Meet this year’s 25 most well-rounded impact athletes
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough High is building an impressive athletic tradition. The Raiders won county, conference and sectional titles again this school year.
All high schools count on a special group of athletes who excel in multiple sports. Even a large and growing school like HHS needs a bunch of multi-sport stars to produce so many championship banners.
Student-athletes in today’s world balance so many activities outside the playing fields. Making an impact in two or three sports takes true ability, work ethic and commitment.
HHS recently completed its scholastic sports year with a fine spring season, which came on the heels of greatness in the winter and fall. The 25 athletes featured below represent most of the 24 athletic programs that competed in 2005-06.
There are still athletes who specialize in one sport, especially golfers, tennis players and swimmers, and the Raiders boasted plenty of top-notch athletes in these crafts. But it’s time to salute the most well-rounded Raiders. They were truly the leaders in the world of Hillsborough High sports this school year.
Here is the 2006 Hillsborough High Team For All Seasons (in alphabetical order):
Melissa Arango
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Gymnastics, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 9.
Highlights: Helped gymnastics team win Skyland Conference and South Jersey League titles three straight years; gained Coaches Award for gymnastics; competed in state gymnastics meet last fall; competed in nationals for shuttle hurdles; named to second team All-Somerset County for 55 hurdles; hurdler helped HHS girls capture four major meet outdoor track and field titles this spring.
Success Secret: "I perform my best and try my hardest during meets to make my outcome successful."
Mike Argueta
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Soccer, volleyball.
Varsity Letters: 2.
Highlights: Rugged midfielder helped soccer team reach semifinal rounds of Somerset County and Central Jersey Group 4 tournaments; named to All-Skyland Conference soccer team; volleyball captain led team to finals of first Hillsborough tourney and remarkable progress from first to second season of varsity play.
Success Secret: "All my hard work and ability to perform in soccer and volleyball helped me a lot."
Ali DeLuca
Class Yr./College: Senior/University of Pennsylvania.
Sports: Basketball, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 8.
Highlights: Point guard led Lady Raiders to consecutive Somerset County championships in junior and senior years; nominated to McDonald’s All-Star Game and played in New Jersey All-Star game; lacrosse superstar became only the fifth girl in state history to surpass 300 goals and finished with 320 to rank third on all-time list; led HHS girls to county title as a junior and conference championship as a senior; earned All-America status for lacrosse.
Success Secret: "My competitive nature and determination has enabled me to be successful during my athletic career."
Kristen Derewecki
Class Yr./College: Senior/University of Maryland.
Sports: Field hockey, softball.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Smacked game-winning hit in the 22-inning game vs. North Hunterdon as a sophomore; helped Raiders win the county softball title twice during her three-year varsity career; played a key role on this year’s repeat softball championship in the Delaware East Division and advancement to the Central Jersey Group 4 final; made major defensive contributions during a successful three seasons of varsity lacrosse.
Success Secret: "My ability to stick out any situation, come up big when I’m needed and serve as a strong leader."
Ernie Guaimano
Class Yr./College: Senior/Stevens Institute of Technology.
Sports: Football, wrestling, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 7.
Highlights: Finished third in district and county and 5/6 in region twice during fine wrestling career; served as team captain for wrestling and lacrosse teams; lineman helped football team reach state playoffs the past two years; rugged defender played key role in lacrosse team’s resurgence and trip to the state playoffs this spring.
Success Secret: "Being able to juggle three sports and a hectic academic schedule."
Brian Dennis
Class Yr./College: Senior/University of Maryland.
Sports: Cross country, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 12.
Highlights: Finished third at cross country Meet of Champions in junior year; ran 15:49 at Deer Path Park in the Skyland Conference meet; posted personal record times of 4:22 in the Central Jersey Group 4 mile, 1:58 in the 800 at the Skyland Conference Relays, 9:44 in the 3,200 indoors at Lehigh University and 16:00 at Holmdel Park in last November’s Meet of Champs; graduated as most prolific male cross country runner in school history, having led the Raiders to a sectional team title and Meet of Champions team appearance for the first time.
