Iron Hills Sports has spent the last few weeks under lock and key pouring over notes, reviewing stats and watching endless hours of video footage in an effort to decide who would be the 2009 Athlete of the Year.

The criteria the writers were given to decide the Athlete of the Year was broken down into four categories; athletic ability, achievement in their sport(s), sportsmanship and leadership.

There were actually a lot of players whose athletic ability was obvious, all of them who deserved to be recognized. There was Anthony Santomo of Mendham who dominated three sports (football, hockey and lacrosse) for the last several years. There was Elena Noonan of Parsippany who broke the all time leading scoring record for girls and boys basketball and who was also a stellar soccer and track star. There was Mike Colvin of Morristown was in a league of his own in football this fall.

There were players who’s lead-by-example hard work impressed us. Sam Shalom of Livingston was an under achiever who made the most of his opportunities in football and baseball. Mike Suk of Randolph was a warrior on the mat in wrestling and came up big on the diamond. Cam Wood of Chatham just seemed to be the Energizer Bunny on the Lacrosse field and came back from a devestating knee injury.

There were other players’ whose leadership was hard not to notice. Ashley Addison of Hanover Park was an emotional general of her basketball team. Tyler Berntsen seemed to take his football and lacrosse teams under his wing. John Struss of West Essex was another guy who could get his whole team believing they could over come any obstacle that came their way.

But there was one player who we felt represented our criteria of Athlete of the Year the most.  A player that went through hardship, losses and emotional lows.  A player that showed that when the going get tough, the tough get going.  A player that showed us all that its not the results that matter, but the journey getting that matters.  That player is Mike Genovese of Livingston.

I first met Mike last summer when I went to visit Coach Bill Tracey for the Livingston Preview. He looked like a high school kid but he presented himself as a young man full of confidence and self-assurance. Coach Tracey told me that he was a true leader, the kind of kid who is the extension of the coaching staff.

Mike’s football season seemed to start out like a storybook but things quickly took a turn for the worse. It started when the 5-0 Lancers took on the 5-0 West Morris Wolfpack on a Friday night showdown in Long Valley. Mike’s severely broke his hand in the first half of the game. He valiantly came back in the second half but Livingston lost in a heart breaking over-time thriller.

After that game, Mike would learn that he needed to get titanium pins put in his hand and he would need at least five weeks to recover which basically would end his football career. This was a devastating blow to Mike.

However, in the next five weeks the rest of the Lancers were able to pick up the slack and get themselves into the State Playoffs and give Mike another chance to shine.

Mike got back onto the field and led Livingston past Clifton, Ridgewood and ultimately Hackensack at Giants Stadium to give the Lancers the first State Championship game in school history.

At the end of his football season, Mike ended up with 453 rushing yards, 1035 passing yards, 5 rushing scores and 10 passing touchdowns. Defensively he had 49 tackles and 5 interceptions (two of which went for defensive touchdowns).

But success didn’t end there. Mike went on to lead his baseball team to a 19-5 record and help win the Greater Newark Tournament at Newark Bears Stadium.

Mike considers himself a baseball player first and has the numbers to show he must be having fun playing. Offensively he batted .506 this year with a .611 on base percentage. He also scored 44 runs, stole 21 bases, had 12 RBI’s and hit in 11 consecutive games. From the mound he went 5-1 with a 1.34 ERA, struck out 53 batters and had four shutouts.

We feel the that this young man was a pillar of abilty, achievement, leadership and sportsmanship.  We are honored to present Mike Genovese with the 2009 Athlete of the Year Award. In so doing,  several of our writers and even some of our readers sat down with the Seton Hall University bound senior to ask him some questions.

George Muha: Do you consider yourself more of a football or baseball player?
I consider myself more of a baseball player but there is no question that I love to play football. There is nothing more exhilarating than running out under the lights on a Friday night.

George Muha: What was more satisfying, winning the State Championship in football or the GNT in baseball?
The GNT was one of the greatest baseball feelings I have ever had. But the first ever State Championship in Livingston High School history was definitely a greater feeling. Being able to come back and win for my coaches and teammates in Giants Stadium was the most amazing feeling I have ever had.

