The Cardinal Vol. LXXII No. 5 Pompton Lakes High School June 2012 Baseball Team Enjoys Historical Season The baseball team was all smiles after winning a state-sectional title, beating Midland Park, 7-0, at Hershfield Park. At the beginning of each athletic season lie hopes and 1969, the players were determined to put that statistic to the Cardinals the lead, 3-2. Lindberg then had one of dreams of coming together as one and winning a cham- rest. the most memorable hits in school history with a shot to pionship. This year, the baseball team at Pompton Lakes “The loss to DePaul stung, but we had to come back, right-center field, driving in three runs and giving himself High School (PLHS) reached those dreams by winning and we got this one,” said Coss, who struck out seven and a triple. Coss went on to preserve the win, 7-2, pitching a state sectional title and enjoying the best season in the allowed three hits in six innings. seven innings, giving up five hits and striking out six. school’s long and rich history on the baseball diamond. It certainly helped Coss relax knowing he had run sup- In the finals, Pompton played against Audubon (24-6) “The outcome of this season far exceeded my expecta- port from the start of the game. After taking a 1-0 lead, and one of the biggest obstacles they faced all season, tions. I felt as though we were a strong contender for a Coss helped his cause by hitting an RBI single. Junior Andrew Schorr, a hard-throwing senior headed to East league championship. Winning the state sectional title John Steele, a First Team All-County player who led the Carolina University next year. was at least a year away,” projected Coach Paul Tanis. team with a .465 batting average and had 40 hits and 29 “He’s probably the best arm we’ve seen all year,” said Throughout the season, the Cardinals relied heavily on RBIs, pitched in with an RBI of his own, as did second Coss. “We only had one hit, so obviously he was doing the young arms of two sophomore pitchers, Mike Coss baseman Dan Foote before junior Sean Linberg added a something right.” (7-1) and Kevin Magee (6-1), as well as the experience of two-run double. Despite the one hit and the loss, 6-1, the PLHS senior Brian Piccinnini (7-0). In addition, timely hitting “Mike’s just having a great year this year,” said baseball team captured the hearts of the Pompton Lakes and solid defense is what made the Cardinal team so bal- catcher Jon Steele after the game. “He pitches great under community after enjoying a historical season. anced. However, the team’s success did not come easily, pressure. No matter how batters go at him, he’ll get you “Even though we didn’t win it, we still had a great and there were a few disappointments along the way. out.” season, probably the best in Pompton history,” said Coss. With high expectations going into the Passaic County With the final batter punched out at first and the “We won a state sectional title and we made it to the Tournament, the team lost to DePaul, the reigning cham- scoreboard reading 7-0, the Cardinal players enjoyed group final. That’s never been done before in our school’s pions, in the quarterfinals, 5-3. Although discouraged, the the championship win with a pile-on celebration on the history. It’s a good feeling, even though we lost, knowing team never lost its focus on reaching other goals. infield grass as the Pompton faithful recognized their ac- that we made history for our school.” “After the County loss to DePaul, we met in the field complishment by giving them a loud round of applause. His coach seemed equally pleased. house to discuss the events of the game,” Tanis said. “I “Winning the state sectional title after 43 years was a “This team displayed commitment, dedication, and asked the team to forget about this disappointment and new chapter in the traditions of Pompton Lakes’ athletics. determination from the beginning to the last pitch of refocus on the State tournament, which I truly felt was a It is a moment in time that I will never forget nor will the the season,” stated Tanis about his team that finished tournament where we could excel.” players of this team,” said Tanis. with a record of 22-4-0. “Their pride, hustle, and ‘Never Before the state tournament, however, the team man- With the win, the team then moved on to face Ridge- Say Die’ attitude was never heard more clearly than aged to win a league championship, which gave them field in the Group I semi-finals at Kean University. through this state tournament. We have such a young confidence going into the post season. Facing a tough pitcher in senior Luis Hidalgo (9-1), the group of kids, but I’m not overly surprised that we got