Morris Hills prides itself on its athletic prowess. A powerful work ethic, hunger for winning, and respectable sportsmanship have contributed to Morris Hills widespread athletic success. Over the past 20 years, the school has seen a great deal of athletes who have shaped the culture of Morris Hills athletics. Blood, sweat, and tears were not enough to stop these athletes from earning significant achievements that have cemented their status as all time athletes at Morris Hills. Coach Robinson, longtime leader of the renowned track team, has seen his “Tradition of Excellence” passed down from generation to generation, as new athletes continually step up to help the team win. As Robinson best puts it, “Winning is fun, and fun is winning” and this attitude has defined the Morris Hills athletic culture. While there are innumerable athletes who have been largely successful, this list has been narrowed down to a smaller number. Here are 20 athletes who have made invaluable contributions to Morris Hills athletics over the past 20 years. 

Domenick Wallace ‘21

Domenick Wallace has been a consistent force on the Morris Hills cross country and track & field teams. He has been part of numerous relay teams that have won county championships, most notably the remarkable 4x800m team that won Groups and advanced to the New Balance Nationals last year. Wallace, sometimes called Kory Devs, took 1st place in the Sectionals last year for the 800m, a historic accomplishment for a sophomore, and continues to write his legacy.

Jaime O’Shea ‘18

O’Shea was a dominant force for the Morris Hills Lady Knights volleyball team. She was a powerful leader and one of the most successful volleyball players this school has ever seen, holding the school record in kills. 

Kayley Moran ‘18

Moran took Morris County by storm with her 1st place finishes in the 400m hurdles. She was able to accomplish this difficult feat in both her junior and senior years, a rare achievement. In addition to her stellar track career, Moran was a volleyball star and eventual captain.

Alex Pai ‘17 

The long haired Pai was an exceptional distance runner for Morris Hills. He was part of the iconic 4×800 team that took 2nd place in the nation at the New Balance Nationals in 2016. Pai was a 12 time varsity athlete in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track. 

Daymon Fleming ‘17

Fleming was the star quarterback for the Scarlet Knights football team that was crowned state champions in 2016. He had a stellar career at Morris Hills, earning NJAC 1st Team All Conference honors consistently since his sophomore year. Fleming is one of the best quarterbacks this program has ever seen, holding the career record for touchdown passes, 34, and completions, 205. He also set single season records for combined touchdowns, 25, and yards passing, with 1,320. 

Jackie Lanigan ‘15

Lanigan amassed a total of 38 wins over her final two years as an Epee fencer, with only five losses. She was part of the Epee squad that took 1st place at the Morris County championships in 2014 and finished with an 11th place finish at states in 2015. Individually, Lanigan went on to finish 5th in the state in 2015.

Casey Lyness ‘15

Lyness was a remarkable, multifaceted track athlete who competed in individual sprint races, relays, and jumps. In 2015, she was the Morris County champion in the 55m, 300m, and 400m, and later went on to take 1st place in the Sectionals for the 55m. She set an astonishing 10 Morris Hills records (55m, 55H, 200m, 300m, 400m, long jump, 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, SMR) for winter track, in addition to three records (200m, 4x100m, 4x200m) for spring track. 

Ashleigh Thurston ‘15

Thurston was a dominant distance runner for the cross country and winter track teams. She holds school records for fastest times at Greystone and Freedom Park, along with Horseshoe Lake. In 2014-2015, Thurston won Sectionals in both the 1600m & 3200m. At the 2014 New Balance Games, she ran a 5:42 mile, good for best all time in Morris County and top 5 all time in NJ.

Eric Turner ‘13

A strong leader and captain, Turner earned 1st Team All NJAC honors in his junior and senior year as a running back. Turner was also a game changing defensive back, achieving 1st Team All NJAC and 2nd Team All State honors. He set the school record for most points and touchdowns in a single game.