George Muha: Jordan had Pippen, Montana had Rice and Kobe had Shaq...who is your right hand man?
In football and in baseball we were all brothers but if I had to pick two, for football it would be Zach McGhee for winning just one more game for me to come back and play. For baseball I would have to say Andrew Webster for not only bailing me out in the GNT finals but for bailing our team a lot throughout the season and GNT. They both also are great friends of mine.

George Muha: What made you decide on Seton Hall as your college of choice?
When I visited Seton Hall last summer I just felt that this was the perfect college for me academically and athletic wise. Coach Sheperd is a very nice guy and I’ve always wanted to play Division One baseball and I can’t be happier than to play under him.

Brian Dorf: What did it feel like when Sam Shalom hit the game-winning homer in the GNT Final?
Think about the most amazing feeling you have ever had and multiply it by a million and that’s what it felt like. He didn’t play that much for two years and his senior year finally to get a chance and come through in such a big way in football (recovering the onside kick against Ridgewood to secure us to play in Giant Stadium) and in baseball with the game winning home run in the GNT. I can’t be more happier for that little man. And he is our team comedian.

Brian Dorf: There have been rumors that you will not be pitching or play shortstop at Seton Hall, are these rumors true?
I will not be pitching at Seton Hall and I can’t really tell you where I am going to play because I don’t know yet. Wherever they could find a spot for me whether it’s playing outfield, infield or pitching, then that’s where I’ll play.

Brian Dorf: What made you such a great leader for your sports teams this year?
What made me a great leader this year for my sports team would definitely be my coaches. My sophomore and junior year in football and in baseball we had such great talent but we couldn’t mesh as a team because of poor senior leadership. I noticed that and sat down with both of my coaches and they told me that we can’t have any more of that. Having the most experience on both teams I had to lead by example on and off the field and I knew my teammates would follow.

Fakehead: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to see myself playing professional baseball. If that doesn’t work out I hope to become a History teacher and a baseball coach.

Fakehead: What will you remember most about this season?
In football I will remember just being with my teammates and them helping me to play one more game and winning a state championship. In baseball I loved being at practice and games. My teammates are the funniest kids you’ll ever meet. And of course winning the GNT after Shalom hit the game winning home run.

Fakehead: What lessons have you learned from this season that you can apply to the rest of your life?
One very important lesson that I have learned this year is you need to have faith. When doctors told me I wasn’t going to be able to play football ever again I was devastated. Every Friday before our football games a couple of teammates and I would go to church at 6:30 am. After I got hurt I continued to go to church and prayed everyday to give me one more chance at QB. I also went to my athletic trainer Paul Ehrenfeld who is very religious and he showed me a verse from the bible that I will live with for the rest of my life. Matthew 17:20 which talks about having faith.
Fakehead: What are you looking forward to most about college?
In college I’m looking forward to mostly meeting new people. It’s going to be tough adjusting athletically and academically but I will be okay. I also can’t wait to meet my new teammates and being able to live with them.

Val Halla: Often times in life you don't know what is happening in the present until you have the wisdom of seeing the whole perspective much after the conclusion of events has unfolded. For example: There was probably a point in your season when you guys realized that you had the potential to be State Champions. Looking back now was there an "A-HA!" moment for you and or your team during the season when you realized you all were serious contenders?
For football it was definitely after we beat East Orange and the Morristown. They were two really good teams but we were able to hold Pendelton and Colvin. And we realized no one could stop our offense. For baseball it was after we beat Delcolle from Newark Academy. He was a heck of a pitcher and we just got enough runs to beat him.

Val Halla: Mike, you overcame a very serious injury against WMC that potentially could have ended your HS football career. Obviously, you worked VERY hard to try to get healed up. You made it back on the roster at QB for the Final. Describe your emotional state when you were able to take the field again for your last HS game ever and at the same time, return to QB, and then throw a great game leading your team to that title.
Our coach and teammates tried to keep my return a big secret to all the press. But when I was throwing passes in practice with a broken thumb thirty yards my teammates were so excited. Coming out of the tunnel of Giant Stadium and seeing the entire left side of the stadium filled was a moment I would like to be frozen in the rest of my life. I was so excited to lead my team out that when we ran through the huge sign my body was going faster than my legs and I almost tripped coming through. Throwing the touchdown pass to Joe "Nachos" Grande (nicks older brother) was unbelievable. He has been playing football the longest out of anyone and I was happy to throw him one more final pass for a touchdown. And then winning the title was just and amazing feeling that no one could ever take away from us.

