Photos by Joe Ragozzino
Photo 1: Seated L-R: Jaela Small, Barbara Benda, Charlie Scorsone, Anthony Alberti. Standing L-R: Wayne Wittmann, Matt Scorsone, Nick Maineiro.
Photo 2: Seated: mom Sherri Small and daughter Jaela Small. Standing L-R: Assistant track coach Rob Porrino and head track coach Gerry Ryan.
Photo 3: mom Sherri Small and daughter Jaela Small.
Photo 4: Seated L-R: brothers Charlie Scorsone and Matt Scorsone. Standing: father Charlie Scorsone Sr.
Photo 5: Seated L-R; brothers Charlie Scorsone and Matt Scorsone. Standing: head crew coach Kevin Smyth.
Photo 6: Head crew coach Kevin Smyth and Barbara Benda.
Photo 7: Seated: mom Rebecca Mainiero and son Nick Mainiero. Standing L-R: head football coach Steve DiGregorio and father Nick Mainiero.
Photo 8: Nick Mainiero with parents Rebecca and Nick Mainiero Sr.
Photo 9: Anthony Alberti with parents Michelle Alberti and Carmen Alberti, with head foootball coach Steve DiGregorio (far right).
Photo 10: Anthony Alberti with parents Michelle Alberti and Carmen Alberti.
Photo 11: Wayne Wittmann with parents Wayne Wittmann Sr. and Paula Wittmann. and head football coach Steve DiGregorio (far right).
Photo 12: Wayne Wittmann with parents Wayne Wittman Sr. and Paula Wittmann.
NUTLEY, NJ (updated Monday June 4, 10:57 a.m.) – Nutley High School student-athletes announced their college decisions on May 30.
The students were joined by parents and coaches during a signing ceremony held in the principal’s conference room.
The student-athletes are:
- Nick Mainiero, football, Rowan University
- Wayne Wittmann, football, King’s College
- Anthony Alberti, football, Montclair State University
- Barbara Benda, rowing, Rutgers University
- Matt Scorsone and his brother, Charlie Scorsone, both rowing, both Lafayette College
- Jaela Small, track and field, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mainiero is a running back; Wittmann is a receiver and Alberti is an offensive lineman. Mainiero also will represent NHS in the 40th Phil Simms New Jersey North-South All-Star Football Classic on June 25 at Kean University at 7 p.m.
Some of the athletes reflected on their NHS careers and talked about their reasons for choosing their respective colleges.
CHARLIE SCORSONE
“I’ve had a great four years competing with the Nutley High School crew team. One of my fondest memories is racing at the biggest high school regatta in the country, the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, and even making the semifinals in my junior year season. I also loved the experience to race in the semifinals of the SRAA National Championships Regatta in my junior year. Lastly, I got to enjoy time with my team as we took home the boys points trophy in my junior and senior year at our home race. I think I chose Lafayette because to me, it has the perfect mix of strong academics, great school spirit and campus size, and a crew team that I could find myself fitting into. I am really looking forward to what the future holds for me.”
MATT SCORSONE
“My best memories competing for Nutley High School come from the friendships I made with so many of the athletes I competed with. They’re gonna be my closest friends forever. Also my best accomplishment was winning “The Cup”, a trophy our crew team competes for against Kearny, Belleville, North Arlington, and Saint Benedict’s Prep every year to be named the best team that rows on the Passaic River. I chose Lafayette because it has a good rowing program that I will be joining and it is also a good academic school.”
JAELA SMALL
“Competing for Nutley High School these last four years has been very fulfilling and quite exhilarating. I have had the chance to befriend some of the best teammates who have supported and encouraged me as an athlete. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to be trained under the leadership of some of the most selfless coaches who strive for the excellence and growth of their athletes. I am fortunate enough to say that my high school experience at Nutley was a great one and that is partly thanks to the Nutley Track and Field team. Some of the best memories from Nutley track include making new friends, training hard, being a part of relay teams, and most importantly, competing with the Nutley Raider logo across my chest. Going into each meet knowing that I was a part of something bigger than me was truly the greatest reward of all. Though I did track prior to trying out for the team, it was through Nutley track, that I learned the value of hard work, discipline, competitiveness and sportsmanship.
“I chose NJIT because it is one of the few schools within New Jersey that has a rigorous Actuarial Mathematics program. In addition, I chose NJIT because of the exceptional Cross Country/Track and Field program. I am beyond excited to continue my academic and athletic career at NJIT.”
ANTHONY ALBERTI
“What I will miss most about playing Nutley High School football are the bonds and friendships made with my teammates. Some of us have played together since third grade. There wasn’t any better feeling than walking down the Oval steps on to the field. I will miss it tremendously.
“Ever since I was a kid I dreamed about playing college football and Montclair State felt just right. I am very excited to continue playing football there.”
NICK MAINIERO
“My memories from high school sports are unforgettable. They will last a lifetime. Some of the things that made these memories so special to me was the people I was making them with and the experiences we got to share on and off the field. My best friends are my football teammates. There is something about competing and working hard every single day together that makes the bond so special. One of my favorite memories of my high school experience came from the day we beat Montclair on the Oval. Being a sophomore and chipping in with some plays to help us beat this great team was an amazing experience.
“A big reason as to why I choose Rowan during this very difficult decision process was the sense of community I felt when I visited there. I come from a very tight-knit family and when I was at Rowan, I felt that same family feel while talking to coaches and players from the team. Rowan is also one of the best schools concerning academics, so I will be definitely be getting a great education which is most important. I am looking forward to a great experience at the Rowan University.”
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