Welcome to a special 2-week BONUS EDITION of What's Bruin! I hope you're excited. Those of you out there unfortunate enough to be cursed with a "glass half-empty" outlook on life might see it as my having dropped the ball last week... poor souls. Anyway... winter sports have now ventured into the thick of their seasons as conference games begin to monopolize the schedules once dotted by scrimmages and non-peer play-ins.
Indoor soccer was among the first to truly get going, and did they. After having already defeated 1 conference foe in Key School, Park challenged the defending champ on 11/30. "Garrison isn't undefeated anymore" was the greeting I received from Coach Piper upon his return from the match. Once again, the Bruins scored 4 goals (apparently their magic number) while their staunch defense stuffed the opposition, limiting the Grizzlies, who'd scored 21 goals in their previous 2 games, to just 3. The 4-3 victory lifted Park to an early 2-0 record and sole possession of first place in the B-Conference. Nikki Casper racked up 28 saves while Aiden Piper chipped in with 3 points (2 goals and an assist). The Bruins haven't slowed a beat since, knocking off St. Tim's (4-1), Beth Tfiloh (4-2), and Key School again (4-1). Not much has changed in the stat line either, as Aiden continues to assist or notch nearly every goal while Nikki plays backstop to our formidable D. The girls are now a blistering 5-0 and number 1 in the B-Conference standings. This week the girls have a light agenda, with only 1 game pitting them against winless Oldfields. An old football coach once said, "Kill a mosquito with an axe." Go get 'em girls!
ISC: 12/17 v. Oldfields
Girls' basketball has fared similarly, now sporting a 3-0 record in the C-Conference. On the heels of a 44-61 loss to non-conference foe Garrison, in which a depleted Park squad of only 5 players (including 3 missing starters) battled admirably, the Bruins have stepped on the gas. Defeating Beth Tfiloh (46-16), Glenelg (49-23), and Catholic (46-24), the girls have vaulted to the top of their standings as well. Senior Rose Coll enters the week with 2 successive double-doubles while classmate Lucie Weinberg has found her shooting stroke (24 points in the last 2 contests). But don't forget the freshmen. Akira Townes is averaging nearly double digits in scoring and point guard Zoe Mayers has chipped in solid play in the absence of injured senior Kristen Smith. As I've hinted before in this column, none of this has exactly been unexpected. The Bruins are not exactly flying below the proverbial radar. What remains to be seen, is how they'll perform under pressure; what they'll accomplish when the going gets tough. Will these girls be able to find the extra gear that's evaded similarly lauded Park girls' hoops teams in the past? The tests begin this week as the Bruins play Maryvale of the B-Conference, CHEN, and curently undefeated St. John's on Friday night in our GAME OF THE WEEK.
WBB: 12/14 v. Maryvale, 12/15 @ CHEN, 12/18 v. St. John's
Boys' basketball is lagging behind a bit, but just in terms of meeting their conference foes on the court. This group has been interesting to watch. As juvenile as it may seem, and don't take this the wrong way boys, "scrappy" might be the best descriptor I can conjure up. The Bruins have struggled to score at times but have proven themselves a gritty, tough bunch, playing tenacious defense and banging the boards even when outsized. The season got off to a bang with a tune-up at Greater Grace that unexpectedly turned into a frenzied rumble from which our boys escaped with a 39-32 win. The year's first home game saw Pikesville High down the Park boys 46-49. It was evident, though, that upon exiting the arena, a majority of spectators were nodding their approval of the Bruin effort rather than shaking their heads in dismay. These lads may just have something. Then the Quakers showed up on our doorstep. You know something special must have happened when we get this kind of press! Seniors Kyle Long and Nick Sangiamo led the way as the home team toppled Friends 59-50.
If only we had limited our B-Conference games to just that one. McDonogh hammered Coach Wolf's boys 2 days later, deflating the gym and the fans therein. And after just 2 more days, a muscle-bound, high-flying Coppin Academy team swaggered into the PAC, and whispered "uh-ohs" could be heard circulating the stands like the skittering of rats abandoning ship. The Bruins, however, rediscovered themselves and played their game... tough, full of heart and hustle, smart... and came away with an impressive 67-49 victory. On to the C-Conference schedule, kicking off with noe other than front-runner Chapelgate (8-2 overall) who earlier in the year clubbed B-Conference bottom-dweller BL 60-37. Here we go Bruins!
MBB: 12/15 v. Chapelgate, 12/17 v. BT
Bruins' squash may be the only team confronting tough times out of the blocks. Currently 0-3, they've dropped matches to BL (2-5), McDonogh (1-6), and Gilman (0-7). The good news is that the worst is over, at least temporarily. Those 3 losses happen to have been at the hands of the giants of the MIAA, who hold the top 3 rungs of the conference ladder, and Park won't have to face any of them again until January. In the meantime, it's up to the Bruins to now take what they've learned, having survived that early gauntlet, and utilize it to attack their more earthly competition. This week they'll face Bryn Mawr and 1-3 conference opponent and rival Friends School in matches they hope will place them back in the "Win" column. Look for seniors Alex Katz, Drew Kaup and Andrew Duberg to lead the way and keep an eye on newcomer Ashley Suan, playing the 4 spot in the lineup.
SQ: 12/16 v. Bryn Mawr, 12/17 v. Friends
See you out there! GO BRUINS!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Week of November 30...
Welcome back... Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing holiday break, replete with a bounty sufficient to offer leftovers for weeks, an adequate amount of football mayhem, and family and friends wise enough to not overstay their welcome. Many Bruins got an early start on burning off all those Thanksgiving calories, but first a few notes of news:
2 conference moves have become official. Next fall, the girls' tennis team will elevate their game in order to compete in the A. Girls' soccer chose the alternative direction, shifting to the C-Conference. Like all such jumps, each squad is required to stay put for a 2-year period.
The MIAA B-Conference announced their soccer All-Stars, naming 3 Park seniors to their roster. Andrew Duberg, Jon Hettleman, and Nick Ryugo received the honor. In so doing, "Duey" nabbed his second soccer award and fifth overall while "Hett" added a third plaque to his mantle with his first as the Bruins' goalie.
But back to the Bruins of winter... girls' basketball found their hands full with North Harford last Monday as early defensive pressure and commendably aggressive play appeared to temporarily set the Bruins' fab-10 onto their heels. Once the Lady Hawks' press was broken and Park's vaunted offense was permitted to settle into their game, however, the game turned slightly in our favor. Though there was no actual running score kept throughout the scrimmage, we certainly witnessed a nail-biter.
The girls' hard-nosed play continued through the weekend as they faced a bevy of public and private school teams on Saturday at McDonogh. Again, scores were somewhat arbitrary but, by all accounts, the Bruins played well defeating each of their opponents. Unfortunately, the 5 mini-games may have taken their own considerable toll. At least 2 injuries surfaced during the tournament, the severity of which remain to be calculated. Fingers crossed...
WBB: 12/1 @ Garrison, 12/3 @ Bryn Mawr
The boys' basketball team had their holiday interrupted as well, hitting the newly refinished hardwood at home for a Saturday playday against Poly and Towson High Schools. Both adversaries were populated with talented, athletic young men, many of them obviously career basketballers. The majority of our bunch, on the other hand, call another game their favorite; but the gritty Bruins held their own for the most part, often substituting hustle and heart for overt talent. Unfortunately, against such seasoned foes, that method could only carry the boys as far as their shooting percentage. Lack of accuracy kept the Bruins from making a serious run at either opponent and the boys lost each of their four 15-minute bouts. Still, in the way the boys stuck together, discussing strategy and offering constructive criticism, it was evident that there's something to this group. Whether they'll end up simply a likeable lot or a successful winner remains to be seen.
MBB: 12/1 @ Greater Grace, 12/4 v Pikesville
Little else occurred during the respite from everything school-related, but the docket is full for the week upcoming. Aside from the basketball matchups listed above, girls' indoor soccer will play first on Monday in our GAME OF THE WEEK, facing last year's conference finalist Garrison Forest. They'll then take on St. Tim's later in the week. Squash will get their season rolling with matches against stiff competition in McDonogh and Gilman. Good luck gang!
ISC: 11/30 v Garrison, 12/2 v St. Tim's
SQ: 12/2 v McDonogh, 12/3 v Gilman
GO BRUINS!
2 conference moves have become official. Next fall, the girls' tennis team will elevate their game in order to compete in the A. Girls' soccer chose the alternative direction, shifting to the C-Conference. Like all such jumps, each squad is required to stay put for a 2-year period.
The MIAA B-Conference announced their soccer All-Stars, naming 3 Park seniors to their roster. Andrew Duberg, Jon Hettleman, and Nick Ryugo received the honor. In so doing, "Duey" nabbed his second soccer award and fifth overall while "Hett" added a third plaque to his mantle with his first as the Bruins' goalie.
But back to the Bruins of winter... girls' basketball found their hands full with North Harford last Monday as early defensive pressure and commendably aggressive play appeared to temporarily set the Bruins' fab-10 onto their heels. Once the Lady Hawks' press was broken and Park's vaunted offense was permitted to settle into their game, however, the game turned slightly in our favor. Though there was no actual running score kept throughout the scrimmage, we certainly witnessed a nail-biter.
The girls' hard-nosed play continued through the weekend as they faced a bevy of public and private school teams on Saturday at McDonogh. Again, scores were somewhat arbitrary but, by all accounts, the Bruins played well defeating each of their opponents. Unfortunately, the 5 mini-games may have taken their own considerable toll. At least 2 injuries surfaced during the tournament, the severity of which remain to be calculated. Fingers crossed...
WBB: 12/1 @ Garrison, 12/3 @ Bryn Mawr
The boys' basketball team had their holiday interrupted as well, hitting the newly refinished hardwood at home for a Saturday playday against Poly and Towson High Schools. Both adversaries were populated with talented, athletic young men, many of them obviously career basketballers. The majority of our bunch, on the other hand, call another game their favorite; but the gritty Bruins held their own for the most part, often substituting hustle and heart for overt talent. Unfortunately, against such seasoned foes, that method could only carry the boys as far as their shooting percentage. Lack of accuracy kept the Bruins from making a serious run at either opponent and the boys lost each of their four 15-minute bouts. Still, in the way the boys stuck together, discussing strategy and offering constructive criticism, it was evident that there's something to this group. Whether they'll end up simply a likeable lot or a successful winner remains to be seen.
MBB: 12/1 @ Greater Grace, 12/4 v Pikesville
Little else occurred during the respite from everything school-related, but the docket is full for the week upcoming. Aside from the basketball matchups listed above, girls' indoor soccer will play first on Monday in our GAME OF THE WEEK, facing last year's conference finalist Garrison Forest. They'll then take on St. Tim's later in the week. Squash will get their season rolling with matches against stiff competition in McDonogh and Gilman. Good luck gang!
ISC: 11/30 v Garrison, 12/2 v St. Tim's
SQ: 12/2 v McDonogh, 12/3 v Gilman
GO BRUINS!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Week of November 23... THANKSGIVING!
A short, holiday week calls for... well, a short blog entry.
Unfortunately, Bruins' squash stumbled out of the gate, losing to Boys' Latin by a score of 2-5. The performance was, however, a significant improvement upon last year's, with seniors Drew Kaup and Sam Cornblath pulling out victories and freshman newcomer Ashley Suan and classmate Andrew Katz pushing their matches to 4 sets. With several schools' numbers 1 and 2 players holding Herculean advantages in experience and skill, it is this "middle of the order," as it were, that might pose the biggest challenge to Park opponents.
SQ: No games scheduled
Last week's scrimmage pitting the girls' basketball squad against Dulaney was considerably downplayed into what amounted to a 2-team practice session due predominantly to public school regulations on preseason competition. Still, the Bruins played an intense style and, after a relatively even first half, completely dominated the Lions in the third quarter (the approximate score, 17-2!). The girls played a total of 5 quarters, winning at least 3 and looking solid throughout. No doubt there's room for improvement, but as early season scrimmages go, the small crowd nestled into the corners of the PAC got their time's worth in this one. The girls will kick off the short week with another non-conference game, facing North Harford on Monday.
WBB: 11/23 v. North Harford
So much for the 08-09 semifinal loss to Key School. Girls' indoor soccer took a small measure of revenge in knocking off the Obezags 2-1 in the season opener. Both of Park's goals came from junior Aiden Piper with an assist from fellow-captain Mariama Eversley. Meanwhile, the stingy Bruin defense stood fast, anchored by sophomore goalie Nikki Casper (15 saves). Playing out more or less just as envisioned, the girls appeared formidable. No games over the holidays, though, means we'll have to wait a bit for our next opportunity to truly ascertain whether or not this group will dominate this winter.
ISC: No games scheduled
As hinted upon last week, team cohesion can often go a long way towards securing success, however one might choose to quantify that expression. The boys' basketball squad appears ready to test that theory. Anything they might lack in terms of true talent on the court, they appear to make up for in maturity, heart and a certain unifying bond that may simply be the product of a senior-laden group (10 seniors among 12 players, not 11 of 13 as written last week) with so many years of mutual varied experiences in their collective pockets. A big, tight, gutsy gang are they. Should be fun. The boys will play bookends to the girls with GAMES OF THE WEEK on Saturday (11/28), a playday featuring teams from Poly and Towson High School. Sneak away from the leftovers and bring the family!
MBB: 11/28 Playday v. Poly and Towson
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and, of course... GO BRUINS!
Unfortunately, Bruins' squash stumbled out of the gate, losing to Boys' Latin by a score of 2-5. The performance was, however, a significant improvement upon last year's, with seniors Drew Kaup and Sam Cornblath pulling out victories and freshman newcomer Ashley Suan and classmate Andrew Katz pushing their matches to 4 sets. With several schools' numbers 1 and 2 players holding Herculean advantages in experience and skill, it is this "middle of the order," as it were, that might pose the biggest challenge to Park opponents.
SQ: No games scheduled
Last week's scrimmage pitting the girls' basketball squad against Dulaney was considerably downplayed into what amounted to a 2-team practice session due predominantly to public school regulations on preseason competition. Still, the Bruins played an intense style and, after a relatively even first half, completely dominated the Lions in the third quarter (the approximate score, 17-2!). The girls played a total of 5 quarters, winning at least 3 and looking solid throughout. No doubt there's room for improvement, but as early season scrimmages go, the small crowd nestled into the corners of the PAC got their time's worth in this one. The girls will kick off the short week with another non-conference game, facing North Harford on Monday.
WBB: 11/23 v. North Harford
So much for the 08-09 semifinal loss to Key School. Girls' indoor soccer took a small measure of revenge in knocking off the Obezags 2-1 in the season opener. Both of Park's goals came from junior Aiden Piper with an assist from fellow-captain Mariama Eversley. Meanwhile, the stingy Bruin defense stood fast, anchored by sophomore goalie Nikki Casper (15 saves). Playing out more or less just as envisioned, the girls appeared formidable. No games over the holidays, though, means we'll have to wait a bit for our next opportunity to truly ascertain whether or not this group will dominate this winter.
ISC: No games scheduled
As hinted upon last week, team cohesion can often go a long way towards securing success, however one might choose to quantify that expression. The boys' basketball squad appears ready to test that theory. Anything they might lack in terms of true talent on the court, they appear to make up for in maturity, heart and a certain unifying bond that may simply be the product of a senior-laden group (10 seniors among 12 players, not 11 of 13 as written last week) with so many years of mutual varied experiences in their collective pockets. A big, tight, gutsy gang are they. Should be fun. The boys will play bookends to the girls with GAMES OF THE WEEK on Saturday (11/28), a playday featuring teams from Poly and Towson High School. Sneak away from the leftovers and bring the family!
MBB: 11/28 Playday v. Poly and Towson
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and, of course... GO BRUINS!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Week of November 16... Winter begins!
Fall is officially behind us, at least in high school sports terms. Cleats and running shoes have been stashed away in favor of the suddenly more appropriate (and far more comfortable) tennies and high-tops. The relative peace of wide open spaces has given way to the echoing cacophony of small, indoor arenas. While autumn may have been a bit heavier on disappointment than we would have liked (at least in regards to wins, losses and the timing of both), the winter outlook is brimming with promise and optimism. If you listen intently enough, you can already hear the squeak of sneakers on varnish like so many enormous mice.
