Sports

LANCERS LOSE TWO: The Livingston High School varsity lacrosse team defeated by Columbia, 10-9, on Monday, April 11. Later in the week, Scotch Plains-Fanwood defeated the Lancers, 15-10, on Thursday, April 14. Shown above, senior Annica Lam, #5, settles the ball enroute to one of her five goals against Columbia. Below, Lancer sophomore Delia Lederman, #17, sets up a offensive charge against Columbia. Don Schwartz Photos

LANCER GOLF TEAM PLAYS MILLBURN: The Livingston High School varsity golf team dropped a one stroke, 171-172 match to Millburn on Wednesday, April 13 at the Cedar Hill Country Club. The Cedar Hill Country Club has hosted the Lancers for the past 67 years. The front nine scores for the Lancers included a 39 by Aalok Dhurandha; a 42 by Srishti Dhurandha; a 44 by Ryan Zales; and a 47 by Aarvamon Jha. Shown above, Lancer Srishti Dhurandha thanks Cedar Hill County Club Starter Ted Staszak for hosting the Lancers. Coach John Waddon joins the ceremony. Dhurandha finished 25th in the state and was awarded Third All–State Honors in 2021. Staszak enters his 32nd year as Cedar Hill starter, while Waddon is in his 23rd year as head coach. At left, Aalok Dhurandha tees off from the hole one tee box. Don Schwartz Photos

Several weeks ago, Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and chief executive officer, Jeff Friedman, was contacted by Livingston resident and Newark’s University High School educator, Danielle Kelly. She informed him that the school’s varsity baseball team was short on equipment, including fielders’ gloves, batting gloves and new bats.

“I immediately contacted my partners at the West Essex Tribune for assistance with LPI’s latest ‘popup initiative,’” recounted Friedman. “In turn, the Tribune editorial staff instantly realized its importance and published special boxes requesting donations of unneeded baseball mitts. Once again, the extreme altruism of our Livingston neighbors turned around the special initiative quickly. LPI received and delivered some 17 name-brand mitts.”

LANCERS DEFEAT CEDAR GROVE: The Livingston High School varsity boys’ lacrosse team defeated Cedar Grove, 15-3, on Tuesday, April 12, on the LHS turf. Shown here, Lancer senior Danny Grossbard heads toward the goal with the assistance of a pick by junior Jaylen Dixon, #14. Converging on the play is junior Andrew Cassese, #22. Don Schwartz Photo

The Livingston High School boys’ track and field team moved to a 4-0 record in the Super Essex American Conference with a double win against two powerhouse teams, Montclair High School and East Orange Campus, last week on the Lancers’ home field. LHS defeated the Mounties from Montclair by a margin of 92-47 and the Jaguars from East Orange, 106-33.

As it has done so far this spring, the hurdle squad accumulated many points for the Lancers against both schools. First up for the team was the trio of Matt Ho (57.8), Lanz Canent (67.4), and Ming Ma (67.7) in the intermediate hurdles. They were the top finishers for LHS. Also running were Varun Sohal (69.9), Ethan Kooper (72.8), Duncan Phelps (76.9), Karim Barakat (78.5), and Zac Canent (81.9).

BOYS’ LACROSSE TEAM CRUSHES MORRISTOWN BEARD: The Livingston High School boys’ varsity lacrosse team crushed the Morristown Beard Crimson, 13-1, on Saturday, April 9, on the LHS turf. Shown here, Lancer senior captain Jace Dockx carries toward the goal against the Morristown Beard defender. Don Schwartz Photo

The Livingston High School boys’ track and field team opened its spring season at home on Wednesday, April 6, in a double dual meet against West Orange High School and Payne Technical School. The Lancers won the match-ups on the track and in the field convincingly with a score of 96-35 against the Mountaineers. With only a handful of athletes on the Payne Tech squad, the Lancers handled that team easily and won, 129-1. “Although there is always room for improvement, many solid performances were turned in by the Livingston team in the home opener,” said coach Nancy Petryna.

First up for the Lancers were cocaptain Matt Ho, Lanz Canent, and Nick Siao in the grueling 400 meter intermediate hurdles. The boys were able to help the Lancers to an early lead with Ho (60.2), L. Canent (67.6), Siao (69.3) placing first, third, and fourth. Also racing for LHS were Zack Ladesma (73.2), Karim Barakat (78.8), Duncan Phelps (80.5), and Zach Canent (83.6).

FRESHMAN LANCERS WIN: The Livingston High School freshman baseball team defeated Montclair, 8-7, on the Oval on Monday, April 4. Shown above, Zane Ginsberg beats the throw to the plate to score for the Lancers. Above, right, Lancer hurler John Harrel brings it to the plate against the Mounties. Above, center, Livingston High School freshman baseball team pitchers Jonathan Nedham and Jackson Becker combined for a perfect game against East Side on Saturday, April 2. Don Schwartz Photos

The Livingston High School softball team, ranked fourth in the state, opened its season visiting Super Essex Conference rival Nutley last Friday, April 1. The Lancers defeated Nutley, 4-3, in a tight game. The 2022 Lancers are led by seniors Emma Breschard, Janee Chestnut, Bella Lopa, Kelly Lyons, Chelsea McCormack, Haley Meierhofer, Ruhi Tawde, and Giulia Wilson.

In the top of the fourth inning, with the score still 0-0, freshman Ally Nankivell reached base on an infield error and then quickly stole second. Wilson, the #3 hitter, then laced a one-out double to left center to score Nankivell for the 1-0 lead. Meierhofer followed with her own double, a ground rule double, to plate Wilson for a 2-0 advantage. Meierhofer advanced to third base on a passed ball, and that set up the squeeze play as Breschard put down the perfect bunt to score her teammate for a 3-0 lead.

LIVINGSTON LITTLE LEAGUE AND SOFTBALL opened for the season with special ceremonies on Saturday, April 2, at the Peter J. Cilenti Complex on the Treat Field. The event was highlighted by a carnival and ceremonies on the pitching mound. The Opening Day Ceremony was attended by members of the Township Council and Little League and Softball Board members, and baseball and softball players and parents. Shown here, top left, Little Leaguers salute the flag during the National Anthem. Above, center, Little League and Softball president Pat Ippolito salutes retiring board member Tim Foley. Foley directed the snack bar during his 17 years of volunteer service. Above, right, the Cyclone softball team is ready to open the season. The team includes Jordan Guralnick, Isabella Lenza, Milly Weisberg, Harper Good, Sadie Gill, and Andie Gill, along with coaches Jesse Good, Scott Weisberg, and Joe Gill. Don Schwartz Photos