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College Track & Field:
Raptor of the Week: Travis Stewart

Monday, May 1, 2006

By Mike Ballard
RutgersCamden Sports Correspondent

RAPTOR OF THE WEEK
Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional)

For the second time in two trips to The College of New Jersey this spring, Rutgers-Camden freshman track star Travis Stewart came away with a school record. On April 29, Stewart set the Scarlet Raptors' program mark with a 10:21.31 clocking in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Lions Invitational. He broke the mark of 10:32.7 set by Tom Thomasson in 1995. Earlier this spring, on his first visit to TCNJ for the New Jersey Invitational, Stewart set a school mark of 16:16.49 at 5,000 meters. That time also broke a record by Thomasson, who ran a 16:20.89 in 1999.

SOFTBALL (36-4 overall/18-0 NJAC)

April

Tue. 25 Rutgers-Camden 11-10, New Jersey City University 0-0 (both games five innings)

Wed. 26 Rutgers-Camden 6-5, Kean University 0-2

Thur. 27 Rutgers-Camden 6-1, Hunter College 0-0 (second game eight innings)

Sat. 29 Rutgers-Camden 6-9, Rutgers-Newark 0-0 (second game six innings)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

May

NJAC Softball Championship, First Round

Tue. 2 Game 1: The College of New Jersey (#6 seed) at Rutgers University-Camden (#1) 6 p.m.

Game 2: Montclair State University (#5) at Rowan University (#2) 4 p.m.

Game 3: William Paterson University (#4) at Ramapo College (#3) 4 p.m.

5-7 NJAC Softball Championship (all games at Rutgers-Camden, times TBA)

Fri. 5 Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3

Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Remainder of Bracket Determined Following Game 6, depending on number of teams remaining

The Rutgers-Camden softball team, ranked No. 4 in the nation, races into the post-season with a head of steam after wrapping up its second consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference regular-season title. The Lady Raptors went 8-0 during the final week of the regular season, including the milestone 200th career win for Coach Carl Taylor, and increased their record to 36-4 and their winning streak to 26 games, tying program marks for consecutive wins and for most wins in one season. The final week of the season also saw numerous records fall as the Lady Raptors posted seven shutouts in eight outings, including a perfect game by senior All-American Michelle Schlichtig (Barrington, NJ/Haddon Heights). Schlichtig finished the week by shattering the program mark for consecutive scoreless innings, running her streak to 33-2/3 straight shutout innings. The old mark of 33 was shared by three players.

The final week of the regular season started in big fashion when Schlichtig hurled a perfect game in the opening game to spark the Lady Raptors to a NJAC sweep over New Jersey City University April 25 in Camden, giving Taylor his 200th career win at Rutgers-Camden.

The Raptors, who were ranked No. 8 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll at that time, won the opening game, 11-0, and took the nightcap, 10-0, as Taylor raised his career record to 201-114-2 in his 11th year with the program. The sweep also gave Rutgers-Camden a 30-4 record, marking the third consecutive 30-win season for the Lady Raptors.

Both games were stopped after five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Schlichtig struck out eight batters while hurling her second perfect game and third no-hitter of the year. She also hurled a 14-0 perfect game against Keystone College March 25 and followed that effort with an 18-0 no-hitter against John Jay College in her next start March 31.

In her three-year career at Rutgers-Camden, Schlichtig now has a total of six no-hitters, with two of them being perfect games. She also no-hit Swarthmore (6-0 on April 8, 2004, missing a perfect game when the potential final out reached on an error), Staten Island (18-0 on April 22, 2004) and Molloy (4-0 on March 18, 2005).

Schlichtig’s gem was the third time in the Lady Raptors’ program history that Rutgers-Camden had thrown a perfect game against NJCU, including Hallie Jones (10-0 on May 2, 1985) and Lindsay Creaney (12-0 on April 27, 2002).

