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28 nominated to county Sports Hall of Fame

Straus Newspapers6/28/06

Newton - The Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame finalized its nominees for the class of 2006 at its membership meeting on Tuesday, June 20. A record number of 28 athletes and coaches, representing eight SCIL high schools and a wide variety of sports, will be on the ballot. The public now has an opportunity to vote for up to nine candidates.

Hall officials attributed the record number of nominees to the enthusiasm of Sussex County residents who became involved in the nomination process.

The 28 nominees are:

Joe Ash, 1956 graduate of Atlantic Highlands High School and 1961 graduate of the University of Nebraska, was nominated for his basketball coaching and scouting accomplishments.

Jeffrey Barnhill, a 1975 graduate of Newton High School and 1979 graduate of Rollins College, was nominated for his accomplishments in baseball, basketball and cross country.

Keith Fletcher, 1978 graduate of Newton High School and 1982 graduate of James Madison University, was nominated for his accomplishments in football and baseball.

Gunner Frauenpreis, a 1978 graduate of Pope John High School and 1982 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, was nominated for his accomplishments in football, basketball and track.

Laurie Gazdalski Genna, 1991 graduate of Pope John High School and 1996 graduate of William Paterson University, was nominated for her accomplishments in swimming.

Michelle Fisher Grubb, a 1985 graduate of Jefferson High School, 1989 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College with a B.A. in mathematics-psychology, and 1997 graduate of the University of Virginia with a Ph.D. in neuroscience, was nominated for her accomplishments in high school field hockey, basketball and softball, and in college basketball.

Jill Harden, 1983 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School, 1987 graduate of Niagara University, and 1990 graduate of Western New England School of Law, was nominated for her accomplishments in high school basketball, track and field, and field hockey.

Jeffrey Hughes graduated Wayne Valley High School in Wayne in 1967; graduated New York Institute of Technology in 1972 with a B.S. in physics; and earned teacher certification from Montclair State in 1973. He was nominated for his tennis coaching accomplishments at Sparta High School.

Mike Juskus, 1976 graduate of Hopatcong High School and 1981 graduate of Glassboro State College (Rowan University) was nominated for his accomplishments primarily in collegiate track and field and secondarily for his accomplishments in high school baseball, football, wrestling and bowling.

Tina Kemether, a 1979 graduate of Newton High School, who attended Cortland State University for two years and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1985, was nominated for her accomplishments in softball, basketball and field hockey.

Scott Klinger, a 7th degree black belt in Isshinryu karate and chief instructor and president of East West Karate Academy in Sparta, was nominated for his accomplishments as a karate coach and competitor. He has been training for 32 years.

John Kuntz, 1974 graduate of Metuchen High School, 1978 graduate of West Virginia University, and 1995 graduate with a master’s degree from New Jersey City University, was nominated for his accomplishments as coach and athletic director.

James N. Lame, 1991 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School, who attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a grauduate of the class of 2000 of the Police Academy, was nominated for his accomplishments in high school cross country, wrestling, and track and field.

Ronald Lee Lehmer, a 1966 graduate of Sparta High School, who attended Hiram Scott College from 1966 to1968, was nominated for his accomplishments in baseball and softball coaching.

Scott Longcor, 1976 graduate of High Point Regional High School, who attended LSU from 1976 to 1978 and Penn State from 1978 to1980, was nominated for his accomplishments in wrestling, football and baseball.

Bob Melillo, 1972 graduate of West Orange Mountain High School and 1976 graduate of Kean University, was nominated for his accomplishments as baseball coach of Newton High School.

George Morville, 1972 graduate of Newton High School and 1976 graduate of Plymouth State College of the University of New Hampshire, was nominated for his accomplishments in lacrosse and coaching.

Angela A. Paternostro, 1994 graduate of Pope John High School, 1998 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and 2001 graduate of Rutgers School of Law, was nominated for her accomplishments in basketball, field hockey and softball.

Stephanie Andrasek-Pavlick, 1992 graduate of Newton High School, 1996 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, and who received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla, was nominated for her accomplishments in track, cross-country and triathlon.

John Place, 1983 graduate of Sparta High School, who attended Penn State University from 1984 to 1987, was nominated for his accomplishments in football and wrestling.

Kyle Poyer, 1991 graduate of Newton High School, 1996 graduate of Wagner College, and 1999 graduate of Carson Newman College with a master’s in guidance counseling, was nominated for his achievements in football, wrestling and baseball.

Richard Roy, a 1976 graduate of Sparta High School, was nominated for his accomplishments in boxing.

Tracy Pombo Schramm, a 1994 graduate of Vernon High School and 1999 graduate of Penn State, was nominated for her accomplishments in cross country, swimming and track.

