SPORTS FOR JUNE 4th, 2015

Athletes who made a name for themselves

Anthony Anicito Jr., age 69, of Edgewood peacefully passed away on May 23, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Sept. 17, 1945, in Newark, N.J., to the late Anthony and Virginia (Restivo) Anicito. Anthony was a United States Armed Forces Veteran stationed in Germany in 1967. He was a member of the Estancia Valley Catholic Parish, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and financial secretary for the Knights of Columbus Council 10835 in Moriarty. Anthony was also a faithful controller fourth degree member of Holy Child Assembly 3282 in Tijeras. He belonged to B.P.O. Elks # 461 in Albuquerque and had been assistant range master of the N.M. Big Horn Gun Club as well as a member of the National Rifle Association of America. He was also a member of the American Legion for 25 years and member of Post #49 in Albuquerque. Anthony is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Lydia Anicito of Edgewood; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Monica Anicito of Hillsborough, N.J.; daughter and son-in-law, Bernadette and Jason Hand of Edgewood; and sister Jillian Anicito of Toms River, N.J. Anthony was blessed with eight precious grandchildren: Jonathan, Jason, Jared, Cassandra, Michael, Trinity, Angelina and Kevin. A viewing was held May 27 followed by the reciting of the Rosary at the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Edgewood. The Celebration of Mass was May 28, also at the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Interment immediately followed at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Moriarty. Father Lancaster officiated. Pallbearers were the Knights of Columbus Council 10835 of Moriarty. Harris-Hanlon Mortuary

Low-Key Leader

When he stood to face Clayton’s defensive line, Estancia’s Cesar Quintana showed them no mercy. Time and time again he led the surge of men that ultimately overcame the seasoned defenders and sent them toppling to the field, Quintana riding atop them like a surfer upon a mighty swell. Yet off the field, Cesar is quiet. Soft spoken, aloof, a little lackadaisical. All of his coaches described him as a young man of few words. When he joined the football team in his sophomore year, Quintana didn’t seem quite the leader he would become just two years later. “I wasn’t thinking about football after my freshman year,” Quintana said. “(Coach Stewart) Burnett called me and I came out and that was that.” “We’d heard he was very lazy,” Burnett said. “But he was a very talented kid, very athletic. Very even-keel, he never got too high or too low. When he went into his senior year, we knew we were going to have to rely heavily on him.” Despite his natural talent, Burnett’s program demanded a rigorous workout regime for all players. Quintana said his work ethic regarding the weight-lifting program was lacking, until Burnett offered him a contract. “It was just a little bet,” Quintana said of the contract. “At first it was just, if I made every workout, I would get chili suckers. After a while, it was so that we could all wear visors. Nobody knew about the visors until I’d fulfilled the contract.” “Because he was the captain of the team,” assistant coach J.C. Batts added. “He had to earn it, he had to set that example and that tone.” “On the last day of the summer workouts I was watching the clock, hoping he wouldn’t show up,” Burnett added. “It was a real lesson for me, real outside the box. I guess I learned that if you don’t know what makes a kid tick … ask them.”