by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
Manville High’s spring scholastic athletic season kicked off April 1 with the baseball and softball teams in action against Belvidere. Both track and field teams begin their seasons Saturday in the Skyland Conference Relays at Hunterdon Central.
Here’s a team-by-team capsule preview of Manville’s four varsity teams:
BASEBALL
Head Coach: Dan Sferrazza.
Years/Record: Second season.
Last Season: 0-19.
Key Returning Players: Joe Burnett (Sr., pitcher/first base), Nick Pankowski (Sr., catcher), Billy Mazzucca (Sr., third base), Ryan McKee (Sr., first base/pitcher), Brendan Nurnberger (Jr., shortstop), Ryan Jankowski (Sr., center field), Nick DeSantis (Sr., pitcher/third base).
Key Losses to Graduation: Dennis Petrone, Brian Rock, Shane Jurkowski, Aaron Janner, Angel Ortiz, Billy Fisher, Anthony Palovick.
Top Newcomers: Joe Talnagi (So., shortstop/pitcher), Anthony Fasano (So., left field), Josh Michalski (Sr., right field), Drew Warren (Sr., catcher), Ray Velez (Sr., second base), Michael McCarthy (Sr., right field), Anthony Aichele (Sr., second base).
Strengths: Solid returning infield, pitching ace Joe Burnett.
Weaknesses: Many question marks in the outfield, inexperienced hitters.
Goals: To improve upon last year’s obvious disappointment.
Outlook: The Mustangs have nowhere to go but up after last year’s winless campaign. Burnett, who pitched in the American Legion All-Star Game last summer, will keep the Mustangs in games if the defense makes the plays behind him. Manville lost some of its best run producers to graduation so new players must emerge with the bat.
Coach’s Comment: “Seeing that guys have been working extremely hard during the off-season and pre-season on their skills and conditioning, I look forward to a much more competitive year than last. I want to see who will step up and become a leader for our team.”
SOFTBALL
Head Coach: Carrie Smith.
Years/Record: First season as head coach. Guided MHS jayvee team to 7-10 record last spring.
Last Season: 0-19.
Key Returning Players: Kimberly Jones (Sr., pitcher), Dana Mortensen (Jr., first base), Amanda Furka (Sr., first base), Heather Armstrong (Sr., catcher).
Key Losses to Graduation: Rhianna Lebedz, Samantha Aichele.
Top Newcomers: Kate Pornovets (third base), Rebecca Giannotto (second base, third base, outfield), Angie Saladin (shortstop), Haydee Hernandez (left field), Lindsay Zaccardi (second base), Haley Andrews (pitcher).
Strengths: Good pitching, solid infield.
Weakness: Hitting. Team needs to hit more. Over an hour per day of practice is dedicated to hitting.
Goals: To win some games, at least seven, to set the stage for qualifying for the state playoffs as soon as next year.
Outlook: Smith is confident that she’ll turn this program around. Her experience is vast and includes working with pro athletes on the fundamentals of softball and baseball. She’s been a pitching instructor for many years and also played in college. Jones should keep the team in games as long as her control is good. The defense and hitting must do their part.
Coach’s Comment: “A team that works hard will be rewarded in the end. Manville looks hungry for some wins this season. New coach, new talent, new attitude.”
BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD
Head Coach: Pat Gorbatuk.
Years/Record: First varsity season.
Last Season: 2-5.
Key Returning Athletes: Scott Alpizar (Jr., hurdles, 4×400), Devin Burke (So., 200, 400, relay), Doug Bradley (Jr., 800, 1,600), Billy Demeter (Sr., long jump, triple jump), Keegan Forke (discus), Russell Grimm (800, 1,600), David Olmsted (Jr., javelin, high hurdles), Dan Pierrot (Sr., jumps), Eddie Yakobchuk (Jr., distance, high jump), Ernest Yakobchuk (So., middle distance), Matt Zangara (Sr., sprints, relay), Andrew Franko (Sr., discus, shot put), Charlie Burkoski (distance).
Key Losses to Graduation: Chris Kocur, Drew Evanylo, Jason Pfoutz, Glen Hall.
