Howell’s Maggie Taverna is the only woman from New Jersey who was selected to play for the USA National U22 Ice Hockey Team. At 19, Taverna is one of the youngest members of the national team. Currently, she is a sophomore at Boston College. Taverna came up through Howell Intramural Roller Hockey Club. She played for four years for the Monsignor Donovan boys ice hockey team before heading to Boston College, where she made the National Collegiate All-Rookie Team as a freshman.
Melinda Salzer, of Marlboro, and Lisa Greenberg, of Morganville, recently completed their first triathlon at the New Jersey State Triathlon held in Mercer County Park. The event consisted of a 500-meter swim, 13.5-mile bicycle ride and a 5K run. Salzer completed the course in 2:32.45 and Greenberg in 2:07.59.
Slazer and Greenberg trained together for a year for the event. One of the motivations for competing in the triathlon, they said, was that they are both reaching milestone birthdays this year. Salzer is turning 50 and Greenberg, 40.
Salzer is married and has two college-age children. She is the owner of the Marlboro-based Renewing Moments-Gifts for Women in Cancer Treatment. Greenberg is married with two children ages 11 and 8 and she teaches at the Solomon Schecter Day School in Marlboro.
Colts Neck’s Mike Murphy has moved into second place for career pass interceptions at Delaware Valley College. With his second pick of the season, the senior cornerback upped his total to 13. The ex-Cougar has 25 total tackles, fifth best on the team, despite missing one game with an injury. His 17 solo stops are third best. The Aggies of Delaware Valley are 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference, where they are the two-time defending champions. Murphy is a graduate of Colts Neck High School.
Texas Shootout won the 31st running of the $274,225 James B. Dancer Memorial for 3-year-old pacers on Oct. 14 at Freehold Raceway. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Texas Shootout got to the wire in 1:54.0 after making his move to the front on the final turn. Finishing second was Cane Pace contender Livestrong (Steve Smith) with third place going to Gimmebackmybullets (Stephane Bouchard). The morning line favorite, New Jersey Sire Stake champion Four Starz Lights (Jeff Gregory), was a disappointing fifth. Since its inception in 1976, the Dancer Memorial has become one of the year’s top races for sophomore pacers. Among its champions are Niatross, Abercrombie and Artsplace, all Horse of the Year winners.
The Freehold Tornado, a 10U travel softball team, is looking for dedicated girls who love to play softball and want to improve their skills. Girls who are 10 or younger on Dec. 31, 2006, are eligible to play. All positions are open. Contact Oscar Boni at (732) 261-0853 or e-mail [email protected] for additional information. The team plays all of its tournaments within New Jersey.
The Rutgers University men’s and women’s basketball programs will host the Scarlet Knights’ Fall Hoop Festival for boys and girls grades two through eight on Nov. 9 and 10 at the Applegarth Middle School and Brookside Elementary School. The clinic, led by Monroe High School boys basketball coach Bob Turco and girls coach Leight Vogman, will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days. Also on hand to help tutor the youngsters will be a number of experienced varsity, junior varsity and freshman basketball coaches from area high schools. The clinic stresses basketball fundamentals through games, drills and individual instruction as well as emphasizing the importance of academics and life skills. Participants will receive a T-shirt, self-improvement workout program and two tickets to a Rutgers men’s or women’s basketball game. Fee for the two-day clinic is $95 and registration deadline is Nov. 3.
For more information, call (800) 932-7863, (732) 445-7863 or (732) 445-4251.
The Manalapan Match Fit Magic, a U13 girls soccer team, won the prestigious WAGS girls soccer tournament played over the Columbus Day weekend. The local girls beat teams from Florida, Illinois and Tennessee on the way to the championship. The Match Fit Magic won a dramatic semifinal over Long Island on a goal by Nicole Koretsky with just 30 seconds remaining in overtime. The Magic beat Nike Impact from Tennessee in the championship final. Koretsky led the team in scoring at the tournament with four goals. Karlie Korz netted two and Christy Wojcik, one. Keeper Lisa Marie Capelli scored a goal on a penalty kick against Nike Impact. Capelli allowed just four goals in the five games the Match Fit Magic played. Tyna Freda, Yasmine Burd, Olivia Gross, Alison Carhart, Breanne Brukalo and Kelly Graham formed the defensive fortress in front of Capelli. Victoria Freeman, Taylor Connors, Jenna Baratta, Karlie Korz, Jessie Rubino and Morgan Michon provided solid play at midfield. The Magic forwards were Bridget Charzuitko, Deana Gutierrez, Christy Wojcik and Nicole Koretsky. The girls are coached and trained by Shannon Scott.

