Student-Athletes Juggle It All
Page 24
MARLTONSPORTS
Celebrating Our Community Sports
SPORT OF SEASON
vs. Season of Sports Page 10
Winter 2015
Controversy Over
LOW-HITTING PRACTICES
Page 6
FALL SPORTS
RECAPS
THE ONE THING Every Single Champion Has In Common Page 23
ON THE COVER
Collin Wickramaratna Page 13
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Contents
Features 6 Low-Hitting
Departments 4 Middle School MVPs
10 Sport of Season vs.
Coaches’ Picks - Soccer
8 13
28
32 34
Athletes in the Spotlight On the Cover
Collin Wickramaratna
Where Are They Now?
Barry Fitzgerald
Photo Wall A Message from the Mayor
Happy New Year, Evesham Residents
Practices a Hit
16
Season of Sports
17 Marlton Scores on
a Second Turf Field
20 Letters of Intent 21 Sports Unity Profiles 23 The One Thing Every
Single Champion Has In Common
24 Student-Athletes Juggle it All
26 Chiefs Holiday Classic 35 Wrestling 101
30
15 Fall Sports Recaps 12 Cross Country 14 Boys Soccer 15 Gymnastics 16 Girls Soccer 30 Football 31 Volleyball 36 Tennis
12
A
s we here at Marlton Sports Magazine are concluding our second full year since launch, we would like to thank everyone for helping make this a successful publication. Starting this magazine has given us the opportunity to dig deeper into all the sports this town has to offer - from football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse to baseball - that we all know so well. We were able to cover these sports in depth and celebrate the athletes as well as the coaches involved in these sports. Our goal was, and is, to cover every sport. Volleyball, wrestling, bowling, hockey, tennis, field hockey, swimming, cross country, track and field and golf we felt weren’t covered enough in publications. We wanted to bring more light into those areas. Marlton is a sports town. We are passionate about it. All these athletes should be celebrated for the hard work and dedication they give. The marching band that works so hard. This magazine is about them, too. The athletes. There’s so much good that comes from sports. So many life lessons. Good and bad situations are great learning tools. Sports brings the best and worst out of people. I’m sure we’ve all flirted with both sides of that coin. I still believe if we put the kids first then things will go the way they should. We have put a lot of probability statistics in our issues about kids going pro. Our purpose was not to discourage kids from dreaming and believing that they could achieve these goals. It was to just inform them of what the reality is. There’s so much pressure and stress in sports, and we hoped those statistics would put things in proper perspective for everyone to breathe and take a step back, especially us adults. This season we have a new varsity basketball coach at Cherokee. My son is on the freshman team, and at our first basketball meeting he said a few things that really impressed me. It wasn’t about X’s and O’s or lofty goals. He said they are student athletes with student coming first for a reason, and without the good grades they cannot play, no matter how talented they are. He said he is about developing good young men so they can go out one day when they graduate and go to college to obtain a great career, like we’ve shown before. The chances of playing pro, or even D1, are slim. That’s not to say no one should strive toward it, but this is the reality. I just feel if we keep it in perspective and make it about the kids’ experience it would make for a beneficial, productive experience. Sports can become toxic, normally from the adult side with parents and coaches. As I walked through Cherokee one night watching all three level boys teams play and impressively beat their opponents, I saw all the smiles on their faces as they played the GAME together. That’s what it’s all about. It’s their experience. These days will fly by. At the high school level you have to earn playing time and that’s the way it should be. Everything should be developmental in the years before this to get them ready to possibly play at high school. What I love is when the kid who may not play as much gets in a game and how the kids that play more root them on and explode cheering if they score. One young man got some minutes that night who normally doesn’t and scored what I think was his first basket of the season. I looked at his father, and I asked, “How do you like that?” He said, “He will be a happy kid tonight, and we will be happy parents.” That’s what it’s all about - the players’ experience. MSM Will Stith, Co-Owner
Correction: The team at Marlton Sports Magazine would like to apologize to Alexandra Fasano for mispelling her name in the Fall 2015 issue. Her name was spelled incorrectly in the “Kicking It with a Local Legend” article written about Carli Lloyd.
36
MARLTONSPORTS Celebrating Our Community Sports
Winter 2015 Co-Owners
Will Stith
Stephanie Biddle
Publisher Stephanie Biddle Editor Dubravka Cortese Content/Photography Will Stith Graphic Design Corporate Imagination Contributing Writers C.J. Appenzeller Ed Benkin Marc Narducci Account Executives Dave Brodack Nicole Weiner
MSM © 2016 Marlton Sports Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Printed in U.S.A. Published three times a year by Creative Publishing, LLC. Marlton Sports Magazine and Creative Publishing neither endorse nor take responsibility for products or services advertised herein. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. Creative Publishing makes no warranty, representation or guarantee as to the accuracy or timeliness of its content. The publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertising at any time. To submit a news item or offer a feature story idea to Marlton Sports Magazine, email marltonsports@gmail.com. To advertise in Marlton Sports Magazine or to receive a media kit, email marltonsports@gmail.com.
3
Middle School MVPs Coaches’ Picks - Soccer
Julia Hoagland
The Marlton Middle School girls soccer team selected Julia Hoagland as this year’s MVP. A member of the team since her sixth grade year, Julia demonstrates exactly what it means to be a leader and an eighth grade role model for the entire team. As starting center midfielder, Julia’s ability to control the ball and make important plays was the glue that held the team together and helped lead the Mustangs to a winning season!
