Delesky, Corsilli represent Manville
By:Rudy Brandl
Manville may be one of the smallest high schools in the area, but its representatives at last Thursday’s 17th annual Somerset County Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner certainly have proved more than worthy of such an honor. In fact, Danielle Delesky and Drew Corsilli boast credentials that would make anyone proud.
Delesky, the daughter of Helen and Daniel Delesky, was ranked at the top of her class the last time numbers were tabulated. She plans to study accounting at The College of New Jersey in the fall and will graduate with six varsity letters.
A modest student-athlete, Delesky admitted to being surprised when she learned about being named as her school’s female representative.
“I’ve done well in basketball, but I haven’t done anything spectacular,” said Delesky, who also competed in soccer for four years. “I’ve always taken a lot of pride in my school work and I guess that’s paid off. I felt really honored. Even though it’s a small school, it’s still a great honor.”
Delesky credits her parents with influencing her throughout her formative years. Her mother always provided the extra academic push, while her father was more active helping out with sports.
“My mom has always been there to help me and she instilled that value that education was important,” Danielle said. “And my dad’s always trying to help me with my shot, giving me advice after games.”
After a relatively quiet two jayvee seasons and one varsity year as a junior, Delesky emerged as a reliable and dangerous jump shooter last winter. First-year head coach Jim Sala gave her a chance and Delesky developed into a consistent double-figure scorer. Delesky’s perimeter prowess yielded a 10-point average.
“It makes me feel better that people noticed me instead of me sitting on the bench,” Delesky said. “I was able to go out there and show myself. I know I can shoot the basketball and Mr. Sala gave me a chance to show that I could put the ball in the net.”
Delesky didn’t find the net much playing her fall sport, but was thankful for the opportunity to play with all-around sensation Meaghan LiBrizzi the past four years.
“Meaghan was so amazing,” Delesky said. “It was such an honor to play with her. She made the whole four years a lot of fun.”
Delesky’s secrets to success? Time management and determination.
“I’ve always been a perfectionist,” she said. “I always try to do the best I can and I don’ t slack off. Even now, I don’t have senioritis. I still want to finish my work. I always made sure I had time for both school and sports. I adjusted my time so I could do both.”
In addition to her parents, Danielle invited AP Calculus teacher Florence Kelly, English teacher Linda Lenihan, soccer coach Nestor Cortina and hoops coach Sala as her guests. Principal Kathleen Monks, retired vice-principal Ned Panfile and athletic director Pat LaMastro also attended.
Delesky was named an Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar and is a member of the National Honor Society. She’s also Student Council treasurer and involved in the yearbook and Future Business Leaders of America. She’s received numerous academic awards, including the Society of Women Engineers National Merit Award.
Corsilli is widely known and respected as his school’s premier all-around athlete, but his achievements go far beyond sports. Sure, he’s a fine football player, a tough wrestler and a talented track and field athlete, but the versatile MHS senior has made an impact in many areas of life.
“I don’t only want to be remembered as a jock,” said Corsilli, a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council who’s also active in community service projects. “I’m intelligent, too, and I’ve done a lot for the community.”
Corsilli is ranked in the top 25 percent of his class and plans to study Business Management at Lycoming College, where he also will continue his football career. As usual, he has set high goals for himself.
“I want to go in and play as a freshman,” Corsilli said. “I might not start, but I want to work my way up and get playing time.”
Drew, the son of Dante and Barbara Corsilli, will leave MHS with 11 varsity letters and numerous athletic titles on his resume. He’s been the best offensive player on the football team the past few years, capping his fine career with a heroic individual effort to lead the Mustangs over Bound Brook on Thanksgiving Day. Corsilli was amazing on the wrestling mat, winning Somerset County and District 18 titles last winter before placing in Region 5 for the second straight year. In the spring, he’s won the conference long jump title twice and competed in the states every year.
He’s been named MVP and received recognition on All-Somerset County and All-Mountain Valley Conference teams in all three of his sports. Although his teams have never won a title, Corsilli has compiled terrific numbers in football, wrestling and track.
Corsilli invited all three of his coaches, Steve Venuto (football), Paul Kolody (wrestling) and Tony Treonze (track), to be his guests at the dinner. History and psychology teacher Barry Kotter, keyboarding teacher Nancy Ostaszewski and girlfriend Laura Langyel also attended the banquet to support Corsilli.
How does being named a county scholar-athlete compare with scoring a touchdown, pinning an opponent or winning a race?
“It’s different, but it gives you the same feeling of accomplishing something,” Corsilli said. “There’s only two people in the whole school who get elected for this. These people go on to college and make something out of life. I feel privileged.”