By Alison Razzetti

Last Friday night the North Shore Vikings battled Bethpage. With two seconds on the clock, North Shore lost with a final score of 61-59. This exciting two-point game forced the team to change up about 16 times. Mike Frey played exceptionally well and scored frequently with a total of 23 points. Ryan Berglin added with four 3-pointers and a total of 18 points, and Bill Melillo totaled 13 points. The team pressed the whole game but they could not overcome the final jump shot. North Shore's season thus far leaves them with a league record of 2-2 and an overall record of 6-3.

Coach: Peter Wass

The 2004-2005 women's bowling teams consists of five returning bowlers and 9 newcomers. Returning seniors are Katie Behar, Kyra Emmerich and Amanda Rich. Also returning are sophomores Lindsay Kraft and Nicole Moshell. Newcomers include senior Alyssa Kreiner, Junior Liz Muscarello and sophomores Vanessa Damiano, Alexa Forester and Lauren Silka. Freshmen bowlers are Skyler Cullum, Courtney Deaveau, Kaitlin Munisteri and Kristen Zaleskie. Unfortunately, Lindsay Kraft sufferd a non-bowling related injury and has missed much of the season.

The team is undergoing a growth and rebuilding year and is currently having a disappointing season. The women, however, are hopeful to turn things around in the second half of the season.

Amanda Rich is presently leading the team in average and has been the most consistent bowler. Newcomers Alyssa Kreiner, Skyler Cullum, and Lauren Silka are showing excellent improvement as the season progresses and have challenged for spots on the varsity squad. Lauren Silka's average has steadily climbed this season and she recently rolled a 171 game on the way to a 453 series, both personal bests. Skyler Cullum had a high game of 192 on the way to a 421 series, also her personal best. Katie and Kyra, who started the season on varsity, have seen the newcomers vie for spots. Their constant encouragement and "pressure" forces the best from the rest of the squad. Alyssa, Liz, Nicole, Vanessa, and Kristen have also helped the varsity squad this season. Alexa, Courtney, Kaitlin and the rest of the junior varsity squad are gaining valuable experience and they show promise for the future.

By Sarah Platt

The women's gymnastics team opened with a strong start. On January 7, the Vikings played against Garden City and won. North Shore's total score was 134.35 and Garden City's score was 124.45. The high scorers for this meet were Jessica Lombardi, a junior, with an 8.0 in the vault and freshman Liza Mercandante with an 8.05 in the vault.

The next meet was against Roslyn. Sophomore Serena Chang scored a 7.4 in the vault and Jessica Lombardi scored 8.05 in the floor exercise. The final score: North Shore 129.15, Roslyn 108.45.

On January 13, the team went on the road to Carle Place, unfortunately losing a close meet-144.6 (Carle Place), 136.85 (North Shore.) However, Liza Mercandante received an 8.0 on the balance beam and Katie Millington received an 8.1 on the balance beam.

On January 17, the team played Cold Spring Harbor. Sarah Koch scored 7.0 on the balance beam and Liza Mercandante received an 8.0 on the balance beam and tied for first place. Lauren Ragusa scored third place (6.3) on the bars. The final score was Cold Spring Harbor 145.75, North Shore 138.85. Although the lost the meet, the team is confident it will go on to have a winning season.

Allyson Gordon, a junior at North Shore High School, has been chosen for the United States Maccabiah Jr. Girls Soccer Team that will compete at the 17th World Maccabiah Games to be held in Israel from July 11-21. Allyson was selected from over 50 girls who attended a 3-day tryout last month in Plantation, FL. Allyson will travel to Israel with over 800 other American athletes. While there, she will tour Israel and participate in many programs being sponsored by Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.

The Maccabiah Games is a celebration of Jewish unity, culture, and heritage through athletic competition, and is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Since 1953, the games have been held every four years in Israel in the year following the Olympics. In 2005, more than 6000 world-class athletes from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the 17th Maccabiah.

Allyson is not new to Maccabi soccer. For the past three summers she has been a member of the Mid-Island Y JCC Maccabi Team, coached by Roslyn resident Dave Birnbaum. During these competitions, she has traveled to Montreal, Houston, and Boston and has come home with a silver and two gold medals.

During the year, Allyson plays on North Shore High School's varsity soccer team and on her club team, the Albertson Fury Madrid. She trains and plays several days a week and hopes to continue her soccer in college.