More Sport Shorts

Shawn Levinson, a junior at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, got his indoor track season off to a fast start. The Freehold Township graduate finished fourth in the 55-meter hurdles (7.76) at the Princeton University New Year’s Invitational.

Marlboro’s Jon Wong, a freshman, is a member of the University of Rochester, N.Y., men’s swimming team. At the recent Upstate Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Association Championships, Wong helped the Yellowjacket men finish in fourth place. Wong was 14th in the 400 Individual Relay (5:08.8) and 16th in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.35). He was a member of the Yellowjacket 200 medley relay which placed 12th (1:46.93).

The Monmouth Gymnastics Academy boys’ team competed in the International Invitational Meet held at International Gymnastics in Stroudsburg, Pa., where they finished in sixth place.

At level six, Garret DeSantis of Marlboro finished third on the floor exercise and 10th in the all-around in the 8-year-old age group. Long Branch’s Chris Conte took fifth on the floor exercise and eighth in the all-around in the 9-year-old age group.

At level five, Manalapan’s Ryan Harrington won the bars competition. He was third on the still rings, fourth on the pommel horse and eighth in the all-around. He competed in the 10-11 age group.

Millstone’s Steve Crabtree was second on the floor exercise, fourth on the bars, seventh on the high bar and seventh in the all-around in the level four, 10-11 age group competition. Teammate Vincent Smurro of Freehold was third on the high bar, fourth on the floor and 12th in the all-around.

Also competing for MGA were Joseph Yellin, Evan Schmidt and Michael Tuhy.

Yuri Aminov coaches the MGA team.

The American Eagles Squirt A Hockey Club, which skates out of the Wall Ice Arena, captured the Warwick (R.I.) Thanksgiving Tournament, forging a perfect 5-0 record.

The Eagles captured their bracket after going 4-0. They defeated Edgewood, R.I., 3-1; Northern Rhode Island, 3-1; Bellerica, Mass., 4-3 in a thriller; and Wilbraham, Mass., 8-1.

Winning their bracket put the Eagles in the championship game against Manchester, Vt. The Eagles’ tight-checking defense won the day as they beat the Vermont squad, 6-3.

The Eagles are forwards Travis Foster, Frank Amaniera, Bob Manetta, Dan Ridenour, Nick Spagnola, Matt Jensen, Dash Brahmann and Greg Alessi; defenders Michael Zuppe, Jack Walchessen, Harry Radovich and Sean Reynolds; and goalies Matt Jones and Nick Fuirita. Timmy Higgins is also a member of the Eagles but was unable to attend the Rhode Island tournament.

Mike Reynolds coaches the Eagles.

The Eagles play in the New Jersey Youth Hockey League where they are currently 13-0-2 in league play and seeking a final four playoff appearance.

The Pinelanders Youth Soccer Club, Howell, will begin registration for its spring program at Howell Middle School North on the following days: Jan. 19, 7-9 p.m. and Jan. 20, 9 a.m. to noon. If the school is closed on these dates, there will be an alternate session on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registrations will be accepted by mail after the 27th.

The Pinelanders program is open to boys and girls who will be ages 5-16 on April 1, 2001. Birth certificates are required at registration. Fees are $35 per player with a maximum of $70 per family. Players are assigned in order of registration. For more information, look up the Pinelanders Web page at www.pinelanders.com, or call 919-2111, voice mailbox No. 1, and leave a message.

The Battle of Monmouth Breakers, an U-11 Monmouth-Ocean Soccer Association Premier Division team, is seeking experienced, skilled, travel players. For additional information, call Jennie Napoli at (732) 446-1362.

The Hash House Harriers will return to Edison County Park for the Freezing Cold Hash Run on Jan. 6 at 10:17 a.m. The event is not a race but a noncompetitive group run which follows an off-road course laid out with baking soda. The run resembles European-style cross-country races without the competition of a formal race. Call Kenneth Vercamment at (732) 906-2180 for additional information on the Hash runs. Information is also available through the Rumson Hash House Harriers hot line (732) 219-0301.

A competitive 11-year-old AAU travel baseball team is looking for one or two players to complete their roster for the 2001 season. The season runs from March through October, and the team will play between and 70-80 games. Call Lou at (732) 970-0078 for additional information.

Spellbound Hanover, a 2-year-old trotting filly by Donerail, has been named the New Jersey Sire Stakes Horse of the Year for 2000 on the strength of winning the $100,000 NJSS Championship at the Meadowlands and the $60,000 NJSS Fall Divisional Championship at Garden State Park. Owned by William Mulligan and trained by Bill Popfinger, Spellbound Hanover won all six of her NJSS starts, earning $151,500 in purse money. Overall, the filly won 11 of her 15 starts and $748,347 in purses. She took a career mark of 1:58.2 at Garden State Park.

Divisional Horses of the Year were Shadow (Deliberate Speed), 2-year-old colt trotter; Delta Shuttle (Cam’s Card Shark), 3-year-old filly pacer; Gambler’s Dream (Cam’s Card Shark), 2-year-old colt pacer; Sam Gimignano (Laag), 3-year-old pacer; Legendary Lover K (Armbro Goal), 3-year-old trotting colt; and Cathedradotcom (Presidential Ball), 2-year-old filly pacer.