Page 2 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
ABOUT THE COVER
Back in August, it looked as though guys like (from left) Bobby Hyndman, Sean Morris, Tucker Monico and Brad Lomax would lead St. Joseph to a dominating 12-0 season and another state championship, easy-peasy. After all, who could even challenge the Wildcats? They had the most monstrous offensive line in South Jersey, a host of hard-hitting seniors on the defensive front, one of the best running backs in the state in junior Jada Byers and, of course, the legendary Paul Sacco leading the way as head coach. But St. Joseph hit a speed bump in the middle of the season, and suddenly things could have gone completely off the road and into a drainage ditch. A Snapchat video featuring racially offensive language sent from some Wildcats players to players from Haddonfield prior to their game against the Bulldogs was released to the media, leading to the suspension of several players and a two-game banishment for Sacco. St. Joe had outscored its first four opponents 172-38, but then lost 21-15 to Haddonfield, and two weeks later got whalloped 51-0 by West Deptford. But the Wildcats learned from their mistakes, faced down the adversity and regrouped, winning their final five games to finish 10-2. They capped their season with a thrilling 41-22 win over a tough Holy Spirit squad in the Non-Public Group 2 championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. — Dave O’Sullivan, Staff Writer
GLORY DAYS MAGAZINE General contact: 609-788-4294/advertising@acglorydays.com Dave O’Sullivan, Publisher: sully@acglorydays.com On Twitter: @GDsullysays Giuseppe Ungaro, Managing Editor: gungaro@acglorydays.com On Twitter: @GDgisepu Amy D’Adamo, Graphic Design: advertising@acglorydays.com Bill Lynskey, Director of Advertising: bill@acglorydays.com Victor McGuinn, Advertising Sales: victor@acglorydays.com STORY IDEAS/ADVERTISING: Have a story you’d like to see told in Glory Days Magazine? Want to get your business noticed with a marketing campaign in our print or digital platforms? Call us anytime at 609-788-4294. Volume: 6 Issue: 8 Overall Issue Number: 115. Cover Photography: Dave O’Sullivan. 2018 Glory Days Magazine. All rights reserved.
an, miho ne he ry
nly pers ed host rd. nd ealic
er
ry gn
M
Su ge th
u
Ty le th se tw Le
u
Bo tim af he pl ne to bo th
g
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 5
MAKING HEADLINES Sully takes a closer look at the athletes, coaches and teams who are generating news and highlights in the Cape-Atlantic League and throughout South Jersey.
u Quite a turnaround: Mainland Regional senior running back
Tyquan Campbell, above, scored a touchdown in overtime to lead the Mustangs to a 13-7 win over rival Egg Harbor Township the night before Thanksgiving. The victory capped an eight-win season for the Mustangs, who had gone just 2-18 the previous two years. Mainland also wrapped up the West Jesey Football League’s Independence Division title with the victory. u High drama in Atlantic City: Following the Atlantic City Board of Education’s monthly meeting in late November, longtime boys basketball coach Gene Allen suddenly was out of a job after the board refused to reappoint him to the position he had held since 2003 because of complaints from a parent of a former player. The decision touched off multiple stories in South Jersey news outlets and was the talk of social media, and even led Allen to file a lawsuit against the school. Less than a week after the board’s decision, Allen was reinstated pending further action by the court.
glory days digital Want the best high school sports coverage every day of the week? Visit glorydaysonline.com for game coverage, features and more! You can also like us at facebook.com/acglorydays, and follow Sully on Twitter @GDsullysays. Get the best. Every day.
Page 6 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
OLD CAPE RECYCLING SCHOLAR ATHLETE
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Akeem Walker was an outstanding senior leader for the Pleasantville football team this year, both on and off the field. He carries a GPA better than 4.0 and scored better than 1,200 on his SATs.
Leading by example Walker sets the standard for Pleasantville football team
By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer omeday, Pleasantville senior football player Akeem Walker hopes to possibly become a successful real estate broker. He’s already gotten some experience covering a lot of real estate on the football field as a wide receiver and defensive back, and also being a part of a 2019 class that has raised the value of that piece of land off Route 9. In just three short years, Pleasantville has virtually erased the memory of a losing streak that lasted for more than 30 games, and now the Greyhounds are not only relevant in South Jersey, they are a South Jersey Group 2 championship contender. Fans have been flocking to the stadium on Friday nights the past two years to watch players like Walker, Elijah Glover, Mohamed Toure and a host of others help bring pride and passion back to Pleasantville football. Walker, this edition’s Old Cape Recycling Scholar Athlete, didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year, but his impact has been wide ranging in the Greyhounds’ program. He’s become a college prospect on the field, and off the field he sets the standard in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and an SAT score better than 1,200. This summer, Walker’s character was on full display when he and a few of his buddies helped a 5-year-old boy, who was lost and wandering around Route 9 late at night, get back home by flagging down a Pleasant-
S
ville Police Department officer. Glory Days Magazine did a follow-up feature after the news initially broke on breakingac.com. “There were college recruiters in this week and we were talking about character and I actually referenced the story that Glory Days did (in the summer) and they were pleased to hear that’s the type of kid he is,” said Pleasantville football coach Chris Sacco. “Akeem didn’t play until sophomore year so he’s just now coming into his own as a football player, but the academics put him over the top because colleges know what kind of character kid he is and they know he’s not going to come to their school and mess around in the classroom. I’ve been excited to see his maturation as a football player. The second half of this year he even excelled on the defensive side of the ball, which will give him options going forward to play either receiver or defensive back (in college). He’s always been the same lighthearted, fun kid to be around, so that part hasn’t changed.” “I always wanted to play football, just never got the opportunity to do so. So, sophomore year, my friend Elijah Glover told me to come to the weight room and I just stuck with it, and here I am. I always wanted to play. Ever since I was a little kid, me and my brother (Victor) would always play in the yard and talk about how he was going to be on the Cowboys and I was going to be on the Packers. That’s why I came out to play, I wanted to give it a shot,” said Walker, who also runs track. “When I came in, it wasn’t that hard to get used to it because I had
See Walker, page 9
an
m et-
gally
nd lly he he ch ore otop kid eir en er. on im or he art
got my ght ys nd ard wt’s t,� in, ad
e9
Page 8 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
W
wa us pla as the dri ho wa Bu tha an ma wa tea to the alw tog T W 7-3 va be for far ag ye tha “ pla Sa I sta ap to ste wa ten co ful sea to W mo ha tha wi “ kid ha sta we av wh ab ca co ac hit ad
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 9 Walker, from page 6 watched the sport so much. But getting used to the contact and learning all the plays took a while. But after playing as a sophomore I got used to it. I remember the first day of training camp and hitting drills and everybody was talking about how I was going to get run over. That was the only thing I was nervous about. But I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better and that has showed. I studied the game more and put in the work over time with teammates like Glover and Mohamed Toure. I was confident this year because I had my teammates behind me and I just wanted to help my team. I got motivation from them and my coaches motivated me and always had faith in me, so I put all that together and went from there.” The Greyhounds went 4-6 during Walker’s sophomore year, improved to 7-3 last year, and this fall went 8-3, advanced to the sectional semifinals and beat Ocean City on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in four years. That’s a far cry from their 0-10 record four years ago, and Walker and the rest of this year’s senior class has been a big part of that turnaround. “It feels good. When my brother played, that was the year before coach Sacco came and they were 0-10. When I started playing as a sophomore we started improving and it feels good to be a part of that. This season was a season to remember, definitely. We made a huge step, even though we didn’t get what we wanted in the end. But just to bring attention to the city, and now the city is coming out and supporting us, and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling. This season was a great season and I’m going to miss playing with all these seniors,” Walker said. “(The final game) was a sad moment, but at the same time it was a happy moment because we hadn’t won that game since 2013, so to come out with that win felt good.” “Akeem has been phenomenal. He’s a kid who came out sophomore year and hadn’t played football before but he started learning the game and hitting the weight room. His personality makes him a very likeable kid. He’s a respectful kid who does what we ask of him — even above and beyond that — and academically he’s been on point, too. Whichever college he lands at is getting a good character kid and a kid who is just starting to hit his peak as a football player,” Sacco added. “This senior class has four foot-
ball players in the top 25, so it’s a strong class, and ever since sophomore year they’ve been competing in the classroom and on the field. It’s good to see. It’s recruiting season now, and the first thing they ask me about is a kid’s GPA and SAT scores, and if they are not up to their standards, they won’t even speak to the kid. We try to inform our players of that when they come in as freshmen.” Walker is always competing, in sports and in school, whether it is with his four brothers and one sister, or buddies like Glover and Toure in his senior class. “I’ve always done well in school, ever since elementary school and I just kept it going from there. All you have to do is pay attention in class and do your homework and everything will fall into place. My siblings always motivated me and my parents always wanted the younger ones to do better than the older ones, and it will be the same thing for my younger brother. My older brother, Victor, was my motivation, everything he did I wanted to do. I basically followed in his footsteps and tried to do better,” Walker said. “It’s always like that. We’re trying to push each other to get into the top 10 in our class. If I go hard, Elijah goes hard and Mohamed goes hard. I’m ranked No. 12 right now and Elijah is No. 13, and we’re like .13 points apart, so we’re neck-andneck right now. Hopefully we’ll both be in the top 10 by the end of the year.” Walker said he really wants to play football in college, and is hoping a university will give him a chance to prove himself. He’s working with coach Sacco to reach out to potential schools. “That’s my plan. Hopefully somebody will give me the opportunity, will see my film and think I’m good enough to play at the next level,” he said. “I personally believe I am, but I’m just praying, so we’ll see what happens. I’m just trying to make the best of my opportunities.” For now, he’s enjoying wearing his Pleasantville football gear with pride when he and his pals are around town, and soaking up the memories of his senior year of high school. “People used to say, ‘Pleasantville’s playing Friday night but I’m not going because I already know what the outcome is going to be.’ But now we’ve turned things around, people are coming out to the games and the city is showing love,” Walker said. “People around town will ask how we are doing and we get recognition now when we wear our Pleasantville attire, and that feels good.”
