Spring Sports Wrap-Up

5/30/2013

A competitive spring season closes out another exciting year of Thacher sports.

The 2012-2013 athletics year has come to a close and we bid farewell to a committed, dedicated and passionate group of senior athletes. Over the past four years, we have witnessed some amazing and heartfelt performances by them. Their coaches are grateful to have worked with them, their parents are proud of them, and the School will forever be indebted to their leadership and efforts on the fields, courts, track, and diamond. Great job seniors! You will be long remembered.

Overall, what a great year for the Toads in athletics! We won five league championships. We had five 2nd place finishes and twelve teams qualifed for CIF post-season. The football team went to the state finals and the girls cross-country were CIF DIV IV champions. The athletes experienced personal gains and failures, adversity and jubilation. They were able to overcome long odds and realize that hard work and perseverence are keystones to success. As we close another chapter at Casa De Piedra, we know that a new one is only a few short months away and our returning athletes will be up for another year of challenges. It’s been a great year and we are all grateful for your unwavering support and encouragement. Go Toads!

-Director of Athletics Peter Fagan

Girls' Varsity Lacrosse

Coaches: Heather Grant, Kara Hooper, Kaitlin Mundle

Captains: Julianna Childs '13, Brittany Holden '13

League Record: 3-1

Season Record: 11-5

Seniors: Julianna Childs, Ellie Hancock, Brittany Holden, Maddie McMorrow

MVP: Brittany Holden '13

Most Improved Players: Anne Gregory '15, Marissa Lopez '15

Most Inspirational Player: Julianna Childs '13

Captains for following season: Ciara Byrne '14, Isobel Hayne '14

CIF qualification? Yes

Season highlights: This was a spectacular season for the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team. The girls accomplished a number of tangible goals that they named in a pre-season dinner: beat Oak Park, beat Cate, win the Western States Tournament, make it to the playoffs. Early on we outlined that they would only achieve those goals if we focused on the small stuff and took care of each play step by step, winning each ground ball, making each pass, completing each catch. We also emphasized that they couldn’t win games alone; lacrosse is a beautiful game where connections are made up and down the field and opportunities on attack come from team-play and an emphasis on ball movement. The girls learned to trust each other, playing scrappy, tenacious lacrosse in difficult situations, which allowed them to win 1-goal games with mere seconds left on the clock or overtime victories with just one sub and our back-up goalie in the net (after only one practice in goal). Captain Brittany Holden '13 reflected on the season, writing, “I learned to trust my teammates. Everyone was an inspiring and important member of the team, and I think we did an amazing job of never forgetting that it was a team sport.”

Each member of the team had a positive impact this season. Lexie Kirkwood '14 came up big in the goal this season improving by leaps and bounds both in skill and confidence with each game. Maddie McMorrow '13 and Ellie Hancock '13 anchored our defense where their tandem play shut down a variety of different offensive tactics through their intuitive read of the play. Marissa Lopez '15, Madison Rubeli '14, and Mackenzie Boyden '15 were all newcomers to the defense who earned significant playing time with their tremendous defensive positioning and instinctive approach to intercepting passes or scooping up ground balls.

Brittany Holden '13 and Julianna Childs '13 were co-captains of the team this year and they certainly lived up to their titles in the midfield. Brittany’s skill in the draw control, her tremendous field sense, tenacious defense, and creativity on attack made her an important contributor all over the field. Julianna moved to the midfield from attack this season and we reaped the benefits of having her seemingly endless supply of positive energy, unmatched competitive spirit, and nose for the goal. Sophomore Georgie Becker’s athleticism and field sense served her well in her play in the midfield this season; she was often in just the right spot, cutting to the ball to receive a pass from a teammate who was under pressure or anticipating transitions so that she could adjust defensively. Susanna Renfrew '14 continued to be an asset in the midfield this season where we called on her to play in a more defensive role along with significant playing time taking the center draw. Her ability to come up with possession in the midfield and her anticipatory skills on defense were terrific. Isobel Hayne '14 split time between the midfield and attack this season. Her explosive, decisive play was great, whether she employed her skills in winning ground balls or the draw possession or in creative 1 v 1 moves to goal or in setting up a teammate for a shot.

