Licata ’22 Closes Out GSB Track & Field Career on Top

Joe Licata ’22 capped off his GSB career as one of the most decorated athletes in school history while being named NJ.com's Field Athlete of the Year. 

During his final year of Outdoor Track & Field, Licata dominated at every turn of the season, not only winning every conference meet but earning 1st place in both the Shot Put and Discus in 8 championships, including the Non-Public B State Championship, Skyland Conference Championship, Prep B State Championship, and Somerset County Championship. While at the heralded Penn Relays, Licata received a gold watch for placing as the first American individual in the High School Boys’ Shot Put Championship. 

“I feel I concluded my GSB career in the best possible way,” Joe said. “While it's bittersweet finishing up at GSB, I'm proud of my performances and thankful to all the coaches, teachers, and friends I've made along the way.” 

In the final days of his career as a Knight, Licata competed against the state’s best competition in the New Jersey Meet of Champions, posting PR marks in both the Shot Put (64’8” and Discus (194’3”). The performance earned him 1st in the shot and 2nd in the discus, setting a new school record previously held by older brother CJ, GSB Class of 2018. He will follow in his brother’s footsteps by throwing for Princeton University next fall.  

“The most important thing I learned at GSB was time management. Juggling athletics and academics is not easy. Learning how to manage my time and how to keep a balance of school, social, and athletic life throughout the last four years gives me a head start on how to balance and manage my time at Princeton.” 

Joe followed his Meet of Champions performance with a 6th place finish at the New Balance Nationals to earn All-American honors. The full list of Licata’s career Track and Field accomplishments is illustrious and includes: 

2019 Outdoor 

NJISAA Prep B Champion Discus 

2020 Indoor 

Somerset County Champion Shot Put 

NJISAA Prep B Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Group Champion Shot Put 

2021 Outdoor 

Skyland Conference Champion Shot Put 

Somerset County Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Sectional Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Group Champion Shot Put 

Skyland Conference Champion Discus 

Somerset County Champion Discus 

NJSIAA Sectional Champion Discus 

NJSIAA Group Champion Discus 

2022 Indoor 

Skyland Conference Champion Shot Put 

NJISAA Prep B Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Group Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA MOC Champion Shot Put 

New Balance Nationals Indoor All-American Shot Put 

GSB School Record Holder Indoor Shot Put 

2022 Outdoor 

Skyland Conference Champion Shot Put 

Somerset County Champion Shot Put 

NJISAA Prep B Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Sectional Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA Group Champion Shot Put 

NJSIAA MOC Champion Shot Put 

Penn Relays Top US Finisher Shot Put 

New Balance Nationals Outdoor All-American Shot Put 

Skyland Conference Champion Discus 

Somerset County Champion Discus 

NJISAA Prep B Champion Discus 

NJSIAA Sectional Champion Discus 

NJSIAA Group Champion Discus 

GSB School Record Holder Discus 

 

Please join us in congratulating Joe on an incredible GSB career – Go Knights!