/ Bears at Play /
Girls Squash Captures New England Class C Title By Coach AJ Kohlhepp
Heading into this season, girls varsity squash was simply hoping to compete. As we made our way into January, the losses mounted. But the Bears battled on, and their resolve never slackened. A couple of big February rematches proved to be the turning point. Given the strength of our schedule, the intensity of our training, and the results from our last few matches, we sensed that a podium finish was within reach at the Class C tournament held at St. Paul’s School. Little did we know what these Bears could do when they really set their minds to it. As she had all season long, Chase Landis ’18 led the charge in the #1 position. Weathering incredible sallies from her gifted opponents, Landis met fire with fire and slugged her way to a sixth-place finish. Co-captain Emily Walsh ’16, battling an injury all weekend, managed to hang in the tournament just long enough to earn a default in the final round, thus swiping seventh place in the #5 flight. Although Landis and Walsh fell short in the opening round, the other five Bears claimed victories to advance to the semifinals in their flights. The Bears roared back into action on day two, with
the same quintet powering their way into the finals. Mia Vantine ’16 had a fantastic run. Only an epic five-gamer against perennial foe Canterbury kept her from bringing home gold as she settled for second place in the #4 division. Tara DeChellis ’17, competing in the #6 flight, powered her way into the finals before falling 3-1 to the top seed from Holy Child. Maggie Markgraf ’17 proved the coolest of customers in the #3 flight, clawing her way to a 12-10 fifth game over Concord before overpowering Holy Child in four games to earn finals gold. Morgan Heilshorn ’18 hammered her way through the #7 flight, winning each of her three matches in straight games to cruise to gold against Williston. In the #2 flight, Madison Heilshorn ’16 faced the #1 seed from GFA before a packed gallery, a match that proved easily the most impressive in her long, distinguished career at Berkshire. The aggregate of individual efforts added up to one sweet phrase: New England Champions. And girls varsity squash headed home knowing that they had taken an historic stride for Berkshire.
CLASS C CHAMPS Back row: AJ Kohlhepp, Morgan Heilshorn ‘18, Tara DeChellis ‘17, Chase Landis ‘18, Maggie Markgraf ‘18 Front row: Emily Walsh ‘16, Madison Heilshorn ‘16, Mia Vantine ‘16
Spring/Summer 2016
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