Ciara Byrne '14 led the attack this season where her tremendous change of speed and direction along with creativity with the ball made her a force to be reckoned with around the goal. We could count on a burst of energetic play from Sasha Ongley '15 on attack this season. The intensity of her play allowed Sasha to come up with ground balls and to win the ball back while re-defending the other team’s clear. Sage Whipple '14, in addition to filling in as a back-up goalie at critical moments during the season, was a dependable member of our attack who often came up with possession on ground balls or when the ball moved behind the goal--both of which allowed the team to regroup on attack. Anne Gregory '15 contributed significant minutes to the attack where we benefited from her well-timed cuts to goal and her tremendous re-defending when we lost the ball. Charlotte Driscoll '16 was our lone freshman, completing double-duty by jumping into our games and practices whenever her commitments to the Horse Department would allow. It is a tall order for any student to miss the majority of the practices and still contribute to the team, but Charlotte was up to the challenge. She called upon previous lacrosse experience and her terrific instincts which allowed her to make her mark on the team this spring--we can’t wait until she’s with us full time next year!

Joanna Knutsen '14 started the season showing tremendous promise in the midfield, winning possession off the draw and contributing to the attack. Alex Purcell '14 was on track to make a run for the “most improved player” award as she worked on her stick skills and developed confidence on the field. Unfortunately, both Joanna and Alex had their seasons cut short due to illness, but we hope to have them back next spring.

Girls' JV Lacrosse

Coach: Kara Hooper

Captain: Mahogany Monette '14

League Record:1-3-1

Season Record: 3-3-1

MVP: Sarah Voss '16
Most Improved Players: Elsabet Jones ‘16, Lydia Paxton ‘16

Most Inspirational: Mahogany Monette ‘14, Wally Baram ‘15

Season’s highlights: We began the season with only four players with previous experience, and we made tremendous strides over the course of the season. We lost two close ones to Midland, including a 12-10 loss on the road, after tying it up with 2 minutes to go. In that game, Sarah Voss '16 found the back of the net 5 times--she was our leading scorer, with 23 goals on the season. Against Cate, we did a little bit of everything--a 7-7 tie, a 12-6 win, and one loss. Throughout the season Wally Baram '15 came up with clutch saves at critical moments, including in our thrilling 9-8 win over Thousand Oaks High School in our last game of the season. We came back from a 2 goal deficit as Lydia Paxton '16 netted two beautiful shots, and Lina Fry '16 stalled the ball to run out the clock. Our defense was anchored by Ellie Gifford '16, Mahogany Monette '14, Brooke Porter '16, Grace Callander '16 and Elsabet Jones '16, who set a new JV lacrosse record for most interceptions in a season, with 12.

Boys' Varsity Lacrosse

Coaches: Cam Spaulding, Brandon Doyle

Captains: JJ Ntshaykolo '13, Grady Jacobsen '13, Zane Schryver '13

League Record: 2-1

Season Record: 5-5

Seniors: JJ Ntshaykolo, Grady Jacobsen, Zane Schryver, Liam Driscoll, Will Muir, Ian Muir, Leo Turpan, Carson Leydecker, Bradley Callander, Parker Dawson, Calum McGuckin, Theo Richardson-Omamo

MVP: JJ Ntshaykolo '13

Most Improved Player: Ian Muir '13

Most Inspirational: Leo Turpan '13

CIF qualification? No

Season’s highlights: The boys' team started off strong with some early victories over Chaminade, Robert Lewis Stevenson, highly ranked Malibu and arch rival Cate. During the Cate game, it was back and forth and went into overtime, when Leo Turpan ‘13, took a face off and raced the distance to bury the game winner through the Cate defenders. Early on, the boys were playing with great confidence and the season looked promising. Unfortunately, with a few losses to powerhouses Harvard-Westlake, Oak Park and Oaks Christian, their playoff hopes came down to a rematch against Cate. In a back and forth game, Cate prevailed by a score of 5-3 and that one extra goal was enough to keep the toads from the post-season. Although they were disappointed in the end result, the departing seniors can be proud the their efforts and all they have done for the program. This group of seniors (12 of them) will be missed and remembered for their cohesiveness and “never say die” attitude.

