Smilestones
Shane McGrath, the boys’ swimming coach at Ocean City High School, poses with swimmers Michael Carr and Brett Heritage and the South Jersey championship trophy.
McGRATH LEADS RED RAIDERS TO HISTORIC SWIM TITLE
The Ocean City High School boys’ swimming team, coached by longtime Avalon Beach Patrol Lieutenant Shane McGrath, won the South Jersey sectional group championship Feb. 17. The Red Raiders won the title for just the third time in school history, and for the first time since 1962. Its only other title came in 1932. The 60-year drought was broken in a 90-80 victory over Moorestown at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology Aquatics Center in Deptford. The Raiders finished the season ranked sixth in the Press of Atlantic City’s Elite 11.
A rendering of the McKeown House at Christ’s Home being built with help for the money raised by U.S.A. Pools.
U.S.A. POOLS RAISES $55,000 FOR CHARITY
U.S.A. Pools raised $55,000 for The McKeown Foundation in memory of Presley Braun. The McKeown Foundation works to care, support, and provide research in the hopes to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease. Last year, after the tragic loss of his 22-year-old son, U.S.A. Pools owner Tom Braun wanted to do something special to honor Presley’s memory and to celebrate the foundation’s 30th year. So, he decided to donate a custom-built, in-ground pool measuring 16-by-32 feet, valued at $90,000.
The pool was auctioned off during the foundation’s annual golf tournament and a person from New Hope, Pa., had a winning bid of $55,000. The funds raised by the pool donation will be used to help build The McKeown House at Christ’s Home in Warminster, Pa., a first-of-its-kind respite facility for those with serious memory problems to check into a warm, homely environment for short periods of time while their family travels or needs to recharge.
Tying The Knot
PROVOST, RAIMO WED
Marjorie Provost and Matthew Raimo were married Sept. 1 at The Park Chateau Estate & Gardens in East Brunswick. Marjorie, whose grandparents have a home in Avalon, is the daughter of Vincent and Lucy Provost of Wallingford, Pa. Matt is the son of Michele and the late Michael Raimo, also of Wallingford. The couple met in first grade and became friends before starting to date in their sophomore year of high school. They have been inseparable ever since. Marjorie and Matt both work long distance for companies in Connecticut and spend their summers at Marjorie’s grandparents’ home here. Marjorie is a marketing coordinator at Fletcher Knight, Inc., and Matt is a business development associate at AQR Capital Management. The couple went to St. Lucia for their honeymoon.
HALLINAN-OWENS ENGAGEMENT
Emily Hallinan and Addison Owens became engaged on Dec. 28 on Port Royal Beach in Naples, Fla. Plans are in the works for a 2022 wedding. Emily is the daughter of Frank and Tricia Hallinan of Naples and Avalon, and Addison is the son of Vi and Reese Owens, of Washington, Conn. Emily and Addison met in Naples at the beginning of the pandemic. Emily had just escaped from New York to her parents’ home and Addison was working in the golf industry there. He became friendly with her brother, who invited him over for a game of Spikeball, which was how the met. Emily works for Microsoft in Malvern, Pa., and Addison works for Ryan Turner Insurance in Philadelphia.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
Colby John Sedlacek-Dore
Colby John Sedlacek-Dore was born Sept. 21 to parents Heather Sedlacek and Connor Dore of Goshen. Colby arrived weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Colby’s parents own and operate a restaurant on the Avalon Boardwalk called Summer Salt. Connor is the chef and Heather manages the front of house. They also run an organic farm on the mainland called Bayleaf Farm. Colby’s grandparents are Katie and Dan Dore of Durham County, N.C., Keith Sedlacek, of New York City, and Diane Sedlacek, of Atlantic County, N.J., who all spend their summers in Avalon. Colby’s great-grandparents are Gammy Sedlacek, of Audubon, Pa., and Grandma Dorris of Baltimore. Heather and Connor are grateful to share the Seven Mile Beach with Colby and the next generation of barefoot, sun-kissed kiddos.
Congrats, Grad!
SHANLEY GRADUATES, JOINS OUR STAFF
Katie-Rose Marie Shanley, daughter of the Rev. Eloise Shanley of Stone Harbor, graduated from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at the Pennsylvania State University. She graduated with a degree in journalism. During her time at Penn State, she made the dean’s list five times. Katie spent 2021 as an intern for 7 Mile Publishing & Creative. She has since been hired full time by the company as the staff journalist and assistant event coordinator. She looks forward to staying on the island and spending her time off with her Golden Retriever.
MTHS Coach Matt Wolf (left) and David Giulian, of Stone Harbor.
GIULIAN MAKES MTHS WRESTLING HISTORY
Stone Harbor’s David Giulian made history when he became the first Middle Township High School wrestler to reach the semifinal round at the NJSIAA championships March 4 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. A senior, Giulian upset Danny DiGiovacchino in sudden victory, 4-2, in the 190-pound quarterfinals, and avenged two losses to the Delsea wrestler the previous two weeks in the district and region finals. Giulian, who placed sixth at the state championships, finished his career with 117 victories, making him the winningest grappler in school history.
Also a linebacker and running back, Giulian helped MTHS win its first league title in football since 1959. He had 106 tackles, blocked two punts, rushed for more than 700 yards, and scored eight touchdowns.
The MTHS wrestling coach is Avalon’s Matt Wolf, who also is chief of the Avalon Beach Patrol. Wolf had his own storied wrestling career, with 158 victories. Since 2008, he has overseen a program that has sent 92% of its senior letter winners on to college.
The Avalon-Stone Harbor Sharks basketball team that reached the South Shore League championship game.
SHARKS ARE SOUTH SHORE RUNNERS-UP
The Avalon-Stone Harbor Sharks third- and fourth-graders made it all the way to the finals of the 2022 South Shore League basketball championship on March 13, at Crest Pier. Avalon was one of the original teams in the league started more than 30 years ago for kids not playing on their school teams at the time in Avalon, Sea Isle City, Ocean City, Middle Township and Upper Township.
