By Billy Wright, Pennsauken High School Athletic Director
For Martin Booker, Jr., the first sign of possible greatness came in the Washington Township football game last November, when he scooted around the line of scrimmage three times for long touchdown runs. In the sloppy, muddy conditions that day, it was obvious that Martin was the fastest man on the field. When the winter track season began, Martin once again showed his speed, as he won repeatedly in his specialty, the 55 meter dash. But Martin’s latest conquest came at the expense of other NJ Group III competitors, as he raced away with the state championship. The gold medal was the first in school history for a winter track athlete. Martin’s first place finish provided 10 of the 17 points that PHS scored that day, good for fourth place in the team battle.
Also scoring was Marquan Jones, who placed sixth in the 400 meter dash; and the 1600 m relay quartet of Martin, Marquan, Brandon Harley and Julian Jackson.
On the girl’s side, Olivia Jamison was fourth in the 400 meter dash and junior Amanda Bakley became the first PHS placer in the 1600 meter run at states with her 5:18.07 school record performance. On any given day, Amanda can be found patrolling the local roads, getting in some miles or running fast repeat intervals in the PHS hallway with girls’ cross country and spring track coach Phil Zimmerman. Phil volunteers his time and energy to help out Coach Tabb – and to sneak in some training runs for himself – while preparing Amanda for elite status among Group III competitors.
David Dow Earns Gold
When the wrestling season began this past Thanksgiving, a District wrestling title and regional qualification for PHS senior David Dow was expected. David and the PHS coaching staff were also hoping for a top eight performance at the state tournament. At the Region 7 championships held at Robbinsville High School, David pinned his first two opponents to meet up with defending Region champion and two-time state placer Tyreek Smith of Moorestown. David had lost to Smith two weeks earlier 8-7 in a match where he pretty much dictated the tempo. At the “Regions,” David again forced the issue and was successful in taking Smith down for a convincing 6-4 win. The gold medal was the first for a PHS wrestler in 31 years, as Gerald Smith won in 1983 at 103 lbs.
David advanced to the state finals and joined 23 other competitors, three from each of the eight regions. The tournament started at the District level, where the top three from the 32 Districts advanced to the regions. Of the 384 wrestlers entered in each weight class, the tournament is now down to 24 with the top eight earning a medal. The last state place winner for PHS was current PHS volunteer and South Jersey Hall of Famer Mike Panerella in 1968.
David is also among Pennsauken’s finest in the classroom, as he maintains a 3.37 GPA.
Athletes Of The Month
February honorees are Amanda Bakley and Martin Booker Jr. Amanda became the first PHS female to place at the NJSIAA Group III state championships with her bronze medal fourth place finish and new school record. Martin also garnered a first as he became the first PHS winter track athlete to win an event at the state championships with his 55 meter dash championship.
Twelve Earn All Conference Honors
At the season ending BCSL coaches meeting, 20 member schools met to nominate and vote for season-ending award honors. The PHS league championship wrestling team led all PHS winter sports, with six team members named to the BCSL All Conference first or second team.
Code Red had three first team honorees: David Dow, Jerry Babilonia, and Aaron Swann. Bowling had three honorees: Jessica Bello, earning her third consecutive first team honor; and sister Michele, earning her second consecutive first team recognition. Girls basketball point guard Tenille Stewart was named second team, joining boys basketball center Anthony Dadson. Tenille and Anthony were both invited to play in the post season BCSL Senior Showcase.
Boosters Club Wine Tasting Social On May 21
The Pennsauken All Sports Booster Club is hosting its fifth annual Wine and Beer Tasting Social on Thursday, May 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Held at Marco’s Restaurant and Catering at the Pennsauken Country Club, this event is well attended and a lot of fun. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. All attendees will receive an anniversary wine class. A silent auction will be held with tasty finger foods and music to support the tasting. Local businesses who would like to contribute a raffle basket can contact Booster Club President Denise Wallace at PennsaukenASBC@gmail.com.
Booster Club meetings are conducted the second Tuesday of the month in the PHS library. Come out and join this worthy organization which is attempting to make the high school athletic experience more rewarding for each student athlete. The Club will provide $5,000 in scholarships this year to worthy seniors and will also sponsor the end-of-year Athletic Awards Night, scheduled for Monday, June 1.
Play Ball – Spring Has Arrived
The spring season has sprung and over 250 athletes are representing the Pennsauken community in baseball, softball, boys and girls track and field, boys volleyball, and girls lacrosse. Come out and support our youth, who are working so hard to win. A highlight of the early season is the Camden-Gloucester County Relays, hosted by the All Sports Boosters Club on Saturday, April 4, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Vince McAneney Field. Come out and see some of South Jersey’s finest track and field stars, as over 40 high schools and 1,000 athletes are expected to compete for the cherished Cam-Glo medal.
If you want to keep up with all of the athletic happenings, the school district website, sports button is the place to be. Contest schedules for the spring and fall 2015 season can be found at www.pennsauken.net, as well as information about the Varsity Club, All Sports Booster Club, college recruiting, and a wealth of other athletic related information.
