SDA's Bethel, Sullivan share the Female Athlete of the Year honors

One arrived with a strong background in track and field from grammar school. The other never ran a yard in her life, concentrating more on becoming a competitive Irish step dancer. But Milani Bethel and Kayla Sullivan enrolled at St. Dominic Academy simultaneously and the two members of the SDA Class of 2021 combined to lead the Blue Devils to several championships, including the school’s first NJSIAA state championship in almost 30 years. Bethel was the workhorse, the versatile athlete who could compete in practically every event. In fact, Bethel once lent her services to the good of her team by attempting to throw the shot put. “It went okay,” Bethel laughed. “It was a one-time thing.” Bethel’s foray into track and field began in grade school in Bayonne. “I was 10 years old, attending St. Francis Academy,” Bethel said. “There was a track team at the school. I tried other sports like basketball and gymnastics, but I lacked coordination to play. I tried playing soccer for about a week. The same with swimming. I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It wasn’t my thing.” In fact, track and field didn’t appear to be Bethel’s thing either. “I actually didn’t like it at first,” Bethel said. “I didn’t like running all the miles.” But Bethel’s father, Chris, told his daughter to give the sport a decent shot. Chris played basketball and ran track in high school. “He told me that I would like the experience,” Bethel said. “So I decided to stick with it. I did like the team bonding. I just kind of fit.” Bethel’s first major success took place in the seventh grade, when she qualified for the United States Track and Field junior nationals. “We all pushed each other and helped me stay focused,” Bethel said. At the same time, Sullivan was content with being a competitive Irish dancer, even though Sullivan came from excellent track and field roots. “My aunt was a really great runner, but she didn’t want to push me,” Kayla Sullivan said. Sullivan’s aunt, Liane Sullivan Rae, was one of the greatest performers in St. Dominic Academy history, eventually earning her rightful place in the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. The former Liane Sullivan was a phenomenal distance runner for the Blue Devils in the late 1980s. Kayla Sullivan said that the family roots had nothing to do with her decision to give running a try. “I wish I could say that it was, but I never felt any pressure,” Sullivan said. “I never planned to break any of my aunt’s records. I wish there was some tall tale to tell. Joking around, looking back, there was never any family trash talk.” Sullivan said that she dabbled with running in eighth grade and like her future SDA teammate Bethel, Sullivan said that she loved the team aspect of the sport. “I had the best time at practice,” Sullivan said. “A lot of people might think otherwise, but you really can have fun. Maybe it’s about misery loving company.” Sullivan almost walked away from the sport before she even started. “I went to cross country camp two weeks before school was supposed to start,” Sullivan said. “I was really scared. I said to myself, ‘How am I going to do this?’” As it turned out, Bethel and Sullivan became two of the greatest athletes in the history of Hudson County track and field. They won countless Hudson County Track Coaches Association titles, with Sullivan winning two HCTCA cross country championships and the NJSIAA North Jersey state sectional crown, as the Blue Devils and Sullivan both posting undefeated state titles her senior year. “She finished third at the SDA cross country meet and didn’t lose another race,” said veteran SDA head coach and athletic director John Nagel. “In the indoor and outdoor seasons, she didn’t lose in the half (800-meter), mile (1,600-meter) and two-mile (3,200-meter). That’s very unique.” Bethel was also a member of that cross country team, but her strength came on the track with her immense versatility in several different events, during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Bethel won county and state championships in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, as well as the high jump, long jump and triple jump. “Bethel’s diversity and willingness to do different things is clearly her legacy,” Nagel said. Both Bethel and Sullivan became two of the most decorated products of the vastly successful SDA track and field program, even sharing a championship at the historic Penn Relays, bringing home the first Penn Relays wheel for SDA in more than 20 years. So it was only fitting that the two would share the Jim Hague Sports Co-Female Athlete of the Year. The two Blue Devils became the fifth and sixth athletes to receive the year-end honors. Cheri Selby was the first to receive the award in 1994-1995, but that was a time when only one Athlete of the Year was honored. In 2002, it was determined that one male and one female should get the year-end award. Since that time, three other SDA products were honored, with all three coming from the storied Blue Devil cross country and track and field programs. Christine Capetola (2004-2005), Camille Bertholon (2015-2016) and Malia Gray (2016-2017) also received the honor, given to the top male and female athlete who starred in more than one varsity sport during their high school careers. More than 30 different male and female athletes have been honored as the respective top all-around athlete in Hudson County sports. Jamling Lama of Secaucus received the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year earlier this year. Nagel never likes comparing one of his current Blue Devils with those of the past, but knows one thing. “They’re both destined for the Hudson County Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame,” Nagel said. “They both contributed a lot, brought a lot to the table. They gave equal contributions to what has become the golden age of this program. The teams did well locally and beyond in their tenure. I think they have to appear on the Mount Rushmore of St. Dominic Academy track. Bethel’s range is something that we try to coach in every athlete. Kayla has a drive that she’s just going to win every race. I love her drive. It was amazing to have both together.” Bethel agrees. “It’s crazy to think we were on the same team together,” said Bethel, who considers Sullivan as her best friend. “The bond we enjoyed is like nothing else. I remember our first race it really hit me that we could make a future in this.” Remarkably, the two were able to achieve their heights in the middle of a global pandemic. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide to the sidelines. But both Bethel and Sullivan have left their indelible marks on both SDA and Hudson County history. Sullivan heads to Rutgers University, but her competitive track and field career is over. Bethel is off to San Diego State, where she plans to try to walk on to the Aztecs’ incredible track and field program. “I knew we had a chance to do something great, but every time I take a picture and hang it up on the wall at home, well, those pictures add up,” Bethel said. “I remember our last practice at Garret Mountain (Reserve in Woodland Park) and I was wondering where I would finish in the race,” Sullivan said. “John (Nagel) said that he thought I was going to win. I didn’t know.” Sullivan won that race, her final cross country race of her career. It was a fitting ending – and then there was this award. “Milani is my best friend,” Sullivan said. “We grew up together since freshman year. We shared a lot of struggles together. It’s amazing to think we shared this together. I definitely have no regrets. At the end of the day, we grew up together and learned a lot together. I’m grateful to have had Milani with me. I’m sad it’s over, but I’m super happy I can share this my kids one day.”

From left, Kayla Sullivan and Milani Bethel display their Jim Hague Soorts Co-Athlete of the Year award with St. Dominic Academy head coach and athletic director John Nagel. HUDSON COUNTY—JIM HAGUE SPORTS FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1994-1995-Cheri Selby, St. Dominic Academy 2000-2001-Tiffany Aciz, Secaucus 2003-2004-Mercedes Nunez, Memorial 2004-2005-Christine Capetola, St. Dominic Academy 2005-2006-Nicole Degenhardt, Secaucus 2006-2007-Leslie Njoku, McNair Academic & Cory Roesing, Secaucus 2007-2008-Jenna Totaro, Secaucus 2008-2009-Jennifer Mateo, Union City 2009-2010-Ashley Barron, Hoboken 2010-2011-Shannon Waters, Secaucus 2011-2012-Sybil Lynch, Hoboken 2012-2013-Danielle Roesing, Secaucus 2013-2014-Carolina Herrera, North Bergen 2014-2015-Julia McClure, Secaucus 2015-2016-Camille Bertholon, St. Dominic Academy 2016-2017-Malia Gray, St. Dominic Academy 2017-2018-Nyasia Mixson, Hoboken 2018-2019-Claire Chapeau, McNair Academic 2019-2020-Alicia Campbell, Snyder 2020-2021-Milani Bethel & Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy

My 'Field of Dreams' column from when the movie was released

This column was first printed in the pages of the now-defunct Hudson Dispatch on June 29, 1989. It ended up winning several different awards from the New Jersey Press Association, the North Jersey Press Club and the Garden State Society of Journalists. It was also reprinted in Reader’s Digest later that year (although I never got credit, the paper did). For several years, the clipping sat in an old Avon box in my basement. We had a major flood two years ago that ruined a lot of my old clippings, including several of the old Dispatch articles. But somehow, this one survived. It’s very weather beaten and faded, but it survived. Because of the Yankees playing the White Sox tonight in the game in a special Field of Dreams contest, i figured it was time to blow the gust off it a little bit and repost in honor of Kevin Costner. So this is for all you fathers who played catch with their sons. Thanks to all who are responsible for "Field of Dreams," baseball fans and those who are not fans of our National Pastime. I didn't know if there were members in that latter collection. Here goes, a flashback to 1989 and my glory days as a sportswriter.

