Spartan six announce future plans

The Ocean Township High School athletic wing was packed on Monday afternoon. Athletic Director Rusty Todd was pleased to announce that six Spartans had revealed where they would be continuing their athletic careers once they graduate in June.

Three male soccer players and three field hockey players along with family and friends announced their college or university site.  Heading to Seton Hall in the fall is Aidan Tisnoy, who, as an Ocean Township Spartan wore number 10 on the pitch. He stated it’s his favorite number and his favorite player, Neymar a professional from Brazil also wears that number.

As an elite soccer player Tisnoy has his pre-game ritual. “I always wear a warm-up shirt before I put on my game jersey. I also put on my left shinguard first,” said Tisnoy. He also added that he had his friend Danny put the captains band on his arm. His fondest memory as an Ocean player was when the coach told him he was going into the state final as a sub. “We ended up winning as well.”

On the flip side, his saddest memory is knowing that his high school career is over. He said that he is upset knowing that they could have done better. Over the last four years he has developed into one of the primier soccer players in the Shore Conference. “I think my speed, athleticism and my soccer IQ are my greatest skills,” said Tisnoy. Over the years as his confidence grew so did his game. When asked what team was the toughest, he said without hesitation CBA. “They are a private school and they will always be at the top.”

Tisnoy selected Seton Hall because it’s close to Ocean Township, has great academic programs, and he will be playing the best schools with the best players. “In five years I hope that I have graduated with a degree and a few championships under my belt,” Tinsoy said.

Dylan Gargulinski wore number six on the field for the Spartans. “It is a classic defensive midfielders number, and that is the position I play,” said Gargulinski. He has no pre-game rituals or superstitions. When asked what his favorite memory was as a Spartan, he replied the Colts Neck game. “It has to be my golden goal against Colts Neck. It was my only high school goal and it was an important one.” His worst memory was this past season, losing to Long Branch in the state tournament.

Passion and enjoyment of the game are what Gargulinski feel are his greatest skills. “When you enjoy something you tend to perform better,” he said. Over the last four years he feels that his game has improved the most in regards to the mental aspects of soccer. “Coach Terlecsky and Franze are big on grit and have that blue collar mentality. That is something I am walking out of here with that I didn’t have coming in.”

Washington College in Maryland is where Gargulinski will be playing soccer in the fall. “It had a very family feel, very similar to what we have here in Ocean,” said Gargulinski. He added that the Shoremen’s team is coming off an historic season, going 15-5-1. In five years he hopes to be a college graduate and coaching soccer.

Michael Reid is also heading to Maryland in the fall. His school of choice is Salisbury University. “It was the right fit. I believe in the coach and it’s a solid program and I really liked the campus,” said Reid. When he was younger his favorite number was nine, and that it’s the only number he has worn as a soccer player.

Reid also had a golden goal as a Spartan. His came during the NJSIAA quarterfinals against Brick Memorial. His worst memory was during his sophomore season when they lost in the state sectional final. “My greatest skill I think, is my ability to pass the ball,” said Reid.

Over the past four years he game has changed. “As I grew, I became more of a threat in the air, and therefore I scored a bunch of headers over the years,” said Reid. In five years Reid does not know where he will be. “I dream that I will still be playing soccer at the highest level possible.”

Hannah Morris had no choice on what number she wore for the Spartan field hockey team. “When it was my turn to pick, number nine was the only number left in my size. But it is now one of my favorite numbers,” said Morris.

On game days she is very superstitious. “I like to get ready an hour before and I have to wear my under socks with kiwis on them,” Morris said. Her favorite memories were against two of the super powers of field hockey. “Beating Rumson for the first time and playing Shore to a 3-2 game.”

Her worst memory was from an injury. “As a junior I pulled my hamstring and I was unable to play and help my team. It was frustrating,” said Morris. She added that what she thinks makes her a good player is her ability to listen. “I am a good team player and coachable.” Since 2018, Morris believes her stick skills have improved the most.

In the fall Morris will be a Cougar on the Kean University field hockey team. “I selected Kean because of its location and the competitiveness of the team. Her long term goal in five years is to be working towards a master’s degree in speech language pathology.

In 2014 The Lego Movie hit theaters. It must have been a big influence on Taylor Cerafice as she wears number 14 in honor of that movie. She is not superstitious, but does only wear cotton shirts on game day. Her favorite memory as a Spartan was scoring the game-winning goal against Rumson-Fair Haven in overtime.

She has a sense of humor as she said her least favorite memory is watching game films. “I found out how I look when I run,” said Cerafice. Over the past four years as she learned the game she became a smarter player.

Cerafice selected Stevens for her next level of play and academic success. “I picked Stevens for the level of education it provides and I will pay it forward,” she said. In five years she sees herself as a mechanical engineer working in New York City.

Sometimes as an athlete you don’t have a choice on what uniform number you get. Like Morris, Allison Tanasy didn’t have much of a selection when she was picking her jersey. “I picked number 33 because it stood out to me and my favorite number 34 was not an option for me,” said Tanasy.

She has a unique pre-game ritual. “On game day I always wear two different skin guard sleeves and wear my hair in a bun and always eat applesauce before the game,” Tanasy said. Her fondest memory as a Spartan was the 2021-2022 season. “Our team was the strongest it has ever been and we beat Rumson-Fair Haven twice.”

The Bulldogs of RFH were also responsible for Tanasy worst memory as a Spartan. “We lost to them in the 2020 state finals,” said Tanasy. Like many elite athletes driven by hard work. Tanasy is no exception, and feels that her work ethic as an athlete is her greatest skill. “My game has improved because I now have better vision of the field, and my stick skills have changed tremendously since I was a freshman.”

In the fall Tanasy will be part of the Roadrunner squad of Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. “It’s a beautiful campus with a competitive program. The coaches were very welcoming and everyone from the campus is nice,” Tanasy said. Five years from now she plans on being a graduate and continuing her academic studies. “I want to study business, but also have an interest in forensic science and neuroscience.”

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