 Region Titlists Each For Lenape, Oakcrest Lenape's Winners Were In The Lower Weight Classes. Oakcrest's Champs Were In The Upper Weights.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160104040843/http://articles.philly.com/1994-03-07/news/25848030_1_upper-weights-region-titlists-championshipBy Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 07, 1994Two of the area's top teams took home three individual titles apiece at the Region 7 and 8 tournaments over the weekend, and the wrestler who is arguably South Jersey's best, pound-for-pound, took his first loss in two seasons in a semifinal match.
Lenape in Region 7 and Oakcrest in Region 8 can each boast of three champions, while Washington Township's Mike Sandelier - the 1993 state champion at 125 pounds - took third place in Region 8 and will have a rough road to a state-championship match.
Lenape won titles in the lighter weights, Oakcrest in the upper weights. Lenape's Brad Bauer was impressive at 103 pounds, defeating Cherry Hill West's Chris Staniec, Pemberton's Curtis Huff and Camden Catholic's Aaron Taylor en route to the title. Entering their matches with Bauer, the three had only five losses among them.
Bauer's brother, Greg, won the title at 119 - he was the runner-up at the same weight last season - and Justin Hurst, the runner-up at 112 last year, won at 125.
Oakcrest's Jason Brown pinned Schalick's Karl Haywood at 152, handing the Cougars junior his first defeat of the season. At 189, Oakcrest's James Jenkins beat Middle Township's Scott Smith - with whom Jenkins had split this season - 12-3, and heavyweight Carnelius Cruz won a technical fall over Washington Township's Anthony Ricciardi, who was later disqualified from the tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Elsewhere in both regions, several much-anticipated matchups took place. The highlight was the only title bout in either region matching two undefeated wrestlers. Holy Cross' Kevin Landolt (25-0) quickly turned the Region 7 heavyweight bout into a mismatch, whipping Haddon Township's Matt Klaus, 12-0.
Another highlight match came in the Region 8 championship bout at 160 pounds, where top-seeded Brian Lewis of Highland met Oakcrest's unbeaten Cory Bird. Lewis, who reached the region final for the fourth time in as many years, took his second Region 8 championship with a narrow 7-5 decision.
It was an especially satisfying win for Lewis for two reasons: It was the first time he had won a region championship on the mat (He won as a sophomore by default when his opponent was injured in the semifinals.), and the win gave him 126 for his career, making him the career leader at Highland.
The 135-pound final in Region 7 featured two wrestlers with state- tournament experience, Delran's Brett Matter and Burlington's Jon Baer. Matter had dispatched Baer, 14-0, during the season, but the rematch was tighter as Matter remained undefeated (28-0) with an 11-7 win. Baer was the state runner-up at 130 pounds last season.
Pemberton's Merlin Gerst and Collingswood's Tom McConnell, the top two seeds in Region 7 at 145, met in another big final match. McConnell, the second seed, upended Gerst, 4-1, to remain undefeated (26-0) and win his first region championship.
At 189 pounds in Region 7, Eastern's Joe Klein dominated. Klein, who had defeated three of the top four seeds in the weight class during the regular season, made it a clean sweep when he beat top-seeded Ron Jensen of Pemberton in the semifinals and then pinned Collingswood's Cliff Barnes in the final.
Collingswood's Joel Caruso, who pinned his way through each of his region matches to take the 171-pound title and remain undefeated at 27-0, took most- valuable-wrestler honors.
In Region 8, Highland's Joe LaMalfa joined Lewis with a championship, at 112 pounds. The win, a pin over Egg Harbor Township's Dennis Lamond, was especially sweet for LaMalfa, a two-time runner-up to Buena's Bob Hanson.
Hanson (33-0), meanwhile, was spectacular in winning the 119-pound title. All of the junior's district and region victories, including the Region 8 title match against Overbrook's Tom Casino, were by pin.
Saturday was a sweet day for Delsea's Mike Bilinski, who entered the semifinals and finals with three losses during the season and avenged two of them before the day was out. En route to the 140-pound title, last year's runner-up beat Pitman's Jeff Kenney in the semifinals and top-seeded George Florence of Absegami for the championship.
The most-valuable-wrestler distinction in Region 8 was split between two wrestlers who upset top seeds on the way to championships. Woodbury freshman Mike Zechman beat Highland's Dave Rosano, the top seed, in the quarterfinals before taking the 103-pound championship with a victory over No. 2 seed Kevin Van Brill of Clearview.
Paulsboro's Pete DiPol caught Oakcrest's Tony Rodriguez, the top seed, with a pin in just 50 seconds in their semifinal match, and edged Buena's Octavio Liriano, 10-9, for the championship.
With all the excitement surrounding the championship bouts, Sandelier's loss in the semifinals, a 17-12 defeat at the hands of Paulsboro's Greg Harvey, drew plenty of attention. It proved what many had suspected - Sandelier's strained neck muscle is a major impediment to his state-title pursuit. Glassboro's Mark Sahm (27-0) took the title, beating Harvey in the final.
"I'm not the same wrestler I used to be," Sandelier said. "I've got to figure out some way to change my style. I can't go out there expecting to rack up a lot of points on everybody like I used to. But as long as I change my style a little, I think I can keep winning."
NOTES. NJSIAA Group 3 champion Brick Memorial is the No. 1 team in New Jersey, according to rankings released yesterday by the New Jersey State Coaches Association. Brick Memorial (13-0) upset Phillipsburg, which finished ranked No. 4, to win the Group 3 championship last month. Group 2 state champion Jefferson (14-0) is ranked No. 2.
South Jersey's highest representative was Highland (22-0), ranked No. 3. The Tartans, ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, won the Group 4 state championship.
Other South Jersey teams in the top 25: No. 5 Lenape (14-1), No. 7 Buena (19-2), No. 10 Absegami (19-2), No. 12 Oakcrest (13-5), No. 13 Paulsboro (20-1), No. 14 Collingswood (16-3), No. 22 Haddon Township (13-4), and No. 23 Pennsville (15-4).
Middle Twp. Regains Title In Group 2 The Panthers Came Back With The Help Of Their Full-court Press, Beating Defending Champ Delran.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103162734/http://articles.philly.com/1994-03-08/news/25849027_1_full-court-press-panthers-laneBy Bob Hoffman, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 08, 1994Middle Township won its second Group 2 South Jersey girls' basketball championship in three years last night, rallying for a 55-43 victory over defending champion Delran.
Middle Township, No. 3 in The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 15, will play Manasquan in the state Group 2 semifinals tomorrow at Burlington Township. With last night's victory, the Panthers avenged a 48-42 loss to Delran in last year's sectional final.
The Panthers, 24-2 and seeded second, trailed by 17-8 in the second period before coming back. With their full-court press and relentless offensive rebounding appearing to wear out the Bears, they cut their deficit to 17-16 by halftime.
"Before the game, I told my team that there will always be peaks and valleys at this level of competition," Middle Township coach Gary Barber said. "We didn't want to go through a big lull, but we did in the first quarter. We are a press-and-run team, and I think we used that to our advantage starting in the second quarter."
The Panthers came out firing in the third period. Heather Ingersoll, who was scoreless in the first half, scored seven points in that quarter and finished with nine. Delran held a 30-27 lead entering the fourth period, but it was fading fast.
Middle Township took the lead for good with an 11-2 burst at the start of the final period. Brandee Kennedy started it with a bank shot from the lane. Merri Jones, who was saddled with foul trouble for most of the game, then hit two straight baskets from the lane. Erin Jones followed with a layup and a free throw, and Kennedy finished the run with a jumper from the lane. Middle led by 40-32 with four minutes left.
"We were up nine points, and if we could have handled their press, it would have been a different story," said Delran coach Jim Weber, whose fifth- seeded team, which is ranked second in South Jersey by The Inquirer, fell to 18-3.
"We were a little rattled. This was a complete reverse of last year. Last year we came back to beat them. This year it was their turn. We had a problem with their press, and we didn't get back fast enough on their fastbreak."
Middle won the fourth period by 28-13, converting 14 of 19 free throws.
Matter And Landolt Share The Honor The Delran Junior And The Holy Cross Senior Were Unbeaten State Champs.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103073857/http://articles.philly.com/1994-03-21/news/25851974_1_state-championship-state-heavyweight-title-unbeaten-state-champsBy Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 21, 1994Brett Matter and Kevin Landolt have several things in common.
Both wrestlers went undefeated this past season. Both won state championships. Both go to high school - at different schools - in Delran.
Add one more item to that list: Together, they are The Inquirer's wrestlers of the year.
Matter, a junior at Delran High, won a state championship at 135 pounds and finished with a record of 32-0. Landolt, a senior at Holy Cross, was equally impressive, going 29-0 en route to taking the state heavyweight title.
In winning his state title, Matter lived up to the pressure that goes with his last name. His brother Clint was a successful wrestler at Delran who graduated in 1992. His father, Andy, was a two-time Pennsylvania state champion in high school and an NCAA champion for Penn State in 1971 and 1972.
"Sometimes people will think, 'Oh, well, his father was so good, he'll be good automatically,' " Delran coach Dennis Smith said of Brett Matter. ''That's not the case at all. People don't realize the work he puts in."
That work has paid big dividends in Matter's three years in the Delran program. His career record was 93-8. A state semifinalist in 1993, he was an obvious contender for a state championship this season. But Smith said he first realized how dominant Matter could be when he defeated Burlington's Jon Baer - a returning state runner-up - by 14-0 in midseason.
"That was his first major test," Smith said. "The way he wrestled Baer, he was so psyched up for that match, yet at the same time, it was all business. He knew it was an important match, and he wrestled well."
Smith said the pressure of being a returning state champion next season won't be a burden for Matter.
"There's always more pressure once you're a state champ," the coach said. ''Three state champions didn't repeat this year. He'll keep working because he loves it. He'd keep wrestling now if there were any more matches."
There will be no more matches for Landolt, who will trade his wrestling shoes for football cleats. He is headed for West Virginia on a football scholarship because of a decision he made before the wrestling season began. It was a choice that wrestling coach Rick Little said was a major reason for Landolt's success during the season.
"Focus is the key word when it comes to Kevin," Little said. "He made that verbal commitment to West Virginia so he could concentrate completely on his wrestling. There were no distractions."
Statistically, Landolt was dominating this season. In his 29 matches, he allowed opponents a total of just 23 points. Seventeen of those points were unearned - escape points that he gave up intentionally or stalling points. And none of the earned points came until he reached the state semifinals.
"He's a man of few words," Little said. "He doesn't do the trash talking. He doesn't make a big deal about it. He's just the same old Kevin. That's why I don't think anybody in South Jersey expected him to be as dominating as he was."
This Time, Pennsville Is Hitting A Few Bumps 1993's State Title Is A Hard Act To Follow. The Eagles Aren't Writing Off The Year, However.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150926013754/http://articles.philly.com/1994-05-19/news/25830275_1_pennsville-tough-act-undefeated-teamBy Bob Hoffman, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: May 19, 1994The year 1993 will long be remembered at Pennsville for the 26-0 record and the state Group 2 softball championship, the first in the school's history.
Everyone knew 1994 would be different. It had to be. No more Bridgett McCaffery. She took her 22-0 record and went off to college at the University of Connecticut. Gone too were six other starters.
But some things don't change at Pennsville. Winning records for one. Herb Bacon for another.
The Eagles are 12-5 in Bacon's 14th year as head coach following yesterday's 5-3 victory over Delsea.
"Considering we only have one player - centerfielder Danielle Dolbow - in the same position as last year, we're doing pretty well," said Bacon, who has compiled a 285-44 career record. "I'd rather be where we were last year at this time, but I'm enjoying the challenge this year presents."
Predictably, Pennsville has gone through ups and downs this season.
"Some days we're very good, some days our inexperience shows," Bacon said. "I tell people I'm just bobbing and weaving like a boxer. I'm still having fun. If it wasn't fun, I'd hang it up. I would know it was time."
The time almost came after last season's runaway success.
"People told me I should quit," he said. "They told me I should go out on top. My wife and I talked it over, and I decided I still loved the game and still wanted to see us do well. When I don't feel the fire anymore, that's when I'll quit."
Pennsville won't win the Tri-County Conference Royal Division title this year, but Bacon isn't about to merely go through the motions for the rest of the season.
"We have some young kids on the rise who are really going to help us," he said. "Danielle Dolbow, Kelly Eastlack and Colleen McCaffery - the only three letter-winners from last year - have had good seasons. The rest of the season should be interesting."
McCaffery, a sophomore shortstop on the undefeated team, has taken over the pitching duties from her sister. She is 11-4 this spring.
"Bridgett would be a tough act to follow for anybody, but since Colleen is her sister, it's made it doubly hard," Bacon said. "But she's hung in there and done a good job in her first year (pitching) under a lot of pressure."
100TH VICTORY. Delran routed Moorestown, 13-2, on May 10, to hand coach Nancy Fanelli her 100th career win.
Fanelli, in her ninth year as head coach at Delran, has a record of 103-71 after yesterday's 6-5 win over Pemberton.
"Getting 100 wins meant much more to me after the game when everybody on the team made such a big deal about it," Fanelli said. "I usually just go from game to game, but people gave me a plaque, balloons and a cake. It's nice when the commitment you make gets recognized. So, on reflection, winning 100 is pretty neat."
HAMMONTON WINDS UP. The Hammonton tournament will conclude Saturday at Hammonton Lake Park. The semifinals feature four of South Jersey's best. Overbrook will take on Cumberland and Rancocas Valley will meet Washington Township in the 5 p.m. semifinals. The survivors will play at 7 p.m. for the championship.
Of the four teams remaining in the tournament, only Cumberland (1983, '84 and '85) has ever won it.
STREAK ON. Clearview defeated Kingsway, 3-2, yesterday to raise its record to 17-0 and remain the only undefeated team in South Jersey.
STREAK OVER. Florence had its two-year, 14-game winning streak come to an end Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Cumberland in the Hammonton tournament. The Flashes lost their second straight on Monday, 2-0, to Rancocas Valley.
Rancocas Valley is No. 1 in The Inquirer's Top 15, and Cumberland is No. 2.
FORMIDABLE FOE. Maybe Bordentown should pick a new division. One in which Florence is not a member.
Before Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Maple Shade, Bordentown had lost only to Florence - three times - in Burlington County League Freedom Division play over the last two years.
"The secret is getting the bat on the ball against (Florence pitcher) Amy Ingham, and we didn't do it," said Bordentown coach Betty Vaneekhoven, whose team lost to Florence, 10-0, on April 20. (The Scotties lost twice to Florence last spring). "Maybe we'll do better when we play them again on Monday."
Bordentown, which is 10-3 overall this season, relies on a cast of six seniors, led by pitcher Sandy Bates and catcher Erica Borkowski. Bates, who features a fastball, curve and drop, has pitched all the Scotties' games, and Borkowski is a talented defensive catcher.
"They've been playing together for three years, and they work well together," Vaneekhoven said. "We have a very good defensive team overall. I think we average maybe one error a game, but we played very poor defense against Florence. It was probably nerves."
One Basketball Team With A Small Problem The Southwest Squad Could Use A Rebounder Or Two When It Plays In The Garden State Games.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151230070555/http://articles.philly.com/1994-06-28/news/25833815_1_summer-leagues-basketball-team-moorestown-friendsBy Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: June 28, 1994Any South Jersey girls' basketball fans attending the Garden State Games next month will notice that the Southwest team is long on guards and, well, short on height.
There are no players on the roster taller than 5-foot-11.
A significant reason for this is the continued rise in popularity of girls' basketball at the Amateur Athletic Union level. Four strong players - each of whom would have had a good chance to make the Southwest squad - passed up the Garden State Games because of AAU commitments.
Rancocas Valley's 6-3 Demya Walker and St. James' 5-10 Amanda Young - both on The Inquirer's 1994 all-South Jersey first team - are playing for AAU squads.
So are two other big frontcourt players, Moorestown's 6-2 Leigh Washburn and Moorestown Friends' 6-1 Jessica MacNeill.
The players have a couple of weeks to get acquainted; the games will be July 9-10 at Rutgers University.
SOUTHWEST SEEKS MEDAL. The Southwest team was picked Sunday. The roster:
Meghan Bolger, Eastern; Jamie Eisslerno, Mainland; Lindsey Ermey, Cherry Hill West; Kristy Ann Marshall, Camden Catholic (at 5-11 the tallest girl on the roster); Kelly McCarthy, Haddon Heights; Kristen McKee, Holy Cross; Laura Lyons and Jen Natale, Washington Township; Brenda Ritson, Egg Harbor Township; Abby George and Tina Sanchez, Haddonfield, and Donna Clark and Karen Townsend, Collingswood.
As in each of the last 10 years, the team will be guided by former Collingswood coach John Bach. He will be assisted by Mainland coach Karl Geisinger.
The Southwest team will try to improve on last year's fourth-place finish, the first time the team failed to win a medal in its 10 years of competition.
BONUS TIME. With the high school girls' basketball season long in the books, the action now shifts to the summer leagues.
A new rule has allowed summer teams to get a head start this month.
In past summers, NJSIAA rules had prohibited summer-league coaches from holding workouts with their teams until after the final day of school. This year, the rule was amended so that practices could begin after the last NJSIAA state championship event.
This year, that event was the track and field Meet of Champions, which was held June 8.
With the accumulated snow days from the harsh winter extending the scholastic year, the added time proved to be several days for most teams.
LEAGUE REPORT. While competition in the Pitman and Ocean City Leagues began last week, the three biggest South Jersey summer leagues will open this week.
The Eastern League is the largest, with 14 teams. The teams are Audubon, Camden Catholic, Collingswood, Eastern, Edgewood, Gloucester Township, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Haddon Township, Pemberton, Shawnee, Sterling, Triton and West Deptford.
Edgewood, Shawnee and Triton have entered teams in the Eastern League for the first time. League games take place at Eastern High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Play will begin tonight. The league will conclude with semifinals on July 26 and the championship game on July 28.
The Cherry Hill West League began play with 12 teams last night. The teams are Camden Catholic, Cherokee, Cherry Hill East, Cherry Hill West, Gateway, Gloucester Catholic, Lenape, Palmyra-Cinnaminson, Paul VI, Pennsauken, Shawnee and Woodrow Wilson.
Wilson joined the league for the first time this season.
Games will be Monday and Wednesday nights. The league, which has no playoffs, will end Aug. 3.
The 10-team Ocean City League began play June 20 on the outdoor courts at Sixth Street and the beach.
The teams are Atlantic City, Cumberland, Egg Harbor Township, Holy Spirit, Mainland, Middle Township, Millville, Oakcrest, Ocean City and Southern Regional.
Several Olympic Conference and Tri-County Conference teams will play at Washington Township, in a league traditionally smaller than the others. Action in Washington Township will begin this week.
