April 3, 2015 Last updated: Friday, April 3, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD — Its roster might look different, but the Ridgewood High School baseball team entered the opening week of the season with a familiar feeling.
The program said goodbye to the 16 seniors that led the team to 16 wins in 2014, but it welcomes back a solid core of varsity contributors as well as a promising group of players from last season’s successful JV and freshman teams, which led to renewed optimism as the Maroons got underway this week.
“Our expectations are still thinking we’re going to be a team that can get into the state playoffs and hopefully the counties, and that’s still part of our mindset,” RHS head coach Kurt Hommen said Sunday night from Vero Beach, Fla., where the Maroons enjoyed a few days of preseason training in sunny weather.
Ridgewood is coming off a solid 16-10 campaign, which included a trip to the North 1, Group 4 semifinals and a near upset of top-seeded Bergen Catholic in the county tournament.
April 3, 2015 Last updated: Friday, April 3, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD — Coming off the program’s best record in four years and a top-five finish in The Record rankings, it’s hard to imagine that the Ridgewood High School girls softball team would be overlooked this season.
But that’s exactly where the Maroons stand, due in part to being a member of the powerhouse Freedom Division in the Big North.
“We have a really tough league,” RHS head coach Patti Auger said of the division, which includes No. 2 Northern Highlands, as well as defending State Group 3 champion Indian Hills, which is coming off a 34-0 season. “There are not going to be any easy games, and I like that. I’d much rather have great games where you’re challenged every day and it makes you better ballplayers and a better team.”
The Highlanders and Braves, as well as No. 16 Paramus, all appear poised to challenge for the division crown this season.
Meanwhile, the No. 13 Maroons graduated six seniors from last year’s 20-7 squad, but captains Rachel Pizzuti and Kali Wolfer have been happy with the way the team has come together in the early going.
RHS Girls Lacrosse: Reloaded Ridgewood poised for a deep run
March 27, 2015 Last updated: Friday, March 27, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD —A full team’s worth of seniors, including four of last year’s top five goal scorers, left the Ridgewood High School girls lacrosse team after the Class of 2014 graduated, but the expectations of the program didn’t follow them out the door.
It’s fitting that the team chose the word “relentless” as its rallying cry for this season, as the adjective also accurately describes the regenerative nature of the Maroons program.
This year, the program welcomed 14 new girls to the varsity unit, according to assistant coach Marissa Moore, who filled in earlier this week for head coach Karla Mixon, who had to attend to a family emergency.
Armed with “ridiculous speed” all over the field, Moore is confident the Maroons are just as capable of wearing the State Tournament of Champions crown as any of the recent teams that have come up a few steps short.
“These girls are driven to get that. Our captains, especially, want that more than anything,” Moore said. “These girls circle it on their calendar, and that’s their ultimate goal.”
RHS fell just shy of its sixth straight North Group 4 title in 2014, dropping a tight 11-10 contest to Ridge of Somerset County in the sectional final.
RHS Boys Lacrosse: Ridgewood ready to take the next step
March 27, 2015 Last updated: Friday, March 27, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD — As satisfying as the achievements over the past three seasons have been for the Ridgewood High School boys lacrosse team, players and coaches are sick of the same ending that has befallen the program each of those years.
Ridgewood dominated on its way a third consecutive State Group 3 title last season, outscoring opponents, 48-16, during the four-game run through the North sectional to the group final. But once again, unfortunately for the Maroons (15-8), their run ended in the Tournament of Champions semifinal for the third straight year after losing to Delbarton, 12-6.
“We’re close, but for us, that’s not close enough,” said head coach Mike Pounds, who enters his 12th season at the helm with a 185-82 record.
This season, to replicate or even exceed recent success, the Maroons face the task of replacing several key components of last year’s attack, including their top three goal-scorers and point-getters in Andrew Seiter (38 goals, 29 assists), Owen Smith (43 G, 16 A) and Matt Shippee (35 G, 23 A).
Faceoff specialist Oliver Sippel, midfielder Alex Linton, defenders Joe Ricciardi and Dan Hurley and goalie Jack Cardew also graduated.