Top Newcomers: LJ Abner (sprints), Alex Agans (throws), Tyler Alpizar (sprints), Xavier Bolanos (sprints), Matt Bowden (distance), Karol Blicharz (shot put, discus), Dan Castro (sprints), Ian DeFalco (distance), Nick Galaini (distance), Peter Hando (400, relay), Mike Hopkins (javelin, jumps), Dan Kirkaldy (distance), Jake Piscadlo (throws), Clint Raver (distance), Josue Reyes (sprints), Brandon Togneri (distance), Brian Valverde (sprints), Matt Veglatte (hurdles), Dawid Dziwak (distance, throws).
Strengths: The 400 should do well with Matt Zangara, Peter Hando and Devin Burke. The distance events have some depth with brothers Eddie and Ernest Yakobchuk, Doug Bradley, Russell Grimm and Keegan Forke. Billy Demeter and Dan Pierrot give the team a great 1-2 punch in the long jump and triple jump. Also, the 4×400 team that qualified for the State Group 1 Championships figures to be faster this spring.
Weaknesses: Short sprints, hurdles, throwing events lack numbers and experience.
Goals: Making sure to improve every day and peak for the Central Jersey Group 1 sectional meet in late May.
Outlook: The Mustangs are not blessed with proven big point-scorers like in past years where guys like Mike Knitowski would score 20 points in a dual meet and get points in the bigger meets. However, this year’s squad has talented athletes who are capable of producing. Many of the younger boys have great potential and could develop and have nice careers. Numbers are up for this team, which translates into better depth and the possibility of more success.
Coach’s Comment: “Our preparation for this season is different than it has been in the past. We are putting a serious emphasis on physical conditioning. We have incorporated mandatory weight room, an increase in conditioning drills and more 1-on-1 coaching strategies to make up for our lack of experience. The kids are learning to work hard and they are in great physical shape. We are hoping to see a major improvement in the spring season but also hope to see it carry over into their other sports as well.”
GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD
Head Coach: Pat Gorbatuk.
Years/Record: First varsity season.
Last Season: 4-4.
Key Returning Athletes: Courtney Brisebois (Jr., sprints, 4×400 relay), Sabrina Brozyna (So., hurdles, jumps, 400), Tara Covert (So., sprints, relay), Amy Evanylo (Jr., 400, hurdles), Kate Harodetsky (Sr., distance), Alyssa Teodorczy (Jr., jumps), Sima Isachenko (So., throws), Anh Le (Jr., 400, relay), Christine Pohl (So., middle distance), Drina Hartman (Sr., throws), Amanda Velez (Sr., middle distance).
Key Losses to Graduation: Lucy Yakobchuk, Melissa Teresak, Casey Shields.
Top Newcomers: Rebecca Burke (throws, middle distance), Nicole Cruz (throws), Megan Giannotto (throws), Brooke Lathi (hurdles), Natalie Lewicki (sprints), Jennifer Wanjohi (distance).
Strengths: The 400 intermediate and 100 high hurdles teams of Amy Evanylo, Sabrina Brozyna and freshman Brooke Lathi should be very good with all three girls expected to battle for the fastest time. The sprints show promise with Courtney Brisebois, Tara Covert and Anh Le leading the way. Brisebois qualified for the State Group 1 Championships in the 100 as a freshman and just missed last year. Kate Harodetsky and Christine Pohl are poised for big years in the distance events.
Weakness: Numbers. There are only 17 girls out for the team, which will make it difficult to fill the lanes in running events. The girls also lack experience in the throwing events.
Goals: Focusing on getting better every day with a major emphasis on the individual aspect to peak for the sectional meet in late May. MHS has qualified many individual female athletes to the State Group 1 Championships in recent years.
Outlook: Low numbers will make it tough for the MHS girls to win dual meets, especially without a multi-event star like Lucy Yakobchuk around to score 20 points. Several athletes must chip in to make up for the graduated standouts, all of whom qualified for a state championship meet at some point in their athletic careers. The talented hurdlers and 400 runners will make the team most competitive in those events. The 4×400 relay team could be a factor in the sectionals.
Coach’s Comment: “Although I do not like the phrase ‘rebuilding year,’ it’s safe to say we might be in that phase. We only have 17 girls out for the team and it will be difficult to replace the loss of our top girls from last year’s team. Like the boys, the girls are taking the same approach while preparing for the season. The girls have embraced the weight room and the challenging conditioning skills and they’ve been extremely coachable. It is very early in the season, but the girls are in great physical shape.”

