The winningest softball coach in New Jersey history signaled the end of his storied career while local track and field stars achieved championships this past week when the spring scholastic season closed its chapter on 2016.
Middletown South head coach Tom Erbig, the winningest high school softball coach in state history, announced his retirement following his team’s 6-2 defeat to Steinert in the NJSIAA Group III state final at Kean University in Union.
In 26 seasons, Erbig chalked up a record of 743-231-1, while he won five state group titles, the most group championships ever achieved by a public school coach. His Eagles ended this spring at 28-5.
Maddie McMahan blasted a three-run home run and Sarah Corey hit a two-run blast to send Middletwn South to the group final with a 5-3 victory over West Essex earlier in the week during the semifinal at Caldwell University.
Area track and field athletes wrapped up the season with championship performances at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on June 8 at Central Regional High in Bayville.
Matawan’s Thomas Kalieta completed the 200-400-meter dash double to become the first sprinter from his school to win a M of C title. And he broke school records in both races.
Kalieta won the 400 meters in a personal 47.53 and came back to win the 200 in 21.55 less than an hour later.
The junior also helped Matawan medal in the 4×400 in eighth place (3:21.76). Thomas Williams, Aliem Shaw and Bryce Lyew were the other members of the Matawan relay team.
Drake Anzano of Christian Brothers Academy unleashed a furious last-lap kick to defend his Meet of Champions 1,600-meter title. The Colt ran a personal best 4:08.96 in holding onto his crown. His time was one of the fastest in meet history.
Coming in second behind Anzano was Ocean Township’s Eliot Gindi, who lowered the Spartan school record to 4:10.93.
South Brunswick’s Courtney Campbell added the outdoor Met of Champions high jump championship to her indoor state effort. The Viking won the competition at 5-6.
Also winning at the spring Meet of Champions after a winter state title was Old Bridge’s Rey Rivera.
Rivera captured the 800-meter run in 1:50.66.
New Egypt pitcher Faith Weber struck out 13 and allowed just three hits in leading the Warriors to the NJSIAA Group I state championship.
The Warriors upset Butler, 2-1, in the final played at Kean University in Union.
New Egypt scored both of its runs in the third inning on three walks, a hit batter and an error. It was a walk to Weber with the bases loaded that forced in the game-winning run.
The state championship was New Egypt’s fifth. All five titles have come since 2006.
New Egypt finished the season with a 19-7 record while Butler went 28-3.
Middletown North High School won its second straight Shore Conference Tournament softball championship beating rival Middletown South in the final, 5-2, played at Wall Township High School.
Riley Kernan allowed just one earned run, fanned six and allowed just three hits in her complete game victory. Gaby Cerbo was 2-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
The Lions ended the season with a 27-4 record.