By Tyler Park ’14, Sports Editor

Over the past year, we at The Minuteman‘s sports section have written a number of Personal Athlete Profiles about current Newark Academy athletes.  This edition, however, will take a look at a few of Newark Academy’s past athletes who have moved on to successful college careers in their respective sports.

Nick Williams, Newark Academy Class of 2013, US Military Academy at West Point Soccer Class of 2017

Nick Williams was one of the most exhilarating athletes to play for Newark Academy in recent history.  With blazing speed and excellent technical skills, he frequently wowed crowds at the new Kacur Field.  He also had success as a track and field runner.  Nick was able to step in as a freshman and have immediate success on the pitch at West Point.  He finished tied for the team lead in goals, and played a critical role for his team right from the outset of his career.  “I was lucky enough to start almost every game this year and score some key goals for my team, which is always nice, but more importantly, we were able to win a lot of games,” he said.  Nick also expressed a similar sentiment to his fellow athletes in noting the importance of hard work at the next level.  “There’s definitely a huge change in the amount of effort required to be successful at the college level, ” he said.  Nick seems primed for three more excellent seasons for the Black Knights, and he is a great example of the rewards of hard work on and off the field.

Ashlyn Heller, Newark Academy Class of 2013, Amherst College Soccer Class of 2017

Ashlyn Heller, a former star center midfielder for the Newark Academy girls’ soccer team and an excellent point guard for the Minutemen girls’ basketball team, has moved on to Amherst College, where she is enjoying a successful start to her collegiate career.  After beginning the season injured, she had to work her way into the team’s rotation of players, eventually securing a role as the first player off the bench for her team.  Ashlyn had to make a number of adjustments to life as a college athlete, however.  “I spend anywhere from 8 to 18 hours on a bus every weekend in the fall. You have to learn how to do your schoolwork on a bus full of screaming girls,” she said.  “I love being a college athlete, but it is like a full time job.  You sacrifice a lot of free time.”  Ashlyn certainly serves as an excellent example of a student-athlete, and she seems well on her way to a successful four years on campus.

Griffin Glatt, Newark Academy Class of 2012, Macalester College Basketball Class of 2016

During his time at Newark Academy, Griffin Glatt was a three-year starter at forward for the Minutemen basketball team, and he also spent time playing golf, football, and soccer over his four years.  As a sophomore at Macalester College in Minnesota, Griffin has taken on a major role for his college basketball team.  He has started every game this season, and has worked hard to improve his game since leaving Newark Academy.  At 6’4″, Griffin was big enough to spend most of his time as a Minuteman playing in and around the paint, using his size and muscle to score over small opponents.  At Macalester, however, he has adjusted to bigger and stronger competition, working hard to improve his game, especially his outside shot.  The hard work has paid off, and Griffin has enjoyed his experience thus far.  “It can be difficult to balance school and sports sometimes, but there’s nothing better than being on a team at college,” Glatt said.

Carly Gruenberg, Newark Academy Class of 2012, Hamilton College Basketball Class of 2016

Over her four years at Newark Academy, Carly Gruenberg was one of the leaders of the girls’ basketball program.  An extremely skilled player, she was a catalyst on some of the best girls’ basketball teams in Newark Academy history.  As the lone senior on her team in 2012, Carly led the squad to the North Jersey, Non-Public B Final, which was the furthest that any Newark Academy basketball team has progressed in the state tournament.  At Hamilton College, Carly earned a varsity letter after her freshman season, and has assumed a starting role as a sophomore.  “I love being a college athlete,” she said.  “I am so lucky to be a part of a team, and I consider my teammates some of my best friends,” she said.  Carly appears headed for even more success in her two remaining years, and she is yet another example of a Newark Academy athlete succeeding at the next level.

At Newark Academy, students learn to work hard in a variety of disciplines, and as all four alumni show, that work ethic can often prepare them for success after graduation.  The entire community wishes these student-athletes the best of luck as they move forward.