Emma and Olivia McMillan
Our choice for MVP for the 2015 soccer season is in fact a set. Olivia and Emma McMillan are twin sisters that led DeMasi’s soccer team to a very strong season. But what truly made them MVPs was their ability to step up as “big sisters” to all those on our team. They were teachers, helpers, coaches and friends to every girl on the team. Leading exercises or making plays on the field, their example was always strong and decisive. They helped to create a positive environment in which young girls could thrive. 4
Nick Burg Nick Burg had an outstanding soccer season. He became a true leader as the last line of defense for the Marlton Middle School Mustangs. The Mustangs started off slow but finished with a respectable 6-4-2 record. Nick helped anchor the defense. Nick is a seventh grader and looks forward to next year.
Max Wieliczko
Max was one of the captains on the DeMasi Middle School boys soccer team. He had great leadership on and off the field. He gave 110 percent in every game and was willing to do anything for his team to be successful, such as change positions, whether that meant taking more of an offensive or defensive role on the field. He led the team in goals for the season.
Marlton Sports Magazine
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Low-Hitting Practices a Hit By Marc Narducci
I
t’s a question being asked on all levels of football. Will hitting less in practice hurt teams when the actual games take place? In many football organizations, including the NFL, teams are having much less physical contact in practice. With more information available on injuries, especially concussions, leagues have concluded that less hitting is better for the teams and the sport. But does it make those playing less skilled because live hitting and tackling isn’t being done as much during practices? The answer on several levels seems to be that less is better when it comes to hitting. Football is a rough game, and there will always be hard hits, but the old days of pounding each other on a daily basis have now gone the way of the leather helmet. Those who have close ties to the sport insist that less hitting doesn’t equate to shoddy tackling during the games. “We found our younger teams are tackling very well, because we are teaching them technique, and we do a lot of technique tackling drills,” said Rick Brown, commissioner of the Marlton Chiefs and a coach in the organization, which features teams from 65 pounds up to an unlimited weight for the older middle school aged players. Brown has been involved in football on many levels. He was a standout kicker at Cherokee High School and Colgate University, served as a college assistant coach at the University of
Delaware and is a former head coach at Camden Catholic High School. He has implemented strict rules for all the Marlton Chiefs teams. “We give 30 minutes a week to tackling, and not just straight up let them line up 10 yards from each other and hit,” Brown said. “The rules we have in Marlton midget football is you can be no more than five yards apart in tackling drills.” Now in his second year as commissioner, Brown says that the strong emphasis on proper technique has been beneficial, so even though teams are tackling less in practice, he says they are being taught the proper way. “We found our younger teams are tackling well, because we are teaching them well, telling them where the head and feet should be,” he said. Cherokee’s P.J. Mehigan is considered among the top coaches in South Jersey, and like the midget program, he limits tackling to a minimum. “We never go live full contact,” said Mehigan, whose Chiefs went 8-3 this past season and won a share of the West Jersey Football League American Division. “The rule is 90 minutes of contact or less a week, and we are not even close to that.” Mehigan, whose career record is 122-34, was also a standout player at Cherokee, and those were the days when hitting was done much more frequently. “There was quite a bit of more live contact, but with injuries and concussions, now you know there
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is no such thing as seeing stars,” Mehigan said. “If you are seeing stars, you have a concussion.” So Mehigan has bought into the theory that less, when it applies to hitting during the week, is much better. “I was originally worried that it would impact us on Friday nights, but I don’t see it has,” he said. “In fact, the less hitting we have done, it kind of makes us fresh for Friday nights.” None other than members of the Philadelphia Eagles wholeheartedly agree with this approach. The NFL collective bargaining agreement stipulates that teams can only have one full-contact padded practice a day in training camp and another walkthrough, instead of the former two-a-day practices with pads. Teams are also allowed 14 full-contact padded practices during the regular season, with 11 having to take place during the first 11 weeks. “It is a long season, and this game is about being healthy,” said Eagles tight end Brent Celek. Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham goes one step further. “I love it, because I feel we are professional players, and we know how to hit,” Graham said. Graham says that less hitting in practice has long range benefits for the players’ careers. “I think it adds a couple of years to your career,” he said. “When I first got here, coach (Andy) Reid ran a tough camp, and I think it wore me out by the end of the season.” Brown says that one of the main things about hitting less was convincing not the players, but the elders, that it was the best route to go. “The biggest issue is midget coaches and fathers feel it makes the kids tough by tackling all the time,” Brown said. “We are trying to educate coaches and parents that it has nothing to do with making the kid tough.” Brown says he wants football to be fun and also to make it as safe as possible for the participants. His organization has partnered with Virtua to offer baseline testing to all players 10 years and older. “The only shocking thing is that only about 25 percent of families have taken advantage of it,” he said. Brown, Mehigan and other coaches will continue to try to educate their players and families on the best safety measures in football. Injuries will always occur, but breaking old stereotypes and habits and relying much less on daily contact appears to be the best way for football to continue to prosper. MSM Marlton Sports Magazine
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Winter 2015
7
Athletes in the Spotlight JACK WALSH
SOPHIA DeLUCA
JESS McADAMS
Lacrosse
Track and Field
Cross Country
Jack Walsh started playing lacrosse in eighth grade for the Marlton Chiefs in 2013. He is now a junior at Camden Catholic High School. Jack was selected to the New Jersey Team after tryouts in South Jersey, which selected the top 25 players, and then played in the Pride New Jersey games at Monmouth University, which had 50 players from all of New Jersey. From there he was selected as one of 25 kids to represent New Jersey at the Brine All-American Lacrosse National Classic Tournament in Richmond, Va. from June 29-July 2. There were 16 teams and 400 players in the high school 2016-17 division. Jack was selected to the All Star team at the tournament, which had 50 players from the 400 play in an All Star game during the tournament.