Rutgers-Camden scored all 11 runs in the third inning against Gothic Knights freshman Andrea Delucrezia. The Raptors sent 14 players to the plate and collected nine hits, sparked by a leadoff walk to junior shortstop Alaina Giles (Willingboro, NJ/Holy Cross). Giles also added a two-run double in the inning. Schlichtig had a double, a three-run home run and two runs scored in the frame.

For the game, Schlichtig went 2-for-3 with the two runs and three RBIs, while sophomore second baseman Jayme Feriod (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and freshman designated player Heather Taylor (Clementon, NJ/Overbrook) each had one hit and two RBIs.

In the nightcap, junior Megan Farrell (Medford, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and freshman Marissa Van Cleef (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) combined on a three-hit shutout. The Lady Raptors scored all the runs they needed in a three-run first inning which included an RBI double by Farrell and a run-scoring single by junior first baseman Mo Baney (Deptford, NJ/Deptford).

The Raptors added seven runs in the third, with the big blow being a three-run home run by junior right fielder Autumn Millett (Richwood, NJ/Clearview Regional). It was Millett’s 20th career home run, breaking the program mark of 19 by Becky Johnson (2002-05).

For the game, Millett went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, while Baney was 2-for-2 with one run and two RBIs. Freshman Heather Pohorely (Lebanon, NJ/Hunterdon Central) added a two-run pinch-hit double.

The next day the Lady Raptors rose to No. 4 in the NFCA Division III poll and they celebrated in style by clinching the NJAC regular-season title with a pair of wins at Kean University, 6-0 and 5-2.

In the opening game, Schlichtig hurled a two-hit shutout and struck out 13. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs.

Schlichtig added three scoreless innings of two-hit relief in the nightcap, striking out eight. She collected the win when the Lady Raptors rallied from a 2-0 deficit, raising her record to 18-2.

In the opening game, the Raptors scored the only run Schlichtig needed in the first inning following a leadoff single by Van Cleef. She was sacrificed to second Millett and scored on a double by Schlichtig to center field.

The Raptors plated four runs in the third to put the game away, sparked by Van Cleef reaching on an error to open the frame. Millett added a single and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Schlichtig plated one run with a ground out and Millett scored on another wild pitch. Sophomore first baseman Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) singled to center field and raced to third on a double to right by Farrell. Baney followed with a two-run double down the right field line.

In the sixth, Rutgers-Camden added an insurance run when Giles singled and eventually scored on a Schlichtig single.

For the Cougars, senior center fielder Kelly Aleksandrich and freshman pitcher Maryelise Gierke each picked up singles in the game. Gierke’s infield single with one out in the fourth inning broke up Schlichtig’s no-hit bid.

Gierke took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on 11 hits. She had one walk and five strikeouts.

In the second game, Dreitlein’s two-run single in the fifth inning broke a 2-2 tie as the Raptors rallied from an early 2-0 deficit. Kean scored twice in the third inning on a two-run single by losing pitcher Kristen Hennings.

The Raptors tied the game in the fourth after they loaded the bases on singles by Millett and Dreitlein, sandwiched around a Schlichtig walk. Baney played one run on a ground out and sophomore designated player Amber Parker (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) singled home the tying run.

In the fifth, Giles started the wining rally with an infield single and was sacrificed to second by Van Cleef. Millett walked and both runners advanced on a ground out by Schlichtig, setting the stage for Dreitlein’s winning single. Farrell plated Dreitlein with a double. Dreitlein finished the game 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs.

In a non-conference sweep over Hunter College April 27, Schlichtig hurled a two-hit shutout and slammed a solo home run to tie the school career RBI record in the opening game, and she earned the win in relief in the nightcap when Giles drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Raptors won by scores of 6-0 and 1-0.

The second game featured a fine pitching duel between Hunter sophomore Stephanie Donald and Van Cleef. Van Cleef worked 6-2/3 innings of five-hit shutout ball before giving way to Schlichtig, who picked up the win with 1-1/3 innings and four strikeouts.

