When Baseball Season Ends, THE TEAM KEEPS WORKING
Being a member of the baseball team at GDS is a serious commitment, with practices and games five to six days a week. But once the season is done, the team does not rest. They get back to work, self-organizing workouts and practices over the summer and during breaks. This past summer, students organized 30 unofficial practices on their own and committed to serious workout regimens. And this fall, players have already been holding their own meetings to plan for off-season workouts. Twenty-seven varsity and JV players attended a student-organized meeting earlier this fall where, according to varsity player Jaren Zinn ’17, “All expressed enthusiasm about beginning to work towards a [Mid-Atlantic Conference] championship.” Head baseball coach and LS 2nd grade teacher Todd Carter is thrilled with the students’ initiative, and he’s also pleased with the numbers. He said, “If all of these kids show up in the spring, it would be the largest turnout baseball has [seen] in my eight years with the program.” This past spring, Todd led the team as the new varsity coach and increased total runs scored by 60% while decreasing runs allowed by 66%. MS teacher Mark Allen-Gifford stepped in to head the JV program, and under his leadership, the team experienced added structure and quality instruction. While hard at work this fall, the team is looking forward to the spring season, their eyes set on a MAC championship title. Varsity player Noah Ezickson ’16 is confident the team can reach their goal: “Every single player in the program is extremely motivated and wants nothing more than to hang that MAC Champions banner in the Hopper Dome. With a fantastic coaching staff leading practices balanced between focus, hard work, and team bonding, the baseball program will transform.”
GDS STRATEGIC PLAN
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Coach of the Year
High school track and cross country coach and 3rd grade teacher Anthony Belber was selected as the inaugural District of Columbia 2014 HS Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). “This is an incredible accomplishment, and I can't think of a coach more deserving of this kind of recognition,” said 4th grade teacher Jenny MedveneCollins. Anthony believes that the USTFCCCA recognition is a true reflection of the team’s stellar year. The HS men’s cross country team finished in first place at the MAC Championships, second place in the MD/DC Private School Championships, and took home the State Championship banner at the DC State Athletic Association Championships.
GOAL 3–CURRICULUM EVOLUTION
Athletics: Enhance program to optimize student experience, health, and well-being. GEORGETOWN DAYS FALL 2015
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