Sparta track standout Little wins 100-meter title at sectional championships

Le-Shem Little earned the gold medal in the 100-meter dash in 10.93 and second in the 200-meter dash in 21.93 to lead the Sparta boys outdoor track team at the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 championships on Friday-Saturday, May 15-16 at Vernon Township High School in Vernon Township.

The Spartans finished 11th overall in the team standings with the Sparta girls placing 16th.

The boys 4x100 meter relay team of Vince Serio, Justin Yarnall, Jacob Weinstock and Little placed eighth in a time of 45.31 and Christopher Alden was ninth in the 110-meter hurdles in 16.27.

The Sparta girls were led by the quartet of Madison Guardia, Abigail Crane, Charlotte Kowalsky and Celia Rossettini, who were fourth in the 4x800 meter relay in 10:20.61. Rossettini also placed eighth in the 800-meter run in 2:25.55.

The Pope John High boys and girls outdoor track teams will compete in the NJSIAA Non-Public championships on Friday-Saturday, May 29-30 at Buena High.

Sparta Baseball

The Spartans (8-17) were seeded 11th for the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 tournament and w scheduled to play at sixth-seeded Pascack Valley in a first round game on May 27 at 4 p.m.

Sparta Softball

Sparta (7-15) earned the 14th seed for the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 tournament and was slated to play at third-seeded Old Tappan in a first round game on Tuesday, May 26.

Avery Munier and Kiernan Moore each homered, drove in two runs and scored twice to power Sparta to a 15-5 home victory over Newton on May 20.

Sparta Boys Lacrosse

The reigning Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament champions were seeded second for the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group 2 tournament and will host 15th-seeded Paramus on Thursday, May 28, in a first round game.

The sectional quarterfinal round is scheduled for Monday, June 1, with the semifinal round set for Thursday, June 4. The sectional final will be played on Tuesday, June 9, at the home of the higher seed.

Sparta Girls Lacrosse

The Lady Spartans, ranked No. 12 in the state, reached the overall NJSIAA Group 2 final a year ago and will begin defense of their North Jersey, Group 2 sectional crown as the second seed and will host 15th-seeded Paramus in a first round game on Thursday, May 28.

Pope John Baseball

The 10th-seeded Lions were scheduled to play at seventh-seeded Gill St. Bernard’s in a NJSIAA North Jersey, Group B first round game on May 26 in Gladstone.

Pope John Softball

Pope John, seeded fifth, will play at fourth-seeded Paramus Catholic in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group A tournament on Friday, May 29, in Paramus.

Pope John Boys Lacrosse

Sam Conetta (three goals, two assists), Brody Pilek (two goals, four assists), Jack Gallucci (three goals, one assist), Braden Hammond (13 ground balls, won 10-of-13 faceoffs) and Anthony Klimczuk (15 saves) fueled the Lions’ 10-1 win at Ridge on May 21.

Pope John (11-8) was seeded 13th for the NJSIAA Non-Public tournament and was slated to host the 20th-seeded Newark Academy in a first round contest on May 27.

Pope John Girls Lacrosse

Cali Hartnett (45 goals, 22 assists), Gabby Celentano (41 goals, 23 assists), Serena Lorenzo (31 goals, eight assists), Lilly Gang (25 goals, seven assists) and goalie Kendall Weiss (116 saves) have led the Lady Lions this season.

Pope John (12-3) was seeded 17th for the NJSIAA Non-Public tournament and was scheduled to play at 16th-seeded Villa Walsh in a first round game on May 27. If Pope John won, it would play at top-seeded and No. 1 ranked Oak Knoll in a second round game on Saturday, May 30.