Crusader Joins Military Elite; River Dell Duo Receives Nominations to Service Academies

and high schools will be well represented this fall at the United States Service Academies.

Bergen Catholic senior Connor Melde (West Milford) has committed to the Military Academy at West Point, and River Dell seniors Christopher Bascomb (Oradell) and Eric Almberg (River Edge) recently received congressional nominations to attend West Point and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, respectively.

Both Bascomb and Almberg were honored at a recent ceremony at in Mahwah by Congressional Representative Scott Garrett (NJ-5).

“I want to congratulate this year’s nominees and commend them for their hard work, perseverance and dedication during this year’s nominating process,” Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-5) said after honoring the nominees. “If admitted, our prestigious service academies will develop these young men and women into some of our country’s greatest leaders.  No matter what the future holds, I am proud of their selfless dedication to serving our great country. I wish the applicants all the best as they continue with the application process.” 

Melde, a three-year varsity starter on the wrestling squad gave his verbal committment to the Black Knights back in October where he joins the EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) squad that finished 8-6 this past season. He officially signed his Letter of Intent for an athletic scholarship with the Black Knights on March 29 and will start in July.

While competing with the Crusaders, has made three consectutive appearances at the state individual finals in Atlantic City although a state title has eluded him.

Bascomb is a three-sport athlete with the Golden Hawks (soccer, indoor track and track) where he has served as soccer captain since his junior year. The also continues to give back to the community as a member of the and was awarded the  at River Dell.

Almberg is a former hockey and track athlete who over the past few years turned his attention to the school's and serving as a lighting technician for the spring musical and Fort Lee Community Center. He has also worked towards his pilots license with the Civil Air Patrol following a 2009 flight with stunt pilot Chelsea Engberg.

Along with Bascomb, Almberg and Melde, approximately 40 students will attend a Military Academy in the fall from the 5th District. The full list of future Military Academy attendees can be found on Garrett's website.