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If you’d like to send in an athlete spotlight, please email us at marltonsports@gmail.com.
Jess McAdams etched her name into the record books at Cherokee this past fall. In only her second year as a cross country runner, she proved that she was one of the top runners in South Jersey. Her time of 19:16 at the SJ Group IV Sectional meet is No. 5 all time in Cherokee history. Jess was voted SJ All-Team Olympic Conference for two consecutive years. Jess loves the cross country team atmosphere. She says that the coaches, Jaris, Petruzzi and Orr, are amazing and come up with innovative ideas for each individual runner to improve themselves. Jess says that cross country is a hard mental sport, which helps you in life. Jess plans on running cross country in college.
Marlton Middle School sixth-grader Sophia DeLuca earned two medals, including one gold, in her first appearance at the Junior Olympic Games held this past August in Norfolk, Va. The 11-year-old track athlete finished 17th in the 800 meters race and 5th in the 1500 meters, an event in which she has only had one year experience. Sophia ran the third leg in the 4x800 relay, helping her team to a gold medal in the event. She gave the baton to the anchor leg with a 20 meter lead with a split of 2:30. The team missed the national record by just 2 seconds.
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Marlton Sports Magazine
vs.
Season of Sports By Dubravka Cortese
M
ulti-tasking is nothing new to today’s youth. In fact, it’s more the norm than the exception. Today’s fast-paced, technology driven world is teaching kids from an early age to focus their attention in multiple directions at once. That trend carries over into youth sports now that young athletes have the option of playing multiple sports a season. No longer is baseball a true spring sport or soccer an option only for fall. Many sports are now able to be played year round in an organized setting. There is even a growing school of thought that children should play a sport year-round if they really want to excel or be able to play at a higher level. That means more kids are playing the sport of season plus at least one additional sport at the same time. It’s hard to argue that today’s children can’t juggle two things at once – just watch them text and talk at the same time. But when it comes to juggling more than one sport a season, the repercussions can trickle up from the athlete to the team to the coach. The young athlete playing a sport year-round, no matter how much they are obsessed with it, faces the increased possibility of burnout. Even a gifted athlete can lose interest in a sport from which there is no break to recharge, refocus and refresh – both mentally and physically. Medical professionals warn against the risk of physical injury to a young athlete who continually puts stress on the same part of their body. Such injuries can not only affect a child’s mindset, but in worst case scenarios, can permanently end their involvement in the sport. Splitting their time between two sports can sometimes wreak havoc with the teams. Coaches increasingly have to deal with multi-sport-season athletes who cannot commit themselves fully to both sports. Scheduling conflicts can leave some teams short players, even to the point of having to default because not enough players show up for games. This can hurt not only the team’s record, but the team’s dynamic. It’s difficult for the players on a team to gel when not all the members are giving the team 100 percent of their focus. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for a star player who splits his time between two sports to nonetheless garner more playing time than the less talented one-sport-aseason athlete who faithfully attends every game and practice. This can lead to additional discord among team members. 10
Marlton Sports Magazine
And how does an athlete choose which sport is their priority? Many travel teams play year round, often trumping the sport of season. Coaches’ perspectives on how teams rank in priority can be conflicting. Multilevels of play – recreational, travel, AAU, school – add to the debate. Marlton coach and sports parent Jim Deiter played three sports growing up, but at a time when one sport a season was the norm. “I am not a huge fan of kids playing two different sports in the same season,” Deiter said. “I believe that there should be a certain amount of down time for any sport. Different sports tend to work different muscle groups, and those muscle groups need time to recover. We are seeing way too many injuries happen at a young age.” As a parent, Deiter is dealing with a different trend, one where children play just one sport a season, but on multiple teams. “It is sometimes difficult to deal with conflicting schedules and make everyone happy,” he said. “I believe there has to be open lines of communication with the two teams to make it happen.” But with the multi-sport-season athlete becoming more common, what is a coach to do? Many are learning to simply accept the new normal and be grateful for what time their young athletes can give the team. Deiter believes the sport of season should take precedence, and says communication is the key to making it work. “As a coach, you are trying to build a team, and you would like everyone to attend every event if possible. It is always nice as a coach for parents to be honest and let you know any children that are playing on multiple teams. This can hopefully help set expectations and limit stress when conflicts arise.” Carol Sawn’s three boys have played multiple sports on multiple teams in Marlton – travel, rec and school teams – sometimes up to three sports in one season. Although her boys enjoy their busy sports schedules, it can be difficult to balance. “They enjoy the variety, but it does create some challenges to manage all of that,” Sawn said. “As long as coaches are clear on their expectations, and we follow the ‘sport of season rules’ that the Marlton Rec program has put together, we are usually fine.” There are positive lessons to be learned from playing multiple sports in the same season. To do it successfully, young athletes must learn to prioritize and organize. These are life skills that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, having such a demanding schedule requires proper nutrition and rest for optimum performance.
