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Coach Chad Sajnoski understands Garfield’s winning formula and doesn’t plan many changes.

Touring the H.S. boys soccer camps: Garfield

The Record Updated: Thursday, August 18, 2016, 11:10 PM

Kate Drumgoole was a guidance counselor and coach at Paramus Catholic High School when she was fired in January over her marriage to Jaclyn Vanore, background.

Battle lines of church and state

Panos Logothetis recorded nine goals and five assists last season for Pascack Hills.

H.S. boys soccer countdown: No. 21 Pascack Hills

Kaitlyn Scrivanich (14) recorded six goals and five assists for Paramus in 2015.

H.S. girls soccer countdown: No. 19 Paramus

Junior Michael Bolwell (2) is one of the NJIC’s top QBs, and has a very productive crop of receivers, including senior Seven Strong, senior Jonathan Rengifo, senior Dustin DeRado and junior Joe Emerson, at his disposal.

H.S. football public schools countdown: No. 15 Becton

United States' Tianna Bartoletta, right, gives the baton to her teammate Allyson Felix during a women's 4x100-meter relay rerun after the U.S. team dropped the baton in the morning race during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

U.S. women's 4x100 earn top spot in final after...

Hackensack native Stephen Mozia recorded a toss of 18.98 meters in the men’s shot put at the Olympics on Thursday. He did not qualify for tonight’s final.

Hackensack native finishes 15th in group in men’s shot...

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Darren Cooper

Ryan Collado of Dumont splitting the Emerson defense Wednesday night.

H.S. football: Pompton Lakes flexes muscle

The Bergen Shootout 7-on-7 champion is feeling good about the upcoming season.

Immaculate Conception senior pitcher Sarah Piening just missed a chance to play in the softball Tournament of Champions, which will begin next year.

H.S. softball: NJSIAA preliminarily adopts format, dates for inaugural Tournament of Champions

The NJSIAA Softball Committee has preliminarily adopted dates and a format for its inaugural Tournament of Champions in 2017.

Football

Football: Back to public players push Clifton High School

From the moment Joe Santillo decided to attend DePaul Catholic High School, there was a part of him that longed to wear Mustang maroon.

Lamberti: Summer heat raises awareness in preseason camps

Many coaches will say the ability to work hard in hot weather will make the difference in the fourth quarter, or second half, of a close game, whether it be outdoor sports such as football, soccer, field hockey, cross country or tennis, as well as in ...

Athlete of the Week

Drawn to his career — Charlie McGill uses a photograph of his subject, in this case NY Yankee Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, to capture the personality of the athlete.

Closter's Charlie McGill is quick on the draw

Charlie McGill won over the sports editor of The Record to draw the Athlete of the Week.

Local coaching greats discuss the makings of a top high school athlete

Having guided softball powerhouses at two area all-girls private schools during a high school coaching career that spans 25 years and counting, Immaculate Conception head softball coach Jeff Horohonich knows better than most the characteristics share ...

Boys Soccer

NEW START - The Passaic Valley boys' soccer team returns for the 2016 season after finishing with a 13-7 record last fall and a second-round appearance in the state sectional tournament.

Boys' Soccer: Passaic Valley in a rebuilding phase after losing 11 to graduation

Passaic Valley was 13-7 last year and won a game in the NJSIAA Tournament, defeating Morris Hills, 2-0, before losing a close game, 2-1 to an Indian Hills squad that advanced to the state sectional final before losing to Old Tappan.

Boys Soccer: Jack Weber steps down as Montclair High School boys soccer coach

MHS alum Toure Weaver named interim head coach following departure of Weber, who led Mounties for 30 years.

Girls Soccer

Thunderbirds forward Lauren Himpele, right, has fought back from a torn ACL, sprained ankle and a concussion.

Touring the H.S. girls soccer camps: Mahwah

The Thunderbirds’ Lauren Himpele is healthy and hungry.

Junior forward Elizabeth Spadafino returns to Pascack Valley after leading the team in scoring in 2015.

H.S. girls soccer countdown: No. 20 Pascack Valley

There will be some new faces roaming the field in Hillsdale this fall, but Pascack Valley always has good athletes in the program.

Varisty Aces Blog

Don Bosco junior running back Elijah Thomas seeks running room in the first quarter of the Ironmen's scrimmage against Millville at Rutgers.

Scoops Camp Tour 2016: Bosco Back on the Grind

Looking at Bosco's first football scrimmage of the year.

