Once again, everyone associated with the Freehold Regional High School District can take pride in the accomplishments of the student athletes who represent its schools.
Within the past week, these young adults have distinguished themselves at the highest levels of competition in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.
The latest run of outstanding achievements started on Nov. 8 when the Freehold High School girls soccer team won the Central Jersey Group III state sectional championship for the second straight year, 3-0, over Hightstown High School.
Winning the state sectional crown again was a major achievement for the Colonials, who have been the target of every team they have played from the start of the season, following their state Group III cochampionship campaign of last year.
On Nov. 9, the Manalapan High School boys soccer team bested its district rival Howell, 1-0, to win its second straight Central Jersey Group IV state sectional title. The Braves have gained a well-earned reputation as a team that knows how to win the big game.
For Howell, there was some solace. Earlier, the Rebels won the Shore Conference boys soccer tournament championship for the first time in school history, beating Manalapan, 1-0.
Manalapan and Howell are the conference’s best teams and two of the best soccer teams in the state.
This week, the Freehold and Manalapan soccer teams moved on to the state group championships, looking to get through their semifinal games (played earlier this week) and hoping to play for state titles on Friday (boys) and Saturday (girls).
The titles kept coming on Nov. 10, when Howell High School’s Austyn Fobes won a state championship at the NJSIAA state gymnastics meet. Fobes finished first on the uneven bars with a routine that scored 9.775.
It was the second state title for Fobes, the Rebels’ fabulous sophomore, who tied for fifth place in the all-around competition (37.875) at the state meet.
In another outstanding performance, Fobes’ teammate Brianna Ecklof placed second on the floor exercise (9.675).
Colts Neck High School’s Danielle D’Elia was third in the all-around competition (38.100) and her team placed eighth (108.850) in the competition.
Nov. 11 was a historic day for the Freehold High School field hockey team. After becoming the first FRHSD squad to win a state sectional field hockey crown (North Jersey, Section II, Group III), the Colonials were the first team from the area to play for a state group field hockey title.
Although they lost to South Jersey power Shawnee, the Colonials raised the bar not only for themselves, but for all of the field hockey teams in the FRHSD.
Also over the weekend, Howell defeated Colts Neck High School, 27-21, in the first round of the Central Jersey Group IV state football playoffs. The Rebels will host Montgomery on Friday night in the Central Jersey Group IV semis.
Howell (Constitution) and Freehold (Federal) won Shore Conference football division titles this fall.
And earlier this month, the Colts Neck girls cross country team won its fourth straight Central Jersey Group IV crown by a single point over Howell.
Colts Neck’s Brianna Jackucewicz won her third straight Central Jersey Group IV cross country title.
The young people who have recorded these individual and team achievements have brought their schools, their coaches, their parents and themselves a great deal of pride, respect and honor.
We are proud to continue bringing their accomplishments to the attention of our readers, and we salute these outstanding student-athletes for their skill and continuing commitment to excellence.