2021 NEPSAC Fall News Magazine

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New England Preparatory School Athletic Council President George Tahan Belmont Hill School Vice-President Martha Brousseau Greenwich Academy Secretary Ryan Frost Cardigan Mountain School Treasurer Jim Smucker Berwick Academy Co-Directors of Championships Jamie Arsenault New Hampton School Bob Howe Deerfield Academy Lisa Joel Phillips Andover Academy Director of Classifications Mark Conroy Williston Northampton School Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lamar Reddicks Milton Academy Past Presidents Bob Howe Deerfield Academy Jamie Arsenault New Hampton School Mark Conroy Williston Northampton School Richard Muther St. Paul’s School Middle School Representatives Rob Feingold The Fay School Amber Kuntz Beaver Country Day School District I Representatives Stefan Jensen Hyde School Nan Hambrose Kents Hill School District II Representatives Tara Brisson Tilton School Jenna Simon Holderness School Ryan Frost Cardigan Mountain School District III Representatives Rob Quinn Berwick Academy Betsy Kennedy Pingree School Jen Viana Cushing Academy Rick Forestiere Thayer Academy District IV Representatives Geoff Barlow Avon Old Farms School Mike Marich The Frederick Gunn School Kati Eggert The Ethel Walker School Tim Joncas Westminster School Communications Specialist Laurie Sachs The Rivers School “NEPSAC” and the NEPSAC logo are registered trademarks of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council and may not be used or displayed without permission.

In this issue

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Gatorade honors 11 NEPSAC athletes

17

Wrestling grows despite COVID-19 pandemic

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33

11

36

oach Shalise Manza Young C covers the Olympic Games in Tokyo

Gabby Thomas ’15 medals twice at Tokyo Olympics

No snow? No problem!

Holderness skiers flip, spin, and grab all summer The Rivers School hosts Bay State Games events

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A new look for St. Paul’s athletics

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Ice Hockey to return to WMA after two decades

Turf Care: winter’s on the way

Horizons at The Ethel Walker School launches new field hockey initiative The Running Cofskys are making their mark

30

Blast Program Empowers Female Athletes

Coaches Corner from Avon Old Farms

43

Differentiated Leadership: how to figure out what each athlete needs from TrueSport

Departments 4 Around NEPSAC

8 Laurels

44 #ICYMI

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council qualifies as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

ON THE COVER: Photo by Connor Coyne on Unsplash

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 3

AROUND NEPSAC

President’s Letter George Tahan Belmont Hill School

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hope everyone’s school year has gotten off to safe and healthy start. As we move toward what we hope will be the end of the pandemic, NEPSAC continues to do its best to help member schools navigate the remaining pandemic related issues.

The NEPSAC Executive Board has already made two important determinations for the fall season. First, the Board determined that we will hold all of our NEPSAC Fall Championship events.

Additional guidelines pertaining to those Championships will be disseminated shortly. Second, the Board has decided that we will postpone our Annual Meeting, which was scheduled to be held in person in Boxborough on Tuesday, November 16th. The Board is looking into holding the event in Boxborough in April in the hope that we may be a little more clear of a number of lingering pandemic issues. It is our hope that an in person meeting in April will yield more vendor support and better AD attendance, the two most important factors to assuring a successful event.

The above said, we will still hold a fall NEPSAC Business Meeting remotely on November 16th. More details will follow in the lead up to that meeting, including the possibility of a webinar offering in addition to the meeting.

2021-2022 and NEPSAC By-Law Policy Handbook

Finally, we have introduced the new NEPSAC Online Directory and NEPSAC By-Law and Policy Handbook, which are now available on the NEPSAC website. Both of these items can be found at the link below. They are password protected so you will need to log in to view them: https://www.nepsac.org/page/3263 If you have any issues accessing the new NEPSAC Online Directory and NEPSAC By-Law and Policy Handbook, please contact Laurie Sachs, our NEPSAC Communications Specialist (communications@nepsac.org). I hope you have a moment to log in and check out these two new online resources. Please remember that the Directory can be updated throughout the year, so if you have any changes or additions please be sure to add them to the Directory. This feature will allow us to keep the Directory accurate throughout the year.

In closing, I wish you all a fantastic and healthy fall season. I look forward to our remote Business Meeting on November 16th as well as our future programs. As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Take care and stay well!

All the best, George Tahan NEPSAC President

Have you looked at NEPSAC’s new online By-Law and Policy Handbook? Click the cover (members only) to access information about NEPSAC policies, information from SMAC, lists of member schools and more.