Several teams from the Colonial Conference and the Tri-County Conference are participating in the Pitman League.
WEBER MOVES ON. After 17 seasons as the Delran High girls' basketball coach, Jim Weber has moved on to become the athletic director at Edgewood.
In his tenure at Delran, Weber compiled a 322-103 record. The 322 victories are the most for a girls' basketball coach in Burlington County.
Delran athletic director Rich Janulis said yesterday that a replacement likely would not be named until the fall.
Thinning Out The Cheese
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150920055145/http://articles.philly.com/1994-07-06/news/25846479_1_low-fat-mozzarella-fat-content-regular-mozzarellaby Ron Avery, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: July 06, 1994While the children of America sleep - blissfully unaware that their arteries may be slowly clogging from fat in the school lunch pizza - "The Mozzarella Group" labors tirelessly to get the fat out of the cheese.
Indeed, the group's first commercially made batch of experimental low-fat mozzarella was churned out by the Maggio cheese company in South Philly between midnight and 8 a.m. The Mozzarella Group was there to watch every step.
Who are these federal fat-fighters?
They are among the nation's top food scientists. They are the dairy products scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Eastern Research Center.
The little-known facility on Mermaid Lane in Wyndmoor, near Chestnut Hill, gave the world powdered whole milk, instant potatoes, protein enriched pasta and dairy products for those who cannot digest lactose.
And now, after five years of experimentation, they have perfected a new low-fat mozzarella that not only tastes like the full-fat variety but behaves the way mozzarella should.
"When you think of mozzarella, you want a cheese that melts, stretches and strings out. If people don't get it, they are disappointed." declares Virginia Holsinger, supervisor of the dairy lab and an award-winning food scientist.
Most important, the new product has a fat content of only 8.2 percent. In comparison, regular mozzarella is 24.6 percent fat, and part-skim is 17.1 percent fat.
The new cheese also has a higher percentage of protein and fewer calories than other varieties.
The effort was aided by several Philadelphia public schools where the cheese was taste-tested. And a guy named Tony who operates a pizza shop near the lab came to the aid of science by topping the researchers' pizza with experimental cheeses.
So what's so important about getting the fat out of mozzarella? Think of Americans' voracious appetite for pizza. We ate $1.4 billion in frozen pizza alone in 1993; 90 percent of us eat pizza 25 times a year.
The average American eats 7 3/4 pounds of mozzarella annually, mostly on pizza. Pizza could just be the most popular item on school lunch menus.
One reason the lab got interested in mozzarella was its work in unmasking phony mozzarella sold to the federal school lunch program as "all natural." A South Dakota cheesemaker was prosecuted and put out of business.
Also, it seemed that no one was working to get the fat out of mozzarella. ''Everyone was working on cheddar," says Edyth Malin, the lead scientist on the project.
"It's easy to make a low-fat cheese," Malin explains. "Just take the cream out. The problem is texture. There was one low-fat mozzarella on the market. It tasted like cardboard and didn't melt on pizza. It just sat there."
They juggled moisture content and cooking temperatures. They tinkered here and there. By March 1993, the group thought it had the right formula.
Maggio made a batch, and the School District agreed to try it on pizza. Kids at John Paul Jones, Clarence Pickett and John B. Kelly schools were the test subjects. The scientists watched, interviewed the kids and checked to see how much pizza ended in the trash.
Some changes were made to improve flavor. About a month ago a second test was held at the Shawmont School and a school in Delran, N.J. Everyone seemed to like it.
Some research and testing remains to be done on how processing plants and equipment can handle the new mozzarella. But word is out in the cheese world. More than 20 manufacturers have expressed interest.
It's possible to make a cash deal with the government to get exclusive rights to the formula, but that hasn't happened yet.
Although Holsinger and her team have a sterling record, not every new product and process is a hit. Orange Velvet, a highly nutritious blend of milk and orange juice, never caught on.
Right now she is working on a way to reduce the huge stockpiles of government butter by creating a powdered butter spray.
The Mozzarella Group has already won a government award for its work and has been nominated for other awards.
When U.S. Customs investigators became suspicious of some high-priced recently imported mozzarella from Italy, they turned to the experts. Authentic mozzarella has a high percent of water buffalo milk. Testing showed only a hint of buffalo milk. Now those importers are in deep trouble.
Bender's Early Risers At Delran Wake Up To A Winning Program His Players Endure Workouts At 5:15 A.m. The Coach's Approach Has Produced 298 Wins.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150926091218/http://articles.philly.com/1995-03-25/sports/25701778_1_first-baseball-coach-history-teacher-head-coachBy Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: March 25, 1995Rich Bender realized at a young age that he wanted to be a head coach. And it didn't take him long to achieve his goal.
Bender was appointed Delran's first baseball coach in 1976 at the age of 24. His only baseball-coaching experience had been as a volunteer assistant in 1974 and 1975 at his alma mater, Hamilton West High in Trenton.
Despite his relative inexperience, Bender began winning almost from the beginning. Delran made the playoffs and went 10-9 that first season. By his second season, Delran had reached the South Jersey Group 1 final, losing to Florence. The Bears won their first sectional and state Group 2 titles in 1983.
Bender, 44, is approaching another milestone as he begins his 20th season at Delran. He is just two wins short of 300, with a 298-152 career record.
"I knew in high school that I wanted to one day coach," Bender said. ''When I was in college, I coached part time in various basketball leagues, just to get experience."
Bender was not the original choice to get the Delran job. He recalled that the person the school wanted to hire turned down the offer. In came Bender, who was unproven but willing to work passionately at his craft.
Bender had a solid playing background. At Rider College, where he was a shortstop, Bender earned all-Middle Atlantic Conference honors in his junior and senior years. He realized, though, that he didn't quite have the tools to play on the next level, so he mapped out a strategy to coach and teach in high school.
"I think children are more important than anything else, and that's why I like working with youngsters," said Bender, who is a history teacher at Delran.
Bender sleeps, eats and drinks baseball. One October, he called a local reporter with a "scoop." The big story was that Bender had hired a new pitching coach. To Bender, that was a huge story.
He has been a tireless promoter of Delran baseball in his two decades. Bender boasts that Delran has produced 14 Division I players. He also keeps a running total of the amount of scholarship money awarded to former Delran players. The latest figure is $350,000.
Bender also sponsors the annual Delran Baseball Tournament. Before the event, he sends out hundreds of letters to college coaches, hoping to get exposure for area players.
He also might be the only coach to publish a preseason media guide. Everything you want to know - from the most sacrifices to the fewest career walks allowed by a Delran pitcher - is included in this comprehensive collection of Bears baseball information. He has even established a Delran Baseball Hall of Fame.
Bender expects a commitment from his players, and nothing less than the one he expects from himself.
During the first week of the season, he always conducts workouts at 5:15 a.m. Twenty-eight aspiring varsity players attended the early-morning workouts this season. Bender said the early workouts are mainly to give the pitchers and catchers extra attention. During that first week, the team also practices in the afternoon.
"We expected 28 kids to come out for those five days and we had all 28," Bender said. "That tells you something about their commitment. One of my proudest things over the years is seeing the kids make the commitment to play baseball. It's not easy, especially in the spring, when there are proms and other activities."
Bender doesn't know how long he will continue to coach. He said the most difficult part of coaching this season is not being able to see his sons play baseball as frequently. His son Jared is a sophomore infielder at Bordentown, and another son, Jason, is a freshman second baseman at Mercer County College.
"The sacrifice each year to coach at Delran becomes even more difficult, especially since my kids are playing," Bender said. "You want to be appreciated, but sometimes you wonder if the people realize how much is being put into coaching this team."
Delran Goalie Lets The Good Times Roll Kim Mcgraw Endured Three Years When The Bears Went 5-30-11. Now The Team Is Unbeaten.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017134432/http://articles.philly.com/1995-09-26/news/25716791_1_bears-team-holy-crossBy Joey Culligan, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: September 26, 1995Goalie Kim McGraw was perhaps the busiest player on the Delran field hockey team for three years.
This season, the senior is finally getting a chance to relax.
McGraw was the starting goaltender on a team that went 5-30-11 in her first three years, including a 1-21-2 record in the Burlington County League Patriot Division. During those three years, Delran was outscored, 121-19.
The Patriot Division, which brought together four Group 2 schools and Group 3 Rancocas Valley, was disbanded after last season. This year, Delran competes in the Freedom Division, which has two Group 2 schools - Delran and Cinnaminson - and seven smaller Group 1 teams.
When Delran defeated Florence, 3-0, Thursday, the Bears improved their record to 3-0, and McGraw collected her second straight shutout. Florence won the Group 1 state title in 1992 and is the four-time defending Freedom champion.
Delran has not qualified for the South Jersey tournament with the necessary .500 record since 1988, but McGraw thinks that will change this season.
"It definitely was frustrating my first three years as a goalie, because I always felt we had the players to win games, but we just never played up to our potential," said McGraw, who has allowed one goal in her first three games this season. "But this year it's like watching a whole new team.
"We came out aggressive right from the first game (a 4-1 win over Cinnaminson), and it seems like everything is clicking for us. This team has a lot of unity on and off the field.
"When we beat Florence last week," McGraw continued, "I think it showed we're not a fluke, and that we'll continue to play well and, possibly, even go all the way and win our division. It really feels great to know that."
Delran coach John Kugler credits McGraw and a talented group of returning letter-winners with helping the Bears get off to a fast start.
"We have a pretty nice team this year with an experienced defense," said Kugler, who is in his 11th season as the Delran coach. "We beat Cinnaminson for the first time in our season opener, and our kids are very happy and working very hard.
"It also was a big break for us moving into the Freedom Division. The Patriot was very tough for us with teams like Moorestown and Rancocas Valley."
The Bears' defense includes seniors Jana Wilson, Sharon Sabatino, Heather Farren and Amy Atzert, and juniors Julie Leusner and Marie Gentiletti.
Junior forward Jen Ott, a transfer from Holy Cross, scored all three goals against Florence and has four of the team's nine goals. Sophomore link Tracy Bart has scored three goals, and junior wing Erin Fitzpatrick has two. Junior Mandi Kalbach also plays on the front line.
"We only scored five goals all last season, but I thought we'd do better than that this year - even before Jen Ott transferred from Holy Cross," Kugler said. "With Jen, we're even better than I expected."
BULL WINS 100TH. Pennsauken coach Mike Bull earned his 100th career victory Thursday when the Indians defeated Bishop Eustace, 1-0, in an Olympic Conference National Division game.
Bull has a 101-61-36 record in 12 seasons at Pennsauken. The Indians defeated Frankford (Pa.), 4-0, Saturday to improve to 4-0. The team has outscored its opponents, 10-0, this season.
Pitman's Madelyn Chiomento, who retired two years ago, is the all-time South Jersey leader with 410 career coaching wins. Shawnee's Bobbie Schultz is No. 2 with 387, and Millville's Claudia McCarthy is third with 287.
MALINOSKI GETS RECORD. West Deptford senior Kelly Malinoski set a school scoring record Wednesday when she scored twice in a 3-3 Colonial Conference tie with Collingswood to raise her career total to 49 goals.
The fourth-year starter surpassed the record of 48 set by Jen Geitz in 1993.
DATES TO REMEMBER. Teams must have a .500 record through games of Oct. 20 to qualify for the sectional tournament.
The tournament will begin Oct. 31, and the South Jersey group title games are scheduled for Nov. 10. The state semifinals will be played Nov. 14, and the state finals are scheduled for Nov. 19.
SPOTLIGHT ON: CRYSTAL ATKINSON
* SCHOOL. Triton.
* CLASS. Senior.
* SPORT. Field hockey.
* RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENT. The two-year starting goalie has recorded three straight shutouts to help the Mustangs get off to a 2-0-1 start in the Olympic Conference National Division. Last year, her first in the sport, Atkinson had 10 shutouts to tie the school record set by Debbie Johnson in 1981. Atkinson also plays third base on the varsity softball team.
* COACH'S COMMENT. "Crystal has had a very good defense in front of her for two years, but she was the missing link we needed. She never played field hockey before last year, and she has continued to improve with every game she plays."
- Triton's Meredith Scott
* ATKINSON QUOTE. "It's just a thrill for me to play in the goal, because if you make a save to help the team, it really is a great feeling. Plus, my defensive teammates have been playing very well, and it's fun watching them."
* GOAL. Atkinson plans to play field hockey and softball at Rowan College next year. She will major in physical education and would like to coach field hockey or softball at the high school level after she graduates.
Teacher, Lacking Credentials, Loses Job A Phony English Certificate Was In The Delran Teacher's Files, The State Says.
Source: http://articles.philly.com/1997-01-30/news/25557666_1_certification-personnel-files-teachingBy Karen Auerbach, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: January 30, 1997DELRAN — A Delran High School teacher accused of submitting false teaching credentials has lost her job and could lose her other state teaching certification, officials said yesterday.
Patricia Osman, who taught English for eight years, was dismissed Jan. 13 from her $47,700-a-year position because she did not have the proper certification required by the state Department of Education, Delran School Superintendent Carl I. Johnson said.
``I was shocked,'' said Osman, who was freshman class adviser. ``It's like a death. I love my kids. They [her students] have been calling. They are upset.''
The state Board of Examiners, which oversees teaching certification, determined that Osman had given the Delran School District a phony English teaching certificate, according to a state official.
But Osman, a Delran resident whom coworkers praised as dedicated and well-liked, said in a telephone interview that she did not give the district such documentation. She said that she never told the district she had English certification and that she didn't know who placed the phony certificate in her personnel files.
The district hired her 11 years ago to teach basic skills reading, but when that program was eliminated, Osman was assigned to teach high school English, she said. Osman has state certification in elementary school education and reading and held three teaching jobs before her stint in Delran.
``She loves teaching,'' said Dot Mongo, high school English Department supervisor. ``The kids loved her. . . . She taught with zest.''
Mongo and Johnson, who weren't in their current positions when Osman began teaching English, said they did not know Osman lacked proper certification until it was discovered in December during a review by the Burlington County school superintendent's office. Osman was immediately suspended with pay.
Johnson would not comment on the fake teaching certificate. He said the county office reviews teaching certification in all districts every few years. The state required the district to dismiss Osman because she had been teaching without proper certification, preventing officials from finding her a job elsewhere in the school system, Johnson said.
The county office submitted Osman's personnel files to the Board of Examiners. That board on Jan. 23 decided to issue Osman an ``order to show cause,'' requiring her to explain the falsified documentation, said Ida Graham, the acting director of professional development and licensing for the state Education Department. The order will be issued in the next 20 days, she said.
The board then will decide whether to suspend or revoke Osman's other teaching certifications, an action that would prevent Osman from teaching at a New Jersey public school.
If Osman contests that decision, the matter would go before the state Office of Administrative Law. Osman has retained a lawyer, Arnold Mellk of Princeton. Mellk could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The loss of her other teaching certification would be especially difficult for Osman because she is looking for a teaching position elsewhere in the region. But Osman is already distraught over her dismissal.
Osman said she learned Dec. 11 of her suspension, one day before she was scheduled to take 105 students on a trip to see A Christmas Carol at the McCarter Theater in Princeton.
``I live in the town,'' Osman said. ``I live right next door to a former student. I have a child who goes to school in the district, so it's hard for the entire family.''
These Men Have Been Doing The Job In A Women's World Four Area Field Hockey Coaches Have Broken The Gender Barrier.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150923113244/http://articles.philly.com/1998-09-27/sports/25757816_1_field-hockey-soccer-coach-sistersBy Tom McGurk, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: September 27, 1998Holy Spirit's Tom Trockenbrod barks out instructions and sets up strategies just like any other field hockey coach.
Still, there is an obvious difference: Trockenbrod is a male coach in the female world of the sport, a world in which mothers and daughters have passed their stories and experiences down through generations since 1909.
Trockenbrod is one of four male head field hockey coaches in South Jersey this fall. John Kugler has been involved with the Delran program since 1981 and has been a head coach for the last 14 years. John DeMarco has been involved in the St. Joseph program for 14 years, including this, his third season as head coach. Middle Township's Gerry Chretien is in his fourth year as a head coach and was an assistant for two.
So how did these men get into a sport whose players wear kilts? And why?
``It's a great sport,'' said Trockenbrod, 26. ``Most guys don't understand the sport because they've never had the opportunity to play it. It's very challenging. If there was a place where men could play, I think it would become popular.''
Trockenbrod was introduced to the sport by his three sisters - Jackie, Wendy and Tiffany. He grew up playing soccer and street hockey with his friends. But when they weren't around, he could always be found on Brigantine Golf Course, playing field hockey with his siblings.
``That's where I learned to play,'' he said. ``It became a family thing. ``My parents [Edward and Mary Jane] didn't know the first thing about field hockey until my sisters started to play. Then it was the center of most of our conversations.''
All of the Trockenbrod sisters were standouts at Atlantic City High School before making the jump to the college level. Tiffany, a junior at the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State), overcame the three knee operations she underwent in high school to become an all-American last season. This year, she has four goals and seven assists in five games.
With all of the practice time with his sisters, Trockenbrod wanted a chance to play seriously himself. In 1988, he traveled to Trenton State to watch his sisters play in the Garden State Games. When he arrived, he noticed there was a men's division that included just two teams. It was his good fortune that the teams were short of players.
Trockenbrod seized his chance to finally play competitive field hockey. He scored two goals and won the tournament's MVP award.
``It was great just to play in a real game,'' he said. ``That was really the only playing experience I had in the sport.''
Trockenbrod began his coaching career in 1993 as an assistant boys' soccer coach at Holy Spirit, his alma mater. Although he enjoyed that job, he jumped at the chance to become the school's junior-varsity field hockey coach in 1994.
Although he had just one game of playing experience, Trockenbrod was ready for the challenge.
``I became a student again, reading books and manuals to get prepared,'' he said. ``But I also took a lot of what I learned from watching my sisters play. I don't think not playing the sport means you can't coach it.''
Coaching field hockey has become a large part of Trockenbrod's life. Over the summer, he started the Brigantine Field Hockey Club, a clinic for girls from third to ninth grade. Thirty-five girls participated.
DeMarco's introduction to the sport was similar to Trockenbrod's. He learned the basics from his three sisters. Brenda, Carol and Annette DeMarco all played field hockey, and they would challenge their brother to matches on the front lawn.
``We spent a lot of time in the front yard just playing,'' DeMarco said. ``With three sisters, you learn the game quickly.''
Like Trockenbrod, DeMarco coveted a chance to play the sport for real. He attended two U.S. Olympic trials, including one last May in New York.
``It was fun just to get the opportunity of playing,'' DeMarco said. ``After coaching the sport for a long time, to finally play competitively was great.''
During his first season as head coach, DeMarco guided St. Joseph to a 16-1-3 record and a berth in the South Jersey Group 1 championship game, where they were denied by Haddon Township on penalty strokes.