Winter 2015
Switching back and forth between two sports may also help an athlete realize if a particular sport has lost its appeal. In order to make the hectic juggling worthwhile, both should be just as enjoyable. And being part of multiple teams widens a young athlete’s social circle, providing them more opportunity to learn how to relate to multiple personality types. The long-term effects on youth who play more than one sport a season, whether positive or negative, have yet to be realized, as
this is a relatively new trend. But it is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Debate over the pros and cons is likely to continue. Regardless, the decision to play multiple sports a season should be made while taking into consideration the effect it will have on both the athlete and the team. In order for it work, there must be adequate communication between the athlete, parents and coaches. And as with any sport, it should be enjoyable, not stressful. MSM
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CROSS COUNTRY
MRC Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams make serious noise at the AAU Cross Country National Championship!
M
RC Cross Country competed in the highly competitive AAU Cross Country National Championship in Oakville Indian Mounds in Danville, Ala. the weekend of Dec. 5, 2015. The boys team broke into the top 10 in the nation with a ninth place finish. The girls team (which trains with the boys) matched it with a ninth place finish. This is the second consecutive season with the boys and girls teams placing in the top 10 in the nation. In addition to congratulating these great team performances, please congratulate the individual performance of Kate Rathman. Kate ended her season ranked No. 1 in all of New Jersey and individually placed No. 2 at Nationals for all 14-year-old girls in the nation. Not too bad for a South Jersey MRC youth! Kate will be attending Cherokee in the fall. Thank you coaches Bill Shea, Geoff Rathman, Mike Lyons and Frank Wechsler. MSM
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Marlton Sports Magazine
On the cover Collin Wickramaratna burst onto the high school wrestling scene last year as a freshman compiling a 33-6 record with 17 pins. He was a District 27 and Region 7 runner-up at 106 pounds on his way to qualifying for the state tournament in Atlantic City. This year he is up a weight class at 113 pounds and looks to better his accomplishments from last year. As a coach, I like the consistency that Collin brings to each match and also the fact that he’s a pinner. Obviously the bonus points are great, but also the 33 wins show his ability to perform at a high level each time he steps on the mat. Collin puts in a lot of time in the offseason, both with his team and traveling to find the best competition to improve. Collin is a great wrestler, but more importantly he represents the program in the right way off the mat, too. He does well in the classroom and is a great ambassador for the sport. I am excited to watch him compete this year, and he will be an integral part of the team's success. Michael Booth, Head Wrestling Coach
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BOYS SOCCER
Cherokee Boys Soccer Recap By Glenn Thomsen Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
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he Cherokee boys soccer team finished another great season with a record of 18-41. They started their season in second place in Group 4 South Jersey and continued to strive day in and day out. Throughout the season they accumulated 51 goals, with the top goal scorer, senior Cristian Ognibene, having 18 of them, and leading in assists was junior Jake Treiber with 10. The Cherokee defense led by seniors Mario LaMort, Zach Rowe and goal keeper Eamon McCarren had 13 shut outs, and the four games lost were only by a one goal deficit. “I’m very proud of them,” head soccer coach Glenn Thomsen said. “They kept their focus from the beginning to the end, which isn’t easy to do, for three months. I wish we didn’t go out as early as we did, however, this season showed a lot of parody in many teams. It was anyone’s game to win, at any time. We kept that bar raised and went for it.” The team was very versatile. They had many offensive players that could switch to other positions or other sides of the field. They were smart enough to change their mindset from striker to outside mid and maintain their responsibility, in that new position. And there’s nothing better than having your fresh legs come out and score or elevate the momentum of the game. They had depth and surprised many teams with the all of their personnel. Cherokee boys soccer graduates nine seniors this year, and they will be truly missed. “It was an honor to coach the nine men that are graduating in June," Thomsen said. "They all represented what a true Cherokee Chief portrays, and that is pride. I’ll miss them and will always remember how they never quit. I wish them the best, because they truly deserve it.” Seniors graduating in June are: Brandon Arencibia, Maciej Borowick, Eric Small, Luke Gibson, Mario LaMorte, Justin McCarthy, Rei Nozawa, Cristian Ognibene and Zach Rowe. Cherokee’s top goal scorers were Cristian Ognibene(18), Jake Trieber(9), Rei Nozawa(7) and Justin McCarthy(6). Starting defenders were Mario LaMorte, Zach Rowe, Thomas Gillin and Trent Stroup with goal keeper Eamon McCarren. MSM
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Marlton Sports Magazine
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GIRLS SOCCER Cherokee Girls Soccer Recap By Andrew Clapperton Varsity Girls Soccer Coach
T
he Cherokee girls varsity soccer team completed their fall 2015 season with a 13-8-2 record. The team was seeded No. 5 in the South Jersey coaches tournament and reached the final four before losing to eventual champion Eastern. They also reached the quarterfinals in the Group 4 playoffs after being seeded 10th. The team finished ranked No. 4 in South Jersey and No. 15 in the statewide poll. The girls ended up playing over 40 percent of their contests this season versus teams ranked in the top five in South Jersey soccer! The team was led by senior captains Leah Reistle, Shaye McGoey and Emma McLaughlin. Statistically, Shaye led the team with 19 goals, and sophomore Tori Hampton led the team with seven assists. Shaye graduates No. 5 all time at Cherokee in goals scored with 36. Junior Zarre Baldwin returned from a knee injury midway through her sophomore season to handle the majority of the goaltending duties after freshman Ava Therein began the season in goal before being injured. The team outscored their opponents 65-35 and recorded six shutouts. Highlights of the season include a 1-0 OT defeat of Eastern, their only loss in the regular season, and a first round 3-2 playoff win over Howell, with junior defender Izzy Therein scoring two goals, the second of which was scored with .06 seconds left in regulation after the team had been down 2-1 in the second half. Individual honors went out to: junior defender Izzy Therien, named second team Olympic Conference; junior midfielder Taylor Koester, who was named second team Olympic Conference and third team All-South Jersey; senior defender Leah Reistle, first team Olympic Conference and second team All-South Jersey, and senior Shaye McGoey, first team Olympic Conference and second team All -South Jersey. The team graduates nine seniors, but returns seven juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen to the varsity team next year. That along with talented JV and freshman squads points to continued success for Cherokee girls soccer. MSM 16
Marlton Sports Magazine
Marlton Scores on a Second Turf Field
Marlton Rec and Evesham Township officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony in the fall for the newly constructed artificial turf field at the township's Memorial Sports Complex on Tuckerton Road. The field, the second one for the sports complex, was completed in time for the fall 2015 Marlton Soccer season.
