Bialecki breaking out

Woodstown wins Warriors Holiday Classic in New Egypt, Bialecki named MVP; also includes wrestling highlights

SATURDAY’S BOYS GAMES
ACIT Holiday Tournament
Consolation: GCIT 59, Salem Tech 13
Championship: ACIT 59, Camden Tech 48

Warrior Holiday Classic
Consolation: Pinelands 56, Steinert 49
Championship: Woodstown 65, New Egypt 48

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

NEW EGYPT – A new coach often means big changes to the program he takes over and one of the biggest benefactors of the changes new Woodstown basketball coach Ramon Roots brought into his program has been Blake Bialecki.

Roots recognized Bialecki’s value to the team early in the transition and green-lighted the junior as the prime shooter in his offense.

Bialecki justified the faith his coach placed in him with another big game Saturday, scoring a game-high 17 points and winning MVP honors as the Wolverines beat host New Egypt 65-49 to win the Warriors Holiday Classic for the second year in a row.

“It’s really just my coaches have a ton of confidence in me and they just want me to shoot the ball,” Bialecki said. “Them having that confidence in me just makes me have more confidence in myself. They trust me to hit shots and now I’m starting to trust myself more to hit shots.”

It was the second game in a row Bialecki led the Wolverines (2-2) in scoring, this one coming on top of the 23-point game he enjoyed in the tournament opener against Pinelands. It reminded him of a similar two-game stretch he had last January when he went for 23 and 29 against Pennsville and Salem Tech. But he went scoreless the next game.

He scored just 11 points in this tournament last year, seven in the title game win over New Egypt.

“Last year I had the ball in my hand more, playing the point guard more, having to set up the plays and make plays, get the ball to other people,” he explained. “Now, Alejandro (Vazquez) and M.J. (Hall) are having the ball more and I’m off the ball more, and they’re drawing up more and more plays for me where last year I didn’t have certain plays drawn up just for me to get a shot off.

“It’s definitely more fun to score the ball. I’m definitely hoping to continue this stretch and just be score the whole year. Last year I was very inconsistent, up and down. I’m hoping that this year I’ll be more consistent scoring wise.”

The Wolverines hope so, too. Before breaking out this weekend, Bialecki had scored just 17 points in the Wolverines’ first two games, losses to Salem and Penns Grove. Roots knew he could give them more with the right amount of encouragement.

“After the 0-2 start I basically told Blake for us to get where we want to go you have to shoot the ball 15-plus times,” Roots said. “I want you taking five-plus 3s a game. There were a lot of times he would have a good catch-and-shoot opportunity and he was hesitant to take it.

“I told him I’m living and dying with you shooting the ball. You’re our best shooter. Overall you’re our best scorer,. We need you to shoot the ball. These last two games he has been really aggressive.

“That was one of the reasons why I took this job. I knew his talent, I knew his skills, I knew what type player he could be, so I’m just trying to take his game to the next level. He has responded well.”

The Wolverines used a big second half to win their second game in a row. They trailed by four at halftime, then switched defenses and it led to them outscoring the Warriors 22-9 in the third quarter and 38-17 in the second half.

M.J. Hall had three straight transition layups in the third quarter out of the 2-3 that keyed the comeback. Hall finished with 15 points, 11 in the second half. Rocco String had 13 points, nine in the second half, and threatened a triple-double (17 rebounds, six blocked shots). He’s averaging 15 rebounds a game and has had 22 blocks over his last three games.

“The first half we had mixed in man and then made some adjustments to just go 2-3 and I think that helped us defensively and offensively,” Roots said. “The 2-3 gave them a lot of problems and it benefitted us. We had a lot of ball movement, a lot of points in transition spotting up shooting, and we just played better basketball.

“A lot of people played well today.”

WARRIOR HOLIDAY CLASSIC
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
WOODSTOWN (2-2) – Eli Caesar 3 1-1 7, Blake Bialecki 6 3-3 17, Alejandro Vazquez 2 2-2 8, M.J. Hall 5 4-5 15, Garrett Leyman 2 0-0 5, Rocco String 6 1-4 13, Braydon Hall 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 11-15 65.
NEW EGYPT (2-3) – Nolan Arnold 2 10-12 14, Clyde Ferris 5 3-6 15, Evan Goldburg 0 2-2 2, Cameron Cassandra 0 0-0 0, Caleb Kowaleski 0 0-0 0, Dylan Harper 0 0-0 0, Paul Kennedy 0 0-0 0, Ryan Reynolds 4 1-2 12, Tommy Merlucci 2 0-0 4, Lucas Burgos 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 16-22 48.

Woodstown	10	17	22	16-	65
New Egypt	13	18	9	8-	48

3-point goals: Woodstown 6 (Bialecki 2, Vazquez 2, Leyman, M. Hall); New Egypt 6 (Ferris 3, Reynolds 3). Rebounds: Woodstown 42 (String 17, Caesar 7). Fouled out: M. Hall, Merlucci. Total fouls: Woodstown 20, New Egypt 14.

ACIT CONSOLATION GAME
GCIT 59, SALEM TECH 13: Ian Malgapo filled the box score as GCIT snapped a two-game losing streak to get back over .500 for the season. He had 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Milan Suarez (11) and Patrick Monaghan (10) also scored in double figures for GCIT.

Salem Tech (0-6)	3	2	6	2-	13
GCIT (3-2)	30	13	10	6-	59

SATURDAY’S GIRLS GAMES
Audubon Tournament
Consolation: Deptford 47, Cedar Creek 21
Championship: Audubon 43, Penns Grove 39

ACIT Holiday Tournament
Consolation: Atlantic Tech 55, Salem Tech 15
Championship: Camden Tech vs. GCIT

AUDUBON CHAMPIONSHIP
AUDUBON 43, PENNS GROVE 39: The Green Wave jumped out quickly and held off Penns Grove to win their holiday tournament and remain undefeated. Peyton Marrone scored 15 points and the Green Wave went 12-of-21 from the free throw line. Penns Grove’s RaNiyah Wilson led all scorers with 17 points.

PENNS GROVE (2-2) – RaNiyah Wilson 7 2-3 17, Syanna Robbins 1 0-2 2, JaNiyah Cummings 0 1-2 1, Keziah Patterson 2 0-0 5, Mikayla Washington 1 0-0 2, Brianna Robbins 5 0-2 12. Totals 16 3-9 39.
AUDUBON (5-0) – Ashley Flynn 2 2-6 6, Peyton Marrone 5 5-7 15, Emma Speyerer 3 1-2 8, Giavanna Heller 1 4-6 6, Sophia Homa 3 0-0 6, Kylie Cannaday 1 0-0 2, Molly Sullivan 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 12-21 43.

Penns Grove	7	8	15	9-	39
Audubon	15	8	13	7-	43

3-point goals: Penns Grove 4 (Wilson, Patterson, B. Robbins 2); Audubon 1 (Speyerer).

ACIT CONSOLATION GAME
ATLANTIC TECH 55, SALEM TECH 15: ACIT closed out a dominating defensive performance by shutting out the Chargers in the fourth quarter. Shelby Drummond was Salem Tech’s leading scorer with eight points.