Kugler actually replaced another male when he took over for Paul Rafino as Delran's JV coach in 1981. He was hesitant at first, but when nobody else applied for the job, he jumped right in. Field hockey was completely foreign to him, and he learned by observing.
``You can learn a lot from just watching,'' said Kugler, who teaches special education at Delran. ``After practice, I'd go over to Temple University and watch that program go through a workout. You add in clinics and talking to other field hockey coaches and it becomes a pretty easy game to pick up.''
Kugler even got to the point where he wanted to play. And he got his wish after he contacted Chris Maloney, who had started a coed field hockey league in 1981 in Moorestown.
One thing hasn't changed for Kugler, even as he has gone from neophyte to veteran coach.
``The camaraderie with other coaches and officials has been tremendous,'' he said. ``I've never felt out of place at any time. Field hockey is special because it's different. It has a following that has been passed down through generations. It's really unique.''
Kugler became the elder statesman among male field hockey coaches in South Jersey when Michael Bull stepped down at Pennsauken after 14 seasons last year.
Chretien, 33, was a girls' track coach, and he started the indoor track program at Middle Township. When there was an opening in field hockey, many of the girls he coached in track asked him to apply.
``The girls just asked if I could help them with their conditioning,'' he said. ``It became a little bit more than that.''
Although he had just seen a handful of field hockey games while he attended Bensalem High School and Slippery Rock University, Chretien knew exactly where to start.
``I went to the library and took out every book on field hockey I could find,'' he said. ``I also talked to many of the physical education teachers who passed on a lot of information for me.
``As a coach, you're always learning something every day. That's the way I look at it. The rule book can take coaches some time to get through.''
Chretien has seen progress in the Township program, which has boosted its numbers from 18 to 53.
``That's the thing I'm proud of the most,'' he said. ``Building a program takes time. The girls have to have an interest in the sport, and you build off of that.''
One of the first things Chretien learned was about the intensity with which girls play the sport.
``Field hockey is one of the roughest sports out there,'' he said. ``It might be considered a feminine sport, but that's not how the girls take it.''
In a sport in which girls learn from their mothers and coaches, how do they feel about male coaches?
While players say that the sex of a coach doesn't matter, most of them lean toward having a female coach for one reason.
``Bonding,'' Holy Spirit captain Jackie Chafe said. ``I just think it's easier for high school girls to relate to a woman coach than a man.
``That's not to say we don't get along great with Coach Trockenbrod. We do, and he's a great coach. But I really do think women should coach girls and men should coach boys.''
Many also feel that if men had the opportunity to play field hockey, there would be more opportunities for them to coach.
Men's field hockey is huge in Europe, and men's leagues can be found in states farther north than New Jersey, but no such leagues exist today in South Jersey.
``It's a shame, because I think that guys would really enjoy the sport,'' Chretien said. ``You see a lot of them playing street hockey all over the place. But when you say `field hockey,' many automatically think of the kilts. And guys won't go for that.''
College Freshmen Share Their Wisdom
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919172104/http://articles.philly.com/1999-06-17/news/25500810_1_dorm-life-albright-college-graduateBy Louise Harbach, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF
Posted: June 17, 1999Listen up, Class of '99: The Class of '98 is about to give you some advice.
``When you're a senior in high school, you're on top,'' said Steve McQueen, a 1998 graduate of Cherokee High School, one of the three high schools in the Lenape Regional High School District. ``You think you know it all, but then you get to college and you're at the bottom and you don't know as much as you thought you did.''
For the last three years, the Lenape district has been inviting the previous year's graduates to return to talk about their experiences as college freshmen.
``The evening is designed to give graduating seniors, upcoming seniors and their parents additional insight into what the first year of college has in store,'' said Ann Szostak, a Lenape High School guidance counselor.
This year, nine graduates from Lenape, Shawnee and Cherokee High gave a talk on June 3. Their advice will be edited and shown on Channel 18, the district's cable-television station.
``Definitely visit the school where you want to attend before enrolling,'' said Mike Cooper, a Lenape graduate who is studying film at the University of Southern California. ``I ended up in Southern California after visiting Northwestern University in December. Chicago was not where I wanted to be in December.''
In addition to Cooper and McQueen, who is attending Rowan University, the panel included John Miserendino, a Shawnee graduate who attends Cornell University, and these Lenape graduates: Erin Bailey, Burlington County College; Alene Brennan, Rowan; Joe Cheng, Penn State; Carrie Jones, Albright College; Evan Merkhofer, Gettysburg College; and Rob Silva, University of Maryland.
Here are some of their tips:
* Don't forget that there is a difference between college time and real time when scheduling an 8 a.m. class.
* If you think your roommate will get on your nerves, give the arrangement a shot anyway. If it doesn't work, see your dorm adviser. Pronto.
* Don't choose your courses by the blurbs in the college catalogue. Talk to upperclassmen first.
* Explore subjects that weren't offered in high school.
* Find a quiet place to study. Dorm life can ruin your grade point average if you spend all your time studying in your room.
* Afternoon naps, while nice, can be ruinous to your GPA.
* There's a time for everything - a time to play and a time to study.
* Assume in the beginning that you are not like the upperclassman down the hall who has a 4.0 average and does nothing but party.
* Don't bring everything from your closet. You'll probably be living in the same jeans all semester.
* If you insist on bringing a car with you, be prepared to spend oodles of money paying parking tickets. And you'll have strangers banging on your dorm door at 2 a.m. to ask to borrow your car.
* The infamous freshman 15-pound weight gain isn't from that all-you-can-eat cafeteria food but comes from midnight snack runs.
* The New Jersey School Boards Association has cited the Lenape district for its cable series, Bridging the Generations Through Oral History. In addition, the district's Russian 1 program has been recognized by the state Department of Education.
In the oral history project, which appeared this school year on Channel 18, veterans and others from the World War II era talked about their experiences. Michael Panarella, a history teacher at Shawnee, was in charge of the project.
In September, the district started a Russian language program that was shown via interactive television to all three high schools in the district.
BURLINGTON COUNTY
ATHLETIC TRAINERS These seniors have been recognized by the Burlington County Athletic Trainers for their work as student athletic trainers: Chris Pell, Laurie Valentin and Becky Magee, all from Delran High School; Jasmine Otero, Northern Burlington High School; Katina Smith, Pemberton Township High School; Melissa Jacobsen, Florence High School; Seneare Castillo, Dustin Cattani, Matt Colombo, Michelle Cox, Megan Hutchinson, Anny Pang, Jenny Pang and Stephanie Szalma, all from Rancocas Valley High School; and Valerie Silver, Shawnee High School.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY The annual ``Educational Excellence'' reception last month raised more than $11,000, which will be used to buy trade tools and other materials, fund the school's free summer career-exploration program for middle school students, and support the Performing Arts Academy. Deptford Mayor William Bain, Jr., sponsored the event.
* Three seniors from the school's culinary arts program won second place and $3,000 in Genuardi Supermarkets' ``cook-off'' contest for vocational school students last month at the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
Shared-time students William Scaffidi of Delsea Regional High School, Kristin DeDea of Woodbury High School, and Fran Hogan of Washington Township High School will share the $3,000 award. The team prepared a shrimp appetizer, chicken and rice soup, stuffed chicken breast with polenta, and a strawberry tart for the competition.
HOLY CROSS Seniors Jeff Pasqual and Jawad Muaddi won third place in the third annual Princeton Moot Court tournament last month. They were required to argue an affirmative-action case before a panel of judges who challenged them with questions. The students were assisted in their preparation by Carol Lee Tang, an assistant prosecutor in Burlington County.
TABERNACLE Tabernacle Primary School's elementary wing, which opened in September and was dedicated Monday, has been named the Howard C. Grovatt Elementary Wing in memory of a longtime member of the school board.
Grovatt, who died at 84 on Feb. 7, was on the board from 1950 to 1983, including 30 years as president. A lifelong resident of Tabernacle, he owned Pine Circle Farm.
VOORHEES The New Jersey Holocaust Commission has named Voorhees Middle School as a Holocaust demonstration site for its work in Holocaust instruction. Two of the school's teachers, Dorothy Holmes and Susan Moricca, won the Axelrod Award from the Anti-Defamation League for excellence in Holocaust and genocide education.
``Education Notes'' will not appear during the summer, when most schools are not is session. The column will resume in September.
Kennedy Makes Own Bit Of History At Delran She Is All Over The Track And Field Record Book. She Also Starred In Soccer And Basketball. And She Always Put Academics First. It Has Paid Off.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151227014336/http://articles.philly.com/2000-06-14/sports/25601224_1_betsy-kennedy-history-track-and-fieldBy Tom McGurk, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF
Posted: June 14, 2000Throw out a famous name in United States history, and Betsy Kennedy isn't shy with her thoughts.
Alexander Hamilton? "A great diplomat who realized the importance of nationalism."
Robert E. Lee? "A respectable man who was a great leader."
Ronald Reagan? "One of the nation's greatest presidents. He took over when America wasn't in one of its best chapters, and we're still reaping the benefits from his economic plans."
What about Betsy Kennedy? "Someone who strived to be successful in everything I tried."
Kennedy will graduate from Delran High in six days as the valedictorian of her senior class and will further her education at Princeton University as a history major and a member of the track team.
For her accomplishments this school year, Kennedy has been named The Inquirer's South Jersey girls' scholar-athlete of the year.
Athletically, Kennedy rewrote the school record book in track and field, breaking six school marks and setting a Burlington County record in the discus. She also starred in soccer and basketball, accumulating 10 varsity letters over her scholastic career.
"She is the epitome of a student-athlete," Delran athletic director Rich Janulis said. "There's a ton of natural ability there, but she also puts in a tremendous amount of time and dedication to develop that talent.
"Her discipline separates her from others. She knows what she has to do, and she budgets her time to accomplish those things - both in her studies and her athletic career."
* History is Kennedy's forte, and she didn't have to look far for her inspiration in the subject.
Her father, Michael, teaches at Delran, and he instructed her honors history and advanced-placement U.S. history classes.
Just imagine the Trivial Pursuit games around the Kennedy coffee table, especially when going for those yellow pieces.
"It tends to get pretty heated sometimes," Emily Kennedy, Betsy's mother, said with a laugh.
Betsy Kennedy said that while growing up, she and sisters Katie and Anne often watched videos that depicted the nation's development through politics and wars.
But, she said, it was the family's continued support even in unsuccessful times that made her stronger.
"My family plays a huge role in my life," Kennedy said. "They've instilled in me the values of hard work, dedication and integrity.
"I was fortunate to have that type of family atmosphere where there was constant support. Everything I do, I'm not doing it just for myself - I'm doing it for them, too."
While her score of 1,440 on the SAT was astounding, Kennedy saved her best work for the SAT II, on which she accumulated a perfect score of 800 in U.S. history and writing, and a 740 in literature.
"I love writing," she said, "especially persuasive essays - like historical pieces to sway people to my side of thinking. I also like fiction writing because you really get to use your imagination."
Kennedy foresees a number of different careers. She would like to work in Washington in some capacity with the government. She also has hinted at becoming a college professor.
* Delran girls' track coach Mati Reinfeldt just chuckles at the idea that Kennedy could have become a top softball player if she desired.
"There isn't a sport that she's shabby in," he said. "She's an athlete. Track, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, softball - she would have been great at anything she tried."
When she was 9, Kennedy entered a home-run-hitting contest sponsored by the Phillies. She went to Veterans Stadium to compete and returned with a first-place trophy.
"I was a slugger," Kennedy said. "I just couldn't throw very accurately. I was throwing balls all over the place, hitting baby carriages on the sidelines. I think they stuck me on first base just so I wouldn't hit anybody."
During some down time with her middle school softball team, Kennedy used to watch the boys' throwers on the track and field squad.
The seed was planted.
Kennedy went on to become a four-year letter-winner for the Bears, anchoring their weight team. She set school records in the shot put (40 feet, 8 1/2 inches), discus (136-11) and javelin (133-6).
In her final discus throw at the state meet, Kennedy uncorked a first-place effort of 136-11 and established a Burlington County record.
"That was probably the highlight of my athletic career," Kennedy said. "Just competing in track and field was special. The people in the sport - everybody from the competitors to the officials to the coaches - they're all special people that I've been fortunate to develop friendships with."
Kennedy wasn't afraid to try new events, either.
When Reinfeldt approached her about running the 800 meters in a dual meet this spring, Kennedy went to the starting line - shot-put shoes and all.
She finished second in 2 minutes, 40 seconds.
"It was a last-minute kind of thing when he asked me," Kennedy said. "I took it as a challenge, just like anything else. I've high-jumped and run on the relay team, too. I probably would have run the 3,200 if he asked me to."
In the fall, Kennedy was a standout goalie on the Delran girls' soccer team, which captured a sectional title before losing in the state final.
Oddly, Kennedy was a midfielder on her town team before taking up goalkeeping chores when needed.
In basketball, she led the team in scoring (17.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.9 per game) as the Bears went 10-12. She will attempt to walk on the basketball team at Princeton.
"Academics is always first, and sports come in a close second," Kennedy said. "If you keep your priorities in line, realize how important both can be in your life, and try your best to be successful, you will be."
Tom McGurk's e-mail address is tmcgurk@phillynews.com
Delran Names Lehmann Boys' Basketball Coach
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150316012756/http://articles.philly.com/2000-06-14/sports/25602940_1_head-girls-todd-lehmann-assistant-boysBy Marc Narducci, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: June 14, 2000Todd Lehmann, a men's assistant basketball coach for the last two seasons at Rowan University, was named the boys' basketball coach at Delran yesterday.
A 1986 graduate of Holy Cross, Lehmann was recently one of 20 players named to Drexel University's all-millennium team. Lehmann, who graduated in 1990 from Drexel, is sixth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,546 points. As a senior in 1990, he averaged 38.2 minutes per game and led the nation with 260 assists. He has Drexel's second-best all-time free-throw shooting percentage (82.4) and is fourth in all-time three-point shooting (38.6).
Lehmann's appointment became official at last night's school board meeting. He will also be a physical education teacher at Delran.
Before he was an assistant at Rowan, Lehmann was the head girls' basketball coach at Holy Cross, compiling a 29-21 record in two seasons. Lehmann also spent two seasons as an assistant boys' basketball coach at Holy Cross.
Lehmann replaces Jim Petrino, who coached the Bears for 13 years and resigned after last season. He takes over a Delran team that is coming off a 9-13 season.
Marc Narducci's e-mail address is mnarducci@phillynews.com
Delran's Bender earns win No. 400 He is the only baseball coach the school has ever had. The milestone came against Palmyra.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151016211908/http://articles.philly.com/2001-05-01/sports/25302660_1_baseball-program-baseball-game-baseball-coachBy Marc Narducci INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: May 01, 2001TRENTON — The setting was right, and so was the score for Delran baseball coach Rich Bender. As he had so often in his career, Bender won another baseball game.
This was no ordinary victory, though. Yesterday's 11-8 win over Palmyra in an interdivisional game between Burlington County League teams was the 400th of his career. Bender, the only coach the school has had since starting a baseball program in 1976, is 400-202 with two state titles, five South Jersey championships, and seven division crowns on his resume.
The game was played at Mercer County Waterfront Park, home of the Trenton Thunder. About 20 of Bender's family members, Delran superintendent Carl Johnson, principal John Fricke, and athletic director Rich Janulis were in attendance. The usually talkative Bender was almost speechless when sizing up the magnitude of the milestone.
"No doubt this is very special," said Bender, who became the first baseball coach to reach 400 wins in Burlington County. "For all the people to come here and be on hand really means a lot. All the people of the program share in this, and I can say it and not make it a clich because this is also the school's 400th win."
Delran usually tries to schedule at least one game in a minor-league park each year. The 50-year-old Bender was an all-star shortstop at nearby Mercer County College and Rider, so playing at Waterfront Park had extra significance.
Delran is 10-3 on the season, while Palmyra is 7-3. With so many well-wishers on hand, the game took on a festive atmosphere. None of that mattered to Palmyra, which needs one more win to earn a Group 1 state tournament berth.
The Panthers did their best to spoil Bender's occasion. In fact, the game ended in the top of the seventh when reliever Ernie Covington recorded a strikeout with the bases loaded. Finally, Bender and his family could exhale.
"We knew with the 400 that Delran would be juiced up," said Palmyra coach Ken Holloway, whose three pitchers handed out 12 walks. "But there's no quit in our guys, and they know how to battle."
So does Delran. The Bears were led by catcher Justin "Bubba" Whisonant, who was 2 for 3 with a double, a triple, and a walk. He scored three runs, including the second in the first inning after hitting a shot that went off the centerfielder's glove and resulted in a four-base error.
Palmyra 102 302 0 - 8 12 2
Delran 403 400 x - 11 7 4
WP: Jon Hansen. LP: Jim Beveridge. 2B: P-Mike Guglielmucci, Kevin Murphy, Ian Dewson; D-Justin Whisonant. 3B: P-Mike Guglielmucci; D-Justin Whisonant.
Marc Narducci's e-mail address is mnarducci@phillynews.com.
U-18 Warriors start their State Cup run with tough victory The Mercer County team defeated the Bridgewater Cobras, 3-2, in the first round Sunday.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130042/http://articles.philly.com/2001-05-03/sports/25300715_1_team-soccer-tournament-inquirerBy Marc Narducci INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: May 03, 2001The New Jersey State Cup soccer tournament is under way, and the boys' under-18 competition had a championship-caliber matchup in the opening round. Because of a blind draw, arguably the top two teams met over the weekend.
The Matchfit Warriors, who won the under-17 title last season, opened with a 3-2 win over the Bridgewater Cobras on Sunday. Last year, the Warriors beat Bridgewater, 5-3, in overtime during the under-17 semifinals.
The Warriors, based in Mercer County, have a strong contingent of players from the seven-county South Jersey area. Chad Severs, The Inquirer's two-time South Jersey player of the year from Ocean City, scored the Warriors' first goal.
Two other starters are Sandro De Cristofaro, a senior forward from Shawnee who is headed to Rowan, and Kevin Hartwyk, an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey midfielder from Washington Township.
"It was pretty exciting," said Hartwyk, a Monmouth recruit who played 84 of the 90 minutes. "It's a shame they put the two best teams in the first round."
Inquirer all-South Jersey midfielder Steve Kroculick of Delran is also a key member of the Warriors, but he is sidelined with a foot injury.
Also on the team is Bishop Eustace senior Pete Pryzbylkowski, who saw action in the midfield against Bridgewater.