I ventured to the movie theater the other day. No, not to see “Batman” or even “Ghostbusters II.” I’m not a trendy type of guy. In fact, I’m a little behind the times. I saw “Field of Dreams.” OK, so the rest of the western world has already plunked down the cash to see “Field of Dreams.” We’re in the midst of a blockbuster movie season. “Field of Dreams” is old news to movie freaks. After all, it was only released nine weeks ago. But “Field of Dreams” is about baseball _ sort of. And besides, “Batman” is not about Don Mattingly. I am a sportswriter at last check. And I’m a movie fan. Just a tardy movie fan, that’s all. I had to go see it. Who cares if I’m late?and I heard so many things about the movie. It was supposed to be the best thing ever to happen to baseball movies _ which wouldn’t be a hard feat, considering that most baseball flicks flounder. I went with an open mind, waiting to be disappointed. I left feeling wonderful, feeling alive, feeling good. “Field of Dreams” touched me more than any other movie. It was clearly the best picture I’ve ever witnessed. And my strong feelings about “Field of Dreams” had nothing to do with baseball. It had to do with life. Or, for that matter, afterlife. For those who have not had the chance to see “Field of Dreams” _ like all seven of you _ you can stop reading here. Take my word for it, the movie is excellent. It’s the best thing you’ll see all year. Now, for you other fortunate folk. Let’s face it. “Field of Dreams” has its flaws. I mean, Shoeless Joe Jackson batted left-handed in real life and threw right. In this movie, the exact opposite. He batted right and threw left. Brings up a good question. Do your extremities become mirror images after death? Only Elvis can answer that one. Remind me to ask him the next time the King is spotted at a 7-11 in Michigan. Elvis probably shoots at TVs with his left these days. Gil Hodges is mentioned to be on the “Field of Dreams.” But there were no Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms to be found. Still, this movie was absolute perfection to me, because it was able to touch me in a way that some people can relate tieldo _ but hopefully not many. Because of one movie, I got in touch with the huge vacancy that has been dominating my life for the last 18 years _ namely the absence of my father. I was 10 when cancer snuffed Jack Hague away from me. He was sick, dead and gone within one month’s time in 1971. He was my everything. He was my inspiration, my motivation, my life. He was my Little League manager, my friend. He taught me so much about life in 10 short years _ and then he was gone. It left me with a brother who was 60 miles away with his own family, a sister who was maturing rapidly _ and a loving mother, who had to be both parents from that point on. It was not easy. Especially because of my obsession with sports _ something I shared with my Dad. We would watch ball games together, talk baseball constantly, play catch in my backyard. With no father, those times came to an abrupt halt. I longed for the days of playing catch in the yard. They were long gone. “Stop throwing like a girl, James,” I could hear him saying. “Step and throw.” There were so many times in 1972, the first year after my father’s death, that I would stand in the yard, hoping he would come back. I just kept standing there, smacking the ball into my empty glove. Little League was no longer fun without my Dad. It was a struggle to play for some other manager. That summer, my mother bought me a “Pitch-Back,” the net that snapped the ball back to you after you tossed it. However, the damn thing never offered advice. It never told me what I was doing wrong. It just stood there. And the “Pitch-Back” could never tell me what I was doing wrong in life. Of course, my mother did _ and worked hard at it. But living with two women and no man’s view of life certainly was no breeze for a moody kid who found his only release through sports. As time went on, I tended to forget about my Dad. Not entirely, but enough that he wasn’t a major part of my life anymore. I lost his set of values, his standards. I forgot what Jack Hague stood for. I wanted to be independent, my own person. I couldn’t fill the shoes of a memory. Sure, sports remained my one constant _ and still is today. Without it, I would be lost. But most of all the other values I thought I had disappeared. People think I’ve lived a good life, an exciting life. But it’s been fairly shallow. I never realized that until recently _ and never more so until I saw “Field of Dreams.” It was a total awakening for me. I knew how important my father was _ and still is. Sure, my father was gone, but I should never let him stop being my parent. I should have left his values live on in my life instead of being pigheaded and stubborn and wanting to be something and someone else. “Field of Dreams” touched me so much that I wanted to build a field in my backyard, albeit a small patch of brown grass nestled in Jersey City. And all the greats of yesteryear who are now departed could come back. They wouldn’t even need an invitation.

Gil Hodges would wear a Met uniform and run the show. Thurman Munson would be behind the plate. Satchel Paige on the mound, Lou Gehrig at first _ and Jackie Robinson stealing bases all night. And the players would leave a little spot where right field would be, just enough for a grey-haired man with a three-finger glove could throw some high hard ones to his son. “Field of Dreams” did what it was supposed to do _ make us all dream. It made me dream _ of the days when my father taught me about baseball and life. I almost took those days for granted. I look back now and cherish. I never realized how much I truly missed my father. So this is somewhat of an open call to all our readers. Stop, take time out and realize how important your father is. Sure, there may be some differences and there may be some strife, but the day may come when your father is suddenly not there _ and that vacant feeling of his loss almost gets a stranglehold of you. I know what that feeling is like. I knew it 18 years ago _ and I rediscovered that huge gap 11 days ago. Yes, Fathers’ Day, the day I saw “Field of Dreams.” I had totally forgotten it was Fathers’ Day. It was so totally ironic I saw the movie on that day. I’ll never forget Fathers’ Day again. That’s why I love the movies so much _ and why “Field of Dreams” is the best movie I’ve ever seen. I found my Dad. I’m grateful for Hollywood for that. That’s why I’m asking all of you to find your fathers, too. While he’s still around.

Roberto Clemente softball heads to RBI World Series in Florida

Gabe Villanueva has been coaching softball for a long time now, ever since his daughters, Mariah and Mya, signed up to play for the Roberto Clemente Little League softball program. So Villanueva knew first hand that he had assembled a good team to play in Major League Baseball’s Rebuilding Baseball in the Inner-City (RBI) Northeast Regional softball tournament a few weeks ago. “I didn’t know much about the competition,” Villanueva said. “I knew that Hoboken had a good team. They always have a good team in this tournament. But I knew we had some talent. We were going to take it game-by-game.” Villanueva remembered that Hoboken, under the guidance of Hoboken High School head softball coach Vinnie Johnson, has been a staple of success in the RBI tournament, making several appearances in the RBI World Series. “We were basically flying blind,” Villanueva said. “But the girls were very comfortable with each other, very comfortable.” So the Clemente RBI took on the comers at the RBI Northeast Regional last week and won all four games in the tourney to punch their ticket to the RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida. The Clemente All-Stars will head to Florida Sunday morning to play in the RBI World Series, a round robin tourney that will feature eight of the nation’s top softball teams. “I’m happy for the kids,” Villanueva said. “I want them to soak it all in. They’re getting to play against girls from all across the country. It’s exciting. I just want them to work hard and be proud.” Clemente will play its first game of the tourne

y on Monday and they hope to be playing when the final round commences Friday. Leading the way for the Clemente All-Stars is the Hudson County Player of the Year Jordan Mendolla of Hudson County Tournament champion Hudson Catholic. Mendolla is a dominant pitcher and a solid hitter. “She’s focused right now,” Villanueva said. “What I like is when it’s game time, she turns everything else off and concentrates on getting the batter. She puts that game face on and is all business.” Mendolla defeated Hoboken in the semifinals, then defeated Hoboken again, 5-2, in the championship round. “It’s not easy beating the same team twice in a week,” Villanueva said. “She did a great job.”

