SJ Sports: Inside Voorhees Sports

Student Athletes Enjoy Multiple Seasons
Eastern teams fought for their respective division and sectional titles. The school's athletic programs have always been blessed with multi-sport athletes who shine on more than one field. Here are a couple of those athletes and what they are up to this spring.

Kate Ryno
"Workhorse," as it says on her warm-up uniform, accurately describes student-athlete Kate Ryno. The senior has graced both the field hockey and softball fields at Eastern bringing one victory after another. A three-year varsity goalie, Ryno plans on attending Appalachian State in North Carolina in the fall on a field hockey scholarship. Over her high school years Ryno has earned All-South Jersey and all-Olympic Conference honors. She also received the scholar-athlete award and named Academic All-America. As an honor roll student, Ryno's future plans include a college mathematics major and a career as a teacher and coach. While the 2002 softball season is Ryno's first year as a varsity catcher, she said, "Coach Worthington helped me a lot last year with catching getting me ready for Varsity."

Lori Hillman
Field hockey isn't just a fall sport for Eastern's Lori Hillman. The senior participates on several teams lasting year round, dedicating at least 25 hours per week to field hockey. Since learning to play in fifth grade, Hillman has excelled, earning First Team all-Conference and First Team all-Group IV over her four years as center back for the Vikings. Hillman has also been named New Jersey Player of the Year and First Team all-American during her junior and senior years. Hillman's talents don't stop there. With a tough academic schedule, she maintains honor roll status and participates in spring lacrosse. "I have so much fun with lacrosse because it is new and a challenge for me. Plus it keeps me in great shape," said the two-year starter at defensive wing. Next fall Hillman plans to attend the University of Michigan, the school that won last year's NCAA field hockey title.

Antonio Guenovski
At six-feet, five inches tall, Eastern senior Antonio Guenovski explains, "Volleyball fits me perfectly." As a four-year varsity middle hitter, Guenovski averages nine kills per game and has a career-high sixteen kills. He spends at least 25 hours per week playing volleyball, dividing his time between the Eastern and Tri-State Club teams. Guenovski earned Second Team all-Conference in 2000 and First Team all-Olympic Conference and all-State in 2001. He was also voted Eastern's team MVP and MVP for the Southern Regional Tournament in 2001. Next year, he will play on a partial volleyball scholarship at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Ranked fourth in New Jersey, the Eastern boys volleyball team is looking to win states. Guenovski said, "We almost beat the number two team in New Jersey (Clifton) last Saturday and we were missing key players. We are definitely looking to win states this year." In 2001 the boys won both the Southern and Maurander Tournaments and hope do so again this year.

Voorhees Girls Softball Association
Started in 1995, the Voorhees Girls Softball Association (VGSA) continues to have a strong presence with almost 380 girls active in spring softball. Past president Cindy Logan explained, "Our goal is to provide organization for the girls to play and fields for them to learn to play, and also to have fun and meet new friends." VGSA involves girls from Voorhees, Berlin and Gibbsboro in grades K thru 12. For the first time, VGSA has their own fields — four regulation size and one miniature field for the kindergarten level. Opening day was April 13. One field dedicated to Jenn Porco will be used for this year's one-pitch tournament open to girls ages 11-15 and from which all proceeds go to the Jenn Porco Scholarship Fund.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Beth Joseph