Enormous may be a minor overstatement but it's quite obvious that this year's boys' basketball team does fall quite squarely on the large side, relatively speaking of course. With only 3 Bruins measuring south of 6 feet tall, it's one of the biggest groups in recent memory. And then there's the experience factor. Four players are in at least their second year on varsity (seniors Kyle Long and Jon Hettleman are playing in their 3rd and 4th, respectively) and the roster features 11 seniors. That's 11 seniors on a squad of 13! As it often does, much will depend upon the unit's discipline, heart and cohesion. Captains have yet to be selected so it's still unknown who besides Coach Wolf will lead the solidarity effort, but with so many mature athletes to choose from, the task of keeping this group motivated and on the same page should prove to be an easy one.
MBB: No games yet.
On paper, girls' basketball looks set to challenge (and destroy) all comers on their way to another successful playoff run. What remains to be seen is whether or not these Bruins can win the big one. A pesky dark cloud has anchored itself onto Coach Coll's team, and to the girls' program in general. In the last 2 years, the girls have sailed into the championship game as favorites only to be outdone by eager underdogs each time. And there are only slightly less recent examples that further reinforce the trend. Perhaps it's another instance of a group of Bruins missing that "thing" I'd mentioned in earlier posts. Perhaps it's simply a string of bad luck. Whatever the cause, the 09-10 girls seem confident in their ability to smash the paradigm. And for good reason. The team will carry only 10 players, among them 4 seniors. Six of the 10 are returning finalists (including All-Conference pick Rose Coll), 2 have stepped up from the JV, and the ultimate duo are much ballyhooed freshmen Akira Townes and Zoe Mayers. Still waiting to hear the captains' names here as well, but this is a group that has played, and won, together in the past. The future holds only 1 remaining obstacle. The road toward that goal starts with a scrimmage against Dulaney High's Lions this Friday (11/20) here in the PAC. Come and see the girls early and get in on the ground floor of what could be a memorable season.
WBB: 11/20 v. Dulaney
This winter's squash roster boasts approximately 26 athletes, 11 of whom will play for the varsity. Senior captains Drew Kaup and Alex Katz lead a group that lost only 1 member from last year's still developing lineup. The team also welcomes back All-Conference winner Andrew DuBerg and newcomer Ashley Suan who touts strong credentials and hopes to make a significant dent in the league. Overpowered by far more experienced players last year, the 09-10 Bruins return poised, better prepared and genuinely more skilled. They begin play Tuesday (11/17) at their home in Meadow Mill against none other than the Lakers of Boys' Latin. Look for additional news as it becomes available including the outcome of our debut or, better yet, grab the directions from the website and head down to a match!
SQ: 11/17 v. BL
Many thanks to Coach Rob Piper for the preseason rundown on indoor soccer who, after finishing last year's regular season with the second best record among B-Conference schools, bowed out in the semifinals with an overtime shootout loss. That heartbreak came at the hands of the Key School Obezags (I'll never get over that "mascot" name), the very same opponent the girls find at the head of their schedule this winter. More than the adversary feels familiar, though, in this particular case of deja vu. For the Bruins, the cast of characters remains nearly the same as well, with no fewer than 9 players from that semifinal game returning to the team this year. Add to that a handful of outdoor players, some unexpectedly seasoned freshmen, and a couple of skilled athletes revisiting their favorite sport after a brief departure and you've got a squad with experience on its side. Remarkably, the 17 that made the team (the girls suffered through numbers-mandated tryouts and cuts for the first time in recent memory) count only 2 seniors among their number! Captained by 1 of those, Mariama Eversley, along with juniors Aiden Piper and Lauren Sibel, this team looks to be one to watch for years to come. The fun begins with an early GAME OF THE WEEK as the girls take on the aforementioned Obezags Wednesday (11/18) at Freestate Sports Arena. Check the website for directions.
ISC: 11/18 v. Key
GO BRUINS!
Enormous may be a minor overstatement but it's quite obvious that this year's boys' basketball team does fall quite squarely on the large side, relatively speaking of course. With only 3 Bruins measuring south of 6 feet tall, it's one of the biggest groups in recent memory. And then there's the experience factor. Four players are in at least their second year on varsity (seniors Kyle Long and Jon Hettleman are playing in their 3rd and 4th, respectively) and the roster features 11 seniors. That's 11 seniors on a squad of 13! As it often does, much will depend upon the unit's discipline, heart and cohesion. Captains have yet to be selected so it's still unknown who besides Coach Wolf will lead the solidarity effort, but with so many mature athletes to choose from, the task of keeping this group motivated and on the same page should prove to be an easy one.
MBB: No games yet.
On paper, girls' basketball looks set to challenge (and destroy) all comers on their way to another successful playoff run. What remains to be seen is whether or not these Bruins can win the big one. A pesky dark cloud has anchored itself onto Coach Coll's team, and to the girls' program in general. In the last 2 years, the girls have sailed into the championship game as favorites only to be outdone by eager underdogs each time. And there are only slightly less recent examples that further reinforce the trend. Perhaps it's another instance of a group of Bruins missing that "thing" I'd mentioned in earlier posts. Perhaps it's simply a string of bad luck. Whatever the cause, the 09-10 girls seem confident in their ability to smash the paradigm. And for good reason. The team will carry only 10 players, among them 4 seniors. Six of the 10 are returning finalists (including All-Conference pick Rose Coll), 2 have stepped up from the JV, and the ultimate duo are much ballyhooed freshmen Akira Townes and Zoe Mayers. Still waiting to hear the captains' names here as well, but this is a group that has played, and won, together in the past. The future holds only 1 remaining obstacle. The road toward that goal starts with a scrimmage against Dulaney High's Lions this Friday (11/20) here in the PAC. Come and see the girls early and get in on the ground floor of what could be a memorable season.
WBB: 11/20 v. Dulaney
This winter's squash roster boasts approximately 26 athletes, 11 of whom will play for the varsity. Senior captains Drew Kaup and Alex Katz lead a group that lost only 1 member from last year's still developing lineup. The team also welcomes back All-Conference winner Andrew DuBerg and newcomer Ashley Suan who touts strong credentials and hopes to make a significant dent in the league. Overpowered by far more experienced players last year, the 09-10 Bruins return poised, better prepared and genuinely more skilled. They begin play Tuesday (11/17) at their home in Meadow Mill against none other than the Lakers of Boys' Latin. Look for additional news as it becomes available including the outcome of our debut or, better yet, grab the directions from the website and head down to a match!
SQ: 11/17 v. BL
Many thanks to Coach Rob Piper for the preseason rundown on indoor soccer who, after finishing last year's regular season with the second best record among B-Conference schools, bowed out in the semifinals with an overtime shootout loss. That heartbreak came at the hands of the Key School Obezags (I'll never get over that "mascot" name), the very same opponent the girls find at the head of their schedule this winter. More than the adversary feels familiar, though, in this particular case of deja vu. For the Bruins, the cast of characters remains nearly the same as well, with no fewer than 9 players from that semifinal game returning to the team this year. Add to that a handful of outdoor players, some unexpectedly seasoned freshmen, and a couple of skilled athletes revisiting their favorite sport after a brief departure and you've got a squad with experience on its side. Remarkably, the 17 that made the team (the girls suffered through numbers-mandated tryouts and cuts for the first time in recent memory) count only 2 seniors among their number! Captained by 1 of those, Mariama Eversley, along with juniors Aiden Piper and Lauren Sibel, this team looks to be one to watch for years to come. The fun begins with an early GAME OF THE WEEK as the girls take on the aforementioned Obezags Wednesday (11/18) at Freestate Sports Arena. Check the website for directions.
ISC: 11/18 v. Key
GO BRUINS!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Week of November 2...
A bump and a dive. That's how the boys' soccer season ended; a bump and a dive. Friday's quarterfinal match culminated in a converted overtime penalty kick, the result of a catastrophic amalgam of a minor foul, a bit of acting, and a referee's regrettable actions. As unsettling as the final chapter may have been, one must find the objectivity to step back and ascertain how it came to be that a talented Park squad found itself tied and in a position to suffer defeat at the hands of an odd bounce or a misguided whistle. The Bruins tallied two first-half goals but failed to overwhelm the Quakers, allowing them opportunity and the subsequent confidence to claw their way back into the game. The boys' effort and emotion were certainly evident throughout, but something, some unseen, uncoachable energy, was missing that day. Unfortunately, that thing has failed us before, in big games and championships, in kilts and cleats, sneakers and shorts, shooting on hoops and cages alike. Is this soccer season, or any other promising schedule finished prematurely, a failure? Of course not. Much was learned, and the moments we perceive as 'lows" are often even more critical than the "highs" to which we aspire in shaping the people that we become. Cherish them equally. Still, in the interest of developing a more complete and well-rounded athletic persona, while striving to further cover with banners the remaining empty spaces on our gymnasium walls, we should investigate and discuss our shortcomings; discover where that occasionally missing thing resides within us and decipher the code that unlocks it.
MSC: Season ended.
Girls' cross country ran their hearts out at their own postseason competition, last Wednesday's Championship. Ellie Kahn was our top finisher at 19th (out of 105!), completing the course in 23:29.90. Only one other Bruin finished in the top 50 (fellow senior Dani Haswell at 48) and the team finished 10th of 16, more or less equaling their performance during the regular season. Behind Dani, Park's next 3 runners were all freshmen who, along with sophomore Ellie, intend to return the team to past glories. Unfortunately, the speedy girls have eluded me since the race so I've little to offer regarding their take on the race. Look for more pictures on the IAAM website. More to come... Congratulations girls!
WCC: Season ended.
Field hockey battled courageously in their opening playoff game but, unfortunately, goals are not awarded for gritty play. The Bruins lost 0-2 to Glenelg, an eventual finalist (the Dragons lost to McDonogh 0-1 for the title). Since then, the players have scattered to the farthest reaches of the athletic center and beyond, casting off their sticks for the moment and venturing inside for the soccer and basketball teams of winter or simply some well-earned relaxation. Among the latter group is Emily Breiter, who was voted an IAAM All-Star. Congratulations Em! Next year's team will again play in the B-Conference.
FH: Season ended.
Girls' soccer, however, will endure a minor adjustment, requesting entrance into the C-Conference next year. Decisions on movements among conferences will not be made until around Thanksgiving. The foot-ballers had one IAAM All-Star as well, sophomore goalie Arianna Strome. Congrats!
WSC: Season ended.
Another mover is girls' tennis, who will jump to the A-Conference next fall pending the IAAM's verdict. They'll do so minus two IAAM All-Stars, senior co-captains Sofia Macht and Jenn Swirnow. Thank you, girls, and congratulations!
WTN: Season ended.
So then, what's left to get rabid Bruins' fans out of bed in the morning? The boys' cross country team is still running strong, awaiting their date with destiny (at the risk of sounding overdramatic...) at the MIAA Championship this Thursday at Oregon Ridge. The boys finished the regular season with a loss at John Carroll, struggling to a 1-7 record. Running, however, is a sport that offers those failing to finish first not only the abstract intrinsic rewards seen in other activities, but tangible, concrete numbers beyond the "score" that gauge each athlete's performance. This year's Bruins may indeed be seeking these very accolades but, nevertheless, they're striving for success. The GAME OF THE WEEK begins with the first race at approximately 2:15 PM this Thursday. Go get 'em boys!
GO BRUINS!
MCC: 11/5 @ MIAA Final
GO BRUINS!
MSC: Season ended.
Girls' cross country ran their hearts out at their own postseason competition, last Wednesday's Championship. Ellie Kahn was our top finisher at 19th (out of 105!), completing the course in 23:29.90. Only one other Bruin finished in the top 50 (fellow senior Dani Haswell at 48) and the team finished 10th of 16, more or less equaling their performance during the regular season. Behind Dani, Park's next 3 runners were all freshmen who, along with sophomore Ellie, intend to return the team to past glories. Unfortunately, the speedy girls have eluded me since the race so I've little to offer regarding their take on the race. Look for more pictures on the IAAM website. More to come... Congratulations girls!
WCC: Season ended.
Field hockey battled courageously in their opening playoff game but, unfortunately, goals are not awarded for gritty play. The Bruins lost 0-2 to Glenelg, an eventual finalist (the Dragons lost to McDonogh 0-1 for the title). Since then, the players have scattered to the farthest reaches of the athletic center and beyond, casting off their sticks for the moment and venturing inside for the soccer and basketball teams of winter or simply some well-earned relaxation. Among the latter group is Emily Breiter, who was voted an IAAM All-Star. Congratulations Em! Next year's team will again play in the B-Conference.
FH: Season ended.
Girls' soccer, however, will endure a minor adjustment, requesting entrance into the C-Conference next year. Decisions on movements among conferences will not be made until around Thanksgiving. The foot-ballers had one IAAM All-Star as well, sophomore goalie Arianna Strome. Congrats!
WSC: Season ended.
Another mover is girls' tennis, who will jump to the A-Conference next fall pending the IAAM's verdict. They'll do so minus two IAAM All-Stars, senior co-captains Sofia Macht and Jenn Swirnow. Thank you, girls, and congratulations!
WTN: Season ended.
So then, what's left to get rabid Bruins' fans out of bed in the morning? The boys' cross country team is still running strong, awaiting their date with destiny (at the risk of sounding overdramatic...) at the MIAA Championship this Thursday at Oregon Ridge. The boys finished the regular season with a loss at John Carroll, struggling to a 1-7 record. Running, however, is a sport that offers those failing to finish first not only the abstract intrinsic rewards seen in other activities, but tangible, concrete numbers beyond the "score" that gauge each athlete's performance. This year's Bruins may indeed be seeking these very accolades but, nevertheless, they're striving for success. The GAME OF THE WEEK begins with the first race at approximately 2:15 PM this Thursday. Go get 'em boys!
GO BRUINS!
MCC: 11/5 @ MIAA Final
GO BRUINS!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Week of October 26...
Sorry I'm late this week, gang... Much to report, but even more work to finish first!
As we head into the final days of October, bearing witness to the final throes of autumn and days of temperate weather, 2 teams' seasons have already ended. The first delivered a plaque that rests upon Mr. Diven's "mantle" in the PAC lobby. The other finished without a victory.
Lest that come across as too somber an introduction to the week's news, let it be known that the girls' soccer team rose to the occasion and managed to put forth a superlative effort while laying to rest their difficult season. Following Monday's loss to the conference's number 2 squad, Bryn Mawr, the girls hoped to secure a rematch by upsetting 7 seed Chapelgate in Friday's preliminary round of the league's playoffs. Without a win to their credit, the girls remained confident in their abilities and motivated towards finally exhibiting them prior to the elimination game. Lead by their seniors, they expected to play well. And they did. With nearly the entire team healthy, a starting 11 envisioned during the preseason to be one of the team's best suited up together for the first time in countless weeks (perhaps all season). The Bruins struck first and pushed the Yellowjackets to overtime before succumbing 1-2. If nothing else, the girls proved to themselves that they've got some skillz, while offering us a glimpse of the desire that will lead next year's group to higher tangible successes in a new conference.
WSC: Season Ended
As has been mentioned in previous editions, the girls' tennis team has toiled away in relative obscurity, playing home matches far from the watchful eyes of the typical sports fan roaming the corridors of the Old Court campus. The daily bus rides to practice, the sparse crowds, and the relative anonimity among their peers... some part of it clicked with these girls. And it did so right from the start. The Bruins finished 10-1 in the B-Conference, trailing only undefeated powerhouse McDonogh in the final team standings. The effort earned the team a runner-up plaque proudly displayed on Mr. Diven's "mantle" in the PAC. All that remained were the individual finals, played Tuesday through Thursday of last week. On day 1, the girls wavered ever so slightly, suffering a loss at the #1 singles position. Everyone else advanced. Of note was the #1 doubles match, pitting senior captains Sophia Macht and Jenn Swirnow against rivals from Friends. That one competition lasted 3 hours and saw 2 tiebreakers, ending 6-7 6-2 7-6 (13-11) in favor of the 2 Bruins, exhibiting the grit and drive that epitomized the team's season. Wednesday panned out to be a replay of the Park-Spalding dual (duel?) in late September. All 4 remaining Park entries faced Cavalier opponents. Park's #2 singles and #1 doubles fell short, each by the score of 6-7 3-6. The numbers 2 and 3 doubles teams played on. Unfortunately, the finals would be swept by McDonogh's junior pros. The outstanding Bruins, freshmen Liz Kuntz and Ashley Suan and junior-senior combo, Chloe Shiras and Carly Basner, each fought unsuccessfully through 2 sets, finishing in second place. What a season. What a tournament. Congratulations girls!
WTN: Season Ended
With losses last week to John Carroll (0-1), Maryvale (0-2) and Glenelg (0-3), field hockey finished their regular season schedule with a record of 2-9-1, not quite what they'd hoped, but enough to earn a 6th place slot in the 8 team B-Conference standings. Furthermore, the seed (not decided until the final day of play) places the girls in a unique position. You see, they'll play the very same Glenelg Dragons team they battled last Wednesday. Will the extra preparation help or hinder their cause (Glenelg has the same advantage, remember?) remains to be seen. Park travels to Ellicott City Tuesday in the first of this week's playoff GAMES OF THE WEEK. Go get 'em Bruins!
FH: 10/27 @ IAAM Prelim/Quarters
The boys' cross country runners had a banner week, beating Mt. St. Joe's here on Wednesday and following it up with several victories (albeit over B-Conference teams) in St. Paul's Invitational on Friday. All that remains is one last trip to John Carroll on Tuesday. Then it's off to Oregon Ridge for the final challenge, both internal and external, as the crew faces the best of the best in the MIAA Final scheduled next Thursday.
MCC: 10/27 @ JC
Boys' soccer continues to defy uniformity, sailing up and down their chosen roller coaster track to the playoffs. The Bruins escaped with a 1-0 victory at (now) 3-9-1 Severn, coasted uncomfortably to a 3-2 win against BL (completing the season sweep of the Lakers!) and, with second place locked up, never really took the field in a 0-2 loss at front-runner St. Paul's. While the boys' playoff position may have been effectively sealed, what momentum they retained entering last week seems to have sifted through their hands like so many grains of sand. The slide persisted into this week as the lads tied St. Mary's (3-9) without a goal. It's as if the boys feel they can simply flip the switch as we head into the playoffs. Let's hope they can find it in the dark. In our second GAME OF THE WEEK, Park will take on none other than the Friends School Quakers this Friday in an MIAA Quarterfinal match on Kelly Field. The start is an early one at 3:15 so get out there early. The boys may require a boisterous wake up call from the sidelines!
MSC: 10/30 v MIAA Quarterfinals
The somewhat unexpectedly fleet-footed girls' cross country team took the week off to prep for our final GAME OF THE WEEK, Wednesday's IAAM Championship Meet at Oregon Ridge. The ladies finished the year 8-7, impressive enough for eighth place among the 17 team B-Conference. Middle-of-the-pack, as joyful a surprise as it may be coming from a group whose majority were "walk-ons" of a sort in that they hadn't participated in earnest prior to this year, may not satisfy these competitors. Striving to better their own times if not knock off more experienced athletes, the Bruins intend to put on a show, smiling all the while. Good luck!
No Meets
WCC: 10/27 @ IAAM Finals
Stay tuned for more playoff news as well as All-Conference selections and other awards!
GO BRUINS!
As we head into the final days of October, bearing witness to the final throes of autumn and days of temperate weather, 2 teams' seasons have already ended. The first delivered a plaque that rests upon Mr. Diven's "mantle" in the PAC lobby. The other finished without a victory.
Lest that come across as too somber an introduction to the week's news, let it be known that the girls' soccer team rose to the occasion and managed to put forth a superlative effort while laying to rest their difficult season. Following Monday's loss to the conference's number 2 squad, Bryn Mawr, the girls hoped to secure a rematch by upsetting 7 seed Chapelgate in Friday's preliminary round of the league's playoffs. Without a win to their credit, the girls remained confident in their abilities and motivated towards finally exhibiting them prior to the elimination game. Lead by their seniors, they expected to play well. And they did. With nearly the entire team healthy, a starting 11 envisioned during the preseason to be one of the team's best suited up together for the first time in countless weeks (perhaps all season). The Bruins struck first and pushed the Yellowjackets to overtime before succumbing 1-2. If nothing else, the girls proved to themselves that they've got some skillz, while offering us a glimpse of the desire that will lead next year's group to higher tangible successes in a new conference.
WSC: Season Ended
As has been mentioned in previous editions, the girls' tennis team has toiled away in relative obscurity, playing home matches far from the watchful eyes of the typical sports fan roaming the corridors of the Old Court campus. The daily bus rides to practice, the sparse crowds, and the relative anonimity among their peers... some part of it clicked with these girls. And it did so right from the start. The Bruins finished 10-1 in the B-Conference, trailing only undefeated powerhouse McDonogh in the final team standings. The effort earned the team a runner-up plaque proudly displayed on Mr. Diven's "mantle" in the PAC. All that remained were the individual finals, played Tuesday through Thursday of last week. On day 1, the girls wavered ever so slightly, suffering a loss at the #1 singles position. Everyone else advanced. Of note was the #1 doubles match, pitting senior captains Sophia Macht and Jenn Swirnow against rivals from Friends. That one competition lasted 3 hours and saw 2 tiebreakers, ending 6-7 6-2 7-6 (13-11) in favor of the 2 Bruins, exhibiting the grit and drive that epitomized the team's season. Wednesday panned out to be a replay of the Park-Spalding dual (duel?) in late September. All 4 remaining Park entries faced Cavalier opponents. Park's #2 singles and #1 doubles fell short, each by the score of 6-7 3-6. The numbers 2 and 3 doubles teams played on. Unfortunately, the finals would be swept by McDonogh's junior pros. The outstanding Bruins, freshmen Liz Kuntz and Ashley Suan and junior-senior combo, Chloe Shiras and Carly Basner, each fought unsuccessfully through 2 sets, finishing in second place. What a season. What a tournament. Congratulations girls!
WTN: Season Ended
With losses last week to John Carroll (0-1), Maryvale (0-2) and Glenelg (0-3), field hockey finished their regular season schedule with a record of 2-9-1, not quite what they'd hoped, but enough to earn a 6th place slot in the 8 team B-Conference standings. Furthermore, the seed (not decided until the final day of play) places the girls in a unique position. You see, they'll play the very same Glenelg Dragons team they battled last Wednesday. Will the extra preparation help or hinder their cause (Glenelg has the same advantage, remember?) remains to be seen. Park travels to Ellicott City Tuesday in the first of this week's playoff GAMES OF THE WEEK. Go get 'em Bruins!
FH: 10/27 @ IAAM Prelim/Quarters
The boys' cross country runners had a banner week, beating Mt. St. Joe's here on Wednesday and following it up with several victories (albeit over B-Conference teams) in St. Paul's Invitational on Friday. All that remains is one last trip to John Carroll on Tuesday. Then it's off to Oregon Ridge for the final challenge, both internal and external, as the crew faces the best of the best in the MIAA Final scheduled next Thursday.
MCC: 10/27 @ JC
Boys' soccer continues to defy uniformity, sailing up and down their chosen roller coaster track to the playoffs. The Bruins escaped with a 1-0 victory at (now) 3-9-1 Severn, coasted uncomfortably to a 3-2 win against BL (completing the season sweep of the Lakers!) and, with second place locked up, never really took the field in a 0-2 loss at front-runner St. Paul's. While the boys' playoff position may have been effectively sealed, what momentum they retained entering last week seems to have sifted through their hands like so many grains of sand. The slide persisted into this week as the lads tied St. Mary's (3-9) without a goal. It's as if the boys feel they can simply flip the switch as we head into the playoffs. Let's hope they can find it in the dark. In our second GAME OF THE WEEK, Park will take on none other than the Friends School Quakers this Friday in an MIAA Quarterfinal match on Kelly Field. The start is an early one at 3:15 so get out there early. The boys may require a boisterous wake up call from the sidelines!
MSC: 10/30 v MIAA Quarterfinals
The somewhat unexpectedly fleet-footed girls' cross country team took the week off to prep for our final GAME OF THE WEEK, Wednesday's IAAM Championship Meet at Oregon Ridge. The ladies finished the year 8-7, impressive enough for eighth place among the 17 team B-Conference. Middle-of-the-pack, as joyful a surprise as it may be coming from a group whose majority were "walk-ons" of a sort in that they hadn't participated in earnest prior to this year, may not satisfy these competitors. Striving to better their own times if not knock off more experienced athletes, the Bruins intend to put on a show, smiling all the while. Good luck!
No Meets
WCC: 10/27 @ IAAM Finals
Stay tuned for more playoff news as well as All-Conference selections and other awards!
GO BRUINS!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Update...
A quick note of correction... Due to last Friday's rain, the start of the girls' tennis playoffs have been shifted back one day. As a result, the preliminary round will be played today (Monday, 10/19). The Bruins will not play until tomorrow's quarterfinal at 2 PM. The rest of the week remains the same: Wednesday semifinals at 3:30 PM and Thursday finals also at 3:30 PM, all at McDonogh.
GO BRUINS!
GO BRUINS!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Week of October 19... Fall's Home Stretch
Almost there... At week's end, barring any further weather-induced scheduling overhauls, there will remain exactly 2 contests (MSC @ St. Mary's 10/26 & MCC @ John Carroll 10/27) on Park's regular season schedule. The playoffs begin in earnest this week for several teams, triggering unbridled hope in some, stress in others, and relief among a select few. So, pull out that Bruins sweatshirt and take some time this week to enjoy the Fall sun while rooting ferociously for the Brown and White.
One group without the highest of expectations, perhaps, but certainly a handful of aspiration, is the girls' cross country team who, last Tuesday, completed their schedule with a success-laden 8-8 B-Conference record. They'll now have a solid 10 days to prepare for the championship meet to be held on our very own home course at Oregon Ridge October 28. The long layoff provides time to heal and refocus. Do your best to congratulate the girls among the classrooms and hallways this week while motivating them for the task ahead.
WCC: No meets.
The boys' cross country runners, in contrast, have had little to cheer about as a team this year, and their calendar holds 3 more competitions before they sniff the postseason. The meets this week, 10/20 versus Mt. St. Joe and AACS and 10/23 at St. Paul's, will likely do little to advance the Bruins in the standings, but they'll certainly serve to further groom our top runners for the finals still some time away (11/5). There, the boys hope to challenge some of the upper tier, larger schools' athletes after the next 2 weeks' improvement upon their own personal times. This Tuesday will be your last chance to catch the boys at home and in person as the final 2 meets of the season and the championship will all occur away from the friendly confines of the Park School woods.
MCC: 10/20 v MSJ & AACS, 10/23 @ SPSB
The good news on Girls' Varsity Field last week; the field hockey team notched a goal. The bad; McDonogh scored 5. After keeping the game tight in their initial contest earlier in the year, the Bruins' ambitions were significantly loftier this time around. While the wins haven't exactly been piling up, the team has improved, but the Eagles outplayed Park, still shorthanded due to injury and illness. The team hopes to have some of those players back this week, and they'll need them. The girls face 3 games in 3 days (originally it was 4!), starting Monday with a home tussle against John Carroll, whom Park handled 2-1 in late September. Another win Monday would mean a great deal to the girls, as would a good showing from their fans.
FH: 10/19 v JC, 10/20 v Maryvale, 10/21 @ Glenelg
Girls' soccer continues to search for the bright side of their season, falling to Severn last Tuesday. Though they remain winless on the season, the team looks set to reclaim several stars from the injured reserves just prior to their postseason's kickoff. The once gimpy girls will have 1 opportunity to shake off the rust Monday at conference co-leader Bryn Mawr. The matchup could benefit the Bruins in more ways than one, as it could foreshadow a second round playoff matchup. Getting there would of course require a victory in the year's initial Playoff Edition GAME OF THE WEEK this Friday. The girls will most likely face the 7th place team, currently Chapelgate or Catholic, in the preliminary round before taking on the top of the heap next week.
WSC: 10/19 @ BM, 10/23 @ IAAM Prelims
Today's blog also includes a carryover GAME OF THE WEEK as the boys' soccer team confronts Boys' Latin here at Park Tuesday after getting rained out last week. The test was made even more difficult with the postponement as the boys must now tackle the Lakers on no rest, following Monday's game at far-away Severn. Furthermore, both games are near "must-wins" due to the congestion within the conference standings. Currently, according to the MIAA website, the Bruins (5-3-1) occupy a shaky second place perch, behind 9-1 St. Paul's and just ahead of none other than Boys' Latin at 5-5 and Pallotti at 3-5. So, not only is 2nd place in jeopardy, but the playoffs themselves could be lost with poor play in their final 4 games, 3 of which occur this week. Stay focused boys.
MSC: 10/19 @ Severn, 10/20 v BL, 10/23 @ SPSB
Girls' tennis pulled off yet another 5-0 sweep (against Pallotti, their 6th shutout of the season) last Tuesday, thus locking up 2nd place with a regular season record of 9-1, sandwiched between McDonogh (10-0) and Spalding (9-2). There was little time to celebrate, however, as the squad's attention immediately refocused on the postseason which begins (and ends!) this week. What has been a phenomenal Fall for the Bruins ultimately comes down to these 4 days in October. No pressure though... In playoff GAMES OF THE WEEK, the girls challenge all comers Monday in the IAAM Quarterfinals, Tuesday in the Semifinals and, finally, Thursday in the Finals. I plan to do my best to make the tournament. Hope to see you there!
WTN: 10/19 @ IAAM Quarters, 10/20 @ IAAM Semis, 10/22 @ IAAM Finals
Remember, don't miss a game (especially a playoff!) due to my scattered brain! Check the website to be sure!
GO BRUINS!
One group without the highest of expectations, perhaps, but certainly a handful of aspiration, is the girls' cross country team who, last Tuesday, completed their schedule with a success-laden 8-8 B-Conference record. They'll now have a solid 10 days to prepare for the championship meet to be held on our very own home course at Oregon Ridge October 28. The long layoff provides time to heal and refocus. Do your best to congratulate the girls among the classrooms and hallways this week while motivating them for the task ahead.
WCC: No meets.
The boys' cross country runners, in contrast, have had little to cheer about as a team this year, and their calendar holds 3 more competitions before they sniff the postseason. The meets this week, 10/20 versus Mt. St. Joe and AACS and 10/23 at St. Paul's, will likely do little to advance the Bruins in the standings, but they'll certainly serve to further groom our top runners for the finals still some time away (11/5). There, the boys hope to challenge some of the upper tier, larger schools' athletes after the next 2 weeks' improvement upon their own personal times. This Tuesday will be your last chance to catch the boys at home and in person as the final 2 meets of the season and the championship will all occur away from the friendly confines of the Park School woods.
MCC: 10/20 v MSJ & AACS, 10/23 @ SPSB
The good news on Girls' Varsity Field last week; the field hockey team notched a goal. The bad; McDonogh scored 5. After keeping the game tight in their initial contest earlier in the year, the Bruins' ambitions were significantly loftier this time around. While the wins haven't exactly been piling up, the team has improved, but the Eagles outplayed Park, still shorthanded due to injury and illness. The team hopes to have some of those players back this week, and they'll need them. The girls face 3 games in 3 days (originally it was 4!), starting Monday with a home tussle against John Carroll, whom Park handled 2-1 in late September. Another win Monday would mean a great deal to the girls, as would a good showing from their fans.
FH: 10/19 v JC, 10/20 v Maryvale, 10/21 @ Glenelg
Girls' soccer continues to search for the bright side of their season, falling to Severn last Tuesday. Though they remain winless on the season, the team looks set to reclaim several stars from the injured reserves just prior to their postseason's kickoff. The once gimpy girls will have 1 opportunity to shake off the rust Monday at conference co-leader Bryn Mawr. The matchup could benefit the Bruins in more ways than one, as it could foreshadow a second round playoff matchup. Getting there would of course require a victory in the year's initial Playoff Edition GAME OF THE WEEK this Friday. The girls will most likely face the 7th place team, currently Chapelgate or Catholic, in the preliminary round before taking on the top of the heap next week.
WSC: 10/19 @ BM, 10/23 @ IAAM Prelims
Today's blog also includes a carryover GAME OF THE WEEK as the boys' soccer team confronts Boys' Latin here at Park Tuesday after getting rained out last week. The test was made even more difficult with the postponement as the boys must now tackle the Lakers on no rest, following Monday's game at far-away Severn. Furthermore, both games are near "must-wins" due to the congestion within the conference standings. Currently, according to the MIAA website, the Bruins (5-3-1) occupy a shaky second place perch, behind 9-1 St. Paul's and just ahead of none other than Boys' Latin at 5-5 and Pallotti at 3-5. So, not only is 2nd place in jeopardy, but the playoffs themselves could be lost with poor play in their final 4 games, 3 of which occur this week. Stay focused boys.
MSC: 10/19 @ Severn, 10/20 v BL, 10/23 @ SPSB
Girls' tennis pulled off yet another 5-0 sweep (against Pallotti, their 6th shutout of the season) last Tuesday, thus locking up 2nd place with a regular season record of 9-1, sandwiched between McDonogh (10-0) and Spalding (9-2). There was little time to celebrate, however, as the squad's attention immediately refocused on the postseason which begins (and ends!) this week. What has been a phenomenal Fall for the Bruins ultimately comes down to these 4 days in October. No pressure though... In playoff GAMES OF THE WEEK, the girls challenge all comers Monday in the IAAM Quarterfinals, Tuesday in the Semifinals and, finally, Thursday in the Finals. I plan to do my best to make the tournament. Hope to see you there!
WTN: 10/19 @ IAAM Quarters, 10/20 @ IAAM Semis, 10/22 @ IAAM Finals
Remember, don't miss a game (especially a playoff!) due to my scattered brain! Check the website to be sure!
GO BRUINS!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Week of October 12...
There's (finally) a chill in the air and campus is just starting to show signs of the turn towards autumn. For some, the dip in temperature is the first sure indication that "put up or shut up" time is officially upon us. For others, donning a fleece or hoodie for the first time stirred thoughts of winter and the hope of a new season yet to begin. The field hockey team may count among its diminishing throng several of the latter folk. Illness and injury have hounded several squads this year, but hockey has been all but dessimated by the duo. Last week started well enough, one might say... The girls dominated Monday's contest against Friends school, but were unable to find the goal, settling for a 0-0 overtime tie. Wednesday's game against Mt. de Sales provided another blow to the team's morale when the already depleted group lost another key starter to injury. The 1-3 loss in the record book was far less worrisome than the new gaping hole left in the roster. A white flag of (temporary) surrender was finally lifted Friday, when the girls were forced to postpone both their JV and varsity games against Maryvale due to the mounting player shortage. The day off heading into the weekend surely must have done some good for both the health and spirits of the team, but several injuries will continue to handicap the girls' chances this week as they face McDonogh at home on Monday, 10/12 and Glenelg away on Thursday, 10/15.
FH: 10/12 v. McDonogh, 10/15 @ Glenelg
The girls' soccer squad appears to be riding the heels of those dismayed few mentioned above (or, perhaps, it's the other way around), in that they've had trouble scoring, they've subsequently had difficulty winning, and their players are dropping like flies. The difference might be that this young team seems set to regain a bit of its muscle in the near future. At least 2 experienced starters appear ready to return to full strength this week and others may be on the way. Last Friday, unlike hockey, the soccer girls were able to scrape together a team to travel to Catholic. Another loss followed but, once again, the winless Bruins battled and kept things close, falling 0-2. The week ahead holds only 1 game, against 4-2 Severn at home on Tuesday.
WSC: 10/13 v. Severn
Boys' cross country limped home after a double loss at Curley last Tuesday, heading into a much needed week off. Park remains winless in the A-Conference, outclassed by the majority of their foes in this season of youth and inexperience. Indeed, it seems as though success might be best measured by individual performances among the Bruins' top runners, while the team hopes to knock off B-Conference teams and an unsuspecting rival or two as the year wears on. An escape to winter sports, however, is not on the minds of these Bruins. With only a few meets remaining over the next 2 weeks, the MIAA Championships loom in early November, and it is there that several hope to make their mark.
MCC: no meets scheduled
For those of you still reading, thanks for wading through what has turned out to be a significantly dreary opening to this week's blog. Let's begin the upswing with girls' cross country. If pressed for a sincere answer, the girls themselves, clad in black and white uniform tanks and runners kicks, might admit that not even they expected much from this group at the onset of practice in late summer. No matter their final record, which remains above 500 on the season, these Bruins may count themselves a success story, one that will hopefully continue to reverberate among the youngest Bruins competing, helping to rebuild a tradition of motivated participation and accomplishment. Not only did the girls achieve a double win at last Tuesday's meet at Pallotti, but 2 Bruins chopped minutes from their personal bests. That's minutes! Potential has been the story of this team all along. As we said, not much else was anticipated. As October wanes, however, one is now forced to wonder whether potential might yet transform into something more tangible. Only 1 regular season meet remains, Tuesday at Oregon Ridge, before the Championship on that same course. Run Bruins, ruuuuuuun!
WCC: 10/13 v. Multiple
The boys' soccer squad has had its ups and downs, both recently and all year long. They too have been nipped by the illness bug, playing the last 2 weeks or so down up to 6 players per game, but the greatest hurdle for this team might indeed be itself. The boys have shown an uncanny ability to play to the level of their competition, winning the big games as underdogs while struggling in the more obscure games as favorites. Last Monday's loss at Pallotti 0-1 could be partially explained away by missing players, but there's no hiding the day's poor play. The same weakened lineup managed a 1-0 double overtime victory against Gibbons on Wednesday followed by a 2-0 decision at Severn on Friday, keeping them in second place (and in the playoffs) in the B-Conference's Black Division, at 5-3-1 just a couple steps behind St. Paul's. The Bruins look to keep up the pace this Friday in our GAME OF THE WEEK, as they face Boys' Latin in a showdown on Kelly Field. The Lakers will no doubt be bent on revenge after an earlier loss, as if the rivalry needed any further tinder. If the season's trend holds, the boys should be playing their best and up to the challenge. The BL faithful will certainly be there. Let's be sure to crowd the sidelines and drown out the Lakers!
MSC: 10/16 v. BL
The brightest star of the year thus far, albeit it perhaps the least noticed, has certainly been the girls' tennis team. Last week turned out to be just another ho-hum dual drubbing. Tuesday, Oldfields fell 4-1. Thursday, it was John Carroll by a score of 5-0. The Bruins are now 8-1 and trail only McDonogh in the B-Conference. The lone regular season opponents that remain are Pallotti (0-9) and St. Tim's (4-5) before Friday's official start of the IAAM Tournament. It's still unclear whether or not any Bruins will see the court Friday, as they may qualify without the extra play-in round. Stay tuned for the final scores and news regarding our run to the championship!
WTN: 10/13 @ Pallotti, 10/14 @ St. Tim's, 10/16 @ IAAM Prelims
As always, check the website for late changes, venues and times!
GO BRUINS!
FH: 10/12 v. McDonogh, 10/15 @ Glenelg
The girls' soccer squad appears to be riding the heels of those dismayed few mentioned above (or, perhaps, it's the other way around), in that they've had trouble scoring, they've subsequently had difficulty winning, and their players are dropping like flies. The difference might be that this young team seems set to regain a bit of its muscle in the near future. At least 2 experienced starters appear ready to return to full strength this week and others may be on the way. Last Friday, unlike hockey, the soccer girls were able to scrape together a team to travel to Catholic. Another loss followed but, once again, the winless Bruins battled and kept things close, falling 0-2. The week ahead holds only 1 game, against 4-2 Severn at home on Tuesday.
WSC: 10/13 v. Severn
Boys' cross country limped home after a double loss at Curley last Tuesday, heading into a much needed week off. Park remains winless in the A-Conference, outclassed by the majority of their foes in this season of youth and inexperience. Indeed, it seems as though success might be best measured by individual performances among the Bruins' top runners, while the team hopes to knock off B-Conference teams and an unsuspecting rival or two as the year wears on. An escape to winter sports, however, is not on the minds of these Bruins. With only a few meets remaining over the next 2 weeks, the MIAA Championships loom in early November, and it is there that several hope to make their mark.
MCC: no meets scheduled
For those of you still reading, thanks for wading through what has turned out to be a significantly dreary opening to this week's blog. Let's begin the upswing with girls' cross country. If pressed for a sincere answer, the girls themselves, clad in black and white uniform tanks and runners kicks, might admit that not even they expected much from this group at the onset of practice in late summer. No matter their final record, which remains above 500 on the season, these Bruins may count themselves a success story, one that will hopefully continue to reverberate among the youngest Bruins competing, helping to rebuild a tradition of motivated participation and accomplishment. Not only did the girls achieve a double win at last Tuesday's meet at Pallotti, but 2 Bruins chopped minutes from their personal bests. That's minutes! Potential has been the story of this team all along. As we said, not much else was anticipated. As October wanes, however, one is now forced to wonder whether potential might yet transform into something more tangible. Only 1 regular season meet remains, Tuesday at Oregon Ridge, before the Championship on that same course. Run Bruins, ruuuuuuun!
WCC: 10/13 v. Multiple
The boys' soccer squad has had its ups and downs, both recently and all year long. They too have been nipped by the illness bug, playing the last 2 weeks or so down up to 6 players per game, but the greatest hurdle for this team might indeed be itself. The boys have shown an uncanny ability to play to the level of their competition, winning the big games as underdogs while struggling in the more obscure games as favorites. Last Monday's loss at Pallotti 0-1 could be partially explained away by missing players, but there's no hiding the day's poor play. The same weakened lineup managed a 1-0 double overtime victory against Gibbons on Wednesday followed by a 2-0 decision at Severn on Friday, keeping them in second place (and in the playoffs) in the B-Conference's Black Division, at 5-3-1 just a couple steps behind St. Paul's. The Bruins look to keep up the pace this Friday in our GAME OF THE WEEK, as they face Boys' Latin in a showdown on Kelly Field. The Lakers will no doubt be bent on revenge after an earlier loss, as if the rivalry needed any further tinder. If the season's trend holds, the boys should be playing their best and up to the challenge. The BL faithful will certainly be there. Let's be sure to crowd the sidelines and drown out the Lakers!
MSC: 10/16 v. BL
The brightest star of the year thus far, albeit it perhaps the least noticed, has certainly been the girls' tennis team. Last week turned out to be just another ho-hum dual drubbing. Tuesday, Oldfields fell 4-1. Thursday, it was John Carroll by a score of 5-0. The Bruins are now 8-1 and trail only McDonogh in the B-Conference. The lone regular season opponents that remain are Pallotti (0-9) and St. Tim's (4-5) before Friday's official start of the IAAM Tournament. It's still unclear whether or not any Bruins will see the court Friday, as they may qualify without the extra play-in round. Stay tuned for the final scores and news regarding our run to the championship!
WTN: 10/13 @ Pallotti, 10/14 @ St. Tim's, 10/16 @ IAAM Prelims
As always, check the website for late changes, venues and times!
GO BRUINS!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Week of October 5...
The forecast was ominous as Friday afternoon approached, heralding the official start of Brown and White weekend. Rain clouds loomed, threatening both days' events, and a Trojanesque St. Paul's bus crept down Park School Drive, full of undefeated, and undaunted, Crusaders. Our own boys' soccer squad had shown fleeting glimpses of brilliance, as recently as the week prior when they upset Boys' Latin and Friends in successive games on the road. For every high, however, there seemed to be a subsequent low waiting in the wings. Even the promise of Homecoming could not fend off the trend as the boys, nearly healthy again and with Coach Mal back at the helm, fell to Glenelg 0-1 on Tuesday. Friday was to be different. With Bruin pride in the air, and perhaps at stake, Park rose to their biggest challenge thus far and buried St. Paul's early, going up 3-0 in the first half on their way to a 3-1 victory. Saturday brought all of the Homecoming festivities in their entirety, including a visit from our All-Star team of alumni who took the pitch along with the varsity that afternoon. Next on the list for the boys are 3 tests against lower-ranked teams: Pallotti (10/5), Gibbons (10/7) and Severn (10/9) all at home. Whether or not this roller coaster ride of a season will continue its ups and downs remains to be seen, but Brown and White weekend had certainly begun with a bang.
MSC: 10/5 @ Pallotti, 10/7 v. Gibbons, 10/9 v. Severn
For those of you keeping up out there, you may have noticed that the excitement actually began earlier in the week when our girls' tennis team similarly stepped up to the plate and swatted one out of the park, knocking off the then first-place Spalding Cavaliers. To date, according to the IAAM website, Spalding has lost exactly 5 individual matches (there are 5 individual matches within 1 team competition) in 7 contests. That statistic, of course, does not include the 3 they dropped to Park's finest last Tuesday. As an aside, and speaking of the IAAM website, I'd like to point out that while you'll find 3 Spalding headlines among the news stories on the tennis page, the Bruins are not mentioned. But I digress... The girls completed their Homecoming sweep by blanking the Gators of St. Paul's 5-0 on Friday and trouncing Friends 4-1 on Saturday. As successful (and tough) Brown and White weeks go, Bruins' tennis may have had the biggest of all. If the girls haven't yet piqued your interest, you're simply not paying attention. Fear not, however, for there are 3 regular season matches left for you to attend, including 10/6 versus Oldfields and 10/8 against John Carroll, both hosted by Park at Chestnut Ridge. Get out there and see these girls play!
WTN: 10/6 v. Oldfields, 10/8 v. JC
I won't pretend that the week was all butterflies and rose petals for field hockey, but considering the season thus far, it wasn' t bad. Aside from a superlative Saturday in the sun (that's alliteration, kids) complete with more outstanding alumni toiling alongside current Bruins, including appearances by none other than current coaches Kara Hickok and Robin Lowe, the girls nailed down their second conference win, beating John Carroll on their own field 2-1. While the exuberance of the win may have been short-lived (the girls lost at home to Seton Keough 2 days later), things may be looking up. In losing, the girls gave up only 1 goal to a second place team who'd trampled them early in the year. Hopefully we're seeing the defense stiffen while our offense prepares to go on the attack. This week's schedule includes 3 home games, our GAME OF THE WEEK 10/5 against Friends, 10/7 against Mt. de Sales, and 10/9 against Maryvale. The hockey squad needs your support... see you Monday!
FH: 10/5 v. Friends, 10/7 v. MDS, 10/9 v. Maryvale
Girls' soccer, on the other hand, may be about to leap from the frying pan squarely into the fire. Last week, the team lost not only 3 more games, but another couple of starters due to injuries. By the end of Saturday's game against Garrison, approximately 6 original starters remained on the field. Hopes are high that many will soon return and that others' injuries are minor. Will the re-infusion of lost talent be enough to turn the season around? Who knows. At the very least, young players are seeing the field and gaining experience while the girls appear to be maintaining morale. A portion of the team will get a much-needed rest as the first half of the week features only 1 "B" game before Friday's matchup with Catholic at home.
WSC: 10/5 "B" v. Cardin, 10/9 @ Catholic
Boys' cross country continues their uphill climb, finishing a runner or two near the front pack, but lacking the depth to significantly affect the outcomes of races. Losing at McDonogh last week, the boys have yet to win an A-Conference meet this year, but maintain that the experience gained during the regular season's struggle will aid them both mentally and physically next month at the finals. This year's successes may be measured, as they are (or should be?) for so many teams and athletes, by personal bests, levels of improvement from beginning to end, and simple fulfillment. Keep at it boys.
MCC: 10/6 @ Curley
Speaking of unique measurements of success, following the absence of half his team for a meet the week prior, Kent Walker, coach of the girls' cross country team, posted a personal "win" by accompanying all 13 members of his squad to IND last Tuesday. Happy to have everyone together again, the girls were only mildly dismayed by the loss to St. Paul's which left them with a record of 6-6 on the year. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet the team in person, your opportunities are dwindling. Left with only 2 more regular season races (the next is at Pallotti this Tuesday), the girls hope to cause a ripple among the contestants at the finals at month's end.
WCC: 10/6 @ Pallotti
A great weekend it was. Now begins the home stretch run to the playoffs. Best of luck all. Get healthy injured!
GO BRUINS!
MSC: 10/5 @ Pallotti, 10/7 v. Gibbons, 10/9 v. Severn
For those of you keeping up out there, you may have noticed that the excitement actually began earlier in the week when our girls' tennis team similarly stepped up to the plate and swatted one out of the park, knocking off the then first-place Spalding Cavaliers. To date, according to the IAAM website, Spalding has lost exactly 5 individual matches (there are 5 individual matches within 1 team competition) in 7 contests. That statistic, of course, does not include the 3 they dropped to Park's finest last Tuesday. As an aside, and speaking of the IAAM website, I'd like to point out that while you'll find 3 Spalding headlines among the news stories on the tennis page, the Bruins are not mentioned. But I digress... The girls completed their Homecoming sweep by blanking the Gators of St. Paul's 5-0 on Friday and trouncing Friends 4-1 on Saturday. As successful (and tough) Brown and White weeks go, Bruins' tennis may have had the biggest of all. If the girls haven't yet piqued your interest, you're simply not paying attention. Fear not, however, for there are 3 regular season matches left for you to attend, including 10/6 versus Oldfields and 10/8 against John Carroll, both hosted by Park at Chestnut Ridge. Get out there and see these girls play!
WTN: 10/6 v. Oldfields, 10/8 v. JC
I won't pretend that the week was all butterflies and rose petals for field hockey, but considering the season thus far, it wasn' t bad. Aside from a superlative Saturday in the sun (that's alliteration, kids) complete with more outstanding alumni toiling alongside current Bruins, including appearances by none other than current coaches Kara Hickok and Robin Lowe, the girls nailed down their second conference win, beating John Carroll on their own field 2-1. While the exuberance of the win may have been short-lived (the girls lost at home to Seton Keough 2 days later), things may be looking up. In losing, the girls gave up only 1 goal to a second place team who'd trampled them early in the year. Hopefully we're seeing the defense stiffen while our offense prepares to go on the attack. This week's schedule includes 3 home games, our GAME OF THE WEEK 10/5 against Friends, 10/7 against Mt. de Sales, and 10/9 against Maryvale. The hockey squad needs your support... see you Monday!
FH: 10/5 v. Friends, 10/7 v. MDS, 10/9 v. Maryvale
Girls' soccer, on the other hand, may be about to leap from the frying pan squarely into the fire. Last week, the team lost not only 3 more games, but another couple of starters due to injuries. By the end of Saturday's game against Garrison, approximately 6 original starters remained on the field. Hopes are high that many will soon return and that others' injuries are minor. Will the re-infusion of lost talent be enough to turn the season around? Who knows. At the very least, young players are seeing the field and gaining experience while the girls appear to be maintaining morale. A portion of the team will get a much-needed rest as the first half of the week features only 1 "B" game before Friday's matchup with Catholic at home.
WSC: 10/5 "B" v. Cardin, 10/9 @ Catholic
Boys' cross country continues their uphill climb, finishing a runner or two near the front pack, but lacking the depth to significantly affect the outcomes of races. Losing at McDonogh last week, the boys have yet to win an A-Conference meet this year, but maintain that the experience gained during the regular season's struggle will aid them both mentally and physically next month at the finals. This year's successes may be measured, as they are (or should be?) for so many teams and athletes, by personal bests, levels of improvement from beginning to end, and simple fulfillment. Keep at it boys.
MCC: 10/6 @ Curley
Speaking of unique measurements of success, following the absence of half his team for a meet the week prior, Kent Walker, coach of the girls' cross country team, posted a personal "win" by accompanying all 13 members of his squad to IND last Tuesday. Happy to have everyone together again, the girls were only mildly dismayed by the loss to St. Paul's which left them with a record of 6-6 on the year. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet the team in person, your opportunities are dwindling. Left with only 2 more regular season races (the next is at Pallotti this Tuesday), the girls hope to cause a ripple among the contestants at the finals at month's end.
WCC: 10/6 @ Pallotti
A great weekend it was. Now begins the home stretch run to the playoffs. Best of luck all. Get healthy injured!
GO BRUINS!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Week of September 28... HOMECOMING!
The good news is that Yom Kippur has shortened our week to only 4 school days. Around 2PM this afternoon should be the first time I surprise myself with an "Oh yeah, it's actually TUESDAY!" moment. The holiday will not, however, interfere with your sports viewing pleasure because this week leads us directly into Brown and White WEEKEND, complete with full Friday and Saturday schedules. This is your opportunity to show your spirit all week long, come back to campus (those that are away) and visit with alumni as well as support current Bruins wherever they may roam. We look forward to seeing you!
Gearing up for the festivities, field hockey got off the schnide in dramatic fashion last week against the rival Quakers. The struggling squad summoned all their remaining heart and character during the waning moments of overtime following a scoreless tie, driving home the winner with under a minute left on the clock. While most every victory is sweet, this one was particularly satisfying and deeply needed. The next 2 contests ended in losses, but both were tight games culminating in narrow margins, 1-2 against Glenelg and 0-2 at McDonogh. Opportunities are starting to present themselves. While Park is no longer in the basement, they must find new methods of taking advantage of scoring chances in order to make an impact in the conference. Wednesday, the Bruins travel to Jon Carroll and Homecoming weekend brings us the top ranked Gators from Seton Keough on Friday and the Alumni Saturday at 2 PM.
FH: 9/30 @ JC, 10/2 v SK, 10/3 v Alumni
Boys' cross country again ran from the middle and back of the pack as the highly talented teams from McDonogh (4th in the A-Conference) and Calvert Hall (1st in the A-Conference) came to Park last week. Check the MIAA website for a brief summary, including the snippet where they mention Jamie DeMarco coming in 8th (our highest finisher) for Friends! Ugh. The boys hope to "never let yesterday use up too much of today" as they challenge McDonogh to a rematch, this time on their course, Tuesday.
MCC: 9/29 @ McDonogh
Girls' cross country traveled lightly to Seton Keough last week. The freshman class had just returned from their outing earlier that day and found themselves to fatigued to take part in the meet. That left Park short nearly half its regular allotment of athletes! Consequently, perhaps, the team came up short against the host school and Severn, though several Bruins that made the event ran personal bests. Park currently holds a 6-5 record, according to the IAAM, which somehow places them just behind AACS who is 1-4. Remind me to sit down with Kent and Paul for another tutoring session on how this sport is scored. St. Paul's rides high on the same list, sporting a 7-1 mark which, no matter how you figure it, ain't too shabby. As it so happens, they're next on the list for Park. Time to see what the girls are really made of.
9/29 @ SPSG
At Chapelgate last week, the girls' soccer team allowed an early goal following a collision involving Ariana Strome, the squad's goalie. Unfortunately, it proved to be the winner. The Bruins had their shots, but none managed to find the net. Like the hockey squad, these girls are beginning to find their mojo but haven't been able to light the lamp. Slowly, the girls appear to be building some cohesion just as some of their injured stars may be glimpsing the light at the ends of their respective tunnels. The upcoming schedule offers a wealth of variety featuring top-ranked St. John's at home on Wednesday, a bus ride to middle-of-the-pack RPCS Friday and winless Garrison on campus Saturday (at 12 noon).
WSC: 9/30 v St. John's, 10/2 @ RPCS, 10/3 v Garrison
Girls' tennis continued to roll last week, producing yet another 5-0 sweep of a B-Conference foe, this time Glenelg, and lifting the team to a 3-1 record. That's the past. 14-3 is the future. 14-3 is the combined record of this week's 3 opponents. On Tuesday, the girls travel to conference leader, and 6-0, Spalding to test their metal. Then comes St. Paul's, with their 4-1 mark, at Chestnut Ridge on Friday in our co-GAME OF THE WEEK followed by a trip to Friends (4-2) on Saturday. It's a very big week for the surging Bruins, who due to their off-campus home, see far too little of their fans. Take a trip to Chestnut this homecoming weekend and cheer for the brown and white!
WTN: 9/29 @ Spalding, 10/2 v SPSG, 10/3 @ Friends
Boys' soccer limped into their last game, 9/22 at home versus AACS, missing 2 of their top players due to illness and foolishness (see last week's entry for details). Perhaps more importantly, and certainly more surprisingly, they were also without Coach Mallonee who was a scratch from practice and games while he remained at home stricken with flu-like symptoms. In his stead, Roger Seidenman led the rag-tag bunch to a respectable 1-2 result, in which AACS jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to falter in the second half, giving up the Bruins' lone goal and several quality chances down the stretch. I'm happy to report that Coach Mal is feeling better and the rest of his crew are generally healthy and back in uniform for Brown and White. On Tuesday, the boys travel to face a very capable Glenelg squad before tussling at with jugernaut and recent A-Conference descendee, St. Paul's, Friday at home. The game against the Crusaders stands as our co-GAME OF THE WEEK and could finally propel Park toward their ultimate goal. Saturday, the Alumni take over at 1 PM for a nice, relaxing and safe (you hear me Alumni?) get together on Kelly Field.
MSC: 9/30 @ Glenelg, 10/2 v St. Paul's, 10/3 v Alumni
Best of luck to all and hope to see all of you on campus at some point this weekend!
GO BRUINS!
Gearing up for the festivities, field hockey got off the schnide in dramatic fashion last week against the rival Quakers. The struggling squad summoned all their remaining heart and character during the waning moments of overtime following a scoreless tie, driving home the winner with under a minute left on the clock. While most every victory is sweet, this one was particularly satisfying and deeply needed. The next 2 contests ended in losses, but both were tight games culminating in narrow margins, 1-2 against Glenelg and 0-2 at McDonogh. Opportunities are starting to present themselves. While Park is no longer in the basement, they must find new methods of taking advantage of scoring chances in order to make an impact in the conference. Wednesday, the Bruins travel to Jon Carroll and Homecoming weekend brings us the top ranked Gators from Seton Keough on Friday and the Alumni Saturday at 2 PM.
FH: 9/30 @ JC, 10/2 v SK, 10/3 v Alumni
Boys' cross country again ran from the middle and back of the pack as the highly talented teams from McDonogh (4th in the A-Conference) and Calvert Hall (1st in the A-Conference) came to Park last week. Check the MIAA website for a brief summary, including the snippet where they mention Jamie DeMarco coming in 8th (our highest finisher) for Friends! Ugh. The boys hope to "never let yesterday use up too much of today" as they challenge McDonogh to a rematch, this time on their course, Tuesday.
MCC: 9/29 @ McDonogh
Girls' cross country traveled lightly to Seton Keough last week. The freshman class had just returned from their outing earlier that day and found themselves to fatigued to take part in the meet. That left Park short nearly half its regular allotment of athletes! Consequently, perhaps, the team came up short against the host school and Severn, though several Bruins that made the event ran personal bests. Park currently holds a 6-5 record, according to the IAAM, which somehow places them just behind AACS who is 1-4. Remind me to sit down with Kent and Paul for another tutoring session on how this sport is scored. St. Paul's rides high on the same list, sporting a 7-1 mark which, no matter how you figure it, ain't too shabby. As it so happens, they're next on the list for Park. Time to see what the girls are really made of.
9/29 @ SPSG
At Chapelgate last week, the girls' soccer team allowed an early goal following a collision involving Ariana Strome, the squad's goalie. Unfortunately, it proved to be the winner. The Bruins had their shots, but none managed to find the net. Like the hockey squad, these girls are beginning to find their mojo but haven't been able to light the lamp. Slowly, the girls appear to be building some cohesion just as some of their injured stars may be glimpsing the light at the ends of their respective tunnels. The upcoming schedule offers a wealth of variety featuring top-ranked St. John's at home on Wednesday, a bus ride to middle-of-the-pack RPCS Friday and winless Garrison on campus Saturday (at 12 noon).
WSC: 9/30 v St. John's, 10/2 @ RPCS, 10/3 v Garrison
Girls' tennis continued to roll last week, producing yet another 5-0 sweep of a B-Conference foe, this time Glenelg, and lifting the team to a 3-1 record. That's the past. 14-3 is the future. 14-3 is the combined record of this week's 3 opponents. On Tuesday, the girls travel to conference leader, and 6-0, Spalding to test their metal. Then comes St. Paul's, with their 4-1 mark, at Chestnut Ridge on Friday in our co-GAME OF THE WEEK followed by a trip to Friends (4-2) on Saturday. It's a very big week for the surging Bruins, who due to their off-campus home, see far too little of their fans. Take a trip to Chestnut this homecoming weekend and cheer for the brown and white!
WTN: 9/29 @ Spalding, 10/2 v SPSG, 10/3 @ Friends
Boys' soccer limped into their last game, 9/22 at home versus AACS, missing 2 of their top players due to illness and foolishness (see last week's entry for details). Perhaps more importantly, and certainly more surprisingly, they were also without Coach Mallonee who was a scratch from practice and games while he remained at home stricken with flu-like symptoms. In his stead, Roger Seidenman led the rag-tag bunch to a respectable 1-2 result, in which AACS jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to falter in the second half, giving up the Bruins' lone goal and several quality chances down the stretch. I'm happy to report that Coach Mal is feeling better and the rest of his crew are generally healthy and back in uniform for Brown and White. On Tuesday, the boys travel to face a very capable Glenelg squad before tussling at with jugernaut and recent A-Conference descendee, St. Paul's, Friday at home. The game against the Crusaders stands as our co-GAME OF THE WEEK and could finally propel Park toward their ultimate goal. Saturday, the Alumni take over at 1 PM for a nice, relaxing and safe (you hear me Alumni?) get together on Kelly Field.
MSC: 9/30 @ Glenelg, 10/2 v St. Paul's, 10/3 v Alumni
Best of luck to all and hope to see all of you on campus at some point this weekend!
GO BRUINS!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Week of September 21...
Park squads invaded the fields of rival schools last week, even as those teams littered our own venues. In the end, some Bruins excelled while others' heads hung low. A select few managed to do both.
To put it plainly, field hockey had a rough go. The Bruins labored to score goals and, in so doing, left themselves porous on defense as well, losing to Mt. de Sales 0-4 and Maryvale 1-6. Coach Hickok and her seniors struggled to maintain the team's composure in the wake of the losses, and must now find ways to avoid relinquishing their hope for the future. Fortunately, the season is still young and successes are not always measured by simple standings. Rebounding this week, however, will require a formidable (Herculean?) effort as Park faces a 3 game schedule. On Monday, the girls travel to Friends School to take on the 0-3 Quakers in a rivalry game to break out of the cellar in the B-Conference. Third place Glenelg then comes to campus on Wednesday and then it's back on the bus for a trip to first place and 5-0 McDonogh on Friday. Stay strong ladies. Go get 'em.
FH: M 9/21 @ Friends, W 9/23 v. Glenelg, F 9/25 @ McDonogh.
Though the 16-47 score may not have shown it, the boys' cross country team's loss to undefeated Loyola was not tragic. Coach Kessinger felt the lads ran well, further toughening their bodies and resolve for the second half of the season. That forward thinking and focus will again be tested when Calvert Hall, listed at 4-0 in the A-Conference, visits Park this Tuesday. If nothing else, the boys hope to challenge the Cardinals, earn their respect and yet remain under the radar until the November showdown at the championship.
MCC: T 9/22 v. Calvert Hall
Girls' soccer fell to 0-2 and the bottom of the B-Conference after losses to capable teams from Friends and St. Paul's. The lowlight of the week was not necessarily the losses, 0-3 and 0-6 respectively, but the lack of scoring. The Bruins had some opportunities but often found it difficult to find any flow through the midfield into the attacking zone. In the first half of the St. Paul's match, our girls appeared unready for the physical nature of the game. They made appropriate adjustments in both style and attitude during the break, but the goals remained allusive. The first opportunity to jump back into the thick of the conference race occurs Wednesday when Park travels to Chapelgate. On Friday, the girls hope to further tune their skills against non-conference foe Cristo Rey.
WSC: W 9/23 @ Chapelgate, F 9/25 v Cristo Rey
Park's girls' tennis team has, at 2-1, embedded themselves right in the middle of the B-Conference standings. Last week included two 5-0 sweeps of lower-ranked St. Tim's and St. Frances, even while missing two varsity players! Chalk one up for depth, strategy and good coaching. While the caliber of opponent in those matches may not have rivaled the early season challenge from McDonogh, each game provides opportunity for the girls to improve, further preparing them for the schedule to come and the finals themselves. Tuesday, Park hosts 0-3 Glenelg at Chestnut Ridge.
WTN: T 9/22 v Glenelg
The girls' cross country team also occupies the middle ground in the B-Conference. Last week included wins over Glenelg and Beth T'Filoh, improving the Bruins' overall record to 5-3 (of note, the IAAM website is entirely incorrect on this one). Tuesday, the girls face competition that resides above them in the standings when they travel to Seton Keough to race the Gators along with Severn and others. This week, the Bruins may indeed have to shed their smiles and claw for contention in order to continue their winning ways.
WCC: T 9/22 @ Seton Keough
The boys' soccer team may have had not only the most triumphant week of the lot, but possibly one of the more impressive regular season weeks in recent memory, knocking off perennial talents Friends School and Boys' Latin in successive games. The 2-1 and 1-0 victories catapulted the Bruins to second place in the B-Conference standings behind only undefeated, and recent A-Conference dropout, St. Paul's. Unfortunately, once the celebrations began upon the final whistle, emotion and an alleged game-long berating from antagonistic fans got the better of at least one Bruin, leading to an inappropriate taunt directed towards the crowd. The exaltation has resulted in the suspension of a key player for Tuesday's match against Red Division leader AACS, our GAME OF THE WEEK. Now, of course I'd prefer the focus of today's blog remain upon the outstanding effort and successes of the team. However, I feel it necessary to use the medium in some small way to remind current Bruins who may be reading that we at Park judge our actions not by means of some comparison to the behaviors of others, but according to our own standards of ethics, morals and sportsmanship. It's a matter of character, upon which we pride ourselves. No matter the degradations occasionally hurled by others, the flagrant fouls or other misdeeds that may occur on or off the playing surface; No matter what, you stay classy Bruins.
MSC: T 9/22 v. AACS
As always, check the website for updated schedules, times and venues!
GO BRUINS!
To put it plainly, field hockey had a rough go. The Bruins labored to score goals and, in so doing, left themselves porous on defense as well, losing to Mt. de Sales 0-4 and Maryvale 1-6. Coach Hickok and her seniors struggled to maintain the team's composure in the wake of the losses, and must now find ways to avoid relinquishing their hope for the future. Fortunately, the season is still young and successes are not always measured by simple standings. Rebounding this week, however, will require a formidable (Herculean?) effort as Park faces a 3 game schedule. On Monday, the girls travel to Friends School to take on the 0-3 Quakers in a rivalry game to break out of the cellar in the B-Conference. Third place Glenelg then comes to campus on Wednesday and then it's back on the bus for a trip to first place and 5-0 McDonogh on Friday. Stay strong ladies. Go get 'em.
FH: M 9/21 @ Friends, W 9/23 v. Glenelg, F 9/25 @ McDonogh.
Though the 16-47 score may not have shown it, the boys' cross country team's loss to undefeated Loyola was not tragic. Coach Kessinger felt the lads ran well, further toughening their bodies and resolve for the second half of the season. That forward thinking and focus will again be tested when Calvert Hall, listed at 4-0 in the A-Conference, visits Park this Tuesday. If nothing else, the boys hope to challenge the Cardinals, earn their respect and yet remain under the radar until the November showdown at the championship.
MCC: T 9/22 v. Calvert Hall
Girls' soccer fell to 0-2 and the bottom of the B-Conference after losses to capable teams from Friends and St. Paul's. The lowlight of the week was not necessarily the losses, 0-3 and 0-6 respectively, but the lack of scoring. The Bruins had some opportunities but often found it difficult to find any flow through the midfield into the attacking zone. In the first half of the St. Paul's match, our girls appeared unready for the physical nature of the game. They made appropriate adjustments in both style and attitude during the break, but the goals remained allusive. The first opportunity to jump back into the thick of the conference race occurs Wednesday when Park travels to Chapelgate. On Friday, the girls hope to further tune their skills against non-conference foe Cristo Rey.
WSC: W 9/23 @ Chapelgate, F 9/25 v Cristo Rey
Park's girls' tennis team has, at 2-1, embedded themselves right in the middle of the B-Conference standings. Last week included two 5-0 sweeps of lower-ranked St. Tim's and St. Frances, even while missing two varsity players! Chalk one up for depth, strategy and good coaching. While the caliber of opponent in those matches may not have rivaled the early season challenge from McDonogh, each game provides opportunity for the girls to improve, further preparing them for the schedule to come and the finals themselves. Tuesday, Park hosts 0-3 Glenelg at Chestnut Ridge.
WTN: T 9/22 v Glenelg
The girls' cross country team also occupies the middle ground in the B-Conference. Last week included wins over Glenelg and Beth T'Filoh, improving the Bruins' overall record to 5-3 (of note, the IAAM website is entirely incorrect on this one). Tuesday, the girls face competition that resides above them in the standings when they travel to Seton Keough to race the Gators along with Severn and others. This week, the Bruins may indeed have to shed their smiles and claw for contention in order to continue their winning ways.
WCC: T 9/22 @ Seton Keough
The boys' soccer team may have had not only the most triumphant week of the lot, but possibly one of the more impressive regular season weeks in recent memory, knocking off perennial talents Friends School and Boys' Latin in successive games. The 2-1 and 1-0 victories catapulted the Bruins to second place in the B-Conference standings behind only undefeated, and recent A-Conference dropout, St. Paul's. Unfortunately, once the celebrations began upon the final whistle, emotion and an alleged game-long berating from antagonistic fans got the better of at least one Bruin, leading to an inappropriate taunt directed towards the crowd. The exaltation has resulted in the suspension of a key player for Tuesday's match against Red Division leader AACS, our GAME OF THE WEEK. Now, of course I'd prefer the focus of today's blog remain upon the outstanding effort and successes of the team. However, I feel it necessary to use the medium in some small way to remind current Bruins who may be reading that we at Park judge our actions not by means of some comparison to the behaviors of others, but according to our own standards of ethics, morals and sportsmanship. It's a matter of character, upon which we pride ourselves. No matter the degradations occasionally hurled by others, the flagrant fouls or other misdeeds that may occur on or off the playing surface; No matter what, you stay classy Bruins.
MSC: T 9/22 v. AACS
As always, check the website for updated schedules, times and venues!
GO BRUINS!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Week of September 14...
If last week's arrival of the first few conference contests meant it was officially time to shake the rust and cobwebs from our games as athletes and fans, this week's schedule demands nothing less than mid-season form sporting at least 4 meetings with Friends and other arch-rivals.
Last week, What's Bruin? reported on the impressive numbers trotted out by girls' cross country coach Kent Walker. In their first meet, quality apparently coincided with quantity as Park knocked off 3 out of the 4 teams with whom they were matched. Only St. John's managed to outpace the Bruins as they bested Lutheran, RPCS and Catholic. Next, rivalry week kicks off as the girls host Friends and BT, among others, Tuesday the 15th at our home course, Oregon Ridge.
Boys' soccer didn't fare quite as well as the young runners, though technically there's no loss to report. It was early last year when Pallotti provided an overtime wake up call, testing the Bruins who managed to pull out the victory minus their best effort. Last Wednesday marked the beginning of the '09-'10 campaign in much the same fashion. This time, the double overtime match ended in a 1-1 tie. The Panthers were indeed improved, but the Bruins again failed to exhibit a peak performance. The preseason's rash of injuries left little opportunity for cohesive practices, resulting in a somewhat disjointed appearance in their first conference game. Rain provided at least 1 extra day of "rest" by postponing last Friday's trip to Severn. Perhaps the best example of our week of rivals theme, Tuesday (9/15) the boys travel to Friends and Thursday (9/17) they head to BL. If you have the opportunity, both games are nearby and a Park cheering section at either locale is always welcome.
Coping with a particularly rough start to their conference calendar is field hockey, who found themselves on the wrong end of 1-4 tally at Seton Keough. The team dealt with its own injury bug (not an excuse, simply a fact), losing 3 key players for much of late August and early September. The ailing group has little time to recover as they face 2 road games this week, at 2-0 B-Conference leader Mt. de Sales on Monday (9/14) and 0-1 Maryvale on Wednesday (9/16).
Battling a swarm of Gilman runners, the inexperience of the Bruins' boys' cross country squad was made immediately evident in the first meet of the fall season. 2nd and 6th place finishes by Jaime DeMarco (who trailed the leader by only 6 seconds) and Kyle Long, respectively, were left unsupported as much of the remainder of the somewhat depleted team worked to find their stride. The result was not wholly unexpected as the true focus for this group may be the second half of their season gearing up toward a strong A-Conference Finals' finish. Still, Coaches Hulleberg and Kessinger are hoping all the aching ankles and shins return to form before this Tuesday's (9/15) meet at Loyola.
Girls' tennis began a very promising fall with a 5-0 sweep of Lutheran followed by an unfortunate, though equally impressive, 1-4 loss at McDonogh. The Bruins provided the Eagles all the competition they could handle, extending each point, game and set at every level, even warranting post-match compliments from the opposing coach. This week, the girls look to continue their excellent play, while hoping to add to their win total, as they take on St. Tim's on Tuesday (9/15) at Chestnut Ridge and St. Frances away on Thursday (9/17).
The girls' soccer squad had their only varsity contest of the week rained out by Friday's deluge. As a result, rather than confronting Mt. Carmel, Park will launch their IAAM schedule against the likes of last year's B-Conference Finals pairing. Our inaugural GAME OF THE WEEK pits the young Bruins against the defending champion Quakers of Friends School (who's only loss during their '08 10-1 run was to... you guessed it, your Park Bruins), September 14th at 4PM on Boys' Varsity Field. Wednesday the 16th holds further challenges as last year's runner-up, St. Paul's arrives on campus. Please make every effort to show your support in your classrooms, the hallways and especially along the sidelines both afternoons!
Best of luck all. Get healthy and...
GO BRUINS!
Last week, What's Bruin? reported on the impressive numbers trotted out by girls' cross country coach Kent Walker. In their first meet, quality apparently coincided with quantity as Park knocked off 3 out of the 4 teams with whom they were matched. Only St. John's managed to outpace the Bruins as they bested Lutheran, RPCS and Catholic. Next, rivalry week kicks off as the girls host Friends and BT, among others, Tuesday the 15th at our home course, Oregon Ridge.
Boys' soccer didn't fare quite as well as the young runners, though technically there's no loss to report. It was early last year when Pallotti provided an overtime wake up call, testing the Bruins who managed to pull out the victory minus their best effort. Last Wednesday marked the beginning of the '09-'10 campaign in much the same fashion. This time, the double overtime match ended in a 1-1 tie. The Panthers were indeed improved, but the Bruins again failed to exhibit a peak performance. The preseason's rash of injuries left little opportunity for cohesive practices, resulting in a somewhat disjointed appearance in their first conference game. Rain provided at least 1 extra day of "rest" by postponing last Friday's trip to Severn. Perhaps the best example of our week of rivals theme, Tuesday (9/15) the boys travel to Friends and Thursday (9/17) they head to BL. If you have the opportunity, both games are nearby and a Park cheering section at either locale is always welcome.
Coping with a particularly rough start to their conference calendar is field hockey, who found themselves on the wrong end of 1-4 tally at Seton Keough. The team dealt with its own injury bug (not an excuse, simply a fact), losing 3 key players for much of late August and early September. The ailing group has little time to recover as they face 2 road games this week, at 2-0 B-Conference leader Mt. de Sales on Monday (9/14) and 0-1 Maryvale on Wednesday (9/16).
Battling a swarm of Gilman runners, the inexperience of the Bruins' boys' cross country squad was made immediately evident in the first meet of the fall season. 2nd and 6th place finishes by Jaime DeMarco (who trailed the leader by only 6 seconds) and Kyle Long, respectively, were left unsupported as much of the remainder of the somewhat depleted team worked to find their stride. The result was not wholly unexpected as the true focus for this group may be the second half of their season gearing up toward a strong A-Conference Finals' finish. Still, Coaches Hulleberg and Kessinger are hoping all the aching ankles and shins return to form before this Tuesday's (9/15) meet at Loyola.
Girls' tennis began a very promising fall with a 5-0 sweep of Lutheran followed by an unfortunate, though equally impressive, 1-4 loss at McDonogh. The Bruins provided the Eagles all the competition they could handle, extending each point, game and set at every level, even warranting post-match compliments from the opposing coach. This week, the girls look to continue their excellent play, while hoping to add to their win total, as they take on St. Tim's on Tuesday (9/15) at Chestnut Ridge and St. Frances away on Thursday (9/17).
The girls' soccer squad had their only varsity contest of the week rained out by Friday's deluge. As a result, rather than confronting Mt. Carmel, Park will launch their IAAM schedule against the likes of last year's B-Conference Finals pairing. Our inaugural GAME OF THE WEEK pits the young Bruins against the defending champion Quakers of Friends School (who's only loss during their '08 10-1 run was to... you guessed it, your Park Bruins), September 14th at 4PM on Boys' Varsity Field. Wednesday the 16th holds further challenges as last year's runner-up, St. Paul's arrives on campus. Please make every effort to show your support in your classrooms, the hallways and especially along the sidelines both afternoons!
Best of luck all. Get healthy and...
GO BRUINS!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
WELCOME BACK! Week of September 7...
Welcome back Park faithful! Let me first apologize for the delay in rejuvenating the blog. Thus far this year, it's often proven difficult to simply locate my laptop (much less sit and write upon it) through the preseason paperwork and calamitous crowds occupying my office. More on that later. Suffice it to say, professional visits to the ATR have far outnumbered the social calls during the early course of the season. Still, the weather is beautiful, the fields are green and whistles are blowing. Cleats are kicking and balls are bouncing, rackets swiping and runners... well, running. Spread the word; the Bruins are back.
The fall is officially gaining its stride with scrimmages giving way to conference games and early morning sessions having progressed to their more customary late afternoon slots, but before delving into a team-by-team address of what's to come, let's take a closer look at the highlights of what has passed. Over the summer, a handful of Park athletes were showered with accolades the likes of which we haven't seen in at least the decade I've been here, and certainly deserving of celebration among our community and elsewhere.
Departing senior Anja Fries ('09) and rising senior Lucie Weinberg ('10) were named High School Academic All-America honorees. Dawn Lee ('09) earned the Towson/Owings Mills Times Female Athlete of the Year award. And last, but certainly not least, Adrienne Tarver ('10) was recognized as a 1st Team High School All-America member and mentioned by Inside Lacrosse as a rising senior to watch this year. Oh, and she also verbally committed to Yale. To further satiate your appetite for all things AT, check the article from The Towson/Owings Mills Times. These girls are walking (running, playing, studying...) examples of the ideals set forth by Park Athletics; that while sports are certainly our passion, they do not define all that we are. Congratulations all!
Lucie ('09 All-Conference) and Adrienne join forces again this fall, leading the varsity girls' soccer squad along with fellow captain "Georgi" McCauley. They are 3 of only 4 seniors on the team of 23. The group that plays with "energy and enthusiasm," according to Coaches Piper and Jennings, is dominated by freshmen - 10 in all - and carries all the advantages and disadvantages of that sort of lineup. Limiting errors may prove the key in besting strong foes from St. Paul's, RPCS and Friends. In their first scrimmage, the girls took on Pikesville in a lopsided 5-0 victory. Their next test came against CHEN last Thursday (9/3); a game that, though tighter in goals, once again exhibited some of the potential of this year's team ending 4-1 in the Bruins' favor. This week, the "B" team takes on the Quakers at home on Wednesday. Mt. Carmel is next on Friday, the 11th, also at home.
Girls' field hockey will field 5 seniors, including captains Emily Breiter, Julia Meyerhoff and Maria Schwartz. Just like their counterparts on the soccer pitch, they've seen early success... supremecy, some might say. Their scrimmages - against Key, IND and Catholic - all saw first half shutouts that lead to premature resetting of the score. Coach Hickok hopes to burn out the scoreboard lights as conference play begins in earnest, but the team's path will be bumpy to say the least. Powerhouse B-Conference rival McDonogh is mentioned in The Sun's preseason top 15, and the schedule's first week provides little time to get comfortable with 2 games on the road; Wednesday at Seton Keough and Friday at Friends. Start strong girls.
Boys' Soccer has begun the year as a bit of an enigma. With 17 (count 'em!) seniors among the 27 athletes, you'd expect a disciplined, well-oiled machine, right? Early signs, however, lead Coach Mallonee, not to mention yours truly, to dread the repair bill rather than relish the performance of this experienced engine. A hefty portion of the Bruins found themselves sidelined by one malady or another during the early fall causing captains Jon Hettleman, Nick Ryugo and lone returning MIAA All-Star, Andrew Duberg to rethink their leadership strategy. Following a 4-0 blowout of Lutheran, a 3-3 wake up call against Key further increased the team's anxiety. It took a 0-4 loss against talented Gilman to expose what might be the first light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, I said a "0-4 loss." In that game, specifically the second half, the boys appeared to turn things around a bit and refocus themselves. Many players are in unfamiliar roles and/or positions and lack consistency. Several must step up, drawing on the Bruins' classic intelligence, toughness and hustle, if the team is to make a splash in November. Wednesday brings us Pallotti at home followed by a game at Severn on Friday.
Girls' Tennis rolls out a small army of 22 players (8 seniors) this fall. Captained by Sofia Macht and Jen Swirnow, the girls have only a month and a half to work out the kinks and find the apex of their game before the regular season closes in mid October. The abbreviated schedule certainly doesn't leave much room for error, but Coach Betty Medalie assures me that there are contenders among this bunch. Competition begins at Chestnut Ridge Tuesday (9/8) as the girls face Baltimore Lutheran. Make this early match if you can; finals are around the corner!
Lone senior and captain, Kyle Long, hopes to lead the boys' cross country runners to another top 10 team finish in the A-Conference. The past 3 years have witnessed Coach Hulleberg's "upstarts" string together consecutive 5th place awards in the Oregon Ridge final. Youth and inexperience may tilt the course slightly uphill against the Bruins this fall, but the boys' hard work in the off- and early-season is already paying dividends as the crew remains healthy, motivated and having fun. The gun goes off Tuesday at home against Gilman. Come cheer the boys through the woods from Kelly Field.
Girls' cross country fields its largest squad in the last 5 years with 13 members, only 3 of whom are seniors (Maggie Casey, Alix Gresov and Susie Yaster). This group, too, is young with 5 freshmen and 2 sophomores, but Coach Walker promises a "speedy" bunch with potential. Tuesday the girls travel to Lutheran to begin to ascertain both the quantity and balance of those 2 attributes. Work hard and have fun girls.
More info to come. Welcome to the new year! Always check the website to confirm dates and venues and don't hesitate to contact me to correct my errors!
GO BRUINS!
The fall is officially gaining its stride with scrimmages giving way to conference games and early morning sessions having progressed to their more customary late afternoon slots, but before delving into a team-by-team address of what's to come, let's take a closer look at the highlights of what has passed. Over the summer, a handful of Park athletes were showered with accolades the likes of which we haven't seen in at least the decade I've been here, and certainly deserving of celebration among our community and elsewhere.
Departing senior Anja Fries ('09) and rising senior Lucie Weinberg ('10) were named High School Academic All-America honorees. Dawn Lee ('09) earned the Towson/Owings Mills Times Female Athlete of the Year award. And last, but certainly not least, Adrienne Tarver ('10) was recognized as a 1st Team High School All-America member and mentioned by Inside Lacrosse as a rising senior to watch this year. Oh, and she also verbally committed to Yale. To further satiate your appetite for all things AT, check the article from The Towson/Owings Mills Times. These girls are walking (running, playing, studying...) examples of the ideals set forth by Park Athletics; that while sports are certainly our passion, they do not define all that we are. Congratulations all!
Lucie ('09 All-Conference) and Adrienne join forces again this fall, leading the varsity girls' soccer squad along with fellow captain "Georgi" McCauley. They are 3 of only 4 seniors on the team of 23. The group that plays with "energy and enthusiasm," according to Coaches Piper and Jennings, is dominated by freshmen - 10 in all - and carries all the advantages and disadvantages of that sort of lineup. Limiting errors may prove the key in besting strong foes from St. Paul's, RPCS and Friends. In their first scrimmage, the girls took on Pikesville in a lopsided 5-0 victory. Their next test came against CHEN last Thursday (9/3); a game that, though tighter in goals, once again exhibited some of the potential of this year's team ending 4-1 in the Bruins' favor. This week, the "B" team takes on the Quakers at home on Wednesday. Mt. Carmel is next on Friday, the 11th, also at home.
Girls' field hockey will field 5 seniors, including captains Emily Breiter, Julia Meyerhoff and Maria Schwartz. Just like their counterparts on the soccer pitch, they've seen early success... supremecy, some might say. Their scrimmages - against Key, IND and Catholic - all saw first half shutouts that lead to premature resetting of the score. Coach Hickok hopes to burn out the scoreboard lights as conference play begins in earnest, but the team's path will be bumpy to say the least. Powerhouse B-Conference rival McDonogh is mentioned in The Sun's preseason top 15, and the schedule's first week provides little time to get comfortable with 2 games on the road; Wednesday at Seton Keough and Friday at Friends. Start strong girls.
Boys' Soccer has begun the year as a bit of an enigma. With 17 (count 'em!) seniors among the 27 athletes, you'd expect a disciplined, well-oiled machine, right? Early signs, however, lead Coach Mallonee, not to mention yours truly, to dread the repair bill rather than relish the performance of this experienced engine. A hefty portion of the Bruins found themselves sidelined by one malady or another during the early fall causing captains Jon Hettleman, Nick Ryugo and lone returning MIAA All-Star, Andrew Duberg to rethink their leadership strategy. Following a 4-0 blowout of Lutheran, a 3-3 wake up call against Key further increased the team's anxiety. It took a 0-4 loss against talented Gilman to expose what might be the first light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, I said a "0-4 loss." In that game, specifically the second half, the boys appeared to turn things around a bit and refocus themselves. Many players are in unfamiliar roles and/or positions and lack consistency. Several must step up, drawing on the Bruins' classic intelligence, toughness and hustle, if the team is to make a splash in November. Wednesday brings us Pallotti at home followed by a game at Severn on Friday.
Girls' Tennis rolls out a small army of 22 players (8 seniors) this fall. Captained by Sofia Macht and Jen Swirnow, the girls have only a month and a half to work out the kinks and find the apex of their game before the regular season closes in mid October. The abbreviated schedule certainly doesn't leave much room for error, but Coach Betty Medalie assures me that there are contenders among this bunch. Competition begins at Chestnut Ridge Tuesday (9/8) as the girls face Baltimore Lutheran. Make this early match if you can; finals are around the corner!
Lone senior and captain, Kyle Long, hopes to lead the boys' cross country runners to another top 10 team finish in the A-Conference. The past 3 years have witnessed Coach Hulleberg's "upstarts" string together consecutive 5th place awards in the Oregon Ridge final. Youth and inexperience may tilt the course slightly uphill against the Bruins this fall, but the boys' hard work in the off- and early-season is already paying dividends as the crew remains healthy, motivated and having fun. The gun goes off Tuesday at home against Gilman. Come cheer the boys through the woods from Kelly Field.
Girls' cross country fields its largest squad in the last 5 years with 13 members, only 3 of whom are seniors (Maggie Casey, Alix Gresov and Susie Yaster). This group, too, is young with 5 freshmen and 2 sophomores, but Coach Walker promises a "speedy" bunch with potential. Tuesday the girls travel to Lutheran to begin to ascertain both the quantity and balance of those 2 attributes. Work hard and have fun girls.
More info to come. Welcome to the new year! Always check the website to confirm dates and venues and don't hesitate to contact me to correct my errors!
GO BRUINS!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer news...
For those of you out there still paying attention, we'll call this an addendum to the Year's End post. If you've been reading diligently, last week I mentioned briefly the rarity of a single All Metro award. This spring, we have THREE. Selected as Honorable Mention winners were Chelsea Burwasser for softball along with Adrienne Tarver and Lucie Weinberg for lacrosse. If the achievement alone is not enough to thoroughly impress you, consider that all 3 are underclassmen. Adrienne and Lucie are both rising seniors while Chelsea will be just a junior in 2010! Apparently we don't rebuild, we simply reload.
In addition, Park's girls' lacrosse team appeared on Digital Sports' Top 20 Poll in the "Other Teams Considered" category. Congratulations girls! Other 2009 springtime Bruins' distinctions:
All Conference:
Chelsea Burwasser - All IAAM C-Conference Softball
Andrew Duberg - All MIAA B-Conference Lacrosse
Alix Gresov - All IAAM C-Conference Softball
Jonathan Hettleman - All MIAA B-Conference Baseball
Andrew Keiser - All MIAA B-Conference Baseball
J. Harrison Macks - All MIAA B-Conference Golf
Adrienne Tarver - All IAAM B-Conference Lacrosse
Lucie Weinberg - All IAAM B-Conference Lacrosse
Congratulations all! Have a restful, yet productive, summer. More news to come this off season as it crosses my desk.
GO BRUINS!
In addition, Park's girls' lacrosse team appeared on Digital Sports' Top 20 Poll in the "Other Teams Considered" category. Congratulations girls! Other 2009 springtime Bruins' distinctions:
All Conference:
Chelsea Burwasser - All IAAM C-Conference Softball
Andrew Duberg - All MIAA B-Conference Lacrosse
Alix Gresov - All IAAM C-Conference Softball
Jonathan Hettleman - All MIAA B-Conference Baseball
Andrew Keiser - All MIAA B-Conference Baseball
J. Harrison Macks - All MIAA B-Conference Golf
Adrienne Tarver - All IAAM B-Conference Lacrosse
Lucie Weinberg - All IAAM B-Conference Lacrosse
Congratulations all! Have a restful, yet productive, summer. More news to come this off season as it crosses my desk.
GO BRUINS!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Year's end: 2009...
Last Monday we watched the Class of 2009 graduate and begin the next chapter of their own personal stories. In the weeks prior, our departing seniors reveled with teammates and classmates alike, celebrating 3 spring conference finals victories, and congratulated one another as the honored guests of the Athletics Breakfast. Among the hugs, applause and photo ops, we took the opportunity to reminisce, recalling the all-too-brief history of this group to be shared via this new platform. My personal archive, while likely tainted by the occasional inaccuracies of both a weary mind and lack of a credible online source (Barb and Lucky, where are you when I need you?), is nonetheless a testament to the prowess of the departing Bruins. It lists a double-digit tally of championship competitions with more wins than losses, as evidenced by banners hung and plaques displayed in recognition of successes by boys' basketball, girls' lacrosse (twice!), boys' tennis and softball.
17 all-conference awards, and 1 rare all-metro nod, have been stockpiled by the "Uh-Oh Niners" during their tenure here at Park. With 3 apiece, Carlos Cruz, the unstoppable, never-tiring waterbug of soccer, lacrosse and (finally) basketball fame, along with Dawn Lee, our very own imposing conglomeration of immovable object and unstoppable force, strode out of the Athletics Breakfast as Kelly Award winners. That same morning our Unsung Heroes received deserved, if unexpected and unsolicited, recognition. Lucas Hulleberg lead both on and off the field, through good times and bad, with little more than a smile and an infectious laugh, and triumphantly emerged from the daunting shadow of his older brother, providing much needed talent and cohesion to the cross country and lacrosse teams. Chris Benn proved a vital cog on the boys' soccer and basketball teams before battling through injury to win a tennis championship and, perhaps more impressively, managing to elicit the occasional chuckle from the Athletic Trainer in the spring (thanks Chris). Anja Fries, when not flaunting her bruises or boasting her bumps, spent her afternoons creating new ones on the hockey and lacrosse fields, culminating her career as a championship-winning goalie. The five honorees were the core of a small, but gritty senior class of athletes and all will be especially missed. Among the jumbled crush of numbers and statistics available (or not), the following were also of note:
All-IAAM Awards:
Rebecca Althauser - Soccer (1)
Kayla Bruun - Indoor occer (1)
Dawn Lee - Field Hockey (1), Basketball (2)
Julie Levitsky - Tennis (1)
Tess Shiras - Tennis (2)
All-MIAA Awards:
Carlos Cruz - Soccer (3)
Nathan Jones - Baseball (1)
Andrew Keiser - Baseball (1)
Karl Nelson - Basketball (3, 1 All Metro Honorable Mention)
Noam Yaffe - Soccer (1)
Departing seniors with at least 7 varsity seasons to their credit:
Rebecca Althauser
Nathaniel Colbert-Sangree
Carlos Cruz
Rachel Elliott
Dawn Lee
Indeed, like the long list of Bruins that preceded them, this year's group leaves in their wake a substantial void to be filled by rising underclassmen. Fortunately, the outlook is anything but bleak. The Class of 2010 enjoys both quantity and quality among their athletic attributes. As an example, 11 of the '09 juniors were 3-sport athletes this year, and the class has already matched the list above in number, counting 5 of their own as varsity letter winners in 7 or more seasons. What's more, the rising seniors have already accumulated 15 all conference honors!
The final seasons of the Class of 2009 gave us, among many others memories, the come-from-behind toppling of the Quakers in girls' lax as well as the heartbreaking finish to the girls' basketball championship. The former ranks among the most thrilling contests I've ever witnessed. The latter should instill a feeling of pride and community among each and every Bruin. Whether clamoring at the unimaginable feats of the victorious or shaking the gym in a losing effort, it is often the struggle rather than the outcome that are the ultimate reward. It is the friendships and emotion, rather than the records, that remain once the shouting has ceased.
Best of luck, gang! Keep in touch and continue to make us proud.
What's Bruin will return as we near the fall seasons and welcome the new school year. Take care all and thank you for keeping up with the blog and Park athletics!
GO BRUINS!
17 all-conference awards, and 1 rare all-metro nod, have been stockpiled by the "Uh-Oh Niners" during their tenure here at Park. With 3 apiece, Carlos Cruz, the unstoppable, never-tiring waterbug of soccer, lacrosse and (finally) basketball fame, along with Dawn Lee, our very own imposing conglomeration of immovable object and unstoppable force, strode out of the Athletics Breakfast as Kelly Award winners. That same morning our Unsung Heroes received deserved, if unexpected and unsolicited, recognition. Lucas Hulleberg lead both on and off the field, through good times and bad, with little more than a smile and an infectious laugh, and triumphantly emerged from the daunting shadow of his older brother, providing much needed talent and cohesion to the cross country and lacrosse teams. Chris Benn proved a vital cog on the boys' soccer and basketball teams before battling through injury to win a tennis championship and, perhaps more impressively, managing to elicit the occasional chuckle from the Athletic Trainer in the spring (thanks Chris). Anja Fries, when not flaunting her bruises or boasting her bumps, spent her afternoons creating new ones on the hockey and lacrosse fields, culminating her career as a championship-winning goalie. The five honorees were the core of a small, but gritty senior class of athletes and all will be especially missed. Among the jumbled crush of numbers and statistics available (or not), the following were also of note:
All-IAAM Awards:
Rebecca Althauser - Soccer (1)
Kayla Bruun - Indoor occer (1)
Dawn Lee - Field Hockey (1), Basketball (2)
Julie Levitsky - Tennis (1)
Tess Shiras - Tennis (2)
All-MIAA Awards:
Carlos Cruz - Soccer (3)
Nathan Jones - Baseball (1)
Andrew Keiser - Baseball (1)
Karl Nelson - Basketball (3, 1 All Metro Honorable Mention)
Noam Yaffe - Soccer (1)
Departing seniors with at least 7 varsity seasons to their credit:
Rebecca Althauser
Nathaniel Colbert-Sangree
Carlos Cruz
Rachel Elliott
Dawn Lee
Indeed, like the long list of Bruins that preceded them, this year's group leaves in their wake a substantial void to be filled by rising underclassmen. Fortunately, the outlook is anything but bleak. The Class of 2010 enjoys both quantity and quality among their athletic attributes. As an example, 11 of the '09 juniors were 3-sport athletes this year, and the class has already matched the list above in number, counting 5 of their own as varsity letter winners in 7 or more seasons. What's more, the rising seniors have already accumulated 15 all conference honors!
The final seasons of the Class of 2009 gave us, among many others memories, the come-from-behind toppling of the Quakers in girls' lax as well as the heartbreaking finish to the girls' basketball championship. The former ranks among the most thrilling contests I've ever witnessed. The latter should instill a feeling of pride and community among each and every Bruin. Whether clamoring at the unimaginable feats of the victorious or shaking the gym in a losing effort, it is often the struggle rather than the outcome that are the ultimate reward. It is the friendships and emotion, rather than the records, that remain once the shouting has ceased.
Best of luck, gang! Keep in touch and continue to make us proud.
What's Bruin will return as we near the fall seasons and welcome the new school year. Take care all and thank you for keeping up with the blog and Park athletics!
GO BRUINS!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Week of May 18...
Some minor computer difficulties and an internet outage or two slowed the writing of this week's post a bit, but perhaps the premier reason for the delay is simply a loss for words left to describe the weekend's events. A courageous quarterfinal defeat preceded three CHAMPIONSHIPS won by Park teams, each in thrilling fashion, and all exemplifying what we believe it means to be a Bruin. Let's go back to the beginning...
Boys' lacrosse faced huge odds. Even though they'd locked up a number two ranking entering the playoffs, the team had been decimated by injury. Several key players would be watching Tuesday's quarterfinal game against Glenelg from the sideline and, cheering as they might, would offer little aid in the end. The Bruins trailed by three in the final quarter of regulation after succumbing to the Dragons earlier in the season, but only after three overtimes. Somehow Park's boys found goals. They found huge defensive stands. Somewhere within themselves they found the sheer will to place themselves down only one score while with seconds left on the clock. Battered, bruised and weary, they even held the ball, albeit at the wrong end of the field. The final sixty yard toss sailed wide and the Bruins season was complete, but not before learning (and hopefully teaching) a valuable lesson. These boys refused to sit when a chair was offered and struggled literally until the final whistle, relinquishing their hope and effort only when the officials informed them that no time remained. The scoreboard read 9-8. Hold your heads high, boys.
Last Tuesday marked the start of the MIAA boys' tennis Individual CHAMPIONSHIP Tournament. Junior David Spivey and senior Chris Benn, dubbed Park's "number two" doubles
entry, began the season playing separately. As fate would have it, both were stricken by injury and forced to attempt to rehabilitate their way back onto the team with precious little time left in the regular season. While not at full speed, each made enough progress to be considered for doubles play, and the pairing was set. Though their ailments certainly stole a step or two from their game, the two meshed their strengths and in short time found a chemistry as well as a strategy all their own. The plan, they realized, would entail a simple "cat and mouse" tactic. True, others may simply deem the boys slow starters, but let's not ruin a good story.
The Bruins began as a five seed in the two doubles bracket, a victory in and of itself, for no Park player(s) had attained such a high rating going into the tournament in recent memory. They'd also achieved a bye in the first round, held Monday. We may never know whether it was the extra day off or devious strategy that accounted for the boys' shaky start against Mt. St. Joe's on Tuesday but, in the end, they'd managed a three set win going 4-6, 6-4 and 6-3. For many, a bye and a quarterfinal triumph would have proved accomplishment enough, especially given the fact that Wednesday's match pitted Park against number one, Gilman. Add to that, Chris and David immediately dropped four of the first five games in set one. Trailing 1-4 to the top seed, the easy and, perhaps, intelligent thing to do would be to simply yield and concede defeat. Instead, the boys rallied to 3-5, then 5-5, and eventually a tiebreaker win in the first set! Having broken the imposing Greyhounds' confidence, the Bruins stubbornly refused to deviate from their plan and lost the first two games of the second set before cruising to another 6-3 victory. On to Thursday's final, where there remained only one more hurdle between them and a title; the two seed from McDonogh. Nervous? When in doubt, stick to the plan. The first set passed 4-6, a seemingly painful stumble by the underdogs. The two may have even feigned a limp before their resurgent 7-5 and, you guessed it, 6-3 second and third sets that sealed the CHAMPIONSHIP. The boys showed grit and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, proving that no matter the name across the front of the opposition's jersey, Bruins are not to be trifled with. The theme would continue.
The softball team played their CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, but theirs was quite a different tale. A one seed and having run off ten straight victories, these Bruins were certainly no underdogs. Securing the title would be no small feat, however, as number two Bryn Mawr had earlier proven themselves a worthy adversary by testing Park's metal in a 4-3 loss. Just over halfway through the contest, though, it appeared that Park might again ride the pitching of Chelsea Burwasser (17 strikeouts in the game) to another easy win as the Bruins banged out a six run fourth inning to go up 7-0. With an all-star hurler in the circle and momentum thouroughly on our side, the game was over. There was one nearly fatal flaw in that notion. Namely, Bryn Mawr did not believe it and, perhaps more importantly, maybe Park did. The Bruin defense stumbled badly and even the unwavering accuracy of Burwasser seemed to falter. Suddenly at 8-6, up only two and reeling, the Bruins were on their heels looking for an escape from the fifth inning like a boxer praying for a bell.
The story of this game may have been a calming, deep, collective breath taken by the Bruins somewhere late in the afternoon when it appeared the sky was falling. The girls regained their composure and produced a perfect sixth and seventh inning, that's six up and six down, to gain the CHAMPIONSHIP. Again a situation had presented itself during which a Park team could have taken the path of lesser effort, succumbing to fear and doubt and what might have appeared an inevitable outcome to some as the game tilted in the favor of their adversary. Yet, the Bruins held their ground, rebuked the voices that whispered for their submission and rose to a new level of talent and success, worthy of the title.
Boys' lacrosse faced huge odds. Even though they'd locked up a number two ranking entering the playoffs, the team had been decimated by injury. Several key players would be watching Tuesday's quarterfinal game against Glenelg from the sideline and, cheering as they might, would offer little aid in the end. The Bruins trailed by three in the final quarter of regulation after succumbing to the Dragons earlier in the season, but only after three overtimes. Somehow Park's boys found goals. They found huge defensive stands. Somewhere within themselves they found the sheer will to place themselves down only one score while with seconds left on the clock. Battered, bruised and weary, they even held the ball, albeit at the wrong end of the field. The final sixty yard toss sailed wide and the Bruins season was complete, but not before learning (and hopefully teaching) a valuable lesson. These boys refused to sit when a chair was offered and struggled literally until the final whistle, relinquishing their hope and effort only when the officials informed them that no time remained. The scoreboard read 9-8. Hold your heads high, boys.Last Tuesday marked the start of the MIAA boys' tennis Individual CHAMPIONSHIP Tournament. Junior David Spivey and senior Chris Benn, dubbed Park's "number two" doubles
entry, began the season playing separately. As fate would have it, both were stricken by injury and forced to attempt to rehabilitate their way back onto the team with precious little time left in the regular season. While not at full speed, each made enough progress to be considered for doubles play, and the pairing was set. Though their ailments certainly stole a step or two from their game, the two meshed their strengths and in short time found a chemistry as well as a strategy all their own. The plan, they realized, would entail a simple "cat and mouse" tactic. True, others may simply deem the boys slow starters, but let's not ruin a good story.The Bruins began as a five seed in the two doubles bracket, a victory in and of itself, for no Park player(s) had attained such a high rating going into the tournament in recent memory. They'd also achieved a bye in the first round, held Monday. We may never know whether it was the extra day off or devious strategy that accounted for the boys' shaky start against Mt. St. Joe's on Tuesday but, in the end, they'd managed a three set win going 4-6, 6-4 and 6-3. For many, a bye and a quarterfinal triumph would have proved accomplishment enough, especially given the fact that Wednesday's match pitted Park against number one, Gilman. Add to that, Chris and David immediately dropped four of the first five games in set one. Trailing 1-4 to the top seed, the easy and, perhaps, intelligent thing to do would be to simply yield and concede defeat. Instead, the boys rallied to 3-5, then 5-5, and eventually a tiebreaker win in the first set! Having broken the imposing Greyhounds' confidence, the Bruins stubbornly refused to deviate from their plan and lost the first two games of the second set before cruising to another 6-3 victory. On to Thursday's final, where there remained only one more hurdle between them and a title; the two seed from McDonogh. Nervous? When in doubt, stick to the plan. The first set passed 4-6, a seemingly painful stumble by the underdogs. The two may have even feigned a limp before their resurgent 7-5 and, you guessed it, 6-3 second and third sets that sealed the CHAMPIONSHIP. The boys showed grit and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, proving that no matter the name across the front of the opposition's jersey, Bruins are not to be trifled with. The theme would continue.
The softball team played their CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, but theirs was quite a different tale. A one seed and having run off ten straight victories, these Bruins were certainly no underdogs. Securing the title would be no small feat, however, as number two Bryn Mawr had earlier proven themselves a worthy adversary by testing Park's metal in a 4-3 loss. Just over halfway through the contest, though, it appeared that Park might again ride the pitching of Chelsea Burwasser (17 strikeouts in the game) to another easy win as the Bruins banged out a six run fourth inning to go up 7-0. With an all-star hurler in the circle and momentum thouroughly on our side, the game was over. There was one nearly fatal flaw in that notion. Namely, Bryn Mawr did not believe it and, perhaps more importantly, maybe Park did. The Bruin defense stumbled badly and even the unwavering accuracy of Burwasser seemed to falter. Suddenly at 8-6, up only two and reeling, the Bruins were on their heels looking for an escape from the fifth inning like a boxer praying for a bell.The story of this game may have been a calming, deep, collective breath taken by the Bruins somewhere late in the afternoon when it appeared the sky was falling. The girls regained their composure and produced a perfect sixth and seventh inning, that's six up and six down, to gain the CHAMPIONSHIP. Again a situation had presented itself during which a Park team could have taken the path of lesser effort, succumbing to fear and doubt and what might have appeared an inevitable outcome to some as the game tilted in the favor of their adversary. Yet, the Bruins held their ground, rebuked the voices that whispered for their submission and rose to a new level of talent and success, worthy of the title.
No easy task indeed, with five minutes left in the IAAM B-conference lacrosse CHAMPIONSHIP, trailing undefeated
Friends School 11-7, a Bruin victory was simply impossible. The game had begun well enough for the girls as they traded goals with the aggressive Quakers and ended the first half down 6-5. It was an admirable effort that certainly left Park hope of success after having lost their previous two matchups with Friends by only a goal apiece. Early in the second half, though, Friends flexed their muscle and the Bruins gave up their own equivilent of a big inning, allowing a handful of tallies that landed them in their late game, four goal hole. Those four goals would have to occur in under five minutes to force a tie and overtime, thus salvaging their season for at least a few minutes. What's more, the girls would need to shut out the Quaker offense that had just exploded upon them as well. Just one of those missions might be deemed a very slim possibility, but both? Even the most steadfast and optimistic of fans subtly shook their heads and silently contemplated the impending heartache of a second successive lax final fallen short. Visions of another runner-up platter on the mantle loomed.
A roar of the crowd lifted eyes towards the field once again and the score was 11-8. Then, 11-9. 11-10. At just under a minute and a half, 11-11. Late in the game, Friends had chosen to possess the ball, wisely draining time from the clock, now their ally. However, once again it was a palpable change in the mindset of Park's athletes, an increased ferocity that belied not just a desire to win, but a sudden need for it that determined the ultimate outcome. Key turnovers, aggressive challenges to the goal and exhausting end-to-end sprints had enabled the Bruins to achieve the impossible and set their sights upon the unthinkable. Then, with only nineteen seconds frozen on the scoreboard, it was done. Park 12, Friends 11. Julia Meyerhoff had sunk the final goal and Adrienne Tarver scooped the last ground ball. The Bruins were CHAMPS. Fittingly, the team gathered tightly together and hoisted the trophy together. If there was ever a game that you had to see to believe, this was it. "Good game Friends. Thank you fans. Thank you officials. WAY TO GO PARK!"
This year's plaques will be displayed proudly, but younger Bruins should take note of what lies behind the polish. There can be little doubt that Park consistently fields a competitive level of talent. The stature of our bodies and the quickness of our feet are generally on par with our opponents. As exhibited by all three of last week's CHAMPIONS, the difference is often made in the strength not of our shoulders, but of our character. Physical advantages are often bested by mental toughness, and hunger and heart can topple the most confident of rivals. These athletes didn't simply hope that this would happen, nor were they satisfied by being given the opportunity. They each found in themselves a player better than they had known prior and, embracing that persona, became CHAMPIONS.
Congratulations all. Credits for photos to Digital Sports.
GO BRUINS!
Friends School 11-7, a Bruin victory was simply impossible. The game had begun well enough for the girls as they traded goals with the aggressive Quakers and ended the first half down 6-5. It was an admirable effort that certainly left Park hope of success after having lost their previous two matchups with Friends by only a goal apiece. Early in the second half, though, Friends flexed their muscle and the Bruins gave up their own equivilent of a big inning, allowing a handful of tallies that landed them in their late game, four goal hole. Those four goals would have to occur in under five minutes to force a tie and overtime, thus salvaging their season for at least a few minutes. What's more, the girls would need to shut out the Quaker offense that had just exploded upon them as well. Just one of those missions might be deemed a very slim possibility, but both? Even the most steadfast and optimistic of fans subtly shook their heads and silently contemplated the impending heartache of a second successive lax final fallen short. Visions of another runner-up platter on the mantle loomed.A roar of the crowd lifted eyes towards the field once again and the score was 11-8. Then, 11-9. 11-10. At just under a minute and a half, 11-11. Late in the game, Friends had chosen to possess the ball, wisely draining time from the clock, now their ally. However, once again it was a palpable change in the mindset of Park's athletes, an increased ferocity that belied not just a desire to win, but a sudden need for it that determined the ultimate outcome. Key turnovers, aggressive challenges to the goal and exhausting end-to-end sprints had enabled the Bruins to achieve the impossible and set their sights upon the unthinkable. Then, with only nineteen seconds frozen on the scoreboard, it was done. Park 12, Friends 11. Julia Meyerhoff had sunk the final goal and Adrienne Tarver scooped the last ground ball. The Bruins were CHAMPS. Fittingly, the team gathered tightly together and hoisted the trophy together. If there was ever a game that you had to see to believe, this was it. "Good game Friends. Thank you fans. Thank you officials. WAY TO GO PARK!"
This year's plaques will be displayed proudly, but younger Bruins should take note of what lies behind the polish. There can be little doubt that Park consistently fields a competitive level of talent. The stature of our bodies and the quickness of our feet are generally on par with our opponents. As exhibited by all three of last week's CHAMPIONS, the difference is often made in the strength not of our shoulders, but of our character. Physical advantages are often bested by mental toughness, and hunger and heart can topple the most confident of rivals. These athletes didn't simply hope that this would happen, nor were they satisfied by being given the opportunity. They each found in themselves a player better than they had known prior and, embracing that persona, became CHAMPIONS.
Congratulations all. Credits for photos to Digital Sports.
GO BRUINS!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)