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Athletics

from Berwick Today Magazine • Summer/Fall 2022

by Berwick Academy

from Berwick Today Magazine • Summer/Fall 2022, page 22

Article from: Berwick Today Magazine • Summer/Fall 2022

Innovation Celebration

BERWICK ATHLETICS

By Rob Quinn, Director of Athletics

The 2022 spring season was highlighted by playoff runs by the boys and girls lacrosse and baseball teams, and boys tennis going 8-2 during the regular season with team MVP Gabe Naftoly ’22 playing his way to a semifinal appearance in the Maine State Singles Championships. Girls tennis finished sixth over in the EIL, and rowing returned to the water for a full slate of regattas this season. Three studentathletes represented Berwick on the Marshwood Co-Op varsity softball team, making an impact with impressive statistics from the circle and at the plate. Seven members of the Class of 2022 will be playing at the collegiate level this fall.

GIRLS TENNIS

The girls varsity tennis team finished sixth in the EIL with an overall record of 3-6. Highlights included a 5-0 win over Brewster Academy early in the season and 3-2 victories over Bancroft and Beaver Country Day School. No. 1 Becca Naftoly ’24 earned a three-set tiebreaker win over the top player from Concord Academy, while No. 2 Eliza Naftoly ’24 scored a pair of three-set tiebreaker wins over her opponents from Portsmouth Abbey and Concord. Caroline Johnson ’24 and Megan Pound ’23 tallied an epic No. 1 doubles win over Pingree. Other strong contributors were captains Sophia Snaith ’22 at No. 2 doubles and Reese Murphy ’22 at No. 3 singles, Graziella Pavona ’26 at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, and Dewey Cannella Matthews ’25 at No. 2 doubles.

BERWICK ATHLETICS

BOYS TENNIS

The boys varsity tennis team finished with an impressive 8-2 record. Team MVP Gabe Naftoly ’22 led the way with only one loss to the EIL Player of the Year from league champion Concord Academy. Naftoly was runner-up for Player of the Year in the EIL and made it to the semifinals of the Maine State Singles Championships. Hayden McGovern ’22 earned an honorable mention in the EIL for his contributions to playing singles and doubles this year. The team graduates Naftoly, McGovern, Alex Penfold ’22, Jonah Friedman ’22, Kia Jimenez ’22, Ian MacLeod ’22, Peter Wodjak ’22, and Garret Lincoln ’22, who all exhibited strength and leadership and laid the groundwork for the future.

BOYS LACROSSE

Uncertain of what the season might bring, the boys varsity lacrosse squad took on the spring with an open mind and a desire to succeed. After spending a week in Florida for spring training, the team opened the season with three straight wins. After a disappointing loss to Holderness School, the players made adjustments and continued to progress throughout the season, putting up competitive scores against the strongest opponents. The final test came against Dexter Southfield, where Berwick found itself down 6-1 at halftime. Though the Bulldogs came up just short (9-7), it was a season milestone. With an experienced group returning and a wave of younger talent coming up the ranks, Berwick will look to continue on its path toward competing with the best programs in the region. Impact players in 2022 included Eli Chilicki ’24, Shea Green ’22, Nick McSorley ’22, and Albert Allen ’23, who helped to elevate the level of play of their teammates. On defense, Jared Swisher ’22, Josh Felton ’23, and goalies Connor Hohn ’22 and Topher Peracci ’24 played key roles all season long, highlighted by a tremendous effort holding the high-scoring Dexter team to only nine goals in the season finale.

GIRLS LACROSSE

The girls varsity lacrosse team (9-4) completed a strong season, finishing third in the EIL and earning a spot in the league tournament. The Bulldogs were led by captains Phoebe Clark ’22, Charlotte Vatcher ’22, and Julia Wagner ’22, who set an incredible tone of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and phenomenal play. The team was also bolstered by Alex Kingsland ’22 and Natalie Simonds ’22, who stepped up as offensive leaders. Clark, Cameron Hamilton ’23, and Vatcher earned EIL AllLeague recognition, while Ellie Del Sesto ’23 and Jessica Wojdak ’24 received honorable mentions.

BASEBALL The Berwick varsity baseball team (9-7) demonstrated significant growth this season, finishing third in the EIL after losing close games to Pingree (4-5) and Portsmouth Abbey (4-6). The Bulldogs were still able to advance to the championship game of the New England Small School Invitational. Although the team fell short against King’s-Edgehill School, the players gained valuable experience for the future. Led by Zach Hawrylciw ’24, the Bulldog pitching staff kept opposing hitters off-balance, which helped set the tone for the season. Catcher Ian Kula ’23 led the team with a .393 batting average, while Jake McGonagle ’23 (.370) and Tucker Boys ’24 (.342, 10 RBI) were also leaders on offense. The team says goodbye to its only graduating player, Finn Garside ’22, who contributed with key RBI hits and played solid defense at first base. Overall, the players were able to come together as a team, support one another, and learn the importance of having a competitive mindset for each pitch.

ROWING

The Berwick crew program demonstrated phenomenal growth and determination this season. Of the 30 athletes, only four had more than a year’s experience in the sport. The team graduated five athletes, two of whom were new to the team this year but nonetheless made a profound impact in terms of leadership and performance. The regatta schedule this season was challenging with some very tough competitors. Berwick athletes braved strong winds, rain, and hail and enjoyed some sunny race days as well. Throughout the season, the Bulldogs raced four boys 4+ boats and two girls 4+ boats. Each of the crews were able to experience close races with other crews. On the boys side, Jishnu Dey ’23 was named team MVP, Nicholas Leavitt ’22 received the Coaches Award, and Griffin Nedeka ’25 earned the Novice Award. For the girls, Noel Grube ’23 earned team MVP, Pavaani Ganeshkumar ’24 received the Coaches Award, and Daisy Helm ’22 received the Coxswain Award.

SOFTBALL

Three student-athletes played varsity softball for the Berwick/ Marshwood Co-op team. Bella Pomarico ’23, Lyndsay Bennett ’24, and Louise Roper ’24 were three starting impact players for the Hawks, responsible for 63% of the team’s total runs. Bennett pitched nine of the first 10 games (47 innings) striking out 62% of batters before going down with a season-ending hip injury. Offensively, she led the team with two three-run home runs, in slugging percentage (.680) and on-base percentage(.485), and registered the second highest RBI (7). Pomarico held the top slot for highest batting average (.391), tied for second highest on-base percentage (.417), and was third in slugging percentage (.522). Roper finished second on the team in stolen bases and was a leader in QAB% (quality at-bats).