athletics
Run, Shoot, Score! FRIENDS ATHLETES MAKE THE GRADE
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n a 2016-17 academic year bookended by conference championships last fall, for Boys Cross Country, and the spring, for Golf, Friends School athletes continued to up their game, competing on some 50 different interscholastic teams at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School levels. With so many contests spread out across our campus and at schools nearby and farther afield (think Frederick County), creating a “best of ” list is nearly impossible. Nevertheless, here are a few of the teams and players that made our hearts pound a little faster and our voices shout, “GO QUAKES!” Led by co-captains Jay Crawford ’17 and Cameron Matsui ’18, the Varsity Golf team finished a 6-0 season last spring, narrowly defeating Jemicy School, 11-10, to clinch its second consecutive M.I.A.A. Conference title. In a thrilling final game at Mt. Pleasant Golf Course, Crawford delivered the best performance of his Friends career, shooting even par in his match; while Matsui came from 2 behind to win his last 3 holes. The dramatic three-foot putt of Mike Klausner ’18 ultimately sealed the deal, and the crown, for the Quakers. Will the reigning championship Boys Varsity Cross Country team capture this year’s title? The 2017 season is barely past the halfway mark but already rumblings of three-peat can be heard throughout the Quaker Nation. It’s still too early tell. However, with a deep bench of roughly 40 talented runners — Did we mention Cross Country is our most popular team sport? — led by agile All-Conference athlete Henry Griffith ’20, the Quakers are well-positioned to go deep into the post-season.
Three Girls Varsity teams — Volleyball, Lacrosse, and, Softball — all reached the I.A.A.M. Championships in 2016-17. The journey was especially sweet for softball, which has not reached the playoffs since 2008. Led by All-Conference athletes Tyler Rifkin ’18, Katie Capizzi ’18, and Lucy Meigs ’18, and power-hitters Julia Parker ’20, Delia Hatten ’17, and Madison Moore ’17, Varsity Softball (8-4) staged a post-season upset, moving from #4 seed to the playoffs against a dominant Mt. Carmel. Look for this team to build on its momentum in 2018. Varsity Girls Volleyball finished its 11-4 season with a remarkable run to the finals against St. Frances Academy. In a thrilling display of post-season play, the team racked up back-to-back shutouts against Glenelg Country School and St. John’s Catholic Prep. Although they lost All-Conference, Maggie Giblin ’17, Tristin Goodenough ’17, and Madison Moore ’17 this academic year, the Quakers are benefiting from a solid base of returning players this fall. Returning to the Championships for the fifth time in seven years, the Girls Varsity Lacrosse (10-5) on May 13 fell to a strong Mercy team at Archbishop Spalding High School stadium. Although the lady laxers have lost goal machine Irene Lunt ’17, who is playing for Bowdoin College, the Quakers have a powerful line-up for spring 2018, with Charessa Crosse ’19, Alex Miceli ’18, and Carli Freeman ’18 (who is committed to play for Johns Hopkins University after graduation).
From left: The Varsity Golf team clinched its second consecutive M.I.A.A. Conference title; the Boys Varsity Cross Country team gears up for a three-peat this fall; the Girls Varsity Volleyball reached the finals, with shutouts against Glenelg Country School and St. John’s Catholic Prep, Grace Todd ’18 and Maggie Giblin ’17 pictured; the Girls Lacrosse team headed to the Championships for the fifth time in seven years, Irene Lunt ’17 pictured; and the Girls Varsity Softball team reached the I.A.A.M. playoffs for the first time since 2008, Tyler Rifkin ’18 pictured.
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