Betty Schanstra Scymasnki, 1984 Wallkill Valley Regional High School graduate and 1988 graduate of Montclair State University, was nominated for her accomplishments in basketball.

Ed Sheridan, 1972 graduate of Sparta High School and 1976 graduate of Princeton University, was nominated for his achievements in football, baseball and basketball.

Gary Sparta, 1959 graduate of Hamburg High School and 1963 (B.S.) and 1966 (M.S.) graduate of East Stroudsburg State, was nominated for his accomplishments as an athlete, coach and athletic director.

Donna Wolf Tompkins, 1984 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School and 1988 graduate of Pfeiffer University, was nominated for her accomplishments in basketball, field hockey and softball.

Vickie Ann Zummo, 1996 graduate of Wallkill Valley High School, was nominated for her accomplishments in wrestling. In 1993 she became the first female wrestler to become Sussex County champion in a league of 650 wrestlers.

The full sports bio for each nominee can be seen on the SCSHOF web site at aroundthearea.com (or just “google” “scshof”).

Ballots will be mailed on July 10 to members as of June 8. To join and become eligible to vote, send a check for $15, made out to SCSHOF, to SCSHOF, P.O. Box 911, Newton, NJ 07860.

Ballots must be returned by Saturday, July 22. The ballots will be opened and votes counted on Wednesday, June 26, at the Newton VFW. The top nine candidates will be inducted into the SCSHOF at the annual Induction Dinner to be held on Nov. 18 at the Farmstead Country Club in Lafayette.

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Maraccini wins girls title, beats boys too

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Gianna Maraccini of the Western Sierra Wolfpack youth wrestling team, was in San Jose on May 12 to 14, competing in the state freestyle championships. Maraccini entered the girls bantam (40-pound) bracket only to learn there were no other entries in that class. Even with a first-place trophy guaranteed, Maraccini was not satisfied; she had come to wrestle. Coach (and Dad) Tony Maraccini convinced the officials to let her enter the boys 40-pound bracket.

In the first round, Gianna started off impressively pinning her opponent from Palo Alto. Her second round was a tough one and she narrowly lost a close decision to a wrestler from Kingsburg.

As things played out in the third round, Gianna learned she could win the division if she could win her next match.

Gianna found herself behind on points to a boy with an unorthodox wrestling style, going into the final period. With time running out, she got the boy in a head and arm hold and pinned him in a dramatic come-from-behind win.

With two championship trophies under her belt, Maraccini's next challenge still lays ahead: Can she hold both of them at the same time? Her coaches and parents, Tony and Christine, and the Wolfpack team members are all proud of her and look forward to next year.

Anyone interested in more information or in joining the Wolfpack can call Christine at 296-8213.

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Plenty of star power featured at U.S. World Team Trials for women's freestyle wrestling

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
06/27/2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Two-time World champion Kristie Marano will be there.

So will reigning World champion Iris Smith. And Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann.

There will be plenty of star power on hand when the United States World Team Trials for women’s freestyle wrestling is staged on Friday, June 30, at the Colorado Springs Christian High School Fieldhouse.

The event begins with the Challenge Tournament from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the best-of-3 finals set for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Champions at each of the seven weight classes advance to the World Championships on Sept. 26-Oct. 2 in Guangzhou, China.

The seven women’s champions from April’s U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas earned automatic berths into the best-of-3 finals. They will face the winner of the Challenge Tournament that will be held earlier in the day.

One spot on the World Team will be decided at a later date. Clarissa Chun, who won the U.S. Nationals at 48 kg/105.5 pounds, will be unable to compete Friday as she recovers from minor knee surgery. Chun will be allowed to compete in a special wrestle-off at a later date against the winner at 105.5 pounds on Friday. As the top-ranked wrestler at her weight, Chun reserves the right to compete at a later time if she is injured.

The other six champions from the U.S. Nationals are expected to compete. They include Patricia Miranda (51 kg/112 lbs.), Sharon Jacobson (55 kg/121 lbs.), Sally Roberts (59 kg/130 lbs.), McMann (63 kg/138.75 lbs.), Katie Downing (67 kg/147.5 lbs.) and Marano (72 kg/158.5 lbs.). Miranda, McMann and Downing each compete for the Sunkist Kids. Jacobson and Roberts are with the Gator Wrestling Club and Marano is with the New York Athletic Club.

In addition to Smith’s gold medal, Roberts, McMann and Downing each captured World bronze medals in 2005.

“There are not too many spots that are locked up” said Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling’s National Women’s Coach. “There obviously are some favorites, but we have pretty good depth at a lot of the weight classes. Every match is going to be a battle and that’s what we want. The more depth we have the better we will be.”