Backing Mendolla up on the mound is Lisa Frias from Elizabeth. Once teams are eliminated from the tourney, like Elizabeth was last week, teams are able to draft players from the eliminated teams. That’s how Frias earned her stripes with Clemente. “Lisa can play anywhere,” Villanueva said. “She can play second base, left field, catcher and pitcher. She comes to me and says, ‘I can do whatever you want.’ She’s impressive.” The team’s catchers are Mariah Villanueva, an All-Hudson County honoree during her playing days at McNair Academic and now plays at New Jersey City University, and Julia Sanchez from Hudson Catholic. Mya Villanueva is the team’s regular third baseman. The coach has enjoyed coaching his daughters. “It’s been a pleasure,” the elder Villanueva said. “It’s a little sad to see them growing up.” The dad will get a chance to see his daughters perform together in the spring as both will continue their playing careers at New Jersey City University. The first basemen are Ayla Hernandez of Rutherford and Najiah Classen of Hudson Catholic. Classen is expected to be Mendolla’s replacement at Hudson Catholic in the spring. Haley O’Connor of Hudson Catholic is the team’s second baseman with the slick fielding, clutch hitting Cheyann Fulton manning shortstop. Fulton is headed to Barry University in Florida to play college softball. “Cheyann is the team’s mainstay,” Villanueva said. “She’s one of the best defensive shortstops I’ve ever seen.” Fulton has a very hectic schedule over the next few weeks. She will head to the Sunshine State to play with her Jersey City buddies, then come home next weekend and two days later, head back to Florida to begin school at Barry. “It’s very wild,” Fulton said. “It means everything to me to play with this team. It’s a business trip for me. I’m not packed. I don’t even know what I’m taking. I’ve never played softball in Florida before. I’m very excited about it.” Fulton will major in athletic training in Barry. Mya Villanueva and Snyder graduate Emily Borowski are Clemente’s third basemen. “It means a lot for me to be on this team,” Mya Villanueva said. “We’re getting the chance to leave a good mark, make a good name for kids from Jersey City. We really have a special bond. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I get to share it with my sister and my dad. I missed playing with my sister. We’re going to try to make people of Jersey City proud.” Mya Villanueva will major in exercise science at NJCU. The feel-good story of the team is left fielder Jermirah Birchett, who is without question a rising star. The reason for the happy thoughts? Birchett is only 13 years old, playing on a team that features players 18 and under. That’s five years difference for those lacking mathematics skills. Some of this Clemente team is already in college. Birchett is headed to the eighth grade at the Jersey City Middle School. “You’re going to hear her name a lot in the future,” Villanueva said. “She does it all. She’s the next up-and-comer. She just turned 13. And she’s more than holding her own here.” Birchett is enjoying her time with the team. “I was surprised and excited to make the team,” Birchett said. “I’m getting this great opportunity. I was a little nervous, because the others on this team are very good. I’m the small one next to them. But this has been a major confidence booster. It helps me get my name out there.” Angelina Navarro is the team’s centerfielder. The former Ferris High School All-County performer is headed to Pace University and will try out for the team there. She has been playing softball for Roberto Clemente softball program since she was nine years old. “I didn’t think this was going to happen,” Navarro said about the sojourn south to play. “I had a job set up for the summer, but now I will give it up to go play in Florida. So we better win.” Navarro said the last line with a laugh. “I’m very excited about this,” Navarro said. Right field duties are being shared Gina Estrada, a former Ferris standout now at Monmouth University and Meredith Antonio, the sister of All-County baseball star Andy Antonio, who first starred at Ferris and ended up at Hudson Catholic. Two players who would have played key roles on the team are injured and will not play. Jaylen Berrios, who wateras a fine player at Bayonne, and Zoe Mays, the 13-year-old granddaughter of famed Olympic track and field athlete, the late Charlie Mays. The elder Villanueva is confident with his team’s chances. “We have a lot of talent,” Villanueva said. “I hope the girls realize that.” After watching the team practice last week at Enos Jones Field in downtown Jersey City and see them hit rocket after rocket in batting practice, it’s safe to say they know it now. And they hope that the rest of Vero Beach gets to realize it later this week.

Williams named new grid coach at Bayonne High

The famous author Thomas Wolfe once wrote a famous and often quoted line: “You can’t go home again.” Well, Wolfe never met Dwayne Williams, because recently, he proved Wolfe wrong, because after a long journey, going back and forth across the continental United States, Williams has indeed returned to his beloved home of Bayonne, N.J. as the head football coach at his alma mater of Bayonne High School. The 61-year-old Williams was appointed a few weeks ago and was approved by the Bayonne Board of Education last week. Not wasting any time, Williams went right to work as the successor to Jason Acerra, who received an administrative position in the district. For the prior three years, Williams served as the head coach at Barringer in Newark and helped to turn that program around, with the help of super talented quarterback Zamar Wise, now at the University of Massachusetts. Williams posted a record of 9-13 over those three years. He enjoyed his stay with the Bears and was developing a successful program. But when Acerra stepped down at the end of last season, Williams made sure to put his name into the hat for consideration. And it took some adversity for Williams to realize that he indeed wanted to come back home. “I lost my mother, two sisters and a nephew in a span of three weeks,” said Williams, who comes from a family of 12 siblings, 11 of which were/are female. Williams is the lone boy. “That was a big blow to me,” Williams said. “We have a very close family.” And another reason for wanting to return to Bayonne was the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic and the safety precautions that were taken to combat the virus, Barringer only played three games last fall. “We had no contingency plan,” Williams said. “What were we supposed to do? I was taking kids to get COVID tests. I saw firsthand what COVID could do.” Williams is a dyed-in-the-wool member of the Bayonne Bees as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the program. In the mid-1970s, Williams lit up scoreboards running wild for the Bees. Williams is a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and was twice named All-State. He earned Parade All-American honors, collecting nearly 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career, playing for the immortal Don Ahern, for whom the stadium where the Bees play is named. Williams then went to the University of Iowa, who was coached by the legendary Hayden Fry. But Williams’ career was stalled due to injuries and his career never really got a chance to blossom like anticipated. When his career ended, Williams returned to Bayonne and began a four-decade journey in coaching. It all began with the Bees and returns to Bayonne when the season kicks off Sept. 2 at Newark East Side. “I think it’s best for everyone,” Williams said. “I’m the last of the Ahern disciples. It’s an honor for me to come back and for all the guys who bleed garnet and white. I can bring the tradition and pride back to the program. I know that the challenge ahead could be exhausting and overwhelming. I’m just happy for the opportunity, but it’s time to go to work.” Williams conducted a youth clinic last week involving some of the returning Bees, then got right to work preparing for the upcoming season. “I’ve never been a guy who backs down to a challenge,” Williams said. “No doubt, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this, because it’s where I’m supposed to be.” Williams was an assistant under Ahern during the mid-1980s, including the great 1988 season that featured All-State performers Ernie Beler and Danan Hughes. The Bees lost to Paterson Eastside in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV state championship game, but that team posted a 9-2 record and won the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association championship in a very competitive league that featured state ranked teams North Bergen and St. Peter’s Prep. After taking a break from coaching for a few years, Williams returned to Bayonne to serve as an assistant coach to Tom Bulwith after Coach Ahern lost his battle to cancer. “Bull brought me back,” Williams said. “I remember sitting in his home with Jerry Castaldo (another key assistant with the Bees) and they convinced me to come back. Bull said, ‘Help me turn this program around.’” They did, but Williams was with the Bees for only one season. Bulwith resigned and was replaced by Rick Rodriguez. “I knew I wasn’t going to be the next head coach,” Williams said. So Williams went to Elizabeth as an assistant to famed coach Chet Parlavecchio and another stint at Roselle High School. However, Williams’ opportunities to be a head coach didn’t disappear. In 2011, Williams received a phone call from Larry Arico, who was at the time the athletic director/head coach at neighboring rival Marist, a school that has now since closed. But Arico didn’t want to do both jobs and asked Williams if he would become the head coach. It wasn’t well received from the cronies in Bayonne, thinking that one of their homegrown would actually move down Kennedy Boulevard to coach Marist. That move was almost like sacrilege. “I didn’t care what other people thought,” Williams said. “I told Larry I was willing to help him out.” Williams was almost like a miracle worker with the Royal Knights, leading them to the state playoffs in 2012 for the first time in seven years, before falling to Montclair Kimberley Academy in overtime in the NJSIAA Parochial Group 2 first round. After two years with the Royal Knights, Williams started to put on his traveling shoes. With the assistance of legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, Williams made the move to Kansas, first to Highland Park High School in Topeka and finally Schlagle High School in Kansas City, where Williams led that program to never before reached heights, winning nine straight games and earning a state playoff berth with 10 wins his last year. “Schlagle was nothing and we took them to the state sectional semifinals,” Williams said. His former teammate at Iowa Andre Tippett asked him if he would like to come back to New Jersey and coach at Tippett’s alma mater Barringer. “I was getting older and wanted to spend more time with my mother,” Williams said. Williams said that his mother’s dream was to see her lone boy coach at Bayonne, but she passed away in 2020. But he’s home now, ready to take over the Bees, ready to make them buzz and sting. It might be coming a little later than Williams would have liked, but he’s finally getting the chance now, coaching on the field that he once danced on, up and down the sidelines. And he’s coaching on a field named after his mentor. “I will never take that Don Ahern name lightly,” Williams said. “I learned a lot about hard work from that man. I don’t know if this was God’s plan for me, I just think it’s my time. And I’m ready.” And Bayonne is more than ready to have a native son come home again. Take that, Thomas Wolfe.

