November 27, 2002
Mike McAlarnen is best on defense again
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
Ocean City graduate Mike McAlarnen completed his college soccer career at Richard Stockton College by
being named Defensive Player of the Year for a second straight season in the New Jersey Athletic
Conference.
McAlarnen was named to the NJAC first team for the third straight season (he was second team as a
freshman) and, in addition to defensive honors, scored five goals and had four assists this season.
Stockton, the NCAA Division 3 champion in 2001, finished 18-5 this year and reached the second round of
the NCAA tournament.
At OCHS, McAlarnen played on a state championship team and two teams that were overall
Cape-Atlantic League champs. He was a two-time all-conference selection, earning All-South Jersey and
second team all-state as a senior. He had five goals and nine assists in high school, where he was also a
defensive all star. McAlarnen, who was named to The Gazette’s OCHS All-Century Boys Soccer Team,
also started as a senior on a South Jersey championship basketball team, where he generally drew tough
defensive assignments.
McAlarnen is not the only former Raider to make a mark in college sports this fall:
Matt Chila had 34 catches for 383 yards as a junior tight end for Villanova (9-3), which ended its regular
season Saturday with a thrilling 38-34 win over Delaware.
Steve Cook carried the ball 32 times for 109 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 39 yards
and another TD as a freshman at Delaware Valley.
Jenee Doto was named to the second team, all-region as a junior in field hockey at Ohio State. She had a
goal and seven assists for the Buckeyes (7-9), who saw their season end in the Big Ten semifinals.
Missy Halliday had a goal and two assists her freshman year in field hockey at Stanford (10-11), which
lost the championship game of the NorPac League to California in overtime.
Adam Martin caught 17 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown at Holy Cross (4-8).
Austin Martin had 275 yards on 61 carries and scored four touchdowns as a senior running back for
Widener (9-1). Former Oakcrest star Mike Warker set passing records for the Pioneers.
Christine Mayne scored a goal and had an assist as a starter in womens soccer for McDaniel College
(formerly Western Maryland). The junior helped the Green Terror to a 12-8-1 record.
Jeff Michner shot a four-over 76 at Seascape (NC) Golf Club for Drexel in the Old Dominion Classic to
finish his sophomore fall season. He has been Drexel’s top golfer all fall. Next year, senior Joe April of St.
Augustine will join Michner at Drexel.
Cory Picketts was named first team, all-region in field hockey as a junior at Princeton. She scored five
goals and had four assists for the Tigers (12-7), who won the Ivy League but were eliminated in the second
round of the NCAA tournament by Penn State. Picketts helped Princeton reach the Final Four in 2001.
Chad Severs was named first team, All-Big Ten as a sophomore at Penn State, which won the Big Ten
mens soccer title. Severs has 13 goals and two assists as the Nittany Lions (14-7) prepare for an NCAA
game this week with either North Carolina or Winthrop.
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