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The same link will take you to the online Directory of member schools. The Directory can be updated throughout the year, so if you have any changes or additions please be sure to add them.

2021

Last edited: 9/15/

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AROUND NEPSAC

TREASURER’S REPORT Dues and NEPSAC Directory

by Jim Smucker, Berwick Academy, NEPSAC Treasurer Reminder: Dues are available for online payment (www. nepsac.org): » Coaches Association and District Dues (paid by Oct. 15, 2021) » NEPSAC Dues (paid by Oct. 15 2021): $225 per school

Online Payment Account:

For efficiency and to help with our record keeping, we ask that you only create one online account per school.

Coaches’ Associations and District Banking Transfers:

First transfer of dues will happen after October 15th with more transfers to follow as we receive payments.

TD Accounts Completed: Football, Girls Soccer, Volleyball, Boys Ice Hockey, Girls Ice Hockey, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Alpine Skiing, WWNEPSSA, District I, District II, District IV If you have any questions or need any assistance please reach out to Jim Smucker.

Boys Soccer, Wrestling, XC/Track, Swimming/DIving, Field Hockey, Boys Tennis, District III: NEPSAC anticipates moving forward with transferring these accounts to TD Bank so that these Associations can comply with NEPSAC’s 501(c)(3) status.

Jim Smucker will be in touch with the Associations’ Presidents and Treasurers to begin the process.

Sponsorships and Advertisements

NEPSAC has many opportunities for sponsorships and advertisements, if you know of any vendors that might be interested in this opportunity please have them contact Laurie Sachs (communications@nepsac.org).

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NEPSAC/NEPSGVA to Partner with the AVCA

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he New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) and The New England Preparatory School Girls Volleyball Association (NEPSGVA) are both proud to announce a Member Organization Partnership with The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) beginning July 15, 2021.

The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development, and NEPSAC/ NEPSGVA are pleased to be able to work with an organization that is committed to growing the sport of volleyball and supporting coaches at the same time.

NEPSAC’s basic principle that the lessons learned from fairly played athletics, whether interscholastic or not, and including games and practices, are of benefit to our students and schools will only be enhanced by the unique professional development and networking opportunities the AVCA will offer our member coaches.

Through this Organization Partnership, AVCA will provide NEPSAC and the head coaches of its 80+ volleyball programs with access to the AVCA Virtual Super Clinic, publications, educational resources, member discounted pricing, and consideration of coaches, players, and teams for ACVA Awards and recognition.

“We are excited to begin this partnership with the AVCA, whose rich and diverse professional development offerings provide opportunities for all our coaches,” said Ashok Pillai, NEPSGVA President. “NEPSGVA has grown significantly in the past decade, as has volleyball in New England. We believe that the AVCA will be a wonderful partner with us as we look to further that growth and while continuing to develop talented and well-rounded studentathletes at our schools.”

“Forging a partnership with NEPSAC and the NEPSGVA community of coaches is another opportunity for the AVCA to serve volleyball coaches and continue building meaningful and impactful alliances within the high school/interscholastic volleyball space,” said Kennedy Wells, Director of Membership, Research & Board Relations at the AVCA. “We are equally excited to work with Ashok and the NEPSGVA to engage the NEPSAC volleyball community in their national coaches’ association.”

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 5

AROUND NEPSAC

NEPSAC Boys Basketball Showcase Event a Slam Dunk

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ith over 300 NCAA men’s basketball coaches lining the walls of the Avon Old Farms Field House and over 500 NEPSAC student-athletes performing on three basketball courts over a three day period, it would be hard to call the NEPSAC Boys Basketball Showcase Event anything other than a massive success.

After a year of uncertainty, frustration, and constant pivoting, the Boys Basketball Coaches Association (NEPSBBA), with the help of Avon Old Farms Basketball Coach Matt Mihalich and the Avon community, produced a memorable and meaningful event to conclude the 2020–2021 school year.

“Once again, the NEPSAC live period event proved to be a valuable opportunity for our student-athletes,” Phillips-Exeter Boys Basketball Coach Jay Tilton expressed. “The volume of college coaches from top programs nationally afforded players of all levels the ideal stage to be evaluated. It paid huge dividends for our returning and new players alike.”

The inaugural event, which was hosted by Milton and Hamden Hall in June of 2019 was a two weekend showcase. An opportunity to hold such an event during the live recruiting period

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for scholarship basketball programs surfaced courtesy of a rule change by the NCAA. The rule modification shifted the conventional recruiting events from AAU, club teams and outside organizations to the hands of high schools.