Schlichtig worked out of a two-out jam in the seventh, entering the game with a runner at second and getting a called strikeout. In the eighth, the Hawks started the inning with a runner at second base on the international tie-breaker rule. They immediately threatened when junior left fielder Luiginia Gutierrez reached on an error during her sacrifice. She stole second, giving Hunter two runners in scoring position with no outs, but Schlichtig fanned the next three batters.

Like Hunter, Rutgers-Camden nearly wasted a golden opportunity in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases with the tie-breaker runner, an infield single by Farrell when nobody covered first base on her sacrifice attempt, and a fielder’s choice that failed to retire a batter. After two straight force outs at home plate, the Raptors won the game on a walk to Giles.

Donald, the tough-luck losing pitcher, went all 7-2/3 innings, allowing five hits and one unearned run. She struck out six and walked three.

In the opener, Schlichtig went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI while hurling her two-hit shutout in the opener. She struck out eight batters, allowing only a second-inning single by junior designated player Tiffany Rock and a fifth-inning single by Donald. Schlichtig’s solo home run leading off the sixth inning, meanwhile, gave her 96 career RBIs, tying the program mark by Becky Johnson (2002-05).

The Raptors scored all the runs Schlichtig needed in the first inning following a leadoff single by Van Cleef. A walk to Schlichtig and a two-out RBI single by Farrell plated one run. Parker capped the frame with a two-run single.

The Raptors added a run in the third following a ground rule double by Parker. She reached third on a single by Feriod and was squeezed home by Giles.

Parker walked and scored a run on a Van Cleef single in the fifth.

For the game, Van Cleef went 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI, while Schlichtig and Parker were each 2-for-3 with two runs. Parker had two RBIs, while Schlichtig had one.

Hunter College sophomore Allyshia West took the loss, allowing 12 hits, six runs (five earned) and three walks. She struck out five.

In the final regular-season doubleheader on April 29 in Camden, Farrell fired a one-hit shutout in the nightcap and finished her big day at the plate going 3-for-6 with two runs and five RBIs to help the Raptors defeat Rutgers-Newark, 6-0 and 9-0 (six innings), as they finished the regular season with a record of 36-4 overall and an 18-0 mark in the NJAC. They become the first team since Ramapo College in 2003 to sweep through the NJAC regular-season undefeated.

The double wins also allowed the Lady Raptors to tie a pair of program records. Rutgers-Camden’s 36th victory tied the school record set in 2004. The Lady Raptors have won their last 26 games, tying for the program’s longest winning streak, set last season.

In a Senior Day doubleheader when the Lady Raptors honored their lone graduating player, Schlichtig, the All-American hurler turned in a three-hit shutout in the opening game. She struck out 15, tying her season high, and walked only one batter. It was her 11th shutout of the season – one shy of her program mark set last year – and increased her school career record to 34 shutouts.

Schlichtig’s seven shutout innings allowed her to set a school record of 33-2/3 consecutive shutout innings, passing the mark of 33 shared by Becky Johnson (2004), Sarah O’Malley (2002) and Halle Jones (1985). It also was Schlichtig’s fourth consecutive shutout in her starts, a mark which is one shy of Johnson’s school record set in 2004.

In the second game, Farrell allowed only a leadoff single in the fifth inning by junior third baseman Kate Schrumpf. Farrell, 8-1, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six as she came one batter shy of both a no-hitter and a perfect game.

In the opening game, the Raptors scored all the runs Schlichtig needed in a five-run third inning. Millett doubled home the first two runs and she scored on a fielder’s choice by Schlichtig. That RBI was Schlichtig’s 97th of her career, breaking the old program mark of 96 by Becky Johnson (2002-05).

Farrell capped the inning with a two-run single, and the Raptors added their final run in the fifth on a triple by Farrell and a squeeze by Baney.

For the game, Farrell and Millett each had two hits and two RBIs.