The best matchup may come at 158.5 where Marano and Smith likely will battle for a spot on the World Team. Marano, a seven-time World medalist, will be the No. 1 seed Friday by virtue of winning in Vegas. Smith, a 2005 World champion, did not compete in Vegas because of an injury. Smith competes for the U.S. Army.

The tough 158.5 class also will include World University champion Stephany Lee of Missouri Valley and two-time Junior World champion Ali Bernard of the University of Regina. Lee was second in Vegas and Bernard third. Bernard attends college in Canada but hails from from Minnesota.

Tickets for the entire day are $12 for adults and $7 for youths. Tickets for the finals only are $10 for adults and $5 for youths.

The women’s event is being held separately from the men this year because of a conflict with the Women’s World Cup. The women competed in the World Cup in Japan shortly before the World Team Trials for men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman were held last month in Sioux City, Iowa. The World Team Trials for all three styles typically are held together.

“Ideally, we want to be alongside the men,” Steiner said. “It’s better for women’s wrestling and wrestling in general. We had to change it to accommodate the World Cup this year. I’m fine with it, but I would like us to be back with the men in the future.”

The United States placed third at the 2005 World Championships in women’s wrestling, and is considered one of the top powers in international women’s wrestling.

WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM TRIALS SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 29
2-3 p.m. – Registration at Olympic Training Center wrestling room
2:30-3 p.m. – Medical check at OTC wrestling room
3-3:30 p.m. – Weigh-in at OTC wrestling room
3:45 p.m. – Seeding meeting at OTC
5 p.m. – Officials meeting at OTC

Friday, June 30
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Challenge Tournament at Colorado Springs Christian High School
6-7 p.m. – Third-place matches
6-8:30 p.m. – Best-of-3 championship series

WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS

48 KG/105.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Whitney Conder, Puyallup, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport/Fitness)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (New York AC)
World Team member – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
University Nationals champion – Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
University Nationals, second place – Aquila Hills, Charlotte, N.C. (University of the Cumberlands)

51 KG/112 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Julieta Okot, New York, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Cheryl Wong, Croton, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Samantha Schuman, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley)
Olympic Team member – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team member – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial silver medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International gold medalist – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional champion – Aquila Hills, Charlotte, N.C. (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals champion – Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – Kristin Condello (Women's Only Wrestling)

55 KG/121 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Malinda Ripley, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Clarissa Calibuso, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Tina Pihl, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Dream)
World Team member – Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
Northeast Regional champion – Dyami Souza, Brooklyn, Conn. (Silverback WC)
University Nationals champion – Sharon Jacobson, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Gator WC)
University Nationals, second place – Amy Borgnini, Terre Haute, Ind. (USOEC/No Mercy)

59 KG/130 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Deanna Rix, South Berwick, Maine (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Erica Chew, Houston, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Brooke Bogren, Carbondale, Kan. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Bethany Murphy (U.S. Air Force)
World Team member – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
World Team member – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Ivan Yarygin Memorial gold medalist – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Alexander Medved International silver medalist - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix silver medalist – Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
University Nationals champion – Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

63 KG/138.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jackie Cataline, Corona, Calif. (Cataline’s Wildcats)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Rachel Billerbeck, Plugerville, Texas (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Na’Tasha Umemoto, Portland, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Vanessa Oswalt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Amberle Montgomery, Kent, Wash. (Vision Quest Sport and Fitness)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Laura McDonald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Olympic Team member – Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’05 Henri Deglane Challenge gold medalist – Alaina Berube, Esanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix bronze medalist – Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
University Nationals champion – Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC)
University Nationals, second place – Bethany Harris, Valley Center, Calif. (USOEC/No Mercy)

67 KG/147.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Heather Martin, Wellington, Ohio (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Michelle Hooker, Austin, Texas (Missouri Valley College)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Shelly Ruberg, Ueras, Ohio (Cumberland College)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Andrea Hale, Chicago, Ill. (Lassen College)
World Team member – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
International Tour medalist (within 1 year) -
’06 Alexander Medved International bronze medalist – Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’06 Klippan Ladies Grand Prix gold medalist – Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Northeast Regional champion – Jen Chu, Philadelphia, Pa. (W.O.W.)
University Nationals champion – Randi Miller, Arlington, Texas (USOEC)
University Nationals, second place – Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (USOEC)

72 KG/158.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals champion - Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Donell Bradley, Aiea, Hawaii (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Lacy Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (Missouri Valley)
Rocky Mountain Regional champion – Brittany Brown, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
Olympic Team member – Toccara Montgomery, Williamsburg, Ky. (New York AC)
World Team member – Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
’05 Sunkist Kids International champion – Stephany Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley)
’05 NYAC Holiday Open champion – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals champion – Tabitha Golt, Chesapeake, Va. (University of the Cumberlands)
University Nationals, second place – Sara Hilliard, Marshall, Mo. (Missouri Valley College)