“The Coaches Association [NEPSBBA] was able to offer a high quality showcase for our kids,” added Mike Hart, longtime Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach at St. Andrew’s School. “It was a tremendous event that rivals any other event nationally during the live recruiting period.”

Joining the NEPSAC student-athletes and NCAA coaches in the gym were a variety of media; including and not limited to, NEPSAC partners Impact Sports, BSN, and PlaySight (who livestreamed all of the games), along with reporters from Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, New England newspapers, and additional media outlets across the country.

“One of the best parts about the event was seeing our coaches on the sideline again in person and doing what they love to do,” added NEPSAC Boys Basketball President Sean Kelly, who is the Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach at The Wheeler School. “This is the type of experience and positive momentum that is great for NEPSAC sports and the NEPSAC community as a whole.”

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AROUND NEPSAC

From the Archives

The Big Game!

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ome things just don’t change. Nearly a century ago, in the fall of 1924, a crowd gathered to watch an afternoon football game. Hebron Academy welcomed their guests from Kents Hill for a game on Andrews Field, right in the center of campus.

We have to wonder if the Kents Hill students traveled the 35 miles between schools in the wagon or open truck at lower left. Photo courtesy the Bell-Lipman Archives at Hebron Academy.

The game was a close one, but Hebron prevailed over their perennial rival by a score of 3 to 0. That rivalry began in 1894 and continues to this day with 124 games played over the ensuing decades. The only hiatus was during World War II. The stakes have increased in recent years — the teams now play for the “Head’s Chair.” The classic captain’s chair features the logos of both schools and is kept by the head of the winning school each year.

Just a few years before this game, the Hebron Academy trustees had dedicated the field to Harold T. Andrews ’14, the first

Maine soldier to die in World War I. Andrews Square in Portland, Maine, is also named for Harold Andrews.

Hebron teams played at Andrews Field for decades. In 1961 a new field complex was built on the edge of campus and dedicated to long-time teacher and coach Charlie Dwyer. Olympian Jesse Owens spoke at that dedication.

Today middle school teams play at Andrews Field, and the view is virtually unchanged. The cars are newer, but the buildings across the field still stand. The largest, Allen House, is the head of school’s residence.

Many thanks to Steve Middleton at Hebron Academy for sharing the photo and other information.

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 7

PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER | ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS

Kevin Graber named Northeast Region Coach of the Year

Graber earned the accolade from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) for the second time in the last three seasons.

by David Fricke

P

hillips Academy Andover varsity baseball coach Kevin Graber was named Northeast Region Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) on Wednesday.

The organization will recognize Graber during its ABCA National Convention in Chicago, slated for January.

Graber coached Andover to a 13-1 record, earning the No. 1 ranking in the final New England Baseball Journal Coaches Poll for the third consecutive season. The team also cracked Perfect Game USA’s National High School Rankings for the first time in school history, peaking at No. 19. and finishing the season at No. 26.

Graber has coached Andover to 11 straight Central New England Prep Final Four appearances, winning four championships in the last eight seasons, including back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, the school’s 10th Central New England Prep Championship in 2016, and another -- the program’s 11th -- in 2018 (no championships were awarded in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID). The 2018, 2019, and 2021 teams finished those seasons ranked No. 1 in New England according to the year-end New England Baseball Journal Coaches Poll. In 2018, Graber was named Northeast Region Coach of the Year by the ABCA, New England Coach of the Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association (NHSBCA), and a finalist for National Coach of the Year by both organizations.

He’s also a featured presenter each year at the World Baseball Coaches Convention at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Conn., and he’s been selected to present at this year’s ABCA National Convention in Chicago.

Graber’s teams have produced four Central New England Prep Most Valuable Players, six

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ABCA All-Region selections, and five NHSBCA All-New England honorees, and 51 of his former Andover players have gone on to play college baseball since 2012, including P.J. Nowak ’12 (Michigan State), Curtiss Pomeroy ’12 (Georgetown), David McCullough ’13 (Yale), Kevin Superko ‘14 (Georgetown), Chris Hohlstein ’14 (Davidson), Tim Salvadore ’15 (Virginia Tech), Thomas Lane ‘15 (Boston College), Jake Nelson ’15 (Penn), Richie Ciufo ’16 (Brown), John Simourian ‘16 (Georgetown), Matthew Cerfolio ’17 (Columbia), Rob Cerulle ’17 (Penn), Taylor Beckett ’17 (Princeton), Travis Lane ’18 (Boston College), Joe Simourian ’18 (Navy), Anthony

Redfern ’18 (Georgetown), Andrew Ciufo ’19 (Georgetown), Tyler Cox ’20 (Dartmouth), Griffin Green ’20 (Virginia Tech), Jonathan Santucci ’21 (Duke), Jack Penney ’21 (Notre Dame), Sebastian Mexico ’21 (Fordham), and Matt Sapienza ’21 (Georgetown). During that time, Nelson was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, Pomeroy was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and signed the following year with the New York Yankees, and Thomas Lane signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

This summer Graber helped coach the Bourne Braves to the championship series in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League.