The 2015 season is expected to provide the normally superb trout fishing opportunities New Jersey anglers have grown to expect and appreciate. The average size of the trout stocked is greater than 10.5 inches, and the Bonus Broodstock Lakes and the breeder stocking programs provide plenty of trophy size fish within a short drive from anywhere in the state. Although snow and ice may continue to blanket the northern portion of the state our stocking trucks began rolling on March 16th on schedule. The late ice and snow melt is making for excellent stream flows this spring and the recent warming trend should help heat things up right before the season opener!
photos from Dom Nizza
New this year is all Trout Stocking Regulation signs are equipped with QR Codes! With just a quick scan from your smart phone the Division’s entire Spring In-Season stocking schedule will download right to your phone! The schedule is complete with all seven weeks of stocking following Opening Day on April 4, including day of the week and the number of trout stocked. This will help guide anglers to other fishing opportunities throughout the state right from your favorite fishing spot.
Anglers are reminded that as a result of a disease outbreak at the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery (2013/2014) the hatchery is now rearing Rainbows only. A silver lining to only Rainbow Trout is that studies have shown that Rainbow Trout are more aggressive and more likely to fall victim to a well-presented lure or baited hook, much to the satisfaction of more trout anglers, particularly on Opening Day.
For those anglers who just love to catch Brown Trout or Brook Trout, there are still opportunities out there. Waterbodies such as the South Branch Raritan River, Pequannock River & Big Flat Brook, (to name a few) have naturally reproducing trout in them that will surprise and delight many lucky anglers with their beautiful markings and coloration. There are also waters in New Jersey that remain cool enough to support trout year round and contain holdover Brook and Brown Trout from previous stockings. Releasing Brook and Brown Trout will help preserve these opportunities well into the future. These trout, in addition to the 570,000 Rainbow Trout stocked this spring from the Pequest Trout Hatchery, will no doubt keep New Jersey as one of the top trout fishing destinations in the East.
Sharing opening day with a youngster can’t be beat.
Ten lakes receive an additional helping of large broodstock through the State’s Bonus Broodstock program. Each year a different set of waters is selected statewide, and there’s bound to be an opportunity near you. These waterbodies generally receive 30 – 50 of these extra large trout. The odds of catching a big one are in your favor if you try one of these waters: Amwell Lake (Hunterdon), Barbour’s Pond (Passaic), Echo Lake (Monmouth), Giampetro Park Pond (Cumberland), Holmdel Park Pond (Monmouth), Oak Pond (Camden), Ponderlodge Pond (Cape May), Seeley’s Pond (Union), Spooky Brook Park Pond (Somerset) and Sylvan Lake (Burlington).Anglers should be aware that most trout-stocked waters are closed to fishing during the 3 weeks leading up to Opening Day (March 16 – April 4 at 8 a.m.). There are several waters that remain open for fishing: Lake Hopatcong (Morris/Sussex), Mountain Lake (Warren), Prospertown Lake (Ocean), Lake Shenandoah (Ocean), Swartswood Lake (Sussex), and the section of Lawrence Brook from Davidsons Mill Rd. to Church Lane.are open year round to fishing. Catch and Release Only, Seasonal, and Year-Round Trout Conservation Areas and designated Holdover Trout Lakes are also open to fishing. However, trout caught in any of these waters during this period must be released immediately. Note that, fishing is not permitted on Seasonal Trout Conservation Areas from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on April 4, 2015. Trout can be harvested from the state’s two Trophy Trout Lakes, Merrill Creek and Round Valley Reservoirs. Be sure to check the Freshwater Digest for regulations pertaining to these waters.Fish and Wildlife will place “Hook-a-Winner” jaw-tags on 1,000 rainbow trout stocked in the spring. Anglers who catch a Hook-a-Winner trout can claim their prize (a certificate and patch) by contacting the Pequest Trout Hatchery 908-637-4173.Each spring, the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery stocks over 570,000 rainbow trout into 90 streams and 88 ponds and lakes located throughout New Jersey. Nearly 1/3 of these trout, 183,000, will await anglers on opening day. No doubt more than a few of the 14-16″ trout stocked last fall or winter are alive and well, just waiting to be caught this spring. The majority of trout average 10½ inches but large breeders, measuring 15 – 21″, and weighing up to 5 pounds are also distributed in the early weeks of the season. The state’s sixteen major trout streams are stocked every week following Opening Day and are closed to fishing from 5 am to 5 pm on the day of stocking to allow the trout a chance to disperse. All other waters are open to fishing on stocking days, following opening day, with most stocked at least three times. Since every county has waters that are stocked with trout, trout fishing opportunities are never too far away.Don’t forget that a fishing license and trout stamp is required to fish for trout if you are 16 years or older. Children under 16 and New Jersey residents 70 years and older can fish for free. Licenses and stamps may be obtained through one of the many license agents statewide, or online.
