Seniors, Underclassmen Lead the Charge for Spring Season

Gloves, bats, rackets and lacrosse sticks were dusted off a few weeks ago for the start of spring training at River Dell and Bergen Catholic; now the Golden Hawks and Crusaders are set to take the field for the start of the 2012 Spring Season.

The majority of teams will open their season on April 2, although the River Dell boys lacrosse and the Bergen Catholic volleyball and track teams will get a jump start on March 31.

Baseball

Anyone who follows high school baseball in the Big North United Division always remembers Don Bosco and St. Joseph's Regional, but after last season, Bergen Catholic entered into the fray after in the Non-Pub­lic A North quarterfinals. The Crusaders may have lost a lot of players to graduation, but this sophomore driven squad still has plenty of leadership from upperclassmen catcher Zach Cerbo, outfielder Ryan Kelly, and first base­man/ outfielder Robert Quigley. Junior Jeff Granger will control the tempo from the mound while transfer sophomore third baseman Alec DeMatthies (Seton Hall Prep) should add depth.

Wondering who will be taking the field for the Golden Hawks? Heartbeat kid John Budka will be leading the field from shortstop as River Dell brings to the plate and mound.

Softball

After losing four-year starting pitcher Chloe Desanctis to graduation, the Lady hawks will be looking to the rest of the team including starting pitcher Sarah Recanati to stay strong on the field and compete in the Patriot Division. Rounding out the returners are seniors Jordan Bastable, Stephanie Caracozza, Amanda Walker, Kelsey Shuffenhauer and junior Lindsay Clark.

This year the team will focus on small ball and the bunt and run.

Lacrosse

After struggling all last season, Bergen Catholic is poised for a come-back inthe Gibbs Division with senior midfielders Jamie Piluso, Brendon McGuire and Nick Discola and junior attack Tucker James in the offense. Goalie Matt Pedrick returns to the posts and will have help from defender Connar Massotti.

River Dell lacrosse heads into its fourth year of varsity with the boys and girls as two-time state qualifiers and the girls coming off their best season to date. The boys will compete in the Curcio Division and will be challenged as this junior-led team of midfielder Kevin Barry, attackman Steven Luca and goalie Ben Sagerman take the field. Senior attackman Evan Rowley should be the one to watch offensively. 

Senior goalie Rebecca Meyers will once again be up to the task as the squad comes off last seasons 10-win campaign and take early control of the American South divisision. Offensively, senior midfielders Emily Lawler and Tori Schettino will be expected to control the tempo on the field.

Tennis

After last year's 6-13 season with a run in the state tournament, the River Dell tennis team will be led by senior captain Dzan Harba and taking over first singles. Junior Patrick Thane moves up from doubles to third singles behind junior Chris Ro as the Golden Hawks are planning to challenge Tenafly for the Patriot Division title. 

Returning the bulk of last year's Crusaders squad, this underclassmen led group is hoping to improve and stay competitive in the United Division. Junior Brian Balico and sophomore Sean Fernandez will be at the top of the line-up followed by Marty Liguori, Chris Chi and Dan Gomez rotating in doubles.

Volleyball

After Fair Lawn bounced the Crusaders out of the last year, Bergen Catholic could be one of the top teams to beat with senior outside hitter Brendan McCullagh at the net. Also returning this season is junior setter Kirk Nouhan and senior libero Hacik Arslanoglu.

Golf

Taking a heavy hit from graduation, the Hawks lone returner from Bergen County Group 1-2 title team, junior Scott Kim could challenge for the Patriot Division. He will be joined by  senior Max Barnett and sophomore Max Schaefer.

Columbia-bound Harrison Shih will be looking to lead the Crusaders to the Tournament of Champions once again after placing as the runner-up previously. Also returning will be senior Sean O’Neill, junior Matt Love and sophomore Erick Alonso.

Track

With a senior heavy roster for girls and boys at River Dell, depth won't be an issue in the future years as the team draws in a large number of underclassmen. Calvin Hartman and Lucas Kaefer will highlight the Hawks in the air for pole vault while Matt Koh looks to repeat in the throwing events. Rounding out the mix will be Craig Marulis (sprints, hurdles), Chris Berg (sprints), Tim Olson (dis­tance), Austin Berniger (throws), Brandon Jurasin (jumps) and Chris­tian DeSantis (sprints/jumps).

The Lady Hawks are led by junior Laura Oh (throws), junior Bridget Brind­ley (pole vault), junior Jamie Woods (hurdles, sprints), sopho­more Emily Croonquist (middle distance), junior Paige Fernandez (hurdles, sprints), junior Melissa Gibbons (sprints) and junior Grace Behrens (jumps).

With just one returning senior among the Crusaders with Ryan O’Boyle (distance), it could be an uphill season for Bergen Catholic who will hav to rely on juniors Michael Whalen (distance) and Jack Lippin (throws), and freshmen Kyle Ellerson (sprints) and Matt Morano (mid-distance) to keep Bergen in the mix in the Big North United Division.