Sports

LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: On Saturday, June 8, the Angels defeated the Cubs, 6-4, to capture the Livingston Little League 12 year old championship. The Angels swept the play-offs and completed the season on an eight-game winning streak. The Angels’ success was a team effort. Jared Levine, Ben Reed and A.J. Sonnenberg led the way with strong pitching. B en Lubetsky, Yehuda Mathias (who is not in this photo), Zach Smith, and Kevin Zhang provided timely hitting. Sam Luftig, Landon Miller, Lucas Panitch, Josh Siegal, and Dylan Sutton chipped in with excellent fielding. Shown here in the top row are coach Jon Levine, Ben Lubetsky, Manager Evan Reed, and coach Andy Sonnenberg; middle row, Lucas Panitch, Jared Levine, Kevin Zhang, Zach Smith, A.J. Sonnenberg, and B en Reed; and front, Josh Siegal, Dylan Sutton, Landon Miller, and Sam Luftig.

Jason Kaplan, who grew up in Livingston and is currently a resident of Verona, is a physical education teacher in Montclair. But this year, he may add a new title to his resumé: “American Ninja Warrior.”

The 35-year-old former resident competes in the season 11 of the popular television show of the same name this month. At press time, the episode, originally scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, June 17, at 8 p.m., was bumped by the NHL Stanley Cup finals, and may possibly air on another night.

Kaplan is no stranger to either physical strength or competition. As a student at Burnet Hill, Heritage, and Livingston High, he says, “I tried team sports, town soccer, Little League. Nothing clicked with me. But I was always into fitness. When I was a little kid, my dad showed me the movie Pumping Iron, and I think that inspired me.”

Livingston High School’s spring track and field season came to an end on Saturday, June 8, with three Lancers – team captain Joe Cullen, Philmon Mehari, and Connor Sweeny – competing among the state’s best at the Meet of Champions.

The meet was held at Northern Burlington Regional High School and was the final stage of the NJSIAA State Championship Tournament. After two prior weeks of competitions, having to qualify to advance each week, they had, said coach Dave Czeizinger, “reached the pinnacle. They would be among and competing against, the best in the state in their respective events.” A fourth Lancer, Tafari Attoh, had also qualified in an amazing sophomore year campaign, but an unfortunate injury held him out of this competition.

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Hunter Lantzman, a Riker Hill fifth grader and member of the 2008 STA USYS girls’ soccer team, celebrated her 11th birthday by leading her team to victory in the New Jersey State Cup Championship game in Tinton Falls on Sunday, June 2. She scored with two goals and two assists in her team’s 4-3 win overtheTorpedoes Soccer Club.

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The Livingston High School track and field team had 17 members qualify in 14 events at the Group 4 State Championship Meet, held at Franklin High School in Somerset on May 31 and June 1. Seven Lancers qualified in more than one event, with Tafari Attoh advancing in all four of his events from the sectional meet.

The Lancer boys’ squad was represented in the 400 meter high hurdles (Victor Lopez Simpson), the 100 meter dash (Attoh), the 1,600 meter (Philmon Mehari), the discus (Nick Boffa) and the high jump (team captain Philippe Jallow) on day one of the event. Day two saw Lancer qualifiers in the 3,200 meter (Mehari), the 4x100 meter relay (Chris Werner/ Captain Jackson Petryna/Jamar Vincent/Attoh), the 200 meter (Attoh), the javelin (team captain Joe Cullen/Boffa), the long jump (Werner) and the 4x400 (Werner/John King/ Vincent/Attoh).

The Livingston High School boys’ varsity volleyball team defeated Elizabeth, 2-1, on Tuesday, May 21, and Bayonne, 2-0, on Thursday, May 23, to advance in the state tournament. Shown here, senior captain Drew Nardone, #6, elevates to block the shot by the Elizabeth offensive player. The Lancers defeated the Minutemen at home in the Fitness and Wellness Center. Don Schwartz Photo

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The Livingston High School girls’ varsity lacrosse team ended its season on Tuesday, May 21, with a loss to Ridge, of Bernards Township, 19-7. Shown here, Lancer captain Carsyn Balter vies for the ball with the Ridge player as Lancers Haley Locke (foreground) and Samantha Orciuoli (background) converge on the play. Don Schwartz Photo

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The Livingston High School boys’ lacrosse team defeated the Morristown Colonials, 10-4, on Wednesday, May 15, at home on the turf. Shown here, Lancer goalie Brandon Shevins, #10, snags a loose ball to thwart a Morristown attack. LHS defenseman Brandon Persaud, #18, converges on the play.

Don Schwartz Photo

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The Livingston High School girls’ track and field team travelled to West Orange High School to participate in the Essex County Championships. “While the girls’ team did not come away with a trophy, several athletes shined along with some promising results from some novice athletes showing promise for the future,” noted coach Nancy Petryna.

In the pole vault, Anna Sang topped the bar with a season’s best performance of 8’6” to grab a fifth place medal. Freshman Summer Yung finished in seventh just out of the medal hunt with her season best clear of 7’6”.

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The Livingston High School varsity softball team defeated Caldwell, 11-6, in the Essex CountyTournament quarter-finals.

Freshman Giulia Wilson and sophomore Nathalia DiIanni each had four hits in the 15 attack. Wilson was 4-4 with a walk and four RBIs, and DiIanni was 4-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Julie Moresco was 3-4 with a double and three RBIs. Sophomore Jess Bullion and freshman Emily Hunter combined pitching efforts to secure the victory.

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