In the nightcap, Rutgers-Camden scored a pair of runs in the second on RBI singles from Parker and Giles.

Rutgers-Camden added a four-run fifth inning, capped by a bases-clearing triple by Farrell. That hit extended her hitting streak to 12 games, the longest on the team this season.

The Raptors completed the scoring with a three-run sixth, including an RBI single by Schlichtig and a two-run double from Dreitlein.

For the game, Schlichtig and freshman second baseman Mandi Moore (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddon Township) each had two hits, while Farrell was 1-for-3 with three RBIs.

The Lady Raptors finished the regular season with a .330 team batting average and a 1.36 team ERA.

BASEBALL (22-15 overall/9-9 NJAC)

April

Mon. 24 Rutgers-Camden 12-13, New Jersey City University 1-3 (both games seven innings)

Thur. 27 Rowan University 5, Rutgers-Camden 4 (11 innings)

Fri. 28 William Paterson University 6, Rutgers-Camden 1

Sat. 29 Rutgers-Camden 5-4, Kean University 3-10

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

NJAC Baseball Championship, First Round

Wed. 3 Game 1: Rutgers-Newark (#6 seed) at William Paterson University (#1) 3:30 p.m. Game 2: Rowan University (#5) at Montclair State University (#2) 3:30 p.m.

Game 3: Kean University (#4) at The College of New Jersey (#3) 3:30 p.m.

5-7 NJAC Baseball Championship (all games at Campbell’s Field, Camden, times TBA)

Fri. 5 Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3

Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Remainder of Bracket Determined Following Game 6, depending on number of teams remaining

The 2006 season came down to the final game for the Rutgers-Camden baseball team, which went to the wire before being eliminated from the race for a berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs. Kean University pounded out 16 hits April 29 to win the second game of a doubleheader, 10-4, clinching a berth in the NJAC tournament while eliminating the Scarlet Raptors.

Rutgers-Camden won the first game, 5-3, behind the eight-hit pitching of senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI), forcing the winner-take-all game for a berth in the NJAC playoffs. With its victory, Kean climbed to 27-13 overall and 11-7 in the NJAC, wrapping up the fourth seed in the tournament. Rutgers-Camden closes its season at 22-15 overall and 9-9 in the NJAC, missing the conference tourney which will be held at its own park, Campbell’s Field.

After Ford’s gem in the opener, Kean jumped to a 1-0 first-inning lead and was never threatened in the nightcap. The Cougars opened the game with a single to center field by sophomore second baseman Maikel De La Rosa. He was sacrificed to second by sophomore left fielder Erik Ammirata and advanced to third on a balk. He scored on a ground out by junior center fielder Joseph D’Andrea.

Kean added four runs on five hits in the third inning, including RBI singles by D’Andrea and junior first baseman Aaron Richard. The Cougars capped the inning with a two-run single by junior shortstop Perry Schatzow.

Kean’s three-run fifth inning featured four hits and an error, with Schatzow and sophomore third baseman Ryan Clark collecting RBI singles. Another run scored on a ground out by sophomore catcher Kevin O’Neill.

For the game, Schatzow went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a two-run single in the sixth inning. Richard als0 went 3-for-5, while scoring three runs. Shymanski was 2-for-4 with three runs.

Junior right-hander Daniel Zeffiro worked seven innings to collect the win, raising his record to 5-4. He allowed seven hits, two earned runs and one walk, while striking out two.

Rutgers-Camden collected 11 hits in the losing effort, including two apiece by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Morris had one double and Buchter had two. Buchter finished the season with 14 two-baggers, tying the school record set by Ricky Flores in 2002. Morris had 13 doubles on the year.

In the opener, Ford raised his record to 6-1 and senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) ripped a tie-breaking two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Scarlet Raptors.

