Memorable moments in Cubs sports

Our memorable year for Mayfield Athletics began with a record number of students participating on our teams as they explored and developed their passion for sports. We won five league championships—three Varsity and two JV—and qualified nine teams for the CIF playoffs. Attendance nearly doubled at our seasonal sports celebrations, which now feature Booster Club-sponsored dinners for families. At these banquets, I honored each sport with my “Top 10” moments of the season, in the model of David Letterman’s famous lists. In that spirit, I wanted to share my “Top 3” moments of the 2018-19 year. We will be hard-pressed to come up with better moments in 2019-20, but I look forward to the challenge.

— Steve Bergen, Athletic Director

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The Aqua Cubs finished their water polo season in a three-way tie and were forced to play in a mini-tournament with Prep League rivals Westridge and La Salle for the final playoff spot. After La Salle eliminated the Tigers, the Cubs and Lancers squared off at Poly in a winner-take-all game. Led by all-league selections Maddie Lewis ’19 and Kate Thompson ’22, the Cubs dominated the Lancers from the outset and scored the most goals of their entire season. It was a thrilling win for the Cubs to qualify for the CIF playoffs for the seventh year in a row!

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Audrey Suarez ’21 had a score to settle at the CIF Cross Country State Championships on Thanksgiving weekend. Audrey had been runner-up in the same Division 4 race a year earlier as a freshman. But in 2018, she would not be denied. She surged to the lead in the first mile, but late in the race she took a wrong turn that cost her about 15 seconds. She was forced to scramble back to the frontrunners before taking the lead again to win the three-mile race in 17:45. It marked the first state title of any kind in Mayfield’s athletic history and qualified Audrey for the National Championships in San Diego. Audrey went on to add CIF sectional and masters titles to her resume in the track season and finished eighth in the nation in the mile. But, seeing her win a state title for Mayfield is something I will never forget.

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It is not often that a team failing to win a game would make the top sports moment of the year, but the softball team’s run to the CIF Semifinals and their battle to the final strike against Westridge is my top sports moment of the year. In fact, it is my favorite sports memory in my three years at Mayfield. The atmosphere was electric at Brookside Park—there was a BBQ , music, about 400 nervous fans, and a game so epic it required a commemorative t-shirt. The Cubs fell early and went in to the bottom of the final inning trailing 6-0. But the team, coached by Katie Clancy ’11 and Barry Evans, showed their fighting spirit by scoring four runs and loading the bases before finally falling just short. The Mayfield spirit had never been more alive for me, in our student-athletes, our parents, teachers, and student body who all came out in support. I knew that day how special Mayfield is—and that’s why it was my #1 Cubs moment of 2018-19.

This season was historic for Mayfield softball. This team came together in a way that created a family who fought to the end to be the best for themselves and each other.

— COACH KATIE CLANCY ’11

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The CIF volleyball playoffs were a roller coaster ride. The Cubs won their first Prep League championship in four years before ending their season in a thrilling 15-13 first-round playoff loss to Villa Park. “Our girls represent us and our ‘Actions Not Words’ motto even in the most difficult defeats,” said Athletic Director Steve Bergen. “I am so proud of them and their accomplishments.” Four of our eight senior team members will continue their volleyball careers in college this fall (pictured left to right): Ellie Watkins ’19 at Georgetown University, Charlotte Pizante ’19 at Emerson College, Maeve Davitt ’19 at Santa Clara University and Catie Sanchez ’19 at Bates College in Maine.

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High five! The Track & Field Team took its fifth consecutive Prep League title this year. Cub kudos to Jolie Beegle ’21, who was named Prep League Field Athlete of the Year after her league-winning leaps in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault. Congratulations also to Track & Field team member Sophia Alvarez ’19, who will continue her shot put career at Lewis & Clark College