Page 10 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
VIC’S SUBS COVER STORY
Le
Lessons learned St. Joseph battled through midseason controversy, suspensions to finish as champion once again By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer he St. Joseph football team was the consensus No. 1 team in South Jersey before the season even began, as every media outlet that covers teams south of I-195 believed the Wildcats had the ability to run the table again in 2018 and put up a 12-0 record and another state championship, just as they had done in 2017. It was hard to argue with that selection. The Wildcats were stacked with talent across the board and not only did they have perhaps the best running back in South Jersey in junior Jada Byers, but Byers would be spending his third varsity season running behind a massive offensive line that was stacked with experience — and a mean streak. The line was led by Wisdom Quarshie, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound senior and one of the top offensive line recruits in South Jersey, and he was joined by guys such as Sean Morris (6-3, 285) and Tucker Monico (6-2, 270), among others. And sophomore quarterback Jayden Shertel had plenty of other weapons aside from Byers. Senior Nate Johnson would have been the No. 1 running back on just about any other team in the West Jersey Football League and Shertel had a pair of emerging stars in his own class in fellow sophomores Ahmad Ross and Keshon Griffin. The defense was just as intimidating, as seniors Brad Lomax and Bobby Hyndman led a front seven that even St. Augustine Prep believed it couldn’t run the ball successfully against despite the Hermits having a very good offensive line and some capable backs. And, of course, the Wildcats are led by legendary coach Paul Sacco, who came into the season with 19 Non-Public championships since 1993 and is one of the winningest coaches in state history. Everything seemed to be lined up for a steamroll that would last for the better
T
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Sophomore running back Ahmad Ross celebrates a second-half touchdown during St. Joseph’s 4122 win over Holy Spirit in the Non-Public Group 2 championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. part of three months. But as any coach will tell you, football is a grind. It’s a tough sport that tests you not only physically, but mentally, and every team faces some sort of adversity throughout the course of a season. In St. Joseph’s case, the adversity it faced in 2018 was self inflicted. The first month of the season was a breeze, as St. Joseph rolled to a 4-0 start, outscoring its opponents 172-38, includ-
ing a 34-6 win over Millville and a 30-8 thrashing of St. Augustine Prep — two of the better teams in South Jersey. But prior to the Wildcats’ matchup with Haddonfield on Sept. 29, controversy began to emerge. Several players had gathered at coach Sacco’s house on the Friday night prior to the Haddonfield game and were using Snapchat, a social media forum, to exchange barbs with Haddonfield players. In the video, racial slurs
were used and a parent of a Haddonfield player who saw the video brought it to the attention of the Haddonfield school district. Haddonfield contacted St. Joseph school officials after the teams met the following day and the incident led to the suspension of several players, and coach Sacco was told he would have to
See Lessons, page 11
sit O an on for the so jeo “ 12 nio the ye ba bo thi W wi wi da St. of ou Iw an str pro ES gro do the ati the to sh M sta Qu sta A W Tim
an
1st
eld to ool Jomet to nd to
11
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 11 Lessons, from page 10 sit out two games. On Sept. 29, the Wildcats lost 21-15 to Haddonfield, and after a 21-7 win over Vineland the following week, on Oct. 13 St. Joseph was blasted 51-0 by West Deptford at home. Suddenly, the Wildcats had lost two of their last three games after that hot start, the perfect season was gone and even a spot in the postseason was in jeopardy. “I think it was a big surprise last year that we were 12-0, but that group was a young group with some juniors and a couple of sophomores. I think coming into the season, we were all surprised that we were 12-0 (last year). Not that we weren’t capable of doing that, but the bar was raised and with everybody coming back everybody felt (we could go 12-0 again). We don’t talk about things like that. We don’t put extra pressure on the kids. We went to Connecticut (the first game) and get a big win there, it was 33-0 at halftime, then we come up with a couple more big wins — a big win on a messy day against a very good Millville team, then we go to St. Augustine and that was a game that kind of got out of hand and was a blowout. After that, I think some of our kids said, ‘you know what? We must be that good.’ I was worried about that all year long with this group and all of a sudden we stumbled with Haddonfield, we struggled with Vineland for a half, and then we had the problem,” Sacco said in a recent radio interview on 97.3 ESPN FM. “But things happen for a reason and this group needed something to happen. It’s a shame it went down like that. I don’t think I’ll ever not be bitter about the way that it did go down. I had no control of the situation, I was not there, but it’s done and over with and they rebounded against Timber Creek then went down to Holy Spirit and had a big win there. So we righted the ship and it went in the right direction. Hats off to Tucker Monico, a two-year starter, Brad Lomax, a three-year starter, Bobby Hyndman, a three-year starter, Wisdom Quarshie, a three-year starter, Sean Morris, a two-year starter.” After the embarrassing loss to West Deptford, the Wildcats began to get back on track. They took down Timber Creek, 33-14, then scored a 28-14 road win at
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Jada Byers, right, and Ahmad Ross celebrate Ross’ interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of the win over Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit to close out the regular season and grab the No. 1 seed in the Non-Public Group 2 playoffs. They ended up seeing Holy Spirit again in the championship game at MetLife Stadium after both teams rolled through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and in the end St. Joseph outlasted an inspired effort by the Spartans, winning 41-22 after Spirit had closed the gap to
26-22 with a third-quarter burst of offense. The Wildcats had their championship, but it didn’t come nearly as easily as anyone had predicted. “This whole year seemed like it was just trying to get
See Lessons, page 12
Page 12 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018 Lessons, from page 11 the ship righted. A lot of things happened during the season, but we came out and our whole thing was not to get off to a slow start like we normally do down there in Absecon, and Ahmad Ross picks off a pass and runs it in for a touchdown and we were up 8-0. But they came right back. We ended up getting two more touchdowns and were up 20-6 at halftime, but you’re not going to feel comfortable against a team that throws the ball like they do. We came out in the second half and our whole thing was let’s try and churn out some yardage here and eat up the third quarter, but we fumbled the football and the next thing you know we’re in a bad situation. It went back and forth, it was 26-22, but Ahmad Ross — I have to hand it to him, he’s been hurt with an ankle problem but he came up big for us. He and Jada are best friends and Ahmad breaking that long run really put us back in control, and they lost their quarterback at the end of the third quarter,” Sacco said. “I have to give credit to our kids. Our kids were in a predicament where this thing was starting to go the other way and they just held on and kept coming back. That’s the resiliency of our program. They get down and are able to come back, and I think we showed that because of what happened this year. It’s a credit to the kids and my assistant coaches, and our fans.” “It feels great. This is coach Sacco’s 20th state championship (since 1993), and I’m going to keep repeating myself — this feels great to be a part of this. This is a brotherhood for me, and coach Sacco always has my back, I have his back, and it just feels great and we’re going to cel-
ebrate this,” Byers said after the game. “This is the best feeling in the world, senior year, going out on top. What a great game. Holy Spirit, wow, we were up for a little bit and they came battling back. That’s a tough team. E’lijah Gray is a helluva player, he’s really tough to take down. But, wow, this feels amazing. They showed good resiliency. That’s a good team, you can tell they are coached well and they have a great attitude, and you know they have to have all that to come back like that. But we kept ourselves together and won the game. I’m at a loss for words, it feels amazing to go back-to-back, I love it,” Hyndman added. “Today was a team effort, everyone from top to bottom played their hardest and that’s why we came out on top. The line did a great job — Wisdom and Sean holding it down, Brad and Keshon making the big plays when it counted, me, Angelo (Vokolos), Tyler, the linebackers held it down. And the defensive backs had some big turnovers which gave us some momentum.” St. Joseph certainly will have some momentum heading into this offseason and although the Wildcats are graduating a lot of valuable seniors, the cupboard is far from bare, especially considering Byers — who set school records for single season rushing and touchdowns — returns for one more year in 2019. And all the returning players learned a valuable lesson this season — in the game of football, no matter how much talent you have on paper, you have to earn everything you get through hard work and trust in your teammates. Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
. ld, ta ere ng ay to azcy. ey eat to at. nd ds, ,I as to t’s did dng ners ks us
me on ng ard ng in— nd lume ent evnd
Page 14 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
SPORTS & HEALTH
PR
PRP a great option for chronic injuries Platelet Rich Plasma injections help stimulate new healing for old pain By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer ne of the most frustrating things for any athlete, whether it be a high school or college star or a mom of two who likes to run 5Ks, or that former athlete who simply wants to stay in shape by running and lifting at the gym, is suffering an injury. And when you’re talking about injuries, some of the most frustrating are chronic tendonitis, such as you’d see in an elbow or the Achilles. One of the newer methods of treating these types of injuries in the hopes of avoiding surgery is Platelet Rich Plasma injections, known simply as PRP. Dr. Brian Sokaslky, D.O. at Jersey Shore Sports Medicine (10 West Connecticut Avenue, Somers Point/609-904-2565) has been relying on PRP to treat some patients for nearly a decade and has been impressed with the results, he said during recent interview at his office. The short version of what PRP does is it essentially “tricks” your body into thinking there is a new injury and that a healing process must be scheduled to begin immediately. Platelets are blood cells that not only aid in blood clotting, but also contain various proteins that help stimulate healing. Researchers believe that by injecting damaged areas with high concentrations of platelets, old wounds can be encouraged to heal. “It’s a relatively new field of regenerative medicine. Stem cells is the popular term you hear about all the time. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a simpler form of regenerative medicine. Basically, what we do is — inside platelets are all the growth factors the body uses to kick-start healing. So, when there is an injury there is usually bleeding, and the platelets’ main job is to go and stop the bleeding. But, as they stop the bleeding, they release all these growth factors that help stimulate the healing,” Sokalsky said. “For chronic injuries that haven’t healed properly, like tennis elbow, partial rotator cuff tears, chronic Achilles tendonitis or chronic plantar fasciitis, which are the most common ones, we draw your blood, spin it down in a centrifuge — which concentrates those platelets — and we inject them into the chronically injured site. And by injecting the platelets and growth factors, we’re stimulating a new wave of healing. We’re kind of tricking the body into thinking it’s a new injury, and not only stimulating a new round of healing but also concentrating the growth factors to help ensure full healing. “It’s pretty common. A lot of practices are using it
Dr. Brian Sokalsky of Jersey Shore Sports Medicine in Somers Point shows the relatively small, simple machine he uses to perform Platelet Rich Plasma injections, a visit that normally takes less than a half hour.
