Marlboro High School Fall Sports Preview

Here are your team previews for the 2011 Marlboro High School fall sports season:

Football:

Derek Sininsky’s 2010 team finished 4-6, the best record for a Marlboro High School football team in 12 years. Now in his fourth season at Marlboro, his 2011 bunch is really young – as in no seniors. As a result, according to him, this year is all geared towards next year.

“We’re practicing every single day for next year,” Sininsky said. “We have zero seniors, no returning starters -- we were very senior oriented last year. We gotta have pride in ourselves each and every day, [and] we have to practice and play every single game to get better for opening day next year.”

This team also has no captains, according to Sininsky, because no one has stepped up to take a leadership role as of now.

Boys Soccer:

2010 was a frustrating season for MHS Boys soccer, as Dave Santos’ crew failed to live up to their expectations and finished with a 6-10 record, and failing to make both postseason tournaments. Goals for 2011 include a .500 record, which means a trip to the postseason, and for competing for the division crown.

According to Santos, there is one offensive player everyone should watch for this season.

“[Midfielder] Amando Moreno is very crafty, very dangerous, can take people on, and is a good finisher. He’s exciting to watch.”

Girls Soccer:

Head Coach Tim McGeough’s 2010 squad didn’t meet their 2010 expectations, finishing 5-8-3. For 2011, their goals include a high finish in the Class “A” North Division, and doing well in the Shore Conference and State tournaments. They also feel like they have good leadership with five returning seniors. McGeough thinks that is huge for their team’s chances for success.

“Captain leadership and the senior class as a whole defines the team,” McGeough said. “They, by example, show the younger girls what the expectations are.”

Players to watch include Jessica McFadden and junior Catherine Chukuka, who has already committed to Seton Hall University.

Girls Volleyball:

Head Coach Marge McNamara’s girls went 21-7 last year, winning the Class “A” North division and getting to the State Tournament quarterfinals and the Shore Conference semifinals. So how do you top that?

“[Our] goal for this year is to win A North again,” McNamara said. “We’re really looking to win the Shore Conference, also, and be real competitive in States.”

McNamara says the player to watch is captain Jet Manzi.

Girls Tennis:

Head Coach David Kretzmer’s girls tennis team had a good year in 2010, winning the Class “A” North division and finishing with a 16-3 record. As he starts his 12^th season as Mustangs coach, Kretzmer says 2011’s goals are much the same.

“Win “A” North again, see if we can compete for Shore Conference [tournament win], and vie for Central Jersey [state title].”

Players to watch include his singles lineup of Nikita Raman, Robyn Belen, and Tracey Yang.

Boys Cross Country:

2010 was a good year for Todd Liebman’s boys cross country team, as they won their first meet. This year, however, is a rebuilding year, with only a couple leftovers from last year’s team.

“[Goals are to] try to maintain a solid pack running – five guys – just get everyone involved and go on from there,” Liebman said. “[Also] try to drop our [running] times.”

Girls Cross Country:

2010 was an OK year for Ray Sypniewski’s girls country team, mainly using that season to build for winter and spring track.

“Goals for this year is for everyone to get healthy, get through the season, and get everyone ready for winter track,” Sypniewski said. “We got about six or seven seniors and six or seven freshman but not a lot in between. We’re just trying to bring the young kids along and improve meet to meet.”

Gymnastics:

Head Coach Cathy Pierson’s team had an excellent 2010, going 10-4, with many girls qualifying for the postseason tournament. However, they barely missed out on making it as a team, so one of their big goals for 2011 is to make it as an entire squad. Another goal is to score over 100 at meets. They were successful at it last year, and according to Pierson, they want to continue that mojo as a team and individually in 2011.

“[Another goal is] to try to get as many girls possible qualified for the individual tournaments.”

They will be competing without star Kali Zamkoff this season, who is out for the year with injury, but Pierson is excited about the prospects for many other girls including Ilana Chasin, Yanna Pressimone, and Marissa Levito