By Andy Holden ‘07, Claire monagan ‘08, Max Mullen ‘08, and Danilo LoboDias ‘08
News Guest Writers
Boys Lacrosse
The Boy’s Lacrosse Team traveled to Florida for a week this Spring break in order to improve over last season’s 7-8 record. Even though the team lost stars like Brett Miller ‘05, who now starts at Amherst, and Cam Friscia ‘05, who plays for Army, the team will consist of 16 seniors.
Tri-captains Trent Gause ‘06, Spencer Gantsoudes ‘06, and Jeff Anderson ’06 feel as though the team’s experience will be a very important factor this season. Along with new players such as Tyler Cabrera ‘06, Sam Sabky ‘07, Nick Isbrandtsen ‘06, and first year player, Ricky Ballou ‘06, the team will look to compete in one of the best leagues in the nation.
“Annually, the top three teams in our league make the top ten national ranking,“ said Coach Michael King, who is overwhelmed by the improvement of this year’s talented squad. He looks forward to playing Hotchkiss, Andover, and Lawrenceville this season.
“We have a veteran squad as they say,” said Coach King. He will rely on an experienced and athletic team which includes a starting defense with a combined weight of over 700 pounds in order to defeat the top teams in the league.
The Boys Lacrosse team opened their season wittha scrimmage at Daniel Hand High School on Saturday.
Girls Lacrosse
This year, the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to its seniors, including Captain Emmie Kunhardt ’06, the team is also led by new coach Heidi Howard. Coach Howard was an all-American at Middlebury College and brings experience and knowledge of the game to the table. In the words of Kunhardt, “Howard is a savior to the lacrosse program...she brings a new fire behind this year’s team.”
Many players have joined the team this year (Lily Ackerman ‘08, Lane McVey ‘08, Caroline Shumway ‘08, Avery Winn ‘06, Liz Fagan ‘07, Alice Bearn ‘07, Kelsey Vanderlip ‘07, Maya Hutchinson ‘07, Miriam Bischoff ‘06) and will provide a new source of energy and talent. However, “the core of our team is juniors, and where they were young last year, they have developed into solid, well-rounded players,” says Coach Howard.
With the mix of experience, talent, and new power, the varsity lacrosse team “will definitely be ready by then to take on anything that comes our way,” says Kunhardt.
Although the team will face some tough competition, especially against Westminster, Deerfield, and Hotchkiss, its phenomenal lineup will hold its own and is capable of a very impressive season. Kunhardt will be a force on defense, along with Alice Bearn and Avery Winn. In the midfield, Claire Preston ‘07, Kelsey Craig ‘07, and Lily Ackerman will command play with their versatile game. Steph Stock ‘06 and Hilary Knight ‘07 will dominate the field with their play from end to end. Liz Fagan will be a key attacker and scorer. Lily Haydock ‘07 will protect the goal.
The coaches and the players are both very optimistic and excited about this season. Coach Howard says, “We believe we are stronger this year in all areas and that our players are more experienced.”
Kelsey Craig adds, “We hit the ground running in Florida [preseason], and we’re only getting better.” The girls’ first game is April 8th, home against Pomfret. Kunhardt suggests everyone come watch.
Softball
Whether in the form of new (Josephine Pucci ‘09, Emily Vitale ‘08, Lindsay Hillas ‘09) or returning players, the Girls Softball team has plenty of talent and potential this season. Although several important seniors graduated last year, including pitcher Courtney Clark ‘05, one of this year’s captains, Meghan Sheehan ‘06, still believes that “the team looks better at this point than it did last year...we have a lot to look forward to.”
The girls play most of the toughest teams in the league within their first seven games, so, as Coach Irzyk says, “how we do in the first few weeks of the season is key.” In order to prepare themselves, the girls have scheduled four scrimmages before their regular season starts. The team’s biggest weakness is its lack of experienced pitching, although the pitchers (Meghan Sheehan, Alex Bautista ‘06, and Jessica Gundersen ‘05) are doing well. Irzyk says, “The bottom line is, if our pitchers throw strikes, and we play great defense, we will be competitive.” If all goes well this season and the team plays to its strengths, its athleticism and depth, then the girls will achieve their goal of making it to the Western New England Tournament.
In addition to the three captains (Meghan Sheehan, Alex Bautista, Emily-Jane Costa ‘06), Jaclyn Salzillo ‘08, who led last year’s team in batting average and RBIs, will also return. Salzillo is very optimistic about this season; she says, “We have some new players who are very talented, and I’m also confident that the returning players will step it up. Overall, it should be a solid season.”
Girls Water Polo
With only three seniors having graduated last year, this season’s Girls Water Polo team promises success with its experienced returning players, including six returning starters. As Coach Berghoff says, “Our strength will no doubt be our experience...we coaches expect to easily go ten deep.” In addition, some new players assure talent and energy, especially Caroline Wilson ’09 and Ariel Baugh ‘08.
