MHS SENIOR AWARDS RECAP
By: Mary Ellen Zangara
Senior athletes for Manville High School were honored last week at the annual MHS Senior Awards. Local organizations and MHS presented the senior athletes with awards and scholarships for their future endeavors.
Former MHS wrestling coach Paul Kolody presented the scholarship named after him from the old wrestling club.
"The Manville Wrestling Club, which has been in existence since 1969 not only tries to promote excellence in wrestling, but also in an academic setting," Kolody said. "And in doing so, I would like to present a $500 scholarship to the senior wrestler who has intentions of going to college and the highest GPA on the team. And this year’s winner is Greg Fabiyan."
Steve Venuto presented the Ned Panfile Quarterback Award from the Quarterback Club to a senior football player on the team. That award went to Greg Babich. MHS Principal Mary McLoughlin presented the Roundball Club scholarship to a female and male basketball players Ashley Davey and Corey Giles.
President Deb Knitowski presented the Manville High School Athletic Booster Club scholarship to Sebastian Firak and Melody Leach. Other awards that were presented to the athletes included the Mountain Valley Scholar Athletic Award and the NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Award to Melody Leach and Rich Ozieblo, respectively. Both Leach and Ozieblo were also honored recently with the Somerset County Principal’s Association Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner.
Venuto also presented the four-year letter awards to Dana Delesky and Ortman for girls’ soccer and softball, to Mike Zala for boys’ soccer, to Andreyko and Matt Nile for track and field, to Babich for football and to Amanda Kita and Briana McLeroy for cheerleading.
Athletic Director Pat LaMastro congratulated all the seniors and announced the last award of the evening – the Athletes of the Year.
"Every year the athletic department recognizes one female and one male athlete for their outstanding contributions to Manville High School sports program," LaMastro said. "This year’s female athlete has lettered in three sports and also a four-year letter winner in two sports."
LaMastro then announced Sarah Ortman as the MHS Female Athlete of the Year. Ortman played soccer, basketball and softball during her years at MHS.
"The male athlete of the year lettered in two sports and was a four year letter winner in one sport," LaMastro said.
Andreyko, who competed in cross country and track and field, was honored as the MHS Male Athlete of the Year.