Sayreville War Memorial High School - Quo Vadis Yearbook (Parlin, NJ)

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CHANGING DIRECTIONS For the 1981-82 Varsity Baseball team, it was a season of changing di- rections. After losing their first three games, the team picked itself up and trounced J.F.K. The team worked hard to reach the required .500 season and was able to participate in the County and State Tournaments. They made it to the quarterfinals of the Counties and suffered four crushing defeats. With a final record of 10-13-1, the season was neither a complete success nor a com- plete failure. Coach Gozora comment- ed on the year by saying, “We were an inexperienced team and we played the way we expected to, winning some key games and losing some key games.” Despite a mediocre record, this year’s team had many outstanding players. Gerard Porpora, SWMHS’ du- rable catcher, made first team All-Con- ference and All-County. Tony Esposito made second team All-Conference and second team All-County. Rich Rankin also struck high and made des- ignated hitter for All-Conference. Sean Gallagher, named as one of the team’s most promising players, made honor- able mention in All-County. Jim Pru- sarczyk, one of Coach Gozora’s better defensive players, achieved Golden Glove. . VARSITY BASEBALL SWMHS OPPONENT 7 Carteret 8 1 Colonia 12 3 Woodbridge 5 16 J.F. Kennedy 6 5 J.P. Stevens 3 7 Perth Amboy 7 16 S.A. St. Mary’s 7 8 Madison Central 0 5 Edison 7 5 East Brunswick 2 5 Cedar Ridge 6 16 S.A. St. Marys 4 5 Colonia 4 3 Cedar Ridge 7 3 Woodbridge 9 4 J,F. Kennedy 1 1 1 Middlesex 10 3 Watchung Hills 10 1 East Brunswick 2 6 Perth Amboy 3 2 Metuchen 8 6 J.P. Stevens 10 1 Edison 4 3 Madison Central 14 10-13-1 1982 RIGHT: It's a last second stare of Joe Brand that puts the extra “umph” into his curve ball. Slipping the tag on a surprised baserunner, Keith Conlon spoils the desperate efforts of a Bear. Varsity Baseball: Front: Gerard Porpora, Kevin Kiernan, Keith Conlon, Middle: Joe Brand, Drew Haley, Jim Stavola, Ed Condiracci. Rob Lyons, Sean Gallagher, Joy Margolies. Back: Coach Gozora, Paul Wolski, Tony Esposito, Jim Besso, Mike Cook, Jim Prusarczyk, Rich Rankin. Cindy Kornblum. 22 Varsity Baseball

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Fore! Paul Platkin directs his club towards the imaginary ball on “the Sayreville green in prep- aration for real competition. Or was it just for this picture? Study this swing. The continuous use of this flaw- less motion enabled Ivan Ferro to chart an aver- age score of 45. ALL FORE SUCCESS By turning preseason hopes into realities, the Golf team broke through past domination by County oppo- nents. Coach Helwig acknowledged the team’s dependence on the exper- ience of senior members during close matches. Balancing the team were three first-year players, Mike Eck- strom, Ralph Burnett, and Paul Platkin. Entering for the first time in the County Tourney, the group swept through the opposition losing only to Wardlaw and Colonia (3rd in the state) to earn a 3rd place standing. Helping the team rise to this plateau was Ivan Ferro, who held the best average for the past two years and was elected a member of second team All-Confer- ence. Also combining their techniques and knowledge were Tom Haltli who marked the lowest score at Tamarack with a 39 and Mark Newcomer who placed 8th in the County Individual Tourney. As well as receiving the gratification of a 14-9 Golf season, Coach Helwig was given the Coach of the Year Award. Simultaneously surprised and honored, the coach credited the award to the efforts and dedication of the team. Concentration proves effective for Mike Eck- strom as he drives a practice shot for 250 yards. LEFT: Golf: Front: Rich Kausch, Mike Eckstrom, Paul Platkin, Dennis Mascali, Mark Amato. Back: Coach Helwig, Robert Bottomly, Randy Borup, Mark Newcomer, Tom Haiti, Bill Cleverly, Jeff Rea- gan. , GOLF SWMHS OPPONENT 258 Colonia 217 225 J.F. Kennedy 240 242 Woodbridge 269 250 Cedar Ridge 252 ■ 250 J.P. Stevens 235 239 East Brunswick 240 243 Carteret 262 215 New Brunswick 331 215 St. Thomas Aquinas 271 235 Madison Central 226 235 Edison 229 ! 235 South River 236 1 232 Cedar Ridge 237 244 East Brunswick 215 226 St. Thomas Aquinas 249 ! 243 Edison 257 1 243 South River 219 215 J.P. Stevens 197 230 Carteret 273 225 J.F. Kennedy 280 234 Madison Central 223 239 Woodbridge 260 1 226 Colonia 202 14-9 1982 Golf 21

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DRAINING THE POWERHOUSES “This was the best year we’ve had in a while,” said Janet Ryan, coach of the Girls’ SWMHS 1982 Varsity Softball team. The team compiled an outstand- ing record of 18 wins and 5 losses, including two victories over the reputed powerhouse, Edison. An All-County shortstop, Jeanne Holt, leading the team in batting and RBI’s, was one of the team’s three co-captains. Pam Poth, another of the team’s co-cap- tains and an outstanding defensive player, was second on the team with 17 RBI’s. She made only one error while playing left field, giving her a field average of .976. Michele Garbowski, the third co-captain had an excellent year in the position of third base. Lori Blaszka led the pitching area, compil- ing a 13-3 record and 1.26 ERA, which is believed to be a school record. The team averaged 8.5 runs per game and only gave up an average of 3 per game. As for next year, Coach Ryan hopes to have a repeat perfor- mance. Varsity Softball: Front: Jody Jarusiewicz. Lori Blaszka, Chrissy Romel. Caryn Lukie, Molly Jones, Michele Garbowski. Back: Pam Poth, Jeanne Holt. Kim Kurczeski, Marcy Bailey, Colleen Crozier, Chris Mormak, Coach Ryan. What is the difference between high school softball and recreational softball? Bunting. Here Chrissy Romel prepares to test the technique. A fine play is demonstrated as Caryn Lukie re- lays the ball to first base. VARSITY SOFTBALL SWMHS OPPONENT 13 Carteret 0 8 Middletown North 5 7 Colonia 6 16 Woodbridge 1 6 J.F. Kennedy 19 3 J.P. Stevens 2 16 Perth Amboy 0 2 Edison 1 6 Madison Central 4 9 East Brunswick 2 10 Cedar Ridge 6 13 St. Peters 2 7 Colonia 4 17 Cedar Ridge 2 3 Woodbridge 2 2 J.F. Kennedy 3 9 Middlesex 12 6 East Brunswick 7 24 Perth Amboy 0 1 J.P. Stevens 6 12 Madison Central 4 2 Edison 0 5 J.P. Stevens 1 18-5 1982 Before going out to face a tough Edison team, Coach Ryan reviews several defense strategies. With a lot of skill and a lucky bounce of the ball. Jeanne Holt prepares to “throw the runner out. Varsity Softball 23