High school squad won two state championships, set nine school records
By: John Tredrea
Hopewell Valley Central High School’s girls indoor track team was honored for its outstanding season this past winter during a recent school board meeting.
"The tradition continues Hopewell Valley and excellence in track are synonymous," HoVal director of athletics Kevin Murphy said April 23, while introducing the team and its coaches to the board, school administrators and residents.
Coached by Dave Wilson and Aaron Oldfield, the team won two state championships this year one for individual races, one for relay races. The large trophies for the state titles were shown at the board meeting and will go on permanent display in a trophy case in the hallway of Central High School.
Members of the team set nine school records this year. Five members of the team garnered All-American status. They are Natalie Jones, Jessica Paul, Kate Willever and Sarah Seiler. Five girls made All-State. They are Natalie Jones, Kristen Mapp, Natalie Mapp, Jessica Paul and Kate Willever.
The other members of the team are Megan Allen, Kristin Avagliano, Lucy Brower, Kristen Doran, Chrissy Fairbanks, Megan Garriga, Fallon Giovacchini, Leslie Giovacchini, Rachel Hotchkiss, Laura Kyle, Mary-Kate Mannix, Michelle Morici, Amanda Nini, Amy Palin, Emily Palombo, Kristen Schank, Allison Sheridan and Lucy Weise. (See photo on Page 5A.)
Superintendent of Schools Robert Sopko, board President Sally Turner and other board members congratulated the team on its many accomplishments.
The superintendent singled out the coaches for some praise as well. "As I travel around our community and its schools, I hear nothing but the most exemplary comments about the coaches of this team," the superintendent said.