Jun 10, 2018 | Athletics
The girls’ golf team has started their season with an outstanding record! The team, led by Head Coach Rob Mauer and captains Ami Gianchandani (VI) and Christine Shao (V), ended the regular season with a 14-0 record. They placed third with a total score of 315 at the Red Devil Invitational on April 9th, and they finished third at Counties with a total score of 339.
“We have a strong team this year,” said Captain Christine Shao (V). “Everyone on the team has great synergy and brings enthusiasm to every match or practice.”
When asked about the team’s goals for the season, both Coach Mauer and Captain Shao said the team’s goal is to win the state title and have an undefeated record. In one match against Bridgewater-Raritan High School, the team won 154 to 225, keeping them on track to meet their goal of a perfect record. The golfers achieved individual victories as well: Coach Mauer noted that “Christine Shao (V) had a hole in one on the 11th hole” during this match.
The team had their first match on April 5th against Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and first home match on April 17th against Montgomery High School.
Jun 10, 2018 | Athletics
By Walker Johnson
The boys’ varsity tennis season had an impressive start, with a strong performance at the Somerset County Tournament. Despite weather cancellations for six of the first fifteen matches, the team made the most of the school’s beautiful new courts with a 6-5 record to end the season.
When Coach Marion Weber was asked about her goals for the season, she replied, “The team is hoping to have a winning record, win the Sectional title, and move on to the group finals.” Led by captains Nikhil Rao (VI) and John Huang (VI), they had a very competitive season, especially at the Prep Tournament on May 10th.
At the Somerset County Tournament this year, Nikhil took home the title for third singles, and the team finished third in the tournament overall. Playing first singles was returning player, Derek Raskopf (IV), with Hugh Zhang (III) right behind him at second singles.
Jun 10, 2018 | Athletics
“Dominate” is the word girls’ track coach Tim Grant would use when describing his team. The girls’ track team had a record of 4-0 in their regular season . The team, made up of fifty girls, has also broken multiple records.
Caroline Dannenbaum (IV), Lauren Taylor (IV), Carol Ann Perry (IV), and Kierston Brown (IV) set a record for the 400 meter relay with a time of 51.61 seconds. Grace O’Mara (V) set a record for discus at 119’ 4”. Brown, Taylor, Avery Schiffman (VI), and Nikki Vanasse (IV) set a record of 4:13.62 for the sprint medley. Sophia Weldon (VI) and Dannenbaum set a long jump relay record of 33-9.75.
Four athletes qualified for the Penn Relays. Vanasse set two school records by running 3000 meters in 9:50.85 and running 3200 meters in 10:34.
The team shined at a meet against Somerville. Having lost to Somerville at the Skyland Relays, girls’ track pulled together and managed to beat Somerville with a score of 79-61.
They have dealt with some in-season injuries, but this team is “the best ever,” Coach Grant says.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Grace Wang (III)
Girls’ squash has enjoyed a successful season this year. Players Renee Chan (IV), Rachel Chen (VI), Mahek Hemani (III), and Alisa Chokshi (V) led the team to a final placement of eleventh at High School Squash Nationals.
Each player on the team had great records. Some outstanding records were held by Chen, who finished the season at 4-2, Hemani, who finished at 5-1, and Lauren Drzala (III), who finished at 2-2.
The team played multiple matches over the course of their season, winning against schools Blair Academy 5-2 and 7-0, Poly Prep 5-2 and 7-0, SCHA 5-2, and Penn Charter 4-3, and losing to Lawrenceville 1-6, Greenwich Academy 0-7, and Choate Rosemary Hall 3-4.
The team traveled to Philadelphia for the High School Team National Championships seeded 16th, the bottom of Division 1. However, with great effort and skill, they were able to walk away with the eleventh-place title.
Individuals Chen and Chan competed in the NJ High School Squash Championship on January 7, with Chan walking away with the win. Both Chen and Chan competed at US Squash Junior Nationals last year with teammate Alisa Chokshi; their success further demonstrates the aptitude of the team.
Girls’ squash not only had successful individuals but also “a lot of team bonding,” according to newcomer Eva Schiller (III). “The team is really close-knit.”
While captains Chen and Namita Davey (VI) will be leaving this year, the team is sure to continue to produce exceptional performances in the years to come.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Grace Wang (III)
Boys’ squash had a successful season this year, boasting a 6-0 record. Players Krish Bhavnani (VI), Chris Zachary (V), Collin Wen (IV), Alex Chiang (IV), Jeffrey Xiao (V), Waleed Nisar (IV), and Jason Lefkort (III) were this year’s members of the varsity team, which placed fifteenth at High School Nationals.
Some outstanding records were held by Zachary, who maintained 5-2; Wen, who upheld 6-1; Chiang, who ended at 5-2; and Xiao, who finished with 4-3.