Greg Toal and the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen are looking to repeat as Non-Public Group 4 state champs this fall.

Football: Bosco-Millville Scrimmage Moved to Rutgers

The Don Bosco Prep/Millville football scrimmage is being moved to Rutgers at noon Thursday.

Girls Tennis

Mike DiMasi

Belleville's DiMasi predicts a solid year with skilled team

A good mix of experienced players will be essential to the Belleville High girls' tennis team, according to head coach Mike DiMasi.

Girls Tennis: Andrea Watson becomes Cedar Grove's new head varsity coach

Andrea Watson was approved to replace Nick Mellina as head coach of Cedar Grove's varsity girls tennis team this fall.

Girls Volleyball

Maya Illovsky (21) and her NV/Old Tappan teammates are ranked in the top 10 in Region 2 of USA Today’s Super 25 Preseason Regional Girls Volleyball rankings.

H.S. girls volleyball: IHA, NV/Old Tappan ranked in Top 10 USA Today’s preseason regional rankings

Immaculate Heart Academy and Northern Valley/Old Tappan were ranked in the top 10 in Region 2 of USA Today’s Super 25 Preseason Regional Girls Volleyball rankings, released Wednesday.

The Belleville girls' volleyball team celebrates after their win at Nutley last season.

Belleville coach wants more freshmen participation

With the start of official practice under way, the Belleville High girls’ volleyball team enters the 2016 season with a lot of optimism.

Photo Galleries

Cedar Grove players and coaches huddle up at the start of practice on the Panthers' first day of training camp Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Panther Park. (CGCamp3)

Photos: Training camp opens for Verona, Cedar Grove football squads

Football season has officially started for Verona and Cedar Grove High School. The teams took the field for the first time this season Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Boys Cross Country

Ellie McCreesh, number 7, is third from the right, leading off on the record relay. She also ran the fastest leg for the team in a race last season.

Nutley Raiders ready to run with strong competition

With the preseason underway, the Nutley High cross country team is looking at a very competitive schedule with a very talented team for both the boys and girls.

Bloomfield Cross Country team gathers following an Essex County Class Invitational at Branchbrook Park in a past season.

Bloomfield Coach Donaldson sees the glass as half full

Bloomfield High cross country coach Leo Donaldson is more than optimistic about his team this fall, as official practice for the 2016 season nears.

Girls Cross-Country

Colleen Bulger

H.S. Cross-Country: Cedar Grove welcomes new head coach this fall

Colleen Bulger will be the Cedar Grove High School cross-country head coach this fall, replacing Nick Murphy, who resigned from his position at a July 19 Board of Education.

Coach Kristina Ruggiero, Brian Freda, Bruce Williams, Jason Krasnow, Jack Correia, Pat Smurla, Nick DeGennaro, Shane Daly and coach Nick Murphy pose for a picture after the conclusion of the NJSIAA Sectional meet Nov. 7 at Greystone Park. Murphy recently resigned as head coach.

Cross-country: Cedar Grove head coach resigns

After four years as an assistant and more recently two years as head coach, Nick Murphy has stepped down from his position.

Recruiting

Recruiting: Wayne Hills' Rodriguez showcases Division 1 talent

In April, Rodriguez was playing for the Hudson Valley Elite 17U girls' basketball travel team at an event in North Carolina when a gaggle of coaches were focused on the court.

Tommy DeVito has become one of the top high school recruits in the nation, according to ESPN rankings.

H.S. Football: Cedar Grove native rises up ESPN rankings

Cedar Grove native Tommy DeVito is a rising senior at Don Bosco and the four-star quarterback now is rated a top-150 player, according to recent ESPN 300 rankings.

Field Hockey

Rising senior captain Maggie Krupinsky goes for the ball during a field hockey game last season.

Glen Ridgers practice at the Jersey Shore

The Glen Ridge field hockey team will begin official practice for the 2016 season on Aug. 15, but the Ridgers have been putting in extra time this summer, as a young but eager squad hopes to continue a solid trend of success.

Meghan Weiss hired as assistant field hockey coach at Northern Highlands

Meghan Weiss, a 2012 alumnus of Northern Highlands, has been hired to join the sidelines this season for the Northern Highlands High School girls varsity field hockey team as an assistant, a position made possible through the generosity of the Highla ...

Girls Gymnastics

Samantha Marion will be shooting for an unprecedented third straight state title on the beam.