Val Halla: Describe a few of your favorite plays that coach called in football.
Well I love to spread the offense and defense out because I could either run or pass. All of our receivers including Zack Lomita were huge and he bailed me out a lot. My favorite Run play though would have to be R67 Gut Option. I would have to read the D End and either give it to McGehee or pull it and run with it or pitch it to the pitch man. It worked every time. My favorite pass play was definitely fake post streak to the left end (Lomita). He would run past everyone and jump higher than anyone. Our coach had one play where he felt we could not be stopped on and that’s 87 and 83 belly. In Short yardage situations we would give it to McGehee and let his bull ness work. We were guaranteed three yards a carry.
Val Halla: What individual opponent on the year did you find the most challenging/have the most respect for? Team?
If I had to pick an individual opponent this year Tyler Bernsten. He was a very good player but more important he was a classy kid. And the team that I had most respect for was definitely West Morris. They were all classy kids. For baseball there wouldn’t be one kid. I would have to pick three of my future teammates. Nick Ammarati, Jake Porcello, and Giuseppe Papaccio. They are three terrific players and I can’t wait to play on the same team with them. The two teams I have the most respect for this year are SHP and Nutley. They both gave us very tough battles.

Rokawaylifer: What are you listening to (music-wise) lately?
I listen to all kinds of music. But my teammates always make fun of me for listening to country.

Rokawaylifer: Who are your dream dinner guests, where would you eat, and what would you order as an appetizer, entrée, and dessert? My dream dinner guests would be Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Cal Ripken JR. I would probably eat at the Star Tavern and order buffalo wings for an appetizer and their amazing pizza for and entrée. Dessert I would have to get vanilla ice cream with bananas and hot carmel.

Rokawaylifer: Who or what influenced you the most as a student-athlete?
My parents have definitely influenced me the most as a student and an athlete. They always push me to do my best no matter what happens.

Rokawaylifer: What was your most humbling experience as a high-school athlete and what did you learn from it?
My most humbling experience as a high school athlete was getting my 100th career hit. I didn’t even know I got it until my future roommate Nick Ammirati said congratulations the next time I was up at bat.

Rokawaylifer: There’s no denying that you L-Town guys had something special this year. How would you describe the “it” that you guys had?
I would have to describe the "it" as an amazing roller coaster ride. We had ups and downs but at the end of everything we all had fun and we were winners.

Rokawaylifer: As you prepare for the next level of athletic competition, what do you need to work on and what are you doing about it?
Definitely my strength and size. I’m working on my strength a lot but hopefully I get a little bigger and faster.

Dennis Jones: Beside the State final against Hackensack, what was your most memorable football game from this past season and why?
I would have to say beating Ridgewood in the semi finals was the most memorable football game. It’s the most memorable because we went up there my sophomore year for a consolation game and got crushed. Coach Tracy told myself, Greg Romagnoli, and Zach McGhee were going to come back here one day and beat them and we did in the most important game of the season. Also it was the most memorable game because of our backup quarterback Nick Grande only a sophomore led our team with great poise to beat a very good and classy Ridgewood team.

Dennis Jones: Have you ever had the chance to reflect back on your HS career and realize what you and your teammates accomplished? It really hasn’t hit me yet on all that we have won. But coming back to LHS in a few years will definitely make me realize all we’ve done.

Dennis Jones: Would you ever consider coming back to Liv HS to coach? If so what sport?
It’s definitely a great possibility if baseball doesn’t work out. I would definitely coach baseball but football is iffy. Coach Tracy is one hard working coach who, I kid you not, watched game film on Ridgewood for 10 hours straight. He also skipped a day of school just to watch film. If it’s not him I wouldn’t want to coach under anyone else.