Howell Athletic Hall of Fame inducts four
O'Reilly, Leacock named Athletes of the Year
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

All-State quarterback Sean O'Reilly and hurdles champion Jamie Leacock were Howell High School's stars of today at the school's Senior Awards Banquet.

They were named the school's Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

While the banquet was honoring the achievements of the class of 2007, the past was on display as well as four more ex-Howell athletic stars that were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The quartet was Scott Blum, Jennifer Carbonaro, Greg Ostrowicki and Lisa Friscioni.

Blum, from the class of 2001, distinguished himself on the football field where his work ethic took him to All-State and All-Shore honors as an offensive lineman. It's hard to stand out as a center on the offensive line, but Blum turned himself into one of the state's most dominant linemen and was selected to play in the North-South game.

Blum reached greater heights at Rowan University, where he garnered All-New Jersey Athletic Conference and All-ECAC honors as an offensive lineman. Following his senior year, he was named to the Division III and Little College All-America Teams. Currently, he is playing professionally with the Reading (Pa.) Express in the American Indoor Football Association.

Carbonaro helped put field hockey on the map at Howell. A four-year starter and team captain, she helped turn the Rebels into a state playoff team. A 2000 graduate, she was an all-conference selection at defense.

At Montclair State University, Carbonaro blossomed. She started every game during her four years in Upper Montclair and was a two-time All-Conference pick and two-time South Atlantic Region All-American. As a senior she earned All-American honors as well as National Academic All-American recognition. Carbonaro led the Red Hawks to the NCAA quarterfinal that season. She graduated as the school's all-time leader in single-season and career defensive saves.

Ostrowicki, a 2001 Howell grad, was Mr. Versatility in track and field. He was a sprinter, hurdler and jumper for the Rebels. It was in the high jump that he excelled winning Monmouth County and Central Jersey Group IV championships and medaling at the State Group and Meet of Champions event. His all-around talents at Howell helped him become an outstanding decathlete and heptathlete at Rutgers University. Ostrowicki had Top 3 finishes in the grueling 10-event decathlon at both the Big East and IC4A championships. He also earned Verizon Academic All-American honors. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech.

Friscioni is Howell bowling. She began her career with the boys team and when the school fielded a girls team, she promptly led them to the 2002 NJSIAA State Championship her senior year. She was a two-time All-State pick and three times All-Shore. Winning followed Friscioni to Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), where she led FDU to the 2006 NCAA National Championship, the first national title in any sport in school history. Friscioni was the Most Outstanding Bowler at the NCAA tournament as well as an All-Tournament pick. The 2002 Howell grad was an All-American that season. In addition to her bowling prowess, Friscioni was a four-time Academic All-American.

One day, their athletic achievements may earn O'Reilly and Leacock entry into Howell's Athletic Hall of Fame, but at the awards banquet held at Doolan's in Spring Lake Heights, the night belonged to past champions.

In addition to the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, the school added two to the Academic Hall of Fame, Maria Josefa Sieira and Michael J. Dunn.