Kean took a quick 1-0 lead in the first following a leadoff double by De La Rosa. Ammirata laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the Raptors unsuccessfully made a play for third base, leaving runners at the corners with no outs. A single by D’Andrea knocked home one run and the Cougars loaded the bases on a hit batsman. The turning point of the game came on the next play, when Richard hit a sinking liner to center field that was caught on a diving play by Buchter. The Raptors collected a double play when it was ruled that Ammirata left the bag early on the tag, and Rutgers-Camden escaped further damage with a pop out.

The Raptors came back with two runs in the bottom of the first after back-to-back one-out singles by sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and Buchter. Morris plated both runs with a two-out, wind-blown double to left.

The Scarlet Raptors added another run in the fourth after a leadoff triple to center by Morris. He scored when Turekian drove a 3-0 pitch into right field for his 100th career hit.

Kean tied the game in the top of the seventh after Clark and O’Neill poked one out singles. Following a fielder’s choice, two runs scored on a dropped fly ball in right field.

The Raptors got those runs back in the seventh following a leadoff single by junior designated hitter Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). Jakubowski ripped a home run to right, scoring himself and pinch-runner Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast).

Ford allowed three runs (one earned) and eight hits in his complete game. He struck out one and didn’t walk a batter.

Freshman Nick Cesare lost his first game of the season for Kean. Cesare, 4-1, hurled a complete game with 11 hits, two walks and five earned runs. He struck out seven.

De La Rosa and D’Andrea each had two hits for the Cougars.

Ambrozy, Morris and Turekian had two hits apiece for the Scarlet Raptors.

The week started on a promising note for the Scarlet Raptors, who pounded out 24 hits in a doubleheader, including a home run in each game by Morris, as they swept New Jersey City University, 12-1 and 13-3, in a conference makeup doubleheader April 24 in Camden. Both games were called after seven innings by a 10-run mercy rule.

Rutgers-Camden batted as the away team in both games since the contests were originally scheduled to be played at NJCU April 22. The Gothic Knights’ field was unplayable by Monday, forcing the scheduling change.

Between the games, the Scarlet Raptors honored their seven seniors, first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), Faragasso, Ford, third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), Jakubowski, pitcher Ragon Stone (Penns Grove, NJ/Penns Grove) and Turekian.

In the opening game, Rutgers-Camden jumped on the board immediately with a leadoff triple by Jakubowski and an RBI single by Calloway. The Raptors put the game away with a wild seven-run second inning which featured three hits, three errors, two hit batsmen and a walk. The inning included an RBI single by Ambrozy, an RBI when Jakubowski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and a two-run single by Calloway.

For the game, Jakubowski went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Calloway went 2-for-5 with one run and three RBIs. Ambrozy and Morris each went 2-for-4 with two runs. Ambrozy had two RBIs and Morris had one on a solo home run, his third of the year.

Lihotz worked five innings, allowing two hits, two walks and one earned run in collecting the win. He struck out six.

In the nightcap, Morris went 2-for-5 with a triple, a two-run home run, two runs and three RBIs. Calloway also went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) went 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Turekian added a 2-for-5 game with a double, a home run, two runs and two RBIs.

The Scarlet Raptors grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning, sparked by an RBI triple by Morris and a two-run home run from Turekian. The Gothic Knights, however, bounced back with three in the bottom of the third on four hits, including a two-run single by center fielder Rob Sumner. Sophomore third baseman Ruben Borges Jr., who went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, added an RBI single in the frame. Borges finished 3-for-6 in the doubleheader.

Rutgers-Camden put the game away with a five-run fifth inning, including a run-scoring double by Midili, a fielder’s choice by Calloway which plated two runs, and RBI singles by Buchter and Faragasso.

Junior righty Greg Galbraith (Westville, NJ/Gateway Regional) worked six innings to earn the win, raising his record to 2-0. He allowed six hits and three earned runs, while striking out three. He didn’t walk a batter.

Inkster collected a second-inning single for his 100th career hit, and added another single in the big fifth inning. He also drew a pair of walks in the first game, raising his season total to 25. By the time the season ended, Inkster had 26 walks, three shy of the single-season program record.

