By FARHAN PATEL, freshman

Throughout the spring, our Hawks have pushed themselves to break new records, attain new goals, and create new memories. Regardless of the record the team had, each player dedicated their mind and talent towards a common goal: representing the green and gold. Let us recall how the boys’ volleyball, girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, baseball, and girls’ and boys’ track teams finished off their seasons.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL: The boys’ volleyball team faced many strong opponents this season, and though their record may not attest to it, they never left the court without putting up a formidable fight. The team, led by captains Jalen Sorrell, Matthew Lee, and Lawrence Lin, focused on perfecting their hitting, passing, and setting. Finishing the year with an 8-19 record, the team is determined to utilize the offseason this summer to get a head-start on next year’s endeavors, and coach White looks forward to promoting new players to the varsity level to add to its already talented force. Matthew Lee summed up, “The coaches and players had a blast this year. I am excited for what next season has in store for us.”

GIRLS’ AND BOYS’ LACROSSE: Led by senior captains Renee Mathys and Neha Bhende, the Lady Hawks lacrosse team displayed exemplary endurance and mastery through each and every game of the season. Finishing a tough season with a 5-12 record, the girls’ lacrosse team faced many strong opponents but left no regrets on the field. A close-knit squad, they shared valuable memories and formed unshakable connections. Freshman Molly Yelencsics, who started as a player for junior varsity but was promoted to the varsity level because of her outstanding control, speed, and agility, stated, “It was great to be a part of a program in which all the players were like one family who shared all of their ups and down throughout the season.”

Boys’ lacrosse, led by captains Ron Koval, Joey Addeo, and Dominic Durando, finished their season with a 3-12 record. Bryan Svitok and Ron Koval fueled the team, scoring 23 goals each. Other top-scoring players include Joey Addeo, who ended the season with seven goals, and Adam Sklar, who had 12. When asked about the team, Sklar said, “Although we weren’t the most skilled team around, my teammates and I gave 110% each time we stepped out onto the field.” With this season behind them, the Hawks are prepared to face the challenges of the next with a much better performance.

BASEBALL: Although the baseball team had a rough start to the season, the Hawks were able to finish with a bang, the result of consistent practice and improvement. By the last half of the season, the team suddenly went on a fiery streak, winning eleven out of the remaining fourteen games. This victorious run was the result of unified diligence and passion, as the team concluded its season on a high note. Led by captains Trevor Yelencsics and Chris Lee, the baseball team finished the season with a 12-14 record. The team’s most memorable games were against Edison and Spotswood: they beat Edison 3-2 in a twelve-inning game at the TD Ballpark and captured a victory in the first round of the playoffs against Spotswood. The team clearly had a hot bat that night, with Chris Lee hitting three home runs and Trevor Yelencsics hitting a walk-off home run in the final inning. As Trevor remarked, “We put our heart into every pitch, every out, every inning.” As their performance in the latter half of the season showed, determination and heart can make the players become even better. Though the 2012-2013 season was, at times, challenging for the members of the baseball team, they are sure to work hard and play harder, continuing their concluding streak into next year’s season and the years beyond.

GIRLS’ AND BOYS’ TRACK: The JP track team endured harsh conditions the whole season and finished every race exhausted yet filled with adrenaline. The team never stopped training, surpassing expectations under the leadership of captains Alykhan Gangji, Panth Patel, and Parag Bapna. Their season-long diligence paid off in the county tournament (GMCs), where they won gold medals in the 400 Meter Hurdles with Senior Jaashir Morris and the 4×800 Relay with the combined efforts of Jaashir Morris, Mark Cooke, Jose Delli Paoli, and Alykhan Gangji.

On the girls’ side, distance captain Connie Yu, sprint-team captain Pooja Patel, and field captain Astha Saini inspired their teammates to overcome any hurdles in their paths. This year brought a wave of talented underclassmen, including sophomore Vaishali Ravikumar, sophomore Ashleigh Anderson, and freshman Jamina Morris. The team was well-prepared for the GMCs, sending 14 Lady Hawks to compete with the county’s other fastest runners. In the end, Jamina Morris ultimately grabbed the gold medal in the 400 Meter Hurdles. The runners ended their season with a strong performance at Sectionals and are determined to make the most of their summer practices for a better, faster, and stronger 2014 season.