SALEM TECH (1-3) – Shelby Drummond 4 0-0 8, Shelby Liber 2 1-2 5, Lavae Scott 0 0-2 0, Payton Fitzpatrick 1 0-0 2. Totals 7 1-4 15.
ATLANTIC TECH (3-3) – Brianna Casiano 2 0-0 4, Zion Stewart 3 1-2 7, Alani White 5 1-4 11, Trinitee McKellar 3 0-1 6, Jadyn Clinkscale 1 0-0 2, Imani Muhammad 4 0-0 8, Lydia Long 2 0-0 4, Joslyen Gomez 4 0-0 8, Kim Pierre 1 1-1 3, Hannah Schmidt 1 0-0 2. Totals 26 3-8 55.

Salem Tech	5	8	2	0-	15
Atlantic Tech	17	22	10	6-	55

Active scorers watch

SALEM COUNTY SCORING LIST	POINTS
Talia Battavio, Woodstown	1296
Megan Donelson, Woodstown	1263
1000-POINT WATCH
Nora Ausland, Pennsville (Salem 462/Pennsville 403)	865
Marley Wood, Pennsville	770
x-RaNiyah Wilson, Penns Grove (Kingsway 251/Penns Grove 464)	715

x-Does not include 12/27 vs. Deptford

Wrestling

WOODSTOWN QUAD
LONG BRANCH 38, WOODSTOWN 36
106: Hunter Allen (Wo) pinned Sudhish Ransanahi, 1:06
113: Jordan Vieira (LB) pinned Luke Woronicak, 3:14
120: Carson Bradway (Wo) maj. dec. Dominic Lugo, 15-1
126: Walker Battavio (Wo) maj. dec. Alex Ramsanahi, 14-3
132: Travis Balback (Wo) maj. dec. Tristen Hepburn, 14-1
138: Matthew Munson (LB) tech fall Ryan Polk, 18-0 (3:01)
144: Pedro DeSouza (LB) won by forfeit
150: Javier Guzman (LB) pinned Angel Hernandez, 4:18
157: Brett Rowand (Wo) pinned Devon Smith, 1:11
165: Diego Mota (LB) dec. Colin Webb, 11-7
175: Greyson Hyland (Wo) pinned Evan Tracey, 2:00
190: Tornick Kajaia (LB) pinned Paul Banff, 3:13
215: Tyler Taylor (LB) pinned Bradley Snitcher, 3:48
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (Wo) pinned Nickolas Soria, 1:07

WOODSTOWN 49, AUDUBON 30
113: Rocco Monteferrante (A) pinned Luke Woronicak, 0:46
120: Carson Bradway (Wo) pinned Nicholas Sassany, 1:09
126: Travis Balback (Wo) tech fall R.J. Bauman, 18-2 (2:00)
132: Brayden Ervin (A) pinned Barry Coverly, 2:40
138: Ryan Polk (Wo) dec. Jimmy Moran, 8-4
144: James McSweeney (A) won by forfeit
150: Aydean Leahan (A) pinned Angel Hernandez, 3:28
157: Pedro Marte (A) won by forfeit
165: Brett Rowand (Wo) pinned Giovanni Patti, 1:32
175: Greyson Hyland (Wo) tech fall Gabriel McCracken, 20-5 (4:26)
190: Paul Banff (Wo) pinned David Borodziuk, 3:52
215: Bradley Snitcher (Wo) pinned Jonah Jordan, 0:38
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (Wo) won by forfeit
106: Hunter Allen (Wo) pinned Mason Knopka, 0:54

NORTHERN BURLINGTON 45, WOODSTOWN 35
120: Carson Bradway (Wo) pinned Jason Marasco, 5:55
126: Rocco Giangeruso (NB) pinned Walker Battavio, 0:54
132: Travis Balback (Wo) pinned Michael Mayhew, 1:52
138: Gavin Fowler (NB) pinned Ryan Polk, 1:03
144: Justin Marcello (NB) won by forfeit
150: Tret Villavon (NB) dec. Angel Hernandez, 9-6
157: Nathan Hyman (NB) pinned Thomas Lacy, 2:56
165: Hayden Joyce (NB) pinned Brett Rowand, 1:20
175: Greyson Hyland (Wo) pinned Griffin Goldmacher, 4:49
190: Bailey O’Malley (NB) pinned Paul Banff, 0:29
215: Sean Falcey (NB) pinned Bradley Snitcher, 5:23
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (Wo) won by forfeit
106: Hunter Allen (Wo) pinned Aiden Tranchitello, 2:18
113: Luke Woronicak (Wo) pinned Talen Zuzzio, 5:18

Weekend wrestling

Woodstown, Pennsville compete in tournaments in Delaware over the weekend

By Riverview Sports News

NEWARK, Del. – Woodstown heavyweight Mateo Vinciguerra reached the quarterfinals of the main draw and then finished seventh in the Beast of the East Tournament that concluded Sunday.

Vinciguerra had an opening-round bye, then won by pin and a decision before losing in a technical fall (23-7) to Mark Effendian of team champion Faith Christian Academy in the quarterfinals.

He won by decision and was pinned in his first two consolation round matches, then pinned Dante Donaldson of The Hill School in 2:21 in the seventh-place match.

Travis Balback (126) and Greyson Hyland (175) both went 1-2 in the tournament.

Howdy Duncan Classic

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Gabe Supernavage was the highest placing Pennsville wrestler in the Howdy Duncan Classic when he finished sixth at 138 in the weekend tournament.

Supernavage went 3-3 in the tournament with two pins in the consolation rounds. He lost a medical forfeit in the fifth-place match.

Pennsville wrestlers won 15 matches in the tournament. Nathaniel Mason (132), Joseph Halstead (190) and Jacob Hand (285) also won three matches in the tournament. Brett Land (113), Travis Hagan (144) and Halstead all reached the quarterfinals of the championship bracket.

The Eagles finished 19th in the team standings.

Thursday wrestling

Pennsville’s Pace still wrestling in girls Beast of the East; Schalick takes down Penns Grove in a dual match

By Riverview Sports News

NEWARK, Del. – Haley Pace, one of three Pennsville wrestlers in the field, remained alive in the consolation bracket of the girls Beast of the East tournament at the University of Delaware.

Pace pinned Guadalupe Quiroz Zamores of Kennett in 43 seconds in her first match of the 110 consolation bracket Thursday. She was pinned in the Round of 16 of the main draw.

Bilge Balci (125) and Gina Haubrich (105) both went 1-2. Balci pinned Penelope Leonard of Kennett in 46 seconds in the Round of 32, then lost her next two matches. Haubrich was pinned in her Round of 16 match, pinned Emily Alvarez of Crofton in 4:15 in her first consolation bracket match, then lost by major decision.

The girls tournament wraps up Friday.

SCHALICK 57, PENNS GROVE 21: The Cougars won five of the nine contested weight divisions – three pins, a tech fall and a major decision – and picked up forfeits in five other classes to win the battle of the top two teams in last week’s Schalick holiday tournament.

