By: Sean Moylan
Carl "Chris" Jantz is a humble and affable man.
In fact, if he had to make a case for himself, Jantz would probably never receive induction into the Hightstown Athletic Hall of Fame because of the way he downplays his many accomplishments. Yet the young men who played soccer with Jantz and Hightstown’s former boys’ varsity soccer coach Russ Beaulieu know the real truth.
Carl Jantz was the unsung hero and one of the primary guiding forces behind two state soccer championships by Hightstown in the late 50’s. And somewhere beneath the surface of Jantz’ calm demeanor lies the competitive fire which made him an All-County and second team All-State All-Star soccer player. The results of that competitive fire will earn him induction into the Hightstown Athletic Hall of Fame on October 13th, 2006.
"Bruce Freitag (Hightstown’s legendary goal-scorer) once told me that maybe three-fourths of the goals he got were directly a result of a Carl Jantz’ cross," offered Beaulieu. "And Marty Barlow (another legend), who played ball for me after Carl, said he used to watch Carl play when he was a little kid. Carl was the guy every soccer player should be like."
As a child Jantz perfected his game by watching the older boys play soccer and by kicking around a dark red ball with his friends in the playground. With Jantz leading the attack, Hightstown won state championships in 1958 and 1959 and it posted a perfect regular season record in 1960. In 1960, Jantz, a right wing, set a personal scoring record with 9 goals. But scoring was never really his game.
"I had one move I could beat people with," said Jantz.
For those who find it strange for someone to win with just one move think of Vince Lombardi’s "power sweep" and Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s skyhook and one will begin to get some idea of what kind of player Jantz was. Winning often comes from doing one thing incredibly well so well, no one can stop it.
For Jantz that one thing was his great cross, which invariably would often land inches away from a potential shooter’s foot.
"There were no unnecessary moves when he played. When he did something it had meaning," said Beaulieu of Jantz.
"They didn’t keep track of assists back then, but I had a lot of assists," added Jantz, who has been a soccer referee for the past 20 years.
Jantz refs recreation and travel soccer, but he also coached girls and boys’ recreation and travel soccer for 10 years.
"All four of my children (Lorraine, Gretchen, Joanna and Chris) played varsity soccer for Hightstown High," noted Jantz. "I think the refing in soccer is much better than it was back then (in the late 50’s to early 60’s). We played a more rough soccer game (in the 50’s)."
In the late 50’s it was not uncommon to "take out" players with a hard hit or for players to leave a game bruised and battered. Back in those days, players just did whatever they could to put the ball in the net.
"They didn’t play much of a defensive game," remarked Jantz, who stayed in shape in the spring by running the mile and high jumping in track and field. "I’m amazed by some of the skills of the kids today."
Ironically, Jantz’ own superior intelligence may have contributed to his not furthering his own brilliant sports career after high school as the prestigious college he went to (Marquette University) did not have a men’s soccer team at the time. Jantz has been a practicing Chiropractor for the past 39 years and his wife Marie is a realtor for GMAC. They’ve had a good life together, but their lives should get even better come October 13.
"I think it’s pretty good (going into the Hall). It took me 45 years to get there. I have to credit Russ Beaulieu (who will introduce Jantz at the HOF banquet). He’s concerned with these names from the past," Jantz said.
Beaulieu, who has always had a warm place in his heart for Jantz added, "he was quiet, but the people who played with him respected him."
That’s the ultimate compliment for a team player like Jantz.
Jantz played his high school soccer behind a building which is now the Grace Norton Rogers Elementary School. "If you look up at the top of the building (Grace N. Rogers) you’ll still see the words ‘Hightstown High School’ (inscribed on the building)," said Jantz.
Great schools and championship teams have a way of leaving their mark for all eternity.

