GSB seniors earn athletic awards
Nine Gill St. Bernard’s senior student-athletes received end-of-the-year awards for excellence on the athletic fields and in the classroom. Their dedication to their sports as well as to their studies has earned them much deserved recognition from various organizations.
Peter Bednarsky – Peter was the recipient of the Harold D. Nicholls Memorial Award, given to the best senior male athlete at Gill St. Bernard’s. He earned twelve varsity letters during his time at Gill, was captain of the boys soccer and basketball teams, and earned numerous post-season accolades throughout his career, including second team all state (all groups) in 2007. He currently holds school records in soccer for career assists and total points and also received the 2008 Somerset County Male Scholar-Athlete Award.
Bailey Huber – Bailey received the Joyce Creasey Memorial Award, given to a senior girl in honor of outstanding athletic achievement. The award recognizes ability, leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to the GSB Athletic Program. She was a four-year starter and two-time captain on the girls soccer team, earning all prep honors three times. She was also captain of the track and field team, where she won the 2008 Prep B and Conference Championships and established a school record in the Triple Jump.
Kailey Raymond – Kailey received the Somerset County Female Scholar-Athlete Award and was also recognized by the NJSIAA for excellence in athletics and academics. She earned twelve varsity letters at Gill, was captain of the girls soccer and basketball teams, and earned all prep and all county recognition along the way. She was the goalkeeper on the girls soccer team and set a school record in 2007 for fewest goals allowed in a season (12). She finished her stellar career with 35 shutouts.
Sean Johnson and Billy Raska – Sean and Billy earned recognition from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association as outstanding scholar-athletes for their athletic and academic contributions to GSB. Sean was a captain of the 2008 baseball team which set a school record for wins in a season (17) and advanced to the Somerset County quarterfinals. He was named first-team all prep in baseball and also set an indoor track record this winter in the 200 meter dash. Billy earned twelve varsity letters, four each in cross country, indoor track, and track and field. He was the 2007 conference champion in both the 1600 and 3200 and he earned all prep and all area recognition in cross country throughout his career.
Nicole Rizzo and Kyle O’Neill – Nicole and Kyle were Gill’s nominees for the “Jan Baker Female Scholar-Athlete” award and the “Nick Gusz Male Scholar-Athlete” award, recognized by all independent schools in New Jersey. Nicole was a captain of this year’s girls basketball team that set a school record for wins in a season (21) and advanced to the Non Public B North Sectional Final. She earned all prep and all area recognition and was the leading three-point shooter in Somerset County. Kyle was a four-year starter on the record-setting baseball team. He earned all prep honors three times and was named third team all county in 2007. He was also a key contributor to the resurgence of the JV ice hockey program.
Tyler Merck and Tyler Rowell – Tyler and Tyler were recognized by Gill St. Bernard’s for three-sport participation in all four years of high school. Tyler Merck was all prep and all conference standout in baseball. He was named captain his senior year and was the team’s starting catcher and leading hitter. He also played soccer in the fall and ice hockey in the winter. Tyler Rowell earned second team all prep honors on the boys soccer team that won a Prep B Championship in 2007 and advanced to the sectional finals in 2008. He also qualified for the 2007 Meet of Champions in Track and Field and was a member of the school record 4x100 relay team.