The Warriors are ranked No. 2 by U.S. Youth Soccer. The State Cup winners will advance to the regional tournament, scheduled to take place June 30 to July 3 in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Unusual underdog. It's rare when the Mount Laurel Shockwaves girls' under-17 team enters the State Cup as an underdog, but that is the case this year. This group has won six consecutive State Cup titles, beginning when the players competed as under-11-year-olds. This could be the most difficult year, because of the emergence of the PDA Splash from North Jersey. In December, the Splash beat the Shockwaves, 1-0, in a tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
"It's extra incentive, because everybody thinks we're done," said Lindsey Finnegan, a Gloucester Catholic junior all-South Jersey forward and a member of all six of the Shockwaves' State Cup championship teams.
In March, the Shockwaves won the prestigious Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Va. That should serve as a good tune-up. The Shockwaves realize they can't focus too much on PDA, a team they would not meet until the finals.
"You don't want to look too far ahead because there are some [other] good teams," Finnegan said.
Klobach gets honor. Delran girls' soccer coach Rudi Klobach has been named to coach in the World Scholar Athlete Games, which will be staged June 22 to July 1 at the University of Rhode Island. There will be more than 2,000 scholar-athletes from 50 states and 160 countries.
"It's a great honor to be part of this, and you get to meet students from all over the world, which is very interesting," Klobach said.
Klobach nominated three of his players for the event, but none could make it that week. He then sent his application and was accepted. In 12 seasons, he has a 171-51-8 record and has won two consecutive South Jersey Group 2 titles and six division championships.
Klobach says he is not sure which girls' soccer team he will coach in Rhode Island. He will receive all the details during orientation on June 21.
Murray to La Salle. Washington Township midfielder Laura Murray recently accepted a partial soccer scholarship to attend La Salle.
"I really liked the coach [Jeannine Calhoun], and the school size is what I was looking for," Murray said. "Soccer-wise, I came in a good year because they lose eight seniors, and if I work hard enough, I could get playing time."
Among her teammates at La Salle will be fellow Washington Township resident Courtney White, a Gloucester Catholic graduate who started as a freshman defender last season for the Explorers.
Chmielewski to Syracuse. Holy Cross midfielder Sandi Chmielewski said she always wanted to go to a school with name recognition. She is getting her wish after accepting a partial soccer scholarship to Syracuse.
"I really loved the school when I visited," Chmielewski said. "I had visited some smaller schools, but I really wanted to attend a big-name school, and it had everything I was looking for."
Chmielewski said Syracuse began scouting her after watching her play in the Washington Area Girls Soccer Tournament with the Medford Strikers in October.
Marc Narducci's e-mail address is mnarducci@phillynews.com.
Delran students map out success in Geography Bowl
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110606/LIFESTYLE/306069671By Todd McHale
Posted: Jun 6, 2011
DELRAN -- What is the largest lake in North America?
What national monument is featured on the back of the $5 bill?
What South American country is 10 times as long as it is wide?
If you didn't answer Lake Superior, the Lincoln Memorial and Chile, respectively, you may not be smarter than a fifth-grader -- at least the fifth-graders from the Delran Intermediate School who competed in the annual Geography Bowl on Friday.
Sixteen of the brightest fifth-graders took to the stage to compete in the game show-style competition.
The competition is designed to get students interested in world geography and related subjects, according to Brian Stolarick, the district's supervisor of humanities.
This year marked the fourth time the school teamed with Eric Dasher's Brain Wash Game Show to put on the competition. The event was sponsored by the Delran Elementary Parent Teacher Association.
"It offers the kids an opportunity to shine in something other than sports," PTA member Erin Hamlin said.
During the competition, the students stood behind podiums that were rigged with flashing lights, digital scoring and buzzers as the game show host fired questions on a range of subjects.
"It was really fun," said 10-year-old Jordan Jackson-Conner. "It felt like I was on a game show."
His mother, Eva, said she was amazed at how well the students did.
"It was pretty impressive that they knew all those answers," she said.
After several rounds, the top four contestants returned to the podiums for one final round.
One of the finalists, Farhan Ahsan, 11, said he was surprised by how difficult some of the questions were.
"It was hard," Farhan said. "Everyone was really good."
While he managed to jump out to a big lead in the final round, he was concerned that it wasn't enough to take home the top prize.
"I was really nervous, because the last question was worth 25 points," Farhan said.
Fortunately, his advantage was safe and he managed to win the first-place trophy.
"It gives me a feeling of happiness that I was able to get this far," he said.
Farhan's parents, Joe and Afshan Ahsan, couldn't have been more thrilled.
"We're very excited," Joe Ahsan said. "He worked very hard and studied a lot."
His mother said she was "extremely proud" of her son and happy that all the work he put into the Geography Bowl paid off.
"He gave up sports and other activities so he could study for it," she said. "It wasn't easy; it was tough."
As his mother spoke, Farhan had a question for his father.
"Does this mean I get an Xbox?" he asked.
Dad wasn't ready to answer that one.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163;
email tmchale@phillyBurbs.com;
Twitter, @toddmchale
Livengood reappointed superintendent in Maple Shade
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110818/NEWS/308189747By Chris Bishop
Posted: Aug 18, 2011MAPLE SHADE -- The school board has reappointed Superintendent Michael Livengood to his post with a five-year contract.
"I'm happy with it," said the 55-year-old Livengood, a Delran resident. "In general, we're moving in the right direction in a lot of areas. ... We have phenomenal technology for a district our size."
Under the terms of the new contract, he will be paid a base salary of $155,000 and receive 30 vacation days and 15 sick days.
Livengood came to the district in fall 2008 after two decades with the Delanco school system. He replaced longtime Superintendent Cheryl Williams, who stepped down after 38 years in education. Maple Shade has about 2,000 students, compared with 500 in Delanco.
Livengood, who was reappointed earlier this month, said he enjoys working in the district and looks forward to continue serving the students and parents.
Neither board President Theresa Maerten nor Vice President Bernadine Calkins-Mealy could be reached for comment.
Livengood began his career in Delran, where he spent six years, including four as an assistant principal. He then took a job in Delanco in 1988 as principal of the M. Joan Pearson School and was later promoted to superintendent.
During his tenure in Delanco, Livengood oversaw a $10 million renovation project.
The Maple Shade district has four schools: Howard Yocum Elementary (kindergarten to second grade), Maude Wilkins Elementary (grades 3-4), R.J. Steinhauer Elementary (5-6), and the high school (7-12).
Students will return to school Sept. 7.
Chris Bishop: 609-871-8140; email: cbishop@phillyBurbs.com;
Twitter: @chrisleebishop
N.Y. firefighter gives Delran students eyewitness view of 9/11
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110911/NEWS/309119698By Peg Quann
Posted: Sep 11, 2011
DELRAN -- James Gerber became a New York City firefighter through a circuitous route. The Philadelphia native graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall, a prep school in Connecticut, and earned a degree in engineering from Boston University. He started a software company.
But he wasn't fulfilled.
"I'm going to be a fireman. I always wanted to be a fireman," Gerber told himself.
"I've been living the dream ever since," he told students at Delran High School on Friday, where he received a standing ovation after giving the students an account of the day when his dream turned into a nightmare, Sept. 11, 2001.
Gerber described how lucky he felt being one of 500 candidates selected from 40,000 applicants for the city Fire Department.
"It's a really rigorous program," he said of the probationary training.
He graduated from "probie school" in July 2001. His first assignment was to deliver a baby.
On the crystal-blue morning of Sept. 11, Gerber said he was checking his equipment when he noticed on television that the World Trade Center was on fire. Within moments, on the fifth alarm, his crew was dispatched from its station in the Bronx to the trade center site about 10 miles away. On the way, he noticed his comrades all talking on their cellphones. A firefighter who befriended Gerber told him to call his mother.
The crew members could see the twin towers burning as they rushed toward them. They parked as close as they could, about three blocks away.
Gerber said he was walking with a lieutenant when he noticed the man had forgotten needed equipment. He walked him back to the truck, then they again headed toward the towers. At that point, Gerber said he was looking up when he saw the antenna on top of one of the towers jiggle slightly, like the second hand moving on a clock. Next, the tower collapsed.
"When you see something like that, it's unbelievable," he said.
Then he saw people running toward him, followed by a billowing cloud of pulverized concrete, steel and glass.
"This huge cloud of gray dust and ash is coming to me. You're running for your life," Gerber recalled, mindful enough to keep his breathing apparatus as he dropped other equipment.
As the cloud overtook him, everything went black. He had seen a news van before the cloud descended and ran toward it, banging into the side. He opened a door and fell inside, then urged the driver to edge out of the area. They picked up other people fleeing the scene as they drove away.
When the dust settled, he went back and found other firefighters and trade center workers, giving them as much help as he could for their injuries.
That morning, 343 of the approximately 500 firemen at the World Trade Center died, among the 2,981 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks.
"Every day I go to work and see this picture and think of the friends from probie school I lost," Gerber said.
He now works at the Brooklyn fire station, where his best friend, who died that morning, was assigned. The man's wife was in labor that morning and gave birth to a son the same day her husband died.
Gerber spent the next six months working recovery amid rubble so hot, he melted the soles off several boots.
A non-smoker, he has emphysema and nodules on his lungs from breathing in toxic fumes at the site.
"As crazy as it seems, I still love going to work," Gerber said.
Peg Quann: 609-871-8057; email: pquann@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter:
@pequann
Delran Hall of Fame induction scheduled
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20111109/NEWS/311099695Posted: Nov 9, 2011
Eight former athletes are among 13 inductees to the Delran High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Induction will be Nov. 24 during a brunch in the high school cafeteria, beginning at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by cash or by check payable to DHS Athletics. Call athletic director Andrew Estrada, 856-461-6100, ext. 3016, before Monday.
The annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Delran and visiting Cinnaminson will follow at 11 a.m.
The former athletes who will be inducted are as follows: Michele Bailey Obuchowski, Class of 1992; Catherine Jefferson Petrino, 1986; Tom Novak, 1978; Joe Paoline, 1986; Jess Romanet, 1997; John Sacca, 1990; Bill Sepich, 2005; Ray Tomczuk Jr., 1999.
Also being inducted is the 1991 boys cross country team that won the state Group 2 championship. Prior to that, Delran was undefeated in 12 dual meets and won the Burlington County Scholastic League Freedom Division title.
Inductees also include former coaches Jim Henion and Mike Wallace; and contributors to the athletic program, Paul Schultheis and Elaine Travis.
S.J. SOCCER LEAGUE
U-11 boys: Giovanni Nahrwold, Danny Kaye and Jeffery Elliot scored for the Palmyra-Riverton Inferno in a 3-0 win over Barrington. Liam Brett had the shutout.
Delran students launch campaign for New Jersey state song
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130207/NEWS/302079617By David Levinsky
Posted: Feb 7, 2013
Some Delran High School students are throwing their voices into New Jersey's longest-running debate.
The issue has nothing to do with property taxes, but everything to do with state pride and persistence.
It's the issue of New Jersey's official state song, or, more specifically, the absence of one. Among all 50 states, New Jersey is the only one without an official song.
Seems like a simple fix? It isn't.
Just ask 90-year-old Red Mascara. For 47 years, the Phillipsburg, Warren County, songwriter has made an almost daily trip to the Statehouse in Trenton to lobby lawmakers to give the honor to "I'm From New Jersey," a short tune he penned in 1960.
Every legislative session since 1966, a lawmaker has introduced a bill seeking to recognize Mascara's work as the official state song, but it never has been signed into law.
The closest it came was in 1972, when the entire Legislature approved the measure and sent it to Gov. William Cahill. The Republican wound up vetoing the measure, and it never has made it back to another governor.
Mascara, who long ago changed his name from Joseph Mascari, hasn't given up his crusade, and about 60 Delran students are now in his corner.
They decided to launch a letter-writing campaign to several state lawmakers in December after learning about Mascara in their freshman English class.
On Wednesday, the teens were visited by one of the lawmakers they pressured, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-7th of Delanco.
Conaway, one of 65 lawmakers in the Assembly who have co-sponsored a bill recognizing "I'm From New Jersey" as the official state song, told the students that the measure's chances of becoming law were slim, but he applauded their civic involvement and urged them to continue their lobbying.
"One reason (Mascara's bill) probably hasn't passed is that we have so many pressing problems with things like property taxes, the environment, and now, sadly, the aftermath from Hurricane Sandy. There are a lot of people who believe the Legislature and governor should not be spending their time dealing with a state song. ... Realistically, I wouldn't anticipate we'll see any action on a state song anytime soon," he said, adding that the students' effort was a good example of how the legislative process works.
"Taking up an issue, researching it, and voicing your opinion on it -- this kind of thing goes on all the time. You don't need to have a college education or gray hair to see there are problems out there in the world. ... I encourage you to continue on with this type of advocacy," Conaway said.
The students and several teachers said they weren't about to abandon the cause, noting that the matter may seem trivial but was important to the state's image.
At Conaway's urging, the students created a Facebook page and Twitter account to raise awareness. They also plan to submit letters to the editor to New Jersey newspapers as part of their campaign.
"We're definitely not going to give up," said English teacher Laura Schreiner, who helped organize the students' campaign after one of her classes stumbled upon the issue while watching the Ray Charles biopic "Ray." During the movie, the blind singer performs the song "Georgia on My Mind" at the Georgia Statehouse, helping to inspire lawmakers to make it the state's official song.
"The question came up: Why was New Jersey the only state without a state song? After looking into it and learning about Mr. Mascara, we got started writing letters," Schreiner said.
She said several students argued in favor of Mascara's song because of his dedication and persistence.
"Not only does New Jersey deserve it, Red Mascara deserves it as well," student Matt Ertl wrote in a letter to Conaway. "He's been trying to get his song passed most of his life. It would be horrible if he passed away before realizing his dream."
A few students suggested other songs, including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" and Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
"Even though it doesn't say anything about New Jersey, everyone knows he comes from New Jersey," Kimberly Tran said about Bon Jovi's work.
She also recommended that Mascara's song and the 1996 tune "Proud to Be in New Jersey" by Mark and Ellen Winter be considered.
The latter song was a finalist in a 1996 statewide competition, but lawmakers never approved legislation to name it as the official state anthem.
"All in all, we should get a state song passed," Kimberly said. "Without a state song, we are barren and have no pride in such a beautiful state."
Student Melynna Correia also said a state song could help improve New Jersey's reputation.
"If we had a state song, everyone would know how amazing and fruitful our state really is," Melynna said. "People would have something to focus on, and think twice before they assume everything that is stereotyped about our state."
Reached by phone Wednesday, Mascara said he appreciated the students' lobbying.
"You never can tell when something is going to create the spark, so I appreciate any help I can get," he said. "I wrote a lot of songs in my life, but I'd like to go out knowing I wrote something that really meant something. So I'll keep trying until the end."
Conaway said he would try to arrange for the students to meet with a representative from Gov. Chris Christie's administration to talk about the issue. He also urged the teens to keep writing to other legislators and try to build broader support among the public.
"It's one thing to hear about an issue from one town, but when (a lawmaker) hears from all over their district or the entire state, it has a big impact," he said.
Another idea also cropped up during the discussion. Since several other states have multiple songs, the assemblyman said the suggestion to honor Mascara's work as well as a song by Springsteen might help win Christie to their side.
"I know the governor really, really loves Springsteen," Conaway said. "If he was given the chance to sign a bill making a song by Springsteen the official state song, I'd bet he would love to do it."
David Levinsky: 609-871-8154; email: dlevinsky@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @davidlevinsky
Wednesday: Local notices
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130703/SPORTS/307039677Posted: Jul 3, 2013
MEMBERS SOUGHT
DELRAN ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Nominations for the Delran High School Athletic Hall of Fame are now being accepted. The class will be inducted November, 2013. Nomination applications are available in the high school main office or by contacting Andrew Estrada, Athletic Director, at 856-461-6100 (ext. 3016) or aestrada@delranschools.org. The deadline is August 9, 2013.
SOCCER
The Rancocas Valley Lightning, a U-16 girls team, has roster openings (field positions) for the 2013-14 season. Email rvlightning@gmail.com.
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The Cherry Hill Fire U-14 girls team (JAGS/EDP level) has one roster opening for the fall. Call 609-332-6247 or visit www.CherryHillFire.com.
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PSC Coppa, a U-11 team (MAPS level) has two roster openings for the fall. Schedule includes top tournaments. Call 609-332-6247 or visit www.pscflash.com.
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The U-10 Florence Flames girls team seeks experienced players for the fall/spring seasons. Call 609-447-0009 or email bcpurdue@aol.com.
CAMPS
LITTLE DEVILS FIELD HOCKEY
The Little Devils Field Hockey Camp is offering two ways to improve skills. The Little Devils Day Camp for Grades K-9 runs the week of July 8-12. The Little Devils Summer League for Grades 6-11 runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from July 8-24. Email: JM-Seal@comcast.net, jseal@rvrhs.com or jseal@rvrhs.com for details
HOLY CROSS FOOTBALL CAMP
The second annual Holy Cross Youth Football Camp will be held July 9-11 at Holy Cross High School. For grades 1-8 (2013-14 school year). All skill levels welcome. Holy Cross head coach Frank Holmes is director. For brochure and other information, email oline79@hotmail.com.
HOLY CROSS BASEBALL CAMP
The Holy Cross Baseball Camp is scheduled for July 8-12 at Holy Cross High School. Daily sessions 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Link for summer camp information accessible at www.sjelitesportsacademy.com.
BURLCO ALL-STAR BASKETBALL CAMP
The Burlington County All-Star Basketball Camp is scheduled for July 15-19 at Holy Cross High School. For boys and girls, ages 8-16. Rancocas Valley head coach Jay Flanagan is director. Visit www.coachflanhoops.net or call 856-824-0810.
MIKE FRIES ALL-STAR BASKETBALL CAMP
The Mike Fries All-Star Basketball Camp is scheduled for July 8-12 at Cinnaminson Middle School. For boys, ages 8-15. Cinnaminson High School head coach Mike Fries is director. Call (609) 792-4018 or email mfries1st@aol.com.
SHAWN ANSTEY BASKETBALL ACADEMY
The Shawn Anstey Basketball Academy is scheduled for July 15-18 and Aug. 5-8 at Moorestown High School. For boys, ages 7-15. Moorestown High School head coach Shawn Anstey is the director. Call (609) 760-1343 or email coachanstey@verizon.net.
CHALLENGER SOCCER CAMP
Florence Township Soccer Association will host the Challenger TetraBrazil Soccer Academy Camp. Ages 4-14; July 29 to Aug. 2. Call 609-499-3849 or visit www.florence-soccer.com. Teams welcome; players advised to consult with their coaches before signing up individually.
VILLANOVA SOCCER CAMP
The Villanova University Soccer Camp is scheduled for July 8-12 at the Chester Avenue A.A. field in Riverside. Grades 1-8 (for 2013-14 school year); $85 fee covers free camp shirt and free ball. Email VUsoccercamp@comcast.net or call 609-332-6247.
