FWCD Athletics Newsletter - Fall 2012

Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81

FALL 2012

Memories for a Lifetime Fort Worth Country Day’s fall sports season finished with the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) Tournament in Fort Worth November 9 and 10. The end of every season is always bittersweet. SPC is an exciting time, but it is also the last opportunity for the senior athletes to compete in their particular sport. This fall, 46 seniors participated in a sport. Their leadership and commitment was tremendous and will be greatly missed. Thank you to all the athletes—especially the seniors for their continued support of FWCD athletics.

Boys Volleyball

By Jonny Clum ’13

This year, boys’ volleyball had a spectacular season. The team finished third in SPC for the second year in a row. It was very impressive considering that we only returned three players.

This season we surprised a lot of teams with our scrappiness and our will to win. The key to our success this year was our chemistry and our ability to stay calm during crucial points in the game.

This season was probably my favorite season of volleyball ever. There were a lot of memories made this season. My favorite on-the-court memory comes in our last game in SPC. We played Episcopal of Houston in the third-place game. This match turned into one to remember, and was probably one of the most intense matches that I have ever competed in. We ended up winning this game and taking third place.

I will miss a lot of things from the season, such as King of the Court, wearing our jerseys to School on game days and, of course, my team. Most of all, I will miss the support. This season we had the most fan support that boys’ volleyball has ever received, and we have everyone to thank for that.

In the end, my volleyball career at FWCD has been quite an experience. I came into the program my freshman year; we were not one Continued on page 2

Glen E. Elllman

SPC All-Conference athletes pictured above: Back row: AJ Ximenes ’13, Robert Arnold ’14, Morgan Pergande ’13, Jim Roberts ’13, Sawyer Stratton ’15 and Jonny Clum ’13

Seniors Jonny Clum and Collin Tidwell

Front row: Elizabeth Wilkinson ’14, Taylor Ray ’13, Maddy Stripling ’14, Alden Griffin ’14, Melody Rodriguez ’15 and Annabeth Reeb ’13

of the stronger programs. I am now leaving the program with back-toback third-place finishes. I feel like the seniors have left the program in good hands for those who follow in our footsteps. I am very excited to see where the guys take the team next year.

I can see an SPC Championship on the horizon in a couple years.

Cross Country

2

Hunter Williams ’13 and Cooper Baird ’15 Once the season started, everyone really put forth their best effort in practice because we were all thinking about one thing: SPC and the 10 spots that come with that race. The relays, the first formal race of the season, went very well with solid performances from all of our runners. However, it was only a two-mile race, so we knew we had our work cut out for us if we wanted to be in good shape to run our first 5K and three-mile races. The momentum of improving ourselves and our team as a whole was what carried us to November 10. We ran extremely well all season long, worked very hard, but also had a lot of fun competing and training together.

Hunter Williams ’13, Ethan Rohrbach ’13 and Kirstin Mullins ’13 represented the senior class better than anybody else could have, and the team really looked to them for leadership throughout the early months of the school year. SPC was successful on both the girls’ and boys’ side, with ninth and 12th-place finishes, respectively. Our team loved every minute of the 2012-13 cross country season, from laughing hysterically while running the warm-up to cheering on our team at the finish line. We loved getting to represent the Falcons for another year, and we look forward to doing it again next year! Go Falcons!

L. Russell Laughlin

The overnight trip to Possum Kingdom Lake is definitely one that our team remembers throughout the season because of the bonding and excitement for the new season we get to experience together. It definitely sets the tone for the rest of fall. Traditionally, this is the trip on which the coaches express their anticipation for the muchawaited SPC Championship race, announce their goals for the team and announce the captains or leaders. For the upperclassmen, it’s a little nerveracking thinking about who will be the next captain. For the underclassmen, it’s more of a fun experience that you will remember when you get to be an upperclassmen, where you will then be in the position to be a potential captain.

The team had an awesome time and became even closer. We were definitely ready to put in the work to make the best season possible.

Melody Rodriguez ’15, Maddy Stripling ’14 and Ethan Rohrbach ’13

Laurie Rodriguez

For cross-country runners, the school year really begins in the middle of summer, with workouts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until preseason starts. Over the summer, we welcomed the new freshmen runners; got to know them better; and took a trip to Possum Kingdom Lake, where we bonded as a team and combined fun with training, swimming and inwater workouts. It’s hard to believe that what we started about half a year ago is already over, and we are beginning to think about next year’s season. The distance- and time-based workouts in the summer are incredibly fun because of the off-campus runs we get to do with the team, and summer workouts give us an opportunity to see all of our team together on a daily basis, just like during the school year.

Laurie Rodriguez

By Zane Lincoln ’14

Elizabeth Pruitt ’13

Field Hockey

By Lilly Cowan ’13

We won the remainder of our counter games and went into SPC as the No. 2 seed for the North Zone in Division I. After winning our first game against St. Andrew’s of Austin, we were set up against St. John’s in a fight for the position in the championship game.