Ribbon cutting photos courtesy of Dave Borrelli
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Marlton Sports Magazine
Sports Unity Profiles Suzie Abate Buddy Profile I love being part of the Sports Unity Program, because it makes you feel good. It allows you to teach children how to play a sport and gives you the satisfaction of putting that smile on their faces. The joy it brings to the child is amazing, and they look forward to that hour all week long. It gives them something to be excited for! I also have a leadership role in helping behind the scenes! This allows me to help plan the event and make their experience the best it can be.
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The One Thing Every Single Champion Has In Common
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t is a lot of fun to watch heroes in action, the superstar athletes that seem bigger Chris Masso, CRPS®, and John Torrence, AIF®,CRPS® than life, the athletes who show up for 975 Route 73 North, Suite G, Marlton, NJ 08053 seemingly every game and perform at 975 Route 73 North,856.988.6664 Suite G, Marlton, NJ 08053 Toll-Free: 800.989.8699 • Phone: • www.massotorrence.com their peak on the biggest stages.Securities The and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network,® Member FINRA/SIPC, a Register Toll-Free: 800.989.8699 • Phone: 856.988.6664 Investment Adviser. Derek Jeters, Lebron James, and Peyton www.massotorrence.com Mannings of the world. These larger than life Securities and advisory services offered through athletes seem as if they can do no wrong; it Commonwealth Financial Network,® Member FINRA/SIPC, also seems like there isn’t just one thing that a Registered Investment Adviser. all of them possess that makes them great. Like the three named above, they all play different sports at different stages of their lives and careers, all from different places, and in different situations. But there is a secret that many do not know: all of these athletes have something in common and so does every other champion in sports and life. Want to know what that thing is? They have all, without a doubt, failed. That’s right, every single champion athlete in the history of the world has failed at something in his or her sport and/or in his or her life. What does this mean? Are James and Jeter failures? Of course not. They’re the best at what they do! But they used a strategy to bounce back from failure which incorporates two core principles: failure is never fatal, and anything is possible through hard work. These champion athletes have surely failed, but they understand that a single failure does not define them as a person. Failure is simply the opportunity to learn, to grow and to improve. When we view failure in this light, we can bounce back from it quickly, stay positive and constantly improve. The next time you “fail” at a task on the field – kick a ground ball, swing and miss, blow a coverage, whatever it is – do not look at it as a failure. Do not let this single misstep define you as a player or as a person. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to learn and grow. MSM CJ Appenzeller, NSCA-CPT, IYCA-HSSCS Strength Coach THE Blue Collar Strength Coach www.atsstrength.com atsstrength@gmail.com
Winter 2015
23
A
Student-Athletes
JUGGLE IT ALL
By Ed Benkin
24
dults in the real world aren’t the only ones dealing with a demanding schedule. The latest generation of student-athletes on all levels has plenty on their plates, and athletics are just a part of their long list of activities. For students, the ability to balance their schedules can be as equally challenging as it is for their parents. In addition to homework and a social life, some students are also involved in activities outside of sports. The result is an everyday lesson in time management. Todd Powell has three sons who were all heavily involved in athletics at Cherokee. Two have already graduated, while a third will pick up his diploma in June. Powell says he and his wife helped their sons keep their busy schedules organized, and the result was the ability to keep them active in athletics while also being involved in other extracurricular activities. “They had some activities after school with clubs,” said Todd. “Their main focus was on sports and their studies. The mindset they have had is that they’ve got to get their priorities straight. If their grades weren’t good enough, they knew the first thing that would have to go would be a sport. They don’t have us looking over their shoulders when they’re in college, so they had to learn on their own in high school. Their little leagues really helped them move forward.” Powell’s oldest son, Tyler, works at an accounting firm. He graduated from Cherokee in 2010, where he played football and baseball, and then moved on to the University of Delaware. He played sports at both the high school and college level and soon learned the importance of balancing his schedule. Tyler said schoolwork and non-sports activities weren’t the only parts of his life which were affected by a full calendar. “I was kind of getting my bearings and had to manage my time,” Tyler said. “High school sports was a huge task. I’ve always been a pretty good student. You have to balance three different things: school, sports and relationships. You’ve got to pick your spots when you’ve got to do what you need to do.” Tyler’s schedule intensified in college, and his busy schedule at Cherokee helped to prepare him for the challenges of what awaited him at Delaware. “The main thing I learned in college was time management skills,” said Tyler. “You’re also on your own in college, so there’s no one telling you where to be or what to do. Being able to balance athletics, education and your social life means you have to find a happy medium between the three.” Joe Schooley is the director of finance for Marlton Recreation Council Baseball, after serving as the organization’s commissioner. He has sons at the high school, middle school and elementary school level, and all three are involved in baseball, as well as street hockey. Schooley’s oldest son has balanced his schedule well and is a member of the National Honor Society. All three take part in the Marlton Recreation Council Sports Unity Program, which offers services to