BASEMENT WATERPROOFING IN Little Silver

Alex Uryniak isn’t comfortable on the sidelines. It’s can be chilly. There’s not a lot going on. It’s definitely not where he wants to be during a football game.

So, while the senior serves as the middle linebacker in the North 2 Group 4 champion North Hunterdon High School football team’s 3-3 stack defense, and is part of a hugely potent backfield that also includes Navy-bound All-State superstar Kente Edwards, that’s simply not enough.

Uryniak has not only starred on defense and offense, but he’s also all over the special teams. He’s kicked, he’s returned kicks, and he’s recorded double-digit tackles on kick and punt coverage. He’s recovered squib kicks and a playoff onside kick, and he’s blocked a punt.

And neither he nor the Lions would have it any other way.

“I love being on the field at all times,” Uryniak said. “When I’m on the sideline, it kind of gets boring and a little cold. I like to warm myself up always playing football. When I’m out there, I can control the game, so I feel comfortable when I’m out there all the time.”

“He was always on the field,” said North Hunterdon head coach Kevin Kley. “And you just knew he was smart enough to play at all times and more than good enough to play at all times.”

Uryniak can now add one more title, and that’s MyCentralJersey.com/USA Today Network Big Central Conference Defensive Football Player of the Year.

As impressive as his offensive and special teams numbers are, it’s his impact on the defense that was one of the main reasons North Hunterdon finished 11-2, was able to run away with the Big Central Conference Liberty Silver Division title, and claim its first sectional championship since 2017.

The three-year defensive starter notched a conference-best 180 tackles, including 104 solos and 22 for a loss. He notched seven sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and grabbed an interception to help North allow just 16 points per game. The Lions turned in six games surrendering just one touchdown, and three more where the opponent was held to just a pair of scores.

“I know he has the stats, but it’s also the savvy,” said Kley, who also calls the North Hunterdon defense. “He’s just extremely smart. He is, by far, to me, the best defensive player I’ve seen. He’s the complete package. He knows how to play linebacker. He’s smart and he reads his keys. He knows how to defeat blocks. And he’s strong. He’s had more of those tackles where you tackle and drive somebody back than I’ve seen any high school kid have. And he’s fast.”

It's the speed that not only serves him incredibly well, but it’s also something not a lot of people see coming. At 5-foor-9, 190-something pounds, Uryniak doesn’t strike as a speedster. But once the game is going, opposing teams often pay the price of judging this particular book by its cover.

“The beauty of him is that I know no lineman is really going to get to him, and if the ball goes outside, he chases people down,” Kley said. “We just had him spy the quarterback a lot of the time. We’re playing some of these really, really athletic quarterbacks – like Colonia, Woodbridge and Cranford – and we’re just having him sit there and letting him play and he’s hawking these kids down and sacks and tackles and everything. I’m very confident that nobody’s breaking big runs.”

“People underestimate me for my size,” Uryniak said. “I’m pretty big, but not too tall, so they probably think I’m not the fastest guy in the world. But being able to juke (blockers) out and get them out of the way and make that tackle down field is probably my favorite part. And being able to track the ball anywhere ever. One I lock eyes with that ballcarriers, that’s it. I’m probably making that tackle for a loss.”

That speed – and especially the toughness – also serves Uryniak in the backfield. While Edwards is certainly the lead back – he led conference running backs with 1,442 rushing yards, despite missing two games on offense – Uryniak is the ultimate No. 2, and that was never more evident than when Edwards was limited by injury down the stretch of the season.

No worries. Uryniak simply stepped up.

The senior turned in three straight 100-plus-yard performances with Edwards slowed or absent from the backfield, including a 264-yard, three touchdown performance against Woodbridge. He finished with 1,012 rushing yards on 149 attempts and 13 scores.

“He’s probably the starting running back for, pretty much, everybody else in the state,” Kley said. “He’s fast and he’s physical and he’ll lower his shoulder. He gets low and puts his hand down, and he always falls forward. He’s such a good running back. And there’s no, like, ‘Oh. I want to focus on defense, or I need to come out.’ No. Whether he was getting 10 carries a game when Kente was healthy or 30 when he wasn’t, Alex was the same player the whole time. It’s a testament to how hard he works and how tough he is.”

“I do my job. I’m out there to do whatever they need me to do and I always want to be accountable,” said Uryniak, who finished fourth in the state at 190 pounds last winter and is leaning toward going to Columbia University to wrestle next year. “If I mess up, I’m making the play after. And I like running people over and making people miss.

