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!
Friday, October 16, 2009
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!
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