Secaucus' Lama named as Hudson County's top male athlete

Growing up, Jamling Lama didn’t have to look far for inspiration to participate in sports. Lama had his two older brothers, namely Sonam and Pema, who both played basketball competitively. “It wasn’t just sports,” Lama said. “It was everything. I had to do things the right way, to be a good person. I went about it every day. Nothing was guaranteed. I was blessed to have another day.” And Lama followed in his brothers’ footsteps in every fashion imaginable, like keeping a strong, upbeat and alive personality. “Nothing positive can come from having a negative mindset,” Lama said. So when the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with his junior year at Secaucus High School, totally wiping out the baseball season, Lama kept a stiff upper lip and managed to maintain his positive ways. “I knew that I had another year of high school,” Lama said. “I knew it was going to be my time to shine.”

Jamling Lama (center) receives the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year outside Secaucus High School, becoming just the second Patriot male to ever receive the award. From left are Secaucus High School Principal Steven Viggiani, athletic director Charlie Voorhees, assistant soccer coach Chris Innis, Hague, Lama, head baseball coach Neal Czochanski and head basketball coach Tom Curry. Even with the pandemic raging throughout the area, Lama made sure he had a senior year to remember, which he most certainly did. Lama excelled in three sports, namely soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring, like he had done for the previous years. Lama didn’t play soccer until his junior year, but scored a team-high 16 goals. He had a team best six goals in just seven games that the Patriots played through the pandemic. During the basketball season, Lama really shined. He averaged 21.5 points in the 10 games that the Patriots played and led the team in rebounds, steals and assists. He ended his career with 1,300 points on the head, becoming the school’s all-time leading male scorer in the process. And in baseball, Lama was a standout centerfielder and pitcher, who batted .444 in another limited schedule. For his efforts, Lama has been selected as the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year. Lama received his award at the school last month with coaches and administrators present. Lama is the first recipient of the year-end award since Alex Rodriguez claimed it back in 1992-93. Rodriguez was the second athlete to receive the award for his football and wrestling exploits. The Athlete of the Year is given to the top athlete who excels in more than one varsity sport. Lama definitely fits that description to a tee. “I always liked having a fully loaded schedule,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a part of the other sports. I grew up going to my brothers’ games. I couldn’t wait to play.” Baseball was the first sport Jamling played as a youngster, joining the Secaucus Little League at age five to play T-ball. Basketball soon followed, while soccer was an afterthought until his junior year of high school. His parents, father Pasang and mother Nuku, are natives of Nepal who immigrated to the United States in 1989 before their children were born. They understood how important sports were to their sons, with Jamling being the last of the Lama clan. “They respected what we did and supported us,” Lama said. Even after missing a year due to COVID, Lama’s baseball career stood out. He ran down practically every fly ball in centerfield and was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher when he got the ball. “In my mind, he was always the best athlete on the field,” Secaucus head baseball coach Neal Czochanski said. “He had the kind of attitude you want out of a player. He always had the mindset that he was going to succeed. Who knows what he could have done with the extra year? He was always positive and always had a smile on his face. I’ve always said that Jam made everyone around him happy.” Secaucus head boys’ basketball coach Tom Curry also sang Lama’s praises. “I believe Jamling was a positive quality role model and solidified the foundation of our program,” said Curry, whose team posted an 8-2 record in the shortened season. “I really think Jam was the foundation to all our successes. He had a role that was more important than just basketball.” Curry, who is also the head football coach at Park Ridge, believes Lama is among the top two athletes he had the pleasure of coaching in his career. “If you ask me who my top two athletes were, I’d say Vince Pinto, who was an outstanding quarterback at Park Ridge, and Jam,” Curry said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, but a better kid. Jam has the quality you want in a player and a leader. I have a son and I want him to be like Jamling Lama.” Lama said that he just joined the soccer team as a junior to stay in shape for the other two sports. He had no idea he would turn into the team’s leading scorer in both seasons. “I was just kicking the ball around with my friends and they said that I should think about playing soccer,” Lama said. “I just happened to be the leading scorer. I give credit to my teammates and my coaches for getting me the chances to score. It was a lot of fun. I totally did it for conditioning, but after I started playing, I wanted to win with my teammates.” It’s in basketball where Lama really shined. He knew that he needed a big season to become the school’s all-time leading scorer, especially with a truncated schedule. “When I first started playing, I was taught to be defensive minded,” Lama said. “But then I was asked to be more of a scorer, which I did. I always worked hard with my brothers and that hard work paid off. I did what I was told and I’m thankful for that.” Lama was part of the Secaucus varsity baseball team since he was a freshman and became the team’s leader as a senior after missing out on a junior year. He was an All-County outfielder as a sophomore in 2019. “I always loved running down fly balls,” Lama said. “It’s really where I could show my speed.” Lama, who was also an excellent student, posting a 3.9 grade point average over his career, heads to Felician University to play basketball in the fall. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing baseball as well, but for now, he’ll concentrate on basketball. “The time has come for Jam to dedicate his passion to just one sport,” Czochanski said. “I just want to see him happy. He’s awesome when he’s happy.” “I think I always held myself to a high standard,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a good kid first. I wanted to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. I learned that from my parents. I was told to never put anyone down. So I always tried to make my teammates feel like they were the greatest. I did that in my daily life.” Lama was excited to receive the award. “It’s definitely a prestigious honor,” Lama said. “Being only the second Secaucus athlete to receive the award is something really special to me. I’m very thankful for it.” So Lama moves on, leaving a legacy of greatness, but also for being such a well-rounded, joyful and respectful young man. And now he leaves with the title of being the best athlete in Hudson County. “I can never replace these four years,” Lama said. “I believe my high school career was well used. Every sport, I believe I performed my best and the outcome showed each season. I’m so happy and grateful to have played for Secaucus.”

