Judges Choose four Freehold Idol Winners

Judges Neal Girandola, Joe Orlando and Jo Wymer had to choose the top performances from among 17 contestants during Freehold Idol on Wednesday.

The latest round of the local singing competition took place in front of the Hall of Records building in Downtown Freehold and produced four winners. There was a two-way tie in the 15- to 22- age group: CJ Marsini, 16, of Middletown, won with his performance of "Feeling Good," and Lauren Rosenthal, 22, of Edison, advanced for her rendition of "Ready for Love."

Emily Bennett, 13, of Howell, won in the 10- to 14-year-old category with her performance of "Hurt."

Erin Patrick, 26, of Holmdel, won in the over 23 category with her rendition of "Respect."

Other contestants included:

• Nicole Govel, 14, of Marlboro, singing an original song, "The Ballad of Boo Radley"
• Brianna Binkowski, 15, of Howell, performing "Naturally."
• Fednerly Lamothe, 14, of Union, singing "If I Were a Boy."
• Serena Weil, 11, of New Hope, Pa., performing "The House That Built Me."
• Lucy Fiqueras, 22, of Freehold, singing "Hurt."
• Tony Laster, 59, of Englishtown, performing "Doin' Time."
• Donna Kwon, 16, of Morganville, singing "I Will Survive."
• Rachel Calvosa, 13, of Freehold, performing "River Deep, Mountain High."
• Maggie Barilka, 13, of Morganville, singing "Beautiful."
• Alexandra DeSarno, 13, of Ocean Township, performing "Rollin' in the Deep."
• Meredith McNamara, 11, of Lincroft, singing "Jar of Hearts."
• Gianna Milia, 12, of Manalapan, performing "Because of You."
• Ashley Loksa, 21, of Englishtown, singing "Turning Tables."

The winners from this summer's weekly rounds of Freehold Idol will advance to the finals, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 24.

The first place winner in each age group will receive $500 and recording time at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts; the second place winner will receive $250; and the third place winner will receive $100. Freehold Idol is sponsored by Downtown Freehold, the business partnership in Freehold Borough.