O
Glory Days Magazine photo/ Dave O’Sullivan
— not so much around here, but when you start getting into the bigger cities it’s pretty common,” he added. “It’s very common in athletes. A version of it, if you remember years ago when Kobe Bryant went to Germany, that’s a version of PRP. They do it a little differently over in Europe because of more lax regulations.” Sokalsky said he’s had a wide variety of patients take advantage of the treatment, with solid results. “I’ve had everyone from high school pitchers with chronic elbow problems trying to avoid surgery, and probably my highest volume of patients is parents — the ‘weekend warriors’ and the crossfit athletes and runners. We do a lot of runners with chronic tendonitis. That age group, ages 30-to-50, are still pretty active,” said Sokalsky, an Atlantic City High School graduate. “This actually heals the injury. If you have chronic tendonitis, that usually means you have disrupted fibers. Not a tear, but if you picture a tendon like a rope, you have frayed fibers in there, so it heals those fibers and you should get full healing of the tendon. It decreases the pain so you can do physical therapy exercises to build the strength in the tendon. Anytime there is a chronic injury, you usually haven’t been using the muscle where the tendon attaches it to the bone, so it gets weak. Even if the tendon is fixed, if you don’t do the therapy to strengthen the muscle, you’re not going to get full recovery. There has to be some type of therapy afterward to get you back to where you were pre-injury.”
What are the risks?
The risks involved with PRP injections are very minimal, Sokalsky said, especially compared with surgery.
“There’s no more risk than any normal cortizone shot. Any time you break the skin there’s risk of infection, but it’s miniscule. Depending upon where we’re injecting there’s a risk of hitting a nerve or a blood vessel, but we use ultrasound so we know where the needle is going to avoid that risk. So, the risks are very, very low. Because it’s your own blood there’s no risk of contracting an infection, and when you think about blood transfusions you’re worried about matching blood types, but this is your own so there’s no worry about that either. (The amount of blood taken) varies on what body parts we’re injecting — sometimes I’ll do two or three body parts in one visit. Usually it’s about 10-to-20 CCs of blood, no more than a normal blood test at your primary care physician,” he said. “It depends on the body part, but I always tell my patients count on six-to-eight weeks before you really see significant improvement, and that’s because we’re going through the natural healing process and just like any other injury it takes time to repair. The nice part about it is, it’s usually a quicker recovery time than surgery and there’s really no down time. The first three or four days you might be sore from some initial inflammation that triggers the healing process, but after that you can start getting back to regular dayto-day activities. If you have a low physical job you can get back to work the next day, and within two-to-three weeks you’re doing light physical therapy exercises.”
Why isn’t it more popular?
Sokalsky said what has been holding back the popu-
See PRP, page 15
lar du tio ap pro are ins the tw “ the it tio be are FD no co bu ap ex pro us co the tio yo go pa jum be an ha it’ wa wh ge reh de as as all ing mo mo “ ce thr be mu us ple me tha to
W
S be ag in
s he ll, ne
s f
ot. but ng we to use an ns is he ’re rts od, are tI bet’s roair. ery he me ss, ayan ee ”
pu-
15
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 15 PRP, from page 14 larity of PRP is that while it’s a procedure that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) allows, it’s not officially approved, which is a lengthy and costly process. And, a lot of people simply aren’t aware that it’s an option because insurance companies usually don’t cover the cost, which is generally anywhere between $500 and $1,000, Sokalsky said. “Because it’s relatively new and there’s not a whole lot of money behind it — if you think about a new medication, once it gets approved it’s going to be used by millions of people and there are billions of dollars. The cost to get FDA approval is so significant that it’s not worth the investment for a lot of companies. (PRP) is allowed by the FDA but it’s not approved, and since it’s not approved, insurance companies have an excuse not to pay for it. It’s an elective procedure,” Sokalsky said. “For me, usually where this fits in is when the conservative treatments like physical therapy, bracing, rest, ice and medications have failed and you’re looking at your last option being surgery, this is a good alternative before surgery. Some patients who are familiar with it will jump right to it as their primary choice because maybe they’ve done it before and it’s been successful or their friends have had it done. But, often, because it’s an out-of-pocket cost, most patients want to try the conservative stuff. But when you start looking at needing surgery and time out of work, extensive rehab — and most patients have high deductibles and co-insurance — all of a sudden the cost for PRP is not nearly as bad as what they are looking at with all the other costs involved with having surgery. The biggest thing is work, most people can continue working in most jobs. “You hear people talking about stem cell injections, which are more for arthritic joints, you’re talking anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000. PRP is much more affordable because you’re using your own blood, so it’s much simpler,” he added. “There are things like medical credit cards you can apply for that are interest free for a year to be able to afford it.”
Who is PRP right for?
Sokalsky said just about anyone can be a candidate for a PRP injection, and a good portion of his patients are either in high school or in their 30s and 40s —
groups that typically are very active and susceptible to injuries and chronic damage to tendons. “The body uses inflammation to heal, but if there is too much inflammation you get tendonitis. Over time, the inflammation will fade away and you’re just left with pain. When six months (after an injury) it still hurts when you use it, that’s chronic damage that never fully healed, and that’s where PRP works so well. Because once the inflammation is gone, the body is done trying to heal that injury and nothing is going to change that unless we stimulate new healing,” Sokalsky explained. “There were some patients where I was surprised with the results. A great example is golfers with significant rotator cuff tears in April, and if they get that repair done they would lose the majority of their season. I’ve had guys ask me if they could do PRP just to get them through to October and then have surgery so they aren’t losing time, and I’ve had a couple of patients who, three or four years later, haven’t had to have surgery because they are feeling so good. Some of the more severe injuries, I’ve been surprised at how well it has worked. With the more routine injuries, like tennis elbow, it’s worked exactly how I thought it would. It’s enabling the body to heal itself. It’s making an old injury new again, and that new injury goes through the same healing process.” Sokalsky said he definitely believes it’s a procedure that anyone with a chronic injury should look into before deciding on surgery. “There’s a lot of skepticism, but hope as well. People say, ‘nothing else has worked so why will this work? But, I don’t want surgery, so I’ll give it a try.’ Especially people who have never heard of it before, but more and more I’m getting patients who were referred by other patients and they’ve seen how well it’s worked,” he said. “There really is no reason to be fearful of it. The worst thing that happens is it doesn’t work. It’s your own blood, there’s no damage to the tissue, it’s not going to cause more harm, so there is really no downside. If surgery doesn’t work, you can’t put it back. You can’t undo surgery. I recommend this first because there really is no downside. A patient is usually here less than 20 minutes. The system is very efficient.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
Page 16 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
FOOTBALL
Mainland’s Hall, Campbell find redemption Seniors didn’t give up after losing starting positions, helped Mustangs finish with eight victories By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer hen senior football players Dean Hall and Tyquan “Taco” Campbell walk through the halls of Mainland Regional High School these days and look at the Thanksgiving rivalry trophy sitting in the display case, they know just how much it took to make sure that piece of hardware resides at Mainland, at least until next November. Both Hall and Campbell overcame a lot this year, and in their careers, to help lead one of the biggest turnarounds in South Jersey in recent memory. As sophomores, the team went just 1-9, and the Mustangs posted that same record a year later, when Hall was lost for almost the entirety of the season after suffering an injury in the season opener. Campbell, a very talented running back, spent a good portion of his career in and out of the doghouse of coach Chuck Smith, as Campbell — like a lot of young football players — had a lot of growing up to do in the brief four years of his high school career.
