Colts Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Kinnelon High School

Sports run deep in the Tri-Boro, and Kinnelon High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Colts uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Kinnelon High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Scott Allen - Olympic Figure Skater

Allen is one of the most remarkable young athletes in American winter sports history. He attended Kinnelon High School, balancing academics with a demanding international skating career. Allen burst onto the competitive figure skating scene at an exceptionally young age, capturing media attention and record books alike. At just 14 years old, he won the bronze medal in men’s singles at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck — making him the youngest male athlete ever to medal at the Winter Games and the youngest individual Winter Olympic medalist in history. Beyond the Olympics, he earned the silver medal at the 1965 World Championships and was a two-time U.S. national champion, affirming his place among the top skaters of his era. (Sources: Olympics, NJ Sports Heroes)

2. Kurt Allerman - NFL Linebacker (St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions)

Allerman is a former NFL linebacker who made significant strides from Kinnelon High School to the NFL. After standout performances as a high school athlete, Allerman went on to play college football at Penn State University, where he was a first-team All-American in 1976. He was selected in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft and played nine seasons in the NFL, including time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Known for his versatility at linebacker and strong tackling ability, Allerman remains one of Kinnelon’s most successful professional football alumni. (Sources: NFL)

3. Bryan Gallego - MLS Defender (Portland Timbers)

Bryan Gallego is a soccer defender whose journey from Kinnelon High School to the professional ranks reflects both talent and dedication. A member of the New York Red Bulls Academy during his youth, Gallego graduated from Kinnelon in 2011, collecting several accolades before his collegiate career. An All-American, four-time All-State honoree, three-time state champion, national title winner and so much more. After high school, he became a key contributor at the University of Akron, earning honors such as College Soccer News Freshman All-American, All-MAC and NSCAA All-America Second Team during his collegiate tenure. After college, Gallego signed with the Portland Timbers organization and played for several clubs. He also represented the United States on youth national teams, including the U.S. Under-18, Under-20 and Under-23 squads, showcasing his defensive capabilities on the international stage. (Sources: Go Zips, MLS Soccer)

4. Brittany Lau - Collegiate Tennis Player

Lau emerged from Kinnelon High School as one of the region’s top tennis talents, dominating in both singles and doubles play and capturing multiple Morris County championships during her high school career. She went on to play collegiate tennis at Brown University, where she became a central figure for the Brown Bears women’s tennis team. At Brown, Lau consistently competed at the No. 1 position and earned First Team All‑Ivy League honors, particularly excelling in doubles. Over her collegiate career, she notched impressive win totals, including a standout doubles season with a 22‑3 record, and qualified for ITA Super Regionals in singles, a mark of top‑level national play. (Sources: NU Sports)

5. Miranda Byrne - Collegiate Swimmer

Byrne is a standout swimmer who rose through the ranks at Kinnelon High School before continuing her athletic career at Old Dominion University. As a high school competitor, she was a record‑setting performer and earned top finishes at major New Jersey high school meets, including placing highly in freestyle events at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. At Old Dominion, Byrne carved out a significant role on the women’s swimming team, competing in two events. Across multiple seasons, she posted strong performances at the Conference USA Championships, including top‑30 finishes in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and relay squad appearances that placed in the top eight. She also earned times that met NCAA B‑cut standards, qualifying her for national‑level competition. (Sources: ODU Sports)

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