Athletes of the Month- February

The Catholic Star Herald highlights the Diocese’s student athletes who stood out during the month of February.

Kamryn Cieslik

Paul VI High School, Haddonfield

Indoor Track and Field

Kamryn Cieslik ended up on top after executing her best jump of the winter.

The Paul VI senior jumped an indoor personal best 5-2 at the Non-Public A state championships at the Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex on Feb. 17 to become the second Eagles high jumper to take gold in the event over the last four years, following Kambi Walker’s footsteps in 2020.

Cieslik continued her success into March with a jump of 5-2 at the Meet of Champions at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility in Staten Island, which was good enough for 10th place among the best of New Jersey. Cieslik is committed to compete at Saint Joseph’s University.

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Justin Harper

Wildwood Catholic Academy, North Wildwood

Basketball

Justin Harper was rewarded for his hard work on the final day of the season as the Wildwood Catholic Academy senior recorded his 1,000th career point in his last game at the school.

Harper’s 24-point effort Feb. 22 helped him reach the milestone during an incredible season for the slick scorer. Harper knocked down 593 points this year to lead the Crusaders, and some of his biggest games came during the team’s biggest wins, including a career-high 37-point effort against Saint Joseph’s Hammonton and a pair of 32-point performances in wins over Holy Spirit High School and Oakcrest.

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Bobby Kennedy

Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland

Ice Hockey

Bobby Kennedy was nearly unbeatable this year. The Saint Augustine junior goaltender was a major factor in the Hermits’ incredible run to a Non-Public state championship in ice hockey, posting two February shutouts during the first two rounds of the playoffs. During February, Kennedy posted a .988 save percentage and finished his season at .952, which included four shutouts. Kennedy finished his season with a 7-1-2 record.

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Katherine Lange

Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City

Basketball

The Rams’ season was on the line with just seconds remaining when Katherine Lange’s 3-pointer sent it to overtime with a buzzer-beater. Lange, a sophomore at Gloucester Catholic, then added the go-ahead 3-pointer in the extra session as the Rams defeated Ranney 43-38 in the first round of the Non-Public B playoffs Feb. 22. Lange finished her season with 221 points including a team-high 48 3-pointers as Gloucester Catholic compiled a 15-win season.

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Branden Palcko

Paul VI High School, Haddonfield

Wrestling

Branden Palcko celebrated his 100th career win Feb. 6 and kept the party going later into the month. The Paul VI senior recorded the milestone win with a 9-1 major decision over Burlington Township’s Logan Kahrs in a 49-24 victory. After suffering a 5-3 decision to Kingsway’s David DiPietro in the District 29 final at 138 pounds on Feb. 17, Palcko – a week later – defeated DiPietro in the Region 8 championship in a 9-7 sudden victory. Palcko, a Rider University commit, was named the Region 8 Most Outstanding Wrestler and became Paul VI’s first regional champ since Greg Webb in 2011.

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Izzy Rossi

Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Newfield

Swimming

Izzy Rossi enjoyed a major dose of championship excitement as she won two individual events and was part of two relay wins in Our Lady of Mercy’s first swimming state championship win. Rossi won the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke and helped the Villagers win the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay in a 106-64 victory in the Non-Public B state swimming championship Feb. 25. Rossi, a senior, proved a versatile contributor as she logged victories in five different individual events and all three relays during the course of the season.