Brick's H.S. Bowling Dominance Honored By Mayor, Council

BRICK, NJ -- In a township where strong football, hockey and soccer teams have long been the talk of the town, there's another sport where the township has dominated for years: bowling.

Between the two schools, there are nine overall NJSIAA state championships, 20 group championships, and a slew of tournament and individual honors, between the boys and the girls teams, according to NJSIAA records.

And the 2015-16 season just furthered that dominance, but with a twist: the girls from Brick Township and Brick Memorial dueled all season to claim the title of best in town as well as best in the state, with Brick Township winning the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions and Brick Memorial receiving the nod in the NJ.com Top 10 poll.

The two girls teams, along with the boys team from Brick Memorial, which finished second at the Tournament of Champions, were honored last week by Mayor John Ducey and the Township Council with resolutions commending them on their performances in the 2015-16 season.

The Brick Township girls won the Tournament of Champions for the second straight year, besting their crosstown rival in a best-of-five games showdowns. It is the Dragons' fourth overall title since the TOC was implemented in 2007. The Dragons also won three straight state titles, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Dragons also won the NJSIAA Group III title, their ninth straight, the South Jersey Group III title and the Shore Conference Tournament, as well as several other in-season tournaments.

"We both kind of are one team in a way," Brick coach Kristen Hayes told NJ.com after the TOC final. "These girls bowl with one another outside of school and there is a friendship and respect between these two schools."

The members of the Brick girls team are: Nicole Aumack, Brianna MacLeod, Vicky Spirio, Victoria Gray, Julianna Forbes, April Sharkey, EmilyLyn Silber, Shivani Mody, Caylin Ryan, Skikha Mody and Cristy Sharkey.

The Mustangs, who were named No. 1 in the state by NJ.com and had three bowlers named to the NJ.com All-State team, won the Group IV title, their fourth since 2007 and third in the last four years. Brick Memorial won state championships in 1990 and 2013. The Brick Memorial girls, coached by Dave Thompson, are: Victoria Bird, Victoria Boughton, McKenna Collier, Deann Downs, Misty Downs, Katie Hagan, Rachel Katz, Veronica Lewis, Margaret Neafsey, Sarah Pitcher, Amanda Shelters and Jillian Stuart.

The Brick Memorial boys team reached the Tournament of Champions final after winning the Group IV title, the Mustangs' fourth since 2007. Brick Memorial won over state titles in 2004 and 2014, according to the NJSIAA. The Mustangs dueled Sayreville through five games in the best-of-five before falling to the state champs.

The team, coached by Mike Bilello, includes: Cullen Asaro, John Boughton, Brandon Byrne, Darian Collis, Austin Daddato, Michael Erdelyi, Michael Guzman, Robert Guzman, Michael Hagan, Alec Hehir, Nickolus Jackson, Andrew Lazarchick, Dominic Petrosino, Matthew Pray, Andrew Varela, Cameron Waldhelm and Ryan Waldhelm.

(Photos: 1. Brick girls bowlers. 2. Brick Memorial girls. 3. Brick Memorial boys. Credit: Township of Brick Municipal Government Facebook page)