Sportswriter Jim Hague (left) presents Secaucus' Jamling Lama with the award of being the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year. HUDSON COUNTY-JIM HAGUE SPORTS MALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1991-1992-Jason Casessa, Hoboken 1992-1993-Alex Rodriguez, Secaucus 1993-1994-Eduardo Gomez, Hoboken 1995-1996-Rashard Casey, Hoboken 1996-1997-Czar Wiley, North Bergen 1997-1998-Koz Perez, North Bergen 1998-1999-Mike Forcum, Hoboken 1999-2000-Jonathan Robinson, Memorial 2001-2002-Bryan Durango, Memorial 2002-2003-Jason Blanks, Hoboken 2003-2004-Danny Lopez, Weehawken 2004-2005-Mike Brown, St. Peter’s Prep 2005-2006-Garrett Askew, Hudson Catholic 2006-2007-Evan Rodriguez, North Bergen 2007-2008-Chris Jones, Lincoln 2008-2009-Michael Kuzirian, Memorial 2009-2010-Kevin Innis, St. Peter’s Prep 2010-2011-Jose Veras, Dickinson 2011-2012-Jason Pineda, Weehawken 2012-2013-Damian Corredor, Weehawken 2013-2014-Tyrik Darby, Lincoln 2014-2015-Corey Caddle, St. Peter’s Prep 2015-2016-Royaal Jones, Hudson Catholic 2016-2017-Jorge Portorreal, St. Peter’s Prep 2017-2018-Shayne Simon, St. Peter’s Prep 2018-2019-Ayir Asante, St. Peter’s Prep 2019-2020-Nyjon Freeman, Hoboken 2020-2021-Jamling Lama, Secaucus

Hudson County's top male scholar/athletes

Here are the profiles of the top scholar-athletes in Hudson County, awarded by the NJSIAA Ruben Gonzalo, Union City Cross country, indoor track, baseball From a very early age, Ruben Gonzalo recognized the importance of getting good grades in school. “Ever since I was just a little thing, I knew that one of the most important things in my life was my schoolwork,” Gonzalo said. “My grades always came first before sports. If I didn’t have good grades, then I would have no sports. My parents made sure of that.” So his mom Vielka and dad Ruben instilled those philosophies in their young son. “It was always that way,” said Gonzalo, one of the busiest student/athletes at Union City High School, competing in three sports. Gonzalo said that he played baseball since he was five years old, but his love for cross country and track and field came later. “I was in eighth grade and I had to take the BEEP test in gym class,” Gonzalo said. “And you had to run from one end of the gym to the other.”

One of the teachers watching Gonzalo run was the school’s Fitness Club coach Manny Hernandez. “He became one of my mentors,” Gonzalo said of Hernandez. “He said that I had potential. He would get on me and tell me to run. Before I knew it, I was in my first cross country race. I didn’t even know that cross country was a sport.” In his first-ever race, Gonzalo wore dress shoes to the meet. “I ran in shoes that I would go out with my friends in,” Gonzalo said. “As we were lining up, I looked side-to-side and saw what they were all wearing. They were all wearing shoes different than mine. Next thing I know, the gun goes off and I just started running. I knew I would never do that again.” After that first race, Gonzalo gained a little confidence. The self assurance then exploded in just his second race. “It was at Darlington (in Bergen County) and I won a gold medal in that race,” Gonzalo said. “I then later won the North Hudson championship as well. I knew that I was enjoying it and I was doing pretty well. I figured that I was probably not going to play baseball anymore.” But that wasn’t the case. As a senior, Gonzalo came back to the diamond and played the outfield for the baseball team. Next month, Gonzalo is headed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he plans to study law and legal studies. He achieved a grade point average of a 4.3 in a 5.0 scale. He either wants to become a lawyer or perhaps join the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Either way, Gonzalo had a brilliant career at Union City, both as an athlete and in the classroom, just like his parents always wanted. Being the top student/athlete in a school the size of Union City is no small achievement. “I like the way that sounds,” Gonzalo said. “I feel that the top student/athletes don’t get much attention.” They certainly do here. Sofian Rahhali, Weehawken Soccer, track and field, tennis Like Gonzalo, Rahhali had a positive influence at home that served as inspiration. “Grades were always important to me, because my parents emphasized that,” said Rahhali, who was born in Boston, but moved to Weehawken with his family at age two. “My parents (father Jay, mother Mamika) put it in my brain at an early age.” By the time Rahhali enrolled at Weehawken High School, he was established as one of the top students in the district. But Rahhali wanted more. So he joined the soccer team, where he instantly became a member of the Indians’ varsity team. He was a striker on the team for four years and helped to lead the Indians to the North Jersey Interscholastic League-Division 2 championship, scoring a team-high 14 goals and adding four assists. The 14-goal total was exactly what Rahhali scored over his previous two seasons combined. Rahhali participated in track and field before this past spring, when he decided to join the tennis team. “I played tennis before when I was younger and I liked the sport,” Rahhali said. “I just thought it would be a great experience for me. I always wanted to give it a shot. I’m glad I stayed with it.”

Rahhali had no idea he was under consideration to become Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete. “Mr. (Nick) DeStefano (the Weehawken athletic director) said that he wanted to talk to me,” Rahhali said. “I thought I was in some sort of trouble. I wondered why did he want to talk to me. When he told me, my mouth was wide open and I was gasping for breath. It was really unexpected.” Rahhali’s fine athletic career has come to an end. That’s because he’s headed to Northwestern University next month, taking his insane 4.655 grade point average and an ungodly score of 1520 on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests. In fact, Rahhali took the SATs on the day before the world shut down due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. “I got a good score, so there was no need to take it again,” Rahhali said. Rahhali plans on majoring in computer science at the Big 10 power from Evanston, Illinois. “I’m honestly not too sure about what I want to do after school,” Rahhali said. “I have an interest in technology and data, so computer science is a good major for me.” Rahhali has yet to visit the campus, which is located right on the outskirts of Chicago. “I’m excited to go there,” Rahhali said. “It’s not out in the middle of nowhere. It’s right near a big city.” Make that the third largest city in the country. Rahhali said that he had an immense amount of pride in being selected as Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete. “Honestly, it’s a huge accomplishment for me,” Rahhali said. “To be recognized for what I’m working hard to do is a nice feeling.” Jason Blanks, Hoboken Football, basketball, baseball Blanks, one of the most versatile performers on this list, having lettered in football, basketball and baseball during his brilliant career, took a lot of pride in being named Hoboken’s top scholar-athlete. “It means a lot to me,” Blanks said. “To get recognized for what I do on the field is one thing, but to get recognized for what I’ve done in the classroom is another. I put a lot of effort in the classroom from my freshman year on. I was able to get mostly As in my classes. I was always a pretty good athlete. I could always find a place on the field, but it was harder without the grades. I think by fifth or sixth grade, I realized what I had to do. I started to like school.”

Blanks’ intelligence enabled him to become the starting quarterback for the Red Wings for the final three years of his career, provided he remained healthy. Blanks had to overcome a series of nagging injuries through his career. But Blanks realized that being the quarterback in an integral Delaware Wing-T offense meant that he had to be a cerebral leader. “I think it definitely helped me,” Blanks said. “I felt like I was always one step ahead of everyone. I had the speed to run well and had the arm to throw. I felt like I needed to outsmart everyone to be one step ahe Blanks carried a 3.3 grade point average in the classroom. He will head to Rowan University next month to begin his football career with the Profs as a defensive back and kick returner Blanks followed in the footsteps of his father, also named Jason, who was a fine quarterback, pitcher in baseball and guard in basketball, earning Hudson Reporter Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2003. Blanks said that he felt blessed to be the recipient of the top student/athlete in Hoboken. “I really stay on the humble side,” Blanks said. “I don’t like to talk about myself a lot. I’m just grateful to receive the recognition for my hard work.” Jordan Hart, Snyder Cross country, track and field When Jordan Hart was a little kid, he had one goal in life. He wanted to become a construction worker. But things changed when Hart started high school. “I really took a liking to science,” Hart said. “Biology became a passion of mine. Much like track and field snuck up on Hart and became another passion. Hart, who attended County Prep, said that track always fascinated him. “I tried football and baseball,” Hart said. “I just didn’t keep interest. I was always trying to find things that intrigued me and I learned that I had the passion to run. Although I was always the slow kid running with my bunch of friends. My passion for running wasn’t awakened until high school. Freshman year, after my first race, I realized that I could be pretty good.” And Hart learned a fast lesson in that first race, which was the 400-meter dash. “I went out like a mad man,” Hart said “And I obviously made a mistake. I died at the end.”

