Spring 2024 athletic season highlights

Softball

Finishing 7-14, the girls competed in a challenging league and independent schedule put together by first-year coach Jerry Mercadante. Led by senior captain Gianna Angelucci, the team earned praise and appreciation from opposing coaches for their play on the field (especially base running) as well as their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and support for each other. Individual highlights included pitcher Avery Conrad throwing a no-hitter and reaching 200 career Ks, Ellie Algarin playing every position except pitcher and first baseman Hannah Leegwater receiving honors after playing a position she never played before. Everyone is excited to see what next year brings on our new field at Wyckoff!

Golf

The golf team had an exciting and promising season in 2024 finishing second in the NJIC Colonial with a record of 8-2 in league play. The talented group also displayed a strong performance at the Passaic County Tournament finishing fourth with a team score of 360. Low scorers Nehemiah Rhee and Ethan Nashold were nominated for Second Team All-County honors, posting scores of 82 and 87, respectively at Preakness Valley Golf Course. The duo was followed by Joey Deluccia, Billy Cook, Charles Ross and Lukas Faasse in the varsity rotation.

Baseball

Able to stay focused and locked in on the goals they set with each other in the beginning of the season while navigating obstacles, injuries and adversity along the way, the baseball team put together their fourth straight winning season finishing with a 10-9 record and placing third in the Colonial division. Highlights included nail-biting wins vs Lodi and Manchester, a solid performance over Butler, an opening-round county tournament win, and a tight loss to Timothy Christian in the state tournament. With only one senior on the roster, there is cause for hope to build on this year’s success and keep the winning streak alive next season!

Lacrosse

With only one senior on a small roster and having graduated significant pieces from previous years’ successes, Head Coach Greg Hagedoorn and assistant Mike Reed knew this was going to be a rebuilding year. Half of the team was brand new to the sport and most were underclassmen. The midfield was led by leading scorer, junior Caleb Chae, who regularly impacted the game while facing the best defender of the opposition. Sophomore Zachary Ninan was the engine of the midfield and classmates Daniel Bushka and Thomas Vicenzino were a dominant force on faceoffs. The attack was paced by sophomore newcomer Joseph Altomare along with junior Andres Alvarez and the lone senior, Daniel Lim. On defense, first-year player junior Gio Indomenico (153 saves) kept the Eagles in almost every game in goal, playing behind returning sophomore defenders Andy Genuario and Kyle Magee and newcomers sophomore Dakota Wiechmann and juniors Ben Debel and Luke Demosthene. With 13 of 14 players returning, plenty of valuable experience gained this year will help the team as they take steps forward next season on an expanded roster.

Boys Tennis

The 2024 EC boys tennis team gathered with three returning starters, and an exciting group of underclassmen. Senior Garren Sly moved to the top singles position. His most significant wins came against West Milford and Lodi, earning him second team honors in the league. Third-year varsity starters, Peter Wang and James Torres, also moved to singles. The team was rounded out by an impressive group of first-year varsity underclassmen. Freshmen Zaven Rodrigues and Yuha Lee racked up wins against many of the league’s veteran doubles teams. Sophomores Hugo Wu, Handy Wang, and Jayden Zheng grew leaps and bounds, and gained valuable varsity experience, helping to elevate expectations for the 2025 season.

HS Track & Field

The girls team posted a winning record of 5-3 in the regular season, finishing second in the NJIC conference meet and ninth in the county meet. The leadership of talented upperclassmen including seniors Jayla Lee, Sharyn-Nicole Thomas (shot put), and juniors Kirsten Braunius, Valerie Portuphy, along with major contributions from a large number of underclassmen including sophomores Skylar Kuiken (hurdles), Laura Turner, and freshman Noemi Irizarry were keys to the team’s success.

The boys team finished with a regular season record of 3-4, finishing fifth at the NJIC conference meet and was also led by its upperclassmen including David Cho (pole vault), Tim La Bianca (pole vault) Caleb Kuperus, and Alex Culp. Freshmen Hudson Culp, Nathan Im, and Ray Wu made very strong contributions to the team as well.

This season marks the end of an era for EC track as coach Apol retires after over 40 years of service. Our team is grateful for his tireless efforts and incredible time invested in student athletes to build a highly respected, championship-caliber program.

MS Track & Field: 

Coaches Allen, Denekamp, Ottens, and Ronnau somehow managed to mold a spirited group of seventy three  6th, 7th, and 8th graders into a quality team. In addition to significant victories at New Milford, Glen Rock, and Midland Park, the team performed well in the 14-school championship meet at Waldwick where the boys team finished 4th and the girls 5th. 8th grader Josiah Hytrek won the 400 at that meet and in the course of the season tied the school record (56.8) while also breaking the school record in the 200 (24.4). His 4X100 relay team included Ray Xiao, Mason Hinton, and Matt A., all very good sprinters as well. 

On the girls side, 7th Grader Rebekah Galema won the 55 (7.5) at the championship meet and her relay team, completed by Nari Kim, Karina Lazor, and anchor Zara Ronnau came close to breaking the school record in that event. In the field events 8th graders Chase Hinton (2nd in the disc 104’4”), Ray Xiao (2nd in LJ 16’11”) and Amelia Pringle(4th in disc 58’6”) exceeded their bests. The coaches are grateful for such an enthusiastic and hard working group of athletes this season, and  praise the Lord for their gifts and talents and a good season of performance, learning, and personal growth!

Boys Tennis

County

• • 2nd: Garren Sly- first singles
  • HM: James Torres, Peter Wang

League 

• • 2nd: Garren Sly- second singles
  • HM: Peter Wang

Boys Lacrosse

County

• • HM: Caleb Chae, Daniel Lim 

League 

• • 1st: Caleb Chae
  • HM: Daniel Lim

Track & Field

County

• • 2nd: Sharyn-Nicole Thomas (SP), David Cho (PV), Tim La Bianca (PV)
  • HM: Kirsten Braunius, Caleb Kuperus, Alex Culp, Jayla Lee

League 

• • 1st: Kirsten Braunius (400m), Jayla Lee (200m), Valerie Portuphy (LJ), Sharyn-Nicole Thomas (SP), Mackenzie Wynbeek (Jav), Hannah Visbeen (PV)
  • 2nd: Lucas Genuario (200m), Caleb Kuperus (400 IH), David Cho (PV)
  • HM: Skylar Kuiken (100 HH), Jayla Lee (4 x 400), Kirsten Braunius (4 x 400), Mackenzie Wynbeek (4 x 400), Noemi Irizarry (4 x 400)

Softball

County

• • HM: Gianna Angelucci

League 

• • 2nd: Gianna Angelucci, Hannah Leegwater
  • HM: Elliana Algarin

Golf 

County

• • 2nd: Nehemiah Rhee, Ethan Nashold 

League 

• • 1st: Nehemiah Rhee
  • 2nd: Billy Cook, Ethan Nashold, Joseph DeLuccia

Baseball 

County

• • HM: Jonmarcus Rodriguez