Michael Demby ‘12

As a prominent hurdler, 200m, and 400m runner, Demby was successful in both indoor and outdoor track. He won the Morris County champions in 4x200m and 4x400m relays, and Sectionals in the 4x400m. As for outdoor, Demby was a Sectional champion in the 4x400m relay, and a three time New Balance Outdoor Nationals All-American.

Dana Castellano ‘12

A 12 time varsity letter recipient, Castellano was truly a gifted athlete. Earning 12 varsity letters is incredibly rare as it is, but Castellano accomplished this feat through three separate sports: soccer, basketball, and soccer. 

Jackie Mosca ‘11

Mosca was part of the 2011 4x400m relay team that won the 2011 Sectionals in indoor and set a meet record, along with the 4x800m relay team that qualified for the prestigious Penn Relays. In addition, she won the Sectionals individually in the 400m and 800m. Mosca also was selected to the 1st Team All Conference and 1st Team All County in 2010.

Nicole Vasquez ‘10

Vasquez left her mark on the Morris Hills track and field program as both a sprinter and pole vaulter. She has earned numerous 1st Team All Conference and 1st Team All County honors, along with winning Sectionals in the 4x400m, and the county championships in the pole vault and 55m. Vasquez set school records in the 55m, 300m, pole vault, pole vault relay, long jump relay, and 4x200m relay. 

Rafael Diaz ‘09

Diaz was an incredible soccer player and prominent leader for Morris Hills. He racked up numerous accolades throughout the course of his athletic career, such as 1st Team All State honors and All American honors in both his junior and senior years, along with being chosen as the NSCAA and Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year. Diaz was part of the marvellous 2007 team that was crowned Morris County Champions and selected as the Daily Record Team of the Year. He set single the Morris Hills single season record with 14 shutouts, and career record with 30 shutouts.

Corrine Fitzgerald ‘09

An extraordinary distance runner, Fitzgerald was a 1st Team All Conference selection for the 2008 cross country season and 2009 indoor track season. She was most successful in indoor track, where she was a three time Group champion in 2008 for the 3200m, 4x400m, and 1600m. She built upon her success the following year and won Groups for the 1600m in remarkable fashion, setting a meet record of 5:28.89

Liam Tansey ‘09

Tansey was an absolutely dominant runner for the Morris Hills track and field team. From his freshman year, Tansey established himself as a force to be reckoned with and made headlines. He anchored the renowned 4×800 squad that was a national champion team with the United States #2 all time performance. Tansey also set Meet of Champions records with 1600m times of 4:11.95 and 4:08.11, in indoor and outdoor, respectively. In addition to the 4x800m and 1600m, he also has individual championship titles in the 600m, 800m, and 1000m. Tansey’s career culminated with him being a 4 time All American, 2 time Daily Record Track Athlete of the Year, 5 time Sectional champion and 7 time Morris County champion. 

Adam Katz ‘08

A dual athlete, Katz excelled in soccer and basketball. As a soccer player, he was twice selected to the 1st Team All Conference. Katz also earned this honor in basketball, in addition to earning 1st Team All County honors. He holds the school record for most career points in Morris Hills history with 1,372 points.

Kristen Cassarini-Hall ‘05

Cassarini-Hall had the rare combination of leadership ability and talent to establish herself as an all time Morris Hills softball player. As a captain and team MVP in 2005, she earned 1st team All-State Group III honors. In addition, she was chosen as the Daily Record All-Area and Morris County Player of the year in 2005.

Dani Dudek ‘05

Dudek was a two sport varsity athlete who had a remarkable soccer and basketball career. By the time her soccer career at Morris Hills concluded, Dudek set the record for most goals scored and earned 1st Team All Conference honors three times. She was also a stellar basketball player who overcame a torn ACL to earn All Conference honors in her final two seasons.

Ray Sarinelli ‘04

Sarinelli set a school record for most wins in Morris Hills history, with a career record of 102 wins and 18 losses. He was a Morris Knolls tournament champion in 2003 and 2004, in addition to being a Morris County, District 2, and Region I champion in 2004.