“It just shows the depth we have. All summer, me and Kente, being able to push each other, that’s the best atmosphere we can have. Having a D1 player push me though all the workouts (was key). In the wresting room, I push guys to work out, and he pushed me to workout in football.”

Of course, as a senior three-year letterwinner who mans the most important defensive position on the football field, Uryniak’s leadership was also key to North Hunterdon’s success. That’s especially true pregame as the Lions prepared to take the field.

“On game day, any coach can give a pregame speech to try and get the kids fired up, but when the kids are walking down the line and into the end zone (to take the field pregame), a player gets the kids more excited than any coach does,” Kley said. “He was that guy last year a good amount, and this year, on game day, I can just say ‘Alex. Get ‘em going,” and the kids would be fired up and focused. It’s just a testament to how he gets people to rally around him.”

“I started chants sophomore year, and junior and senior year it got bigger and bigger and into being a leader,” Uryniak said. “We all play an important part in this team, and I like to motivate the guys before the game. It’s no fun if we lack motivation. We never play well if we aren’t hyped up. Friday night lights. There’s nothing like it.”

Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at[email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus

4 minute read

When we venture out to dine in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we value ambiance and decor almost as much as the food and drinks.

We want to feel the magic of the season with the whole package: special menus, holiday music and lots and lots of twinkling lights.

Some restaurants get it, like Sorellina's in Hoboken and Cowan's Public in Nutley, and take their decorations very seriously with festive garland and ornaments covering most of their surfaces and ceilings.

Here are some restaurants that meet our need for lots of decorations. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Biagio’s Ristorante, Paramus

The decorations at Biagio's are classic and give the restaurant a homey vibe. This is a family-owned restaurant that has been in business since 1988. Each room at Biagio's has a different theme. This year, the terrace is covered in gold and silver decorations, while the bar is all green and red traditional decor.

During the holiday season, the white bulbs are switched out with green and red ones. "We want everyone to feel at home," said owner Athena Perides. On Dec. 10 Biagio's will house a "Santa's Breakfast" where guests can take photos with the jolly man while enjoying delicious food.

Go: 299 Paramus Road, Paramus; 201-652-0201, biagios.com.

Franco's Metro, Fort Lee

Franco's Metro has been around for more than 45 years and every holiday season, the goal is to wow its guests.

The copper and gold theme this year is showcased throughout the dining rooms with large wreaths and pine garland sparking with lights and pops of ribbon. Christmas music is piped throughout the dining area. Owner Gene Bazzarelli said the restaurant strives to be as festive as possible each year. "I want to remind people that Franco's is a place to enjoy traditional values," he said.

Aside from their decorations, Franco's Metro is offering a holiday-themed cocktail menu that offers white snowflake Cosmopolitans and Jingle Juice!

Go: 1475 Bergen Blvd., Fort Lee; 201-461-6651, francosmetro.com

Grant Street Café, Dumont

From the moment you enter until you walk out, you will be surrounded by the "holiday spirit." The walls at Grant Street are covered in red and green with lots of Christmas lights. The bar is referred to as a "giant Christmas ballroom" by owner Chris DeLaura. The staff and owner all pitch in to decorate the restaurant, which DeLaura describes as the best time, especially watching children as they see all the decorations. This year, to add further fun for children, there is an elf that moves around to a new spot in the restaurant every day and the children have to look for it.

The Hill, Closter

The restaurant's holiday décor is inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, which reflects the overall aesthetic of the restaurant. Arrangements of juniper, holly, twigs and red berries are strung on the stairs and the 7-foot Christmas tree is decorated with white cotton pompoms, red ornaments and straw as well as Scandinavian ornaments in the shapes of angels and snowflakes. "We like to keep it simple," said manager Lauren Orbe. She said the staff at and their energy make the restaurant more festive.

Go: 252 Schraalenburgh Road, Closter; 201-899-4700, thehillcloster.com.

Sorellina Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Hoboken

Walk in and look up. Sorellina's ceiling is covered with hanging garland embellished with lights, red, and gold ornaments and shimmering snowflakes. Owner Gabi Lombardi also showcases large wreaths with large red bows in the windows as well as other classic decorations throughout the restaurant. This year's vibe is cozy, festive, and fun. Lombardi decorates the restaurant by herself and said she does it to create a great ambiance for her patrons. "I love knowing that our decorations bring people together to celebrate in good cheer, and hopefully bring a little extra holiday spirit to those who may need it," said Lombardi.

Go: 1036 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-963-3333, sorellinahoboken.com.