children with special needs. Schooley says the ability of parents to balance their schedule contributes to the success of their children. “It’s definitely a team deal there,” said Schooley. “It’s important to have that strong family background. It’s a big schedule, and it’s up on the refrigerator. We do our best to manage it. Sometimes, you look back and we wonder how we got the kids to all those different sports on time.” While there are clear challenges for students who play sports on any level, Todd believes there is actually an advantage when it comes to time management for those involved in athletics. “Their studies tended to suffer when they weren’t in-season in high school,” Todd said. “They’re in a ritual, and they had their system down. The seasons that they didn’t have a full-time sport was when their grades tended to suffer somewhat. Athletics is really a wonderful thing to keep their routine.” It is a routine which apparently creates habits that carry over into life after sports in grade school. Schooley sees how one of his sons is better prepared to find his college home, while his youngest is already balancing a busy schedule in fifth grade. “My oldest is now looking at colleges,” said Schooley. “He’s beginning to understand the value of managing your time. It rubs off very quickly to my little guy. He manages his time. It’s an amazing lesson.” Other students are not as fortunate, and the demands of sporting activities coupled with academics and a social life prove to be overwhelming. For people the Tyler, the ability to balance your time when sports is involved has made him a success story in the world which comes after the cheering stops in grade school and college. “That’s what they are looking for with kids in the work fields,” said Tyler. “People who read my resume loved that I played sports. It helped me get my job in the real world.” MSM
Marlton Sports Magazine
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Marlton Sports Magazine
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Where Are They Now? By Dubravka Cortese Cherokee graduate Barry Fitzgerald (’12) has an unabashed enthusiasm for soccer that is evident whenever he talks about his beloved sport. Fitzgerald started playing Marlton Rec soccer at age 5, and also tried his hand at baseball, basketball, street hockey and roller hockey. But it became evident early on that soccer was his passion. Years of playing goalie for travel soccer teams was followed by a successful four-year stint as goalie for the Chiefs, and subsequently, collegiate soccer at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania where he was a three-year starter as goalie before a devastating injury prevented him from playing his senior year. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald racked up an impressive list of accomplishments over the years, including being named to first team All-State, All-County and All-Conference, South Jersey Goalkeeper of the Year, Regional All-American and setting Cherokee records of 31 career shutouts, including a record 13 his senior year. He also made the record books at Misericordia with the leading save percentage at 84.6 percent and goals against average at 0.85. He is set to graduate this spring with a major in philosophy/pre-law.
BARRY FITZGERALD Q: How did your experience playing sports
in Marlton shape you as an athlete and as a person?
A: It’s been great. Looking back, the com-
mitment from the volunteers, the work that they put in, it’s not appreciated enough. All the coaches I had put in the time just out of the goodness of their hearts. I learned a lot from them as leadership figures. I feel that as a person, and as an athlete, I’ve grown from the ability to learn from those people. It was invaluable. I wish that I could go back and thank each and every one of them individually.
Q: How important has soccer been in your life?
A: Even from an early age I knew that (soc-
cer) was my go to. When I really started to get success in it was when I really started to feel the passion for the sport. As I grew and learned the game, I started to realize that was really something that was a passion of mine. It was a bumpy high school experience in terms of soccer. When things weren’t going well, I was down. But when things went well later in my high school career, I realized the highs were too good to pass up no matter how bad the lows could be. There was a feeling of camaraderie and everything that comes with that; it was just something that was really important in my life, and I wanted to continue on with that. (A torn ACL before the start of his senior year abruptly ended Fitzgerald’s collegiate soccer career. But despite the heartbreaking injury, the Cougars’ co-captain stayed by his teammates’ sides throughout the season, coaching and encouraging them from the sidelines.)
The passion I had for the game shows through. I could have walked away, but I stayed and helped (my teammates). That’s a testament to what the sport has done for me.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories of playing soccer in Marlton? A:
Our senior year (at Cherokee) we had a fairy tale season, and we ended up going undefeated and winning the state championships. (Sharing) that with friends that I created an incredible bond with through the sport, friends that I probably wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for soccer, that we were able to do that together, and just celebrating that moment was probably the greatest moment that I’ve experienced to date. That was big. It was the success that we got to enjoy, but it was also the fact that we did it together. It just brought us so much closer together.
Q:
How important is the bond between teammates?
A: It’s extremely important. Without chem-
istry, you are really going to struggle. I’ve noticed that in every team that I’ve been a part of. All the talent in the world can be there, but if the understanding and bond between the players isn’t there, it won’t work. It’s a team sport for a reason.
Q: What advice would you give to today’s young athletes?
A: One thing I’ve learned is you have to enjoy what you’re doing every day. And for me, that was soccer, and that’s when I knew that I had to keep doing it. If there’s a lot of pressure on continued on page 34....
