Woodbridge Honors Undefeated Avenel Basketball Teams, National Champs
The township recognized championship seasons by the Avenel Middle School boys and girls basketball teams and the Crimson Knights Cross Country
Parents and family members crowd the council chambers as Woodbridge Township officials honor undefeated Avenel Middle School basketball teams and the national champion Crimson Knights youth cross country team. (Woodbridge Television)
Chris Howell I January 21, 2026
Proud parents packed the Woodbridge Township Council chambers Tuesday night, phones raised and cameras flashing as students in team warm-ups and medals gathered nervously near the dais. Smiles spread quickly once applause filled the room, as young athletes stepped forward one by one to be recognized for seasons that will now be part of local sports history.
The ceremony was held during the Woodbridge Township Council meeting to honor three standout youth teams: the Avenel Middle School Boys Basketball team, the Avenel Middle School Girls Basketball team, and the Crimson Knights Cross Country Team, a regional youth program whose runners recently captured a national championship.
Mayor John McCormac framed the significance of the evening early on.
“The keyword there is national,” McCormac said. “That doesn’t happen a lot. There are town champions, county champions, even state champions, but tonight we’re recognizing national champions.”
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Crimson Knights Cross Country Brings Home a National Title
The first group recognized was the Crimson Knights Cross Country Team, a youth running program made up of students in grades K through 8 from communities across Greater Middlesex County.
The team won a national championship at the National Youth Cross Country Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee, in November, a rare accomplishment at any level.
After the runners stepped forward to receive certificates, the mayor invited coaches and athletes to speak about the program’s impact.
Head coach Elizabeth Campbell, who took over the program once coached by her father, emphasized that the team’s success extends well beyond trophies.
“Running is more than just a sport for me — it’s a lifestyle,” Campbell said. “It gives you discipline, structure, and opportunities. Running got me to college, it gave me lifelong friends, and now I get to pass that on to these kids.”
Assistant coach Matt Jensen echoed that sentiment, reflecting on decades of shared experiences in the sport.
“Running brings memories,” Jensen said. “Thirty years later, Liz and I are still best friends, and all we talk about are running stories — states, regionals, nationals.”
When asked about the athletes themselves, runner Michael Amaro kept his remarks simple.
“They helped me get to where I am right now,” Amaro said of his coaches. “I’ve been here for two years, and I’m really grateful to have them as my coaches.”
The recognition concluded with group photos as parents cheered from the gallery.
Avenel Middle School Girls’ Basketball Makes History
Attention then shifted to the Avenel Middle School Girls Basketball team, which completed the first undefeated season in school history.
The team finished 10–0 and capped the season with a 65–39 district championship victory over Fords Middle School, a moment McCormac highlighted.
He also singled out Malaysia Isaac for a career milestone, noting she scored 682 points over 28 games during her middle school career, an average of more than 23 points per game.
As players were invited to speak, guard McKenzie Wendel credited the team’s culture and leadership.
“He really cared about us,” Wendel said of head coach Joe Kroner. “He pushed us, but he didn’t yell at us.”
Teammate Ava Seijo reflected on the season’s significance.
“This season was really eventful,” Seijo said. “I’ve been on the team all three years of middle school, and this is one of the best teams I’ve ever played on.”
Kroner followed by describing the long arc behind the undefeated run.
“Three years ago, we were young and took some beatings,” he said. “I kept telling them it would pay off. On December 19, I told them, ‘You’ve got 16 minutes to prove you’re the best team.’ And they did.”
See More From The Ceremony
Avenel Middle School Boys Basketball Completes Perfect Season
The ceremony concluded with recognition of the Avenel Middle School Boys Basketball team, which also finished the season undefeated.
Player Jace Burnam described the team’s mindset throughout the year.
“We had ups and downs, but our mindset was just to keep pushing,” Burnam said.
Head coach Jonathan Siswo reflected on how the season followed a painful loss the year before.
“I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to coach a team as special as this group,” Siswo said. “Every game, they put everything on the floor.”
Councilman Kyle Anderson praised the broader impact of middle school athletics on the community.
“It’s great for our community to have coaches who are invested in kids,” Anderson said. “These are lifelong memories that carry into high school and beyond.”
A Community Moment
As the final photos were taken, students clustered together near the dais, certificates held high as parents called out names from the audience.
For the athletes, the night marked more than a celebration of wins and records. It was a public acknowledgment of early mornings, long practices, and the coaches and families who helped make those moments possible — all recognized in front of the community they represent.