Practicing every Tuesday at the St. Rose Annex since October, the Dance Team is eager to start their season! The team consists of eighteen girls, led by their Moderator, Ms. Mantlick. The girls perform at half-time shows at the Boys and Girls Varsity Home Basketball games. They also participate in the Teen Arts Festival every year, where they perform and are critiqued by judges. There is a master class in which the girls learn one new dance, and then are free to roam and support their fellow classmates who are in art or the choir. Although there are no captains on the team, they have the greatest influence on what goes on during practice. Hannah Gammond, senior, is the choreographer of all of their routines. She dedicates extra hours and effort into perfecting each dance, so that the girls have fun while performing, and the crowd is entertained. This year, the girls are dancing to a Beyoncé medley: Countdown, Flawless, and Single Ladies.
With fifteen girls on the team last year, the 2016-2017 Dance Team continues to grow. Each of the eighteen girls on the team have prior experience in dancing, enabling the team to be stronger and highly competitive. This spring, the team may participate in their first competition in three years, however that is still being determined.
After being on the team for four years and watching all the progress the team has made, I asked each senior how they feel as this is their last year. Erin Mcdonald said, “The basketball games. They have always been so much fun, and the bonds we made with each other are ones I will never break.” Emme Anderson replied, “Getting to know other people from school who dance, but don’t at the Spring Lake Community House, where I dance. I also will miss dancing at the basketball games.” Ashley Ward said, “Being able to dance and perform with my friends from all different dance studios.” Marykate O’Malley responded, “Going to many different events and spending time with some of my best friends and performing at the basketball games.” Hannah Gammond replied, “I will miss choreographing the dances. It has been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow as a dancer.” Lastly, Katie Considine said, “Dancing with everyone from St. Rose was a fun experience because not everyone goes to our dance school.” Unfortunately the fun of Dance Team will come to a close this year for these six young women, but they are elated to begin this years performances and see what the season has in store. The girls are set to perform at the first basketball game December 16th.

By: Julia Renna ’17, Photography Editor

This years 2016-2017 bowling team, coached by Mr. Schuld, consists of seventeen boys who are predicting to have one of the best seasons in St. Rose history. Although the season has not yet begun, the team has been rigorously practicing at Sea Girt Lanes twice a week directly after school. Some team members even played on a summer league team to help them prepare for the upcoming season.
Last years bowling team set the stage high for this year. They set historical records for St. Rose: beating Manasquan and making it to the Shore Conference tournament for the first time ever.
However, they have a new secret weapon: Joe Ocello, a junior. Last year he averaged a score of over 200, which is impressive considering a perfect game requires a score of 300. Pat Gates, senior, said, “With the help of Joe and many other valuable players on the team, I really think we could win our league this year. It includes: Manasquan, Wall, Asbury, Neptune, Ocean, Point Boro, and a few more.” With the amount of practices they have each week, Pat’s predictions are looking promising.
Since there are so many members, there is a JV team and a Varsity team. All the players, however, are able to play on either team. Their matches are held at Shore Lanes in Neptune City.
One of Jack McDonough’s, senior, favorite parts of bowling is, “Cleaning my hands after I bowl.” His favorite type of bowling ball is a blue twelve-pound ball. After further investigation, this specific type of ball was commonly found to be the favorite.
While bowling, the boys wear St. Rose bowling polo shirts, and regular bowling shoes and pants. This year they are getting towels to add to their collection of St. Rose bowling merchandise!
If all happens as predicted, the bowling team is going to be fascinating to follow this year. Luck, prayers, and success are wished upon the boys and Mr. Schuld as they prepare for the upcoming season.

By: Jack McDonough ’17, Staff Writer

As the winter sports season approaches, The St. Rose Cheerleading Squad is primed and ready to steal the halftime show once again during home basketball games. After graduating several seniors, four year cheer standouts Julia Renna and Sydney Daniel are excited to step into their new leadership role and help make the 2016-2017 season their most memorable one yet. When asked what she was most excited for in the upcoming season, senior co-captain Sydney Daniel said, “Organizing team events like captain’s practices, bonding with the new members of the team, and overall just being a good leader and role model for the younger members of the team just like the captains of past three years have been for me.” The cheerleading team requires a huge commitment from its members, and touts itself as one of the most in shape teams at St. Rose. Between practicing their routines to perfection during the three two hour practices they have each week or developing fundamental skills and strong bonds during the annual cheer camp at Rowan, the cheerleading team at St. Rose is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Although Cheerleading is often forgotten amongst winter sports, it is nearly impossible to diminish the squad’s important role in St. Rose athletics. Whether it is keeping the crowd alive and attentive during a St. Rose blowout victory or offering support for the team in a close game that just might give them the energy to edge out a win, the cheerleading squad is always making an impact. Game in and game out, the Purple Rose Cheerleaders are the loudest fans in the stadium.
The cheerleading team makes an impact outside the gymnasium too. Each year the team participates in a breast cancer awareness walk to raise money and endlessly seeks opportunities to make a positive mark on the communities they reach. The undeniable kindred spirit of the team is clearly acting as a strong force of attraction, and there are many new members to show for it. Julia Renna, the other senior co- captain, is very excited to get the opportunity to work with these new talented girls. “I’m very excited to see how far we will progress because although the season just started and we have only had a few practices, everyone is giving it their all and it seems like we are going to be a very strong team and have a great season!”
With such high praise from both senior captains, it should be an exciting season for the Purple Rose Cheerleaders. On a broader scale, the cheerleading program as a whole has a very bright future. Being led by two four year cheerleaders is an advantage that the underclassmen can utilize to grow the program, and with more and more girls joining the team each season, it is very plausible the cheerleading team can and will take on an even bigger role within St. Rose community.

