Dana Hall School Athletics
Dana Hall knows what it takes to play like a champion
Two stories about SPORTS at Dana Hall Plus a significant number of inspiring facts
THE NATURAL Abby, Dana Hall Varsity Swimming Favorite events: 200, 500, and 1,650 freestyle
“ When I was a toddler we’d go to the beach and I’d sprint into the water.”
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“The 40-degree water!—without a second thought.” When she was six, she joined a United States club team. How does swimming fit into her life at Dana Hall? “I’m on campus 12 hours a day. That sounds like a lot, but it’s actually incredibly convenient. I go from school to study hall to swim practice, all in the same place. My club team practices at Dana too.” At the 2011 Eastern Independent League championships, Abby swam in two relays. Her team won both, and they set two new EIL records. “We hadn’t anticipated that, but we were so proud that we’d gone beyond our expectations.”
s wimming means more to her than setting records. “I used to be painfully shy. Swimming threw me into a community of loud, competitive, outgoing people. And swimming taught me to set goals. I try to get better at something every day.�
Our interscholastic sports teams: Fall Cross Country Field Hockey Soccer Volleyball
Winter Basketball Fencing Ice Hockey Squash Swimming
Spring Equestrian Golf Lacrosse Softball Tennis
A few recent athletic highlights: Dana Hall Middle School Equestrian won the 2011 Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Championship Dana Hall Varsity Swimming won the 2011 Eastern Independent League Championship
Dana Hall Varsity Field Hockey finished first in the Eastern Independent League in 2010 Dana Hall Softball won the 2010 Eastern Independent League Championship Dana Hall Varsity Fencing won the 2011 Massachusetts State Championship
Our fitness programs: Fall Afternoon Fitness Strength and Conditioning Rock Climbing Yoga Life Guarding
Winter Afternoon Fitness Strength and Conditioning Rock Climbing Yoga
Spring Afternoon Fitness Strength and Conditioning Rock Climbing Yoga Life Guarding Instructional Rowing Ultimate Frisbee
A few things you’ll find in our 93,000-squarefoot Shipley Center for Athletics, Health, and Wellness: 21,000-square-foot gymnasium with two NCAA regulation-size basketball courts
34-foot-high customdesigned rock climbing wall
6,589-square-foot Aquatics Center, including a 25-yard, six-lane pool
Dance studio with lighting and sound system
Fencing studio with six builtin fencing strips
Weight and fitness room Four full-sized squash courts Student lounge that meet international Snack bar competition standards The Dana Hall Health Center
N0 LIMITS Matti, Dana Hall Varsity Equestrian Volunteer, Windrush Farm
Matti grew up on a small horse farm —four acres, twelve horses, a few goats and sheep. “My mom started a riding club for girls in the area. For me, riding always meant freedom.” In seventh grade, Matti started working at Windrush Farm, a therapeutic riding program close to her house. “I muck stalls, side walk the horses, lead the horses for the riders. The kids and adults who come to the farm—some are war veterans, some are troubled teens, some have physical or mental disabilities—riding is important to them. I think they feel their own kind of freedom here. Horses don’t judge you. Horses love you no matter what.”
A few features of our state-of-the-art Riding Center: 45-stall barn Heated wash stalls One outdoor arena Seven turnout paddocks
Two indoor arenas, including Larson Arena, featuring jumps, mirrors, and dustfree footing
A few programs at the Riding Center: Fall Horsemanship Clinic Seventh grade equine science project Spring Barn Horse Show Student internships Summer Horsemanship Camp Therapeutic riding program Winter Broom Polo
Recently she created a fundraiser for the farm: the Hack-a-Thon for Hope. “Hacking is going on a trail ride. People collect pledges to support them on a group trail ride. This year we raised $7,500.” She’s also riding with Dana Hall’s Varsity Equestrian team—and recently made it to regionals. She also went to Austria with the Dana Hall Chamber Singers on a Spring Break tour. “Riding is a major part of my life, but I’m not defined by one activity. You don’t have to limit yourself.”
Dana Hall is playing its heart out
Dana Hall School 45 Dana Road Wellesley, MA 02482-9010 781.235.3010 www.danahall.org