The race for the conference tournament berth took a bad turn in a pair of late-week road games. The Raptors lost in 11 innings, 5-4, at Rowan University April 27, then suffered a 6-1 defeat at William Paterson University April 28. Those defeats left Rutgers-Camden needing a sweep against Kean Saturday to earn a berth, which never came.

Against Rowan, sophomore catcher Bobby Fox singled home senior second baseman Frank Galeota with the winning run with one out in the 11th inning. Galeota had opened the inning with a walk and advanced on a single by senior shortstop Matt Enuco. Following a sacrifice bunt, sophomore third baseman Bruce Reibis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Fox drove his game-winning single through the left side of the infield.

The Raptors and Profs traded two-run innings in the second, with Rutgers-Camden’s runs scoring on a double by Turekian and a sacrifice fly by Jakubowski.

The Raptors took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Turekian, but Rowan notched a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to give the Profs a 4-3 lead. The Raptors tied the game in the eighth when Calloway scored on a passed ball after reaching on a single.

Calloway, Turekian, Faragasso and Inkster each had two hits for the Raptors.

In the loss at William Paterson, junior righty Mike Irwin allowed three hits and one run in seven innings and junior first baseman Ted King finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs, helping the Pioneers clinch a playoff berth.

Irwin struck out five and walked three for the Pioneers.

Calloway went 2-for-4 and scored the lone run for Rutgers-Camden, which managed just four hits off Irwin and Pioneer freshman reliever Dan VandeVrede.

Both teams traded runs in the first two innings. King lofted a sacrifice fly in the first for the Pioneers. Midili had a run-scoring hit for the Scarlet Raptors in the second.

William Paterson scored twice in the third and did not look back. Sophomore shortstop Dan Limone and junior center fielder Rick Pignatello pulled off a double-steal. An error on the play enabled the ball to squirt into left field, allowing Limone to score and Pignatello to reach third. He scored on a wild pitch.

William Paterson tacked on two more runs in the seventh on an RBI single by King, who concluded the Pioneers’ scoring in that frame when he came around on an infield error. Pignatello added an RBI single in the eighth.

Lihotz, 3-6, took the loss, allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings. He walked three and fanned three.

TRACK AND FIELD

April

April 27 Penn Relays

Women’s 4x100 Relay

Heat: 1. Western Michigan, 46.37; 2. North Carolina Central, 46.48; 3. Claffin, 46.68; 4. Virginia, 47.01; 5. Wagner, 49.46; 6. Rutgers-Camden, 51.02; 7. Coast Guard, 51.64; 8. Medgar Evers, 51.88.

Rutgers-Camden team: Carmen Zimmitt, Tanishia Greene, Jessica Hull, Imani Hafiz

Women’s 4x400 Relay

Heat: 1. Millersville, 4:06.35; 2. Mary Washington, 4:09.55; 3. California (PA), 4:12.17; 4. Rutgers-Camden, 4:19.56; 5. Kingsborough, 4:24.10.

Rutgers-Camden team: Imani Hafiz, Carmen Zimmitt, Brandee Neiderhofer, Jessica Hull

April 29 Lions Invitational (The College of New Jersey)

NO TEAM SCORES

Rutgers-Camden School Records:

* Travis Stewart, 3,000M steeplechase 10:21.31 (Old: 10:32.7, Tom Thomasson, May 5, 1995, NJAC

Championships)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

May

Sat. 6 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships
(at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ)

Freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) set a Rutgers University-Camden track record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the Scarlet Raptors competed at the Lions Invitational April 29 at The College of New Jersey.

Stewart posted a time of 10:21.31 to finish fifth in the event, erasing an 11-year old school record set by Tom Thomasson, who ran a 10:32.7 at the NJAC Championships April 15, 1995.

