The Verona High School Sports Boosters held their annual senior awards banquet on June 5. The event honors VHS’ senior athletes for all of their athletic accomplishments in high school and serves as an acknowledgement of Verona’s athletic accomplishments of the 2017-2018 school year.
Carly Waterman and Frank Gabriele were named the female and male athletes of the year. Over a four-year varsity volleyball career, Waterman rose to the top of the Verona stats in service aces, kills and digs. Waterman, who with her teammates captured Verona’s first state title in volleyball last November, will be playing for Montclair State University next. Over the winter, she was named first team in the Super Essex Conference’s All-American Division and first team, Group 1 by NJ.com.
In January, Frank Gabriele broke the VHS record for most career wrestling wins. He went on to win the District 10 wrestling championship at 138 pounds, took second place at 138 in the Region 3 wrestling championship and went to Atlantic City for the state championship.
Amber Reed and Sean DeCandia were recognized with the Maroon & White Award, which is presented every year to the senior athletes who exemplify perseverance, enthusiasm, toughness and dedication to their sport. Reed was sidelined at the start of basketball season with an ACL injury, but cheered her team on from the bench all the way to the playoff quarterfinals. She also missed all of the softball season, except for the team’s NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 semifinal against Hanover Park.
As a co-captain of the Verona-Glen Ridge hockey team, DeCandia led the team to a 15-6-7 record this year. DeCandia, who had more than 30 career goals and 30 career assists for VGR, was named second team All Kelly Division.
