Vikes track team keeps on winning
By: Rich Fisher
The Cranbury School track and field teams continue to roll, as the boys and girls squad each posted victories over Highland Park last Friday.
The Vikings swept all the field events except for high jump, which was not held, and also swept the 100, 200, 400, 800 and mile.
"We won both meets handily," coach Jay Gilligan said. "We just totally dominated, both the boys and girls.
Gilligan noted that standouts included Adam Brunner and Adam Keeler, who were "both outstanding throwers in the discus," along with Sue Hansen (mile), John Merrill (long jump), Marcus French (200) and DaQuane Hester (100).
TENNISû
The Vikings defeated Kreps (East Windsor), 2-1, in a rain-shortened match that did not allow the singles matches to be played on Monday, then lost to a talented Crossroads (South Brunswick) squad, 7-0, Tuesday.
In the win over Kreps, Rahool Padhye and Arjun Vikuntam teamed for one doubles win while Keith Vincellette and Sandeep Tammula combined for the other.
Against Crossroads, first singles player Ross Zebuhr played tough, winning the first set before losing the second set, 5-7, on a tiebreaker.
"Ross played very well in that match," coach Lynn Totten said.
The other Vikings who have been entrenched at singles this year have been Mike Tessler and Miheer Mhatre. Tessler has been playing more doubles of late, while Mhatre tries to work on his mental game.
"Miheer has been having a lot of close matches," Totten said. "He’s a very strong and skilled player, he just needs more experience to be able to keep his focus and concentration.
"That’s actually, when you look at the whole team, what we need to work on. We often win the first set then lose the next set, it’s just a matter of maturity and being able to maintain focus and concentration and competitiveness."
The Vikings completed their season Thursday against West Windsor-Grover.
BASEBALLû
The Vikings suffered a pair of losses to Pond Road on Friday and Monday, marking their first losing streak of the season.
In Friday’s 6-3 setback, Colin Sarafin went 4-for-4 while Justin Faulkner, John Petrucelli and Clint O’Brien each had hits. Tyler DiStasio was impressive, allowing just one run in five innings of relief work.
"He’s my go-to man, my warrior," coach Frank Silva said of DiStasio. "That kid’s arm will be hanging off and he’ll still throw. He’s just a tough kid."
On Monday, Pond Road took an 8-7 win as Petrucelli had a big day, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. O’Brien added two hits, two RBI and a run, Dan Mawn hit a double, Faulkner had two hits and an RBI, Mario Fiorentini had two hits and scored three times and Mark Madden had a hit.
O’Brien, DiStasio and Ryan Gordy handled the pitching duties, with Gordy continuing to make his presence felt.
"I’m very pleased with Gordy’s commitment to the team," Silva said.
The two losses left the Vikings (5-4-1) out of the hunt for the Tri-County Conference crown, but Silva hopes Cranbury splits two of its final four to finish with a winning record. The Vikes played Millstone Wednesday and Hun Thursday and finish up with Crossroads and Milltown next Wednesday and Thursday.
"We have to win two," the coach said. "I don’t want a losing season."
SOFTBALLû
It was a tough week for the Vikes, who dropped games to Hun and Pond Road this week. Cranbury was without injured catcher Sue Westock against Pond Road.
"I’m optimistic they’ll finish out OK," coach Leigh Zink said. "We’re hitting the ball better, we’ll be all right."