acbb985a6fda697fe6eb8335e5388ee0.jpg

ROBBINSVILLE: Oh, the place they’ll go!

College-bound RHS athletes receive BOE recognition

By Charley Falkenburg, Special Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE – Academics aren’t the only thing the Robbinsville School District can boast. The high school also has a slew of stellar athletes destined for the big leagues.
   Curtis Wyers, the athletic director at the high school, praised eight of his finest athletes at the Dec. 19 Board of Education meeting. These eight field hockey, football and soccer players already have their pick of universities vying for them.
   ”This group is another unique group, which set the bar for the athletic program,” said Mr. Wyers. “This class in particular has a lot of athletes that helped put Robbinsville on the map.”
   Senior Meg Roelloffs made First Team Central Jersey for field hockey and will be playing next year at Montclair State University. Teammate Tori Sankey, 18, who also made First Team Central Jersey, is an A-student who is currently is deciding between Dickinson College, Gettysburg College and Villanova University.
   Mr. Wyers recalled soccer player Dave Pastuna running on his fields four years ago. In the soccer world, Mr. Pastuna is a standout goalie who can kick equally well with both his left and right foot. Mr. Wyers said the senior has become the best soccer goalkeeper in Mercer County. Mr. Pastuna has the option of attending Rider University, Montclair State University or East Stroudsburg University, he said.
   ”There’s going to be a big hole when he (Mr. Pastuna) leaves because he really kept us in a lot of games this year,” Mr. Wyers said. “He did a great job keeping the team gelled during difficult times.”
   Senior Christine Levering, who will play soccer for The College of New Jersey next fall, received special recognition from Mr. Wyers, who called her one of Robbinsville’s best female athletes to date. Ms. Levering, who has been a star soccer, basketball and softball player during her four years at RHS, is at least partially responsible for all the banners for female sports now hanging in the gym, he said.
   As Ms. Levering rose from her seat in the audience, Mr. Wyers introduced her to the school board.
   ”Standing in front of you is probably one of the most prolific athletes that have come through Robbinsville High School since the athletic program took off,” Mr. Wyers said.
   As for the football team, Mr. Wyers said he has been dealing with college scouts trying to get dibs on both juniors and seniors. Mr. Wyers said junior Chad Scott, 16, has his pick of any college he wants to attend and junior Tyler Gildner, 16, is already being recruited by big-time universities in Nebraska and Missouri.
   Mr. Gildner, who was also named to the First Team in the Liberty Division of the Burlington County Scholastic League, is already being sought by universities that want him to play for their Division I programs.
   Senior Dante Focarelli, 17, also a First Team Liberty Division honoree, has the opportunity to play at the College of New Jersey, Kean University, Montclair University, Widener University and Delaware Valley College. Teammate Kyle Alston is choosing between a list of top-notch schools including Villanova University, the University of New Hampshire and Monmouth University.
   Mr. Wyers said Mr. Alston isn’t just an overall nice kid and student, but also one of the best RHS athletes since the birth of the school’s athletics program.
   Mr. Alston was named offense utility back on the First Team Liberty Division, played hurt through half the season, played quarterback, ran the ball and played back or safety on defense.
   ”He’s the kid you can see by the end … that he’s out of breath because he’s had enough, but he continues to fight and be a good leader for the football program,” Mr. Wyers said. “Mr. Alston is one the best male athletes, and an overall good kid that’s a good role model for the younger athletes.”
   Board President Mike Reca and Superintendent Steve Mayer thanked Mr. Wyers for his dedication and leadership and expressed pride in the RHS athletes’ accomplishments.
   ”You guys know how I feel about the way you represent us and I’m thrilled you do that so well,” Dr. Mayer said. “You don’t just get there by accident, you work really hard.”
   But the athletes weren’t the only hard workers honored by the school board at its Dec. 18 meeting.
   Senior Lara Cauwels received kudos for the anti-bullying public service announcement that she created, which won her first place out of 450 entries in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s art contest. Ms. Cauwel’s public service announcement is going to be shown at all the high schools in the county. Senior Kellie Hodson was also recognized for her poster submission.
   ”They (county prosecutors) were very impressed with us as a school … and could tell it was something we take seriously, that we talk a lot about and have a passion for,” said Anna Maria Hernandez, the district’s anti-bullying specialist.