Got news to share with other NEPSAC schools? Send the details to communications@nepsac.org and we’ll put it in the next issue.

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LOOMIS CHAFFEE SCHOOL | WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

Aaron Civale ’13 Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

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leveland Indians pitcher Aaron Civale ’13 has been nominated for Major League Baseball’s prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, the team announced on Tuesday, September 14.

According to a Major League Baseball press release, “The Roberto Clemente Award is bestowed annually to the player who best

represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Every year, each MLB Club nominates a player to be considered for the Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.”

Civale was nominated for his work with pediatric patients at the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center, through his Pearls for Perseverance player program. A starting pitcher for the Cleveland team, Civale signs his warmup-ball from each of his games and sends it to children at the hospital. Many of the kids at the clinic also get to attend batting practice and meet Civale and other players at Progressive Field, the team’s home ballpark.

Civale also volunteers at Camp Curiosity, a summer camp in Cleveland for children in kindergarten through third grade focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects.

Civale will be honored for his community work on Wednesday, September 22, at a pre-game ceremony marking Roberto Clemente Day at Progressive Field.

“It’s a huge honor to be nominated,” Aaron wrote on Twitter. “Such an incredible man to be mentioned in the same sentence as,” he added in reference to Clemente, and he finished the tweet with a well-known quote from Clemente: “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”

You can read the full write-up on Civale’s nomination on the MLB website and vote for him to win the award.

NEPSAC Baseball Teams Recognized for Academics

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he American Baseball Coaches Association is proud to recognize the over 580 member college and high school programs from across the country who have been awarded the 2020– 2021 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award.

Teams from every level of college and high school baseball were honored with this year’s award, which highlights programs coached by ABCA members that posted a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for the entire 2020–2021 academic year.

Over 200 high school programs and more than 380 collegiate programs were recognized with this year’s award. Congratulations to NEPSAC members Hopkins School, Culver Academies, Noble and Greenough School and The Lawrenceville School.

Coaches were able to nominate their teams for the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award following the conclusion of their spring semesters

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prior to the nomination deadline of July 12. To be honored, teams had to meet the following criteria: » Must be a high school or college team » Head coach must be a current ABCA member » Team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale during the 2020–2021 academic year The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/ Rawlings All-America Awards, the ABCA/ATEC Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 9

WINSOR SCHOOL | BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Coach Shalise Manza Young Covers the Olympic Games in Tokyo

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insor School’s head track and field coach Shalise Manza Young spent twenty-one days this summer covering the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. For Mrs. Young, an award-winning sports journalist and columnist for Yahoo Sports, writing about the games was not only a career bucket-list goal checked but a dream realized.

Working under strict COVID protocols, Mrs. Young saw every track and field race and event, including three world records: the men’s and women’s 400 meter hurdles and the women’s triple jump. She also witnessed Allyson Felix capture a surprise bronze in the 400 meter as well as gold as part of the U.S. women’s 4 x 400 meter relay. These two medals made Felix the most decorated American track and field athlete ever, and the most decorated female track and field athlete in history.

Mrs. Young’s first Olympic games also included watching Naomi Osaka in tennis, the American team of Michael Hixon and Andrew Capobianco win silver in synchronized diving, and the U.S. women’s water polo team. Another highlight was watching the U.S. women’s basketball team bring home its seventh straight

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gold. Exploring the beautiful city of Tokyo was not, however, in her itinerary due to COVID restrictions.

“Because of COVID our moves were quite restricted,” Mrs. Young stated. “We couldn’t take public transportation until we’d been in the country for fourteen days. We weren’t supposed to sightsee even if we had time to, and we had to be masked at all times and took several COVID tests while there. Almost all of what I saw of the city was through the windows of buses.”

“All of the amenities in our hotel were closed, including restaurants, which meant several times I was scouring UberEats for restaurants that offered their menu in Japanese and English so I might not end up surprised by what was delivered.”