Success Secret: "Strong dedication and determination in myself and my team."
Ellyn Griggs
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Field hockey, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 4.
Highlights: Field hockey goalkeeper made 14 saves in a 1-0 victory over Ridge, one of nine shutouts she posted as a junior after blanking eight foes the previous season; helped field hockey team reach sectional finals as a sophomore and defeat Hunterdon Central in the state playoffs last fall; named to various all-county and all-conference teams as a goalkeeper; javelin thrower hit a personal-best mark of 92-7 at the Central Jersey Group 4 Championships; also competed in Olympic weightlifting and finished second in two state meets and third at nationals.
Success Secret: "I never give up or let anything stop me from doing my best. I strive for perfection and try to motivate my teammates in the process."
Lauren Griggs
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Field hockey, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 3.
Highlights: Scored game-winning goal with under five minutes to play in thrilling field hockey victory over Ridge; link played a key role in the field hockey team’s state playoff victory at Hunterdon Central; named to second team All-Skyland Conference for field hockey; lacrosse goalkeeper made many huge saves in dramatic sectional semifinal triumph over West Morris Central this spring; stopped many big shots during sophomore lacrosse season when HHS girls won their first Somerset County title.
Success Secret: "Whenever I play a sport, I put my all and my heart into it. I play with intensity, aggressiveness and dedication."
Brian Humphrey
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Football, basketball, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Power forward helped basketball team come from five games under .500 with as many to play to qualify for the state playoffs; scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a huge victory over Bridgewater-Raritan; shot putter finished third in the county and fourth in the conference.
Success Secret: "My leadership and determination to succeed. I’m also very coachable and listen to what I am told for the greater good of the team."
Fredy Irizzary
Class Yr./College: Senior/University of Maryland.
Sports: Cross country, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 9.
Highlights: Finished second in last year’s county cross country meet with a time of 16:04; took fifth at the conference meet the following week with another stellar time of 15:51; showed true guts and character with a 16:36 in the Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park despite losing a shoe at the start which put him dead last in the huge field of runners; ran with teammate Brian Dennis to lead the HHS boys to the Somerset County and Skyland Conference cross country team titles; named to various all-county and all-conference teams; represented school as male scholar-athlete.
Success Secret: "I didn’t start off at the top but year after year with hard work and dedication I continually improved my 5K time from 19:19 freshman year to 17:46 sophomore year to 16:56 junior year to 15:51 senior year."
Ebony Jones
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Cross country, basketball, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Versatile basketball player helped the HHS girls win county titles from two different positions the past two winters shooting guard in 2005 and small forward in 2006; regarded as one of the area’s top defensive basketball players; named to several all-county and all-conference hoop teams; contributes in many areas on the track, especially the 400 hurdles, where she qualified for the Meet of Champs as a sophomore and barely missed this year; competed in several national track and field meets.
Success Secret: "I stand as a role model, showing that I can balance my school work while playing varsity high school sports."
Warner Jones
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Football, basketball, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 7.
Highlights: Sprinter finished fourth in the 100, second in the 200 and second in the 400 while participating on the second-place 4×400 relay at the Somerset County Championships, which the HHS boys won; defensive back shut down Bridgewater-Raritan’s top receiver, made a game-saving tackle and sealed the victory with a fumble recovery during his sophomore season; three-time football letterwinner helped Raiders make state playoffs the past two years; nominated for Who’s Who Among Student Athletes of America.
Success Secret: "I believe my hard work and dedication to my sports has helped me."
Ryan Kloss
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Basketball, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 3.
Highlights: Forward scored 17 points to lead basketball team to a big victory at Montgomery, one of five wins by the Raiders in their streak to the state tournament; midfielder led lacrosse team in scoring this spring; scored game-tying goal in huge lacrosse triumph over Group 4 champ Hunterdon Central; helped HHS boys advance to state lacrosse quarterfinals; named to second team all-division and all-conference for lacrosse.
Success Secret: "I believe in dedication and love for sports. If you love them, they’ll love you back."
