If the 1999-00 high school athletic season was any indication, Colts Neck High School could be a future power in the making.
In their first varsity season, the Cougars hit the ground running with several teams enjoying immediate success while at the same establishing a foundation for the future. And an equal number of individuals brought the Cougars statewide recognition.
Back in the fall, both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams made the state playoffs in their first tries, while the girls’ tennis team did the same. Harrier Israel Payan etched his name in the Cougars’ list of firsts when he won the Central Jersey Group I cross country title, becoming the first Colts Neck athlete to win a sectional title.
More success followed in the winter when the girls’ basketball team put together a memorable run in the state playoffs. Bill Shaughnessy’s Cougars not only made the state playoffs in their varsity debut, but went one step further when they made a run in the state sectionals.
They started off with a buzzer beater by Becky Piper to get past Middlesex in the state playoff debut, and followed that up with a resounding win over South Amboy. Their run ended with a semi-final loss to eventual sectional champion Rumson-Fair Haven.
In the spring, it was runner Jorge Ventura who had the honor of giving the school its first-ever state champion. The sophomore won the Group I, 1,600 title at Neptune High School.
Some programs wait for years to crown a group state champion and here were the Cougars claiming one this year. Earlier in the season, Ventura was the first Cougar athlete to win a Freehold District title when he captured the 800 meters. He would win both races in the CJ I sectional.
Long jumper Amy Kolasa picked up a state sectional win for the girls in the long jump.
Both the boys and girls track and field teams were contenders in Central Jersey Group I.
Brad Domenico polished off the year of firsts by winning the Freehold District golf championship.
To say the least, Supervisor of Extracurricular Activities Rich Kane was more than pleased.
"I think we had a great first year," said Kane. "There were a lot of accomplishments and our teams were all very competitive.
"We were pleasantly surprised," he added. "We went into the year with a degree of trepidation hoping that we’d be competitive. Overall, looking back, we had a great year."
Kane gave credit to the Cougars’ coaches for the competitive debuts of the teams.
"I think we have an outstanding coaching staff and that went a long way towards making us competitive," he pointed out. "They had a belief in the kids that they could do it and the kids responded.
"The coaches also had a lot to do with our success in getting the kids to buy into the pride of starting something new and the tradition we’re trying to build," he added. "They knew it was special to be at a new school, with new uniforms and the series of firsts that can be accomplished. Our kids are very excited about building a tradition."
The people of Colts Neck have been very supportive of the young high school and that helped make a difference.
"The community has been very active," noted Kane. "Their attitude has been ‘What do you need?’ The Dads’ Club and the Parent Teacher Student Organization have been big helps. They’ve been good to us. We’ve been very, very lucky."
For Kane, however, the highlights weren’t just Ventura’s state championship or the first-year winning seasons of so many teams, but the sportsmanship awards won by the Cougars.
In the winter, the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won the Shore Basketball Officials Sportsmanship Award for Monmouth County (the association awards a single school from Monmouth and Ocean counties), and in the spring the baseball and softball teams were honored for their sportsmanship by the Shore Umpires Association.
"Winning those two plaques was very special," he said. "We feel what we are trying to do is show you can win and have a class program. That’s our goal.
"You can’t win these awards if you get one player or a coach or fan tossed," he added. "We believe when a team and its fans come to Colts Neck, they are our guests. We expect good behavior from our coaches, players, parents and fans. These plaques are a sign that we are doing our job."
Kane pointed out that the challenge for the 2000-01 season is to see which team will go down in school history as the first champion.
"No team has won a divisional or sectional championship yet," he remarked. "The competition is now to see what team’s banner will be hanging from the gymnasium rafter first. The kids are taking pride in it."
The 2000-01 season will feature the debut of varsity football and the school’s first senior class.
"There’s something to be said of senior athletes," remarked Kane. "Seniors are leaders and role models."