W
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Senior Dean Hall was replaced as Mainland’s starting quarterback late in the season, but he continued to work hard and made a big impact in the Thanksgiving win over EHT as a defensive player. And both players worked their tails off to make sure the 2018 season wasn’t a repeat of the 2-18 record the Mustangs had produced the previous two seasons. Hall looked sharp and in shape in preseason and was poised to be the No. 1 quarterback, a position he started out as during his junior year before being injured in the first half of a season-opening, blowout loss against St. Joseph. And the
Mustangs got off to a great start, winning their first two games to jump out to a lead in the West Jersey Football League’s Independence Division. Hall rushed for more than 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a seasonopening win against Overbrook and Campbell added 97 yards and a touchdown. A week later, Hall passed for 48 yards and added 35 and a touchdown on
the ground, while Campbell chipped in with 52 yards and a score in a 27-0 win over Absegami. Two weeks later, Campbell rushed for 64 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in a 21-8 win over Bridgeton and the Mustangs were 3-1. But some personal conduct issues cause Smith to have to suspend the talented back for a few games right in the middle of the season. And as the offense began to sputter a little bit in late October, coach Smith made the difficult decision to replace Hall at quarterback with junior Zack Graziotto. Neither player complained about their demotions and continued to work hard — Hall as a defensive back and Campbell trying to get back into Smith’s good graces so that his career wouldn’t end with him sitting on the bench. Mainland finished with five wins in its last six games, its only loss coming in the playoffs to eventual sectional champion Shawnee. Included during the stretch was a huge win over Ocean City and a 13-7 overtime victory over rival Egg Harbor Township on Thanksgiving that sealed the division championship. Both players had huge roles in that game, as Hall helped lead a defensive effort that limited the Eagles to just one
See Mainland, page 19
in win mpa ver -1. use ed dle an er, on ior
eir ard mpod nd
its he on ch da gg hat
hat ve ne
19
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 17
M
tou 10 tou “ pe sen Ca sh ev kn thi do “ sea ac ba tea I w Iw do be wa so It In tw “ Ik yo ha H los thi lot wi or “ Iw ev sai thi pa
Se so ta
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 19 Mainland, from page 16 touchdown, while Campbell rushed for 106 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime. “I’m sure that’s amazing for him, especially after missing all those games,” senior lineman Hector Guerrero said of Campbell’s overtime touchdown. “It shows how he stayed with it through everything and kept working hard. He knew we only had 48 minutes left with this squad, and took advantage of it and dominated at the end.” “I just stayed positive throughout the season, even though I wasn’t here for a couple games. I just wanted to come back and make up for lost time with my team. I felt like I let down the team and I was feeling really bad about that, so I was thinking I had to come back and do something (in this game),” Campbell said. “Even when I wasn’t here, I was working out and staying in shape, so when I came back I was 100 percent. It felt great (to score that touchdown). I needed that, and we needed that, after two 1-9 seasons.” “That was crazy. That was God’s plan, I know he’s got it. And this isn’t the last you’re going to hear from him, this kid has a huge future,” added Hall. Hall and Campbell acknowledged that losing their starting spots wasn’t an easy thing to go through, but it taught them a lot about their own character by sticking with it and not giving up on themselves, or their teammates. “Whatever was going to help the team, I was going to step up and do that. Whatever makes an impact on this team,” Hall said. “I know adversity is a big part of this game and I’ve been through it the past two seasons. That’s built me up to
have so many layers of skin. It was tough, but this is going to build better things for me in my life and in my future.” Added Campbell, “This has taught me to make smarter decisions and look at the bigger picture. We’ll come back years later and talk about that game.” “They both had up-and-down seasons as seniors, but it speaks to their character, and that’s what we had across the board this year, outstanding character. You take a guy like Dean, who was our starting quarterback, and then we had to make a change. And he accepted that and wanted to still be on the field with his teammates, went over to the defensive side of the ball and made some big plays for us,” Smith said. “And Tyquan had an up-and-down year, but it was nice to see them go out their senior year with a division championship and a win in their last game at home and to be undefeated at home their senior season. As football coaches, we always talk about adversity and overcoming the obstacles that you face, and my goal as a football coach isn’t just to win games, or do the best you can, or put guys in their best positions — it’s really to get them ready for life. And that’s the bigger challenge, and especially as I’ve gotten older, it’s to get these kids ready for that next step, whatever the next step might be. Someday they are going to be in the job world, they’ll be dads, husbands and fathers — and people are going to be relying on them. You have to be able to face the challenge. The window (for football) gets small real quick and it shuts on you all of a sudden, and I’m just glad they ended on a positive note.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Senior running back Tyquan Campbell came back from a midseason benching to finish strong, scoring in overtime to lead the Mustangs to a 13-7 win over rival EHT.
Page 20 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
FOOTBALL
Spartans prove football is a team game Spirit got contributions from a lot of players who flew under the radar By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer he past couple of years, the names were easy to rattle off: Dante Daniel, James Marcheski, Josh Zamot, Anthony Lord, Demetris Pali. Holy Spirit had a lot of players with multiple years of varsity experience who put up big numbers and led the Spartans to a lot of big wins. This year, the Spartans came in with a new quarterback, a revamped offensive line and a bunch of guys on defense that nobody had ever heard of. About the only name any casual West Jersey Football League fan could come up with was star junior running back E’lijah Gray. But not having any big names — and being a little short on big-game experience — didn’t present any kind of substantial roadblock to this year’s squad. Spirit went 8-4, won the WJFL’s Royal Division and made another appearance in the Non-Public Group 2 championship game, falling 41-22 to mighty St. Joseph after a dizzying comeback attempt in the third quarter. And the post-game reaction proved exactly what this year’s Holy Spirit football team was all about — players congratulated their counterparts at St. Joseph, shook hands with officials, acknowledged their fans and walked
T
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Players like junior defensive back Tom Finan helped lead Holy Spirit to an 8-4 season that included a West Jersey Football League Royal Division championship and a berth in another state title game. off the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford with their heads held high, knowing they didn’t quit until the final whistle. “This year’s team felt really different. When coach (Charlie) Roman and Tiger (Minetti) came here we became much better players. It just feels really different, the offseason was tougher with more running and they really pushed us. We have to prove ourselves every time
we go out there, no matter what. We’ve had players who have started as sophomores and junior, and each year they just get better and better,” said senior linebacker Walid Jones. “We just love the game and we all want to win. We came to Holy Spirit to do one thing, and that’s win. That’s why we all have the same attitude. We don’t think of any game as just another football game, we want to go out and win every time. We thought we
could be in position (to win a state title). This is Holy Spirit, we think we can win every game. A lot of people on the outside thought we couldn’t compete with St. Joe, and people thought we might be bad this season because we lost some great seniors last year, but guys stepped up. Players who people didn’t even know
See Spartans, page 23
e
an
a
e). win utith be me ed ow
23
Sp
las Q tra ha pla in on rin did his 22 tic six 16 so Le sco bre ya en thr S tio M sac wi fre ch tac an 10 E im fo the to M fo ern a aft se tw ing Ca “ set we we ch see ing an scr fin nin rec wa the ag
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 23 Spartans, from page 20 last year stepped up and became stars.” Quarterback Ryan Yost, a senior who transferred in from Shawnee last year, had the unenviable task of trying to replace Zamot, one of the best quarterbacks in school history despite only playing one year for the Spartans after transferring in from St. Augustine Prep. All Yost did was complete nearly 60 percent of his passing attempts for 1,906 yards and 22 touchdowns. Gray had another fantastic year, piling up 1,366 yards — nearly six yards per carry — to go along with 16 touchdowns, and the Spartans got some other huge contributions. Devin Lee rushed for nearly 400 yards and four scores, receiver Ahmad Brown became a breakout athlete with 38 catches for 524 yards and nine touchdowns, and tight end Isaiah Gerena added 407 yards and three touchdowns. Spirit also got some huge contributions from its “no-name” defense. Senior Malachi Valentine had 58 tackles and 9.5 sacks, Azim Baker-Coley led the squad with 73 tackles, including 11 TFLs, and freshmen Michael Francisco and Michael Weaver combined for nearly 100 tackles. Brown, Andrew Constantino and Tom Finan combined for another 100 tackles. Early on, it might have been hard to imagine this year’s Spartans playing for a state championship. They went on the road in Week Zero and lost 35-16 to a strong Mount St. Joseph team in Maryland, then nearly fell to 0-2 before pulling out a 30-22 win over Eastern. The Eastern win, however, started a four-game winning streak, and then after losing 2-of-3 to end the regular season, Holy Spirit rolled in the first two rounds of the state playoffs, beating Morris Catholic 61-8 and Hudson Catholic 48-16. “I truly believed. We had everything set and once everybody came together we started rolling and I definitely knew we were going to make it to the state championship game. For Yost, I could see during the offseason he was throwing darts and his accuracy was pinpoint, and with our defense, after the first few scrimmages I knew we were going to be fine. How they were stopping the running game and how they were covering receivers. Against Mount St. Joseph it was tough, but after the first half we held them. That pushed us forward. We lost against a tough team. We hung in there in
Glory Days Magazine photo/ Dave O’Sullivan
Walid Jones, a senior linebacker, finished the year with 48 tackes and 5.5 sacks. As a team, Holy Spirit had 36 sacks and 74 tackes for loss in 12 games. the first half and lost it at the end, so we knew we just had to come back and get stronger for the rest of the season,” said senior lineman Colin Nolan. “We knew Eastern was going to be a good matchup, but we didn’t expect it to be how it was. We played bad the whole game before we started picking it up in the fourth quarter. After winning that game, I knew our season was going to be special. It’s just the effort these players give for this football team and how they play on the field. Every single time we went out for practice guys were hitting hard and giving 100 percent, and we transitioned that (to game day) and that gave us an edge against teams that had big-time players. You could name a whole bunch of players on St. Joe and Prep, but the amount of heart our players give is amazing.” “It kind of brings me back to the days of the championship teams we celebrated (on Thanksgiving), kind of a no-name type of defensive team that just came out and played hard-nosed football. Nobody knew about them, but you knew every day when they came out onto the field they were going to knock the snot out of you any opportunity they got, and that’s kind of reminiscent of this team now,” added coach A.J. Russo. “With our offensive line, Colin Nolan and Riley Howat were
See Spartans, page 25
Page 24 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
Sp
check out all of our great photos now at glorydaysonline.smugmug.com!
