This spring season at Kingsway was the final athletic season led by athletic director Joe Galliera. Following up last year’s Shop-Rite Cup win, this year proved that Kingsway is not a flash in the pan.
Galliera’s leadership helped put the Dragons in strong contention for a second consecutive Cup win and made Kingsway’s first year in Group 4 an impactful one. Here is a sport-by-sport synopsis of the spring season:
Golf: Head Coach Dave Young led his squad to an impressive 17-4 record, qualifying for the NJSIAA Tournament. Ben Kelley led the way, earning all-conference honors.
Girls Lacrosse: Head Coach Maggie Goodman and her assistant Rebekah Keller have slowly been building up this program, which went 7-11, over the years, and this year’s squad made it to the NJSIAA playoffs where they lost 16-10 in the quarterfinal round of the South Jersey, Group 3 tournament to Princeton, who was the 13th ranked team in New Jersey. They had four all-conference selections.
Boys Tennis: Head Coach Ed Moody, assisted by long-time assistant Tom Keating, led the boys to a 9-9 record. They were able to qualify for the NJSIAA tournament and had 3 all-conference selections, and Jake McBride made the All-South Jersey Group 4 team.
Boys Volleyball: Head Coach Brent Dodulik and his assistants Drew Owens and Paul Kilgus continued a fine newer tradition at Kingsway, leading the boys to a 19-9 record. They qualified for the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 tournament where they beat Cherry Hill East 2-1 in the first round and then lost 2-0 to Southern (who came in with a 32-2 record) in the quarterfinal round. Nick Sammartino and Stan Storchevoy earned all-area honors.
Boys Lacrosse: Head Coach Sean Dunn, who has over 100 career wins, had a young team who went 6-11 this year. With assistants Kristian Ward and DJ Lynch, Coach Dunn led his young team to their ninth consecutive trip to the state tournament. They ended up with seven all-conference nominations.
Baseball: Head Coach Ian Enders and his assistants John Green and Dave Stanton had a solid season, going 12-13 and earning yet another trip to the NJSIAA tournament. They had six all-conference selections, including first team selection Matt Lesyk.
Softball: Head Coach Tony Barchuk and his assistants Dave Dominik and Karyn Pickard certainly put up gaudy numbers this year, compiling a 17-4 record. The girls earned the top seed in the Group 4 playoffs before succumbing to finalist Atlantic City. They had six all-conference selections including All-South Jersey selections Tori Danner and Isabella Bradian. Danner also made the all-state team. With many underclassmen on the squad, expectations will be high for this squad next year.
Girls Spring Track and Field: The girls’ squad continued their fine tradition under Head Coach Curtis Custis and his assistants Michelle Carrocino, Caitlin Hess, and Jen Beckett. They won their second consecutive West Deptford Relays, and they won the Woodbury Relays title. They also finished second at the county and Tri-County Conference championships. They had nine all-conference selections. Thaila Cooper (400m hurdles) won South Jersey championships.
Boys Spring Track and Field: The Dragons, led by Coach Mel Carter and assistants Christian Lynch, Carmen Costa, Jeff Riggs, and RJ Page showed themselves as one of the top teams in New Jersey. They won the Bridgeton Relays and the Woodbury Relays. They garnered their second consecutive Royal Division title, and won their second consecutive South Jersey team championship. Individually, Dylan Altland won the State and South Jersey pole vault titles, establishing himself as one of the best vaulters in South Jersey history. He set the Gloucester County record in the event. Noah Culbreath won a county championship in the 3200 as well. They had an astonishing 14 athletes make the all-conference team. Altland made the All-South Jersey and All-State teams as well.
This spring season successfully concluded a banner year for Kingsway and a banner career for Galliera. This is a testament to the commitment to excellence shown by everyone involved in the Dragon athletic program. Go Dragons!