Sirenetta, Hoboken

Sirenetta, across the street from Sorellina and also owned by Gabi Lombardo, is also dressed in its holiday best. Sirenetta, though, has a more glitz and glam vibe. It is covered with ornaments of silver and gold and showcases a different personality than Sorellina. "I wanted to keep the restaurants equally festive with different ambiances that fit the personalities of each location."

Go: 1039 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-683-9900, https://www.sirenettahoboken.com/

Cowan's Public, Nutley

For the holidays, Cowan’s Public is going by a different name: Miracle on Centre Street. That’s because the Nutley bar has been taken over by the Christmas-themed "Miracle" pop-up, which was created five years ago by Greg Boehm, owner of the East Village cocktail bar Mace, and his manager Joann Speigel. Miracle on Centre Street will be in place until Jan. 1. This year's pop-up features candy canes, a bright Christmas tree, tables covered in wrapping paper and multi-colored lights with oversized ornaments strung from the ceiling.

To go along with the spirit of the season, the cocktail menu will feature holiday options including the Chrismapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry juice, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist), Santa's Little Helper (gin, spiced caraway syrup, eucalyptus, sage, lime, seltzer) and a Snowball Old-fashioned (rye, gingerbread, aromatic bitters, wormwood bitters, orange bitters).

Go: 229 Centre St., Nutley; 973-542-8151, cowanspublic.com.

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, Ho-Ho-Kus

This 19th-century inn with its many rooms and fireplaces creates a tasteful holiday display every year. There are lavishly decorated Christmas trees and mantelpieces covered in garland and stocked with poinsettias. Outside, the trees get wrapped in string lights and a big wreath hangs near the door. Take in the ambiance while dining on such dishes as lobster pappardelle served with roasted tomatoes, Portobello mushrooms, scallions, corn, and tomato butter ($42) and diver sea scallops ($39) served with chorizo, braised white beans, and broccoli rabe.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Chris Gotterup of Oklahoma on Sunday was named the winner of the Jack Nicklaus Award as Division I Collegiate Player of the Year to lead a group of five recipients who were honored at Muirfield Village Golf Club. The Jack Nicklaus Award, created in 1988, recognizes the top men’s players in Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA in conjunction with the Golf Coaches Association of America.

AJ Ewart of Barry was the Division II winner, while Will Hocker of Webster, Jakob Stavang Stubhaug of Keiser and Cecil Belisle of South Mountain won in Division III, NAIA and NJCAA, respectively.

"I am always impressed with the quality of golf these young men play, but when I meet them I am even more impressed with the quality of people they are," said Nicklaus, who presented trophies to the award winners at the Memorial and offered bits of advice and encouragement during an hour-long press conference.

Gotterup, who transferred from Rutgers to Oklahoma and played as a fifth-year senior in 2021-22, was named a Ping first-team All-American after posting 10 top-10 finishes this season for the Sooners and a sub-70 scoring average. The 22-year-old from Little Silver, N.J., finished T-5 at the NCAA Championship last week. A day later he claimed the Fred Haskins Award as national Division I college player of the year.

Gotterup was the only winner not in attendance as he prepares for his first PGA Tour event at next week’s RBC Canadian Open. Ewart, who won seven tournament this season, including four straight and five of his last six, also is competing at the Canadian Open but was on hand to accept his award.

Hocker won seven tournament during the 2021-22 college season as well, including his second St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title. A SLIAC Men's Golfer of the Year and Ping All-American, Hocker has 14 career wins and led Division III this season with a 70.45 adjusted scoring average.

A native of Norway, Stubhaug, just a freshman, won twice, including the NAIA individual championship among 10 top-10 finishes. His postseason honors include the NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award and PING first-team All-American.

Finally, Belisle, a first-team All-American, had three wins and helped South Mountain win its eighth NJCAA Division Division II National championship.

Previous winners of the Jack Nicklaus Award include Patrick Cantlay and Jon Rahm, who have gone on to win the Memorial Tournament, and Justin Thomas, the reigning PGA champion.

Chris Gotterup has been a busy man.

The Little Silver native and former Rutgers golf star wrapped up his collegiate career at Oklahoma at the end of May. Then he turned pro and embarked on five straight weeks of competition – which included making the cut at the U.S. Open and finishing top-five at the John Deere Classic.

Now Gotterup’s sights are set on one goal: to earn full PGA Tour status for next season.

“It’s been a blast these past six, seven weeks and hopefully I can make it a full-year schedule coming up,” Gotterup told the Trentonian by phone from Blaine, Minn., where he’ll play in this week’s 3M Open on a sponsor exemption.