ou tor tha su ma ag al va op him ar R go so pe go up “ att ev tha co the we to alw tea Fo th to pl di ge in th lo do ev th to sa pe no to ye pr W to try ag Bu let “ Ze It “W he ha alm co
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 25 Spartans, from page 23 our only two returning starters, and Riley tore his ACL in our first scrimmage, so that limited our returners. But these kids sucked it up and did a great job. ‘Next man up’ is our philosophy and they did a great job. Ryan is a quarterback with a lot of skill but just didn’t have a lot of varsity game time, so this season was an opportunity for him to get out and prove himself and get comfortable, and he did a really nice job with that.” Russo admitted he wasn’t sure how good this year’s team would be because so many players had limited varsity experience, but he knew his players were going to give every ounce of effort to live up to the winning tradition at Holy Spirit. “Our goal here at Holy Spirit is to attempt to get to a state championship every year, so in the back of our mind that’s what we’re striving for. We knew coming into the season, with the way these kids worked in the offseason, that we had a shot. We knew St. Joe had a ton of kids coming back and they’re always going to be a great football team, and going into the West Jersey Football League Royal Division for the first time and playing Washington Township, Eastern, we haven’t played those schools before so we didn’t know what we were going to get. But I think going down and playing Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore that first weekend, even though we lost, we saw a good football team down there and our kids competed every play and in their minds it made them think they had an opportunity to do some good things this year,” he said. “At Holy Spirit, kids are competing every day for their spots. It’s not like we said, ‘OK, we’re going to be a really good football team this year,’ because we, as coaches, are probably overly critical of our team. We just looked at it as we’re going to compete every day and continue to try to get better, and if that makes us a good team, then we’re a good team. But we just wanted to compete and let the chips fall where they may.” “I think that Maryland tirp (in Week Zero) helped us get that connection. It was a great experience,” Jones said. “Win or lose, you just have to keep your head up and keep fighting. After that, we had a tough game against Eastern and almost lost and were almost 0-2, but we couldn’t let that happen.”
Added Nolan, “It’s just everyone’s effort. We give 100 percent effort every day and it pays off in the end. Our coaching staff has been here for a couple of years now and the chemistry is coming together. Even with our young players, the freshmen and sophomores — the tradition here is to be a family and give your best effort, and keep moving forward.” What helped the Spartans reach yet another state championship game was the senior leadership, something Spirit never seems to be lacking. “The guys last year gave it their all every day, just like the guys now, and their leadership through the tough losses and big wins, it was amazing to see that as a young player. And just knowing they had our backs no matter what, it was very inspiring for everyone. Now, the leaders on the team like John Bee, (junior) E’lijah Gray, other seniors, it’s just amazing,” Nolan said. “I remember freshman year coach (Bill) Walsh said that no matter what, the senior class that year was going to push Holy Spirit forward and make us great again so that when we were seniors, we would push the freshman. And he was right, he called it. He knew our team was going to be special and keep improving. The next year we made it to the state championship, and that was a tough loss (against Mater Dei) but I don’t think anybody saw us coming back during that game. We were down by 20 points and came back and tied the game. It was a good learning experience for our team. “It starts with E’lijah Gray and John Bee as our captains and continues with the senior leadership we have on this team. No opportunities are given to you, you earn every chance you get, and when you get an opportunity you have to do something with it. That’s what these kids have done,” Russo added. “These kids are hard workers, and that’s the identity of this team. The seniors have taken the bull by the horns and through thick and thin we’re in this together. We lost some great leaders (the last couple years) but there has always been a group of kids who take control of the team and this year was no different. We made changes across the board with positions and to have the kids respond regardless of the changes has probably been the most rewarding thing.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullsays
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
season highlights Holy Spirit finished 8-4 this season against a very tough schedule and made yet another trip to a state championship game. Here’s a look at some of the best performances the Spartans had in 2018. u In Week Zero, Spirit traveled to Baltimore to take on Mount St. Joseph, one of the top teams in Maryland. The Spartans lost, 35-16, but playing well against a top out-of-state team became a springboard for September success. u Senior quarterback Ryan Yost, pictured above, in his first year as a starter, threw four TD passes in a 28-3 win over Hammonton on Sept. 21, including a pair of third-quarter strikes to Ahmad Brown that helped the Spartans expand on a 14-3 halftime lead. u In late October, Spirit went on the road for a divisional matchup against Kingsway and exploded for 22 fourth quarter points to pull away for a 28-7 victory. Junior RB E’lijah Gray ran for three scores and also passed for one. u On Nov. 9, the Spartans whipped Hudson Catholic, 48-16, despite playing in a torrential rain storm that made Ed Byrnes Stadium a mud pit. Following the win, players celebrated by sliding in the mud at midfield.
Page 26 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
u SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: NATALE STINSON, OCEAN CITY GIRLS SOCCER
Reliability a hallmark of Stinson’s career Moving versatile 4-year varsity player to the back paid big dividends for Red Raiders this year By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer ot many high school soccer coaches would be willing to move one of their top offensive midfielders to the back for her senior season, but when looking at the lineup, Ocean City coach Kelly Halliday knew she needed somebody who was consistent and reliable to captain the Red Raiders’ defense. And the emergence of young talent such as Delaney Lappin and the return of Tori Rolls to the lineup after an injury kept her out for most of her junior year allowed Halliday to shift senior “She’s a classic Natale Stinson to right team player. She’s fullback. That decision helped so coachable. The lead the Red Raiders biggest compliment to another outstanding season that saw them I’ve said about post a 14-6-3 record, Natale every year is qualify for the South Jersey Coaches Tourthat if my daughter nament, make a run to grows up to be like the finals of the first her, I’ll be very lucky Cape-Atlantic League Tournament and to because that’s how the semifinals of the good of a person South Jersey Group 3 state playoffs. With a she is.” defense spearheaded Kelly Halliday by Stinson, only three Ocean City coach teams — Williamstown in the regular season, eventual South Jersey Group 4 champion Eastern in the Coaches Tournament, and Moorestown in the sectional semis — scored more than two goals on Ocean City all year. In addition, nine of Ocean City’s wins came via shutout, including seven in a nine-game span stretching from late September to mid-October, during which the Red Raiders went 8-1. “She’s one of my favorite people and has been from the start. She has a great personality, and she just does everything right. She shows up fit, she’s one step ahead of the game, she’s mature and she’s always asking questions in a way that shows she wants to learn and become better. She’s been someone I can count on from Day
N
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Ocean City girls soccer coach Kelly Halliday elected to play senior Natale Stinson at right fullback this season, and the move paid off, as the Red Raiders won 14 games, including nine via shutout. One. She’s the one during halftime who is asking the right questions, about how to defend this play or how to do that. She’s always doing the right thing,” Halliday said. “She had more of an offensive role (early in her career). Because she was so fit she played in the midfield and had a knack for the goal. More of the possession game where she would feed different players and put great balls into the box. She had some great goals in her career just by being in the right spot at the right time, which is classic Natale. A couple years ago she had a header goal where she was fixing her headband, but because she was there it went in. She played mostly offense, but this year we needed a player in the back. We had a few players we tried out at that position but you always go with consistency and somebody you can rely on in the back and she was the most able to adapt to that spot. She filled in for Tori Rolls last year so she’s definitely an offensive player and I thought that’s
where she would end up, but as soon as I saw a spot that needed to be filled — you look to any of your experienced players, especially in the back. She plays defense for her club team, so it wasn’t so far out of her realm, but her consistency and reliability definitely made her a great choice for that position.” “I was just excited to play. I knew I would be able to start in that position and hopefully make a difference. Our starting senior last year left and we had a lot of good incoming offensive players, so I took the challenge and rolled with it. When I initially started playing defense, it was with my club team and my coach had to teach me everything. It’s amazing how different it was,” Stinson said. “Offensively, you just run wherever you want and try to get the ball and score,
See Stinson, page 29
r
an
ht ng
hat rinse m, ra
to ce. of alaych erun re,
29
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 27
St
bu ity sh is ad de the to wa ye ov fro wa na S the wh an be it pr tha ga co on “ ou pla sit
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 29 Stinson, from page 26 but on defense you have a responsibility to get back for the team, you have to shift over depending on where the ball is and you always have a mark. It was a difficult change when I started playing defense for my club team, just learning the position. My club coach moved me to center back my sophomore year, and I wasn’t comfortable until about my junior year. Even during the long breaks, like over the summer, I felt like I was starting from the beginning and had to work my way up again. But now, it’s much more natural.” Stinson is a Brigantine resident and therefore a choice school student, which means she really didn’t know any of the Ocean City girls when she began her career as a freshman. But it didn’t take her long to make an impression. She made the varsity squad that year and even began starting some games, becoming a chess piece that coach Halliday could move anywhere on the board she wanted. “I feel like Natale’s journey throughout her four years — she’s not only played different roles, but different positions, and she’s a classic team player.