Boys' JV Lacrosse
Coaches: Nick Van Sant, Bob St. George
Season Record: 5-5
MVP: Jack Pierrepont '16
Most Improved Player: Nick Johnson '16

Season highlights: The boys’ JV lacrosse team finished with a record of 5-5. The team consisted of freshmen and sophomores, who could not field a team without the freshmen on riding days. Despite that challenge, the boys approached the season with a positive attitude which they maintained even during challenging moments. Highlights for the season are our hard fought wins over The Stevenson School and OVS and our spirited and close losses to Midland’s and Laguna’s varsity teams. The great play of our goalie Jack Pierrepont '16 kept us in every game.

Varsity Baseball
Coaches: Mike McGowan, Tony Franco
Captains: Evan Farese '13, Cody Renfrew '13
League Record: 1-5
Season Record: 5-9
Seniors: Evan Farese, Cody Renfrew, Jacob Nelson

MVP: Evan Farese '13

Most Improved Player: Alex Yeagle '14

Most Inspirational: John Carey '15

Rich Mazzola Coaches' Award: John Chang '14

Season highlights: The baseball team finished the year with an overall record of 5-9 and 1-5 in the Condor League. With only three returning starters, the team struggled early in the season as many inexperienced players learned their positions. The team was led by captains Evan Farese '13 and Cody Renfrew '13. Evan finished the season with a .380 batting average and kept us in a number of games with his gutsy pitching. Though Cody was sidelined with an arm injury that prevented him from pitching during the latter half of the season, he had some clutch hits and played great defense at both second-base and shortstop. Returners Truman Hanks '14, John Carey '15, and Reed Gulick-Stutz '14 all learned to play new positions, and newcomers Alex Yeagle '14, Tucker Bennett '16, Jeff Rhee '14, Harry Hayman '14, and Jacob Nelson '13 all made major contributions at the plate and in the field. The highlight of the season was a comeback win against Faith Baptist. Trailing by three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the team battled back to tie the game with timely hitting. Jacob Nelson's "squeeze" bunt brought in the winning run.

With only three seniors on a team of eighteen, next year's team will have lots of experienced returners. Though the win-loss percentage was not quite what he had hoped for, we had lots of fun this spring as the players learned not only how to play the game but how to talk and understand baseball.

Girls' Track and Field

Coaches: Joel Sohn, Sarah DelVecchio

Captain: Elena McGahey '13

Seniors: Hannah Kent, Amy Kim, Elena McGahey, Jasmynn Roman, Taylor Tobin, Rachel Turner, Ashley Wachtell

David S. Lavender Track Improvement Award (most improved over course of season): Beatrice Land '14

The Track Cup (given to highest point scorer): Nayla Kidd '14

CIF Qualifiers:

4 x 100 Relay - Jasmynn Roman '13, Rachel Turner '13, Sophie McMillan '14, Kennedy Green '15

4 x 400 Relay - Cassandra James '15, Kennedy Green '15, Rachel Turner '13, Sophie McMillan '14

Nayla Kidd '14 (Discus and 100H)

Hannah Kent '13 (100H)

Wallace Kalkin '14 (Triple Jump)

Cassandra James '15 (800)

Beatrice Land '14 (3200)

Kennedy Green '15 (100 and 200)

Season’s highlights: Condor League Champions - only 2nd time since 1983 (2008) it has happened. Broke school record in 4 x 100 (52.60 seconds) to best last year’s school record by one full second. Broke school record in 4 x 400 (4:18.62) to shave off more than 3 seconds from 1999 record. Kennedy Green '15 set Condor Championship Meet record in the 200 (26.50). 4 x 100 set Condor Championship Meet record (52.60). Nayla Kidd '14 named league MVP by vote of the coaches.

