By Matthew Smith—
2012 has been a busy year for New Jersey City University athletics. Every sport posted highlights, with players from every team standing out.
The athletic calendar year began on January 21, with the men’s volleyball team opening their season against Polytechnic Institute of NYU. 30 games later, they won 9 NJAC games out of 14 and ended their season with a 14-17 record. Their last game of the season was a Skyline Conference Semifinals game against Ramapo College in which they lost 3 sets to 2.
Kenny Lisk, 22, Chemistry and Secondary Education, from Old Bridge was named 1st Team Academic All-District II for the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District Men’s At-Large Teams selected by CoSIDA, Skyline Conference Second Team Selection, and Skyline Conference Honor Roll. Besmir Arslani, 19, Health Sciences, from Wayne was named Skyline Conference of the Week 6 times, Skyline Conference Honor Roll, NJCU Male Athlete of the Week, and ended his season as Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year.
Baseball and softball followed as the two teams opened their season in March. The baseball team was led by first-year head coach Jerry Smith. Their season began on March 3 vs. Centenary College. It was a rough season as they ended with a 13-26 record. However, Matthew Wagner, 19, Accounting, from Colonia and Rob Roman, 21, Criminal Justice (National Security Studies), from Hoboken stood out. Wagner earned All-NJAC honorable mention, while Roman earned 1st Team Academic All-NJAC and made the Dean’s List for Spring 2012.
Softball coach Bridgette Quimpo opened her 9th season on March 12 against The College of Wooster at Ft. Myers, FL. The team also struggled, ending the season 12-27. Rebecca Satz, 21, Media Arts, from Morris Plain swas nominated to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Third Team as well as well as earning All-NJAC First Team honors. NJAC Marissa Bariso, 20, Elementary Education, from Hewitt was named Honorable Mention All-Academic All-NJAC. Satz and Bariso are among the returning players for the 2013 season.
Head coach Ray Vance took over the helm before the women’s volleyball team began their season on September 4 against The College of Staten Island. Their season ended with a record of 7-20. Captains Kiara Martinez, 22, Criminal Justice and Psychology (double major) Minor: Pre-Law, from Newark and Brittany Erezuma, 21, Sociology and Education (double major) from Kearny played their final season. Martinez is set to graduate in May.
After finishing last season #13 in the nation and making it to the semi-finals of the Northeast Conference Tournament, the women’s bowling team opened their 2012 season on November 10. The season is still in progress with an 11-11 overall record and 5-4 conference record. Sonja Shirak, 19, Early Childhood Education, from Clifton was named NJCU Athlete of the Week for the week of November 26-December 2.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams opened their season on November 20, part of a doubleheader home opener. As of December 5, both teams are 2-5.