But there was a good thing that took place in that first race. “I was hooked,” Hart said. “It really was a lot of fun. I looked forward to going to practice the next day. I loved being out there with my friends.” Hart was obviously pretty good, qualifying for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I meet as a freshman, finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in an impressive 22.46 seconds. Incredibly, Hart either tied or broke his personal record 49 times in his career. That’s persistence, perseverance and awesome dedication to a sport that he never thought he would be a participant. “I just wanted to keep getting better,” Hart said. “I took a lot of pride in myself. My confidence went through the roof. I don’t get to say that a lot, but I really felt good about the way I was playing. I put in a lot of work and I was seeing the work pay off. My parents (mom Aisha Harper and dad Tashawn Hart) really made sure that I put everything I had into it.” Hart compiled a 3.75 grade point average. His love of science will send him to DeSales University and major in biology with the hope of attending medical school upon graduation from DeSales, which is the former Allentown College. It is a Roman Catholic institution. Hart credits the mentorship of Dr. Jason Elliston, a pediatrician and family friend, who has watched over Hart during his adolescence. “He was definitely a big influence on me,” Hart said of Dr. Elliston. And Hart’s goal? To become a neurosurgeon one day. “Biology has become a passion, much like track,” Hart said. And how did Hart end his high school passion? He competed in the United States NIKE Nationals at the NIKE complex in Eugene, Oregon. Only fitting. William DeIasi, Secaucus Baseball When it came to athletics and academics, DeIasi always had the right approach. “I wanted to keep my GPA (grade point average) high and my ERA low,” DeIasi said. “I always found the time to do my best in both.” That’s an understatement. DeIasi graduated as the salutatorian of the Secaucus Class of 2021, posting a grade point average of an ungodly 4.67 on the 4.0 scale. “I was able to take a lot of AP (advanced placement) classes and a lot of honors classes,” DeIasi said. “That helped me. I think I’ve always been a great student. School has always been my priority. I think my parents (dad William and mom Christine) always wanted me to do well in school, so if something ever happened to me in sports in terms of an injury, I had the education to back it up. My parents have always been a huge influence on me.”

DeIasi developed into a fine pitcher for the Patriots, especially after missing all of his junior year due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He spent a lot of his free time training and developing his pitching skills with Wladyka Baseball, under the watchful eyes of fellow standout pitcher Jim Wladyka, an All-State hurler out of Rutherford High School during his heyday. DeIasi also took hitting lessons from Mike Mobbs, not ready to give up on being a threat both on the mound and at the plate. “But I learned that you could never have enough pitchers,” DeIasi said. “That’s what I basically focused on coming into this year. I started out with the JV (junior varsity) team and worked my way up to being one of the top pitchers on our staff.” DeIasi’s best performance came against New Milford early in the season, when he fired a two-hitter, striking out 11 in a 10-1 win. DeIasi will now head to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he will major in mechanical engineering. He plans on trying to make the Scarlet Knights’ roster as a walk-on. “I’ve sent e-mails to the coaches to see if I can give it a try,” DeIasi said. “I do take pride in my development as a pitcher. I’m very excited to be going to Rutgers. I’ve had a lot of fun playing baseball and I want to continue playing. I wouldn’t change a thing about my career. I’m happy with the way things turned out for me.” Julian Lim, McNair Academic Soccer Before he entered high school, Lim was always a goaltender on the soccer field. But that quickly changed when Lim enrolled at McNair Academic. “I made the transition to center midfield,” Lim said. “I then moved up to striker this year because everyone thought I would be able to score more goals.” As it turned out, Lim was the Cougars’ leading scorer this past season. “I played soccer my whole life,” Lim said. “It’s always been a lot of fun.” However, fate wasn’t too kind in 2016, when Julian’s father, Jourdan, passed away. “My motivation was always internal,” Lim said. “But I pushed myself to the max. I have two younger brothers that I look after. I’ve always bonded well with my brothers, but being the eldest, I had to worry about them. It wasn’t easy. I think it made me mature a lot quicker. At times, it was stressful and I always kept my priorities in check in order to help my brothers. I became a more compassionate person. I think it was almost a miracle that I was able to persevere. I knew that I was not going to become a victim of the streets. I wasn’t going to become completely overwhelmed by the situation.”

Lim said that soccer kept him sane. “Every practice, I wanted to go as hard as I possibly could,” Lim said. “I never worried about burning out. I knew I wanted to go to a good school.” Lim, who carried an average of 101 out of 100 in his classes, is headed to Princeton University in a few weeks, where he will be reunited with Fahd Nasser, who was a member of the same relay team for the indoor track team when Lim was a freshman. Lim will major in economics at Princeton. “It’s like a huge burden has been lifted off of me,” Lim said. “The four-year grind has turned into something good. I’m extremely grateful for the chance.” Lim doesn’t know what the future holds. “I’m still trying to figure that out,” Lim said. “Maybe I can run a start-up company. That would be awesome.” Gabriel Arias, Harrison Soccer Although Gabriel Arias concentrated on one sport, namely soccer, he made sure that he made the most of that sport, as well as his academic standing. “I tended to focus on my soccer,” said Arias, who is headed to Rutgers-Newark in the fall to continue his soccer career. “I was always focused on my education as well, but my parents (mother Isabel Valencia and father Victor Arias) made sure I did my school work. They were always supportive of me, considering how much I loved playing soccer.” Arias was born in the United States, but both of his parents were born in Peru. “I was very happy and excited to tell my parents about this award,” Arias said. Arias believes that his love of soccer helped him become a better student in the classroom. Arias maintained a 3.8 grade point average throughout his days at Harrison. “I think soccer gave me more confidence with my academics,” Arias said. “I had to work harder to keep those grades up when I needed to.” Arias was a standout defender for the famed Harrison Blue Tide soccer program. “I think I was a defender because of my speed,” Arias said. “It helped me get up and down the wing.” Getting the top scholar/athlete award meant a lot to Arias. “I was able to achieve something I always wanted to have,” Arias said. “I always wanted to keep a good balance between soccer and my grades. This let me know I did a good job at both.” Jamiel Lawrence, Lincoln Football One might think that Lawrence got the catchy and loveable nickname of “Oatmeal” because of the natural rhyme that goes with his name. But that would be wrong. “I’ve been called ‘Oatmeal’ ever since I was a little boy, around six or so,” said Lawrence, the highly talented quarterback for the Lincoln football team. “My father was called ‘Oatmeal’ so it just kind of stuck to me.” Yeah, much like lumpy overcooked oatmeal that just sticks to everything, you know, the bowl, the spoon, the stomach. “I just started to get called ‘Oatmeal’ and it was almost like I didn’t even know my own name,” Lawrence said. The other name Lawrence acquired this year? Being the top scholar-athlete in a big school like Lincoln. “I didn’t even know I would be considered for the award, considering a lot of the classes were virtual,” Lawrence said. “It really took a toll on me. I actually was kind of surprised when I heard I got the award. I wanted to get an ‘A’ average in my classes.” He had to settle for A-minus instead.

Lawrence didn’t have to worry about his quarterbacking skills. “I actually loved playing quarterback,” Lawrence said. “I loved being the leader of the team. A lot of the younger kids on the team looked up to me. I liked that everyone was listening to me. I took a lot of pride in it. If I was going to be a leader on the field, then I had to have good grades. I tell the younger guys that they had to work on getting good grades because that’s the only way they could keep playing.” Lawrence is headed to Caldwell University to play sprint football (formerly known as lightweight football) with all the players on the field having to weigh 180 pounds or less. Lawrence will play for legendary coaches Jim Kelly (the head coach and formerly of Nutley and Queen of Peace) and Ken Trimmer, the long-time head coach at Caldwell High School. Lawrence had to work hard on getting down to the 180-pound weight restriction. “By the end of the season, I was up to 240 (pounds),” Lawrence said. “I knew what I was getting into and I knew I had to lose the weight.” Lawrence likes to model himself like Devon Jackson, the successful QB of the Baltimore Ravens, who is a solid runner and passer. He will major in sports management at Caldwell with the hope of working for a professional sports franchise down the road. “I’m really motivated to do well in college,” Lawrence said. “I’m fortunate enough to have friends as teammates there (at least seven players on the Cougars’ roster are Lincoln High graduates) and my family and friends can come to see me play.” As for being the top student-athlete at Lincoln? “It feels great,” Lawrence said. “I don’t even know what to say. It’s just amazing.” Just like having a catchy nickname. Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton calls Lawrence, “the OAT,” in a take-off of the line used a lot these days to immortals like Tom Brady, who is called the GOAT, as in Greatest Of All Time. Lawrence is just the OAT, but it’s a name that fits just fine. Just pass the milk and sugar please.