WORLD ATHLETE TRACK AND FIELD
The eighth annual World Athlete summer track and fitness camps will be held at Moorestown High School. Ages 3-18. Training programs will consider a camper's age and skill level. Emerging elite programs for middle school and high school athletes. Specialty sessions include pole vault, distance running, throws, and sprints-jumps-hurdles. Email coach@worldathlete.net, call 609-304-2902 or visit www.worldathlete.net
GENERAL
Westampton Recreation will hold weekly sports camps throughout the summer. Softball, baseball, tennis, basketball, cheerleading, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse plus a session that covers a variety of sports. Fee is $99 per week. No residential restrictions. For registration forms, visit www.westampton.com or call 609-267-1891, ext. 8.
N.J. UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
New Jersey United Christian Academy will host a one day camp for all varsity and J.V. christian athletes both male and female on Aug. 3 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The camp will feature current and former college coaches and high school coaches. The camp will focus on college recruiting, SAT workshop, strength and conditioning for all sports and Bible study. If interested please contact Tim Costello at tcostello@njuca.org.
BCC SUMMER CAMPS
Burlington County College is offering camps in the following sports: Aquatics, basketball, baseball and soccer. Aquatics camp is July 29 to Aug. 1 and offers junior lifeguard instruction, ages 11-14, $250 ($225 for each additional child from a family).
Also, basketball camp is July 8-12 for boys, ages 10-17, $120; for girls, ages 10-17, July 15-19, $120; baseball, ages 9-15, July 22-26, $120; soccer, ages 7-15, July 29 to Aug. 2, $120.
Visit www.bcc.edu/camps or call 609-894-9311, ext. 1198.
COACHES NEEDED
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
The following positions are open: Football, assistants; field hockey, subvarsity; boys soccer, subvarsity; girls soccer, subvarsity. Submit resume to athletic director Dan Dockery by email to Daniel.dockery@holycrosshighschool.org or call 856-461-5400, ext. 3025.
Wrestling: Looking back with Dennis Smith
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130818/SPORTS/308189721By John Lewis
Posted: Aug 18, 2013
Ask Bill Duff for a recollection and you get exactly the one you'd expect; the clock ticking as he sat with his coach in an otherwise empty locker room, waiting to make history.
"When I was down at the states -- I was his first wrestler in the finals, and it was a very special moment for us both," Delran's two-time state champion heavyweight said. "He never had much to say about it. He looked at me, I looked at him, he slapped my butt and we went out there. I think once I got to the pinnacle, his work was done. It was time for his athlete to go out and perform, and I think maybe because he'd been there as an athlete, he understood that."
Smith was there as an athlete in 1968, his senior year at Lenape High School, when he became the first Burlington County wrestler to capture a state crown. It was the start of a journey that made him a legend on both ends of Hartford Road.
From Lenape, he moved on to Rutgers University, and from Rutgers, back to Lenape, where he served as an assistant coach for two seasons before moving on to the newly opened Delran High School.
Smith, the only wrestling coach the Bears have had since that first practice in 1975, retired at the end of the season in March. He's staying on for one last season as Delran's cross country coach, but once wrestling season comes, he'll switch roles with Nathan Marter, who served as his assistant the last six years.
"It's really just time," the 63-year-old Smith said. "Because I'm not in the building. I'm a retired teacher. And I really believe, especially for wrestling, that you need to be in the building. So that became a factor. I can't move like I used to, and wrestling is the kind of sport where you really want to demonstrate, get on the mat and show moves. That was my specialty. I used to love doing that.
"And the timing was good, because of the 600 (career victories, a milestone he reached last winter). It was a good swan song. And we have somebody in the program who's just ready to go. Nathan Marter's going to be an excellent coach. So the timing was perfect. But I still love wrestling so much that I just said, 'Let's switch.'"
Smith naturally remembered sitting in that room with Duff as one of the highlights of his 38 years at the Bears' helm.
"Guys like Duff and Brett Matter, what are you going to say to those guys?" Smith said. "They've worked real hard, they've prepared, they know what they have to do, and they don't need a pep talk.
"Any time I sat in the finals chair at states; two times with Billy Duff (who won titles in 1992 and '93), two times with Brett (a champ in '94 and '95), and then one time with Anthony (Saulle, a runner-up in 2009) -- those are just great memories."
Smith is the winningest wrestling coach in South Jersey history, with a record of 605-196-5. The Bears won 25 league championships and 10 district team titles on his watch. They won a pair of sectional championships and 26 holiday tournaments.
The Wall of Fame in Delran's wrestling room lists 73 district champs and 24 region champs to go along with those state accolades. Every one of those names has a story to go along with it, but some of the best memories are attached to names not on the wall.
Even Vinny Commisso, an honoree for his district title in 2007, is best remembered for something that happened the year before. He gave up an 11-3 major decision to Adam Gennello of Burlington Township, then rebounded to beat Gennello in overtime in the Region 7 tournament.
If knowing that Duff didn't need a pep talk was the mark of a good coach, then knowing what to say to Commisso was even more impressive.
"He got clobbered in the districts," Smith said. "He got thrown to his back two or three times, and he was just shocked. So we had to get his head back on straight. We said you can beat him, you just have to wrestle different. You can't muscle him. And he did come back and beat him. That was really satisfying. When those kinds of things happen, that's one of the best things about this sport."
It seemed Smith's biggest strength was engineering just enough of those moments to get the job done. Get the W and get back on the bus. Wrestlers like Duff, Matter and Saulle were good for six points on their best nights. There were still 13 other bouts to negotiate once those points were collected.
"It's one of the things I liked about coaching," he said. "Knowing when to move a guy up, or put another guy in. If you make moves like that, you have to make sure you win both matches, and winning the coin toss is important. That part is very exciting, and I'll help Nate make those decisions, I'm sure."
On some of those nights, Smith had to coax a key win out of someone who wasn't destined for the wall. It's surprising how often he succeeded.
Jackie Strom scored a rideout victory that earned the Bears a 28-27 win over Rancocas Valley in 2004. Strom and Anthony Garzia teamed up later that season to win swing bouts in a victory over Cinnaminson that no one had expected.
One of the most memorable of them all, though, was engineered by Joe Schramm, who came up with a pin in 2001 that rescued a win over Cinnaminson on a night that it looked all but impossible. Schramm's pin didn't just earn one win; it started a run of four straight division crowns for the Bears.
"I remember Joe Schramm's big win at Cinnaminson," Smith said. "He pinned (Tim) Robinson. And just talking to his father after the match, he was so excited. They're the kind of things that you really enjoy. Unexpected wins, and how the parents get so excited. Those things are just unforgettable."
Topping lists on the family page of Smith's History of Delran wrestling are the Lashleys and the Sweezys.
Doug, Nate and Josh Lashley won 221 bouts among them. That's the most by any of the 34 brother combinations that Smith has coached at Delran.
Jim Sweezy combined to win 221 bouts with Jake and Ben Sweezy, but that's another category -- Jim is their dad. Stay in one place for 38 years, and you're bound to see some of those combos, too.
"That's what I really will miss. There have been so many families that have come through our program," Smith said. "Our parent group is very strong. We've always had a strong booster club, and a nice banquet at the end of the year. We've always had strong parent support. I could say I'll miss the families, but I'll still be here."
John A. Lewis: 609-871-8141: email, jlewis@phillyBurbs.com: Twitter, @JohnLewis19; to subscribe, go to phillyburbs.com/orderBCT
Delran High School to make a difference a world away
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130927/NEWS/309279628By Todd McHale
Posted: Sep 27, 2013
DELRAN -- Who would have thought a group of students here could build a school or medical center for the people of Uganda without leaving the township?
Over the next few months that's what the students and staff from Delran High School plan to do as they transform a shipping container into a facility that can be used a world away.
On Thursday the students learned firsthand what the project will mean to the people of the African nation.
"This is very, very important because we have been in a war for the last 22 years in Northern Uganda and most of the social infrastructures were destroyed," said Francis Nyang, who spoke to students about his homeland.
"Our schools were destroyed. Our hospitals were destroyed and it takes time to rebuild, so we thought the containers would be a supplement to that and help rebuild Northern Uganda," said Nyang, who has spent years working to bring aid to his war-ravaged country.
The school teamed with the Denver-based nonprofit organization Homes of Living Hope to take on the project as part of a new "Do It Yourself" course being offered to students.
"Basically we connect communities through service. Using a shipping container, we repurpose them to be medical clinics, educational facilities, dorm rooms for orphanages and send them to the Third World," said Bart Wear, executive director for Homes of Living Hope.
Brian Stolarick, the district's supervisor of humanities, credited Superintendent Patricia Camp for suggesting the program after seeing a similar project done at school in Somerset County.
"We're hoping it spills over to other clubs and the community," Stolarick said of the effort needed to complete the project. "We're not just building a chair... It's going to be a school or a medical facility."
Teacher Pete Miles said he and the students can't wait to get started.
"We already have 80 to 90 kids signed up for this," Miles said. "I hope it goes well, the students learn something new and also be able to help out the people of Uganda. They've had a very difficult time for years."
The conversion of the shipping container into a useable facility complete with plumbing, electrical and other infrastructure will take some time to complete.
"A project like this we would build it through the school year and then ship it," Wear said. "Depending on where it's going it could take four to six months to get there."
While shipping the container to Africa takes months, setting up the new facility can be done in a matter of hours.
And in no time the line of patients will be out the door and down the street.
"When we open and cut the doors and windows (out) and advertise to the community this is a clinic and they come and get treatment from this container, it's like a miracle to them," Nyang said. "For so many years people get herbs and leaves to treat (medical conditions)."
Seventeen-year-old David Dallman III said he looks forward to lending a hand.
"I really want to get involved in this, mainly because it's really hard to think about what they do in their community and I really want to help them out," he said.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163;
email: tmchale@calkins.com;
Twitter: @toddmchale
Riverside Hall of Fame will welcome six
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20131014/NEWS/310149747Posted: Oct 14, 2013
Six former athletes will be inducted into the Riverside High School Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies Oct. 26 at Riverton Country Club.
Social hour is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling 856-461-2671, 856-461-1267 or the school at 856-461-1255.
The inductees are Carlie Cesaretti, Casey Donahue, Scott Gould, Michael Livengood, Bill Ryan and Jamie Caparelli Weller.
Also to be recognized as the Special Sports Moment is the 1974 football victory over Holy Cross (on Homecoming Day) for the Nolder-Devine Trophy.
Delran to host high school recruiting event
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20131210/SPORTS/312109677Posted: Dec 10, 2013
Student-athletes from around Burlington County and their parents are invited to attend a talk by national keynote speaker Jack Renkens about the ins and outs of college recruiting.
The event, which is sponsored by Delran and Northern Burlington high schools will be held at Delran on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Renkens, who has spoken throughout the country, will share the lessons he has learned during many years as a high school coach, college coach and athletic director.
He founded Recruiting Realities for the express purpose of debunking the myths and presenting the facts about athletic recruiting for student-athletes, their families, coaches and school counselors.
Renkens will discuss the recruiting game, NCAA rules and how to get the student-athlete matched with the best college for them.
The event is open to the public and free. For information email Delran Athletic Director Anthony Guidotti at aguidotti@delranschools.org.
Delran students deliver books, love for reading
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20131219/NEWS/312199685By Todd McHale
Posted: Dec 19, 2013
CAMDEN -- Dozens of aspiring authors from Delran made their way south to share something special with a group of youngsters at the John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School on Thursday.
They were books that the Delran Middle School eighth-graders wrote and illustrated themselves.
"I think it's pretty nice, because it helps the kids that may not have some books of their own," eighth-grader Gabby Lopez said as she read and talked about her "Dance Tryout" book with kindergartner Ciany Gonzalez of Camden.
Gabby said Ciany was a bit shy at first, but quickly warmed up to her and seemed to enjoy the day.
"It's great," Ciany said. "I like it, 'cause a lot of people are here that I get to know and read with."
The school visit was sponsored with a grant from the Ellis Family Foundation and marked the first time Delran has participated in the BookMates program, which is run through the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Established in 1999 in Cherry Hill with adult volunteers reading to inner-city students, the program expanded two years later to include eighth-graders. Today, 41 schools in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties participate, according to BookMates director Rhonda Shevrin.
"It's just incredible to see these eighth-graders and younger students be so excited about books," Shevrin said.
Delran teacher Alexis Destro agreed.
"Before we left, I had one student say that he's never seen the boys be so excited about reading and books," said Destro, who helped organize the partnership with the Camden school.
And by all the smiles and laughter, the get-together seemed to be a hit with the young and older students.
"It's going very good," eighth-grader Matt Wible said. "I think it's a good way for the kids to learn how fun reading can be."
But it wasn't easy to get a page turner like Matt's "Timmy the T-Rex" completed in time for the visit.
"We wrote a rough draft, made revisions, edited it down, then we illustrated the books," he said.
The idea behind the program is for older and younger students to benefit, organizers said. During the day, the middle school students are paired with kindergartners, first- and second-graders to read the books and later get together in the gym to talk, write and even draw.
Whittier principal Edward Brown said he was thrilled to see the joy students experienced from reading and discussing books.
"You can see how enthusiastic all the kids are," he said. "The kindergartners, first- and second-grade students are so receptive to the eighth-graders and understanding the books."
Beyond the lessons learned, the visit also gave the youngsters in Camden a chance to interact with students outside their neighborhood.
"Our kids don't get out of the district too often, so this is a beautiful thing," Brown said.
He envisions his students taking a trip to Delran in the future.
Before the Delran children left, they gave their books to the younger students.
And Ciany couldn't have been happier.
"It's mine!" she said with a grin as she gave two thumbs-up.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Delran students win top honors in PTA contest
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140609/NEWS/306099693By Todd McHale
Posted: Jun 9, 2014DELRAN -- A photographer and composer from the high school have won national contests.
Sophomore Emma Blosfelds and junior Joseph Codispoti both netted top honors in the National Parent Teachers Association Reflections contest that draws hundreds of thousands of entries from students across the country.
"It just blows my mind," Joseph said of winning the Outstanding Interpretation Award for musical composition. "It's a great feeling for me and great to know the work I put into my piece and the thought and the theme behind it was appreciated by the judges."
Emma definitely could relate to her fellow student's thoughts on being selected.
"It's crazy that I took one of the best pictures in the nation," Emma said "It's just crazy to think about that there is so many pictures that everyone took and mine was one of the best ones."
For her efforts Emma snapped up the National Award of Excellence for Photography for a shot she took of her brother's military high school graduation celebration.
The National PTA announced 2013-2014 Reflections winners last week.
To top it off, Joesph said the national organization personally contacted his parents to let them know that his prize includes $800 and an all-expenses paid trip for he and a parent to fly to Texas for the National PTA Convention and Exhibition later in June where he will perform his musical composition piece.
The honor is like no other for Delran, according to Patti Blosfelds, who has run the program at the middle and high school for the past eight years.
"We've never had two national winners," Blosfelds said. "It really is amazing."
And she couldn't be more proud of her daughter whose photo will be showcased for the world to see over the next two years.
In addition to being recognized during the 2014 annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition, the 2013-2014 Reflections award recipients also will be honored in a ceremony Jan. 13 at the U.S. Department of Education's LBJ Building in Washington D.C.
The ceremony will open an exhibit of their artwork, which will be displayed in the building through the end of February.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Delran to debut night school for area adults
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140929/NEWS/309299697By Todd McHale
Posted: Sep 29, 2014DELRAN -- High school isn't just for teenagers.
From cooking to computers to an in-depth look at events that shaped the world, those classes and more are being offered to area adults as part of the new Delran High School Night School.
School begins Oct. 15-16, with classes scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday nights over the next six to eight weeks, depending on the class.
"We preach and talk about lifelong learners," vice principal Brian Stolarick said.
What better way for parents or anyone else to practice what they preach than to enroll in one or more of the eight classes, said Stolarick, who helped organize the night school with retired history teacher Patty Kolodi.
"(Area residents) don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get something that is an abstract certificate," he said. "They can actually take courses that might immediately help them, whether it's cooking dinner and taking that up a notch, or making something by hand, or learning about one of our country's most tumultuous times with the Vietnam War."
The night school is accepting students for Cooking 101, Computers/Something for Everyone, the Vietnam War, the Holocaust, Beginner English As a Second Language for Adults, A Study of Toni Morrison's "Beloved," Woodworking, and Graphics and Web for Small Business.
And best of all, organizers said, there will be no homework, no tests and definitely no pressure.
"So many people say, 'Oh, Mrs. Kolodi, are we going to have tests and papers?' Absolutely not. It's all for enjoyment and enrichment," Kolodi said.
The district decided to offer the night school following the success of a recent pilot program featuring Kolodi's Vietnam War class, which drew dozens of local residents.
While proud of that course, she noted that the other offerings will not only be informative but also fun.
"It's just to bring the community members together for an evening of academics and a little socializing," Kolodi said.
Stolarick said at least one course could make a huge difference for new residents.
"We have a course that really is designed to help assimilate newly immigrated parents of students or community members," he said of the ESL class.
For those who'd like to get a little more hands-on, the more traditional shop class may be the right choice.
"The woodworking course, they're making a beautiful shelf out of hard wood," Kolodi said.
Organizers assured those interested that no matter which course they select, it will be worth their time and effort.
"It turns out to be a great experience," Kolodi said. "For me, I started as their teacher and they started as students and we all ended as friends. And I think that's a wonderful thing for any community."/p>
To sign up for classes at the Delran High School Night School, visit the high school at 50 Hartford Road, call Patty Kolodi at 856-266-0852, or email her at pattykolodi@gmail.com. Courses are $40 each, except for woodworking and cooking, which charge an additional fee for supplies.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163;
email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Delran hands-on effort is designed to help people in Uganda
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20141016/NEWS/310169641By Todd McHale
Posted: Oct 16, 2014
DELRAN -- Hands can go a long way.
From the hands-on effort it takes to turn a shipping container into a library to simply offering a handprint to connect with a needy child a continent away, every gesture can mean the world to the students of the war-torn African nation of Uganda, school officials said.
One by one, township students lined up Wednesday to plant their painted hands onto the side of the library as one of the final phases of the project the school district took on just over a year ago.
"The hand has great symbolism to the Ugandan people," said Erica DeMichele, the district K-12 supervisor who helped organize the effort. "They feel almost like your spirit gets passed. By touching something with your hand means you've given a gift in itself."
For months, students, staff and volunteers have spent countless hours retrofitting the shipping container, donated by Seabox, into an educational facility that will serve as a place of learning for the more than 300 youngsters of Aloi in the Lira district of Uganda, according to DeMichele.
Delran High School partnered with the Homes of Living Hope, a nonprofit that provides the framework for converting 40-foot-long containers into functioning facilities. The partnership grew from a September 2013 visit by Francis Nyang, who spoke of the ravaged infrastructure in his homeland after more than two decades of war.
Hearing the plight of the African students, local youngsters from the high school and the middle school jumped at the chance to help.
