Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
From national sports news to local sports wins, here’s what you’ve missed in this Hudson County sports roundup.
Heads Up! The World Cup Fan Festival Releases More Details
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament is less than 30 days away and more fan festivals, also known as “Flag Cities,” and more details have been announced.
Jersey City, one of the Flag Cities, will have a headlining performance from American disco group, Village People, on June 12 while over in Essex County, rapper and entertainer Soulja Boy will headline Newark on June 24.
These two locations have also been added to the schedule of events:
- Sunday, June 28 – Stephen Gregg Park, Bayonne
- Friday, July 3 – Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson
Now, in total, this is what the events lineup looks like:
- Friday, June 12 – Jersey City
- Sunday, June 14 – Overpeck Park, Bergen County
- Sunday, June 21 – Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus
- Wednesday, June 24 – Newark
- Friday, June 26 – Riggins Field, East Rutherford
Flag Cities is being hosted by Goya in partnership with Hackensack Meridan Health and they recently thanked the State of New Jersey and Choose New Jersey for a $1.3 million grant, which will be used to “directly support event security, entertainment programming, and regional marketing efforts designed to enhance the fan experience,” according to New Jersey Business Magazine.
For more information on the Flag Cities, you can visit here: https://flagcities.com/.
Kearny Girls Softball Earns First HCT Title In Ten Years
Last Saturday, Kearny Girls Softball bested Bayonne to earn the program’s third HCT title and first since 2016.
The game was tied in the bottom of the fifth inning and senior first baseman, Kate Schwerzler, dropped down a bunt into an unoccupied space between the pitcher’s circle and third base.
This created an opening for junior out fielder, Anastasia Guy, to score from second base. This sealed the deal for the Kardinals and led them to a 5-4 victory over Bayonne in the Hudson County Tournament final.
“(Kate) does that a lot herself. I didn’t call that play, but she reads the game very well,” said Kearny head coach Jim Pickel. “She is a very special person. She’s our only senior that starts every day. She really deserves this.”
“I knew I could place it,” stated Schwerzler after the victory. “I knew Anastasia was on and she’s really fast.”
“I just ran. Yeah. I just ran,” said Guy. “And when the ball passed the pitcher, I just went home.”
The Kardinals ended the season with a record of 21-1 and will look to continue their victorious run next season.
“This team is very special,” Pickel said “I’ve been waiting (for this class) for years because I’ve been watching these kids play since they were little and I knew they were going to be a strong group and I was just waiting for them. This is an incredible group.”
West New York High School Student Highlighted In Telemundo Broadcast
Memorial High School Girls Soccer standout, Katya Tepoz was featured on Telemundo’s “MVP” segment this past Friday at around 6:20 p.m.
“Katya’s story, hard work, and accomplishments are highlighted. Congratulations, Katya! We are incredibly proud of you and this well-deserved recognition!” West New York Schools wrote on Instagram.
The senior goalkeeper and captain appeared in 15 out of 17 games for the Memorial High School Tigers and recorded 117 saves throughout the season.
You can watch the video here.
Harrison Resident Earns Sports Illustrated Athlete Of The Week Honors
Harrison resident, JJ Drennan, was selected as the Sports Illustrated National High School Boys Athlete of the Week! Drennan had 3,935 votes which put him in first place for the achievement.
Drennan is currently a senior pitcher at Seton Hall Prep and has committed to play Division 1 baseball at Boston College in the fall.
Hudson County Announces 16 Hall Of Fame Inductees
For this year, there will be 16 inductees into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. This achievement honors a class of athletes and coaches whose achievements span generations and multiple sports.
The sports include:
- Football
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Softball
- Cross country
- Track and field
- Wrestling
- Baseball
“Hudson County has a proud and deeply rooted sports tradition, and this year’s Hall of Fame class reflects the very best of it,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement.
“These 16 inductees, athletes and coaches alike, exemplify dedication, perseverance, and excellence. They not only achieved greatness in their respective sports, but they also inspired generations of young athletes across our communities.”
The 2026 Class of Inductees to the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame include:
- Ernie Beler – Bayonne
- Gary Danback – Bayonne
- Lisa M. Rovatsos – Bayonne
- Wayne Zitt – Guttenberg
- Ralph Eusebio – Hoboken
- Kimberly Hudock – Hoboken
- Alberico De Pierro – Jersey City
- Shelton Gibbs – Jersey City
- Robert Hampton (Elnardo Webster Award Recipient) – Jersey City
- Leigh Ann Murduca – Jersey City
- Doris Nicholson – Jersey City
- Lawrence R. Schiner – Jersey City
- James F. Hague, Posthumous (Community Service) – Kearny
- Czar Wiley – North Bergen
- Eugene Napoleon – West New York
- Team: 1966 West New York American Little League – West New York
The 27th Annual Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be on Oct. 8 and be held at Saint Peter’s University in the Duncan Family Sky Room on the 6th floor of the McMahon Student Center, located at 47 Glenwood Avenue in Jersey City.If you would like to attend the ceremony, you can get tickets here. For more information about the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame, you can visit here.
Know any local sports news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