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FOOTBALL
Cherokee Football Recap By Adam Sikora and Dan Hasulak
S
ince January of 2015, our unit set a goal: be the hardest working and mentally sharpest team possible. Through winter, spring and summer, long hours of sweat and fatigue and studying plays , we put in hard work so we could have a successful season in the fall. And it paid off. We put together an 8-3 record, solidifying a share of the West Jersey Football League American Division. The regular season included wins over Washington Township, Lenape, Williamstown, Rancocas Valley, and Cherry Hill East, and the playoffs began with a win over Millville in thrilling fashion; Jake Bodine hit Ryan Rickards in the final minutes for the touchdown. Riding the momentum into a big rematch versus rival Williamstown, all of our focus was put into improving ourselves. In our home stadium, the infamous “Bowl,” we fought harder than ever before, sending the game into overtime. Although we did not walk away with a win, our squad left everything on that field, fighting until the final moments of the game. Our season ended on a high note, taking care of business at Seneca on Thanksgiving by a score of 14-12. With this final game marked a monumental achievement: the Class of 2016 finishing as one of the most successful classes in Cherokee football history. But more importantly, we have each forged our own legacy as a member of this brotherhood. And to play under a man like coach PJ Mehigan,, it’s something we will be hard pressed to forget. Since June of 2012, these seniors ceased to be individuals with their own agenda; rather they became one, brothers working hard every day to uphold the tradition of excellence that is Cherokee football. And looking back at the past four years, we could not be more proud of the family we have become. MSM 30
Marlton Sports Magazine
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Cherokee Girls Volleyball Recap By Nicole Ethridge, Senior
W
ith ten returning seniors, there were high expectations for the Cherokee girls volleyball team. Going into the 2015 season, we knew an American Division and state championship title was on the line. From the end of August until mid-November we were in the gym six days a week, working to achieve those titles. We played against challenging teams, including Hunterdon Central (2015 NJ Group 4 state champions), Williamstown, St. John Vianney, and Livingston just to name a few, and even hosted our own tournament held at Cherokee on Sept. 26. With matches and practices during the week and tournaments every weekend, we were able to come out with the No. 4 seed in the New Jersey State Group 4 playoffs, and the achievement of becoming American Division champions, defeating rivals Rancocas Valley and Eastern. In addition, we were also invited back to participate in the Garden State Challenge that is held yearly at Fairleigh Dickinson University. This tournament consists of the top teams that surround New Jersey. And to end our regular season, the Cherokee girls’ team defeated Williamstown in the championship of the Eastern Volleyball Tournament. On Nov. 4, our time to shine was about to begin. As we took on East Orange in the first round of state playoffs, the competition that arrived came easier than expected. It was not until the third round against Livingston High School that proved we had what it took to be a state champion. Winning two sets to none positioned us into the spot of a semifinalist, marking the third time of advancing to the semifinals in Cherokee girls volleyball history (previously seen in 2011 and 2013). Unfortunately, a loss fell upon us to Williamstown. The Cherokee girls volleyball team finished their season with a record of 21 and 7 and ranked 14th in the entire state. MSM Winter 2015
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A Message from the Mayor
....continued from page 28, “Where Are They Now”
Happy New Year, Evesham Residents
kids, and they feel that it’s not something they want to do anymore, there’s no reason they should keep doing it, because they are only making it harder on themselves. But if they have that same love for whatever they are doing that I had for soccer, then I would 100 percent do whatever it takes to continue on with it. Test yourself in all aspects (of the sport). It’s not about being a position in a sport; it’s about being a team member in that sport. When you play outside of your position, you pick up things. It’s good to have a feel for what the other players go through. My college coach was very influential in my life. He was very adamant that school came first, family second and soccer third. You want to develop yourself into a good person while you are doing the sport.
By Randy Brown
T
he new year brings challenges to all of us involved in sports. How do I improve as an athlete, coach or parent? The saying goes, “If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.” Baltimore Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh gave us a T-shirt a few years back that speaks directly to the struggles we have every day as players and coaches in the competitive sports we involve ourselves in. The shirt reads, “4 fights every day.” The four fights all teams/players face daily: • Complacency • Fatigue • Us vs. them • Division from within Whether you get paid to play/coach sports or play/coach rec or travel sports, you face these issues daily. The key to being successful on the playing field is to address all four fights, and make a plan on how you are going to deal with each of them. Simply working hard doesn’t guarantee winning or even succeeding; working smart and having a firm plan in place as a coach or player are the keys to being successful. Plan the work, work the plan. MSM
Q: What are your future plans? A: My passion for the game is unheralded, and I want
to continue in any way I can, so I am really looking into coaching. There are potential opportunities where I could continue my education while also coaching at the same time. My heart is in Marlton. It always has been. I definitely have plans to come back home. I’m content with everything I’ve done. I love the game so much, any capacity I have to be involved with it, I’ll definitely do it. MSM
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Marlton Sports Magazine
Wrestling 101 By Dubravka Cortese
P
erhaps no modern sport has had as illustrious a history as wrestling. Evidence of its existence can be found as far back as cave drawings, and ancient mythology documents several heroic wrestlers and their exploits. For centuries, one’s prowess at wrestling was a measure of strength, and the sport has often been used to settle disputes. It has been a part of every modern Olympic Games since the first in 1896. The first college wrestling tournament was held in 1905, and the sport quickly spread in popularity at the college and high school levels, particularly after World War II. Considered one of the three main disciplines in today’s wildly popular sport of mixed martial arts, wrestling has proven its staying power. And yet, much of the sport remains a mystery to the casual observer. The intricate moves, complex point system and multiple styles can seem daunting. But in its simplicity, the goal of the sport has always been the same – win the match by pinning your opponent to the mat, (usually on his or her shoulder), or accrue the most points while trying for a pin. The three most common styles of wrestling are Greco-Roman, freestyle and collegiate. Greco-Roman and freestyle are Olympic Game sports, and collegiate wrestling is practiced at the college level, with modifications made for high school and youth wrestling programs, which is known as scholastic wrestling.