Throughout the design and building process, the district made a point to get as many students involved as possible, including those in the do-it-yourself, advanced art, engineering, industrial arts and art classes, officials said.
"It's really been a nice run," Assistant Principal Brian Stolarick said of the collaboration of the students, staff and community in making the library a reality.
High school senior David George welcomed the experience.
"I thought it was a great idea," said David, who helped insulate the structure. "I think this is great. I'm happy we're doing this."
Several classmates wholeheartedly agreed.
"It's really cool," junior Abbi Lowe said. "All in all, I really like the fact that we're doing something good -- It just looks really nice and I'm proud to be doing it."
Art teacher Jennifer DiCesare said the design of the mural that covers the exterior library walls is about reaching out to the Ugandan people.
"The Ugandans really appreciate seeing our handprints." she said. "It makes them feel as they have made connections with us."
Construction of the library is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving; the container will be shipped after the first of the year. Once the container arrives in Uganda, workers there will cut out windows and doors and the library will be ready to open.
"We're excited to get it off to the people of Uganda," Stolarick said. "Hopefully, as we understand it, it becomes a center for other villages as they travel in at some distances. It becomes kind of a hub. Hopefully, this will be a hub for learning."
As the construction nears an end, organizers say there's still much more to do -- and they could use a hand from residents.
"We are inviting the entire community to join us as we fill the container with much-needed supplies," DeMichele said of the "Buckets of Love" residents can fill with books, school supplies, prescription eyeglasses or even bicycles and helmets.
More information on the donations being sought can be found at www.homesoflivinghope.org/delran-high-school-volunteer-opportunity.
Donated supplies will be collected during Delran High School's Homecoming Parade Day from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the main parking lot of the school on Hartford Road. Donors also may drop off items at the school through Thanksgiving.
"It's just a great cause to come out and give our used things, book bags, notebooks coloring books, anything we don't use anymore, they are more than happy to get," senior Colleen McMahon said. "It's all going to be stuffed in the container.
"And putting our handprints on container is a huge sign of hope for them," she continued. "They feel that every handprint touched them in some way and helped them."
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163;
email: tmchale@calkins.com;
Twitter: @toddmchale
Delran hosting open house for shipping container turned into library
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150316/NEWS/303169736By Todd McHale
Posted: Mar 16, 2015
DELRAN -- The public will get one last chance to see the fruits of local students' labor that turned a shipping container into a library for youngsters in Africa.
An open house of the converted structure will be Thursday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Delran High School on Hartford Road.
"The library interior is completed," said Erica DeMichele, a district supervisor who helped organize the effort. "We will be filling it after the open house with all the materials, awaiting Uganda's approval of our manifest, before we have it loaded onto a flatbed bound for the Port of New York. It's a process, but it's the last time to see the interior before we close and lock the doors."
For months, students, staff members and volunteers have spent countless hours retrofitting the shipping container, donated by Seabox of Cinnaminson, into an educational facility that will serve as a place of learning for more than 300 youngsters of the Hope Lives Aloi School in the Lira District of Uganda.
The high school partnered with the Homes of Living Hope, a nonprofit that provides the framework for converting 40-foot-long containers into functioning facilities. The partnership grew from a September 2013 visit by Francis Nyang, who spoke of the ravaged infrastructure in his homeland after more than two decades of war.
Now, the students want area residents to "see the difference one container can make."
The interdisciplinary project enlisted the help of the high school's do-it-yourself class for construction, art students for the mural design, and the Delran Middle School industrial arts class to make the furniture, along with a host of volunteers.
For more information about the effort, visit the project's website, www.homesoflivinghope.org/who-we-are/our-projects/delran.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Delran students’ shipping container library heading to Uganda
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150319/NEWS/303199605By Todd McHale
Posted: Mar 19, 2015
DELRAN -- Uganda, here it comes.
Nearly two years after a conversation about hope, a shipping container transformed into a library by district students soon will embark on a more than 7,000-mile journey to the war-torn African nation to serve as a place of learning for hundreds of youngsters.
"I think it's incredible," principal Brian Stolarick said. "I think it exceeded our expectations. It's great."
The mission to transform container was sparked by a visit in September 2013 by Francis Nyang, who spoke of the ravaged infrastructure in his homeland after more than two decades of war.
Following a moving speech by Nyang, Delran High School partnered with Homes of Living Hope, a nonprofit that provides the framework for converting 40-foot-long shipping containers into functioning facilities.
For months, students, staff and volunteers spent numerous hours retrofitting the shipping container, donated by Seabox of Cinnaminson, into an educational facility for the African kids, according to Erica DeMichele, the district's K-12 supervisor who helped organize the effort with teachers from the do-it-yourself, advanced art, engineering, industrial arts and art classes.
"We're very pleased with the finished product," said Pete Miles, instructor for the do-it-yourself class.
Even though the process took longer than expected, Miles said he's proud of the students' hard work over the last two school years.
"We went from the insulation to the framing to the drywall, mudding out the drywall, installing the electricity, building some furniture for inside, bookshelves, and then installing the floors," he said. "There were so many components, but for us the process was the most important thing."
Thursday's open house netted only positive reviews.
"I love it, I love it, I love it," English teacher Laura Schreiner said. "I knew it was going to be a library, so I'm just thrilled to death. I think our kids did an amazing job."
After getting packed with more than 4,700 donated items, including 2,500 books, 33 buckets filled with educational supplies, bikes, balls, and lots of other items, including a playground from the nonprofit Kids Around the World, the library will be trucked to the Port of New York, to be shipped along with two containers from the Bridgewater-Raritan School District retrofitted to be a medical facility.
After stops at multiple ports along the way, and driven down rickety roads in Uganda, the library will arrive at its destination of Aloi in about June.
Student Trevor Parks said he believes the project was well worth all the time and effort.
"It feels nice to help other people who are not as fortunate as we are," Trevor said.
Not only does the project fulfill a humanitarian mission, but Schreiner said she's thrilled that it will encourage more reading a continent away.
"I just know how introducing them to it is the first step," she said. "The fact that we can do this across the world for kids who need it so much and will get so much out of it is great."
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Alumni Soccer: Riverside vs. Delran
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150908/SPORTS/309089730Posted: Sep 8, 2015
The soccer alumni battle between Riverside and Delran high schools was so successful a year ago the teams are going to lace them up again Sept. 26 at Riverside High School with the gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
The game is open to all former male and female former players from the two schools. Proceeds from the game will benefit Jade Disanti (teamjade99 fund), a young Delran AA player who has undergone a partial leg amputation.
There is a chance Jade may take part in the game.
Tickets are $5 each and are available at Sports Paradise on Route 130 in Willingboro. Alumni can email sportsparadise20@aol.com or Jack Robinson at robinson823@comcast.net.
From Delran to Africa, library opens opportunity across the world
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20151026/NEWS/310269684By Todd McHale
Posted: Oct 26, 2015
DELRAN -- Over land, sea and several ports along the way, a shipping container turned into a library by township students made it to Africa and is already a hit.
"It's been a huge success in the community," Bart Wear, director of Homes of Living Hope, said of the facility constructed by students in the district and shipped to northern Uganda last spring.
After several months and nearly 7,000 miles, the library arrived in the town of Aloi to serve hundreds of students in the war-torn African nation.
"Five-hundred primary students are using the library," Wear said.
It was news the Delran School District couldn't wait to hear after dedicating nearly two years to the project.
"I think our kids should be very proud of what they all did," said Erica DeMichele, the district's kindergarten-through-12th-grade supervisor who helped organize the effort with teachers from the do-it-yourself, advanced art, engineering, industrial arts and art classes.
The project took shape following a speech in 2013 by Francis Nyang, who spoke to students about the ravaged infrastructure in his homeland after more than two decades of war. His story spurred action.
For months, students, staff and volunteers spent countless hours retrofitting the shipping container, donated by Seabox, of Cinnaminson, into an educational facility for the African students.
"It's been a huge endeavor, with the sole intention of helping the students of Uganda," DeMichele said.
When the library was completed, the district loaded the container with thousands of books, supplies, and even a playground donated from the nonprofit Kids Around the World, before putting the box on a ship in March.
The library was shipped with two other containers that were transformed into a medical facility by students from the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, which also partnered with the Colorado-based Homes of Living Hope, a nonprofit that provides the framework for converting 40-foot-long shipping containers into functioning facilities.
The journey lasted months, with stops at multiple ports, before arriving in Kenya and then being trucked to the library's final destination in Uganda, which can be quite difficult to reach, according the Wear.
"Roads there are terrible," said Wear, who previously made the trek to Aloi. "The last 20 miles are the worst. It's a potted dirt road."
Despite all the challenges, the library has been a welcome addition to the community.
"Being (the library) is so far away, it's hard to see how much of an impact it's made. But our kids should be very proud of what they did for students in Africa," DeMichele said.
Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: tmchale@calkins.com; Twitter: @toddmchale
Former Delran student, teacher reunited after 33 years
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20151111/NEWS/311119697By Sean Patrick Murphy
Posted: Nov 11, 2015
DELRAN -- Michael Do may have escaped Vietnam, but he was discovered by Barbara Wenick. It was a defining moment in the life of a shy 7-year-old that, more than 30 years later, still resonates.
"As soon as he came into my classroom, I knew he was very special," said Wenick, Do's second-grade teacher at the Millbridge Elementary School back in the 1980s.
Do's father was a POW during the Vietnam War.
"I'm a product of that," he said.
He, his parents and sisters fled in a crowded, rickety boat with 200 people, living on water, potatoes and crackers.
"I'm one of those original boat people who escaped Vietnam," he said.
Do found sanctuary and success in Burlington County. Thirty years later, Do, a major in the Army, returned to share it with students at the Millbridge school and one very special person who helped shape him.
When he arrived in Wenick's class, he spoke no English.
"He wanted to learn very much," she said. "The more work you gave him, the better."
Wenick pointed out that there were some struggles because he had been a boat child, lived in a refugee camp, and was helping to take care of his family at age 4.
"He lived with extreme poverty but not poverty of spirit," she said. "No sacrifice was too much."
It didn't take long before Do was achieving.
"He had some catch-up, but before long it was amazing," she said.
At the time the school didn't have letter grades, but he would have "absolutely" been an A student, Wenick said.
Do's accomplishments since then could be described as equally amazing.
He has three master's degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, all in engineering. He also has a patent in engineering design.
Do grew up to become "a true American hero" who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to his former teacher.
"He inspires me," said Wenick, who has been retired for seven years. "He's just the pride of Millbridge school.
"I could never imagine the little shy boy that was in my classroom (is) what Major Michael Do has become. I can't believe that we reconnected after all these years."
Do, 40, who is serving in his 16th year in the Army, said he received an "outstanding" education at the Millbridge school.
"I luckily ended up in Mrs. Wenick's class, and I think she helped define a lot of the moments that are true for me, and the successes that I have achieved thus far," he said.
He remembered the extra attention he got from Wenick.
"To me, it has every meaning," Do said. "I'm certainly appreciative of her development."
He choked up when he talked about sending a letter to his high school English teacher wondering what happened to Wenick.
"If she only knew what happened to that 7-year-old boy," Do said, fighting back tears.
He said he was lucky his whole family remained intact, as many refugees get separated.
"That experience alone is really what propelled me to serve and serve my country, to give something back," Do said.
He credited Wenick with helping him succeed.
"She paved the way," Do said. "Now you see, 33 years later, what that impact has done."
Speaking before a gym full of second-graders, he said the kids have to be good students and listen to their teachers.
"If there's anything I want the kids to take away is that America is the land of dreams and opportunities," Do said. "They can become whoever they want to become, but they have to practice."
Sean Patrick Murphy: 609-871-8068; email: smurphy@calkins.com; Twitter: @SMurphyBCT
Delran to induct 9 into Hall of Fame
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20151117/SPORTS/311179744Posted: Nov 17, 2015
DELRAN -- Delran High School's Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be honored prior to the Thanksgiving Day football game against Cinnaminson and also at halftime.
Honorees include Jaime (Schoeffling) Bula, John Ellison, Josh Lashley, Colleen McCurdy, JoAnn Sienkiewicz, Harran Williams and Meghan (Schofield) Williams.
Longtime golf coach Tom Wedlick will also be honored, along with contributor Robert Volansky. The 1990 and 1991 swimming teams will also be recognized.
Coaches, report scores to: BCTsports@yahoo.com; 609-871-8081; Twitter: @BCTGameOn, #BCTsports
Delran Bears are national cheer champs
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20151225/NEWS/312259899By the BCT staff
Posted: Dec 25, 2015
DELRAN -- The Delran Bears Jr. Midget cheer squad scored a national championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Disney World earlier this month.
The girls, ages 10 to 13, reached the ultimate achievement in the world of Pop Warner Cheerleading with the win.
Starting with a victory at the Burlington County level on Oct. 18, the Bears went on to place second at states on Nov. 1. Less than a week later, they placed second in regional competition, sending them to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for a shot at a national title.
This hardworking group of 14 cheerleaders and their coaches knew this was a special opportunity and one not to be taken lightly.
In the month leading up to the event, the team hunkered down and focused on its routine, practicing time and time again.
By the time the cheerleaders reached Florida, they were excited to be on the national stage, but it wouldn't come without its challenges. In the days and even minutes leading up to the competition, the girls had to deal with a stomach virus that took its toll on a few of them.
But the stomach bug didn't sideline the team from its goal. The team rallied to perform a near-perfect 2½-minute routine, team officials said.
Then, it was up to the judges.
When the Bears were announced as the national champions, the team and its supporters erupted in cheers. Going up to receive the first-place trophy was Delran Cheer commissioner Debbie Kahn, joined by cheerleaders Lainey Stellwag and Syncere Ray.
The team was led by head coach Cheryl Powell and assistant coach Suzy Kahn. The team also includes Rachael Brown, Maria Butler, Haleigh Bystrom, Madison Edwards, Macy Ginty, Chloe Killino, Ana Lima, McKenzie Marshall, Kayla Powell, Zee Zee Shreter, Taylor Thompson and Madyson Twist.
Junior coaches Brena Enoch and Julia Hamlin also helped along the way.
Delran students work with historical society to chronicle town’s past
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20160418/NEWS/304189725By Kelly Kultys
Posted: Apr 18, 2016
DELRAN -- Don Anderson was born in Delran in 1924 and spent a good portion of his life there. He remembers when farms dotted the landscape and when Route 130 was just a two-lane road with another name.
He remembers his first job at a farm in the township, how his family made it through the Great Depression and where he was when he heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
These are just a few of the reasons the Delran Historical Society decided to interview Anderson as part of its ongoing project to get firsthand historical accounts from longtime residents. For three years, the society has been interviewing residents about the the town and how it has grown and changed.
Monday was the first time the historical society partnered with Delran High School in an effort to get students involved in the interviewing process. According to Mal Anderson, president of the society but no relation to Don Anderson, the society wanted to give students an opportunity to learn more about their town.
"You can learn. We can learn," Mal Anderson told four history students, who would be asking Don Anderson questions.
The students worked with their history teacher, Matthew Ordog, to come up with questions and topics.
Senior Louie Nocito asked Anderson to describe his childhood. Anderson told them about growing up in a house that faced Rancocas Creek and attending a school that didn't have indoor plumbing.
Anderson, 91, lived with his family in the Bridgeboro section off Creek Road, attended school in the district and got his first job out of high school in the township in 1941. He and his wife lived on the family property for many years until work took them to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. However, he said as they got older, they moved back to town about 15 years ago to be closer to family.
On Monday, Anderson recounted how attending Trinity Episcopal Church as a young boy gave him strong faith and a commitment to the church, which he still has today. He described his first job working at Millside Farms, off what is now Route 130.
He told the students about how he was drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II and how he spent three years on various assignments throughout the United States.
Jessica Brown, also a senior, asked him how Delran has changed.
Anderson paused before stating. "It's changed a lot."
He described how Route 130 used to be a two-lane road called Route 25 before it expanded to become the six-lane highway it is now. He said many of the buildings and stores they frequent now were farms back in the day.
Senior Brianna Taylor asked him why he decided to live in Delran for most of his life. Anderson said his generation just didn't move around as much. He also said he enjoyed living in a place where, at least in the early years, people would keep their back doors open every day and neighbors could stop in and visit.
Anderson recalled where he was at certain points in history, such as coming home from church to learn about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He said the family gathered, "watching the radio" to hear the latest news. He said his family was lucky enough to avoid financial disasters during the Great Depression, and he recalled the paving of Creek Road by the Works Progress Administration, which was created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939.
He told the students family and personal stories as well, such as being married for over 50 years and how his family used to take long Sunday drives to everywhere from High Point to Cape May.
Anderson also gave them advice about being kind to neighbors and not to get discouraged if something doesn't go their way.
Louie said afterward that the experience gave him a new perspective on his town. He said it's important to see where the town was and what it was like before everything changed.
"I thought it was really interesting," he said.
Elaine McCabe, vice president of the society, said this is just the first of the combined interviews.
"We want the history students to continue to learn more through this," she said.
Kelly Kultys: 609-500-0429; email: kkultys@calkins.com; Twitter: @kellykultys
Hour of Code training could lead to a lifetime career
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20171209/hour-of-code-training-could-lead-to-lifetime-careerBy Danielle DeSisto
Posted: Dec 9, 2017
DELRAN — It takes only an hour to get students excited about computer science.
The district's students were introduced to computer programming and logical thinking on Friday as part of Hour of Code, a global initiative that builds interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for all ages. The township's schools have participated for three years.
District curriculum supervisors Erica DeMichele and Mary Jo Hutchinson wanted to introduce students to the ever-growing field of science and technology through Hour of Code.
"It's one thing to be a person who uses the technology, but the people who are going to run the world are going to be the ones who run the technology," Hutchinson said.
Each school in the district set aside time for students to try out coding activities tailored to their age level.
At the high, middle and intermediate schools, students chose online coding tutorials based on popular games, movies or trends. Some students used code to build their own animated emojis, while others coded basic computer games.
Senior Jack O'Donnell had tried his hand at coding before Friday's event, and even designed his own smartphone app to help students easily calculate the area, perimeter and circumference of shapes, among other mathematical values. It has been downloaded about 3,000 times from the App Store and Google Play.
Jack plans to pursue a career in computer science. And although he hasn't yet graduated, his talents have already been discovered by an investor from Texas, who is funding a new app set to be completed in just a few days. Because of an agreement with his investor, Jack could not disclose the app's function.
"I'm just living the dream. It's been amazing," he said.
Students at Millbridge Elementary School participated in Hour of Code activities throughout the week during their "specials" classes. In gym class, for example, they practiced spatial thinking, design and engineering skills while building structures out of giant building blocks.
Introducing students to step-by-step and logical thinking techniques at an early age can build interest and confidence in their technological ability, the instructors said.