The team dominated many matches this season, winning against Blair Academy 7-0 twice, Princeton Day 7-0, Poly Prep 7-0, Rumson Fair Haven 7-0, Delbarton 7-0 and 5-2, Milburn 6-1, Lawrenceville 4-3, and Shipley 5-2. Pingry lost to SCH 2-5, Haverford 0-7, and Brooks School 3-4.
The team traveled to Philadelphia for the High School Team National Championships seeded sixteenth going in, and, as stated earlier, they left the competition placing fifteenth.
During the season, Bhavnani and Zachary competed in the NJ High School Squash Championship on January 7, with Bhavnani walking away with the win. Bhavnani claimed the team’s sixth consecutive win of the championship title by winning 3-1 over Zachary.
Though Bhavnani will be leaving this year, the team will keep their sights on a seventh consecutive win and aim to continue performing exceptionally in the years to come.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Nick Robinson (V)
The girls’ winter track team has had a remarkable season. The team came in third place at the State Relay Championships, second place at the Skyland Conference championships, and tied for first at the Prep State championships. In addition, the team had three first-place finishes at the Varsity Classic Meet from Nikki Vanasse (IV) in the 1600 meters, Ryan Davi (III) in the 800 meters, and Caroline Dannenbaum (IV) in the pole vault.
Coach Chris Shilts commented on the team’s achievements, explaining “We come from a lot of different angles.” He also credited the success to good leadership from captains Anna Wood (VI) and Avery Schiffman (VI).
Coach Shilts said his goal for the team next year is to “keep getting better with commitment to the team.” In addition, Cathleen Parker (V) said, “Next year, we want to win more meets throughout the season, send more runners to selective invitationals, and win States.”
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Nick Robinson (V)
The boys’ winter track team has had a great season this winter. The team came in second place at the State Relay Championships, a significantly better showing than that of last year. The team also came in third place at the Prep Championships, another big step up.
Captain Ben Vazquez (VI) said, “Despite many injuries, we stayed very strong throughout the season.”
Vazquez has had some incredible races in the 800 meter. Additionally, Tyler Williams (VI) and Henry Wood (III) excelled in the 400 and 1600 meter races respectively.
Coach Mr. Christopher Shilts said, “We only had ten boys; we overachieved.” Regarding the team captains, Mr. Shilts said, “Tyler and Ben have quietly become great leaders.”
Looking forward to next winter, Mr. Shilts said he wants to “get more boys out next year” and focus more on commitment to the team.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee (IV)
After coming back from winter break with a 1-6 record, the wrestling team made a strong comeback, bumping their record up to 10-9.
One big accomplishment of this season was winning the Rutgers Prep tournament. The team also celebrated Brandon Spellman (V) as their first county champion in over a decade.
The team’s “technique, conditioning, and toughness have improved all season long, thanks to dedication and discipline,” Head Coach George Sullivan said.
This attitude was evident in their match against Manville. Though the team lost 30-40, they “battled through every bout and set the tone for the rest of the season. We were battling injuries and had a string of losses, but the team put that behind them and gave it everything they had anyways,” Mr. Sullivan said.
The team also has the potential to put several wrestlers deep into the postseason, with some wrestlers hoping to advance to regionals. “With a chance to have a historic postseason finish,” said Mr. Sullivan, “I know that our wrestlers have put in the time and effort to finish on top.”
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee (IV)
With a 16-6 record, the girls’ basketball team has played a strong season this year.
Despite graduating three seniors last year, many players are “stepping up and developing their roles,” Head Coach Ms. Courtney Tierney said.
One outstanding game this season was against Peddie. With a final score of 68-53, the team played with “tremendous heart and focus,” Ms. Tierney said. “Our hustle and the pace in which we played and scored was amazing.” The team has also won games against Voorhees, Mount St. Mary, Somerville, Warren Hills, North Plainfield, and Hillsborough.
“My hopes are that we continue to enjoy the challenge of competing on a high level with the best teams,” Ms. Tierney said. “They are not afraid to make mistakes, and if they do they fight to get it back on defense. They run the floor and play with such high intensity.”
The team continued playing well at the County and Prep Tournaments.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee ’20
The boys’ basketball team has had an eventful season this year, maintaining a 4-17 record. The team has had many notable individual accomplishments throughout the season.
In a close match against district rivals Belvidere, captain Michael Weber (VI) scored his 1000th point this season, a spectacular feat for any high school basketball player. In addition, Nate Hefner (V) “scored a buzzer beater when they were one point down against Belvidere,” Head Coach Mr. Jason Murdock said.
After having a concussion that benched him for part of the season, four-year varsity player Zach Aanstoots (VI) returned to the team. Weber said, “many underclassmen [like] Pat Stefurak (IV) and Shane Shannon (IV) have improved tremendously as the season has progressed.”
Overall, Mr. Murdock says the team “had a great cohesiveness, good work ethic, and a level of competitiveness.” For the next season, he plans to build more teamwork by taking the team to summer training camps and playing in summer leagues. He would like to develop a greater sense of urgency towards development and commitment, though he is proud of the direction the program is going in.
