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Sports

Padovano a Champion On and Off the Track

Senior will be heading to Notre Dame University in the fall

With two children active in numerous activites at the school, Donna and Rich Padovano have gotten to know their way around South Brunswick High School.

Come this fall, the Padovanos figure they will get to know another place fairly well.

"I guess we will be getting pretty familiar with Newark Airport," Mrs. Padovano said.

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Dominick Padovano is a top-notch student and athlete at SBHS, who has earned his way into Notre Dame University.

Padovano's credentials include a 4.1 grade point average. He was named to the National Honors and National Science Honors Societies. He is the President of the Architectural Design Club and Technology Association. Dominick is also a volunteer religious education teacher for elementary students.

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“It amazes us when we think about what Dominick has accomplished over the last four years," Mrs. Padovano said. "We are very proud of him."

Dominick has also been a four-year member of the South Brunswick High School track team. He has made The Meet of Champions three times. He has finished as high as fourth in the state in the discus.

On June 9, Dominick Padovano will see if he can add to his credentials.

Dominick has qualified for the shot put and discus in The Meet of Champions, which will be held at Old Bridge. This is the third time Padovano has qualified for the discus at this meet. He'll be in the shot put for the first time.

"I'm seeded fifth in the discus," Dominick said. "I definitely can get higher."

The way Dominick sees it, he's looking forward to competing in a big meet.

"I like the pressure," noted Dominick, who started with AAU track in sixth grade. "Everytime you get into the circle, it's just you throwing. Even going into the final throw, I like the pressure of knowing you need those extra couple of feet on a throw. I enjoy that."

Dominick is even looking forward to the pressure that will come with going to a great school like Notre Dame.

"I'm excited to be going to a new place," Dominick said. "I've been in South Brunswick my whole life. I'm looking forward to trying something new."

Before going to Notre Dame to study and compete in track, Dominick has his final high school throws to make in The Meet of Champions. Then, he has all the banquets associated with someone talented enough to be one of South Brunswick's choices for the Greater Middlesex Conference scholar/athlete.

"It's counting down to the end," Dominick noted.

Never fear, though. There is already another Padovano establishing herself at South Brunswick High School. In addition to playing volleyball and basketball, Danielle, a sophomore, also competes in the shot put and discus.

"We are proud of the well-rounded, caring individual, brother and son that he is," Mrs. Padovano said, speaking on the behalf of her husband.

"While all the senior events have been very exciting, it is definitely with mixed emotions that we count down to graduation when we realize how fast these four years have gone and how far away he will be."

Someone get the Padovanos a map of Newark Airport. They are going to need it.

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