It was the second school record Stewart has set at The College of New Jersey this season. On April 15, he set a mark in the 5,000 meters with a time of 16:16.49 in the New Jersey Invitational. That also broke a mark by Thomasson, who had a time of 16:20.89 at Montclair State on March 27, 1999.

Stewart wasn’t the only Scarlet Raptor to turn in an outstanding performance at the Lions Invitational. Freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) finished 11th in the 800 meters in a time of 1:57.98, barely missing the Raptors’ school mark of 1:57.77 set by David Lee at the NJAC Championships May 5, 2001.

Also competing for the Raptor men were sophomores Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami). Eigbe finished 16th in the 100meter dash at 12.01 and 17th at 200 meters with a 24.05 clocking. McClain was 17th in the long jump (15-3.25) and 12th in the triple jump (34-2.00), while Mendillo ran a 53.16 400-meter dash to finish 10th.

On the women’s side, the Lady Raptors had six athletes competing, including seniors Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) and Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), sophomores Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) and freshmen Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) and Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights).

Zimmitt continued her season-long excellence in the long jump, finishing second with a leap of 17-3.25.

Greene finished 13th in the 100-meter dash (13.24) and 19th at 200 meters (28.00), while Hafiz was 13th at 400 meters (1:01.29) and seventh in the triple jump (35-4.50). Hull also ran the 400 meters, finishing 24th in a 1:08.28 clocking.

Neiderhofer finished 37th at 800 meters (2:45.83) and 36th at 1,500 meters (5:41.07).

Taylor competed in both the shot put and the discus, finishing 20th in the shot (22-9.25) and 19th in the discus (83-7).

Six members of the Rutgers University-Camden women’s track team competed April 27 as the Lady Raptors ran at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Rutgers-Camden ran a team in the 4x100 relay, which finished sixth in its heat in a time of 51.02. The Lady Raptors also finished fourth in their heat in the 4x400 relay, posting a time of 4:19.56.

Members of both teams included Zimmitt, Hafiz and Hull. Rounding out the 4x100 team was Greene, while Neiderhofer was the fourth runner on the 4x400 team.

GOLF

April

Mon. 24 Swarthmore/Widener Tri-Match
(at Edgemont Country Club, Edgemont, PA)

1. Swarthmore, 305; 2. Widener, 333; 3. Rutgers-Camden, 336.

Individual Medalist: Eric Zwick, 71.

Rutgers-Camden Medalist: Joe Zulli 83, John Goff 83

Rutgers-Camden Scores: Zulli 83, Goff 83, Matt Tomasic 84, Michael Nauss 86, Rob Burgess 90

Fri 28 RU-Camden Scarlet Raptors Invitational

(Town & Country Golf Links, Woodstown, NJ)

1. Rutgers-Camden, 328; 2. Richard Stockton, 354. NS – Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Individual Medalist: Matt Tomasic (Rutgers-Camden), 78.

Rutgers-Camden Scores: Tomasic 78, Joe Zulli 83, John Goff 83, Rob Burgess 86

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

May

Mon. 1 vs. Richard Stockton College
(Blue Heron Pines, Cologne, NJ)

Junior Matt Tomasic (Berlin, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) shot a six-over par 78 as the individual medalist to lead the Rutgers University-Camden golf team to the title at its own Scarlet Raptor Invitational April 29 in Woodstown.

The event, which was supposed to feature three teams, ended up being a dual match when Gwynedd-Mercy College failed to show up. The lone remaining teams were Rutgers-Camden, which shot a 328, and Richard Stockton College, which finished at 354.

Stockton was paced by Nate Monk, who shot an 83 to finish fourth overall.

The event was played on the Par 72, 6,496-yard Town & Country Golf Links.

Rutgers-Camden senior John Goff (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) and junior Joe Zulli (Bellmawr, NJ/Paul VI) both shot a round of 82 to tie for second. The Raptors also received an 86 from junior Rob Burgess (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic).

