SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Two Viking firsts for gymnast Liptak

   South Brunswick High School senior Marisa Liptak recently signed a Letter of Intent for a full scholarship with the Northern Illinois University gymnastics team.
   Liptak, who was limited by injuries last fall, still showed enough her first three years to be recruited by the Division I school. NIU went 5-3 last year, finished second in the Illinois State Championships and third in the MAC Championship.
   Before embarking on her college career, however, Liptak is one of 10 gymnasts asked by NJSIAA and NJGGCA to represent New Jersey in the National High School Gymnastics competition, Memorial Day weekend in Virginia Beach.
   From the high school state meet, the association chooses seniors to represent the state at the high school national competition.
   ”Marisa is thrilled, as are the coaches,” said SBHS coach and new mom Mindy Verderami. “She is now the first gymnast from South Brunswick to go to college on a scholarship for gymnastics, and she is the first South Brunswick gymnast to compete at the high school national level for gymnastics.”