The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Capping off another spectacular sports year, New Providence High School has proven its
prowess on the athletic field by capturing its second consecutive ShopRite Cup last week. The Pioneers clinched the Cup in late May as the Boys Tennis Team defeated Highland Park 3-2 to win the Group 1 State Championship. That victory all but assured the ShopRite Cup staying right here in the trophy case of New Providence High School.

With 38 points, the Pioneers edged rivals Glen Ridge (34), Audubon and Haddon Township (31) Asbury Park and Metuchen (26). Points are awarded based upon competitions within their respective Group classifications as well as points earned based upon sportsmanship.

New Providence began 2011-2012 with its girls soccer team under Coach Scott Murphy, winning its second consecutive Group 1 State Championship with a 4-0 win over Haddon Township in November. The Pioneers football team under Coach Art Cattano finished third while boys indoor track and field finished a respectable fourth under Coach Kevin Kelly. With the boys' tennis championship this past spring, along with nine points for having no disqualifications during each of the three athletic seasons, the Pioneers secured the ShopRite Cup trophy which will be presented to the high school during an on-field ceremony this fall.

Strong spring performance buoys Pioneers' success

The spring season brought about many remarkable performances for the Pioneers. On the diamond, Coach Brodeur’s baseball squad (14-7) finished atop the Mountain Valley Conference carried by Marc Giacalone who was named third team all Union County and third All Group 1. Giacalone, just a sophomore, led the team with 10 extra base hits and 34 RBIs.

The softball team (15-6) led by Area Coach of the Year Kelly Villa, had a magnificent ride by reaching the finals of the Union County Tournament for the first time in school history while finishing as Sectional runners-up in Group 1 Section 2 for the second year in a row. Junior Cassandra Squeri was named first team All Group 1 and first team All Union County, while fellow teammates Jenna Madden, Alex Esposito and Nicole Saitta were named second team All Union.

The team also received timely hitting and pitching from fire-balling right hander Kelsey Quinn who as a freshman, received third team All County honors.

Boys' lacrosse had the best finish in school history (16-3) under head coach Vinny Carangelo as goaltender Brian Valerio backstopped all 16 victories with 238 saves and sophomore attackman James Burke (48 goals) were both named to the All Kimber Conference team. Burke was among the state’s leading scorers and led a swarming offense which scored 63 more goals than last season led by Jonathan Ebert’s 54 goals, and another 38 markers from freshman Jack Harvey.

Girls' lacrosse (7-12) continued to improve in just its third year of existence. Coach Jennifer Henry’s squad rode the attack stick of Dominique Iacovelli who led the Lady LAXers with 79 goals while Jilian Balog scored 48 of her own and chipped in a team leading 24 assists. Julia Loria backstopped all 7 wins by making 190 saves. On the track, Coach Kelly and Girls Coach Corey Arnold were once again led by the distance running of Everett Price whose mastery of the 800 and 1600 meter competitions resulted with his being named first team All Union and second team All Group 1. This season marks the end of a long and storied career for the Princeton bound Price who leaves New Providence as one of its greatest track performers in the school’s history. In field events, Michael Closs in the pole vault and Nicole Aneiros in the high jump earned second and third team All County honors respectively.

On the golf course, the Pioneers (7-9) were led by sophomore Ben Keller whose expertise around the green earned him third team All Group 1 under first year head coach Cap Pazdera.

Finally on the tennis courts, the Pioneers under Coach John Delloiacono captured their second Group 1 title in the past three years by avenging its loss to Highland Park in the 2011 Group Finals. Delloiacono in his 21st year at the helm in New Providence was named New Jersey Tennis Coach of the Year. For him, the victory was especially sweet as the team was not listed among the 2012 pre-season contenders. Delloiacono used that slight to motivate his team, and many of them including the first doubles tandem of Mike Herrigal and Seth Keller rose to new
heights as they were both named first team All Group 1 while Alex Hochen at first singles, made third team honors.

In just his second year as athletic director, Rob Harmer is not surprised by the school’s amazing performance over the past two years.

“As an athletic director you dream of accomplishing the goal of being the best athletic program in the state. To accomplish it two years in a row is a true testament to the 'total' athletic program in New Providence. This was truly a collaborative effort by our outstanding student athletes, dedicated coaches, parents and continued support by our Board of Education and administration.”