The top Hudson County female scholar-athletes

About 10 years ago or so, the NJSIAA devised a great program to honor the top student-athletes in the state, to make people aware that there are high school students who excel in the classroom as well as their respective fields of play. So here are the female profiles of some of the top student-athletes in Hudson County, a proud group that deserves to be recognized. Later this week, the boys take center stage. For now, it’s the girls. Michelle Carvajal, Memorial, soccer, volleyball, softball Carvajal was extremely surprised when she was informed that she was the Memorial recipient of the top scholar-athlete. “It was never a goal of mine, but I know I worked very hard in school,” Carvajal said. “I’m glad my hard work paid off. I love school. I love learning.” Although Carvajal was a solid soccer and volleyball player, her heart was always on the softball diamond. “Softball is definitely my favorite,” Carvajal said. “I like being challenged and I like to give the wisdom I’ve learned to the younger players. I think it’s some of the things about me that people don’t know about.” Carvajal carried a 3.8 grade point average in high school. She has recently given a verbal commitment to New Jersey City University to play softball. Carvajal will major in education, but she’s unsure of what grade level she wishes to pursue.

Carvajal always had the dream of being a teacher. “Ever since I was about five years old, I used to play school with my dolls,” Carvajal said. “I used to set up the dolls like it was a classroom and read books to them. But back then, I think I wanted to be a psychologist. But then I went to teaching. I know it’s something I’ll be really happy with.” As for receiving the top scholar-athlete at Memorial? “I’m very appreciative and thankful,” Carvajal said. “I’m also very humble. I don’t walk around with my head too high.” But without question, there’s a sense of pride. “It’s a great honor,” Carvajal said. Alejandra Bartutis, North Bergen, Volleyball, Track and Field Bartutis, headed to Rider University in the fall on a scholarship package, said that she always prioritized her schoolwork, almost more than she focused on the jumps for the powerful Bruin program. “School and grades always came first in my life,” Bartutis said. “It’s what my Mom (Mily Yero) taught me. She said that I had to keep my grades up if I wanted to run track. I think that if you are great in the classroom that it transfers in what you do in life.” Bartutis, who is one of the all-time best athletes in the history of North Bergen, standing out in volleyball and track and field. She was a powerful outside hitter on the volleyball team, but was a county champion in the long jump and triple jump and a four-time qualifier for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. She will compete in track at Rider. Born in Cuba and arrived in North Bergen at age seven, Bartutis learned at an early age the importance of good grades. She carried a 4.0 grade point average through high school “There were times that I wanted to quit, but my mother wouldn’t let me,” Bartutis said. “She sacrificed a lot for me.” Her father Castulo was a volleyball player during his day.

“But my grandfather was a big track person,” Bartutis said. “That helped. I think the jumping came because I first played basketball. It was just volleyball and basketball. I didn’t know the other jumping was a sport. When I found out jumping was a competition, I was going to make the most of it. When I first started, I thought that I wasn’t going to like it. But I stuck with it and when I first cleared 4-10, I was so happy. It was the greatest feeling ever.” And as for being North Bergen’s top scholar-athlete? “I know it’s something that makes my parents proud,” Bartutis said. “I also like to prove people wrong. There were some people who said I could never do this. When someone wants to talk to me about how high I jumped, I say, ‘Ask me about my GPA.’ When I tell them what it is, they all seem surprised. It’s really a great feeling.” Tashu Gupta, Bayonne, Tennis Tashu Gupta carried a 101.66 average on a scale of 100 being perfect. She said she started playing tennis with her father, Rohtash, in Bayonne’s Gregg County Park when she was in third grade. It was the beginning of a natural progression in the sport. “It was nothing really serious until high school,” Gupta said. “My father would tell me that even if I lost, I was still learning. Honestly, losing is a lot more fun. You get a chance to reflect on the action, getting pushed to the limits by another person.” In her high school career, Gupta climbed the ladder of success.

“I started off playing first doubles, then I moved up to third singles and this year first singles,” Gupta said. “Overall, it was an amazing time.” Gupta is headed to Georgia Tech in the fall to study computer science. Unfortunately, her competitive tennis days are over. “But I’ve already reached out through e-mail with other students who play tennis,” Gupta said. A multi-faceted young woman, Gupta is also a first degree black belt in karate, was the captain of the Bayonne Math Team and the Robotics team. She said she is into coding, which fascinates her. “I think getting this award puts everything in perspective,” Gupta said. “I never thought this could happen. I had no idea that there was such an honor and I was shocked that I could get it. Overall, it’s really a blessing and I’m very happy.” Zanai Jones, Hudson Catholic, Basketball Hudson County’s premier girls’ basketball player is also her school’s top student-athlete. Jones, the two-time Hudson County Player of the Year, is headed to Villanova in the fall. Nope, scratch that, she’s already on campus and has been since June 1, getting a head start on her education, much like she did while attending Hudson Catholic. Jones will bring as many as 66 credits with her to Villanova, credits she earned while attending Hudson Catholic’s advanced placement and honors classes. “My grades were always important and always ahead of basketball,” Jones said. “My parents made that perfectly clear. I never struggled in the classroom, but it was implied that if I did, then there would be no more basketball. “

Jones, who averaged close to 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals per contest, said that she actually enjoyed studying. “It makes you feel good when you accomplish something,” Jones said. “Whether it was in practice or studying for a test, my hard work paid off. It was pretty hard, taking my basic classes as well as philosophy, theology and intro to business. But then I had music. When it came to history, I brought it all to modern music. I thought that would be good.” Like Hudson Catholic teaching what Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote with his smash Broadway hit, “Hamilton.” Jones said that she really isn’t into personal awards. “Usually, things like personal accolades don’t get to me,” Jones said. “I wasn’t playing basketball in high school to get awards. But being recognized this way is incredible and I’m grateful and happy that I was selected. It’s nice for people to know that I’m not just a basketball player. I want to do some great things off the court as well.” One of those was studying micro and macro economics at Villanova this summer. Sounds like light fare. “I’m pretty good with numbers, but this is more about money and such,” Jones said. Well, it does make the world go around, right Liza Minnelli? Jones is undecided about her major at Villanova, but she’ll be a success whatever she chooses to do. Kassandra Jovellanos, Kearny Cross country and track and field Jovellanos had already conquered the first mountain to climb. That’s because she is also the Kearny High School Class of 2021valedictorian. She will graduate this week with a 5.14 grade point average out of a 5.0 scale. “My parents (mother Velinda and father Jerome) pushed me a lot,” said Jovellanos, who ran cross country and track for four years. “I have to give some credit to them. If I got an 89 on a test, they would tell me I could do better. They would say, ‘What’s this?’ I had bombed a few tests before.” But obviously, not a lot of those times. Not to be No. 1 in the entire class. And as for being the top student/athlete in a school the size of Kearny? “I guess I’m really proud of it,” said Jovellanos, who was a fine sprinter for the Kardinals. “The fact that I was good enough to be considered is good enough for me. But it’s a really big honor. I had no idea there was such a thing (the NJSIAA Scholar/Athlete). Then, when I found out, I didn’t think I’d get chosen. In track, there was always someone who was faster and better. I guess I was expecting the worst. This way, you’re either right or pleasantly surprised.” Jovellanos was then pleasantly surprised when she received word that she was getting the NJSIAA award. “It’s kind of insane to know that I beat out so many people,” Jovellanos said. “We have more than 400 students in our senior class.”