She’s so coachable. The biggest compliment I’ve said about Natale every year is that if my daughter grows up to be like her, I’ll be very lucky because that’s how good of a person she is. On the field, she’s very smart and reliable — all the good qualities you would want from a player on your team. I’m so blessed to be her coach. She’s played different positions, she’s been a starter and played every minute this year and last year she got time in offensively. She’s seen it all and she’s quite the role model for our program. One of her biggest skill sets is definitely her consistency. She owned her role this year and didn’t want to come off the field. I didn’t have to worry about her or that part of the field, which was awesome,” Halliday said. “There are really no stats for a fullback, but she gives Delaney room to move up, and Delaney was one of our leading goal scorers. Because of her ability to stay put and be a wall back there, it gave us the chance to have some more numbers up. We played three in the back a lot and she was a staple back there. We were able to hang with the big dogs of South Jersey because of her. The Clearview game was
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Stinson helped lead Ocean City to 54 wins during her career and the See Stinson, page 30 2017 South Jersey Group 3 championship.
Page 30 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018 Stinson, from page 29
Stinson’s accomplishments
one of the best games I’ve ever seen her play. She was playing against one of the best forwards we’ve seen, but Natale had one of the best second halves I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe she’s a senior. She’s going to be hard to replace. It’s awesome to say to the next class that these are your expectations, but it’s going to be really hard to replace her because she’s played so many roles on the team. I’m not sure how we’re going to do it.” “As a freshman, I really didn’t know anyone so I didn’t expect much. I thought it was going to be crazy hard, and it was. The team challenged me and I didn’t expect to make varsity all four years, so when I made it as a freshman I was really surprised,” Stinson added. “As a freshman, I think (coach Halliday) was testing the waters with me, so I started a few games and she would sub me in during other games. Up until that point I had always played outside midfielder or striker, but I would have been fine playing anywhere and during my four years I played outside mid, striker, center back and now side back, and sometimes center mid.” She said she really enjoyed playing de-
u Scored 10 career goals and added seven assists, including six goals and five assists as a junior when she played in the midfield. u During her four-year varsity career, led the Red Raiders to a 54-26-4 record. u Helped lead Ocean City to the 2017 South Jersey Group 3 championship with a shootout win over Cherry Hill West. u Ocean City went 8-4 in state playoff games during Stinson’s career. u As a senior, helped lead the Red Raiders to the championship game of the inaugural Cape-Atlantic League Tournament and a berth in the sectional semifinals. fense, however, and shouldering the expectations that came along with her new position. “It’s a big responsibility. It’s kind of putting the team on your back and no matter how tired you get, you just have to work for your team and that pushes me,” she said. “This season was really awesome, even though we didn’t win any titles or make any history, overall the team had great chemistry. Getting to know the girls every day at practice, we always worked hard and worked for each other, and we just had a great team this year. I’ll remember the bonds
I’ve made with these girls. I didn’t know anybody when I was coming in, but since then I’ve made so many friends and that’s made a big impact on my life.” Stinson isn’t just a soccer player, either. She sings in the school choir and also is a lifeguard during the summer months. Originally she said she was set on playing college soccer, but recently she’s been exploring bigger schools where she likely would be limited to playing club soccer, which is fine with her, she said. She said she’s excited about enjoying the college experience
and possibly getting into the health sciences field. “It’s really weird to think about (my high school career being over). I’ve applied to schools and gotten into two, and I’m excited for a change. Initially I wanted to play (college soccer) but that was limiting me to Division III schools, so now I’m looking at bigger schools and maybe play club soccer. As long as I’m playing the game, I’ll be happy. My top choice is Towson and I got into that last week, and I’m still going to apply to the University of Delaware. Freshman year I wanted to play (college) soccer, 100 percent, and thought about going to a small school so I could start right away, but over time I realized I didn’t want to just look at schools for their soccer program, I needed to actually love the school and that’s what got me looking at bigger schools,” Stinson said. “I’m going to remember the bonds I made with all the girls and the dedication it took to be the best we could each and every season, and how hard we had to work for each other to get there.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
ci-
my ve wo, lly but III gocme, on ’m ity ed nt, all but to cer he ng ’m de it nd to
Page 32 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
CROSS COUNTRY
Inside the mind of a runner Student correspondent Ray Lewis, a senior on the Absegami cross country team, shows readers what it’s like after the starter’s pistol sounds
I
t’s race day. You’ve gone through this countless times. For some reason, though, that same feeling arises as if today is the first time you have ever toed the starting line. The preparation begins hours before your foot stands that inch behind the starting line. You begin by packing your bag for the race at daybreak. The essentials are put in first (uniform, water bottle, pair of spikes — and in some instances, a headband) and followed by those physical items are a few psychological ones. Is it hot outside? Is it cold? Is this other team good? Are they better than us? Do I actually feel like running today? As the thoughts pack themselves into your duffel bag and you head out to catch the morning bus, the day seems to merge into its normal routine. It has its low and high points: someone spikes on you in gym volleyball; another helps you with some homework. Throughout the lows and highs, however, the thought of the 3.1-mile race in just a few hours stays cemented in the back of your mind. The day progresses, and you soon to begin to wonder just how much longer you have until the race. And, after a short but worthwhile nap in study hall, the clock suddenly reads 2:30 p.m. You head to the locker room, get changed, hop on the bus, and next thing you know you’re at the school where the tri-meet is taking place. The other teams are already here, but you don’t care. You’re focused on one thing — and one thing only. You want to run better than you did at the last race. That’s a goal that every runner aims for, whether it be a four-year varsity star or JV competitor. This goal does, however, end up begging the question of how you should try to run better. Is it your sole objective to run for that new personal record that every cross country runner desires? Or is it to run with the purpose of just passing as many opposing runners as possible? You start to think, but there’s no time. Your coach is calling you to get off your rear-end and start the warm-up with the rest of your team. The warm-up is the same as it has been for much of your cross country career (run an easy distance and do the same
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Ray Lewis is a senior at Absegami High School and a member of the Braves’ cross country and baseball teams. stretches, as always). And after a few minutes of some sitting around prior to the race, the waiting finally comes to an end. The official beckons you and your team to take your spots at the starting line. You head over with the people you now call some of your closest friends and start to prepare for the moment that blank fires from the starter’s pistol. All around you people are talking — smack, speeches, sacraments — you name it. It all seems to be tuned out. You are by yourself in your mind, even with the other 50 runners around you. It is not a lonely feeling, but more of a concentrated one. The gun fires. The race starts. You run out, careful not to run too fast but smart enough to not fall too far behind. Running the first 100 meters, the conditions of your surroundings start to set in. Whether it be 40, 50 or 60 degrees outside, it always seems to feel like it’s in the high 80s when running. The sweat starts to come down your face, first in droplets and then in pools. It messes up your hair, of course, but that is beside the point. I need to get ahead. That thought keeps circling in your mind as you try to look for any advan-
tage possible to put yourself alongside the lead pack. There is no “groove” to run in with cross country. It is a grind from beginning to end with no breaks in between. That is why the hill up ahead looks like the perfect opportunity to begin your climb to the front of the pack. It’s a small one, with a steep incline, followed by a gradual decline. This is a good thing. You figure that if you can get through the short, abrupt beginning of the hill, the decline of it should give you the perfect opportunity to make your move. It happens, and you are now in the front of the pack to finish off the first half of the race. The adrenaline starts to settle down just as a cramp begins to form in the pit of your stomach, and you end up wishing it could be ripped out of your body entirely, rather than run with it for the rest of the race. The two end up staying with you and battle it out as you struggle to stay ahead. It is exhausting, but you hear what seems to be a divine voice in the wilderness. It’s a coach from the other team screaming out what sounds like a two-mile time to one of his runners. What a relief. The grind is coming to an end, and you
know it. What lays between you and the glory, satisfaction, and finish line is only 1,600 meters. But as you know, these 1,600 meters are nowhere near the same 3,200 that you just ran. This is your last push! This is your chance to show your coaches, your teammates, your parents and friends just how hard you have been working, not just now but before, during practices and the tempo runs and the long runs and the workouts. This is your chance to prove just what kind of runner you are. Everyone is ahead, watching you in these last 200 meters. They are cheering you on, hoping that you succeed — not only for your glory but for the school’s. You realize you are representing more than yourself. You are representing the runners before you, the legends that passed through the same hallways you now walk. You are representing the school that you call home — the same place you spend half your life working and conversing, studying and fooling around. You realize that you are representing the same place that has become home to much of your memories over the past couple years. The mundane memories of volleyball games, homework exchanges and naps in study hall now start to get replaced by the ones that hold a bigger place in your heart. The images of practicing bat flips on the baseball field, the images of having boxing matches in a classroom, the images of making that first move on the girl that seems to be the most beautiful in the building all come back to you in a flood. The school that has helped make you who you are — through friendships and relationships alike — is now the school you wish to succeed for and whose logo you wear across your chest. The race ends, and you finish in first place. You have accomplished your goal set in the beginning and have done so in grand fashion. But at the same time, you have accomplished one much larger and more profound at the same time. You have represented your school, your home and your family in a light that you feel can be darkened in no way. That is why you have won, regardless of what the stopwatch says.