The captains this year, defensive expert Tiffany Kim ‘06 and two-time all-New England goalkeeper Elizabeth Lawrence ‘06, hope to lead the team not only to the New England Championships but also to a first place standing in the tournament. The girls have lost in the championship game for the past two years in a row. More immediately, Loomis Chaffee (the first game of the season) and Suffield (four-time defending New England champions) threaten to be the most challenging teams that the girls will play this season.
Because of the majority of returning players, the girls on the team are already very familiar with each other, and the team chemistry is excellent. Lawrence believes that this team chemistry, which she says comes from “being close in and out of the water,” is one of the teams’ greatest strengths. This feeling of togetherness is essential to a team in a sport like water polo, because, as Lawrence says, water polo “really requires the commitment of everyone in the pool.” The players and coaches are all extremely confident about what is in store for this season.
Girls Tennis
With only five new additions, the majority of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team this spring is returning and “certainly brings a good deal of match experience to the table,” says Coach Kevin Rogers. The new additions, however, also have experience in the competitive tennis world, so the team’s knowledge of the game as well as its level of talent is impressive and promising.
In addition to the captains, Megan Blunden ‘06 and Sarah Shapiro ’06, returning senior Shriya Paliwal ‘06 and new senior Lexi Bohonnon ‘06 also provide a sense of leadership. The top three players on the singles ladder, Megan Blunden, Libby Shuman ‘07, and Claire Monagan ‘08, are not only returning this season but are also ready and determined to improve on their games and win more matches for the team at their spots.
The lone freshman on the team, Chloe Gettinger ‘09, is an excellent player with tremendous potential who demonstrates her versatile play in both singles and doubles matches. Zana Salzman ‘08, who can also play either doubles or singles for the team, “has made tremendous progress, improving her shot selection as well as her skills,” says Coach Rogers. Sarah Shapiro and Ali Weiner ‘07 are both solid doubles players who fortify the doubles ladder. Finally, Margo Herre ‘07 and Sarah Strang ‘07 “add depth and skill,” Rogers says, to both the singles and the doubles ladder.
With the diversity of players and the experience and talent they have, this season promises to be one of the best yet for the Girls Varsity Tennis Program.
Boys Tennis
The Boys Tennis team, fresh off preseason training camp in China, appears primed for another dominant season. Led by Coach Ned Gallagher and Captain Eliot Jia ’06, the team returns Jia and number two singles player Ben Gettinger ’07 along with a host of experienced members of last years Founder League champions.
In addition, Jia cited the play of new sophomore Max Mullen ’08 as a pleasant surprise.
“He has proven in tryouts that he is a very good player,” said the captain. “So we look forward to having him contribute greatly on this year’s team.”
With six returning varsity members in addition to Mullen, Coach Gallagher believes a successful defense of the title is well within the team’s grasp. “We expect to be competitive as we enter this season,” he said. “We have an impressive streak to maintain if we can: we’ve won 47 straight matches against League opponents and have been ranked #1 in New England the past two seasons.”
With a track record like that, it appears the squad will be the favorites to bring home both the Founders League and New England championships.
Boys Track and Field
Boys Track, led by Coach Phillip Youker, has its sights on a New England Championship this year. The success of the team starts with a deep coaching staff comprised of Michael Danahy, James Davidson, Momo Akade, Jorge Olmo, and John Connelly. In the sprinting portion of the track events, the team will be lead by Tyren Bynum ’07 and Uchenna Nwogu ’08 in the 100 and 200 meters and Dann Cannata ’08 in the 400 meters. In the longer distances, the team will call on a plethora of cross-country runners, namely Captain Mike Morrill ’06 in the 800 meters, David Cha ’06 and Charles Depman ’06 in the 1500 meters, and Chris Krokus ’08 and Creighton Stevenson ’07 in the 3000 meters. In field events, the front runners to high jump appear to be Daryl Wells ’07 and Corey Sherman ’07. In the shot put, Captain Francis Yook ’06 returns and is complimented by PG Greg Borrelli ’06.
Baseball
Wednesday’s home opener against Worcester Academy appears to be a glimpse into the future of the Boy’s Varsity Baseball team. Great pitching, slick fielding, and timely hitting propelled Coach Tom Yankus’ ‘52 team to a 4-2 victory.
The team returns many key contributors from last year’s team, notably captains Tim Brettingen ’06 and Calen Ipalook ’06. Brettingen is the staff ace supplemented by returning hurlers Ryan Corcoran ’07 and Matt MacCullah ‘08, and the slick fielding Ipalook mans shortstop.
In addition to the strong core of returning players, several new players appear ready to make major contributions. Kent Graham ’06 is a heavy hitting infielder, capable of clearing the bases every time he steps into the box. Complementing Graham in the infield is speedy second basemen Dan Cohen ’07.
Brettingen believes that “winning the league is definitely a possibility. With everyone healthy we’ve got deep pitching, a surgical defense, and more hitters than we can fit in the line-up at one time.”
Judging by the early season performance of the team, one would be hard pressed not to agree with Brettingen.
Boys Crew
Boys Crew, led by Coach Tom White and Captains Lukens Orthwein ’06, Will Barrie ’06 and Barrett LaChance ’07, is looking to build on last season’s 2nd place finish in New Englands. Although the team graduated five members of the top two boats, this years 1st boat, comprised of Orthwein, Barrie, LaChance, and Dave Smith ’06, can row with anyone in New England.
The 2nd boat, led by junior coxswain Brian “Louie” Bottini ’07, will be tough to beat as well. Bottini, who despite his small stature commands his rowers with the discipline of an army sergeant, is not shy when asked about his role on the team, saying, “I can be pretty hard on the guys sometimes, but they know I only do it because I want to see them improve.”
Heading into the season with an all-business mentality, wins are going to be hard to come by against Mr. White’s squad.
Girls Crew
The Girls Crew team had two spring break trips to start off the season. One of the trips was to Florida with the Vespolis (a renowned rowing family) and the official preseason was here on campus.
“A lot of hard work and happy smiles,’ Coach Kemp happily said, after a successful preseason training. Coach Kemp looks to have a very deep squad.
“We’ve been impressed with the strength of our entire group; not only are our top rowers looking fit, but across the board we are seeing a lot of fast numbers,” said Coach Kemp. “We coaches expect to have a lot of tight competition between the boats.”
Brita Roosendahl ’09 is coming in as a superbly conditioned 3rd former, and this season’s novices are also the strongest group of girls Choate has seen in a long time. “Few in number but mighty in power, they’re learning fast and will be a central force to be reckoned with in the years to come,” said Coach Kemp, who is extremely proud of her talented team.
The Crew team will rely on Laura DiCola ’06 to be a leader throughout this season which begins with a race against the Pomfret School on April 8th.
Boys Volleyball
After a solid 5-3 record last season, Coach Rod Mobley and the Boys Volleyball team is only looking to improve.
Following a strong 2nd place finish in the Loomis Chaffee Tournament last season, Mobley only lost two key players. However, the addition of Dan Thomas ’08, a new sophomore from Chicago, and Marcus Mucke ’07, an exchange student from Germany, will fill the starting rotation for the Wild Boars. Also, Captain Sam Sack ’06, a New England All-Star last season, will hold the team together with his great blocking skills. An excellent junior class including Ken Mizuhara ’07, Fred Seddon ’07 and Napat “Kid” Jatusripitak ’07, who was also an All-Star player, will play an important role on the team as well.
“Our five star offense and very big hitting from the back row will be our biggest weapon,” said Coach Mobley who feels very confident about his offensive squad and developing defense.
The Boys Volleyball Team opened their season on Friday versus Amity Regional High School. The team is looking forward to a strong season and expecting great accomplishments from their heavy hitting squad. The team will play their rival, Northfield Mt. Hermon School, on April 22nd in an away match.
Golf
The Varsity Golf team had a perfect season of 14-0 last year, along with a strong 2nd place finish in the Kingswood-Oxford Invitational behind the Westminster School. The Golf team also finished 3rd place in the Founders League Golf Championship behind Westminster and Kingswood. However, this season’s team is looking forward to this spring to have yet again another good season.
Coach DeMarco is very confident with his six returning varsity players from last season. Also, with the addition of Connor Goggin ‘08 and the development of Mark Nemec ‘07, the team will have a very deep roster with eight potential varsity players for only six available spots.
The experience of this squad will be tremendous and it will make a great impact in vital moments of the season. Coach DeMarco feels strongly that anyone on the team could lead their team to victory on any given day.
“Everyone will play an important role at some point in the season,” said Coach DeMarco. However, Coach DeMarco will rely on his Captain, Wes Lord ‘06, to push the team forward and challenge their stiffest competition.
The Golf team will open their season on April 12th against the Pomfret School.
“We should be good this year, and we will be good next year,” said Coach Day who is very proud of his balanced squad of seniors and juniors.
Choate’s Archery Team began their season on Saturday at the CT JOAD tournament.
Archery
Even though Choate’s Archery team suffered loses of about 9 archers from last season, Coach Thomas Day will have 14 returning archers to fill out the varsity squad. Also, out of the 14 returning archers, seven of them competed in the Indoor National Tournament on March 3rd, including Caitlin Colacchio ‘08 who finished 15th in the tournament.
Coach Day is looking to receive top performances this year from Deliana Dalton ‘06, Lis Hulin ‘06, Yiang Hui ‘06, Danny Moon’07, and of course, Caitlin Colacchio ‘08. Coach Day will also rely on other experienced students such as Sean Lubner ‘07, Will Downes ’07, and Luke Voelk ’07, to support the top archers against the best teams this year and to defend their great 5-1 record from last season.
