River Dell: Reflecting on the Year in Sports While Focusing on Future

As Denis Nelson finishes his eleventh year as Athletic Director for River Dell, he reflects not only on a series of stellar seasons, but on what makes River Dell a top contender among Bergen County parochial schools, such as Bergen Catholic and St. Joes, that are known for their sports programs by almost every Little League and Flag Football parent.

"River Dell is able to retain talent not only because we have a proven record as a having strong student athletes, but also because we emphasize having a positive experience that's less results focused," Nelson said. "When the total experience is positive, the results will come."

Athletics is an integral part of the River Dell experience. According to Nelson, between the Middle School and the High School approximately 70 percent of the student body participate in sports. 

This year the teams accomplished many victories. As a whole, the River Dell sports program was awarded the Big North Patriot Division All Sports Champion title, an honor that River Dell has won for the first time. 

According to Nelson, every team at River Dell teaches the student athlete the techniques of the game they are playing balanced by coaches focused on teaching life lessons derived from being on a team.

"More important than winning is how defeat is handled," Neslon said. "And then how you turn that defeat into strengthening your focus and your resolve and encourage your teammates." 

Some of the standouts from the 2012-2013 season are:

The Spring Outdoor Track Team had a winning season. The River Dell Girls Track Team took the Nationals as well as the State Sectionals in Mahwah, along with the Boys Track team.  

"Winning a double State Sectional is something that's never happened before," Nelson said.

In addition, the Girls Track team also won the Group 2 title, which Nelson said was a first.

The Boys and Girls Winter Indoor Track team each won Big North Divisional titles. 

At 25-2, setting a school record for season wins, the Wrestling Team advanced to the State Sectional finals where they won the Big North Divisional title. 

The River Dell Football team won the Big North Patriot Division title.

Girls Basketball finished the season Big North divisional champs.  

Girls Volleyball advanced to the State Sectional finals and won the Big North Patriot Division.

"At River Dell, we emphasize the student in student-athlete," Nelson stressed. "To play sports at River Dell, you have to perform well academically and exhibit strong values."

Looking forward to 2013-2014, Nelson said the main goal of the sports program as a whole is to have zero ejections and disqualifications in the Big North Patriot Division so that River Dell can bring home a sportsmanship banner. 

Then there is also the matter of the teams wanting to defend their titles and advance ever further. 

"We're graduating a lot of really strong senior athletes this year," Nelson said. "They set the standard to be modeled high for the underclassmen who follow."

"But we have some strong developing talent and I'm excited to see who will emerge as the top performers graduate."

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