The game was stalled at 0-0 until the clock ran out, and overtime mirrored the game. Finally, we were sent into strokes. The game was turning out to be just like the 2011 championship game. Emily Wilkinson ’14 was in the goal, taking the place of her sister who was out sick. After that loss, the team was shocked. Tears were shed, but by the next morning, the team was smiling and ready to play.

Our final game was against Kinkaid of Houston for third place. Although we lost the game, our spirits remained high. The 2012 season was full of twists and turns, from injuries to illness to starting out the counter season 0-2. Even though we didn’t win the championship this year, the season was truly unforgettable. This year’s group of girls made the seniors’ last season fun and memorable.

AJ Ximenes ’13 takes the handoff from Morgan Pergande ’13.

As Coach Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 often says, “We may not always remember the games, but we will always remember the memories we made.”

Football

By Morgan Pergande ’13 The 2012 FWCD football season started like any of the others I have been a part of. We played a great game against Greenhill then dominated Southwest Christian. We then took on Grace Prep in the Gopher Bowl and sort of overlooked some of the playmakers on this team and ended up losing in triple overtime on a questionable TD call. Unfortunately, this was the first in a string of five tough losses. Kinkaid, with its prolific passing attack; St. Johns, with the triple option; Houston Christian; and Episcopal were our next four opponents.

During the final three games, it felt like I had been put on an entirely different team. After playing St. Andrew’s close for the first half, we ran away with our Homecoming win, the first in over a month, in the second half. Then came the Battle of Bryant Irvin. Huge performances from players like Caleb Rooker ’14, J.R. Gideon ’14 and Robert Arnold ’14 helped us bring

Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81

While our first two counters against All Saints’ Episcopal School and Hockaday School in Dallas ended as losses in overtime, our team never gave up hope. We were determined to fight for a top place in Division I. Those losses inspired us to come back stronger.

Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81

After losing the SPC Championship game to St. John’s of Houston last year, we came into pre-season with a mindset to win. While we lost five amazing seniors, we started the season with an extremely talented team.

Our goalie, Elizabeth Wilkinson ’14, had spent the summer participating (and winning gold) in the Junior Olympics. With four sophomores and an impressive group of 11 juniors, our varsity team also proudly consisted of seven seniors: Haddy Self, Megan Ray, Taylor Ray, Elizabeth Pruitt, Maddie Relyea, Grace Cowan and myself.

Senior Captains Robert Molloy, Will Arnold and Morgan Pergande the trophy back home. Our team put everything we had into that game, our rivalry game, and winning Battle amended for many of the tough losses at the beginning of the season.

I do not believe that our 4-6 record reflects the amount of hard work and heart our players put into our season.

Injuries plagued us from the first game of the year. Playing in a new conference alignment, the trips to Houston wore many of the players out.

Continued on page 4 3

There were many highlights and memories from this year that I will hold dear. Campbell Boswell’s ’14 pick-6 against Greenhill, Carson Ray’s ’13 decapitation, Robert Molloy’s ’13 intercepted pitch TD, Brandon Evans’ ’16 and AJ Ximenes’ ’13 kick returns, Jack Livingston’s ’14 crushing blocks on the edge, and many more. Overall, I was honored to be a captain of this team and really enjoyed my senior football season.

Girls Volleyball

This volleyball season went really well because we continued to improve and develop our team. With more than half the team being underclassmen, we focused on perfecting fundamentals and building our concentration during practices and games.

Girls’ volleyball finished third at the Lake County Christian Tournament.

As the only senior, I was excited to have so many younger leaders on the team.

Since we only had one captain, it was imperative for everyone to focus on individual control, which they all did beautifully. By the end of the season, it felt more like I had 12 co-captains, with everyone contributing their own perspectives and ideas. We came out of each game stronger and ready for the next. I will miss them next year, but I know they will do great! Go Falcs!

Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81

We had such a fun group of girls, each bringing something great to the team.

Our team quote this year was WIN: What’s Important Now, which pushed us to let go of past points and games and focus on the play at hand. This was very effective and overall it led to a great season for improvement.

Maribeth Reeb

By Annabeth Reeb ’13

Seniors Kaitlyn Frantz, Mattie Karsten, Kaelyn Scoville, Haley Pigman and Katharine Carvalho

Got Questions?

Get Answers!

Nancy Conway

If you have a question about the athletic program at FWCD, email Athletic Director Frank Gendusa at frank.gendusa@fwcd.org.