"One of our core beliefs about STEM education is that STEM is for everyone," Hutchinson said. "It's just that initial exposure that might make them think, 'Hey, I can do that.' "
"It's not how to use something. It's how does it work," DeMichele added.
Delran football coach Pete Miles to resign
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20180303/delran-football-coach-pete-miles-to-resignBy Tom Rimback
Posted: Mar 3, 2018Another Burlington County high school football sideline will look different next fall. Pete Miles, who has manned the Delran sidelines as head coach since 1991, has tendered his resignation.
"I have been fortunate to be around so many great kids and great coaches both in our program and in Burlington County," Miles said. "There are too many kids to mention. We've had a lot of great times here."
Miles had a 139-131 record, which includes a South Jersey Group 2 title in 1992. His 2017 team went 3-7 despite a rash of injuries.
Since the end of the season, long-time coaches John Rosnick at Pemberton, Cherokee's P.J. Mehigan and Tim McAneney of Lenape have stepped away from the game.
"I felt this was a good time to step aside," Miles said. "It has been a bonus to have been able to be here for as long as I have been. I'm just grateful to have had the opportunity to coach as long as I have."
Delran cheer team brings home national trophy
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20190114/delran-cheer-team-brings-home-national-trophyBy Lisa Ryan
Posted: Jan 14, 2019
DELRAN — It takes a village to make a successful cheer squad.
The Delran Bears Pop Warner Varsity cheer team brought home a first-place trophy and fond memories from Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports earlier this month. They placed first in the national round of the Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading league in 2015, as well.
When it comes to scoring well in competition, it's up to everyone to contribute to stunts and synchronized choreography. But the team's head coach, Suzy Kahn, said everyone also must to do their part to support and encourage the others.
"I mean, I guess without a great coaching staff and commissioner, a great team and parents, none of this would've been possible," Kahn said. "We're a team. We're a family. And at the end of the day we all worked hard for this."
It starts with the parents trusting and supporting the coaches, encouraging their daughters to strive for success, and driving carpools for the 12- to 16-year-old cheerleaders' practices and competitions. Coaches are also crucial; Kahn works with a group of eight to lead the team in several hours of practice each week, refining and polishing the team's competition routine. Instead of focusing on titles, Kahn and the others coach together, often discussing over dinner competition scores, judges' feedback, and changes to choreography.
With all the time they spend together over the August to December competitive cheer season, most teams finish the competition season with a tight bond, said Kahn, who has coached many girls on the team for years.
"I always say this, and people are like, 'That's crazy.' But we do become a family ... " she said. "You bicker like family, you love them like family, you drive each other crazy like family."
That family had just 10 members this year, and the small team size was nearly an issue when one team member couldn't attend the qualifier for the national competition. However, Kahn said the rest of the girls pledged to do whatever they needed to succeed as a group of nine. Eventually, the coaches asked first-year cheerleader Emanuelly Silva to learn a new piece of the routine, working with her over the two weeks leading to the competition.
Emanuelly, 12, said the task was intimidating, but well worth it.
"I was happy that I was taking a bigger position on the team, but I was also scared I was was going to mess up," she said.
In the end, she was happy she learned the new part, helping her teammates and making her coaches proud.
She'll sign up for the competition team again next year because of the fun she's had and the kind girls she's met, like 15-year-old Madyson Twist, who was always there to help her teammates.
"Every time we both competed, she was such a motivation," Emanuelly said. "We were all scared and she'd just talk to us and make us feel better."
Due to Pop Warner age limits, this was Madyson's last season on the team after nine years of cheering under Kahn. She and Angelina Mercarini, another 2018 team member, decided they'll return next year to help Kahn as junior coaches.
She said she and her teammates were motivated to strive for their win this year because they shared the same goal.
"We all really wanted to do this for each other," she said.
Delran Bears Varsity cheer team staff: Shannon Bossen (assistant coach), Collen Bystrom (team mom), Julia Hamlin (assistant coach), Natalie Hamlin (junior coach), Suzy Kahn (head coach), and Patty Warren (assistant coach), and Hannah Wilson (junior coach).
Burlington County Pop Warner league cheer and dance coordinator: Betsy Coney.
Commissioner: Deborah Kahn.
Team members: Rachel Bossen, Hannah Bystrom, Ashley Hartman, Angelina Mencarini, Abigail Miller, Maria Oliveira, Luiza Pereira, Emanuelly Silva, Victoria Silva, and Madyson Twist.
Other teams: Other Burlington County teams also competed at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports earlier this month. The Delran Bears Junior Pee Wee team came in sixth in its division. The Burlington City Blue Devils Junior Pee Wee team came in eighth in its division.
Rich Bender leaves remarkable legacy on Delran baseball
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20190203/rich-bender-leaves-remarkable-legacy-on-delran-baseballBy Nick Italiano
Posted: Feb 3, 2019
(File) Delran baseball coach Rich Bender is retiring after 43 seasons as the school's only varsity coach. [Archive]
DELRAN —Rich Bender identified his career path as a teenager.
“I knew in high school that I was going to teach and coach. I knew it. It was what I wanted to do,” said Bender who graduated from Hamilton West in 1968.
As it turns out, no one has done it better or longer.
Last week, the coaching phase of his run came to a sudden conclusion when Bender announced his retirement after 43 years at the helm of Delran’s baseball program. He leaves as South Jersey’s all-time winningest coach with 672-349 record together with numerous other accolades.
“It’s more of a relief. I say that because I thought of this for the last year and a half, but it didn’t get to this point until over the winter,” admitted Bender who stopped teaching ten years ago.
Still, his decision came as somewhat of a surprise, at least initially to Delran Athletic Director Anthony Guidotti.
“Coach had his baseball team meeting scheduled for last Wednesday and notified me that he wanted to meet with me ahead of time — but that’s typical Bender. We’d look at the upcoming schedule and see how the season was shaping up,” said Guidotti.
Instead, Bender walked into the office and handed his athletic director an envelope.
“I read the letter quick and I said, ‘No. really?’ I looked at his face and with a tear coming in his eye, he told me ‘I just can’t physically do this anymore,’” Guidotti said. “The shame is that the decision had to be based off of his health.”
An emotional gathering with his team followed.
“We all looked at each other and it was pure shock. It was silence for five minutes,” Delran’s 2018 All-County junior outfielder R.J. Moten said. “We always thought that coach would try to give one more (season) each and every year. He just said he had enough.”
Bender’s legacy started in 1975 with the opening of Delran High School. A history teacher two years prior at Hamilton High School after earning his degree from Rider University, he also served as a volunteer assistant under baseball coach Mickey Kessler.
“The guy was probably the best thing that happened to me in getting prepared to coach baseball. Mickey Kessler was that good,” said Bender.
At that point, the younger Bender began honing his craft.
“I knew about the Pennsville and Woodstown rivalry at that time, so I would drive down there to watch them play each other,” he said about their respective coaches Ed Rieger and Lee Ware.
“And once I found out more about Russ Spicer, I got Haddonfield in our tournament and played them on our schedule to see what he did.”
Spicer (603) was the first South Jersey coach to crack the 600-win plateau. Sam Tropiano of Bishop Eustace (665) and Ware (643) are next on the all-time list behind Bender and both remain active.
“Spicer is the only coach I’ve ever seen bunt with two outs, and two strikes, with a man on third. Afterwards I said to him ‘Russ, what’s that?’ ”
Spicer explained. “Rich, the kid is hitting .200. I got a better chance of him bunting and the defense screwing up. Why should I pray that he’s going to get a hit when more than likely he won’t?”
Bender called it Russ’ analytics at that time.
“I had never seen anything like that and it worked, because it was against me,” said Bender with a laugh. “The bunting part is what I took from Russ.”
The Bears captured the school’s first state title in 1983 with a team that entered the tournament with a 9-10 record after qualifying for the event on the final cutoff day.
The crown jewel was Bender’s 1995 state championship squad that has since been inducted into the Delran Hall of Fame. It was recognized as the top team in the state, and ranked No. 9 nationally.
The only blemish for the 1995 Bears — who compiled a 25-1 mark — came in the eighth game of that season against Riverside. It included a dose of irony.
“That was my second year when we won that game and Rich went on to win the state championship,” said Gary Herron who has served as the Rams’ head coach ever since. “The funny thing is that the next year, he beat us and we won a state championship.”
Now entering his 26th campaign at Riverside, Herron shrugged off his status as the new dean of coaches in Burlington County.
“But I just started, didn’t I? Compared to Rich — holy mackerel. I mean 43 years, are you kidding me?” said Herron.
Respect for each other has grown throughout their rivalry.
“Every time you go out there and you play Delran, you know you’re in for a dogfight. Consistency was number one with them,” said Herron.
Despite a reputation for small-ball, Herron saw Bender in a different light.
“Rich was meticulous and played a certain style. But his styles changed over the years and he adjusted to the strengths of his team. His kids were always prepared and they played the game the right way,” Herron said.
“I always loved coaching against him because you’re going to watch someone who does it well. I learned a lot from him — how he went about his business. It was a pleasure and I’m going to miss him not being there. That’s for sure.”
During his tenure, Poppa Bear also captured five sectional titles and 13 Burlington County League championships while qualifying for the state playoffs in 41 of his 43 seasons.
Last November, Bender’s most recent honor was induction into the South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame. He’s also a member of three other prestigious organizations — the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame, the Delran High School Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Going forward, Guidotti faces a hard deadline to hire a replacement in time for the Township’s Feb. 19 School Board meeting.
“I’m excited for Bender to be a fan of the game and not have to worry about the details that go into running a special program for 43 years,” Guidotti said. “And he’s going to be busy. He loves his family and will definitely enjoy being with them and his wife (of 47 years, Suzanne).”
With three married children living within a five-mile radius of their Bordentown residence, P-Pop and P-Mom’s monthly calendar is littered with basketball games, dance recitals, cheerleading competitions and softball games for their six grandkids.
The day following Bender’s announcement, the Bears started their preparations for this spring.
“We have a group chat and on Thursday the team hit. Now we have a reason to win this year. From here on out, everything is just for coach,” said Moten.
Considering the countless players Bender has etched on his lineup card — including 24 father-son combinations — Moten succinctly expressed the sentiments of generations of young Delran ballplayers.
“I’ve been going to his (baseball) camp since I could swing a bat and understood baseball. I always wanted to play for Coach Bender because I always knew that the staff was always going to be good and we would win. To be a part of that, and having played for him, was just an honor.”
Delran baseball has a new look
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20190330/delran-baseball-has-new-lookBy Joe Tansey
Posted: Mar 30, 2019DELRAN — For the first time in Delran baseball history, the Bears have experienced a coaching change.
Don't expect many drastic changes. the Bears have called on one of their own to replace legendary head coach Rich Bender.
Jim Goodwin, who graduated from Delran in 2009 and was an assistant on Bender's staff for the last four years, takes charge for the 2019 season.
"Delran baseball is in my blood," Goodwin said. "My dad played here. I played here. I love this program. I take great pride in this program. I want to be the next guy that helps these guys achieve the ultimate goal of that state championship."
Most of the core values and the high championship standard Bender established in his 43 years as head coach are still in place, but Goodwin is putting his own spin on the program as well.
"We definitely tried to switch some things up," Goodwin said. "The core values that Coach Bender laid we want to stick around because they've been great over the last 45 years.
"One of the things I'm really trying to preach is be aggressive. I think too many guys the last couple years have been passive almost playing a little afraid to make a mistake. I want them to be aggressive. I told them mistakes are going to happen. It's part of baseball. It's part of life. I'll take an aggressive mistake over a passive one any day. I want these kids to play aggressive and I want them to play relaxed. That's the big thing."
Delran graduated a fair amount of players, but two of its returning stars are ready to bring in the new era with a successful three months.
Junior R.J. Moten, who is one of the top two-sport athletes in the area.,
"Especially because we don't have the same amount of kids returning as last year, but we do have some new kids on the team," Moten said. "As captains, we're trying to mold them and get them used to the program and hopefully they'll follow us."
Senior Alex Madera will be tasked with helping along some of the young talent in the program.
"We still have the same goal every team has," Madera said. "We still want that state championship and we're going to do whatever we can to get there."
The Bears will rely on a few returners to take the next step in the lineup, as well as in the rotation to once again be a contender in the BCSL Patriot and South Jersey Group 2.
"Kris Giangreco is going to have a good year for us," Goodwin said. "Gavin Budzyn is going to do well. Matt Lubicky was a good reliever for us last year and he's going to eat up a lot of innings.
"At the plate, Tyler Leroy is really blossoming into a very polished hitter. I think he's going to stay that way. RJ and Alex are going to be standouts at the plate as well."
The Bears see Bordentown as their top competition in the Patriot Division, and the same can be said about Moorestown in the county as a whole.
Delran won't have time to ease into the season as it opens with a rivalry game against Holy Cross and three division games in a week.
"In the first game, we have Holy Cross," Madera said. "It's a huge division rival right there. Hopefully we go out there and take care of business. We're always ready."
Police investigating Delran youth baseball trip finances
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20191129/police-investigating-delran-youth-baseball-trip-financesBy George Woolston
Posted: Nov 29, 2019
[GEORGE WOOLSTON / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]
The Delran Athletic Association board began an internal investigation into the finances for the trip after parents asked for an accounting of $14,000 raised for the trip at a monthly meeting in August.
DELRAN — Police are investigating missing money from a Delran Athletic Association youth baseball's trip to Cooperstown earlier this year after parents raised concerns over the summer about the financial accounting of money raised for the team.
Delran Athletic Association President Bob Kennedy said Wednesday that the association board turned over financial documents surrounding the trip to township police this week.
"It’s in (police) hands to investigate it," Kennedy said. "We provided them everything we have."
Last week, police said they don’t comment on whether an investigation exists. Police could not be reached for further comment.
"Our goal was to come to an amicable outcome, to get back the money missing and move on," Kennedy said Wednesday. "We just want to get back what we feel is missing and that is it."
The board began an internal investigation into the finances for the trip after parents asked for an accounting of $14,000 raised for the trip at a monthly meeting in August. The Delran Athletic Association board is all-volunteer, and Kennedy was not the individual who handled the money raised by the Cooperstown team’s fundraising.
According to some parents, they were surprised to have to make purchases for items on the trip they believed fundraising should have covered, such as spending extra money for tournament pins.
Each year, the Delran Athletic Association sends the 12-year-old youth baseball team to Coopertown. The team begins holds four fundraisers for the trip, beginning in the fall prior with a mums sale, followed by a daily November lottery ticket drawing, a Super Bowl block pool and a bag bingo. Teams in past years have raised over $20,000 for the trip.
A review of the association’s deposits and expenditures from 2018 and 2019, which were provided to the Burlington County Times, shows a total of $19,250 was deposited for the Cooperstown trip, and a total of $21,697.40 was spent for the trip.
However, parents have called into question how much money was actually raised, versus deposited, by the team’s fundraisers, some of which deal almost exclusively in cash, and have asked for an accounting that shows all the money raised was spent on the trip.
Kennedy would not comment Wednesday on the total amount believed to be unaccounted for, but said there are "different interpretations of what is (unaccounted for)."
Parents said that was a similar answer to their questions over the weeks since they first brought their concerns to the board.
"Its extremely disappointing, because we brought this to them in August and we were told they were going to look into it," said parent Rocco Gregorio. "We posed a simple question, how long until you get us an answer to where all the money is?"
Gregorio said after a month went by, and still no answers, the parents sat down with league officials in a private meeting. They left unsatisfied.
"The parents as a group wanted an explanation and an apology if there was a misappropriation of funds," said parent Ken Baumann. "It’s upsetting if someone would take money from not only the kids on the team, but from something that could affect the entire Delran Athletic Association."
Kennedy said the delay in action from the board was due to a lengthy review process in which the board was examining "everything."
"We were going through all invoices, every transaction, everything that we could account for, that’s what we did," Kennedy said. He added the board was trying to resolve the situation amicably and in-house. Ultimately, however, the president said they turned the matter over to the police.
The board president added police do not believe anything was done with "malicious intent."
Delran Athletic Association board answers questions about missing youth baseball money
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20191206/delran-athletic-association-board-answers-questions-about-missing-youth-baseball-moneyBy George Woolston
Posted: Dec 6, 2019Last week, Delran Atheltic Association President Bob Kennedy said the league had turned over financial documents surrounding the trip to the Delran Police Department for investigation.
DELRAN — The Delran Athletic Association has severed ties with the volunteer who was responsible for the money for its Cooperstown trip and has put in new financial rules since investigating how thousands of dollars raised by a youth baseball team went unaccounted.
While the matter of the missing funds has been turned over to township police, there have been no arrests. In the meantime, on Thursday, in front of a tension-filled room at the Delran Municipal Building, officials on the association board outlined what happened.
They explained the money for the the 12-year-old youth baseball team’s trip to Cooperstown, New York, was handled differently in 2019 than in past years.
Earlier this month, association President Bob Kennedy said the league turned over financial documents surrounding the trip to the Delran Police Department for investigation.
The board began an internal investigation into the finances after parents asked for an accounting of $14,000 raised for the trip at a monthly meeting in August.
Kennedy explained Thursday, earlier this year, board officials came to an agreement with the individual responsible for handling the money raised for the trip "that they thought would work out better for the fundraising efforts for Cooperstown."
"Like a lot of people in this room, we trust our neighbors, we trust our friends, we trust our board members," Kennedy said, adding the individual had been involved with the Cooperstown trip in previous years and had held other leadership positions in the athletic association.
The identity of the individual is being withheld by the Burlington County Times as no criminal charges have been filed.
During the league’s internal investigation, Kennedy said the individual was put on leave from their positions within the league. He said the board had been working to come to an agreement with the individual to recoup any money that was missing.
In recent weeks, however, communication between the parties began to break down.
"After continued delays, the board had no choice but to turn this over to the proper authorities," Kennedy said.
A review of the association’s deposits and expenditures from 2018 and 2019, which were provided to the Burlington County Times, shows a total of $19,250 was deposited for the Cooperstown trip, and a total of $21,697.40 was spent for the trip.
Parents have called into question how much money was actually raised, versus deposited, by the team’s fundraisers, some of which deal almost exclusively in cash, and have asked for an accounting that shows that all the money raised was spent on the trip.
Each year, the Delran Athletic Association sends the 12-year-old youth baseball team to Cooperstown. The team holds four fundraisers for the trip, beginning in the fall prior with a mums sale, followed by a daily November lottery ticket drawing, a Super Bowl block pool and a bag bingo. Teams in past years have raised over $20,000 for the trip.
According to Delran Athletic Association Treasurer Rob Bleming, only one individual was responsible for depositing money, and after the trip, the individual was to provide a detailed reconciliation of the trip’s costs and deposit the remaining fundraising proceeds. No other board member handled the money raised for the trip.
