Signing Day
Clark Public Schools
On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, various staff members and administration at Arthur L. Johnson High School participated in a signing day ceremony to honor multiple student athletes for their years of service to Crusader Athletics and commemorate their moving on to continue their athletic and academic careers as NCAA Collegiate Athletes.
The following student athletes were honored:
Jack Bencivenga – Lacrosse – Neumann University – Knights – Aston, Pennsylvania – D3 – Jack is a smart two-way midfielder who embraces the lead by example captain’s role. His smooth ability to break down and dodge middies has proven to be one of his greatest strengths this season and throughout his high school career. Jack currently has 26 goals, 38 assists, for 64 total points. In addition, he has 61 career ground balls and has played a vital role on our lacrosse team over the last four years. Jack will have a chance to add to these numbers when we play and beat Madison in an NJSIAA Round #1 game this Wednesday. Jack will be attending Neumann University, in Aston, Pennsylvania, where he will continue his lacrosse and academic career as a Knight.
Joseph Carney – Basketball – Fairleigh Dickinson University (Florham) – Devils / Knights – Madison, NJ – D3 – Joseph is a onetime honorable mention and two-time first team all-conference player. Joseph is a four-year gold letter winner and two year starter, as well as, being named team captain for his senior season. Joseph finished in the top 10 in points, blocks and rebounds in Union County during his senior season. In addition, he averaged 15.9 points per game. Academically, Joseph holds a 4.2 GPA and is in the National Honor Society, is an Honor Roll student, received the ALJ Alumni Award, is involved in the Peer Leadership Program, and is a member of the National English Honor Society. Joseph will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Madison, New Jersey, where continue his basketball and academic career as a Devil / Knight.
Hector Castro – Soccer – Berkeley College – Knights – New York – Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – D2 – Hector’s ALJ Soccer accolades include scoring a total of 5 goals and 8 assists over the past two season, which included leading his team into the NJSIAA State playoffs each year. His efforts had him selected to the 1stTeam All-Conference Team, not only his senior season, but his junior season as well. Hector will be attending Division 2 Berkeley College, where he will compete for the Knights in the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Samantha Gonzalez – Softball – Penn State Harrisburg – Nittany Lions – Middletown, Pennsylvania – D3 –Samantha Gonzalez has had a wonderful career at ALJ. She has done a tremendous job on the field and truly enjoys helping the younger girls whenever she can, both on and off the field. Sam has been a constant in the lineup over the past 2 seasons, coming up with several huge clutch hits. Her career batting average is .354, which includes 45 hits, 11 Doubles, 26 RBIs, and 4 HRs. Samantha will be continuing her softball career at Penn State University in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as a Nittany Lion, where we know she will continue to find success.
Aidenn Gorombey-Kelly – Basketball – Middlesex County College – Colts – D3 – Aidenn is a onetime honorable mention and three-time first team all-conference player. In his junior season, Aidenn finished the year as the top 3-point shooter in Union County and top ten 3-point shooter in the state. In addition, Aidenn was in the top 10 in the county for scoring his junior and senior seasons. During his senior season, he reached the career milestone of 1,000 points and finished with a career total of 1,049 points. Academically, Aidenn holds a 3.0 GPA. Aidenn will be attending Middlesex County College and continue his basketball and academic career as a Blue Colt.
Jasen Hernandez – Football – Fairleigh Dickinson University – Devils / Knight – Madison, New Jersey – D3 – Jasen commanded the Crusader offense this past season, as well as playing safety for us on defense. He was a two-way starter for us this past year and he never came off the field. He worked hard each and every day to improve, and it is wonderful to see that this will continue at the next level. Jasen was a captain of our team as well, and FDU is lucky to have him. We look forward to watching him continue his career as he competes for the Devils / Knights of Fairleigh Dickenson University this upcoming fall.
Dante Montuori – Football – Susquehanna University – River Hawks – Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania – D3 – Dante was our anchor on the Defensive Line and showed immense improvement throughout his high school career. That improvement is a credit to all of his hard work, which is why he earned the Most Improved Player Award for our football team at our annual football banquet this past season. We look forward to watching Dante continue his academic and athletic career in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, as he competes for the River Hawks of Susquehanna University this upcoming fall.
Sarah Scepkowski – Track & Field – TCNJ – Lions – Ewing Township, New Jersey – D3 – Sarah is immensely involved with all of the extracurricular activities that ALJ offers. She is a true student athlete. Sarah is a member of the Heroes and Cool Kids, Key Club, and SMAC, the Student Movement Against Cancer. Sarah was inducted into the National Honor Society and is vice president of the Student Council. Her academic accomplishments should also not go unnoticed. This school year, Sarah was awarded the honors of ALJ April Crusader of the Month; she has earned this by exemplifying educational and athletic excellency. In addition, Sarah was the recipient of the 2021 Fall Student Athlete Award, given out each athletic season to a student athlete that is not only a champion on the field but in the classroom as well. Additionally, she is captain of the soccer team, basketball team, and the track & field team. Sarah will continue her academic and Track & Field career in Ewing Township, New Jersey, where she will be competing for the TCNJ Lions.
Ben Weintraub – Lacrosse – Fairleigh Dickinson University – Devils / Knight – Madison, NJ – D3 – Ben is a smart and hardworking individual that always makes sure to put the team first. His lacrosse IQ and desire to continue to develop as a player has been a strength throughout his entire career, and his selflessness is a big reason for the success we have had this past season. Ben finishes his career with 30 ground balls. Ben will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Madison, New Jersey, where he will continue his academic and lacrosse career as a Devil / Knight.
Alison Wysocki – Softball – Fairleigh Dickinson University – Devils / Knight – Madison, NJ – D3 – Alison Wysocki has put together a great career for the Crusaders and her work ethic has not gone unnoticed. Her dedication to improving her craft on a daily basis has been impressive. Alison is a great teammate who always puts the team first, and does everything we ask of her. Her hard work has led to several big hits and impactful plays over the past 2 years. Her career stats include batting .336, with 41 hits, 8 Doubles, 19 RBIs, and 3 HRs. Alison will continue her softball career at Fairleigh Dickenson University in Madison, NJ, and we look forward to following her collegiate success over the next four years.
Lucas Zamboni – Basketball – Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, New York – Cannoneers – D3 – Lucas is a onetime honorable mention and one time first team all-conference player. Lucas was named team captain for his senior season. Lucas finished with over 100 career assists as well as finishing in the top 10 in steals, assists, 3-point shooting in Union County this past season. Lucas hit some of the biggest shots in recent memory during his senior season, none more important or memorable then his buzzer beater to beat Governor Livingston in the Union County Tournament. In addition, Lucas is a four-year gold letter winner. Academically, Lucas holds a 3.9 GPA along with being an honor roll student and a member of the Key Club. Lucas will be attending Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, New York, and will continue his basketball and academic career as a Cannoneer.
As one can see, the student athletes made our school, and community, extremely proud and have all had a wonderful athletic careers as a Crusaders.
Gus Kalikas, Athletic Director at ALJ High School, had this to say about the event. “All of these student athletes have been an integral part of the success of our athletic programs while competing at ALJ the past four years. More importantly, they have been a model student athletes that did things the right way both on the fields, in the classroom, and throughout our community. Although it will be sad to see them leave, the Crusader’s loss is their respective college’s gain, and we look forward to following their successful collegiate athletic careers over the next four years.”
Crusader Athletics would like to wish the best of luck to all of our student athlete moving on to participate in NCAA Collegiate Athletics.
