By: Rich Fisher
The Cranbury School spring sports season begins in earnest next week, and here’s a look at how things shape up for the Viking squads.
BASEBALL
If you like offense, you’ll like watching the Vikings.
Unfortunately, that might be true on both sides of the ball this spring, as Cranbury looks to get its pitching strengthened.
"It looks like a lot of hitting talent for my starters," coach Frank Silva said. "Pitching will be the same problem for every school. There’s just not enough arms to make it through the season.
"Our defense is improving but we need some work at the catching position or its going to be a long season. Until that gets straightened out, let’s hope our offense will be enough to carry us."
This year’s roster includes 8th-graders Christopher Dunnett (1B), David Petrucelli (CF), Dylan DiCuio (1B), Tommy Hines (3b), Matt Alvarez (P, SS) and Clayton Spann (SS).
The underclassmen feature 7th-graders Anthony Donadio (C, OF), Colin Graydon (2B, SS), Shyam Modi (2B), Russ Mawn (P), Steven Jacobi (C, OF, P) and Matt Weidner (OF, 3B, SS), and 6th-gaders Jonathon Hornyak (OF), Patrick McDonald (P), and Scott Schwartz (OF).
SOFTBALL
Experience will be the key for the Vikings as Cristina Alayna starts her second season as head coach (assisted by Dave Boehm).
"We have seven returning players," Alayna said. "Our team is coming out strong with more experience to start out the season than we had last year.
"Dave Boehm is a big asset to the program, giving the girls the best experience possible with two of us coaching. We are looking to improve our record from last year. I think this will be a fun season for everyone."
This year’s upperclassmen are 8th-graders Lisa Faraci, Kim Wright and Tori Farinick. Wright and Faraci will serve as captains.
The underclassmen are Deanna Boehm, Sarah DiLella, Arienna Joyce, Kate Johnson, Meshalane Underwood, Kelly Chambers, Rachel Bozich and Clara Maselli, and 6th-graders Anna Coppotelli, Jenna Panconi, Carly O’Brien and Kiersten Holswade.
TRACK & FIELD
The Vikings have dominated the Greater Middlesex Conference Middle School small-division championship meet over the past two years, but the goal this year is the same as always personal improvement.
"I have high hopes for this small district team, they will hold their own against the big districts," coach Jay Gilligan said. "But our main goal is to see the kids get better. If each kid improves their personal best by the end of the season, then they had a successful season. And if we get some wins along the way, that will be even better."
Members of this year’s boy’s team are Mike Brennan, Alex Charwin, Andrew Coleman, Max Currier, A.J. Dowers, Robby Dowers, Jason Fazzaro, Matt Golubieski, Corey Henderson, Mike Hellstern, Steven Hellstern, Nick Hughes, Matt Keele, David Keyser, Joseph Kirkiner, Matt Lennon, Matt Mikula, Adam Pavely, Keith Pelcher, Dario Presepe, Tom Ransegnola, Drew Reifinger, Peter Sockler, Thomas Sorrentino, Mike Sorrentino, George Stewart, Daniel Waltrip, Billy Ward, Omar Yousef, Arthur Zysk.
A.J. Dowers will once more throw the disc and shot while also high jumping.
"He came in second in the discus (in GMC’s) last year, I expect big things from him," Gilligan said.
Member of this year’s girls’ team include Taylor Blair, Maggie Bleach, Anne Bonazzi, Birgitt Boschitsh, Emma Brunskill, Adrienne Casimir, Jessica Charwin, Jen Conover, Angela French, Sam Hayden, Mackenzie Henderson, Andrea Hines, Erica Howard, Olivia Huang, Frances Janovitz, Jessica Lam, Morgan Lea, Sarah Li, Bridget Lindberg, Elizabeth Liu, Stephanie Miezin, Elizabeth Muselli, Kelly O’Grady, Jenna Petrucelli, Samantha Pinto, Annelise Quinn, Dana Sahli, Bianca Scheer, Emily Schraudenbach, Amanda Shaffer, Anna Shea, Elinor Silverman, Veronica Spann, Lexis Stasi, Audrey Tseng, Kelsey Turp, Cara Vincelette, Felicia Wang, Hailey Walsh and Olivia Ziegler.
"Dana Sahli competes in the high jump, long jump and 100 relay," Gilligan said. "She is one of the most outstanding athletes I have ever coached. And Maggie Beach, who will do the high jump, is a great athlete. Gilligan also has faith in a strong distance team that includes Tom Sorrentino, Hughes and Silverman.
"They will produce and improve the distance squad," Gilligan said. "Angela French and Adrienne Casimir are great sprinters, and Anna Shea and Sam Hayden give us depth there."

