New Jersey’s high school athletes who usually confront one another as opponents came together as friends and fellow honorees when they assembled at the 19th annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association at the Pines Manor in Edison on May 15.
From field, court, rink and pool they gathered, one distinguished representative in the Class of 2012 from each of New Jersey’s more than 400 public and private high schools, to celebrate what they all have in common: talent in both athletics and academics. The Class of 2012’s top student-athletes were acknowledged for their accomplishments in the company of parents, teachers and administrators.
Robert Hovanec was ’s representative in this prestigious sampling of student/athletes in New Jersey’s graduating class. Said Hovanec:“I was very privileged to have been named for the honor of representing Watchung Hills.”
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Beginning with his freshman year, Hovanec has maintained an admirable record in track and field. He’s captained the team, both indoor (2011-2012) and outdoor (2012), and won varsity letters in both areas as well. He was also a member of the JV soccer team as a freshman.
His record in Track and Field was outstanding. He won Freshman Indoor Records in 55m, 200m, 300m, 400m and Long Jump, and Outdoor Records in the 100m, 200m and 400m. He also established Varsity Indoor Records in the 4x200m, the Distance Medley Relay, 300y, and 400m as well as Varsity Outdoor Records in the 4x200m and 4x400m.
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His other track and field accomplishments include: Best Freshman Award ( Indoor and Outdoor); Super Sophomore Award (Outdoor); Top Performer Award (Indoor, 2010-2011);MVP Award (Outdoor, 2011, Indoor, 2012); First Team All Somerset County 400m (Indoor); Second Team All Group 4, 400m (Indoor); Second Team All Somerset County, 400m (both Indoor and Outdoor) ; Second Team, All Skyland Conference, 400m (Outdoor); Somerset County Champion ( 400m); Skyland Conference Champion (400m); National Emerging Elite Champion (400m and attained New Jersey Meet of Champions Qualifier status. Most recently, he broke a 21-year record for the 400m dash.
Hovanec’s talents as a DJ are also well known—and in demand at various area school functions and at his church, the New Providence Presbyterian, where he is responsible for both lighting and sound at the monthly teen dances.
He also received the Optimist Award for Winter Indoor Track.
He will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall, where he will continue to be involved in track and field. His major will probably be business and finance.
The NJSIAA, organized in 1919, began the recognition luncheon event for outstanding student athletes of its member schools in 1994. It awards scholarships as well as tokens of recognition to those who have been designated Scholar-Athletes by their respective high schools.
