Lady Hawks and Crusaders Swimmers Splashing to Wins

Facing a tough Demarest swim team, both the River Dell/Westwood girls' (3-1) and boys' (0-4) swim teams fell to the mighty Norsemen. The Lady Hawks swimmers trailed the Lady Norsewomen 95-75 taking first place in three heats: Eilish Devine in the 200-meter freestyle (2:00.75) and 500-meter freestyle (5:22.97) and Emily Reynolds in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:16.25). In the boys' heats Liam Oberlander took first in the 100-meter fly (55.06) and 200-meter freestyle (1:52.12) - River Dell lost 121-49.

A few days later the Golden Hawks were in the pool again taking on Paramus Catholic where the girls' team decimated the Lady Paladins 115-55 by winning the 200 Medley Relay (Hayley Degnan, Emily Reynolds, Gabby Denicola, Elizabeth Figuieredo), 200 Freestyle (Eilish Devine), 200 IM (Reynolds), 100 Fly (Denicolo), 500 Free (Devine), 200 Free Relay (Lienne Barrise, Figueiredo, Maddy Toohey, Devine), 100 Back (Degnan), 100 Breast (Reynolds) and the 400 Free Relay (Denicola, Reynolds, Degnan, Devine). The boys' swim continues to struggle after falling 106-62 to the Paladins even though the Hawks won the 200 Medley Relay, 50 Free (Abert Figueiredo), 200 Free Relay and 100 Breast stroke (Pete Mari).

The girls team dug deep over the weekend for an 89-81 win over Old Tappan with the Lady Hawks taking home titles in the 200 Medley Relay (Degnan, Reynolds, Barrise, Figuierdo, 2:08.5), 200 Freestyle (Devine, 2:06.5), 200 IM (Reynolds, 2:22.55), 100 Fly (Barrise, 1:06.4), 100 Free (Degnan, 1:00.85), 500 Free (Devine, 5:27.25), 100 breakstroke (Reynolds, 1:17.44) and 400 Reey Relay (Toohey, Reynolds, Degnan, Devine, 4:06.15). The boys team is still struggling to put together a winning meet losing to Old Tappan 119-51; Figueiredo took the 50 Free (24.44) as the lone first place finish.

The Bergen Catholic swim teamcompleted one of their goals when they beat rival Don Bosco, 108-62, in a packed Garfield Boys & Girls Club. The team is led by the core-four sophomores Josh Sembrano, Rob Farrell, Sebastian Lopez and Liam Kelly and supported by freshman Ralph Cannarozzi, Anthony Bradshaw, Will Fullerton, John Om and Ryan McGeary.

On the ice, the River Dell/Westwood hockey team has continued to struggle with their most recent 6-0 blowout by Paramus Catholic. The Golden Hawks now move to a 0-5 record following Connor O'Reilly's 43 saves against the Paladins.

Bergen Catholic bowling has been rolling to victory with a trio of wins last week starting with a 5-2 win over Paramus Catholic with Charles Long's high series of 601 (high games of 215, 204), Simon Lezaja's high series of 624 (high games 212, 209,203) and Brian Hund's high game of 206. The Crusaders followed that win with a 7-0 shutout over archrival Don Bosco behind Lezaja's high series (652), Freddy Dressel (619) and Hund (607). Picking high games against the Ironmen were Hund (263), Dressel (232, 212), Lezaja (2234, 223, 205), and Long (201). The squad picked up a 7-0 shutout over Westwood with Lezaja high games (288, 235) and series (721), Dressel's high game (234) and series (634), Long's games (229, 224, 217) and series (670), and Hund's high games (227, 205).

The Crusaders ice hockey three-game win streak came to an abrupt end facing the Christian Brothers Academy Colt's on the ice falling 4-1. CBA scored early and often peppering David Gerity (28 saves) between the posts. And even though Colts' goalie CHris D'Alessio also made 28 saves, Bergen struggled to put the puck in the net. Scott Mogerty netted the lone BC goal in the second period to avoid the shutout. But the team bounced back with a 5-3 win over St. Augustine Prep with Brendon McGuire's two goals and Bradon Crawley, Tucker James and Scott Mogerly rounding out for the win. Gennerao Anzevino faced heavy pressure from the Hermits but stayed strong for 23 saves.

Basketball season started over the weekend and two out of three squads hit the paint with high intensity and came out on top with a victory. The Crusader' b-ball team under new head coach Billy Armstrong dominated Passaic in a 77-40 win behind 12 scorers with PJ Reed leading all teammates with a high 14 points and Chucky Wingate following with 10 points.

Also under a new head coach, Ron Van Saders and his Golden Hawks struggled early against the Indian Hills Braves but a last quarter push could not overcome a three-point deficit falling 33-30. Tim Barnes led all scorers with 19 points as one of three Hawks who battled to the net.

Defensive-minded Lady Hawks' shut down the Indian Hills Lady Braves 59-38 behind senior Kate Brocks' 28 points and Kayla McGovern's 13 points. Leading through all four quarters, the Braves were limited to single digits three times with the lone exception in the third when Indian Hills battled for 20 points in an attempt to close the gap. But River Dell refused to submit with Jordan Bastable, Cassidy Verrier, Amanda Flood, Katelyn Lee, Emily McGovern and Jeanna Cappolla working the hard wood floors.

River Dell wrestling was in Fair Lawn to open the season at the Cutter Classic with four returning starters bringing home titles: DJ Tirelli, Cenzo Cariddi, Nick Baranello and Lenny Smith.

Bergen Catholic wrestlers Connor Melde and Johnny Sebastian advanced during the Beast of the East Tournament in Delaware for the champiosnhip draw on Sunday for the quarters, semis and finals. Melde earned the third seed at 138 while Sebastian battled for fifth place at 160.