SCHALICK 57, PENNS GROVE 21
106: Victor Fenske (S) won by forfeit
113: Caleb Jenkins (S) pinned Avery Curriden, 0:27
120: E’Shion Underwood (S) won by forfeit
126: Luke Silva (S) pinned Devine Arce, 3:03
132: Ryan Miller (S) tech fall over Adam Gonzales, 15-0 (1:59)
138: AbdulMuta’Alie IbnAbdulHailmTart (P) pinned Jacob Potts, 3:11
144: Michael Baisch (S) won by forfeit
150: Ayden Jenkins (S) won by forfeit
157: Riley Papiano (S) won by forfeit
165: Tre Brown (P) pinned Eric Sulik
175: Ricky Watt (S) maj. dec. Clinton Bobo, 18-8
190: Evan Elliott (S) pinned Sumir Brown, 3:35
215: Isaiah Underwood (P) dec. Gerardo Felipe, 11-8
285: Wayne Scott (P) pinned Ezequiel Garcia-Cruz, 0:20

This week’s schedule

Here is the schedule for Salem County sports teams for the week of Dec. 16-21; games 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, DEC. 16
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Pennsville at Palmyra
x-Woodstown at Kingsway
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown
x-Palmyra at Pennsville
Buena at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. West Deptford at Riverwinds, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Cape May Tech, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cape May Tech at Schalick
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Camden Academy Charter at Vineland YMCA, 3:15 p.m.
INDOOR TRACK
Salem, Penns Grove at Bennett Center, Toms River, 5 p.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Palmyra at Pennsville, 5 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Salem at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Schalick at Clayton, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.
Clayton at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 5:30 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem in Holiday Showcase at Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade, 3:30 p.m.
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester Catholic at Wood Lanes

THURSDAY, DEC. 19
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7 p.m.
WRESTLING
Penns Grove at Schalick
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville girls at Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)
TRACK
Pennsville Polar Bear Meet, 3 p.m.
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 5:30 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3 p.m.
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 5:30 p.m.
Salem Tech at Salem, 3 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational
Pennsville girls at Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)

SATURDAY, DEC. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Penns Grove vs. Timber Creek, 2:15 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Highland at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem girls at Jackson Liberty Tournament, 9 a.m.
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational, 10 a.m.
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament (U of Del.)
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

Wrestling roundup

Schalick wins its season-opening tournament, Woodstown places fourth at Delaware Valley

By Riverview Sports News

CENTERTON – Schalick won seven of the 14 weight divisions and had three other wrestlers in finals to run away with its Holiday Classic Saturday.

The Cougars, competing as a single-school team this year after being a co-op program with Cumberland Regional, scored 238 points. Penns Grove finished second (132) in the seven-team field.

Emma Cain (107), Caleb Jenkins (114), Luke Silva (127), Ayden Jenkins (151), James Cook (166), Ricky Watt (176) and Evan Elliott (191) all won their weight class. Koen Martin (158), Eric Sulik (166) and Gerardo Felipe (216) wrestled in the finals.

Tre Brown (158) and Wayne Scott (285) won weight classes for Penns Grove. Devine Arce (127) and Clinton Bobo (176) wrestled in finals.

Schalick had 15 wrestlers post top-four finishes. Penns Grove had nine wrestlers place in the top four.

SCHALICK HOLIDAY CLASSIC

TEAM SCORES: Schalick 238, Penns Grove 132, West Windsor-Plainsboro South 122.5, Oakcrest 120, Mainland 117, Haddon Heights 103.5, Holy Spirit 71

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
107: Emma Cain (Schalick) pinned Ethan Kavanakudiyil (WWPS), 4:30
114: Caleb Jenkins (Schalick) maj. dec. over Michael Ferraro (Haddon Heights), 11-3
121: Cole Denning (Haddon Heights) tech fall over Sanchez Joseph (Oakcrest), 17-0
127: Luke Silva (Schalick) dec, Devine Arce (Penns Grove), 9-5
133: Gavin Mensch (Holy Spirit) pinned Braden Monroe (Oakcrest), 1:31
139: Chris Mazur (Mainland) pinned Erick Montas-Aras (Oakcrest), 4:34
145: James Morley (Mainland) pinned Cameron Blaise (WWPS), 1:02
151: Ayden Jenkins (Schalick) tech fall over Carson Endicott (Mainland), 19-3
158: Anthony Brown (Penns Grove) pinned Koen Martin (Schalick), 1:08
166: James Cook (Schalick) dec. Eric Sulik (Schalick), 11-4
176: Ricky Watt (Schalick) dec. Clinton Bobo (Penns Grove), 10-7
191: Evan Elliott (Schalick) pinned Alex Krapivin (WWPS), 0:43
216: Jackson Broschard (Holy Spirit) dec. Gerardo Felipe (Schalick), 7-3
285: Wayne Scott (Penns Grove) pinned Nate Lelionis (Haddon Heights), 1:33

Wendy Pandy-Leh Invitational

FRENCHTOWN – Four Woodstown wrestlers, including three members of its blonde brigade, won division titles and led the Wolverines to a solid fourth-place finish in their season-opening tournament at Delaware Valley Regional.

Carson Bradway (120), Greyson Hyland (175) and Mateo Vinciguerra (285) all won their weight class, as did 126 Travis Balback. A fourth member of the blonde brigade, Paul Banff, finished third at 190.

Bradway drew a first-round bye, then scored a pair of pins and won his weight class with a major decision. Balback also had two pins and a major. Hyland had two pins and won his title bout by decision. Vinciguerra drew two byes and scored two pins.

Vinciguerra told Riverview Sports News earlier in the week the four friends went for the dye job “for the fun of it, to have fun in the season.”

“I’ve seen other teams do it before,” the Wolverines’ heavyweight said. “It’s just a fun thing to do, just maybe get some team chemistry.”

The Wolverines also got top four finishes from Brett Rowand (second, 157); Alex Torres (fourth, 132); and Bradley Snitcher (third, 215). Rowand had three pins before being pinned in his title bout.

The Wolverines scored 153 points. Ocean Twp. edged Del Val by two points to win the team title.

“While we have a lot of work to do, we wrestled well in spots,” Wolverines coach Adam Hyland said. “Travis Balback looked great all day up a weight from last year and so did Carson Bradway down a weight. Both were attacking and wrestling a fun style to watch.

“Greyson and Mateo got the job done and Brett Rowand looked solid coming in second. Bradley Snitcher also wrestled well pinning three guys while taking third.”