Seniors Leslie Tuggey, Whitney Wood and Kamryn Conway 4

Fall Postseason Athletic Awards Boys’ Volleyball

Football

Most Valuable – Jonny Clum ’13 Most Improved –Quentin Pinto ’15 SPC All-Conference – Jonny Clum ’13, Jim Roberts ’13 SPC All-Zone – Jonny Clum ’13, Jim Roberts ’13 SPC All-Conference Honorable Mention – Matthew Mathisen ’13

Most Valuable – Morgan Pergande ’13 Outstanding Offensive Player – AJ Ximenes ’13 Outstanding Defensive Player – Robert Arnold ’14 Outstanding Lineman – Alec Petsche ’13 Outstanding Special Teams Player – Robert Molloy ’13 SPC All-Conference – Morgan Pergande ’13, AJ Ximenes ’14,

Robert Arnold ’14 SPC All-Conference Honorable Mention – Will Arnold ’13,

John Ferguson ’13, J.R. Gideon ’14, Antoine Gross ’13,

Alec Petsche ’13 SPC All-Zone – Jacob Edwards ’13, John Ferguson ’13,

Alec Petsche ’13

Cheerleading LeBlanc Award – Hilary Rattikin ’13 Cheer Spirit – Leslie Tuggey ’13

Cross Country Most Valuable Boy – Sawyer Stratton ’15 Most Valuable Girl – Maddy Stripling ’14 Most Improved Boy –Malcolm McDonald ’14 Most Improved Girl – Melody Rodriguez ’15 SPC All-Conference – Sawyer Stratton ’15,

Maddy Stripling ’14, Melody Rodriguez ’15 SPC All-Zone – Caroline Carvalho ’14, Melody Rodriguez ’15,

Sawyer Stratton ’15, Maddy Stripling ’14

Girls’ Volleyball Most Valuable –Annabeth Reeb ’13 Most Improved – Laura Murphy ’15 SPC All-Conference – Annabeth Reeb ’13 SPC All-Zone – McKenna Breedlove ’14, Reagan Smith ’14

Field Hockey Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81

Most Valuable – Alden Griffin ’14 Heart and Hustle – Megan Ray ’13, Taylor Ray ’13 SPC All-Conference – Alden Griffin ’14, Taylor Ray ’13,

Elizabeth Wilkinson ’14 SPC All-Zone – Megan Ray ’13, Elizabeth Pruitt ’13,

Eliza Wagner ’14, Emily Wilkinson ’14 SPC All-Conference Honorable Mention – Jordan Roland ’14,

Haddy Self ’13 Haddy Self ’13 and Eliza Wagner ’14

More Falcon Alums to Follow: Margaret Lee ’12 California Institute of Technology Cross Country

Brandon Tierney ’09 Texas A&M at Corpus Christi Baseball

Amy Barrett ’12 Oklahoma Baptist University Swimming

Get your Falcon in Action and Support the Falcon Club

Glen E. Elllman

To order athletic pictures from the entire year, log in to the Falcon Portal, select Community Links and click on Athletics News & Information. Click on the Falcon Sports Photos link under the Falcon Club. Questions? Contact Lisa Parker, athletic administrative assistant, at lisa.parker@fwcd.org.

Seniors Matthew Mathisen and Jim Roberts 5

Following the Falcons just got easier with just one snap!

The snap below is optimized for Web-enabled smartphones.

To experience it, download Microsoft’s Tag Reader on your mobile at http://gettag.mobi.

Once the free app is up and running, aim your smartphone’s camera at the box and snap it to reveal the FWCD athletics schedule.

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID FORT WORTH, TX PERMIT NO. 676

4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, Texas 76109-4299 Address SERVICE REQUESTED

2012 Winter Season Coaches Athletic Director Frank Gendusa Administrative Assistant...... Lisa Parker Athletic Training Head.................................... Ed Chisholm Assistant.......................Chelsea Procter

Middle School A Head Coach................... Butch Traeder Assistant Coach............ Chuck Maddux Middle School B Head Coach......................... DeAnn Hall Assistant Coach...................... Dan Jones

Basketball Boys Varsity Head Coach............Joe Breedlove ’78* Assistant Coaches......... Chris Anderson Pepper Ackers ’92 Travis Masterson JV Red Head Coach... Brandon Livingston Blue Head Coach.......Adarrial Coleman Assistant Coach.............. Spencer Smith Middle School A Head Coach............................ Earl Rabb Middle School B Head Coach............ Adrian Washington Middle School B Red/Blue Head Coach........................... Ryan Hunt

CHEERLEADING Robin Willis* Varsity Head Coach.............. Courtney Collings JV Head Coach............ Ashley Binneboese Middle School Head Coach...................... Killian Naylor

Basketball GIRLS Head Coach................... Shelley Rains* Assistant Coaches......... Aimee Jenkins T.J. Hendricks

SOCCER BOYS Varsity Head Coach................... Mike Vincent* Assistant Coach.................Jeff Rozanski Goalie Coach ...................... Ryan Byerly JV Head Coach......................... Tafaria Fray Middle School A Head Coach.................... Frank Remmel Middle School B Head Coach..................... Aaron Hoover

Middle School B Blue Head Coach......................... Tafaria Fray SOCCER GIRLS Head Coach................. Tarik Guendouzi Assistant Coach......... Merrick Bean ’02 JV Head Coach...................... Ashley Norris Assistant Coach.............Nicole Misiraca Middle School A Head Coach........................ Ryan Byerly Middle School B Head Coach................. Bridgette Deem SWIMMING Molly Risewick-Zeno* Head Coach............ Kathy Steinbrenner WRESTLING Varsity Head Coach........................ Joe Murph* Assistant Coach......................Greg Duke Middle School Head Coach..................... Ruben Martin

*Indicates program director