2015 SPRING TROUT STOCKING UPDATES / CHANGES
Changes in the 2014 Fish Code resulted in the following waters being dropped from the trout stocking program: Farrington Lake (Middlesex Co.), Shadow Lake (Monmouth Co.) and Lake Takanassee (Monmouth Co.).Note that Farrington Lake was stocked in 2014 as part of the modified schedule
3/23/15 – Hamilton Fire Pond (Monmouth Co.) – Removed From Program – Hamilton Fire Pond is a privately owned pond in Monmouth County. The property owners allowed public fishing in the pond for years, but have decided to not allow fishing any longer. Therefore, Hamilton Fire Pond has been dropped from the 2015 Trout Stocking Program.
3/23/15 – Hooks Creek Lake (Middlesex Co.) – Suspended – Storm surge from Superstorm Sandy pushed saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean into the lake resulting in unsuitable salinity levels for trout and other freshwater fish species. Trout stocking for 2015 is again suspended as salinity levels in the lake are still too high for trout.
Any deviations from the stocking schedule will be noted here, on the 2015 Spring Stocking Schedules page and on the Trout Hotline (609-633-6765).
The Ridgewood High School boys 4-x-800 relay team finished fourth in the New Balance Indoor Nationals Emerging Elite Division last Friday at The Armory Track Center in New York. From left, head coach Josh Saladino, Kenny Marshall, Kotaro Tamura, Jack Byrne and Michael Thurston.
Indoor Track: Ridgewood girls, boys make most of appearance at Nationals
March 20, 2015 Last updated: Friday, March 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
One last meet on the biggest of stages provided eight Ridgewood High School runners a nice sendoff into the upcoming spring track season.
The Maroons finished up the indoor season with solid showings from senior Carleen Jeffers in the two-mile, as well as the girls distance medley relay and the boys 4-x-800 team at last weekend’s New Balance Indoor Nationals at The Armory Track Center.
“Qualifying for Nationals is not something that comes easy. It’s a result of all their dedication and hard work that goes into it,” RHS head coach Josh Saladino said. “For some of them, it was their first time on the big stage and what was encouraging to me was they all rose to the occasion. No one was content just being there.”
Jeffers, who has been the team’s headliner all year, finished 15th in the two-mile as the Maroons’ lone individual competitor.
“Running against the best in the country and hanging in there and battling with them is an accomplishment in itself,” Saladino said of the senior’s performance. “She’s as mentally tough as they come. To beat her, you’ve got to give it your best, because she’s not going to give you an inch, and she proved that again in that race.”
Jeffers’ time of 10:51.37, when converted to 3,200 meters, represented a 2.5-second improvement on her personal-best mark.
Tyler Welence, a 2011 Ridgewood High School graduate, has made a seamless transition on the diamond at McGill University in Montreal, helping the school to the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association tournament title last fall.
Former Ridgewood Baseball star excels north of the border
March 20, 2015 Last updated: Friday, March 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News
The past four years have taken Ridgewood native Tyler Welence throughout the western hemisphere, but no matter where he’s gone, he has always been playing baseball.
The 2011 Ridgewood High School graduate made his latest mark on the diamond last fall playing shortstop for McGill University in Montreal, which won the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association National Championship.
“This was the first time I was ever part of a team that ended up winning the highest honor possible, and the feeling was so foreign to me after we won, the sense of accomplishment didn’t set in for a few hours,” Welence said earlier this week.