WENDY PANDY-LEH INVITATIONAL

TEAM SCORES: Ocean Twp. 180, Del Val Regional 178, Wall 163.5, Woodstown 153, Westfield 111.5, Williamstown 110.5, Cherokee 83, Princeton 76, Vorhees (Glen Gardner) 56.5, Pascack Hills 28.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
106: Adam Froehlich (Williamstown) pinned Michael Apicelli (Ocean Twp.), pinned 3:22
113: Tristan Rosemeyer (Williamstown) maj. dec. over Omar Carrillo-Solano (Wall), 21-11
120: Carson Bradway (Woodstown) maj. dec. over Charles Mahoney (Wall), 15-4
126: Travis Balback (Woodstown) pinned Ben Waitzel (Wall), 1:58
132: Jaden Perez (Del Val) pinned Steven Perez (Ocean Twp.), 1:32
138: Dominic Volek (Ocean Twp.) def. Cole Rose (Princeton), inj. (5:15)
144: Michael Volek (Ocean Twp.) pinned Michael Hasson (Del Val), 3:41
150: Blase Mele (Princeton) pinned Parker Quinn (Wall), 1:26
157: Luke Sinkewicz (Del Val) pinned Brett Rowand (Woodstown), 1:45
165: Jeremy Marsella (Wall) tech fall over Olivier Paul (Del Val), 17-1 (2:45)
175: Greyson Hyland (Woodstown) dec. Jack McDermott (Westfield), 8-2
190: Jake Zemsky (Westfield) maj. dec. over Deryk Hannold (Williamstown), 12-1
215: Daniel Farina (Ocean Twp.) pinned Eric Clauburg (Wall), 1:57
285: Mateo Vinciguerra (Woodstown) pinned Luken Alberdi (Del Val), 1:03

Getting to know …

Mateo Vinciguerra, Woodstown’s blonde brawler

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The last time we saw Woodstown’s Mateo Vinciguerra on the mat he had a headful of dark hair and was wrestling in the 215 weight class.

But it’s a new year and a new look for the Wolverines’ junior. Now, the hair is dyed blonde in a measure of solidarity and he’s wrestling full time in the heavyweight division.

But as much as things are changing, some things remain the same. He remains committed to winning a state championship for himself and his Wolverines team. After coming close last year, he’s looking to complete the job.

Vinciguerra, the Region 8 champion at 215 last year, spent some time with Riverview Sports News after a recent practice to talk about, among other things, the changes, his goals and the irony of his name. He hits the mat for the first time this season Saturday.

ROUND ONE: The Changes

RIVERVIEW SPORTS NEWS: Okay, what’s the story with the hair?

MATEO VINCIGUERRA: Me and a couple other friends on the wrestling team (175 Grayson Hyland, 120 Carson Bradway and 190 Paul Banff) did it just for the fun it, to have fun in the season.

I’ve seen other teams do it before. It’s just a fun thing to do. Just maybe get some team chemistry; we all go dye our hair somewhere and have fun. Just have fun for the season.

RSN: Shaving it was out of the question, right?

MV: I usually have a buzz cut, but I’m not going to shave it like all the way.

RSN: Let’s talk about the move to heavyweight. You opened last year there (going 14-1) before dropping down to 215 for the rest of the year (going 18-3), winning the region and placing fourth at states). What’s this all about?

MV: I did it at the beginning and realized I was too small. I went into it barely 230 and I realized I was just too small for a heavyweight, so I went down. I knew since last year I would be a heavyweight this year.

RSN: So what are you now?

MV: Around 245.

RSN: Will the competition be different now and what will being a lighter heavy help you to do?

MV: Being on the lighter side of heavyweight really helps me with my speed and my overall technique. I wrestle a kid in here, he’s pretty big, he’s about 30 pounds (heavier), and I feel like my speed just capitalizes more often than his weight.

RSN: Does Maryland want you to wrestle as a heavyweight?

MV: Yes. I’ll be redshirting by freshman year at Maryland, but I want to be around 270 probably by the time I get to Maryland.

RSN: Did you have to wrestle with the idea of being a heavyweight because I’m sure there are some nuances associated with the two weight classes?

MV: Heavyweight is more of a dogfight match. The guys are a lot heavier than me so I’m going to have to work a little harder, get them tired, but I just have to capitalize having a better gas tank than them. I knew it was going to be a little harder to move the big guys, but I knew once I get into the late periods I could definitely capitalize on that.

ROUND TWO: Love of the Sport

THE	MATEO	FILE
2023-24	RECORD	PINS
215	18-3	11
285	14-1	12
2022-23
190	17-6	8
215	8-2	4
TOTAL	57-12	35

RSN: You’ve wrestling since like you were 7. What is it about wrestling that appeals to you above all others, because it’s all you do?

MV: It really shapes you as a person, not just in wrestling, but in life. It makes you have that hard work ethic, that dedication. It really just teaches you not just principles of wrestling, but principles of life – just be a hard worker and have that mental toughness not really all the other sports teach you; you just have to be more mentally tough than every other sport.

RSN: What’s your earliest best memory in the sport that nailed it for you that this was the thing?

MV: Probably back in fifth grade when I won youth states. It was just an exciting moment with my dad. I knew that was my sport because that feeling of winning that big tournament just felt so good. I knew I wanted to win more like it.

RSN: Has it come easy for you or did you have to work at it?

MV: I kind of developed it at a young age, I picked it up real quick, but throughout middle school I drifted away from it, but once I got into high school I realized if I wanted to be really, really good I have to actually dedicate time to the sport and that’s when I really started to pick it up.

RSN: Did the success as a region champion last year surprise you, doing it as a sophomore?

MV: Not really. My expectations were to be a region champ, but I didn’t really meet my expectations last year placing in the states. After losing the districts it was a real heartbreaker, it really messed me up mentally, but after a couple days I talked to my coach and he really got my mindset right and ready for states.

RSN: What did the regional win do for you and your drive going forward?

MV: That win got me a little momentum going into states, even though state wasn’t the best. Even after state into the postseason, I realized winning that region I could really do something special and that’s what really helped me get that big push in the offseason.

RSN: Your brother (John, now wrestling at Penn) won the region title the year before. What’s it mean to have two of those things in the house?

MV: It was really cool having us both have the same weight and winning the same weight. It was cool to see both of our names up there on that board, both being 215. Seeing him do that really inspired me because I look up to my big brother a lot. He really keeps me pushing a lot. Whenever I need something I text him. It really pushed me to want to follow his footsteps and be a region champion just like him.

RSN: Part of that “offseason” included a nice showing in Fargo. Wrestling folks know what Fargo means, but help the non-wrestling folks understand what a big deal finishing third at 285 in freestyle there meant.

MV: I was a very big difference from Boardwalk Hall (where the NJSIAA states are held). The arena’s much bigger, there’s a lot more people. It’s a lot more nerve-wracking because you’re in that arena full of around 10,000 people. Competing in front of all them was a little stressful, but once I got the momentum going and I won my quarterfinals match I knew I could really do something special there, so it really got me a lot of momentum.

I think that tournament was kind of my breakout tournament and made me jump multiple levels. It really shaped me. I really saw what my potential was. I went into that tournament and the one I went into last year without much expectations, but once I realized I could compete with the nationally ranked guys and I was beating top 20 in the nation guys, it made me realize how good I could be and if I really went out there and let it fly I can win so many more matches.

RSN: Does it make you change your approach to matches now?