With wins over Saddle Brook (4-1), Verona (3-2), and Cardinals had a difficult time scoring runs, trailing 2-1 here. They’ve worked so hard that I can’t wait for next Cedar Grove (3-2), the team faced a gritty Midland Park in the 6th inning. However, Hidalgo walked sophomore season.” team in the North I, Group I finals. Despite the remind- Ryan Kazanowski to load the bases. Steele then beat ers that the team had not won a state sectional title since out an infield hit and Dan Foote walked as well, giving 2 The Cardinal NEWS June 2012 Mrs. Streicher Named ‘Teacher of the Year’ By LEAH DEGRAW Mrs. Streicher teaches Foundations of Geometry, Assistant Editor Honors Algebra II, and Academic Pre-Calculus. Out of all of her classes, she enjoys teaching Honors Algebra II the most. “When students cross the threshold of Ms. Streicher’s Junior Caity Takacs, a previous Honors Algebra II classroom, they are inevitably greeted with the warm and current Pre-Calculus student, truly enjoys Mrs. smile of a caring, seasoned, and personable educator,” Streicher’s class. stated Pompton Lakes High School (PLHS) principal Mr. “Having two years with Mrs. Streicher has made Vincent Przybylinski in regards to Teacher of the Year, me more comfortable and confident when it comes to Mrs. Margo Streicher. comprehending and managing the challenges faced in As a 13-year-veteran at PLHS, Mrs. Streicher was math,” she said. “She really focuses on each student’s ecstatic on her recent achievement. necessities, and does her best to reach their needs.” “I feel honored to have been nominated by my col- Mrs. Streicher also has been recognized for her leagues, whom I truly respect and admire,” said Streicher. knowledge and utilization of technology in the class- “To have been chosen by the committee has been such a room. To many, she is known as the “Mobi Queen.” surreal experience.” “Mrs. Streicher demonstrates proper teaching skills, After graduating from Lafayette College in Pennsyl- as she cares for her students and makes sure they suc- vania with a bachelor’s degree in math, Mrs. Streicher ceed in their academics,” junior Alex Backus stated. worked for a Japanese investment bank in New York City “She has a lot to offer our school regarding her empha- for two years. She then went on to earn a master’s degree sis on technology in the classroom. She uses forms of in teaching from Montclair State University. technology that keeps the class interested and makes After earning a teaching degree, Mrs. Streicher was learning math a more beneficial and fun experience.” hired at PLHS. Mr. Przybylinski agrees with Backus. “The students and staff were very welcoming and “She has transformed a once traditional classroom friendly from my first day,” said Streicher. “PLHS is into a technology mecca. The chalkboard is gone and unique in the sense that it is truly one cozy family.” the overhead projector has been cast aside,” he said. Apart from her PLHS family, Mrs. Streicher has a “She now enlivens the learning environment with a Mrs. Streicher aids Theresa Calderone with a recent assignment. 7-year-old daughter Hannah, two dogs, Allie and New- constantly active SMART Board and engaging sets of ton, named after the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton, Interwrite Mobis.” achieve success; by following this, Mrs. Streicher has along with her husband, PLHS math teacher Mr. Alfred Mrs. Streicher believes that hard work, treating oth- earned the title Teacher of the Year. Streicher. ers with respect, and following your heart will help one PLHS News Briefs Three Juniors Attend Leadership Camp Sevecke Earns NJ Principal’s and Superintendent’s The Cardinal This year, Pompton Lakes High School (PLHS) juniors Leah DeGraw, Austin Gausditis, and Emily Scholarship Boyle were nominated and selected for a leadership camp sponsored by the Rotary Youth Leadership The NJ Princi- Award (RLYA). These students were nominated pal’s and Superinten- dent’s Scholarship is Staff by the PLHS guidance counselors, as they have emulated leadership throughout their PLHS careers. a difficult scholar- After the PLHS guidance counselors chose ship to obtain, but Jen Winkler roughly six juniors, the nominees were interviewed Alexis Sevecke, a Editor-in-Chief by the Board of Education president, Mr. Gary Lu- senior at Pompton ciani, RYLA Chairmen, Mrs. Dorothy O’Connor, Lakes High School Leah DeGraw & Taylor Iraggi and Mr. Phil Sohn. (PLHS), recently Assistant Editors After the interview process, three of nominees earned the recogni- were chosen and spent a week at Indian Head tion and will receive Zach Pagliaroni Katie Schneider Camp in Pennsylvania where they learned how to $2,000.