Colleen Maloney
Class Yr./College: Senior/Rider University.
Sports: Volleyball, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 8.
Highlights: Standout thrower captured three Skyland Conference discus titles and two in javelin, plus two Somerset County crowns in discus and javelin; qualified for Meet of Champions in last two years of high school and finished ninth, just two feet shy of a medal, in the discus this spring; piled up big points to help HHS girls complete ninth straight undefeated dual-meet season and win titles at the county and conference relay and individual championship meets this spring.
Success Secret: "Throughout my career I have worked hard and contributed to many team titles."
Allison Marcsisin
Class Yr./College: Senior/Penn State University.
Sports: Soccer, cross country, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 12.
Highlights: Distance runner found stride again as a senior, running a 2:19 split in the 4×800 at the county relays; qualified for nationals with a 2:20 split in the sprint medley at the Raider Relays; ran an impressive 5:06 in the 1,600 as a freshman; ran a meet record 2:27 indoors to win the 800 during the county indoor meet; helped HHS girls capture Central Jersey Group 4 team title as a freshman phenom; earned All-America status as part of the 4×800 team in 2003; qualified for Meet of Champs three times indoors and once outdoors.
Success Secret: "My determination and dedication helped me overcome difficult obstacles over the past couple of years. My involvement with the track program has taught me to never give up, no matter how difficult things may seem."
Katie Marino
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Soccer, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Lacrosse attacker scored five goals in an early-season victory over rival Hunterdon Central; made major contributions to the lacrosse team’s county title in 2005 and conference championship in 2006; played key role in lacrosse team’s school-record 20-game win streak in 2005; scored one of the goals during the team’s amazing comeback from a four-goal deficit in the final six minutes of the North A sectional semifinals vs. West Morris Central; midfielder helped soccer team defeat nationally-ranked Ridge two years in a row and advance to the Somerset County finals in back-to-back seasons.
Success Secret: "Hard work and playing with heart. I always try my very best, play with spirit and try to leave the field with my head held high."
Meghan Morley
Class Yr./College: Senior/Boston College.
Sports: Cross country, basketball, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 5.
Highlights: Added depth to state’s finest team of shot put, discus and javelin throwers this spring; helped HHS girls remain undefeated in dual meets for the ninth straight year; provided leadership, rebounding and defense for basketball team that won its second straight Somerset County title last winter; represented her school as the female scholar-athlete.
Success Secret: "I think I was selected for this team because of my participation in 12 seasons of sports, including a sectional champion track team, two county champ basketball teams and my contribution to our track team’s county championship this year, and also because of my designation as scholar-athlete."
Kevin Nunes
Class Yr./College: Senior/Quinnipiac University.
Sports: Soccer, ice hockey.
Varsity Letters: 4.
Highlights: Playmaking midfielder led soccer team with seven assists last fall; played a key role in soccer team’s advancement to county and sectional semifinals; helped HHS boys win conference title in 2003; hockey defenseman provided leadership and skill for a team that soared to the Kelly Cup title and finals of the Somerset County Tournament in its first varsity season; received Rob Richard Award for soccer; named to All-Kelly Cup hockey team.
Success Secret: "My hard work and determination to be the best athlete I can be. Also, my drive to motivate my teammates to perform at their highest level."
Taryn O’Connor
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Soccer, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 5.
Highlights: Powerful thrower set school records in shot put (41-9¼) and discus (127-7) with gold medal victories at Central Jersey Group 4 meet; gained third Meet of Champions medal in the past two years with a sixth-place finish in the outdoor shot put earlier this month; also took fourth outdoors in 2005 and third indoors this past February; goalkeeper made several key saves to help HHS girls reach the Somerset County championship game last fall; named to all-area teams for soccer and track and field.
Success Secret: "I’m a hard worker who strives to be the best she can be. I’m determined and dedicated enough to make things happen."
Nikki Smartt
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Soccer, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 4.