Jovellanos has only one regret – and it’s one that is shared by many athletes. “We didn’t have an outdoor season last year and we had a chance to be very good,” Jovellanos said. “That really sucked.” Jovellanos is headed to SUNY-Albany to study criminal justice. She hopes to work for the FBI in some capacity someday. “I used to be into watching all those shows,” Jovellanos said. “I guess that’s what got me into it. She was asked for a hint about her valedictory address. “The future is never certain,” she said. “You have to live your life.” Looks as if Jovellanos has already lived her life so far – with a lot more life left to go. Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy, Cross Country and Track and Field The county’s best female cross country performer is hanging up her running shoes – at least competitively. Sullivan, who won the Hudson County Track Coaches Association cross country championship last October after three second place finishes, is headed to Rutgers University in New Brunswick with her 4.29 grade point average. She plans on majoring in early childhood education to hopefully someday become a kindergarten or first grade teacher. She will be part of Rutgers’ Fast Track program, fitting for someone like Sullivan, where she will achieve her Master’s degree and early childhood certification in a span of five years. “My Mom is a Pre-K (pre-kindergarten) teacher,” Sullivan said. “I’ve wanted to become a teacher since I was six years old.”

Sullivan attained the school’s top scholar-athlete award because of her rigid class schedule, taking a host of advanced placement (AP) and honors classes during her stint at SDA. “I think all my hard work over the four years really paid off,” Sullivan said. “It definitely got me ready for college. Getting an award like this is really a confidence booster. I think a lot of what I’ve learned in running is applicable in academics. I take a lot of pride in getting this award.” Sullivan thought that she could have a senior year to remember, which is what it turned out to be. The Blue Devils, led by Sullivan, went undefeated in meets in the fall and Sullivan won all seven of her races in New Jersey. “I tried to set realistic goals,” Sullivan said. “I really grew up a lot since my freshman year. I’m proud of what I accomplished. They can never take those away from me.” Monday, we’ll feature the Hudson County boys who got their school’s honor.

Hoboken pays tribute to dedicated son White

Gary White was a dedicated soul to the Hoboken community, especially youngsters. A highly respected custodian in the Hoboken school system, White went on to become the first African-American president of the Hoboken School Employee Association. But Gary was also a highly dedicated official, refereeing in three different sports, namely baseball, basketball and volleyball. Gary served as an official for more than 30 years. During his time, Gary also spent countless hours, working with the youngsters of Hoboken, in particular those who regularly played basketball at the Fourth Street Park courts, including Derrick Alston, the current head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA's G-League. Alston also spent a handful of years as a player in the NBA and had a lenghthy career as a professional overseas. But Gary White was a constant at the Fourth Street Park basketball courts. It was his home away from home. So it was only fitting that the powers-that-be in Hoboken would take the time to rename the courts as the Gary White Courts, in honor of the man who passed away last year. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla presented White's widow, Christine, with a proclamation honoring the day.

"It's a historic event, a celebration to make sure that Gary's legacy lives on," Bhalla said. "It's also a way to inform the people of Hoboken who he was and his incredible generosity to the community. He set an example for me as mayor. We're not here just because it's a nice thing to do. We're here in the spirit of Gary White. This is a day for all of us. It's proof that everyone in America is equal." After Christine White was presented with the proclamation, the group moved over to the courts for the unveiling of the two plaques placed at the courts so that everyone can remember White.

"It's just amazing," Christine White said. "It's a wonderful day. It's heartwarming, just heartwarming. I'm overwhelmed with the love here today. I can't find the words. I'm just so ecstatic about it, knowing Gary's name will live on here and will be remembered for years and years to come. It's definitely well deserved. It's just marvelous. He's here and will never be forgotten."

Chubby James, one of the event's organizers, was moved to tears. "I've known Gary all these years and you really couldn't ask for a better person," James said. "I'm just honored to be a part of all of this. Gary never really wanted any of the accolades or credit. He was happy being in the background. But this was nicely done by everyone in the community. On a scale of 1 to 100, I'd say it's 100."

Prep's Morrone enjoys great end to track season

Joey Morrone grew up in lower Manhattan and became introduced to the sport of track and field at a very young age. "I guess I was about nine years old," said Morrone, the multi-talented St. Peter's Prep track standout. "My grandfather (Ben Jefferson) was very fast and ran track. He also played a lot of football, but he was my coach in track. He gave me a lot of support and motivation. He also helped to give me confidence." Incredibly, the first event that Morrone became tied to had nothing to do with being one of New Jersey's top sprinters and hurdlers. In fact, it was far from it. When Morrone joined a club team in New York called the Chelsea Greyhounds, Morrone threw the shot put. "It was everything to me back then," Morrone said. "I had some great coaches. I learned a lot through the years. I got a really strong base to the sport." Morrone was also a fine football player, but then had to make a decision on which sport to concentrate on. Of course, Morrone chose track. His genes came shining through. "I guess I was about 12 when I started to take it seriously," Morrone said. "I had a coach Ron Guialdo, who was a great hurdler in his day and his two sons are great hurdlers. I knew I could learn a lot from him. When I first started hurdling, I was a bit nervous, but I was also excited about it. For some reason back then, the hurdles always looked higher than what they were. I was nervous, but once I got to my first meet, I was fine. I learned how to handle my business on the track." Morrone wasn't an instant success with the hurdles. "In the beginning, it was a little difficult, because it was all new to me," Morrone said. "It took a little time." As a freshman, Morrone had to overcome a serious torn hip flexor muscle that set him back a little. "I made sure that when it was my time to compete, I was ready to go all out," Morrone said. Morrone certainly went all out during the final few weeks of his high school career. At the NJSIAA Non-Public A championships two weeks ago, Morrone took home four medals, winninng the gold in both the 110-meter (14.42 seconds) and the 400-meter (54.66 seconds), while finishing second in the 200-meter dash (21.85 behind teammate Fitzroy Ledgister and second in the 400-meter run, giving the Marauders a much needed 36 team points in the pursuit of trying to knock off perennial state champion Christian Brothers Academy. As it turned out, the Marauders fell just eight points shy of knocking off nationally-ranked powerhouse CBA, the closest the Marauders ever came to defeating CBA. A week later, Morrone finished second overall in the 110-meter hurdles (14.32 seconds) and third in the 400-meter hurdles (52.93), completing a rare double for a hurdler at the Meet of Champions. Morrone would have been a fine way to close out the weekly Athlete of the Week feature, but he's a fine example of how athletic prowess needs to be shaped and developed like a mound of clay on the spinner's wheel (check Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in 'Ghost'). So Morrone earns the distinction of being the first-ever Jim Hague Sports Athlete of the Week, a tradition that will continue here on the blog when the scholastic season begins again in September.

Morrone is headed to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut to continue his brilliant track and field career. It would not be a surprise whatsoever if Morrone continues his development and becomes either a decathlete or a heptathlete in the future. Morrone is undecided about what course of study he will pursue, but more than likely in the business field or perhaps sports management. "That's the direction I'd like to go," Morrone said. "It's a little weird that high school is almost over." Morrone will compete at the East Coast regionals this weekend and will head to the NIKE/United States Track and Field High School Nationals in Eugene, Oregon next weekend. "That's a historic place," Morrone said of the U.S. Nationals. "I'm excited to get a chance to go there." Needless to say, Morrone collecting two golds and two silvers at the NJISAA state sectionals is more than impressive. In fact, it's awe inspiring. "I was in four events and my thought was, 'Why not win them all?'" Morrone said. "I felt like I left my mark." "It's a historical performance," Prep head coach Chris Caulfield said. "It's not easy to win one event in Non-Public A. But to win two and get second in the other two? It's just amazing. Incredibly, he wasn't 100 percent healthy going into the meet, but he made the most of it. I was confident that he could win both hurdles races." Caulfield was asked how he thinks Morrone will be remembered. "He's an absolute competitor and performer," Caulfield said. "That's in the truest sense of the word. He has a lot of talent, but there's also the mental side. Any time you can put then talent and the mental aspect together, it becomes a coach's dream. Joey competed time and time and time again. I'll say when you look at a kid like Joey, it's more than talent. He put in all the work and consistently stepped up to the plate when called upon. It's a legacy that will live on for sure." Added Caulfield, "The legacy that he leaves is that he was ultra competitive and handled everything we asked of him." And that's all a coach can ask for in an athlete. Make that a two-time gold medal winner in a state sectional, perhaps the most competitive sectional in the entire state. That's also not a bad legacy to leave.