Eight JCHS Seniors Sign Letters of Intent

James Caldwell High School seniors Steve Brown, David Burton, Michael Wasik, Georgia Mergner, Joseph “Danny” McCarthy, Nicole Kinney, Joseph Salter and Joe Galioto have signed letters of intent to play collegiate athletics.

Brown, a defensive back for JCHS, will play for Lehigh University. A three-year letter winner, Brown made All-Conference on Defense, is the recipient of the Harvey Lawshe Defensive Award, and played in the state championship as a freshman and senior. Brown also plays basketball for the Chiefs, where he served as team captain. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and a High Honor Roll student.

Burton swims frees, breast, back, IM and butterfly for the Chiefs and Cyclones Swimming Teams, swimming a 22.5 50 free and close to a 48 100 free. He is a NJ High School States Meet of Champions Qualifier and USA Swimming Eastern Zone Sectionals Qualifier. Burton will swim for Franklin and Marshall in Fall 2014.

Wasik will also travel to Franklin and Marshall, taking his place on the lacrosse field. Wasik, who scored 19 goals, had 11 assists, 101 ground balls, and 235 face-offs in 2013, also played for the Jersey Thunder Lacrosse on their Elite Black 2014 Team. Wasik was second team All Essex County 2013 and third team All Junior 2013.

Named to the US Lacrosse All-Academic Lacrosse Team in July 2013, Mergner will play lacrosse for Trinity College. Helping the Chiefs reach the state sectional semis for the first time in the program’s history, Mergner scored 20 goals in the first four games of 2013. Mergner was recently recognized as a ShopRite Star for her athletic accomplishments.

McCarthy, who plays soccer, swims and plays lacrosse for the Chiefs, will play lacrosse for Montclair State University. The attackman/midfielder, who scored 18 goals in 18 games in 2013, also plays for Building Blocks Lacrosse, and played at the Blue Chip 225 and FLG 3d where he made the all-star game for both showcases.

Named to the second team in the Liberty Division Super Essex Conference in 2012, Kinney will play for Drew University next fall. The defenseman/midfielder is also strong off the field, and in 2013 was awarded the Elmira Key Award that recognizes school and community involvement.

Salter, football team captain and quarterback for the Chiefs, will head to Princeton next fall. Salter who ranks in the top 10% of his class, was recently recognized as a ShopRite Star for his excellence in academics. Salter also played baseball for the Chiefs.

Galioto, a 6’ 2”- 220 pound lineman, will play football next fall for Montclair State University. Galioto was the only returning starter on the offensive line this season and helped pave the way for an offense that rushed for more than 2,000 yards. A standout on the football field and wrestling mat, Galioto has played varsity since his sophomore year.

For more information on the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District, please visit the district website at www.cwcboe.org.