By: Alex Phipps ’17, Staff Writer

The Saint Rose High School Swim Team has returned to the pool for an amazing 2016-2017 season. The team this year is led by head coach, Mrs. Miller, accompanied by the three other assistant coaches- Mr. Wildeman, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Murray. Practices for the team are held Monday through Friday, with additional dry land practices on Sundays. The first meet was Wednesday, November 30th against Red Bank Catholic, and was a successful win. December 14th is the swim teams next home meet at the Atlantic club in Manasquan, and the team is hoping for another great meet. The team will be versing Rumson Fair Haven, and are practicing hard in order to secure a win for Saint Rose High School.
This year the seniors on the team are acting as examples to new freshman, and are ready to enjoy and succeed during their final season. The Senior girls consist of Ciara Thompson, Tara Viscito, Marykate O’Malley, Samantha Boehmcke, Hannah Gammond, Lauren Teitelbaum, and Kelly Regan. The senior boys are Ryan Loftus, Michael Thompson, Jack Longstreet, and Liam Cosgrove. The senior boys and girls are excited to embark on their final swim season at Saint Rose. Notable new additions to the team are freshman Molly Moore and Emma Coakley, who have added their skill and dedication to the team thus far. Another big event this year was a senior commitment for college swim. Star swimmer Liam Cosgrove committed to Seton Hall University to join their D1 Swim team. Congratulations Liam!
Each swimmer on the team is looking forward to a great season and has their own personal goals along with overall team goals. When asked what they were most excited for this season, Coach Thompson responded, “I am excited to see the swimmers do their best and enjoy themselves. I am also excited to see the improvements and bonds the team will make over the course of the season.” One big event this season is Shore Conference, a meet where the best swimmers from each team compete against one another. “My goal this season is to better my times in order to make Shore Conference my final season.”, says senior, Ciara Thompson, “I hope to have my best season so far.”
Overall the Saint Rose swim members are ready for an exhilarating season full of enjoyment, goals, and milestones. The coaches and students are ready to come together as a team to help each other improve and prepare for the successful season ahead.

By: Alex Hambsch ’17, Staff Writer

Boys and Girls Winter Track is getting ready for the upcoming season. Most of the top runners are returning from last year, but the boys have lost a lot of runners. Luckily, the incoming freshmen are very talented and are able to fill the void that the graduating seniors have left. The boys throwing team has an amazing thrower, Andrew Huisman, who throws shot put, discus, and javelin. He will be looking to continue his track career in college and this year he is the number one thrower in New Jersey. He was number two for three years under Luke Grodeska who graduated last year. Both Luke and Andrew had the opportunity to compete in Nationals for track. The other amazing thrower is senior Garret Jordan. Garret throws shot put, discus, and javelin as well as Andrew. Garret Jordan is also looking to continue his track career in college. These two together will be unstoppable. The boys are back and working harder than ever. They are determined to bring another banner into the gym this season. Senior Billy Tencza said “People might think this is a building year but we are coming back stronger than ever and the shore conference better watch out.”
The Girls Track team has been working hard over the summer doing workouts together as a team in order to be prepared for the season. The girls team has a lot of multi-sport athletes on the team. Erin Dailey, Kirsten Heine, Brit Lopes, and Jill Haggerty play soccer in the fall and run track in the winter. The St. Rose track team has another tremendous thrower: senior Alexandra Preckajlo. She throws shot put and is also number one in the state. She won a state title in this event and is striving to win another one. The girls are looking to have an all around good season. Most girls are looking to set new personal records in their events. The girls have had a big turnout this year with many new members joining.
Track is a different sport compared to the more traditional sport such as basketball or soccer. There are multiple events and the runners may run for eight minutes or for twenty seconds, or they may throw an object fifty feet. They are still a team competing for one goal, to win a state championship. Most people do not understand this sport but for those who do, it is pretty incredible to watch. Watching Olympic athletes such as Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world break his record every year at the Olympics is something special and seeing a team excel in their sport is great to watch. Good luck and bring home another state title!

By: Pat Gates ’17, Staff Writer

The Wrestling season is in full swing , and the St. Rose Boys Varsity Team is preparing for a great season. The boys are working hard at practice six days a week aided by their head coach Robert Connely to get ready for their first home match on December 20th versus Shore Regional. “I think it’s going to be a great season and I am looking forward to it,” remarked Senior Captain Jacob Rowoholt.

The team is composed of fourteen members with three new incoming freshman, “I am excited to see what the new freshman can bring to the team,” commented fellow Senior co-captain Mitch Reid. The St. Rose boys occupy twelve of the fifteen weight classes; the lightest class at one hundred and three pounds and the heaviest being more than two hundred and twenty pounds at heavyweight.

By: Alex Pendergrass ’17, Staff Writer