Senior spotlight: Samantha Marion of Ramapo

The rising senior at Ramapo always has simple explanations for her success in gymnastics. Words such as “confidence,” “excitement” and “fun” accompany most conversations about her favorite sport.

H.S. gymnastics: All-North Jersey Gymnastics League

The North Jersey Gymnastics League's all-division teams.

Rankings

H.S. baseball: St. Joseph finishes the season No. 1 on The Record Top 25

Northern Highlands was second, followed by Bergen Catholic, Wayne Hills and Waldwick.

H.S. softball: Immaculate Heart closes year The Record's No. 1 ranked team

NV/Demarest is second, followed by Ridgewood, Butler and Immaculate Conception.

Boys Ice Hockey

Former pro to lead Glen Rock Panthers ice hockey team

Anthony Yelovich, Glen Rock High School's new ice hockey coach, brings a wealth of talent to the position.

Jake Kinney is three away from breaking the all-time points mark for Glen Rock’s ice hockey program. His older brother, Jimmy, a 2010 graduate, holds the record.

Senior spotlight: Jake Kinney of Glen Rock

Kinney aims for Glen Rock’s all-time ice hockey points record, his brother’s.

Boys Basketball

H.S. sports: Remembering Ridgefield Park’s Jim Callan

River Edge resident was a larger-than-life presence.

Guard Nhazir Smith, right, wants Eastside to reach the Tournament of Champions in his fourth season as a varsity starter.

Senior Spotlight: Nhazir Smith of Eastside

Basketball guard is one of 50 H.S. seniors to watch in 2016-17.

Girls Basketball

Huskies rising sophomore Yakira Rose, No. 1, gained a valuable year of experience in the 2015-16 campaign. She will be one of the players counted on for a successful 2016-17 season.

H.S.girls basketball: Early preparation high on Dumont's list

DUMONT - The Lady Huskies challenged themselves by heading south to take on tough competition.

New Elmwood Park High School girls basketball coach George Johnston, his wife, Maria, and daughters, Nyamari and Tiara.

Elmwood Park High School girls basketball coach looking to turn program around

George Johnston, the new Elmwood Park High School head girls basketball coach is trying to bring the program into the 21st Century where wins have been a rare breed for Lady Crusaders hoops.

Wrestling

Wrestling: Shakeup in region tournaments shifts local teams

For Passaic Valley High School and neighboring rivals Wayne Valley, Passaic County Tech and DePaul, it means coming together in a new Region 2.

H.S. wrestling: Coaches react to proposed realignment

The changes intend to balance the number of schools, geography and competition.

Boys Swimming

H.S. swimming: Lia Kunnapas named Immaculate Heart, Bergen Catholic coach

Lia Kunnapas was named Immaculate Heart’s next head coach, and will rejoin her former team. She won two state titles for the Blue Eagles as a swimmer, and later worked as an assistant coach from 2013 to 2015. Kunnapas will also head Bergen Catholic’s ...

Golf: Bergen Catholic's Jimmy Criscione picks Monmouth

Paramus native chooses Hawks over FDU, Iona, Seton Hall and UConn.

Girls Swimming

Samantha Peck of the Glen Rock summer swim team finished third in the girls 15/17 butterfly race at the Lake League championship meet.

Glen Rock summer swim team ties for third in Lake League

Host team score 187 points to equal Radburn in July 18 championship meet.

Jackie Grayson of the Graydon swim team won a gold medal in the 50-meter breaststroke in the girls 15-17-year-old division at last week’s Lake League championship meet held at the Glen Rock Municipal Pool. The Ridgewood squad earned first-place finishes in 13 different events to help it to a second-place effort as a team.

Youth swimming: Graydon takes second in Lake League meet

13 first-place finishes buoy Ridgewood squad.

Boys Indoor Track

Mike Carlucci offers some tips during a Cedar Grove girls soccer practice in 2014. Carlucci is leaving Cedar Grove after 16 years of coaching boys and girls soccer and track in the district.

Longtime Cedar Grove coach resigns in wake of new opportunity

After 16 years of coaching track and soccer in the district, Mike Carlucci is ready to move on from Cedar Grove.

NV/Old Tappan’s Joe Jordan, left, receiving baton from teammate Will Rienas on Saturday morning.

H.S. boys track: NV/Old Tappan finish toe to toe with best

The Golden Knights set a Bergen County mark in Penn Relays 4-x-400 on Saturday.

Girls Indoor Track

Spring Signing Day: Ridgewood High School girls track

Senior Sam Halvorsen signs her letter of intent to run at Wake Forest University.

