BY MATTHEW SOCKOL
Correspondent
SAYREVILLE – The state championship that was achieved by the Sayreville War Memorial High School’s boys’ bowling team has been applauded throughout the borough.
On Feb. 19, Sayreville won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Tournament of Champions boys’ bowling state title when it defeated Brick Memorial, 3-2 ,in a five game series at Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick.
During the Sayreville Borough Council’s Feb. 22 meeting, Councilman Art Rittenhouse drew attention to the team’s accomplishment.
“This past weekend, the Sayreville War Memorial boys’ bowling team won the Tournament of Champions, which means they’re overall state champions,” Rittenhouse said. “One of the young men, his father passed away on Christmas Day and the father had always gone to all of the matches. They dedicated (their win) to him.”
Rittenhouse was referring to senior Mike Campo, whose father Vincent died in December after a bout with cancer.
Mike Campo was among the players present on March 1 during the Sayreville Board of Education’s meeting, where the board recognized the bowling team’s championship feat.
“There are champions in our midst right now and we can’t thank them enough,” Superintendent Richard Labbe said before introducing the team.
Each player received a certificate from the board. Coaches Mike Weinert and Joseph Slavik were also recognized for their role in the championship effort.
“We congratulate you and we can’t thank you enough for all that you do for our student athletes,” Labbe said to Slavik. Weinert was not present at the meeting.
After the players received their certificates, the team captain, Mark Kozinski, who bowled the strike that ended the series, spoke on the behalf of his teammates.
“We want to thank the board for all the support that we get,” he said. “We want to let them know how much we appreciate being supported at a higher level than any bowling program in the state. We’d like to let you know that we practice the most in the state and we operate on a different level around here.”
Also recognized was high school senior Mary Kate Kersting, who finished 14th in the NJSIAA Individual Girls Bowling final on Feb. 17.
“We are also extremely proud of her,” Labbe said.