r
s
he nly ese me ast our nts en urhe our ner
in ng not ’s. ore he hat ou he me ng ng reme he moexart da of ld, hes ng to all ool are ps to ear
rst oal so me, ger ou me eel
ess
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 33
Page 34 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
BASEBALL 365/FALL SIGNING DAY REPORT
Ta
CAL teeming with Division I talent Cape-Atlantic League sees more than a dozen land scholarships with fall NLI signing period By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer few years ago, Glory Days Magazine wrote that Cape-Atlantic League baseball was entering a new golden age, and that trend seems to be continuing as more than a dozen players committed to Division I college programs during the fall signing period in November. Guys such as Sean Mooney of Ocean City (now at St. John’s) and Kyle Gerace of Mainland Regional (Rutgers University) began attracting more college recruiters to South Jersey a few years ago, and it seems college coaches are beginning to understand that there is a lot of talent in places like Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. The increase in talent and competition has led to travel programs — such as the Sand Sharks, New Jersey Baseball, Arsenal and the Niners, among others — flourishing, and also baseball academies like Baseball Performance Center in Pleasantville. BPC is run by former Holy Spirit standout pitcher Mike Adams and former St. Augustine Prep star outfielder Ed Charlton — both of whom played on the college and professional levels — and in November, BPC, which is in just its second year of operation, had 10 of its athletes ink Division I scholarships. Included in that group are Devin Sharkey of Mainland (Stony Brook), Jayson Hoopes (Virginia), Gerry Peacock (Dartmouth) and Cole Vanderslice (Villanova) of St. Augustine Prep, Sam Daggers (Wagner) of Absegami, Stephen Restuccio (Virginia Tech) of Hammonton, Dominic Buonadonna (Binghamton) of Millville, Jimmy Pasquale (Iona) and Alec Sachais (Rider) of Holy Spirit, and Cory Kessler (Hartford) of Egg Harbor Township. BPC held a special Signing Day celebration at its location on Nov. 15 that included all 10 players.
A
an me wh als to sea all sam tra an the a wh ne
wa ha for tha oth tha nit go go be
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Some of the hats of colleges that BPC players from the Cape-Atlantic League have committed to adorn the table at a fall Signing Day ceremony at Baseball Performance Center in Pleasantville in November. The Academy had 10 players sign Division I scholarship offers. Other Division I commits from around the CapeAtlantic League include Kessler’s 2019 teammates at EHT Jordan Sweeney (Rutgers) and Robbie Petracci (Old Dominion), and Ervin Bogan of Vineland, who has signed with George Washington University. “Obviously this is awesome. Most of these guys have been with us for a year or more, so it’s nice to see them working together and getting to celebrate with each other. Having a 2019 class with 10 guys who have signed Division I commitments is pretty awesome,” said Adams of BPC. “All these guys have potential and we’re appreciative of them for coming to hit five days
a week, lift five days a week, throw five days a week so that they can maximize their potential and fully reach the goal they are trying to achieve compared to just doing the normal couple days of lifting, couple days of throwing and some lessons. We try to make it an environment where these guys can come and work out with each other, work out as much as possible and really refine their skills.” All the 2019 commits play travel baseball, many under the guidance of Ed Hayes of the Sand Sharks
ron sch pe pla yo ag sch the wi
See Talent, page 35
St BP Co
t
an
itin s.
so ch ust ys an out re-
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 35 Talent, from page 34 and Mike Lahoud, the father of the former EHT star catcher by the same name, who runs N.J. Baseball. The players also take advantage of places like BPC to hone their skills throughout the offseason, and there are a lot of benefits to all these star players working out at the same facility and playing together on travel teams. They get to bond as friends and classmates, but, more importantly, they are seeing talent equal to theirs on a daily basis and getting a glimpse of what the competition will be like at the next level. “It’s definitely cool and something we wanted to have happen. We wanted to have guys coming in here to get ready for college baseball and putting them in that atmosphere where they are around other guys who are trying to accomplish that same goal,” Charlton said. “It’s definitely cool to see that because when they go to college, everybody on the team is going to be a guy who was one of the best players on their high school team.” “That’s the best part about the environment — they all go to different high schools and they come here and compete in one place. You might be the best player on your high school team, then you come here and you’re competing against the best player on every high school team around here, and that’s how the best guys on each team can work with each other and understand that it’s
not just the 12 guys in your town, there is a lot of talent out there,” Adams added. “They can get a feel for, OK, you thought you were good among the guys on your (high school) team, then you come in here and there are 10 other guys just as good, so now how are you going to separate yourself?” Adams and Charlton said they will give advice to players about the recruiting process if asked and try to help in any way they can. It wasn’t that long ago that they were in these same shoes. “Schools spend a lot of time reaching out to us and travel coaches. They are trying to find people who know these players well, so they communicate with us, and we try to advise the players the best we can on visits and comparing scholarships. That’s the fun part for us, we get to help these guys with that process because we’ve both been through it,” Adams said. “Recruiting takes place a lot earlier these days. We both committed when we were seniors and now guys are committing as sophomores and juniors, so everything happens a lot earlier. They are being forced to mature a lot earlier and they are having to make life decisions as a sophomore in high school, which is crazy to think about it. That’s why we try to help them as much as we can because we played at higher levels and have been in their shoes.” Having 10 Division I signees from their academy this year bodes well for the future success of the BPC program, Adams and Charlton said.
ny ks
35
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
St. Augustine Prep had three players sign Division I scholarships at the BPC Signing Day event, including, from left, Jayson Hoopes (Virginia), Cole Vanderslice (Villanova) and Gerry Peacock (Dartmouth).
“We have another class next year that should have a lot of guys signing and then the 2021 class after that, so it’s really exciting. It gives everyone who comes here the idea that if they work like the 10 guys we had sign this year, they have a chance to be sitting at the table next year,” Adams said. “They are setting a good example for the younger guys. When we have a signing day like this, the younger guys get to see that, and some of the older guys who are still uncommitted see that and it kind of pushes them a little harder
because they know it’s attainable. A lot of these guys have been here for almost two years, and they work. And that’s what we tell them it takes to compete at the next level. Some guys are more talented than others, naturally, but some guys work their tails off to get there,” Charlton added. “We’re not done yet. This isn’t the end goal. It’s definitely a good start and this is going to keep moving forward.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
Page 36 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
TRACK & FIELD
Sm
A.C. star Claudine Smith signs with Rutgers Outstanding Vikings hurdler, long jumper picks Scarlet Knights over West Point, Towson and Coastal Carolina By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer tlantic City High School senior Claudine Smith has jumped over a lot of hurdles during her time as one of the Vikings’ premier track stars, and she leaped over perhaps the biggest one of her life on Thursday afternoon in the school’s library, signing a National Letter of Intent to continue her track and field career next fall at Rutgers University. Smith, one of the top hurdlers and long jumpers in South Jersey, was being highly sought after by more than a dozen schools, and her final four choices came down to Rutgers, Coastal Carolina, Towson and West Point, and in the end she decided to stay in the state of New Jersey and compete in the Big Ten Conference. “With Rutgers, everything was there, especially the academics, and the athletics with them being in a ‘Power 5’ conference,” said Smith, who just turned 17 in October. “For Rutgers, it was how well set up my future would be and how the coach knew what he was talking about. I want to go into the masters program and he understood and set me up to talk to some of the people (who I’d be dealing with). It wasn’t just going in there with no clue as to what I’d be doing.” Smith started making a name for herself in the CapeAtlantic League as a freshman, and for the past two years has been one of the more dominant female athletes on the track circuit in both indoor and outdoor. She holds three Atlantic City Armory indoor records — in the 55 meters, 55 hurdles and 4x1-lap relay — and has more than a handful of school records, including in the 55 meters, 55 hurdles, 200, 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump. She’s been just as successful in her three outdoor seasons, where she excels as a hurdler. In the 100-meter hurdles last spring she took home county, league, sectional and state titles, and she also won gold medals in the long jump and triple jump at the county and league championships as well as the Woodbury Relays. In all, Smith — who is coached by Roy Wesley Jr. and Jonathan Parker at the high school — has won 26 major championships and holds 12 records; she’s been named first-team all-Cape-Atlantic League, was named to the all-South Jersey team in both indoor and outdoor track and qualified for nationals in three different seasons. Smith’s father, Claude, was on hand for Thursday’s signing ceremony and said the recruiting process was
A
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Claudine Smith, a senior at Atlantic City who has been a dominant hurdler and long jumper during her high school track career, recently made her college choice official by signing on with Rutgers University.
“It was an amazing journey overall. My first tip (to other parents) is to start early. Start very early. We started when she was a sophomore in high school. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re interviewing these individuals just as much as they are interviewing you.”
Claude Smith, father of Claudine, on the recruiting process
intense for he, his daughter and wife, Carla. “The process was very rigorous. We went to several different schools, from as far as Connecticut all the way down to South Carolina. We looked at the education program that (Rutgers) had available as well as the track program and the facilities. Claudine was apprehensive at first, but I think as time went on and she was able to see different schools and all that they had to offer, she came up with Rutgers. It was a good process. With us being parents that were involved, it taught us
a lot and it was amazing to see what all these schools had to offer, and what they went through to make these particular (scholarship) offers. It was an amazing journey overall,” he said. “My first tip (to other parents) is to start early. Start very early. We started when she was a sophomore in high school. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re interviewing these individuals just as much as they are interviewing you. And make sure you select the school you feel more comfortable with, whether it’s a Division I or Division II school, just make sure that when you make that decision you are very comfortable with the selection you’re making.” Now that the college selection process is over, Claudine can concentrate on the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons, where she’ll look to build on an already impressive resume. “It’s a good feeling knowing that she’s going to be attending school on a recruitment scholarship and she can go through school without many worries about the financial process and how her tuition will be paid.