For his performance during the Redmen’s run, Welence earned the tournament MVP.
“Honestly, I always just try my best to help the team win, whatever that means doing,” he said. “I was very happy I was able to play a role in getting our team the title, but it was truly a full team effort.”
Welence exhibited the same sort of team-first attitude in his years at RHS.
RHS Boys Basketball: Freshman team a fine fit for longtime Ridgewood coach
MARCH 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD — The natural progression for many coaches at the high school level is to start out at the freshman or JV ranks before landing a job leading a varsity squad.
Ridgewood High School freshman boys basketball coach John Fiocchi climbed that ladder years ago, but the descent back down the rungs of the high school game has been just as a rewarding.
“This has been the most fun I’ve had: coaching the freshmen,” Fiocchi said last Friday, shortly after receiving an award from the Bergen County Coaches Association recognizing his role in staging the Bergen County Freshman Tournament the past 20 years.
For tournament director Joe DelBuono, the honor — presented to Fiocchi at halftime of the championship game at RHS — was long overdue.
“He’s dedicated himself to the tournament for over 20 years,” DelBuono said. “It’s about time that someone recognized that he does this, and it’s a good thing for the younger coaches to see too — that you dedicate yourself and you get some appreciation for it.”
Fiocchi has served on the tournament selection committee for more than 20 years and has been instrumental in coordinating the use of Ridgewood facilities every year for the tournament semifinals and finals, leading many to refer to the tournament as “The Road to Ridgewood,” according to DelBuono.
While the coach of more than 40 years is seemingly on top of everything when it comes to the freshman tournament, the recognition took him by surprise.
Ridgewood Wrestling rolls to third straight district crown
MARCH 3, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015, 11:11 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
FAIR LAWN – Sporting a supportive wrap around his right shoulder and bulky brace on his left knee, Ridgewood High School senior Roger Toral departed the wrestling mat, turned to a legion of Maroons backers and raised his arms in exultation with both index fingers pointing upward, making it clear where he and his team stood at last weekend’s District 6 tournament.
Despite battling a shoulder injury since the opening week of the season – and spraining his MCL days before the tournament – the 132-pounder persevered for a 3-1 decision over Fair Lawn’s Alex Eligur to capture an individual title and help lead the Maroons to an overwhelming team victory, their third straight district triumph, last Saturday at Fair Lawn High School.
“Roger is a heart-and-soul kid, and what he did, in the midst of the adversity that he faced, that’s the story of the team,” RHS head coach Torre Watson said.
Ridgewood continually hasfound a way to exceed expectations this season, shaking off significant graduation losses to compile an 18-6 record and earn the program’s first-ever home state-tournament match earlier this month.
“We’re able to overcome anything,” Toral said. “There were problems presented to us, and we were able to work around them.”
the fly has heard claims that the Maroons Soccer Clubs business practices fall far short ……. The fly has learned that many in town claim the Maroons organization that provides the competitive youth soccer program for Ridgewood, is currently being run as a personal fiefdom by Paul Boogaert (President) and others on the Board of Trustees. Sources say a few self-serving Trustees run the organization as they please, for their own personal gain or to protect their (and some of their fellow Trustees’) personal interests.
If you don’t know the Maroons are a 501(c)(3) organization, co-sponsored and heavily supported by Ridgewood, serving hundreds of our town’s families. The odd thing is all these people who never played a sport are suddenly clamoring to be on the board of the travel soccer program in town? Is it just a thirst for local power or as critics have called it joining the “sports mafia” . Some join boards to protect there child or some say promote their child at the expense of yours .
Sources claim the Maroons Board has engaged in improper elections aimed at stacking the Board ; many “red flag” financial irregularities ;improper (and undisclosed) Board compensation; self-dealing ; conflicts of interest and interested party transactions.The Board even let the 501(c)(3) lapse yet the when questioned the Board has been known to bring in lawyers . These are serious allegations that a simple audit would put to rest .