Gotterup, who turned 23 Wednesday, has plenty of family, friends and coaches pulling for him back home. He grew up playing golf and lacrosse, but stuck to golf when he entered Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. He absorbed all he could from CBA’s state championship-caliber program, with several teammates destined for Division I.

Rutgers men’s golf coach Rob Shutte followed Gotterup from the moment he watched him bomb a drive at a high school state championship.

“We were trying to make a push,” Shutte said. “There were players in our state that could help us win the Big Ten championship. We were trying to keep the best players home.”

That’s just what the Scarlet Knights did with Gotterup, though he said his freshman year taught him that “I really wasn’t as good as I thought I was.” He needed to work on his fitness.

“He got into a Big Ten weight room and he saw himself in the mirror,” Shutte said. “Chris, in his words, not mine, he was an athlete stuck in a non-athletic body.”

Gotterup said he dropped around 50 pounds as a sophomore, allowing him to tighten his golf swing into a more efficient, comfortable motion. He lived in the training room and credited Shutte and athletic trainer Rich Campbell for giving him the guidance and tools he needed.

“Without any of that at Rutgers, I’m probably sitting in New York City, working a desk job or doing something else,” Gotterup said. “I owe everything to them.”

Shutte recalled walking with Gotterup during Notre Dame’s tournament, the Fighting Irish Classic, in 2019. Halfway through the second round, he caught a glimpse of the leaderboard and swallowed.

“I thought, ‘Jeez, I hope he doesn’t look at the leaderboard, because it’s wrong.’ It showed him leading with a multiple-shot lead,” Shutte said. “But it was right. It was one of those things where he was just playing a little bit of a different game. It was effortless.”

Gotterup went on to win that tournament by eight shots. He was named the 2019-20 Big Ten Player of the Year and a third-team All-American.

He was able to use his COVID-19 year of extra NCAA eligibility to transfer to Oklahoma in 2021-22. There, he won the Fred Haskins Award and Jack Nicklaus Award, both recognizing him as the collegiate golfer of the year.

Gotterup spoke with the legendary Nicklaus on the phone after receiving the award. He’ll be exempt into Nicklaus’ tournament, The Memorial, in 2023.

“I’ll get to see Jack in person hopefully next year,” he said. “Even just talking about it sounds crazy. I never thought I would be in that position and to be there is pretty cool.”

Now Gotterup is a pro, but not a card-carrying PGA Tour member. He’ll continue playing on sponsor exemptions, and with enough non-member FedEx Cup points, either earn his tour card outright or qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, where 25 cards will be awarded.

The hardest part of Gotterup’s new life has been managing his time after a strict student-athlete’s schedule was laid out for him in college. But he still keeps things laid-back – he doesn’t fasten his golf glove, and his friend from elementary school and CBA, Ryan O’Connor, is carrying his bag.

“We’ve had a lot of fun,” Gotterup said. “I think he’s enjoyed it, too, which is great, because we are a team out there and everyone’s got to be happy with where they’re at.”

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LITTLE SILVER - Former Superintendent Michael Ettore, who left the Little Silver School District more than a month ago without explanation, has been getting paid ever since, according to minutes from an October school board meeting that recently were released.

When district officials informed the public in an Oct. 11 letter about his departure, they indicated only that Ettore “will no longer serve” as superintendent and that Eric Platt, principal of the Markham Place School, had been appointed acting superintendent.

District officials and board members have since declined to explain why Ettore left his job or in what manner.

But recently posted minutes from a special school board meeting held Oct. 11 stated the board approved placing Ettore on paid administrative leave.

The resolution stated the move was made after the board “became aware of the need for Superintendent Michael Ettore to be placed on paid administrative leave” but offered no other reason or timeline for the leave to end.

Ettore had been on the job less than two years, having been appointed in May 2020.

“The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a transition in our district’s leadership,” the Oct. 11 letter said. “As of today, Michael Ettore will no longer serve a superintendent of Little Silver Schools. We are grateful for his efforts on behalf of our students. And wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Ettore previously had served as superintendent of the Monmouth Beach School District but spent 10 years as a math teacher in Little Silver prior to that post.

“Mr. Platt has extensive experience and a proven track record in Little Silver and the board has full confidence in his ability to lead the district,” the board letter added. “While we recognize the challenge this transition presents, we have no doubt that our talented teachers, administrators and staff will continue to support the high caliber education our (community) expects.”

Ettore could not be reached for comment. District and school board officials did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

When Platt was appointed, the board also posted a letter from Platt announcing his new position, but it also offered no information on Ettore’s departure. It stated that Platt would remain as principal at Markham Place School while serving as acting superintendent.

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of two books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at [email protected] and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp