Lancer Athletics
NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BRINGS VAST EXPERIENCE G
ilmour Academy announced the hiring of Jeff Walrich, R.A.A. as its new Athletic Director, effective July 1. He brings to Gilmour a wealth of experience as an assistant athletic director, school administrator and teacher, having spent time in the classroom at the lower, middle and upper school levels. He also brings business experience, as he spent a few years in a leadership position in the Informational Technology sector before deciding to return to the education field. Walrich comes to Gilmour from Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, Ga. where he served as Assistant Athletic Director, 10th grade Dean of Boys, broadcast journalism teacher, media literacy teacher and head wrestling coach, having led his team to the 2012 Georgia state wrestling championship. With his IT background, he created the media literacy curriculum track for Holy Innocents’ as well as their broadcast journalism program. He also produced a weekly news show for the school. Prior to working at Holy Innocents’ and his years in the business sector, Walrich taught physical education to kindergarten through seventh grade classes. Having taught at all grade levels, he says he has “a developmental understanding of where athletes are and when to insert different skill sets.” He expressed the importance of introducing athletics at a young age, allowing students to try different sports and determine
their interests. Walrich understands the spectrum of athletics at Gilmour and the needs of an elementary school athlete in addition to ones at the varsity level. The Gilmour search committee was impressed with Walrich from the start as his preparation was outstanding. He had done extensive research on the Academy, its mission and its athletic programs. This preparedness allowed him to clearly show the school’s leadership what he could bring to the Academy in terms of working with the Jeff Walrich full range of constituents that comprise the athletic arena. Director of the Upper School, J. Brian Horgan, who spearheaded the search committee, said of Walrich, “Jeff brings a great deal of knowledge, energy and enthusiasm for collaborating with students, coaches and others in really developing the athletic program in new ways.” Walrich describes the Athletic Director position at Gilmour as “his dream job” adding that he felt “humbled and honored” to have been chosen. He cited the incredible facilities and the warmth of the Gilmour community throughout the interview process as what set the Academy apart and is excited to begin in July.
TRACK SQUAD TEEMING WITH TALENT
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he boys and girls track teams had another successful season. The girls team won their 10 th straight district title and the boys finished third. The girls went on to finish first at regionals as well, winning their fifth straight regional title. Halle Markel ’14 qualified for states in the 3200 and the 1600, Alexis Anton ’13 qualified in the 1600 and the 800 and Briah Owens ’13 qualified in the 200 and the 100. The 4x800 team of Meghan Pryatel ’13, Caitlin Whetstone ’15, Markel and Anton qualified as did the 4x400 relay team of Markel, Pryatel, Anton and Owens. For the boys, Justyn Greene ’12 qualified in the 200 and the boys 4x800 relay team of Alex Clapacs ’14, Brandon Phillips ’15, Paul-Henry Schoenhagen ’14 and Charles Hoge ’13 qualified as well. Erin Abdalian ’12, Megan Diemer ’12, Rachel Novinc ’14, John Brett ’14 and Alex Ulatowski ’14 all
qualified as alternates on the 4x800 and 4x400 relays. At the state meet, the girls team finished in sixth place overall. The 4x800 relay team of Pryatel, Whetstone, Markel and Anton finished in sixth place. Briah Owens placed second in the 100 and sixth in the 200. Alexis Anton finished fifth in the 800 and Halle Markel was fifth in the 3200 in a new school-record time of 11:18. The boys 4x800 finished just out of the medals. The great news is that most of these incredible runners will be back next year! 51