MV: It kind of makes me more relaxed going into my matches. I used to be a little too much in my head before matches, which I think was a big problem at my districts match, but after there it just made me realize just go out there and wrestle your best and if you win you win, if you lose you lose. Obviously, you want to win. Obviously, you want to have that gritty mentality. But I feel like just let it fly.

RSN: What are you looking forward to Saturday at Delaware Valley and what are the overall expectations for the season?

MV: Saturday I think of it as any other tournament, just a fun moment bonding with my team, all of us wrestling together. I feel like tournaments really bond you together as a team. When you get off that mat everyone’s high-fiving, it just helps you and the team. And moving forward it’s just gaining momentum.

We’re definitely expecting to win a state title. Our team is really, really solid this year and I think we can do one of the best seasons we’ve had ever and I think we can go super far.

I think it’s way more exciting to win as a team, having that excitement of everyone winning their matches, coming off, slapping hands, having those big wins. I think winning a team title is a lot more exciting than winning an individual title just because you’re with that team and get to celebrate it with each other.

ROUND THREE: Putting it away

RSN: What’s your signature move?

MV: The underhook. There’s so much to do from the underhook, there are so many options, it’s really infinite. You can get any kind of shot, you can get a throw there, you’re really controlling the whole side of the body you have the underhook on. You really can capitalize on everything there.

RSN: To what end do you see wrestling taking you? I know a wrestler in another state, a college wrestler now, interested in taking it to MMA. There are, of course, pro wrestlers who were college stars. There are guys in the movies (John Cena, Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista). Where is it leading you?

MV: I really love wrestling. I’m definitely going to wrestle all through college, really focus on wrestling as one of my main things in college, but I have a lot bigger life goal than wrestling, so I don’t really see much after college.

My dad’s a veterinarian and owns his own business, so after college I really just want to be a veterinarian. I really know that’s the thing I want to do now. Ever since I was little kid I loved animals.

RSN: You’ve already committed to Maryland. What was that experience like? With two years of high school still to go, how solid is that commitment?

MV: I really loved Maryland. I’m definitely going to stay loyal to them. I’ll never go anywhere else. I don’t think there’s anywhere else that would better suit me than Maryland. They were just all-around great people. They made me feel like I was one of them there. Maryland is definitely the place I’m going to be.

I visited a couple other schools and had a couple others lined up, but after I visited Maryland I knew there’d be no school other than them.

RSN: Weight management is probably the biggest challenge in your sport. Is there something you wish you could eat; what’s your guilty pleasure? I knew a really successful lighter weight wrestler in Alabama who loved Oreos. He could never eat them during the season, but once he won his state championship match he tore them up by the case. Do you have anything like that and have you ever cheated?

MV: During the season I usually eat very, very clean, no snacks or anything. I love ice cream cake, that’d be the first thing I’d eat. But I love cookies, too, any type of cookies. After regions I went to Applebee’s and had a big chocolate cake. I knew I’d feel a little crappy the next day.

RSN: You probably remember the story we did late in the season about your last name, loosely translated to “winner of the war”? Considering you excel at a combat sport, how ironic do you find that?

MV: I feel very ironic that translates to my name. Wrestling is that sport where you’ve just got to be a dog despite a dogfight sometimes. Technique does trump everything, but sometimes wrestling just comes down to being who’s tougher and I do feel it is ironic my last name does mean win the war.

This week’s schedule

Here is the schedule for Salem County sports teams for the week of Dec. 9-14; events start at 4 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., 5:30 p.m.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold, 10:30 a.m.
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 12:30 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury, 2:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament, 9 a.m.
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

Salem winter sports

Here is the complete 2024-25 Salem County winter sports schedule; look for the weekly schedule on the website starting in December; x-scrimmage

NOV. 23
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Atlantic Cape CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Essex County at Salem CC, noon

NOV. 26
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Camden County, 7 p.m.

DEC. 3
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Thaddeus Stevens, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union, 5 p.m.

DEC. 6
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

DEC. 7
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., noon
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bergen CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Raritan Valley CC at Salem CC, noon

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

DEC. 16
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Pennsville at Palmyra
x-Woodstown at Kingsway
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown
x-Palmyra at Pennsville
Buena at Salem Tech
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. West Deptford at Riverwinds

DEC. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Cape May Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cape May Tech at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
INDOOR TRACK
Salem at Bennett Center, Toms River
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Salem at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Penns Grove
Schalick at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Clayton at Schalick
Penns Grove at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Salem
TRACK
Pennsville Polar Bear Meet
BOWLING
Salem in Holiday Showcase at Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade

DEC. 19
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Salem vs. Triton at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
WRESTLING
Palmyra, Salem at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Timber Creek at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton, Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational

DEC. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Penns Grove vs. Timber Creek, 2:15 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Highland at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

DEC. 22
WRESTLING
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament

DEC. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Woodstown vs. Holy Spirit, 7:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Pennsville, noon
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Mainland

DEC. 26
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Washington Twp.

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs Millville, 1 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament

DEC. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Buena
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Delsea, 9:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Buena
Salem vs. Westampton Tech at Deslea, 5 p.m.
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Overbrook Tournament
Penns Grove, Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
TRACK
Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia
WRESTLING
Audubon, Long Branch, Northern Burlington at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Cumberland Duals
Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 30
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Gloucester City, 11:30 a.m.

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Oakcrest, 2:45 p.m.
Penns Grove vs. St. Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Millville, 10 a.m.

JAN. 2
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at 30 Strikes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes

JAN. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
Wildwood at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
WRESTLING
Penns Grove in Bohemia Manor (Md.) Tournament
Schalick at Egg Harbor Twp.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Triton at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Glassboro at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

JAN. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Cumberland, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Pennsville, 11:30 a.m.
Eastern at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Hammonton Duals
Haddon Heights, Mainland, Overbrook at Schalick
Woodstown in Collingswood Duals
INDOOR TRACK
Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

JAN. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
Schalick at Buena
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Schalick
Camden Tech at Salem Tech
WRESTLING
Paul VI at Pennsville
Salem at Cumberland
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. West Deptford at River Winds
Woodstown vs. Lower Cape May

JAN. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pennsville
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOWLING:
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 8
WRESTLING
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Deptford
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman
Schalick at Salem Tech
Triton at Pennsville
Wildwood at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Schalick
Woodstown at Wildwood
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Kingsway at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Schalick at Camden County Tech
Woodstown vs. Highland at GCIT
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem at LEAP
BOYS BASKETBALL
LEAP at Salem
Pennsville at Clayton
WRESTLING
Collingswood at Schalick

JAN. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Delsea at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Camden Catholic, 11:30 a.m.
St. Joseph at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Schalick at Collingswood
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Oakcrest, Overbrook at Millville
Penns Grove at Deptford
Schalick, Cumberland, Timber Creek at Buena
Woodstown in Cinnaminson Duals
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex, noon

JAN. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Schalick at Vineland YMCA
TRACK
Pennsville at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

JAN. 14
WRESTLING
Cumberland, Salem at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Pitman
Schalick at St. Joe (Hamm.)
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Harcum at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Haddon Heights at Camden County Tech
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Middle Twp.

