Lady Barrons finally capture that elusive Winter Classic title
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - The Woodbridge High School boys and girls bowling teams head into this week's action a combined 22-0 on the season and fresh off worthy performances in this year's Winter Classic Tournament held over the weekend at Brunswick Zone-Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick.

The reigning state champion girls team continued its march in hopes of defending its title with a first-place finish in the Winter Classic. Senior Amanda Small led the Barons with the second highest set (656) in the tournament. An individual state champion as a sophomore, she bowled games of 206, 246 and 204. Her 246 was the third highest game in the event.

"Amanda said she wanted this one badly," Woodbridge head coach Mike Yannazzo said. "This was the only tournament her team has been in that they haven't won, and she was definitely the leader out there. She always says something inspirational to the other girls when things aren't looking too good, and they respond."

Junior Ashley Scesney turned in the next highest series for the team with a 575. She bowled games of 202, 149 and 224. Melissa Huntley finished 10 pins behind Scesney with games of 225, 144 and 196 for a 565 series.

Junior Nicole Caggiano, a two-time individual state champion, had an off day but still made significant contributions in the team win. Caggiano finished with games of 171, 162 and 187, all well below her team-high average of 204.

"She didn't have her best day," Yannazzo said. "But we don't win without her. She'll be back and ready for Wednesday's individual county finals."

Rounding out the team's top five was Kellie Kocher, who bowled games of 144, 197 and 159 for a 500 series. Woodbridge finished with a total of 2,816 to beat out second-place finisher Carteret's 2,800.

On the boys' side, Woodbridge's Albert Patrick led the Barons to a fourth-place finish with a 696 series with games of 184, 222 and 290. His 290 was the highest game of the tournament. The team finished with a total of 3,178 points, behind Sparta's 3,412, Brick's 3,214, and Brick Memorial's 3,211.

Behind Patrick was teammate Evan Simon, who bowled games of 264, 202 and 203 for a 669 series. Freshman Matt Sabine turned in the team's third highest series of 639 off games of 220, 217 and 202. Senior Matt Lapp was fourth on the team with a 607 series with games of 244, 188 and 175.

Junior John Kociolek was substituted for classmate Brian Small for the second and third games. Small bowled a 147 game followed by Kociolek's games of 236 and 184.

Following this week's individual county finals, the Woodbridge teams will set their sights on this weekend's Romer Tournament at Brunswick Zone-Carolier Lanes, which will determine the GMC's top teams.

"We always look forward to the Romer Tournament," Yannazzo said. "It gives us a chance to see how all the area teams stack up against one another."

Also on the schedule this week is a match against Piscataway. If either the boys or girls team is victorious, Woodbridge will notch its 1,100th bowling victory under Coach Yannazzo.

During Yannazzo's 34 years as head coach, his teams have combined for 30 division titles, 26 county titles, 16 sectional titles and 9 state titles. Not too bad a résumé.