Ridgewood Ice Hockey takes the cup for fifth straight year
Third period comeback propels Ridgewood Ice Hockey to 4-2 win over Paramus Catholic in Big North, Patriot Division final
By Richard Greco | For NJ Advance Media
on February 20, 2015 10:20 PM, updated February 21, 2015 12:14 AM
WAYNE–For the second straight year,Ridgewood needed to mount a third-period comeback against Paramus Catholic in the Big North, Patriot Division Tournament title.
Last year, the Maroons scored three unanswered goals. This year Ridgewood closed out the game with four unanswered third- period tallies to repeat as Big North Tournament, Patriot Division champs in a 4-2 win at the Ice Vault on Friday.
The title is Ridgewood’s fourth overall.
Ridgewood entered the third period trailing 2-0, before a Brendan Buckley goal midway through the final frame started to shift momentum. Buckley took the puck in the offensive zone and launched a snap shot through a defender’s legs to cut Ridgewood’s deficit to 2-1.
“That (goal) changed all the momentum,” Buckley said. “I knew then that we had all the momentum. I know we were going to go all the way.”
Ridgewood High School Wrestling senior reaches 100 career victories
FEBRUARY 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD — Over the course of four seasons, Nick Saglimbeni’s role on the Ridgewood High School wrestling team has changed. His goal — to win matches — has remained the same.
Ridgewood’s Nick Saglimbeni became the fourth wrestler in program history to reach the 100-win plateau.
The Maroons senior picked up his 100th win on the mat in an 8-5 decision versus Bridgewater-Raritan on Jan. 31, becoming just the fourth wrestler in Ridgewood history to reach the mark, joining all-time wins leader Joe Oliva (Class of 2014), Brandon Giovanetti (2012) and Mark Romeo (2002).
“It was definitely always a goal of mine, especially since freshman year when I got in the lineup and started winning matches,” the senior said Tuesday night.
Back in his debut season, Saglimbeni thrived as the only freshman on the varsity squad in 2011-12, earning All-County honorable mention and Big North Freedom Division first-team accolades at 113 pounds.
Ridgewood Girls Cross Country celebrates its 4th straight win and course record at the Bergen County Meet of Champions
The Lou Molino Bergen County Meet of Champions on Saturday at Darlington Park in Mahwah wasn’t just the fastest ever in the 38 year history of the girls meet, it was also one of the fastest county races in New Jersey history!!!
Just how fast was it???
Four girls broke 18 minutes, led by Catherine Pagano of Northern Highlands, who missed her own course record by one second with a winning time of 17:30!!!
Before the race there had never been more than one girl in a single race go sub 18 at Darlington Park. And before this race only four girls in course history had gone under 18-EVER!!!!!
The sub 18 runners at the Bergen County Meet of Champions. From right to left-Catherine Pagano (Northern Highlands), Julia Guerra (Indian Hills), Sam Halvorsen (Ridgewood), and Carleen Jeffers (Ridgewood)(Jim Lambert | NJ Advance Media)
Behind Pagano was Julia Guerra of Indian Hills, second in 17:57-the sixth fastest time in course history. Ridgewood’s Sam Halvorsen was third in 17:59, the seventh fastest time in course history, and Ridgewood’s Carleen Jeffers was fourth in 17:59, now tied with Halvorsen for the seventh fastest time ever run at Darlington.
Want more?
How about the Ridgewood girls!!!
Ridgewood, No. 7 in the state, averaged 18:42.8, shredding the course record average of 19:00.6 set last week by Northern Highlands.
It was a truly epic day as Bergen County’s finest simply crushed the course!!!!
That’s what happens when great runners, good conditions and a deep talent pool collide!
Ridgewood’s record breaking average led to a fourth straight team title and record 28th overall as Ridgewood outscored runner-up and No. 8 Northern Highlands, 45-66. No. 18 IHA was third with 79.
Ridgewood News editorial: We need more Charlottes and the Ridgewood blog Agrees
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014, 12:31 AM THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Soon after she received accolades from the Ridgewood Board of Education this week, Charlotte Samuels, the 16-year-old world-record swimmer, made an admission: She’s already thinking about conquering the Ocean’s Seven. For those unfamiliar with the feat, which has been accomplished by only six people, it consists of open-water swims through channels from each of the seven continents.
