August 8, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 FLOW Area Regional board recognizes outstanding student athletes by Frank J. McMahon The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education recently recognized the achievements of several student athletes. The school board congratulated the Ramapo High School girls’ track 4x400 relay team of Lisa Zimmer, Jamie Barna, Claire Scavone, and Deanna DiLandro who set a new meet and Bergen County record at the Bergen Meet of Champions by running a race with a photo finish time of 3:53.7, which broke the 24-year-old Bergen County record previously held by Ridgewood High School. The previous week, the team set a record-breaking time in the State Sectional meet. Bill Manzo, the girls’ spring track team coach, who was selected as the Bergen County and North Jersey Girls Track Coach of the Year, advised that his relay team also medaled at the Group 3 championship meet and they were the school’s first 4x400 girls’ relay team to ever win a medal at the State Meet of Champions. The team was also the first team in the school’s history to ever win a medal at the Penn Relays. In addition, Manzo pointed out that the girls’ spring track team won its first-ever Bergen County Championship as a team. “It was a fantastic year,” Manzo said. “This is one of the hardest working bunches of girls we have ever had, not only the relay team, but the entire team. For the first time, we had a little bit of depth throughout all the event areas, which helped us have a very successful season. “The girls on the relay team received most of the attention this year, and rightfully so. The kind of performances they turned in is a testament to their ability to do exactly what we asked of them and to believe in the training and to believe in themselves.” The school board also recognized Indian Hills High School pitcher Austin Solecitto, who overcame profound hearing loss to have an outstanding senior year on the baseball mound. Solecitto was featured in a TV sports story by sports reporter Ron Allen on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams in May. According to Allen, the pitcher has a 90 mph fastball. Head Baseball Coach George Hill advised that the left hander led his high school baseball team to a 19-9 season and the team made it to the sectional semifinals of the state tournament. He explained further that Solecitto had a 5-1 record and a 1.36 earned run average with 73 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched. The pitcher gave up 22 hits and 28 walks. The 18-year-old resident of Franklin Lakes is considered one of the top pitchers The Franklin Lakes Public Library, located at 470 DeKorte Drive, is offering a variety of programs for teens this month. Drop-In Movies include: Aug. 8, “Hugo,” rated PG, 126 minutes; and Aug. 24, “The Zookeeper,” rated PG, 102 minutes. Franklin Lakes teens are invited to learn cartooning with Gina Minichino on Aug. 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. All materials are supplied and registration is required. On Aug. 15, the Advisory Council for the Community by Teens and for Teens Library hosts events for teens in the region and has drawn the attention of scouts across the nation. The Indian Hills Braves pitcher was reportedly diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of two. Before reaching the age of six, Solecitto had two implant surgeries to mitigate his hearing loss. Since then, he has adapted by learning ways to enhance his communication skills, such as lip reading and hand signals, especially while he is playing baseball. Solecitto wears an external hearing device throughout the day, but it’s not always necessary. He reportedly has the ability to disable the hearing aid when pitching, which allows him to focus. Solecitto’s accomplishments extend beyond the pitching mound to the classroom, where he maintained a 3.7 grade point average this past semester. This fall, he will attend Boston College on a baseball scholarship. He hopes to develop into a professional player. will meet in the Local History Room from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Franklin Lakes students in grades six through 12 who want to promote teen services and organize community service programs are invited. No registration is required. The Teen Summer Reading Auction will be held Aug. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Teens who write a one-paragraph book review on any book they are currently reading may earn library bucks and bid on prizes at the auction. Reviews are due by Aug. 20.