Verona's top 10 greatest athletes of the 2010s

Kate Ashley, Class of 2019

A decade filled with broken records, Ashley has outdone nearly all of them. Ashley has spring track records in the 400 and 800 meter races, becoming the first female to run the 400m in under 59 seconds as a sophomore in 2016. Ashley was also the anchor of a 4x100 relay team that holds the two best marks in school history. With berths in the State Meet of Champions and her name all over winter and spring track records lists, Ashley's name with surely live on with track records for years to come.

Julia Ashley, Class of 2015

Ashley played just one season of soccer at Verona due to commitments with club teams, but made it count. Ashley won all-conference honors as the Hillbillies won their first sectional title in program history in 2014. Ashley went to North Carolina as a four-star recruit and had 94 appearances for the Tar Heels, including a golden goal that sent them to the 2018 College Cup Final. Ashley was drafted sixth overall in the 2019 NWSL draft by New Jersey-based Sky Blue FC, but has played overseas instead. Ashley is also a member of the U20 and U23 national teams. Ashley was also one of the most prolific runners in school history with school records in multiple events, including the third-fastest mile in the nation as a freshman.

Christina Colon, Class of 2019

Colon pitched for over 500 innings at Verona across four seasons in the circle and helped the Hillbillies reach new heights. Colon tossed 830 strikeouts in his career, including 45 games of double-digit strikeouts. Colon led Verona to two sectional finals, hosting one in 2017 against eventual group champion Cedar Grove, as well as the first county tournament semifinals appearance in Verona history. Colon's 2019 season made it even more special as the senior led the Hillbillies to the North 2, Group 2 sectional final against Hanover Park. Colon struck out nine, including the final out that gave Verona their first sectional title since 2005.

Hunter Coppola, Class of 2019

Coppola garnered attention far and wide as one of the more fearsome presences near the net in all of New Jersey. Coppola led the state in blocks in her senior season and finished with 201 in her career. Coppola also finished her Verona career with 778 career kills, 268 digs, 259 service points and 41 aces. Coppola earned an honorable mention on the All-American team and was a finalist for the National Junior Player of the Year. Coppola now plays at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jack Farrell, Class of 2017

Winning was all Farrell seemed to do at Verona High School. Farrell was a three sport athlete and thrived in each season. In 2016, Farrell scored the golden goal in overtime at  heavily favored Wallington to give the Hillbillies the North 1, Group 1 sectional title, the first for Verona since 1981. Farrell's penalty kick in the Group 1 final tied things and made Verona co-group champions. In basketball, Farrell won two sectional titles with Verona and hit the game-winning basket in overtime of the 2017 sectional final against Saddle Brook. Verona went on to win their first group title since 1957. Farrell also excelled in the spring for boys lacrosse, tallying 89 goals and 31 assists in his junior and senior years combined.

Frank Gabriele, Class of 2018

Verona hasn't historically been known as a place that produces many exceptional wrestlers, but that thought has shifted with Gabriele being one of the reasons why. By the time Gabriele graduated Verona, he had rewritten the school record books with 147 career wins. Gabriele's senior season was his best overall with a 42-7 record, as well as county and district tournament titles. Gabriele reached the regional final, losing by decision but still qualifying for the state tournament in Atlantic City. Gabriele's wrestling career as a Hillbilly ended in Boardwalk Hall, but his impact is still felt on a program thriving with individual and team success even after his graduation.

Travis Jocelyn, Class of 2017

Standing at 6-foot-6, Jocelyn was often the largest player on the court, but his presence loomed even larger than that. Jocelyn truly only played two full seasons for Verona after working his way into varsity during his sophomore season. Jocelyn finished his Verona career just 36 points shy of 1,000 in his career and sectional titles in both his junior and senior year. Jocelyn's final high school game came at Rutgers University as Verona won their first group title in 60 years. Jocelyn was more than a points scorer, grabbing nearly 500 rebounds, as well as over 100 career assists, 45 blocks and 60 steals.

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Jarrod Keating, Class of 2019

Keating was just a freshman when Verona-Glen Ridge won the McInnis Cup, but Keating took that championship experience with him throughout his remaining career on the ice. Keating outscored his sophomore and junior seasons combined with a 29-goal output as a senior. Keating dealt with illness at times and opponents were clued in on preventing Keating from taking shots on goal, yet Keating had at least one point in all but five games as a senior. Keating scored all three VGR goals in a 3-1 win over Livingston, including a goal in the final seconds shot into an empty net from behind the other net.

Collin Kiernan, Class of 2017

Kiernan was untouchable on the mound for Verona, becoming well known as one of the top pitchers in New Jersey during his career. Kiernan led the state in strikeouts as both a junior and a senior, earning honorable mention All-America honors as a junior. Kiernan had at least 100 strikeouts in all three seasons in which he played varsity for the entire season, including a sophomore year that included a no-hitter thrown. It wasn't just Kiernan's arm that turned heads as his leg was also impressive on the football team. Kiernan was the kicker for football for three seasons, setting a school record for most extra points during his time on the team. Kiernan's 47-yard field goal remains a school record to this day.

Carly Waterman, Class of 2018

Waterman was the catalyst that ultimately started the rise of Verona volleyball in the 2010s. Waterman did it all for the Hillbillies and did it often, compiling 1,335 kills, 603 digs, over 700 service points and 156 career aces. Waterman became the first Verona volleyball player to ever earn All-American honors in 2017. Waterman's trailblazing didn't stop at Verona. In two years at Montclair State, Waterman won NJAC Rookie of the Year in 2018 and became the first Red Hawk ever to be named to the AVCA All-American team in 2019.

Robert Aitken is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app. 

Email: aitken@northjersey.com Twitter: @robertaitkenjr