Bogdanowicz wins wrestling scholarship
By: Mary Ellen Zangara
Manville High School athletes were among some of the recipients at the annual MHS Junior and Senior Scholarship and Awards held last week at the school. Three sports clubs scholarships were presented as well as the Athletes of the Year awards.
The Paul Kolody Wrestling scholarship was presented by Kolody to a wrestler who has the highest grade point average and plans on attending college. The $500 scholarship was presented to Lukasz Bogdanowicz. Gertrude Deitrick of the Round Ball Club presented the basketball scholarships to Michelina Aichele and Tommy Rock.
Each year the Manville Athletic Booster club awards two $250 scholarships to one male and one female athlete. Booster club president John Bentz presented Mike Knitowski and Ashley Shields with the Ned Panfile Quarterback Awards.
Steve Venuto presented the Skyland Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year to Knitowski and Michelina Aichele. Venuto also presented the NJSIAA Scholar Athlete of the Year to Leo Rodriguez and Aichele. Both MHS seniors, also the Somerset County scholar athletes, were honored and presented with their awards at the NJSIAA dinner in May.
Sergeant Benner of the United States Army presented the U.S. Army Scholar Athlete award which was "created in 1981 to honor the top students who have put forth that extra effort to be all that they can be in the school and the community" to Rodriguez and the U.S. Marine Corps Scholar Athlete award to Rodriguez and Shields.
The Athletes of the Year were presented to Knitowski and Aichele.
Knitowski played three sports and earned 11 letters combined in football, basketball and track and field. He had 11 passing and five rushing touchdowns in his senior year as the quarterback for the Mustangs. In the game against Dayton, he had three touchdown passes and 109 yards passing 54 yards rushing. One of his greatest accomplishments was being a part of the first team in MHS history to make it to a state playoff game against South River. The team ended the season with 6-4 making it the first winning season in 13 years. He was named to the second-team All-Skyland Conference.
In basketball, Knitowski ended his high school career with 975 points. His career high was 30 points against South Hunterdon and his favorite was a slam dunk against Gill St. Bernards. Knitowski was chosen first team all Skyland Conference. Knitowski was named the team’s MVP for this year and was named to the first team All-Skyland Conference and the Mike Shello All-Tournament first team.
In track and field, Knitowski holds the school record in the triple jump (40-7) and this year came in seventh in State Group 1 high jump. He placed third in the county long jump, third in the CJ Group 1 high jump and third in CJ Group 1 triple jump. He also was sixth in county high jump this year. Knitowski received the MVP track award.
"I feel pretty good after everything I did in high school," Knitowski said. "In basketball I came up short with my 975 second in the school history but I am happy with that. Basketball is my favorite sport and I will miss it forever. In track I went to states but I was very disappointed that I only finished seventh. You have to place in the top six to go (to the Meet of Champions). I had a great career and I am glad that Michelina is sharing this with me because she has been very supportive of me for my past four years and we have a little connection."
Aichele earned eight letters in soccer, basketball and softball. She was the NJSIAA Scholar Athlete and was chosen as the MVP for softball. She led the softball team as the shortstop and finished with a solid .250 batting average. She also earned the Coaches Award for soccer and basketball this year.
"I was surprised as I didn’t think that I was going to get it," Aichele said. "Although I feel that I busted my butt for four years, I didn’t think I would get it. I really appreciate it and I was shocked to get it. I am very grateful for it."