"The missing money in question was never placed in our account," Kennedy said.
According to parent and former board member Rocco Gregorio, in past years after each fundraiser, all the money was turned into the treasurer, usually by the coach or the parent in charge of the fundraiser. Gregorio said the treasurer would earmark the funds for the Cooperstown trip, and each team kept a binder with the accurate accounting of the money raised, what was turned into to the treasurer and what was spent.
Calls for an audit
Some parents at the meeting demanded the board take responsibility for missing funds and questioned why it took the board so long to take action, while others defended the efforts of the all-volunteer board. Others expressed disappointment that this would happen in Delran.
One parent suggested the board hire an outside agency to perform a forensic audit of the league’s financials, as well as putting in place procedures to regularly perform an audit of the league’s finances.
When asked when was the last time the athletic association’s finances were audited, Kennedy said it had been at least over five years.
"This wouldn’t have happened if this was a fiscally responsible board," said one parent.
Since its internal investigation, the board has changed its bylaws to require all cash deposits made into Delran Athletic Association accounts to have a written receipt and confirmation of the deposit, along with the date of the deposit, the amount, and the signatures of an association board member and the depositor.
It also changed the association’s fundraising bylaws to require a subcommittee to be formed surrounding fundraising events. The subcommittee will be composed of a team head coach, a team parent and a current association board member who is not affiliated with the team involved.
The subcommittee will be responsible for the accounting of the money surrounding the trip, including fundraisers, expenses, payments and reporting cash transactions and expenses. A member of the subcommittee will report current financials to the board on a monthly basis.
Board officials also recently met with the parents of the 2019 Cooperstown team to go over the situation, as well as fill in any financial holes.
"Our regret is the delay in which it took to gather the appropriate information needed," Kennedy said in an opening statement at the meeting. He added that the board has been in contact with an accounting firm to perform an audit.
Mike Otto, Delran
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20191208/mike-otto-delranBy John A. Lewis
Posted: Dec 8, 20192019 Burlington County Times All-County Boys Soccer
https://youtu.be/kMNrrC6T_Eg
It wasn't just about getting over the hump; the Delran boys soccer team won its fifth straight South Jersey Group 2 championship and for the first time during that five-year run, got past the state semifinal game as well.
But that's only part of the reason the Bears' Mike Otto is the Burlington County Times Coach of the Year.
There were plenty of people around in September who would tell you Delran couldn't get near another sectional final. Too much talent had graduated, they said.
Otto wasn't hearing it.
"You know, we’re not as polished as we have been the past few years, but they have more guts, more heart, and they never stop battling," Otto said, after the team defeated Oakcrest to win the sectional crown. "I think that’s the difference in this team, this year."
Delran's run of five straight sectional titles is the longest by a county team since Riverside took eight in a row between 1975 and '82.
Otto was a senior defender at Delran on John Hughes’ state championship team in 1988. He’s the winningest coach in Bears' history, with a 332-95-32 record. This was his fourth straight BCSL Liberty Division title, in addition to his fifth straight sectional title.
Otto was also the BCT Coach of the Year in 2003, 2009 and 2013. This year, like in every other, he shifts the credit to his players.
"The thing that’s special with this team is they’ve been together since they were 6, 7-years-old, and they’ve stuck together," Otto said. "With a lot of these club teams nowadays, you’re getting a lot of kids going different places. When they come to me, they’re all coming from different clubs. But I’m real proud of these guys. They’ve played together their whole lives. It’s a really close knit group of seniors."
Delran’s Zach Zuckerman part of an extraordinary wrestling family
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20200129/delranrsquos-zach-zuckerman-part-of-extraordinary-wrestling-familyBy John Lewis
Posted: Jan 29, 2020
Delran senior 138-pounder Zach Zuckerman is a state wrestling champion’s son, a state wrestling champion’s nephew and a returning district champion, looking to pad his own wrestling resume
DELRAN — You'd think there would be pressure,
Imagine being in a wrestling room with your uncle, the first state wrestling champion in Burlington County history, and your father, the third.
Delran senior 138-pounder Zach Zuckerman is in that room a couple of times a week. Dennis Smith, his uncle, is a Delran assistant. Andy Zuckerman, his father, volunteers his time in the room as well.
Smith won a state title as a Lenape wrestler in 1968. Zuckerman, a two-time state finalist, got his hand raised as a Northern Burlington wrestler in 1977.
"You'd think expectations are pretty high for him," Delran coach Nathan Marter said. "But he doesn't seem to be overwhelmed by any of that pressure. It helps that Andy and Dennis are really good about not losing their cool. I think Andy just loves the fact that his son wrestles and loves the sport."
And he's been a success at it. Zach struggled through some injuries in his freshman year but was on the mat enough to show promise. He had a 14-14 record, but that included a late surge that carried him to a third-place showing in the District 23 tournament.
It was an eye-opening moment for him.
"I was injured a good part of the season, but I came back and placed in the districts," he said. "That made me realize, I can do this and I have a chance to be pretty good. It made me want to work that much harder."
He won 20 bouts in his sophomore year and 28 as a junior, when he captured his first district title.
He is off to a 24-3 start this season, with 19 pins.
His win over Cinnaminson ’s Mike Florkowski on Wednesday night was his 20th consecutive victory.
"I guess it's just the work I've put in through the offseason and through years of growth," he said. "Plus, practice partners. I had Bryan (Miraglia) last year and this year I don't have him, so I have to work even harder."
Miraglia has moved on to Rider University. Zuckerman has moved into his role as captain and mentor.
"I'm a captain this year, so that's me now," he said. "Pressure's not a bad thing. I like being a role model on the team. I like having younger guys looking up to me."
Besides, it's not like he's on his own. There's a lot of help in that wrestling room, starting with his own family.
"They show me stuff all the time," Zuckerman said. "I'll be live wrestling and my dad will come over and show me a move. The cradle is one of my favorites, since I was little, and I hit that whenever I get a chance. But my dad has shown me a few different things I can do with a front headlock, and I've gotten good at hitting those, too."
All Andy has done is try to help his son improve. There's certainly pressure involved, in being a legend's son, but none of that pressure has come from the man himself.
"He's really supportive," Zach said. "He just wants me to have fun and be the best I can be."
It's the son who has the pedal down, as one last crack at the postseason approaches.
"I'm going to go out and do the best I can do," he said. "Make it to the states, win a match or two there and see how far I can go.
"It's a family tradition, I guess."
No criminal charges filed in missing Delran Athletic Association finances
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20200131/no-criminal-charges-filed-in-missing-delran-athletic-association-financesBy George Woolston
Posted: Jan 31, 2020Authorities met with officials from the Delran Athletic Association this week to inform them no criminality was found, said newly-elected President Bill Toth.
DELRAN — The investigation into missing funds raised by a Delran youth baseball team has been closed out, police said, and no charges will be filed.
Authorities from the Delran Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office met with officials from the nonprofit Delran Athletic Association in the past few days to inform them no crime was committed, said newly elected President Bill Toth.
"We spent a lot of time and energy on this. We’re relieved we’re past the situation, and now focused on corrective action and ensuring this sort of thing doesn't happen again," Toth said Friday.
In a meeting with board officials, police provided tips to improve the league’s bookkeeping practices, such as dealing in cash as little as possible — something that led to the controversy and made it difficult for authorities to determine what, if any, funds were missing.
Police said a review of the financial records provided to them did not support the filing of criminal charges, and that all expenses for the trip were paid for. Toth said authorities reviewed all league financial records, as well as the financial records of the individual in charge of the fundraising for the 2019 team.
The all-volunteer board began an internal investigation into finances surrounding a 12-year-old baseball team’s 2019 trip to Cooperstown in August after parents asked for an accounting of $14,000 raised for the trip.
Parents called into question how much money was actually raised, versus deposited, by the team’s fundraisers, some of which deal almost exclusively in cash, and asked for an accounting that shows that all the money raised was spent on the trip.
The league turned over financial documents surrounding the trip to the Delran Police Department for investigation at the end of November.
At a member meeting in December, the board explained how the trip’s finances were handled differently in 2019 than in previous years as board officials had an agreement with the individual responsible for handling the money raised for the trip "that they thought would work out better for the fundraising efforts for Cooperstown."
The league has since severed its ties with the individual in charge of the 2019 trip, and will no longer allow fundraising finances to be handled by one individual.
It has changed its bylaws to require a subcommittee of the team’s head coach, a team parent and a league board member to be formed surrounding fundraising events.
The subcommittee will be responsible for the accounting of the money surrounding the trip, including fundraisers, expenses, payments and reporting cash transactions and expenses. A member of the subcommittee will report current financial information to the board on a monthly basis.
Each fundraiser will also have its own dedicated bank account.
In addition, all cash deposits made into Delran Athletic Association accounts will be required to have a written receipt and confirmation of the deposit, along with the date of the deposit, the amount, and the signatures of an association board member and the depositor.
Toth said during the league’s meeting with law enforcement, authorities recommended the league move away from dealing in cash whenever possible, something Toth said the league is planning to incorporate in its handling of snack bar transactions and other instances.
The league is also working to make its financial reporting easier to understand to the general public.
"We want proper visibility of the accounting and money at all times, and to show incoming expenses which is the challenge we had with the last team," Toth said.
The league is also establishing an audit committee to help hold the league’s financial records accountable, however, some parents have called for a professional audit.
On Thursday night, the board presented the investigations findings to league parents at its regular monthly meeting, leaving some parents frustrated with what they feel is a lack of answers.
"I’m disappointed by what we’re being told by the athletic association as far as the resolution to this," said parent and former league board member Rocco Gregorio. "For it to come down to nothing, I’m very frustrated and disappointed ... no answers were given last night other than we’re moving forward."
Cafeteria, maintenance staffs got together in Delran to distribute nearly 65,000 meals
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/special/2020/06/18/cafeteria-maintenance-staffs-got-together-in-delran-to-distribute-nearly-65000-meals/42127179/By John A. Lewis
Posted: June 18, 2020
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
The hard part was no kids.
No one was unaffected by that. The cafeteria and maintenance staff at Delran High School does what it does for the sake of the students. To remove their daily interaction from the equation was tough on everyone.
But it didn't change what needed to be done. There are kids in Delran facing food uncertainty; they might not get lunch, if the school doesn't supply it.
So the school continued to supply it.
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
The cafeteria staff had prepared and distributed nearly 65,000 meals by the time it shut down for the summer on Tuesday. The high school hosted a surprise luncheon Wednesday to thank everyone involved.
“The maintenance staff and the kitchen staff worked really well together and neither could have done the job without the other,” said Mike DiGiovanni, the facilities manager for the Delran Board of Education. “It was challenging, but you just have to stay positive and do what needed to be done.”
This was the occasion: the school was shut down in the middle of March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It won't re-open before September, but there are still kids who need to be fed.
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
DiGiovanni, Delran High School Vice Principal Brian Stolarick and Stacy Clarke, the food service director, put a plan together to get it done.
“It took about a week, on our end, to get it set up,” DiGiovanni said. “This is where you find out who your team players and leaders are. Some people rose to the occasion and took it very seriously.”
From the outside, it looked like the transition was effortless. Planning and execution will do that for you.
“I'd have to say Delran is very organized,” Clarke said. “We left on Friday and when we came back on Monday, there was a plan in place. So it completely switched over the weekend, and by two or three weeks, it had evolved; we had a plan completely in place and it was working like a well-oiled machine.”
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
Clarke's staff of 24 workers prepared the food, the maintenance staff carried it out and loaded it on to trucks, and from there it went to one of two distribution points, to be handed out to the kids who needed it.
“It was quite a program, and the maintenance guys were an integral part of it,” Stolarick said. “If you're an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter and you were able to help out, you did. The building maintenance men carried food, set up tables and tents. They all adapted. Whatever needed to be done, they took it on with enthusiasm and confidence.”
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
No one thought, in March, that the quarantine would last more than a few weeks. As it dragged on past a month, and then two, it naturally got harder – but circumstances gave the cafeteria staff a certain amount of resolve, too.
“I wouldn't say we had a morale issue, but we were definitely missing the kids,” Clarke said. “These ladies, on average, have been with us for about five years, so they know these kids. They see them every day and they know what they're going to order, sometimes even before the kids know it.”
NANCY ROKOS / PHOTOJOURNALIST
“They got on our nerves sometimes, but we miss them,” said Jennifer Olivo, who works in the high school cafeteria. “Come back and get on our nerves some more.”
This was a problem with an easy remedy, though. The cafeteria staff asked to be part of the distribution process, and by the third week, they were.
“They were able to get out and wave to the kids,” Clarke said. “They've got cards from the kids hanging on the walls. It's really nice. It's really helpful that about 95 percent of the staff is actually from Delran. They grew up and went to school here. It definitely gave them more of a sense of purpose.”
A little motivation is all some people need.
“You either do what you've got to do or you quit,” DiGiovanni said. “And I'm no quitter.”
Holy Cross teacher, student create face shields for front-line fight against COVID-19
Source: https://amp.burlingtoncountytimes.com/amp/42130613By John A. Lewis
Posted: June 19, 2020
DELRAN — They're high-sounding words, but the coronavirus pandemic has bourne them out: service to community is one of the pillars of the curriculum at Holy Cross Prep Academy.
Holy Cross Principal Alice Penza takes pride in the way the students have come through to serve.
“They've done things even through the pandemic,” Penza said. “The Mission Club did a sandwich drive for Cathedral Kitchen. The National Honor Society organized a food drive. We've had kids dropping off supplies and other kids scooping them up and delivering them where they wanted it to go.”
Hope Blanch, who teaches religion, was the organizer of the sandwich drive. The NHS food drive benefited the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry in Willingboro.
Holy Cross even offered help on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, which took the form of face coverings.
Zack Coons, a STEM teacher who specialized in Science this year, set that part in motion.
“I just happened to see on social media that this was a possibility,” he said. “I reached out to the school to see if I could access the 3D printer and bring it online. They provided the materials and let me do it. Then I reached out to people I knew in the health field. The county said they needed some, so I printed the first batch and Douglas printed the second batch,” he said.
Douglas Lavin, a Burlington Township resident, has just finished his sophomore year at Holy Cross.
“Mr. Coons reached out to me,” Lavin said. “He's in charge of all the 3D printer stuff going on. He reached out to me and I wanted to see if I could help. He sent me the CAD files I needed and I printed a batch. He dropped off the first batch to the fire marshal in Westampton and the second batch went to Temple Hospital.”
Lavin has had a 3D printer for a couple of years.
“When I was in eighth grade, I was on YouTube and I watched a couple of videos,” he said. “It just seemed interesting. My parents told me that I'd get a gift for my eighth grade graduation. My sister got a laptop, but I didn't really want that. We have a desktop computer that I prefer to use. So I decided I wanted a 3D printer. We found a low-end model and they agreed to buy it for my gift.”
He'd experimented here and there with it; built “a few knick-knacks,” as he put it. But this was his biggest project to date. Lavin said he'd produced about 25 masks.
“I was really excited to be able to help,” Lavin said. “I hope people will see that 3D printers can be really useful.”
It's just a question of knowing where to apply it.
Lavin said he doesn't know where he'll apply himself yet.
“I find this stuff kind of interesting, but I really don't know what I want to do yet,” he said.
Coons, who is just completing his first year at Holy Cross, may have found a niche. He's a product of St. Augustine Prep who went to LaSalle University, then taught at St. Augustine, followed by five years at Bishop Eustace.
“I specialize in Catholic education,” he said. “We emphasize service, and service to our local community and we're looking for ways to help. That was new for us, and the face shields seem to be in high demand.”
Delran coach Otto steps down after 22 seasons
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/2020/11/15/delran-coach-otto-steps-down-after-22-seasons/6308045002/By John A. Lewis
Posted: November 15, 2020
JOHN A. LEWIS/STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST
Mike Otto, who has coached the Delran High School boys soccer team for the past 22 seasons, announced via social media Sunday that he is retiring from that post.
Otto is a 1989 Delran graduate who won a state championship as a defender under his predecessor, John Hughes. He guided the team to 11 division championships, 10 sectional championships and five state titles, with the last coming in 2013. His career coaching record is 336-95-32.
“(It) has been an incredible time in my life, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity,” the release said. “There is no greater soccer program around -- the electric atmosphere of the Bears' den, the passion of our crazy fans and the overwhelming support from the Delran community and alumni; it is really incredible to be a part of.”
The Bears won back-to-back state titles in 2003 and '04 and went 38-1-2 over that stretch. Tommy Orr, who scored in the 2004 title game against Harrison, served as an assistant coach for the team under Otto and will replace him as the head coach next season.
“It's crazy. It makes me feel old,” said Tyler Stakiwicz, the goalkeeper for the 2003 team and now an assistant coach at Rutgers University. “I'm the same age as Tommy and we grew up playing with Otto. He was our club coach before we got to high school, and he was this bigger-than-life figure, that we were going to play for in high school. I loved playing for Mike. I loved my days at Delran.”
Stakiwicz was among the first of Otto's players to follow him into coaching. He had a tenure at his alma mater, Montclair State University, then moved to Rutgers five years ago.
“We're way different as coaches,” Stakiwicz said.
But there is one thing he does try to emulate.
“I try to be relationship driven. Caring about all of the kids – getting to know the kids a little bit,” Stakiwicz said. “I know I said he was larger-than-life when I was little, but when I got to Delran I got to know him. He didn't present himself as someone bigger than you or above you. You had a real relationship with him.”
Kyle Ballay, also a veteran of those '03 and '04 teams, is now the head coach at Florence High School.
The Bears won back-to-back state titles again in 2008 and '09, and reached the summit one more time, in 2013. They came into the 2020 season as a five-time defending sectional champion. They won 10 sectional titles on Otto's watch.
It's the longest run of titles by a county team since Riverside took eight in a row between 1975 and '82.
Ironically, Bill Dent, who coached those Rams' teams, became one of Otto's fiercest rivals as the Cinnaminson High School coach; a post he held from 1996 to 2011. The two met 30 times over 12 seasons. Delran won 11 of those games and advanced twice in penalty shootouts – Cinnaminson won 12.
“I always enjoyed our contests,” Dent said. “It was always a formidable game. Win or lose, there was a mutual respect between us, and I consider Mike a pretty good friend. I told him now he can finally put on that red shirt he hides in his closet.”
Chances are that's still unlikely. Otto's release lauds his current and past players for their loyalty and commitment to the program. He reserves some of his highest praise for the 2020 team, which won all four of its games before being shut down by a positive COVID-19 test.
“This senior class has dealt with and sacrificed more than all other classes combined, and I am so thankful we had this amazing group to hold the rope for the program,” Otto said. “My heart continues to break for them. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part in your lives.”
John A. Lewis is a sports writer for the Burlington County Times and Courier Post. E-mail him at jlewis@thebct.com or follow on Twitter @JohnLewis19
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