H.S. track: Local girls star during indoor season

TOMS RIVER - Five girls from three schools made a lot of noise in the 2015-16 season.

Boys Bowling

H.S. senior spotlight: Dumont boys bowler Kyle Schellberg

The Dumont bowler is seeking to add to his trophy case with another individual crown, maybe even a team title.

21 Nutley athletes earn All-Conference accolades

In total, 21 Nutley Raiders were recognized by the Super Essex Conference (SEC) for being among the best of their sport within their respective SEC division.

Girls Bowling

Hawthorne's Madison Perry averaged a 194 last season as an All-North Jersey performer.

H.S. Senior Spotlight: Hawthorne bowler Madison Perry

All-North Jersey bowler Perry averaged 194 in her junior season.

Paramus bowler Haley Hassan will bowl for national power FDU next season.

Spring Signing Day 2016

Here is a list of the North Jersey athletes who expect to sign National Letters of Intent in the spring signing period, which begins Wednesday, or have committed to Ivy League schools:

Fencing

Ridgewood residents Mitchell Saron and Roscoe Swartz of the Bergen Fencing Club came away from the USA National Championships & July Challenge with gold and bronze medals, respectively, earlier this month in Dallas. From left: Assistant coach Andre Andreyev, Swartz, head coach Oleg Stetsiv, Saron and Andrew Stetsiv. Oleg Stetsiv is also the head coach at Princeton University.

H.S. Sports: Ridgewood students compete at national fencing tournament

Mitchell Saron and Roscoe Swartz came away from the USA National Championships & July Challenge with gold and bronze medals, respectively.

Wayne Hills Dawson Sieradzky is a back-to-back state champion in saber and seeks his third straight title.

H.S. senior spotlight: Dawson Sieradzky of Wayne Hills

Sieradzky is a back-to-back state champion in saber and seeks a third straight title.

Baseball

Anthony Apreda shows the tattoo he uses to cover up his scar from Tommy John surgery. The former Bergen Catholic pitcher became yet another athlete to injure his arm when he was a high school sophomore.

Pitch count limits applauded by some, ripped by others

In an effort to reduce the mounting number of arm surgeries among high school pitchers, the National Federation of State High School Associations recently mandated pitch-count limits, effective for the 2017 season.

Frank Herrmann

Rutherford's Frank Herrmann takes a negative turns to a positive

Frank Herrmann is hoping that his time with Lehigh Valley will give him a new lease on life when it comes to major league baseball. The Rutherford native has received just that in the last couple of months - a new life this year on the mound.

Softball

Vikings Ugals hope third time is the charm

North Arlington UGALS coaches Mike Krawczyk and Jon Cristiano were standing around the field Sunday night at Midland Park High School as the skies were starting to clear. Unfortunately for their Vikings, about 20 minutes earlier the skies had opened ...

DePaul’s Amanda Ayala is recovered from a broken left femur and ready to patrol the outfield next spring.

H.S. Senior Spotlight: Amanda Ayala's return a welcome sight

DePaul's Ayala is recovered from a broken left femur and ready to patrol the outfield next spring.

Boys Lacrosse

Scores

Midfielder Ethan Plasker (#6), who is entering his senior year at Northern Highlands, was named to the All-North Jersey boys lacrosse first team after tallying 25 goals and 35 assists as a junior.

Northern Highlands lacrosse midfielder has developed into one of state's best

Every once in a while, a major scoring threat joins the boys lacrosse practice at Northern Highlands.

Parsippany’s Lanigan selected to join Lacrosse Classic

Patrick Lanigan, of Parsippany, has been named as a 2016 Brine National All-American and was selected to represent Parsippany at the 2016 Brine National Lacrosse Classic held in Richmond, Virginia,...

Girls Lacrosse

Emily Calabrese will play only hoops in college but will continue playing lacrosse and volleyball as a senior at Ramapo.

Senior spotlight: Ramapo's Emily Calabrese loves her three sports

The Ramapo senior has played three sports throughout her high school career, and is hoping to earn 12 varsity letters by the time she graduates. And while basketball is her main sport, and the sport she recently committed to play in college, she's al ...

Former Golden Knights three-sport athlete Maia Levenshus, flanked by her parents, Louise and Stan, will play lacrosse for Rowan University. In back row are Principal Dr. Bruce Sabatini (left) and Athletics Director Tom Kaechele.

