Girls Softball Honored Today in County Ceremonies
• "You've Brought Statewide Recogntion to Essex County"
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Championship Coach Luann Zullo about to receive trophy from Essex County Chief of Staff Phil Alagia at ceremonies today at the Essex County Hospital Auditorium in Cedar Grove.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Smiling Players - Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (right) poses with the Nutley softball varsity players at today's ceremonies. Among those in this photograph are Coach Luann Zullo (red dress in front row) and three men in the back row (l-r) Assistant Coach Mike DiPiano, Athletic Director Joe Piro and Essex County Chief of Staff Phil Alagia.
Jun 22, 2010 – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo led a long list of dignitaries late this afternoon in honoring the members of the Nutley championship girls varsity softball team.
"The success of the team have us all something to root for and brought statewide recognition to Essex County and our schools," DiVincenzo said as the ceremonies began in the auditorium of the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.
DiVincenzo, a Nutley resident, noted that the Raider softball team "turned its underdog season around in competing for the NJSIAA Group 3 championship. Nutley defeated the two top seeds in the section to reach the Group 3 state championship round in Toms River. With a young team, including a majority of freshmen and sophomores this year, Nutley lost that final game to finish in second in the state.
Many of the parents at today's ceremonies pointed out to reporters the length of the list of underclass women on the team that is coached by Luann Zullo. "Everyone is anxious to return to the state oompetion next spring," one parent told NJHometown News.
Schools Superintendent Joseph Zarra and Nutley Athletic Director Joe Piro also addressed the ceremonies today.
The team's performance this spring marked the first time Nutley has reached the state softball championship since 1995.
Essex County Chief of Staff Phil Alagia, presided over the ceremonies today. He said the championship girls had earned some extra good times including a day at Newark Bears Stadium in Newark complete with an all-day access to one of the luxury suites.
Alagia said the awards program is part of the County Executive's initiate to recognize accomplishments by Essex County students.
Members of the team introduced today included assistant coaches Mike DiPiano and Gina Pollitt, and manager Katherine Segall.
Players on the championship team are Tina DeFalco, Tonianne DeMatteo, Maddie Goldenberg, Kayla Huegel, Lauren Iradi, Victoria Malanga, Kristen Mattia, Raquel Mecca, Angelica Midolo, Cassandra Petretta, Tara Petrucelli, Eileen Purcell, Marissa Restaino, Jaimie Towel, Heather Williams and Rebecca Youssef.
