Jackson's championship teams honored by board
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Jackson Memorial High School boys cross country team

JACKSON - Three Jackson Memorial High School sports teams have been honored for their accomplishments during the fall season.

The Board of Education recognized the athletes and their coaches during its Dec. 19 meeting.

"The Jackson Memorial High School girls cross country team must really like the title of Shore Conference A South Division champions," board President Linda Lackay said. "They earned the title in 2004 and 2005, and tonight we are pleased to recognize them for earning it again in 2006."

The Jaguars also won the South Jersey Shootout during a memorable season, Lackay said.

"These championships will always be a special memory for these girls," coach Glenda Calabro said. "Many of these girls plan to continue running in college."

Calabro noted the accomplishments of Amanda Marino, who earned all-county, all-Shore Conference and all-state honors and was recognized as the Ocean County Runner of the Year.

Jackson Memorial High School girls soccer team

"The coaching staff is already looking forward to 2007," Calabro said.

"The Jackson Memorial High School boys cross country team is a group of athletes who keep astounding us year after year," Lackay said. "This year was another stellar year for this group, whose accomplishments are so numerous they barely fit on the certificates we are about to present to them."

The Jaguars' list of accomplishments include Shore Conference A South Division champions, second year in a row; Ocean County champions, second year in a row; Shore Conference champions, first time in school history; New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Associa-tion Central Jersey Group IV champions, first time in school history; 2006 NJSIAA Meet the Champions winner, first time in school history and the first time an Ocean County boys team has won the event; sixth place in the Nike Team Nationals Open Division in Portland, Ore.; ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and No. 8 in the Northeast.

Jackson Memorial High School girls cross country team

"I came here to Jackson, which is close to my house now, to work with this tremendous group of guys," Coach Stephen Theobald said. "You've heard all of our accomplishments and when I first started here I didn't think we could do all of this. But starting July 1 this great group of guys got together every single day. They came out and trained and put it all together."

Theobald said he learned something about his team after the Jaguars lost at the NJSIAA Group IV meet.

"They were really upset at their loss and they showed what kind of character they had by coming back the following week [at the Meet of Champions] and winning," the coach said. "Then, they [continued to win and eventually] became the No. 1 team in the state. That makes me proud to be coaching these guys, who have been able to come back from adversity and really show what kind of team they are."

Theobald said the Jaguars represented Jackson very well.

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Jackson Board of Education President Linda Lackay applauds the Jackson Memorial High School student-athletes who were honored.

Moving on, Lackay said, "We have another team of Shore Conference A South Division champions in our midst tonight. The Jackson Memorial High School girls soccer team earned the distinction this year through hard work, teamwork and a commitment to excellence."

The team is guided by head coach Drew Gibson and assistant coaches Rachael Goodale, Sean Bayha and Maureen Cromie.

"The girls had a great season," Cromie said. "They were 12-5-1 and won the A South championship for the first time in 10 years."

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said Jackson's athletes showed great sportsmanship and character during their athletic endeavors.

"I congratulate the athletes and their coaches," Gialanella said.