Christie Rampone was named Sky Blue FC’s Defender of the Year and Most Valuable Player by a vote of the coaches, players, staff and media.
Rampone, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Sky Blue FC captain, has been the anchor for Sky Blue FC’s back line this season. Her leadership has been pivotal for the squad.
“She’s been our most important player by not only providing leadership, but also direction and experience in the back line,” Sky Blue FC head coach Jim Gabarra said. “She’s had to play with three to five rookies in the back, and having that back line for a period be one of the best defenses in the league is a real credit to her leadership.”
Sky Blue FC set a franchise record 435- minute shutout streak this season and had nine clean sheets.
Rampone has played a total of 1,800 minutes, only missing two games while on USWNT duty. Rampone starred at Monmouth University prior to her USWNT play.
Forward Monica Ocampo claimed the Golden Boot after leading the squad with eight goals at the conclusion of the regular season — two being game winners. She also had two assists.
Sky Blue FC has qualified for the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.
Everett “Ebby” Novak, an owner and breeder for more than 25 years, was named the 2013 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award.
The Raines Award, instituted at Monmouth Park in 1996, honors men and women who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to the sport of thoroughbred racing as an owner or trainer, and whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to the sport.
Novak, who purchased New Farm in Marlton in 1988, was the 18th recipient of the Raines Award. To date, top runners carrying the New Farm’s purple and black colors have included Conveyor, Appealing Skier, Sacred Honour, Meadow Monster, Phone The Doctor, Forest Heiress, Wild Snitch and Wildcat Heir, who sired Rainbow Heir, winner of this year’s Grade 3 Jersey Shore Stakes.
The award is named for the late Virgil “Buddy” Raines, one of racing’s most venerable figures who was a regular at Monmouth Park before his retirement. Raines trained horses for 65 years and won the Preakness Stakes in 1962 with Greek Money.
Each recipient of the Raines Award receives a special trophy emblematic of the honor. All winners of the award have their names placed on a special plaque that is displayed in the Monmouth Park Clubhouse.
Joseph Schmid (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West), Monmouth University’s senior midfielder, has been named to the Missouri Athletic Club’s (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
The Hermann Trophy is given yearly to the best men’s soccer player in the country.
Schmid joins Ryan Clark (2012), R.J. Allen (2011), Max Hamilton (2011), Anthony Vazquez (2011), Ryan Kinne (2009, 2010), Bryan Meredith (2010), Chase Barbieri (2009) and Tom Gray (2007) as recent Monmouth selections to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
“It’s definitely an honor for sure,” said Schmid. “I’m grateful to be on that list with all the great players in the country. But I’m most concerned with us winning games.”
A two-year team captain, Schmid earned NSCAA All-Region First Team and All-Northeast Conference First Team honors as a junior in 2012.
“First and foremost, I’m just happy to see Schmiddy get recognized,” said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. “People in college soccer get caught up in the athleticism and the pace and the size. For me, he’s one of the most technically gifted midfielders in the country. We certainly think that he’s our leader; he’s our most talented guy. He’s a fantastic kid to be around every day. So I’m really happy that he’s able to get some exposure, and I think he’s got a real shot at making a run at this award.”
The Hawks open the 2013 season at nationally ranked No. 4 University of North Carolina on Aug. 30.
Bill Britton, PGA Director of Instruction at Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, captured the 2013 Charity Clambake, his second Clambake crown, by shooting a 2-under par 142. The clambake was held at the Rockaway River Country Club in Denville.
Britton carded rounds of 67-75 to win by one stroke. Rumson Country Club’s Brian Gaffney was fourth with a 73-71-144.
Britton, who lives in Rumson, played on the PGA Tour for 15 years, winning once and finishing with top 10 status 23 times, including a fourth place at the PGA Championship and a seventh place at the Masters.
This New Jersey PGA Charity Clambake has raised more than $1 million for charitable organizations since its inception.