Highlights: Defensive wing scored game-winning goal with 34 seconds remaining in the sectional semifinals to cap a stunning rally from a four-goal deficit in the final six minutes; helped HHS girls win Skyland Conference title in 2006 and Somerset County title in 2005, both firsts for the lacrosse program; stalwart defender made key contributions in soccer team’s run to two straight county finals; selected as part of the NJSCA All-State soccer team in 2005; was named to the All-Skyland and All-Somerset first teams for lacrosse this spring; named team MVP for best defense.
Success Secret: "I really enjoy athletic competition and I give 100 percent effort every time I step on the playing field. My teammates know that they can count on me to do my best at all times."
Tyler Szwarc
Class Yr./College: Junior.
Sports: Indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Won Somerset County title in 400 intermediate hurdles; finished second in the county and conference in the 110 high hurdles; took second place indoors in the conference and county 55 hurdles; finished eighth in the State Group 4 indoor 55 hurdles; contributed to county relay and individual outdoor team titles this spring; ran a leg on the distance medley relay team that defeated CBA during the indoor season; earned team MVP honors in spring of 2005 and winter of 2005-06; competed on seventh-place shuttle hurdles team at indoor nationals.
Success Secret: "I am motivated and determined to run my best in every race. Whether it’s a dual meet against a local team or the Meet of Champions against the top runners in New Jersey, look to do my best every chance I get."
Liz Tafaro
Class Yr./College: Senior/Coastal Carolina University.
Sports: Field hockey, lacrosse.
Varsity Letters: 6.
Highlights: Center forward scored the winning goal against Montgomery as a junior that helped the Raiders earn a share of the division field hockey title; team’s leading scorer the past two years netted the decisive goal in double overtime to beat East Brunswick and move the Raiders to the semifinal round of the state playoffs; defeated Hunterdon Central in field hockey for the first time in over a decade in last year’s state tournament; lacrosse attacker produced goals for a team that made school history by winning the county title in 2005 and conference championship in 2006.
Success Secret: "I am a very dedicated athlete and that’s one of the most important factors when playing on a team."
Anthony Visicaro
Class Yr./College: Senior/Iona University.
Sports: Football, indoor track, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 7.
Highlights: Running back had a career night with four touchdowns in a big home victory over Bridgewater-Raritan last fall; sprinter/jumper contributed to the boys’ track and field county titles the past two years; ran on the 4×100 team that surprised Franklin and Somerville; named to first team All-Skyland Conference for football in 2005; recognized by county and conference for football and track in other seasons.
Success Secret: "Being committed. I work real hard during the summer and practice to get where I am."
Lauren Watts
Class Yr./College: Senior/Coastal Carolina University.
Sports: Gymnastics, indoor track, lacrosse, outdoor track.
Varsity Letters: 9.
Highlights: Record-setting gymnast won the uneven bars competition at the Central 2 Sectional Championships last year; set a school individual all-around record (38.1) and propelled the HHS girls to a new team standard (113.125) that ranks second all-time in New Jersey history; won Skyland Conference all-around title as a sophomore; received invitation to represent New Jersey at high school gymnastics nationals; was invited to participate in Golden West Invitational for triple jump; tied school record for triple jump (37-3½) to qualify for the Meet of Champions, where she completed her fabulous scholastic career by capturing a medal for finishing eighth in her very first season of outdoor competition.
Success Secret: I’ve been lucky to be so successful in all different types of sports. I put my heart into sports and the work ethic I developed has led me to where I am today."
Marc Zamarin
Class Yr./College: Senior/University of Delaware.
Sports: Football, baseball.
Varsity Letters:
Highlights: Quarterback fired two touchdown passes in the football team’s 23-21 state playoff loss to Jackson, including a record 99-yarder that started a late rally; led Raiders to state playoffs in junior and senior years as signal-caller; first-year varsity starter at catcher did most of his damage with fine defense but made a mighty offensive contribution with the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth in a state playoff triumph over Middletown North; earned honorable mention recognition from the Skyland Conference for baseball.
Success Secret: "My work ethic is what set me apart. Whether I was told I wasn’t big enough to play quarterback on the varsity level or I was stuck behind a three-year varsity catcher, I never stopped working hard. Eventually, it all paid off."