Max Austin:
The Football Team is off to a hot 10-0 start and has outscored their opponents 140-47 in total. A major part of this success comes from Senior Captain wide receiver and cornerback Max Austin. On both sides of the ball, Max has made significant impacts that have allowed this team to be successful throughout the first half of the season. On offense, Max has 7 total touchdowns and a total of 487 receiving yards, and 2 of those touchdowns have come from this season. Max’s larger impact this season has been on defense, where he has been a great cornerback for the team, having 2 interceptions so far this year.
As the season continues, Max is excited for Senior Night on October 4th vs. South Plainfield, and he is also excited to make a run in the NJSIAA Group 2 state playoffs this year. Coming off of a very successful season last year, Max and the rest of the team look to repeat and win another sectional title.
Q&A:
Q. What are your greatest athletic accomplishments at BHS?
A. My greatest accomplishments here have been winning the section championship in football and winning the section championship and group championship in lacrosse.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Spaghetti and meatballs
Q. What has the Team’s culture been like so far this season?
A. The team culture is good, we have a lot of team bonding events.
Q. What are your favorite things to do outside of sports?
A. My favorite thing to do outside of sports is to hang out
with my teammates and friends.
Q. What has been your favorite memory from BHS Athletics?
A. My favorite memory so far has been winning the
sectional title in OT with the football team last season.
Q. What is your favorite Movie / TV Show?
A. My favorite TV show is The Sopranos.
Payton Zaun:
Just like the football team, the Bernards Girls Soccer team is off to a great start as well. So far, the girls are 9-2 with major wins over teams such as Watchung Hills or defending Group 2 state champions Hanover Park. Through these first 11 games, Senior captain Payton Zaun is leading the team in both goals and assists, with 13 each for a total of 39 points. In her career, Payton has a total of 40 goals and 44 assists for 124 total points.
Payton will play Division I Soccer at Fairfield University next year. She is the third extremely successful athlete in her family that has come through Bernards High School with her brother JJ and sister Charlotte each playing their respective
sports at the collegiate level. The team has made it a major goal of theirs to win a state championship the year! With Senior Captains like Payton, Andee Costabile, and Alexa Paterno, this goal is more possible than it ever has been.
Q&A:
Q. What are you excited about for the rest of your senior year?
A. I’m really excited about all the senior events coming up, like Night of the Stars, prom, and graduation. I’m also looking forward to my final sports season with my high school teammates, who have pushed me so hard in my sport.
Q. Who is your favorite athlete and why?
A. My favorite athlete is Rose Lavelle. After having the incredible opportunity to practice with her over the summer, I was inspired by her work ethic and dedication to push those around her.
Q. What has been your favorite memory from BHS Athletics?
A. My favorite memory from high school sports has been beating Ridge at home last season.
Q. What have been your greatest athletic accomplishments at BHS?
A. My greatest athletic accomplishments have been receiving All-State honors in my sophomore and junior year.