SCHOLASTIC AND COLLEGIATE WRESTLING Scholastic and collegiate wrestling is considered a winter sport, and teams are tiered by weight, age and mat time. Although each state has its own wrestling rules, in general, there are 14 weight classes in scholastic wrestling, from 106 to 285 pounds. Collegiate wrestling is broken down into 10 main weight classes, starting at 125 pounds and going as high as 183 pounds to 285 pounds in the heavyweight division. There are eight weight classes for female collegiate wrestlers, ranging from 105 to 200 pounds. Wrestlers are weighed prior to the first practice. The measured weight then becomes their minimum weight class. Wrestlers cannot wrestle below their weight class, and can only wrestle up one weight class higher. Protective rules and measures have been put in place at the collegiate and scholastic levels to ensure wrestlers are regulating their weight in a healthy manner. A match consists of three periods totaling 7 minutes for college, (a 3-minute first period and two 2-minute subsequent periods), or 4 ½ minutes at the scholastic level, and 6 minutes for high school. The matches take place on a thick mat, with a marked 32 to 42 foot wrestling circle for college level, or at least 28 feet in diameter for scholastic wrestling. A wrestler is considered in bounds as long as any part of his body is still on or within in the circle. Wrestlers are further encouraged to stay within an inner circle, usually about 10 feet in diameter, to prevent “stalling” the match, an offense for which they can be penalized. The wrestlers begin the first period at their Winter 2015
marked starting lines in the center of the inner circle in what is called a “neutral” position facing each other with one foot on the starting line. The wrestlers each pick a starting position for one of the final two periods. EQUIPMENT Wrestlers wear a tight-fitting stretchy one-piece uniform called a singlet. This prevents the opponent from being able to grasp the uniform and use it to their advantage during a match. Wrestlers also wear shoes that are light, soft and flexible with rubber bottoms for better grip on the mat. Protective head gear is a must for collegiate players and younger, and many also require additional protective gear, such as mouth guards, face masks, knee pads, etc. SCORING In the case of no pinning, matches are decided by a point system. A referee signals points, which can be earned a number of ways: • Takedown (2 points) – taking an opponent down to the mat from a neutral position • Escape (1 point) – getting out of a hold by the opponent • Reversal (2 points) – regaining control of the opponent • Near fall (2 to 4 points) – based on positions of control over the opponent • Penalty (1 or 2 points) – awarded to the opponent when a wrestler commits a penalty • Imminent scoring – used when a match is ended due to injury • Time advantage or riding time (1 point) – earned for keeping an opponent to the mat more than one minute longer than the opponent A match can be won in a variety of ways as well: • Fall, pin or chokehold – holding an opponent to the mat in the required fashion and for the required time (2 seconds for scholastic wrestling) If no pin has occurred, winners are determined based on the following: • Technical fall – earning at least 15 points more than the opponent • Major decision – earning at least 8 points more than the opponent • Decision – earning more points than an opponent, but less than a technical or major decision • Default – if an opponent is unable to complete the match • Disqualification – an opponent is disqualified for penalties or conduct • Forfeit – when an opponent does not show up for the match Marlton has wrestling programs available from toddler through high school. The Marlton Rec Council wrestling program participates in the Grapevine Wrestling League. Wrestlers are tiered based on age: Tots (4, 5 and 6 year olds), Bantams (7 and 8 year olds), Midgets (9 and 10 year olds), Juniors (11 and 12 year olds) and Intermediates (13 and 14 year olds). For more information on Marlton Chiefs Wrestling, visit www.marltonwrestling.org. MSM 35
TENNIS
CHEROKEE GIRLS TENNIS 2015
By Hannah Weiner, Class of 2016
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e ” m o er H nd r e ou n l Y “ w to
deptford 856-853-0178
ne of the perks of being on a small team is how close you become with your teammates. With only 15 girls on the Cherokee girls tennis team this season, we were more than just a bunch of high school girls who played tennis together after school everyday. We became a family, and I would not have wanted to spend my last season any other way. The Lady Chiefs worked extremely hard this season, and it showed with our winning record of 11-7. Despite the matches lost to talented teams like Lenape and Shawnee, those losses would help shape us into better players. There wasn’t a match that was played where we didn’t give 110 percent, and we always had fun while doing so. Being a captain on the team was an absolute honor, and I could not be prouder of my team. Cherokee tennis shows dedication, sportsmanship, heart, character and pride. We can owe all of that to our outstanding coaches, Dave Haney and Maggie Fynan. They have never once given up on us, and we, as a team, appreciate that so much. It’s sad to think that my high school tennis career is over, but I can’t help but be happy and smile when I think about the four years of memories I have gained from it. MSM
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