features
ji m inverso
john gleeson ’65
Field Hockey Julia Um ’12 moves past defending opponents from Lower Moreland High School during the team’s first game on the new turf.
br ian wozniak ’05
Track Seniors Emily Mapelli, Francesca Aldrich, Chrissy Haney, and Priscilla Wiggins run sprints during their first practice session on the new turf under the watch of former track coach David Satterthwaite ’65. The cougar field and cougar track stand ready to host the next generation of George School athletes.
new indoor running records. Stephen attributes the improved performances to more consistent, goodquality workouts on the same solid synthetic surface as competitions. He predicts even more results during the outdoor track season, eclipsing even recent successes. (The girls’ team has won the Friends School League the past two years, while the boys’ team has had several individual standouts.) “The vast majority of our school records were set somewhere else,” explains Stephen, but with a faster and more consistently usable track, not to mention home-field advantage, he sees that changing quickly. “It will be great for our fans to see how incredible our track teams are and see new records at home. These fantastic facilities are good for all the students—those who excel at a high level as well as those who are learning to run a mile.” Features of the new facilities and their construction were in keeping with George School’s values, with an eye to practicality and sustainability. A sophisticated underground stormwater management system puts all runoff back into the water table, while the artificial turf will reduce the need for irrigation and chemical fertilizers and herbicides.
Instead of frequent mowing and lining, the groundskeeping staff will see reduced upkeep, with only an occasional fluffing required. The current economy made construction cost-effective, while design and materials make the track and field available for practice and competition regardless of weather. As a result, not only will Cougar track, field hockey, and football teams use these great fields of play, but cross-country, lacrosse, and soccer squads are slated to as well. The advantages of the new track and field for teams and athletes are significant. But the benefits to George School extend well beyond that—to include greater use, pride, and community spirit. “As a fan, the facility and its seating are set up well. I love that it is right out there on Route 413,” adds Nancy. “People see it and see that our facilities are being improved.” “It’s exciting. There’s such a positive atmosphere,” agrees John. “The field is a wonderful statement to our students that what they do is important, that we value the growth potential that sports offer them. By bringing the community together, the whole school benefits.”
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