Swimming Standout At Secaucus High Honored By NJSIAA

SECAUCUS, NJ — A graduating senior from Secaucus High School has been honored as an NJSIAA scholar-athlete for the 2019-2020 school year.

Angelina Moncrieffe, who graduated this year, was a varsity swimming standout for the Secaucus Patriots. According to her stats, Moncrieffe routinely took first place in her swim meets this year.

This fall, Moncrieffe will be attending Bates College where she will major in neuroscience and will continue her swimming career, according to Secaucus High principal Steve Viggiani.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association program chooses high school seniors from across the state of New Jersey; they are looking for teens who excel at both sports and academics.

Additionally, Secaucus High School seniors John Maurin (ice hockey) and Damaris Rodrigues (girls basketball and soccer) were the recipients of the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Sportsmanship Awards in 2020. And freshman Dean Costantino took first place in the 120lb weight class at the 20th Annual Patriot Invitational.

"Given the very challenging year we've all faced, it's particularly important to recognize the academic achievements of New Jersey's student-athletes," said Colleen Maguire, the NJSIAA's chief operating officer. "I'm certain each certificate recipient worked hard not only in the classroom and in competition, but also in overcoming the hurdles presented by the closing of all school buildings. Despite the difficulties, they all continued to pursue their goals and dreams."

More than 7,700 students have been honored since the inception of the program in 1993.

The NJSIAA, which was established in 1918, is a voluntary, nonprofit organization comprised of 436 accredited public, private, and parochial high schools that oversees high school athletics in New Jersey. The NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 32 sports.