JAN. 16
WRESTLING
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Pitman at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
Salem vs. Deptford at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester City
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Haddon Twp. at Pennsville
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown in NSIAA Relays, Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem at Lenape, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville vs. Collingswood, Sterling, Vineland
Penns Grove, Salem, Overbrook at Pitman
Deptford, Haddon Twp., Pemberton at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Buena, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken at Woodstown
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Passaic County CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Essex County, noon

JAN. 20
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove vs. Burlington City at Woodbury, 12:30 p.m.

JAN. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOWLING
Salem vs. ACIT at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Collingswood at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union College, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.

JAN. 22
WRESTLING
Clayton at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Timber Creek at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Overbrook at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pitman
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Schalick at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Williamson Trades at Salem CC, 4 p.m.

JAN. 24
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Buena at Salem
Pennsville at Delsea, 7 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Buena
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Pennsville

JAN. 25
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at OLMA, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Clearview, 11:30 a.m.
West Deptford at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Timber Creek, Lower Cape May at Haddon Heights
Schalick, Holy Spirit, Toms River North at Vineland
Woodstown, Hillsborough, West Essex at Watchung Hills
SWIMMING
Salem at Invitational, GCIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, noon

JAN. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Palmyra at Salem
Salem Tech at Gateway
Woodstown at Cinnaminson
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester City
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 7 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes

JAN. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Union at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 29
WRESTLING
Clayton at Salem
Cumberland at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes

JAN. 30
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove
Winslow at Salem
Woodstown at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Salem at Camden County Tech
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
TRACK
Salem in TCC Showcase, Bennett Center

JAN. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gateway at Salem Tech
WRESTLING
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

FEB. 1
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Clearview, Hammonton at Central Regional
Penns Grove vs. Bordentown, Vineland, Winslow
Salem, Schalick, Palmyra at Lindenwold
TRACK
Woodstown in SJTCA at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon

FEB. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford
Salem at Audubon
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Pennsville
Riverside at Penns Grove
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze Complex, Staten Island
BOWLING
Salem vs. Hammonton at DiDonato Bowling Center

FEB. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pennsville
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County (Pa.) CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CC or Morris at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 5
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Gateway
Penns Grove at Clearview
BOWLING
Salem, Salem Tech in TCC Showcase at 30 Strikes

FEB. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
WRESTLING
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Millville
WRESTLING
Salem at Winslow
BOWLING
NJSIAA Playoffs

FEB. 8
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford, 11:30 a.m.
Absegami at Salem, noon
WRESTLING
Burlington City, Egg Harbor Twp., St. Joe (Hamm.) at Pennsville
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Harrisburg Area CC, noon

FEB. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Schalick at Winslow
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Triton
Salem at Winslow
Schalick at Maple Shade
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island
WRESTLING
Playoffs Rounds 1 & 2

FEB. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville vs. Clayton at Wells Fargo Center
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 12
WRESTLING
Haddon Heights at Pennsville

FEB. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Pitman
Penns Grove at Salem
LEAP Academy at Schalick
Woodstown at Salem Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Woodstown
Schalick at Pennsauken Tech

FEB. 14
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Triton at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
WRESTLING
Schalick, Burlington Twp., Maple Shade at Cherry Hill West
Sectional Finals

FEB. 15
WRESTLING
Central Regional, Delran, Haddon Heights at Woodstown
Pennsville at Hightstown
Penns Grove, Gloucester Catholic at Lindenwold
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island
Woodstown in NJSIAA Sectionals at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Sussex County CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Lackawanna at Salem CC, 1 p.m.

FEB. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
Deptford at Penns Grove
TCC Showcase
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Montgomery County (Pa.) CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 22
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 23
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island

MAR. 2
TRACK
Meet of Champions, Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

Classy HOF class

Salem County Sports Hall of Fame welcomes seven new members, brings all-time roster of inductees to 143

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Everyone on the Davidow Theater stage was decked out in their Sunday best befitting a Hall of Fame induction, but still it was easy to pick out the baseball player in the bunch. He was one wearing the Pennsville baseball jersey that looked just as sharp as a three-piece suit.

**Lex Bleckley addresses the crowd during his Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction.**

Pennsville baseball great Lex Bleckley was among the seven newest inductees into the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame. They were inducted in ceremonies on the Salem Community College campus Thursday night.

Bleckley was joined in the class by Jaymes Dennison (track), James Dickerson (track) , Nick Elmer (football), Steve Merritt (coach), Donna O’Leary (coach) and Latika Ross (basketball). In addition, the Hall board will recognize Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes for their decades of service to Salem County sports as well as eight current and previous high school state champions.

The high school honorees were headlined by Penns Grove’s three-time boys (2013-15) and two-time girls (2013-14) Group I state champions.

Record-breaking Salem running back Jonathan Taylor, currently in training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, was enshrined in a separate ceremony last month.

The story of the Pennsville jersey finding its way on stage is a story of family love. Johnny Swiderski, one of the heroes of this year’s Pennsville Little League District 3 championship team, ran into Eagles baseball coach Matt Karr at a midget football game last week and asked if the coach had a couple of extra jerseys he could spare so the family could support their uncle at the ceremonies.

Karr came through. Young Johnny wore a blue Pennsville jersey the team wore a couple years ago and a vintage Montreal Expos cap representing the MLB team that drafted his uncle out of the University of Delaware. Bleckley had this year’s Eagles jersey, number 15. (He wore 5 when he helped the Eagles to an undefeated season).

“I was thinking about putting a piece of tape over that 1 and leave the 5,” he joked. “Close enough.”

Bleckley, who celebrated his 61st birthday Wednesday with family and friends, was a product of the Pennsville sports system, playing football and baseball. He is most proud of the baseball championships from an early age through his decorated career with the Eagles. The championships include district titles in Little League, State and Mid-Atlantic Champions in Babe Ruth Baseball and a state championship his senior year with a 25-0 record and the No. 1 ranked team in the state. The undefeated season has not been duplicated.

“We went 25-0, but there were only so many guys who could play and there were so many guys on that team that would have been starters for anybody else – and they were busting their butts every day,” he said. “I always wished they got more recognition. I’m up there because of them.”

His personal accomplishments include three-time All-Salem County, two-time Tri-County, two-time South Jersey Group II, two-time All-South Jersey, Group II All State, All-State First Team and Today’s Sunbeam Player of the Year. He finished his career at Pennsville with a .503 batting average and a team win-loss record of 66-6. He was taken in the major league draft twice.

“When I was growing up in town, Lex Bleckley was one of the names that you heard about in baseball,” said Karr, who didn’t attend the ceremony but was on top of the happenings. “I saw that Coach (Ed) Reiger was there tonight. I had him for study hall when I was a junior and senior and he used to share with us all his stories about teams from the past and some of those legendary teams and Lex Bleckley was definitely a big part of all that type of baseball history.”