College signing: Maia Levenshus will play lacrosse for Rowan

OLD TAPPAN - The former Golden Knights three-sport athlete will leave basketball and soccer behind to concentrate on academics and lacrosse.

Boys Track

Lamberti: Passaic Valley track coach compiling a list of school records

Passaic Valley girls track coach Bill Johnson is putting together some track records, covering the program's history and is asking for help from the community.

Former Golden Knights standout runner Andrew Schumacher, seated next to his mother, Patricia, will continue his running career at East Stroudsburg University. In back row are NV/Old Tappan Principal Dr. Bruce Sabatini (left) and Athletics Director Tom Kaechele.

College signing: Andrew Schumacher chooses East Stroudsburg to continue with track and field

OLD TAPPAN - A running career that began in middle school will continue at a college in Pennsylvania.

Girls Track

Hasbrouck Heights graduate Jillian DiGiacinto will be on the track team at Quinnipiac University.

Hasbrouck Heights track star has Olympic dreams

When the 400 meter hurdles takes place in the next couple of weeks at the Rio Olympics, Jillian DiGiacinto will be rooting hard for the United States' Sydney McLaughlin in the event.

Former Norsewoman track standout Courtney Geisenheimer, seated between her parents, Pam and Jeff, will continue her running career at Lafayette College in the fall. In back row, from left are Demarest Athletics Director Greg Butler, coaches Kevin Walter and Brendan Kenny and Principal James Santana.

College Signing: Courtney Geisenheimer will run for Lafayette

DEMAREST - The former Norsewoman sensation will head west to Pennsylvania.

Boys Volleyball

Middle hitter Jason van der Wilt led Hackensack in blocks (37) and aces (48) last season, helping the Comets win the Big North Freedom crown.

Senior Spotlight: Hackensack volleyball player Jason van der Wilt

With his height and reach, he is able to deliver standing-topspin serves accurately, putting movement on the ball that typically requires a full-jump-serve for other players.

Despite numerous graduating players, Fair Lawn High School boys volleyball team turns in top season

Fair Lawn High School boys volleyball season wrap-up.

Boys Tennis

Former Demarest No. 1 singles star Michael Rozenvasser, flanked by his parents, Arnold and Oxsana, will continue his tennis career at Carnegie Mellon. In back row are Norsemen Athletics Director Greg Butler, coach Dave Johnson and Principal James Santana.

College Signing: Michael Rozenvasser will play tennis for Carnegie Mellon

DEMAREST - The former No. 1 singles player for the Norsemen will continue his tennis career in college.

Ridgewood resident Stephen Morsch, above, and Darius Chuback of Allendale, below, comprise Saddle River Day’s All-Suburban doubles duo.

The Ridgewood News All-Suburban Tennis Team

Five schools represented on squad; Ridgewood resident among three Saddle River Day standouts.

Boys Golf

Don Bosco's John Driscoll, a Ridgewood resident, won the Bergen County individual tournament and led the Ironmen to the team championship, which propelled the freshman to the All-Suburban first team.

The Ridgewood News All-Suburban Boys Golf teams

Bergen Catholic dominates first team with four selections.

Glen Rock resident Zach Egermayer, who is entering his junior year at Villanova, has qualified for next month’s Metropolitan Amateur Tournament in Connecticut.

Glen Rock golfer keeps his mind, game sharp

Zach Egermayer is concentrating on the mental aspect of his sport this summer, and it’s paying off.

Girls Golf

The Ridgewood News All-Suburban Girls Golf Teams

Four girls return to the first team, which includes two freshmen from Bergen champion Immaculate Heart.

Edgewater resident and Holy Angels junior Kelly Sim signed for a 4 on the 18th hole, but made a 5. Her correct tally was 3-over 76.

Golf: Edgewater's Kelly Sim emotional over disqualification from U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship

Kelly Sim’s disqualification from the 68th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship underscores how a seemingly minor mistake on a scorecard can have major consequences.

NJSIAA News

H.S. football: Delbarton says yes to playing Don Bosco, no to playing St. Joseph

The Morris County school, recently classified as a Non-Public Group 4 school by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, informed Don Bosco officials and the New Jersey Super Football Conference on Monday that it would play the conf ...

Immaculate Conception senior pitcher Sarah Piening just missed a chance to play in the softball Tournament of Champions, which will begin next year.

H.S. softball: NJSIAA preliminarily adopts format, dates for inaugural Tournament of Champions

The NJSIAA Softball Committee has preliminarily adopted dates and a format for its inaugural Tournament of Champions in 2017.

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