Underclassman stars

By Megan Osborne ’19 and Frankie Rizzo ’19

Name: Will perez
Grade: sophomore
Sport of Choice: football, lacrosse

Will is a varsity athlete for the football and lacrosse team. He said that football was his number one sport this past season. Will finished the year with nine touchdowns and started at the linebacker/safety position on defense as a sophomore. His lacrosse highlights include two goals, two assists, 4 points and 30 ground balls. Will loves the feeling of playing under the lights on Friday nights against cross-town rivals. Sports changed him as a person because it showed him how to work as a team, he said, and he made tons of friendships throughout the way.

Name:
Jessica Coia
Grade: Freshman
Sport of Choice: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

Jessica has already been on varsity for volleyball, basketball and softball. She ended her basketball season with 46 rebounds and 38 points. Her basketball team received the title of undefeated conference champions with a record of 13-0 and a record of 20-5 overall in the season. If Jessica could play a college sport, she said would choose basketball. Her volleyball season was also a success and she likes meeting people who share the same love for sports.

Name: Mike Ruane
Grade:Sophomore
Sport of Choice: Wrestling, Lacrosse

Mike is a varsity wrestler and lacrosse player, but he prefers wrestling, where he is a two year varsity starter in the 120 pound weight class. He finished the season with a record of 19-9, placing third in the district and fourth in the county. He was injured early this year for lacrosse, but ended the season with two ground balls. He said he loves getting his hand raised after hard-fought wins. Mike loves the friendships he made during his sports career because it made him a stronger person.

Name: Ellie Decker
Grade:Sophomore
Sport of Choice: Field hockey

Ellie has been a starting varsity field hockey player since freshman year. This year she was nominated as the Essex County Player of the Year. Ellie said she was the leading scorer with 37 points and as a Freshman, she scored 11 points. Her goal is to hopefully go to a Division 1 college for field hockey. Ellie loves playing field hockey and feels Coach Cosse’s team dynamic teaches the players leadership and how to be a good person.

Name: Lindsay Fusco
Grade:Freshman
Sport of Choice: Soccer, Lacrosse

Lindsay has always loved playing soccer and lacrosse. This year she was given the opportunity as a freshman to play on varsity for both squads. Lindsay has had a successful year as an athlete here at West Essex. In lacrosse, Lindsay scored 11 goals and her team made it to the sectional state finals, which was one of the team goals. Lindsay said she hopes to pursue her love for lacrosse and play in college.

Name: Jack Cerza
Grade:Freshman
Sport of Choice: Lacrosse

Jack is a varsity midfielder for the Lacrosse team. This past season he finished with 8 goals and 6 assists, totalling for 14 points. He also tallied up 11 ground balls on the year. His favorite part of the game is the fast paced play it brings. Off the field, Jack has an outgoing personality and loves to talk with others. He said lacrosse has changed him as a person because it taught him all types of competitiveness.