The Kansas City Royals drafted Bleckley after his high school career, but he went to Delaware, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. During his UD career, the Blue Hens were East Coast Conference champions twice and missed making it to the College World Series by one game. Lex came in second for the Division I batting title with a .455 average his junior year and was named ECC Player of the Year. He was drafted and signed by the Expos and spent a brief time in the minors before being derailed by a shoulder injury. After his playing career ended, he was head coach at Salem CC for two years.

He now runs a wholesale seafood business in Florida, but keeps up with the sports happenings from home on the internet. He’s going through some health challenges, but otherwise was in good form Thursday and genuinely proud to be on the stage with the other inductees.

“This has always been home,” he said.

JAYMES DENNISON excelled in track at Penns Grove High School. A member of the Class of 2013, Jaymes was a two-time state champion. He won the 800 in his junior year and the 400 in his senior year. He helped lead the team to a Group 1 team state championship in 2013, and holds school records in the 800.

He was a three-time South Jersey champion in the 800 meters. As a senior, he finished seventh in the Meet of Champions in one of the most competitive 800-meter races in its history. “If you ran 1:54-flat you did not finish in the top 10,” Hall board member and 2011 inductee Tom Mason said in introducing Dennison.

His post-high school accomplishments may be more impressive. In two years at Iowa State, he was a two-time NCAA All-American in 2018, Second Team All-American in the 4×400 meter relay and Honorable Mention All-American in the 800 meters. He was the Big 12 indoor champion in the 600 meters. Before enrolling at Iowa State, he was a two-time junior college indoor national champion in the 600 meters.

JAMES (JIMMY) DICKERSON graduated from Salem High School in 1964. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and traveled extensively throughout Europe. While serving in the military, Jimmy was a medic.

In addition to his medic responsibilities, he played in the European Conference, on the track and field team, where he placed first in high jump at 6-10 and excelled in the triple jump. He also made the All-Europe Football Team as a running back and kick returner. After his tour of duty, Jimmy was an OSHA inspector at BF Goodrich in Pedricktown until his retirement.

In 1976, Jimmy was invited to attend Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil’s tryout camp. Although not selected, he considered meeting fellow tryout attendee Vince Papale, who went on to make the Eagles’ roster from that tryout, an experience of a lifetime.

At 34, Jimmy enrolled at Gloucester County College and competed in the track and field high/triple jump. He never lost a match during his two seasons. Community focused, Jimmy is involved in coaching youth basketball and mentoring. In addition, he is an active member of his church and sings in the senior choir.

NICK ELMER was a multi-sport athlete (football, wrestling, track and field) at Penns Grove High School.

In football, he set school records for passing yards (4,580) and passing touchdowns (61). He also helped lead PGHS to a record-breaking 2012 season and a South Jersey Group 1 championship in which he rushed for a record 308 yards in the title game. The 2012 team still holds the record for most points scored in a season in South Jersey history. He earned All-State First Team honors in 2012 and was the Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey Player of the Year.

As a wrestler, Nick amassed a school-record 137 victories and qualified for the state tournament on twice, ultimately earning a seventh-place finish in 2013. He continued his academic and athletic career in wrestling at Drexel University, where he was a varsity starter for two years, accumulating 31 wins and a spot on the podium in the 2016 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Conference Tournament and earned an EIWA Academic Achievement Award in the same year.

He went on to medical school at Thomas Jefferson University, where he graduated cum laude and as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honors society. He is currently a plastic surgery resident at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City.

His commitments in New York prevented him from attending the ceremony. John Emel, the current West Deptford football coach and former Penns Grove coach, spoke on his behalf.

**Former Salem field hockey coach Donna O’Leary (L) estimated she influenced nearly 1,000 girls during her Hall of Fame coaching career.**

DONNA O’LEARY graduated from Paulsboro High School and was a two-sport varsity athlete (field hockey and tennis) there. She also swam competitively year-round at the Woodbury YMCA.

She earned a degree from Glassboro State College as a health/physical education major. Playing field hockey and swimming in college were important milestones in her path to becoming a coach. After graduation, she became the head women’s swim coach at Glassboro State. During those six years, she produced six All-Americans.

In 1988, Salem City hired her as a full-time health/physical education teacher in the elementary school and as the field hockey head coach at Salem High School. After taking the reins from Liz Pappas, she put her heart into making the field hockey program successful and without a feeder system afforded other communities she accumulated 315 wins and seven Tri-County championships. She was a two-time Coach of the Year.

“First of all, I never expected to be 34 years in one spot,” she said. “I figured when my kids went to high school I would leave. I loved it so much.

“Field hockey and Salem is n-o-o-o-o-t (usually in the same sentence) … We quietly made an impact and that’s what I think I’ll remember most.”

In 34 years of coaching she estimates she’s had an influence on more than 1,000 athletes – a remembers almost of them.

LATIKA ROSS, a 2001 Salem High School graduate, excelled in both basketball and track and field. In track, she broke the 800-meter record as a sophomore. In basketball, she became the third Lady Ram to join SHS’s 1000-point club and pulled down over 1,000 rebounds as a four-year varsity player. Latika earned numerous accolades, including All-Tournament Team and First Team for All South Jersey Group 1 and Tri-County Conference Classic Divisions for two consecutive years. Today’s Sunbeam named her Player of the Year in 2001.

Moving on to Salem CC, Latika amassed 1,130 points and 1,028 rebounds over two years, earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Second Team honors. She holds the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball regular-season record for rebound average (23.2 per game in 2002-03).

After attending Drexel University for one year on a full athletic scholarship, Latika transferred to Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), where she made the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association All-Tournament Team and averaged a double-double her senior year (10 points, 10 rebounds per game). Graduating from SAU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 3.9 grade point average, Latika embarked on a successful 15-year career in accounting.

Today, she channels her talents into entertainment as an actress, producer and stand-up comedian, performing under the name Latika Sye (a family surname).

During the ceremony it was announced Latika is the first member of a Salem CC sports team to be inducted into the County Sports Hall of Fame.

STEVE MERRITT was never the last to be picked for any of the seasonal schoolyard games, until he turned 12 and lost a game of “chicken” with the front end of a Buick or Pontiac. It’s not clear to this day. A significant injury cost him any speed he might have had or would have. Nonetheless, it is difficult to temper a Type A personality and there was always some kind of competition at home with three brothers.

A single junior varsity season of baseball and senior year “cup of coffee” as a wrestler sums up his high school athletic career. Intramural softball and volleyball were competitive outlets at Glassboro State College.

After college, long-distance running became his outlet for competition. His omnipresent opponent became the stopwatch. No longer did he have to finish first to win. He ran the New York City Marathon twice, the Marine Corps Marathon twice and the Boston Marathon in 1992.

A combined 50 varsity seasons (tennis, soccer, basketball and softball) as a head coach at Salem High School yielded over 500 victories, four South Jersey Championships, three Tri-County Classic titles and helped to satisfy his yen for competition. Earlier this summer he was named the girls basketball coach at Pennsville High School.

COMMUNITY SERVICE HONOREES

VINCENT GIOLA JR. graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1968 and began working for DuPont Chambers Works in 1969, retiring in 2010. To say his life revolved around sports would be an understatement.

