Buccaneer Sports Volume 10 Number 5
Score:
Oswego High School’s Student Voice
Mother Nature 1 Spring Sports 0
March 2007
Buccaneer Flashback 20 Years Ago (1987)
For the first time, Oswego High School fielded a varsity boys’ lacrosse team after the success of the “trial” junior varsity team the previous year. Due to the JV record of 14-7-1, the former All-American Mr. Dave Gillmeister was appointed as the head coach of the new team. Although the lacrosse program had not yet won the support of the majority of the community, the boys’ team still made progress in their first year as a legitimate spring sport.
10 Years Ago (1997)
photo by alyssa holland
The softball field wasn’t ready for real practice on March 12, so the team played “Shovelball.”
Winter Wreaks Havoc with Sports
Kailyn Gray Sportswriter
Oswego was hit hard by snow this year, everyone knows that. We’ve dealt with the hordes of news stations in town trying to get the latest scoop, the loss of our winter break, and of course, talk of where to put all the snow. To the athletes who participate in a spring sport here at OHS, it could be even more of a headache. The record snowfall could have an adverse affect on the high school’s spring sports teams. Despite the fact that most of our athletic fields are still buried by snow, some athletes and coaches are optimistic that the start of this spring season is no different than past years. “Our early practices were in the gym,” says sophomore JV softball player Carley Carson, “they won’t postpone them.” Baseball coach Mr. John Finch also seems unconcerned about the snow affecting his season. “Every year we start off indoors anyways…it seems like this year we’re going to be inside a little longer.” Regardless of the ext ra time spent indoors practicing, Finch says that tryouts were not postponed, and no practices were cancelled. “We’ll always practice; we’ll just have to adjust to being indoors instead of outdoors,” he said. Even with the confidence of some, others are concerned whether or not they’ll be able to
start playing on schedule. “There’s a possibility that if it doesn’t melt, we’re not going to be able to play outside. We’ll have to play in the gym,” said freshman lacrosse player Maia Czarnecki. Softball coach Mr. Mike McCrobie has seen all kinds of weather in his years at OHS, but is more concerned this season. “The grounds crew did a great job with the mild weather in November and December. In fact, our field was playable in December. My worry is that the snow that was removed from parking lots was placed in mounds on or near our fields. When those piles melt, it will cause problems for the varsity and JV softball fields,” he said. With some teams stuck indoors for the first few weeks of practice, a schedule has been made up of when and where to put everyone. “There’s a whole practice schedule with everyone slated where they’re supposed to be and when,” said Athletic Director Mr. Brad Dates. This seems to be nothing new for Oswego High School’s spring sports teams. Not only is the snow going to have some affect on the spring season, but it also interfered with the end of the winter sports season. According to Dates, some winter teams’ games were postponed several times, and some games were completely cancelled due to snow days. Hopefully for our spring coaches and athletes, it won’t be too long before we can say “let the games begin!”
Oswego High School student Todd Caroccio was given an all-expenses paid trip to the ESPY Awards in New York City. Caroccio wrote and submitted an essay about an athlete who inspired him and he ended up winning tickets for the sports world’s equivalent to the Oscars. While in NYC, Caroccio was able to meet Gregory Hines, George Steinbrenner, and Tyra Banks. Caroccio was the only student who submitted such an essay from OHS, and he was proud to say that he received no assistance on his award-winning piece.
5 Years Ago (2002)
The OHS softball facilities underwent major renovations for the 2002 season. The varsity field received new block dugouts with permanent benches and security gates as well. Oswego Youth Softball program and Lady Buccaneer program representatives met to plan the joint venture. Businesses throughout the city helped to create the new “Home of the Lady Bucs,” and also made arrangements to equip the JV field with the new dugouts later as well.