Sports Participation Highlighted by Student's Project

Research shows just how many Hillsborough students play, as well as go on to the next level.

The Hillsborough Board of Education recently received a multi-media presentation on the sports program at Hillsborough High School created as an independent study project by senior Kim Andresen. The presentation not only illustrated the program, but also outlined facts about  participation. For example, according to Andresen’s research, a total of 736 students participate in fall sports, almost a third of the school’s enrollment, while 489 students take part in winter sports and 703 in spring sports. More than 100 alumni play college sports while three Raiders have played in the Super Bowl. But the one statistic that amazed the school board is that Hillsborough athletes have won 131, county, regional and state championships since 2001. “…

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Junior Raiders: New Name, Same Sports

The Junior Raiders program has a new name but will still offer its football, cheerleading and track programs.

During the past 18 months, the Junior Raiders program has been  transitioning its programs and activities over to Junior Raiders Sports. The original Junior Raiders program started 20 years ago and has grown to support over 600 children and their families. The founders and executive board of the Hillsborough Junior Raiders Youth Association, Inc., have donated equipment and other property to the new organization so programs can continue to serve the families of Hillsborough. Junior Raiders Sports has applied to the IRS for its 501(c)3, tax exempt status. The Board of Trustees and the Steering Committee of Junior Raiders Sports would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the volunteers who spent countless hours at all levels of this …

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Dukes Honor Student Athletes

Pop Warner group recognizes football players and cheerleader's academic success.

The Hillsborough Dukes recently announced its scholar-athletes—students who maintain high grade point averages while participating in Pop Warner Football and Cheer programs. In all, 28 Hillsborough Dukes athletes made the National Academic All American teams, including Kaitlyn Gahrmann who was also 2010 Eastern Region 2nd Team Pop Warner Scholar Athlete. The National Academic All American Team qualifiers include: Nicole Sacca, Rachael Levonaitis, Casey Kenny, Marissa Londenberg, Brianne Nissel, Courtney Nissel, Shelby Lubowicki, Gianna Sabo, Lucas Pick, Skyler Springs, Samari Springs, Zachary Luceno, Madison Hofmeister, Kasey Hamilton, Amber Holmon,Matthew Hendrix, Trevor Medawar, Tanner Johnson, Kristen Coiley, Scot Levonaitis, Marisa …

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Hillsborough Drops Hockey Game to Bridgewater

Raiders hold off Panthers until 3rd period

The Hillsborough High School Boys varsity Hockey Team traveled to the Bridgewater Sports Arena to face off with Bridgewater Wednesday evening.  Although holding the Star Ledger's #10 ranked team even through 2 periods, Panthers score four unanswered goals in the final period. IN SHORT Dispite getting the tying goal from Kyle Burke off assists from Brad Bowers and Dan Congiusta in the 2nd period, the Raiders were unable to withstand the Panther onslaught of the 3rd period.  Bridgewater was inspired by the play of captain David Monahan who scored his 100th career goal in the 3rd period and went on to have a hat trick (3 goals) and 2 assists. RAIDER OF THE GAME Joe Tarasavage - "He was very physical on # 11 (Monahan) and it was something we …

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Year in Review

Sports 2011: Looking Back on Victories and Defeats

A look back at Hillsborough's best moments in the past year.

There have been highs, lows and in-betweens in Hillsborough in 2011. Let's take a look back at some of the best that the town had to offer in sports in the past 365 days. In January, the Hillsborough High School cross girls cross country team was honored by the State Senate in Trenton for its consecutive sectional championships. The Raiders followed those honors with both a North 2Group 4 championship and the Somerset County crowns again during the 2011 season. Hillsborough-native Ali DeLuca was given the "Women's Lacrosse Player fo the Year" honors from the New Jersey Sports Writers Association.  Februrary was the month of almosts for the Raiders. Hillsborough's boys basketball team was narrowly ousted in the Somerset County Tournament …

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Price Leads Hillsborough Into Wrestling Season

Team is strong in the lower weight classes and returns three-time state qualifier Mackey Price

Thanksgiving is over and Santa is at the mall, and that means that winter sports are about to start for at Hillsborough High School. As opening day approaches, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Raiders wrestling team. OVERVIEW The Raiders come into the season with some familiar faces and some new faces. The team has their most depth and experience in the lighter to middle weight classes. Head coach Steve Molinaro has been working the team hard and will be looking for wresters in the upper weight classes to step up to varsity competition in a very tough division.  The team will open their season on Wednesday with an away match at Princeton. The team’s first home match is …

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On The Town

The Focus on Sports is 'All For Her'

A local Hillborough retailer has found a niche in catering to girls field hockey and loyal customers from nurturing service.

Although female athletes perform in their chosen sports at highly competitive levels, spend hours upon hours in training and achieve victory on the field every day, there is always the potential that these accomplishments can be perceived as less significant than that of boys or men’s participation in sports. No one knows this better than Donna and Joseph Czysz, owners of All4Her Sports, a brick-and-mortar and online retailer of athletic equipment and gear that caters to the female athlete. "We still run into that mindset that this is a girl's store that we can only do girls' team stuff," Donna Czysz said. "We have done the entire Hissborough recreational program but we still run into that gender bias." While many of their customers are …

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Field Hockey Comeback Falls Short After Poor First Half

Manning, Mallozzi Score in Losing Effort

The Hillsborough High School field hockey team lost to the visiting Ridge Red Devils Tuesday evening as a their second half comeback fell one goal short after falling behind 3-1 in the first half.   1st 2nd FINAL Ridge (5-7-1) 3 0 3 Hillsborough (4-7)  1 1 2 IN SHORT In the first half the field seemed tipped towards the Raider goal as the visitors spent most of the first period on the offensive in the Raider end. Right from the start the visitors were in the Raider end and scored their first goal less than 4-minutes into the game. They kept up the pressure on the Raiders scoring their second goal 10 minutes later. With 10-minutes remaining in the half the Raiders were able to get on the board as co-captain Erin Manning scored. It looked …

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Progin's Players Fields 760 at Steeplechase Race

Top finishers in the 25k hail from Hillsborough as well.

Progin’s Players’ registration fees for the Steeplechase Distance Run raised a significant amount for Ian Progin and his family, as well as raising $17,000 for the Steeplechase Cancer Center. But the team managed to raise an additional $3,000 for the family on race day—by donated their unused race shirts back to the race in exchange for a $5 donation from race organizers. “Due to the large amount of last minute registrations on the Progin’s Players team, the Steeplechase race organizers actually didn’t have enough shirts for every participant,” Progin’s Players organizers said in an email. “So, Steeplechase organizers jumped at the chance to help the Progin family too. They asked Progin’s Players team members to ‘give the shirt off their …

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Barone Strong in Goal, But Hillsborough Falls

Goalie records 11 saves in loss to Bridgewater.

The Hillsborough field hockey team was shutout by Bridgewater Thursday afternoon 7-0. The Raiders fell to 4-6 on the season.   1st 2nd FINAL Hillsborough (4-6) 0 0 0 Bridgewater (10-3)  5 2 7 IN SHORT The Panthers controlled the game and limiting the Raiders' opportunities. Hillsborough goalie Kim Barone faced 18 shots on goal stopping 11 while the Raider offense only managed three shots on the Bridgewater net. RAIDER OF THE GAME Lauren Belskie, Midfielder – The junior midfielder was all over the play constantly disrupting the  Panther attack and getting the Raiders moving forward. OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES Kim Barone – The senior goalie was under constant pressure and stopped 11 of 18 shots. COACH'S TAKE  "The girls have been working really …

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