Vince first coached in 1969 and over the next 50 years spent countless hours coaching, managing and maintaining the fields at the Carneys Point Recreation Complex for the Carneys Point-Penns Grove-Pedricktown Little League and Penns Grove Soccer Club.

He played and coached in both the Salem County Men’s Baseball League (1969-1976) and the PG-CP Men’s Softball League (1975-2015) while also serving as a league officer and a liaison with Salem County. He coached for the PG mini-wrestling organization (1979-1986), managed for the PG-CP Women’s Softball (1978-1982), and for the PG Babe Ruth (1985-1987). Vince also coached PG Twins 130 lb. football team (1985-1991) and was head coach of the SCC’s softball team (1991-1995, 2011-2013).

Vince has been a member of the South Jersey Officials Association (football) since 1999 and Unified Umpire Association of Southern New Jersey since 2007. He served on the Carneys Point Recreation Commission (1999-2023) and was chairman (2004-2023). He managed the CP Recreation Complex (2004-2023) and was president of the Servicemen’s Memorial Home (2015-2023).

Today, Vince can be found on a field or in a gym in South Jersey officiating, umpiring or just watching his grandchildrens’ games or any game, for that matter.

STEVE LOPES graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1964, after playing three years of varsity basketball with coach Rudy Baric.

For 45 years, Steve has officiated over 800 high school football games. He had the honor of officiating over 50 state playoff games, including several state championship games at Rutgers, Giants and MetLife Stadiums. Steve has served as the president of New Jersey Football Officials Association – South, the organization representing football officials in South Jersey. Additionally, he is an official for the NFL’s Girls Flag Football program and officiated the Big 33 tournament sponsored by several NFL teams. In addition, Steve has umpired high school, college and semi-pro baseball for 17 years.

For 16 years, Steve managed in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point-Pedricktown Little League and Babe Ruth League, where his teams won several league and district titles. He has played and managed a senior (ages 50, 60, 70) baseball team in Carneys Point. For over 20 years, he has played in men’s senior baseball national tournaments in Florida and Arizona.

Hall of Fame induction

Salem County Sports Hall of Fame to enshrine seven remaining members of this year’s induction class Thursday at Salem CC; Salem NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was enshrined earlier this summer

From Salem Community College

CARNEYS POINT – The seven remaining members of this year’s Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction class will go marching into the Hall Thursday night in ceremonies at Salem Community College’s Davidow Theatre.

The Salem County SHOF Board has selected these individuals for induction in the latest ceremony. Former Salem High School current NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was inducted in a separate ceremony earlier in the summer.

Lex Bleckley (professional baseball)
Jaymes Dennison (track)
James Dickerson (track)
Nick Elmer (football)
Steve Merritt (coach)
Donna O’Leary (coach)
Latika Ross (basketball)

In addition, the Hall board will recognize Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes for their decades of service to Salem County sports as well as the following high school state champions:

Penns Grove’s three-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Boys Track Team (2013-15);

Penns Grove’s two-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Girls Track Team (2013-14);

Pennsville’s Megan Morris (2024 Pole Vault); Salem’s DaviYonn Jackson (2023-24 Triple Jump); Salem’s 2024 girls 4×100 Relay (Sairis Jimenez, Karima Davenport-White, Morgan Van Dover, Rhi’Onna Timmons); Salem’s 2024 girls shot put relay (Dominique Lewis and Ryann Mulhorn); Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield (2023 cross country 2024 1600); and Woodstown 2024 boys 4×800 Relay (Karson Chew, Joshua Crawford, Jacob Martino, Cole Lucas).

Admission is free and no tickets are required. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

Here is a thumbnail look at the Hall of Fame inductees

LEX BLECKLEY was a product of the Pennsville sports system, playing football and baseball. He is most proud of the baseball championships from an early age through his decorated career at Pennsville Memorial High School. The championships include district titles in Little League, State and Mid-Atlantic Champions in Babe Ruth and a state championship his senior year with a 25-0 record and the No. 1 ranked team in the state. The undefeated season has not been duplicated.

His personal accomplishments include three-time All-Salem County, two-time Tri-County, two-time South Jersey Group II, two-time All-South Jersey, Group II All State, All-State First Team and Today’s Sunbeam Player of the Year. He finished his career at Pennsville with a .503 batting average and a team win-loss record of 66-6. He was taken in the major league draft twice.

The Kansas City Royals drafted Bleckley after his high school career, but he elected to attend the University of Delaware, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. During his UD career, the Blue Hens were East Coast Conference champions twice and missed making it to the College World Series by one game, losing in the finals. Lex came in second for the Division I batting title with a .455 average his junior year and was named ECC Player of the Year. He was drafted and signed by the Montreal Expos. After his playing career ended, he was head coach at Salem Community College for two years. Currently, he resides in Florida with his wife and son.

He was a three-time South Jersey champion in the 800 meters. As a senior, he finished seventh in the Meet of Champions in one of the most competitive 800-meter races in its history.

NICK ELMER was a multi-sport athlete (football, wrestling, track and field) at Penns Grove High School.

DONNA O’LEARY graduated from Paulsboro High School and was a two-sport varsity athlete (field hockey and tennis) there. She also swam competitively year-round at the Woodbury YMCA.

Moving on to Salem Community College, Latika amassed 1,130 points and 1,028 rebounds over two years, earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Second Team honors. She holds the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball regular-season record for rebound average (23.2 per game in 2002-03).

Today, she channels her talents into entertainment as an actress, producer and stand-up comedian, performing under the name Latika Sye (a family surname).

Community Service

Vince first coached in 1969 and over the next 50 years spent countless hours coaching, managing and maintaining the fields at the Carneys Point Recreation Complex for the Carneys Point-Penns Grove-Pedricktown Little League and Penns Grove Soccer Club.

Vince played and coached in both the Salem County Men’s Baseball League (1969-1976) and the PG-CP Men’s Softball League (1975-2015) while also serving as a league officer and a liaison with Salem County. He coached for the PG mini-wrestling organization (1979-1986), managed for the PG-CP Women’s Softball (1978-1982), and for the PG Babe Ruth (1985-1987). Vince also coached PG Twins 130 lb. football team (1985-1991) and was head coach of the SCC’s softball team (1991-1995, 2011-2013).

Vince has been a member of the South Jersey Officials Association (football) since 1999 and Unified Umpire Association of Southern New Jersey since 2007. He served on the Carneys Point Recreation Commission (1999-2023) and was chairman (2004-2023). Vince managed the CP Recreation Complex (2004-2023) and was president of the Servicemen’s Memorial Home (2015-2023). Today, Vince can be found on a field or in a gym in South Jersey officiating, umpiring or just watching his grandchildrens’ games or any game, for that matter.

STEVE LOPES graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1964, after playing three years of varsity basketball with coach Rudy Baric.

For 16 years, Steve managed in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point-Pedricktown Little League and Babe Ruth League, where his teams won several league and district titles. He has played and managed a senior (ages 50, 60, 70) baseball team in Carneys Point. For over 20 years, Steve has played in men’s senior baseball national tournaments in Florida and Arizona.