Driving to school at any time after 8:00 a.m. these past few weeks, the odds are slim for finding a space in the Turner Gym parking lot. Now that winter sports seasons are wrapping up, the busiest sports season– with more sports than even our fall season– has begun. Between the winter athletes who still have practice and the new morning lacrosse practice, Turner is constantly bustling with activity.
In total, there are eight spring sports across thirteen total boys’ and girls’ teams: baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, gymnastics, crew, and track and field.
Girls’ lacrosse recently started up on Feb. 3.
The season is “starting much later this year,” said captain and senior Cate Collier. “We only have a week between tryouts and our first game on February 11.” Collier’s favorite thing about lacrosse is the great people she gets to work with and her wonderful coaches, Coach Brooks Batcheller and Coach Katie Trainor. Collier hopes to make it to quarterfinals and beyond this year.
Boys lacrosse also has high hopes for their season, and their ultimate goal is to win state under Coach Tony Souza, Coach John Welford, and Coach Michael D’Andraia. Without any major changes to the program this year, the boys hope to be able to use their tried-and-true style of preparation in order to clinch a state title.
“We’re looking forward to the calm casual nature of practice and how social it can be while also working hard,” said senior captain Brand Morgan.
Like lacrosse, the tennis season will look more-or-less the same as last year in hopes to reclaim a state title. Coach Liesel Good, Coach Ricky Dimon, and Coach Caleb Boone look forward to working with the captains to make this happen. Marist will be their biggest opponent in the new AAAA division, but senior captain Shea Pettit believes that their supportive and strong team will have a great chance at beating them this season.
Boys’ tennis also started at the end of January and will conclude in early May. Varsity Coach Ralph Geeza and captain and senior Deven Patel hope to also make it to state again and continue their 4-peat despite losing a lot of their best players with the graduation of the Class of 2024.
“I love the camaraderie and team bonding we have,” said Patel. “We do many social outings and gatherings with the girls’ team as well. We are also given a lot of opportunities to play high levels of competition, which leads to very competitive battles. I also love the support that everyone on the team gives on the sidelines to the players by cheering everyone on.”
On Kent field, girls’ soccer has also begun warming up for their season. Tryouts occurred the week of Jan. 27, and the team had their first scrimmage against Harrison on Friday, Feb. 7. Coach Sharon Loughran, Coach Reid Hamilton, Coach Keleigh Bing, and Coach Brian Gravely foster tradition and unity on the team with pregame meals, a team mascot, and mini competitions with the opportunity to win free merchandise. Girls’ soccer is also in a new region and has to play teams twice throughout their season.
“In soccer, it’s very difficult to beat teams twice,” said captain and senior Kate Castle, “so this setup will make for a very interesting and competitive season.”
Boys’ soccer is also facing a tough season this year with some new changes to GHSA rules. Games can no longer end in tie and will instead have to go straight to a penalty shootout to decide a winner. However, senior Hayden Wyler is optimistic about their season and winning state.
“I feel like we have a strong chance, it comes down to the consistency of the seniors and some new faces really stepping up,” said Wyler.
There are three spring sports at Westminster that only have one team: baseball, gymnastics, and crew. Both the baseball and gymnastics seasons have started recently, while crew has continued since their optional winter practices to prepare their athletes for the season. UMass coxswain commit and captain Ava Kelly is very excited to start her senior rowing season under Coaches Darlak, Munger, Babb, and Arnold. The season will span January to May, which makes team camaraderie an important factor in their ability to succeed.
“I love the team environment because it’s friendly, competitive, supportive and so much fun,” said Kelly. “We have a lot of fun and are able to see great improvements after hard work.”
Another female-dominated spring sport is gymnastics.
The team is excited about “the new underclassmen, which have been a great addition,” said senior captain Margaret Monin. Monin, her team, Coach Sandi White, and Coach Bill Caldwell hope to make the area competition again this year before their season concludes in April.
On the Harry Lloyd Baseball Field, a new coach, Travis Rutkiewicz, or Coach R, is taking over as pitching coach this year. Senior Jack Schwartz looks forward to his new leadership and the leadership of the senior class.
“I can’t wait for our class to show what we can do as seniors, as we have always been known as a baseball grade,” said Schwartz. The team is the number two seed in a competitive region this year and hopes to make it to the GHSA playoffs.
Finally, the “peanut butter and jelly” of spring sports coaches, Coach Brent McGuire and Coach Andy Dunn, who are best friends and fellow Lower School physical education teachers, look forward to a strong golf season this year.
Coach McGuire, who is new to the team, looks forward to taking over as head coach and is getting a feel for the team with longer tryouts and varied playing fields such as Marietta Practice Range, Dogwood Golf Course, and more.
While Coach McGuire is getting to know the girls’ golf program, Coach Dunn is adapting to new changes in the boys’ golf schedule this season. For the first time ever the boys have a tournament before spring break, so they’re having to start tryouts earlier in order to prepare.
As each of these spring sports adapt and adjust to changes in rules, leadership, and teammates, they all rely on their steadfast support of each other and love for the game in hopes to achieve greatness this season and beyond.
Edited by Eva Bevington
