Ranney School welcomes 10 into Athletic Hall of Fame
The 2010 inductees include nine Ranney alumni, as well as one faculty member. They were honored for their exceptional contributions to the school’s athletic program
The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors former Ranney athletes, past and present coaches and other members of the Ranney community who have made a positive contribution to the athletic program.
Among this year’s alumni inductees were Dr. Shaddy Younan (’91), Dr. Zyad Younan (’91), Phillip Kurdyla (’94), Amy Fass (’98), Mickey Kaplan (’98), David Capezza (’01), John Jaravata (’01), Lindsay Minerva (’05), and Alexandra Salani (’05).
Dr. Shaddy Younan excelled in soccer, basketball and baseball while at Ranney and shared the Athlete of the Year Award with his brother Zyad in 1991. He won 12 varsity letters during his career.
Dr. Zyad Younan was a standout in the same three sports as his brother Shaddy — soccer, basketball and baseball — sharing Athlete of the Year honors with him in’91.
Kurdyla starred in three sports —soccer, swimming and track and field. He was the school’s 1994 Scholar-Athlete Award winner.
Fass was stellar in four sports. She competed in tennis, swimming, softball and basketball.
Kaplan put Ranney’s tennis program on the map by winning NJSIAA singles championships in 1995, 1997 and 1998. An outstanding scholar-athlete, Kaplan also led the basketball program to new heights.
Capezza was popular with his teammates because he was a dedicated team player. He starred in soccer, swimming and baseball for Ranney.
Jaravata was outstanding in baseball, golf and soccer. It was in golf where he made his biggest contribution to the school. He brought attention to the golf program by wining the Prep Conference and Monmouth County Tournament championships.
Minerva competed in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse at Ranney. She helped establish the field hockey and lacrosse programs and is known as a team leader.
Salani shined in four sports — cross country, swimming, winter and spring track. She was a role model for her fellow runners at Ranney. She won the county championship as a freshman and won NJSIAA State Cross County titles in 2003 and 2004.
Also honored was Emmett Walling, a 30-year veteran teacher and coach at Ranney. He was recognized for his dedication and commitment to the school’s aquatics program and as a leader and mentor in the athletic department. Walling is known as one of the premier swim coaches at the Jersey Shore, having built the Ranney aquatics program from the beginning to where it is today. Throughout his career at Ranney, Walling has had the opportunity to lead many talented athletes and has touched the lives of every student, parent and faculty member.
In his introductory remarks about Coach Walling, Ranney Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff said, “It has been my privilege to witness Emmett’s success, and it is wonderful to see someone get the recognition he so justly deserves for such a genuine record of accomplishment. This significant career milestone is indicative of Emmett’s commitment to fostering a deep appreciation of three of Ranney’s core principles — knowledge, vision and honor — within the hearts and minds of his students, and I am proud to have Emmett Walling as part of Ranney’s history and future.”