League Champions in:

4 x 100

100H (Nayla Kidd '13)

100 (Kennedy Green '15)

800 (Cassandra James '15)

Discus (Nayla Kidd '13)

200 (Kennedy Green '15)

Triple Jump (Wallace Kalkin '14)

4 x 400

Most CIF qualifiers in single season (6 individuals in 8 events and both relays for 9 total athletes).

Boys' Track and Field

Coaches: Joel Sohn, Sarah DelVecchio

Captain: Shravan Rajasekaran '13

Seniors: Sandy Ballou, Kyrien Edwards, Tae Jung Kim, Shravan Rajasekaran, Emiliano Vargas, Joe Walton, Jack Weil

David S. Lavender Track Improvement Award (most improved over course of season): Benjamin Chadwick '15

The Track Cup (given to highest point scorer): Lukas Cesena '15

CIF Qualifiers:

4 x 100 Relay - TJ Kim '13, Raul Soto '14, Momo Lewis '14, Kyrien Edwards '13

4 x 400 Relay - Lukas Cesena '15, Raul Soto '14, Ben Chadwick '15, Jack Weil '13

Jack Weil '13 (400 and Long Jump)

Kevin Griffee '15 (1600 and 3200)

Shravan Rajasekaran '13 (800)

Simon Novich '14 (3200)

Ben Chadwick (400)

Lukas Cesena (800)

Emiliano Vargas (110HH)

Season’s highlights: Fastest 4 x 400 in two years and finished 16th out of 38 at CIF Prelims (3:39.85). Fastest 4 x 100 in two years 46.08 at CIF Prelims. 7 CIF qualifiers in 9 events and both relays.

Condor League Champions:

4 x 100

4 x 400

110HH (Emiliano Vargas '13)

400 (Benjamin Chadwick '15)

3200 (Simon Novich '14)

Boys' Varsity Tennis

Coaches: Peter Fagan, Kevin Berigan

Captains: Willie Halsted '13, Justin Myles '13

League Record: 4-4

Season Record: 9-5

Seniors: Willie Halsted, Justin Myles, Olivier Domergue, Conrad Troast, Jarrett Kong

MVP: Willie Halsted '13

Most Improved Player: Alex Chen '15

Most Inspirational: Liam Carpenter-Urquart '15

CIF qualification? Yes, we qualified and lost in the first round to Santa Maria 11-7

Season highlights: This was a great season for the boys. Although we finished third in the Condor League, we were very competitive among the schools and against schools in the Ojai Valley (Villanova and Nordhoff) we were victorious. We had a nice core of sophomore boys who worked hard to get better and balanced fun and achievement with skill development. We will only have one returning senior next year, so we look forward to a young and enthusiastic group next year.

Notable highlights: Mitch Weil '15 and Ben Yih '15 in doubles winning six matches vs. Cate and Willie Halsted '13 winning 6 singles matches vs. Cate this season.

Dance Ensemble
Coach: Gallia Vickery
Seniors: Anna Fleming, Irene Limb, Casey Mulchay, Leigh Thomas

Season’s highlights: Dance Ensemble worked on three pieces this spring for performances on Grandparent’s Day and Gymkhana Weekend. The first, “Sailor’s Warning” is a classical piece to Dvorak’s New World Symphony, the second “Breathe Me,” a contempory lyrical piece to a Sia song of the same name, and the third “Dancers at Play” a modern dance with some sports imagery to a song by Camille that was challenging to count. These pieces showcased the both the versatility of the group and their growing technical strengths.

Dance Ensemble also worked with LACDC (LA Contemporary Dance Company) on a piece called “Catch and Release”. We travelled to LA for two days of workshops learning choreography and then the company came to Thacher to complete the piece and perform it with our dancers. It was challenging and exciting work and the performance was well received by all. To read more on this project, check out the article on the Thacher website.

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