April 18, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLARK, NJ - The Arthur L Johnson High School boys’ tennis team officially clinched a spot in their ninth straight NJSIAA state team tournament with a 5-0 victory over Bound Brook on Friday afternoon. The victory improves Johnson’s overall record to 6-3, which assures that they will have a .500 or better record on April 29th, the state cut-off date. 

The key to Johnson’s streak of consecutive state tournament appearances has been strong April’s. Since 2003, Johnson is 41-17 in the month of April. The state tennis pairings will be announced by the NJSIAA on Tuesday, May 6 and the Crusaders first round game would take place either Thursday, May 8 or Tuesday, May 13.

“We know that not every team in New Jersey gets to do this, and qualifying for the State Tournament is a great challenge and a great privilege each year,” commented Johnson coach Craig D’Amico. “But for us to do this nine straight years now is simply amazing, and a tremendous accomplishment that our program is very proud of.” 

Johnson last won a state playoff game in 2003, 3-2 over Madison, and has hosted a playoff game twice. Last season, for the fourth consecutive year, Johnson met up with a team from the Shore Conference in the NJSIAA State Team Tournament. The Crusaders received the number six seed, and were ousted by the number three seeded Manasquan Warriors in the quarterfinal round by a slim 3-2 final score.

Johnson will travel to Roselle Park on Monday afternoon and Jonathan Dayton on Tuesday in regular season action, before heading into the Union County Tournament April 24 and 25 at the Donald Van Blake Tennis Courts in Plainfield. 

RESULTS

Apr 18, 2008 at Clark, NJ

Arthur L Johnson 5, Bound Brook 0

 Singles competition

1. Chris Tylutki (ALJ) def. Corey Scott (BB) 6-0, 6-0

2. Mike Keenan (ALJ) def. Patrick Sipple (BB) 6-2, 6-3

3. Luke Ginocchio (ALJ) def. Auinash Ruminoth (BB) 6-0, 6-0

 Doubles competition

1. James Villari/Joe Broccoli (ALJ) def. Andrew Specion/Anthony Specion (BB) 6-1, 6-0

2. Joe Mignoli/Brian Lutz (ALJ) def. Jason Fargas/Matt Wood (BB) 6-2, 6-4

Bound Brook 0-9, Arthur L Johnson 6-3, 2-1

JOHNSON STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
(since current streak began in 2000)
NORTH II, GROUP II

2000: L at West Essex, 5-0
2001: L vs. Chatham, 4-1
2002: L at Chatham, 4-1
2003: W vs. Madison, 3-2
          L at Summit, 3-0

CENTRAL, GROUP II

2004: L at Shore Regional, 4-1
2005: L vs. Rumson Fair Haven, 4-1 

2006: L vs. Rumson Fair Haven, 5-0

2007: L at Manasquan, 3-2