In addition to Monk, Stockton received an 89 from Matt Truex. Bill Mackalyn shot a 90, while George Drakopoulis shot a 92 and Steve Smith recorded a 94.

Earlier in the week, Goff and Zulli both shot a round of 83 as the Scarlet Raptors competed in a tri-match against Swarthmore College and Widener University April 24. The event was held on the 6,062-yard Edgemont Country Club in Edgemont, Penn.

Swarthmore shot a 305 to win the team title, led by individual medalist Eric Zwick, with a 71. Widener shot 333 and Rutgers-Camden finished at 336.

Tomasic finished third on the Raptors with an 84, while freshman Michael Nauss (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) shot an 86. Burgess recorded a 90 for the Scarlet Raptors.

CREW

April 29 Atlantic Collegiate League Sprints (Gifford Pinchot State Park, Lewisberry, PA)

Women’s Varsity Eight+

Heat 1

1. Ithaca, 6:40.2; 2. Mary Washington, 7:05.6; 3. Bryn Mawr, 7:08; 4. North Park, 7:11; 5. Johns Hopkins, 7:23.

Heat 2

1. Washington College, 6:49; 2. Marietta, 6:57; 3. RIT, 7:02; 4. Rutgers-Camden, 7:09.

(cox-Michelle Sanchirico; stroke-Nicole Corl; 7-Laura Williams; 6-Renee Martin; 5-Cynthia Burt; 4-Monica Fleming; 3-Regina Williams; 2-Rachel Negro; bow-Traci Arnold)

Men’s Varsity Four+

1. Mary Washington, 6:36; 2. SUNY-Maritime A, 6:38.75; 3. Washington College, 6:44.56; 4. Ithaca, 6:49.42; 5. Rutgers-Camden, 6:54.74; 6. SUNY-Maritime B, 7:01.49.

(cox-BJ Ochal; stroke-Lou Gallagher; 3- Chris Piligno; 2- Sean Kendall; bow- Lance Carsillo)

Men’s Varsity Pair

1. Wentworth, 7:08; 2. Rutgers-Camden, 7:19.3; 3. Villanova, 7:29.04; 4. Washington College, 7:29.15.

(stroke-Lou Gallagher; bow-Chris Piligno)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

May

Sat. 7 Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Championships
(Occoquan, VA)
Sat. 13- Dad Vail Regatta
Sun. 14 (Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, PA)

The Rutgers University-Camden women’s crew team competed against some of the top teams in the nation April 29 at the Atlantic Collegiate League Sprints in Lewisberrry, Penn., and the Lady Raptors held their own in the event held at Gifford Pinchot State Park.

Although the Lady Raptors finished fourth in their Women’s Varsity Eight+ heat in a time of 7:09, it was one of their top performances in an eight. The Raptors also were racing in a rugged field which included Ithaca College, ranked third in the nation, #14 Washington College and a pair of schools receiving votes to the poll, Mary Washington and Marietta.

The Lady Raptors’ included sophomore coxswain Michelle Sanchirico (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep), senior stroke Nicole Corl (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), sophomore 7-seat Laura Williams (Cherry Hill, NJ/home schooled), junior 6-seat Renee Martin (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest), junior 5-seat Cynthia Burt (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford), sophomore 4-seat Monica Fleming (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood), freshman 3-seat Regina Williams (Cherry Hill, NJ/home schooled), freshman 2-seat Rachel Negro (Audubon, NJ/Paul VI) and sophomore bow Traci Arnold (Pitman, NJ/Pitman).

On the men’s club team, the Varsity Four finished fifth in a time of 6:54.74 and the Varsity Pair was second. The four included junior cox BJ Ochal (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic), junior stroke Lou Gallagher (Florence, NJ/Holy Cross), sophomore 3-seat Chris Piligno (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown), junior 2-seat Sean Kendall (Haddon Township, NJ/Haddon Township), and sophomore bow Lance Carsillo (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken). The pair included stroke Gallagher and bow Piligno.