Sky Blue FC announced its team awards, with Christie Rampone earning both the Defender of the Year and Most Valuable Player award as voted by coaches, players, staff and media.
Rampone, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Sky Blue FC captain, earned both awards last season as well.
Despite battling an injury early in the season, the former Monmouth University great played 19 games — starting 18 — for a total of 1,665 minutes. She only missed three games this season while on USWNT duty.
Rampone also scored the first professional club goal of her career and added two assists this year for Sky Blue FC. As a defender, she anchored the Sky Blue FC back line, and her leadership was pivotal for the squad.
“Christie continues to amaze us all with her play,” Sky Blue FC head coach and technical director Jim Gabarra said in a club press release. “Her contributions on and off the field guided us through a difficult start. And like the team, she was performing at her best in the last month of the season. Her leadership and value is emphasized by being honored with the team Defender of the Year and MVP awards.”
Hanna Motorsports’ XLERATOR Top Secret Jet Funny Car will be participating in the 38th annual TBG U.S. Diesel Truckin’ Nationals and Motorsports Spectacular at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park on Sept. 13. Hanna Motorsports’ driver Ken Hall will be operating the XLERATOR Top Secret Jet Funny Car. Hall is 43 years old and a veteran of drag racing.
The XLERATOR Top Secret Jet Funny Car is known as the most technologically advanced Jet Funny Car in the world, powered by a 4,000 HP General Electric J-85-5 jet engine, with a top speed of 284 miles per hour.
The 38th annual TBG U.S. Diesel Truckin’ Nationals and Motorsports Spectacular is presented by Elizabeth Truck Center and will open at 9 a.m. Rain date is Sept. 14.
A pair of former Howell High School harriers, Jamie Hand and Francesca Dee, helped the Georgian Court University women’s cross-country team start off its season with a win on Aug. 30. Georgian Court finished first among the non-division schools at Monmouth University’s Kickoff meet at Lincroft’s Thompson Park with a team score of 22 points.
Hand, a senior, was Georgian Court’s No. 2 runner, finishing 37th overall and completing the 4K course in 16:29.9. Dee, a freshman, was the team’s No. 3. She was 43rd (16:45.4).