See Smith, page 37
An en ha ye fro an dre the an thi sai an we de su mo tim ab rou ac A tha no (co ing no Co su on
an
er on
ols ese urts) he aid als ke ble ol, ou g.” auutdy
be he out id.
37
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 37 Smith, from page 36 And it’s a good feeling for us, too, we enjoyed the process overall and Claudine has worked very hard throughout the years to make this come true. I told her from the beginning that it’s all about her, and if she worked hard and followed her dream, it could come true. I give her all the credit, she definitely has worked hard and has put a lot of effort into getting to this particular plateau,” Claude Smith said. “Claudine has dedicated herself and has been a good student. As parents, we just try to guide her to be a good student and athlete, and giving her all the support we can. We make sure we attend most of her track meets, and at the same time we make sure we stay on top of her about doing her school work. It’s a wellrounded process, and she’s been able to accomplish it. Added Claudine, “It’s very assuring that I can just say it now instead of later, now I can just worry about this season (coming up), staying healthy and just doing what I need to do to end on a good note.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Claudine Smith was dominant as a junior at the spring 2018 Cape-Atlantic League Track & Field Championships, winning gold in the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. She also took third place in the 100 meters.
Page 38 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
Sh
Jersey Shore Rugby with Dr. J.
Sharks dominate in fall season finale
I
t was a beautiful day for rugby when The Jersey Shore Sharks Rugby Club wrapped up its fall season at Veteran’s Park in Galloway Township recently. Sunny and 55 degrees with a light northwest wind. Perfect weather and a perfect outcome, as the Sharks trounced Philadelphia’s visiting Blackthorn Rugby Club, 73-12. The Sharks not only improved their win record but they were able to advance to the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union playoffs for the divisional title and the right to represent their union in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby championships. All playoff and championship matches will take place in the spring 2019 season. The Sharks started off the match with a punishing try across the line in the center of the posts by big second-row lock, Alex Brigden, at the 6-minute mark. The Sharks proceeded to score every five minutes of the first half to build up a huge lead. Scrum Half Ian Byerly and fullback John Abadie each scored a try for 10 additional points. Inside
Dr. j zimmerman
See Sharks, page 39
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Liam Marshall had a huge day for the Jersey Shore Sharks Rugby Club in its fall season finale victory over Blackthorn of Philadelphia, scoring a hat trick of tries in the first half as the Sharks rolled to a 73-12 win.
ce tri sh the S en 14 T the Ke pe an kic fo B ho 50 on the T ac
an
on as
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 39 Sharks, from page 38 center Tim Lenzsch scored a pair of tries and Sharks 8-man, Liam Marshall, had a hat trick of tries to push the points total 40 before halftime. Sharks flyhalf Jim Tchir scored seven of the eight conversion attempts for 14 points. The second half continued in much the same manner, with Sharks flanker Kevin Thomas scoring a try. Kyle Happersett added a try and Lenzsch added another try to his tally as well. Tchir kicked 2-of-3 conversion attempts for four more points. Blackthorn was not left scoreless, however, as they crossed the line at the 50-minute mark of the second half and once again in the final two minutes of the match. The fall rugby season has come to a close, but the excitement among the
players is not ending. The Sharks’ preseason preparation for the 2019 playoffs will begin in February. If you are interested in playing rugby and helping the Sharks win the union championships, contact me for more info. Also, our boys high school rugby team will start practice in February as well. New players are welcome. All high school athletes are eligible to participate. Dr. J. Zimmerman is the president of the Jersey Shore Rugby Club Board of Directors. He is the men’s club head coach and director of youth rugby. Dr. J. is also the team chiropractor. For more information on Jersey Shore Sharks Rugby, including our high school rugby team, or if you are interested in playing, visit www.JerseyShoreRugby.com or on Facebook at Jersey Shore Rugby Club, or email Jerseyshoresharks@gmail.com, or call 609-652-6363.
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Former Mainland wrestler Tim Lenzsch was another player who had a big offensive game in the win over Blackthorn.
Page 40 w Glory Days Magazine w Dec. 7, 2018
u SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: SPENCER O’BRIEN, ABSEGAMI RUGBY
O’
Dedication sets up future for O’Brien
ga wa thi an H so the ve to in tha O’ tio ye “ the I w ev pr Ig tim thi me to int my T be sta U
Senior earns scholarship to Life University, one of the top rugby colleges in the nation By RAY LEWIS Student Correspondent ugby is gritty. It is tough, physically demanding, and to any person who is uneducated about the sport, it can understandably look to be one of the most unappealing sports available to a young high school athlete. But for Spencer O’Brien, a senior at Absegami High School, these are not at all the first distinctive traits that come to mind when rugby is inserted into the conversation, and he has set out to change the common perspective of the sport while preparing himself for every difficulty that comes along the way to becoming a Division I student-athlete at Life University in Marietta, Ga. O’Brien, who has been playing the sport he has been infatuated with ever since eighth grade, is not an ignorant young man. He certainly recognizes the physicality (which many people associate with the sport) that rugby demands. He even went so far to describe it as “that constant bam-bam-bambam-bam-bam-bam.” What comes with the physicality, however, is something that many athletes do not ever get the chance to appreciate in sports. “You beat the crap out of each other for an hour, and after that hour you walk over (to the other team) and it’s like a blood-brother relationship. It’s like you’re fighting a war and you go on to the other side and shake hands with the other people.” This “blood-brother relationship” — something that is so rare in the growing competitive nature of sports in this day-and-age — is just one of the many spectacular aspects of life that rugby can offer and is certainly something that O’Brien wishes to stress to
R
Submitted photo
Spencer O’Brien, a senior at Absegami and member of the Jersey Shore Sharks Rugby Club’s high school team, recently signed a scholarship offer to continue his academic and athletic career at Life University in Marietta, Ga. the people who are hoping to further enhance not only their athletic ability, but also their ability to become more mature, respectful human beings. “The thing about rugby is it’s all about respect,” O’Brien stated. “It’s all about respecting the other team and the players. It really is a gentleman’s sport, and I don’t think a lot of people get that.” These traits are not just describing of the nature of the sport. They are also very telling about how O’Brien plays his game. From picking up an opposing team’s player after a rough tackle, to bonding with the opposing team, to even letting them eat first after a very strenuous day of rugby, O’Brien is constantly finding ways to become more mature as a high school teenager,
while helping to make the lives of the other people he plays against easier. “Before every single eat-up (at the end of the game when everyone sits around and eats together), you always let the other team eat first. So, let’s say you and I are on different teams and after we go play our game, I would let you and your entire team go first. If I’m in line about to go get food, and I turn around and saw you at the back of the line, I’d get out of line, and ask that you please go first, because it’s respect.” And while the characteristic of respect is certainly one of the most important qualities that O’Brien bears, there is one that seems to be on a whole different level. To play the game of rugby, as O’Brien states, there needs to be a motive to care.
“I hate it when people say that ‘he’s on the other team, so you shouldn’t care.’ No. You should care because he’s another human being.” This quality that every rugby player should possess, in O’Brien’s opinion, also serves to show the amount of commitment the future Division I player has for the sport that he has such a passion for. This past fall in Philadelphia, O’Brien found himself on the sidelines with what looked to be a serious hit to the head. After moments of sitting on the field, trying to remember just where he was, however, O’Brien actually attempted to get back into the
See O’Brien, page 41
n
oto
gh fe
e’s n’t e’s
yer on, myer as-
ia, deus itber en he
41
Dec. 7, 2018 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 41 O’Brien, from page 40 game, regardless of how bad his injury was. That goes to show just how far this rugby player will go to overcome any obstacle that is in front of him. His commitment, along with a personality that is like no other, is one of the fundamental reasons why Life University felt he was worthy of a chance to play for one of the best rugby schools in the country. And after being given that chance on the day of the signing, O’Brien had a certain kind of realization that will be fairly hard to forget for years to come. “The entire team got behind me and they’re all clapping and cheering as I was signing. I was shaking. I can’t even describe how thankful, how appreciative I am,” he said. “All the times I got up early in the morning, all the times I went to work and did my own thing, all the people who have helped me, from school to working to lifting to coaching, all of that just culminated into that one moment and I’m like ‘Oh, my gosh, I’ve finally done it.’” That moment, which will seemingly be impossible to replicate, will likely stay with him for the rest of his life. Unquestionably, though, it has not
Submitted photo
O’Brien is surrounded by members of the Life University rugby team as he signs his National Letter of Intent recently. come without the dedication that rugby demands. It has not come without the physical and mental commitment that is needed to play the sport that O’Brien has used as one of the foundations of his life. And while some may not have known that this sport could influence
someone in such a way, O’Brien sure hopes that it will continue to reach new people just like it has reached him, so that their lives can also be impacted in
quite a major way for years to come. Ray Lewis is a senior at Absegami and a member of the cross country and baseball teams.
GLORY DAYS SNAPSHOTS
Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan
Atlantic City sophomore Shawn McGraw gains some yardage during the Vikings’ annual Thanksgiving Day rivalry game against Holy Spirit.
St. Joseph junior running back Jada Byers hauls in a 60-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Shertel during the Wildcats’ 41-22 win over Holy Spirit in the Non-Public Group 2 championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Cedar Creek sophomore Charisse Tigrado serves during the Cape-Atlantic League individual championships at Vineland High in late October.
Ocean City seniors, from left, Shannon Decosta, Maddie Kahn and Reese Bloomstead show off the trophy after the Red Raiders defeated Clearview to capture another South Jersey Group 3 sectional championship.
u Check out more great photos at glorydaysonline.smugmug.com!