Mrs. Young’s focus as a columnist is the intersection of race and gender in sports, and the Games provided opportunities to continue that; thanks to gymnast Simone Biles the Tokyo Olympics also saw long-overdue discussions about mental health among elite athletes, and she was able to highlight some of those stories as well.

Despite the limitations, covering the Olympics this summer for Mrs. Young was “such an adventure and really a dream,” which she documented through stories and columns throughout her three-week journey.

To read more about her adventure, click here.

Contact markbperkins@gmail.com or visit highstreetsolutions.weebly.com/

10 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

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WILLISTON NORTHAMPTON SCHOOL | EASTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Gabby Thomas ’15 Medals Twice at Tokyo Olympics

by Kate Lawless

From left, The United States, silver, Jamaica, gold, and Britain, bronze, celebrate after the final of the women’s 4 x 100-meter relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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ollowing a uniquely challenging 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo—no crowds to cheer athletes on, limited movement through the city, few families present to support players— Gabby Thomas ’15 is coming home with two medals for Team USA Track and Field: a bronze for the 200 meter and a silver for the 4 x 100-meter relay.

At the Olympic Trials this spring in Eugene, Oregon, Thomas clocked the third-fastest time in the world, 21.61, for the 200 m.

At the time of the race, only Florence Griffith Joyner, Flo-Jo, twice ran faster. During the Olympic finals in Tokyo, Jamaica’s Elaine Thomson-Herah shaved 0.8 seconds off Thomas’ time, winning gold in 21.53. Silver medalist Namibia’s Christine Mboma crossed the line in 21.81. Thomas made it in 21.87.

During her relay run, Thomas and her teammates Jenna Prandini, Teahna Daniels, and Aleia Hobbs struck silver, following the Jamaican team across the finish line, followed by Great Britain.

Thomas graduated from Harvard in 2019 with a degree in neurobiology, global health, and health policy and now is pursuing a master’s degree in epidemiology and health care management at the University of Texas.

Leading up to and following her two medal-winning Tokyo races, Thomas was featured in a number of national news stories, including TODAY, CNN, The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and Washington Post.

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In a piece by CBS News, she talks about how the pandemic laid bare health care disparities among different races, and that she wants to work to solve them. “You could just see the need for racial and ethnic diversity in public health because these disadvantaged populations have been just neglected for so long,” she told CBS News. The COVID crisis “solidified that I wanted to do what I was doing. It put public health at the forefront for everyone else.”

Her track coach at Williston Northampton School, Martha McCullagh, has been thrilled to see Thomas on the Olympic podium.

“Gabby is as successful as she is in large part due to her ability to focus and compartmentalize all that she does,” McCullagh said. “She has defined her passions—health care and health care disparities, along with international-level sprinting. When she is working in either area she is focused on that. When she’s finished she turns her attention to the other.” However, Thomas’ success on the track and professionally doesn’t show the complete person, McCullagh noted. “She has also stayed true to herself being kind, compassionate, and genuine,” she said. “She exemplifies Purpose, Passion, and Integrity,” Williston’s motto.

A member of Williston’s Anti-Racism Committee and a recent alumni presenter on establishing a running practice, Thomas was featured in The Bulletin in 2016. Look for an article about her in the winter 2021 edition of the magazine.

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 11

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Gatorade Honors 11 NEPSAC Athletes

by Bob York

SPONSORED BY: SPORTSGRUB

B

ack in 1965, University of Florida Gator football coach Ray Graves asked a group of researchers at the university’s School of Medicine to come to the aid of his team. What he wanted was for them to concoct a drink that would replenish the body fluids his players were losing during physical exertion. What he got was a beverage fittingly labeled: Gatorade.

Over the past 56 years, Gatorade has become the official thirst quencher of the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, WNBA and NASCAR. Despite its popularity, however, it hasn’t forgotten its roots, as its ascension throughout the professional ranks has never diverted its support for thousands of high school-age sports teams throughout the country. In fact, in what proved to be one of the premier marketing campaigns of any product, ever, the company, the Quaker Oats Company that owned Gatorade at the time, founded the Gatorade State High School Player of the Year Award in 1985. The motive was to recognize the nation’s most elite high school age student/athletes for their athletic excellence, athletic achievement, performance in the classroom and exemplary character. PepsiCo, which purchased Gatorade in 2000, also looked favorably upon the promotion and has continued to endorse these awards for more than two decades now.

In each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Gatorade selects a player of the year in the following sports: football, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball as well as boys and girls track.

The award isn’t limited to just public high school players, however. Year in and year out, those who compete under the New England Prep School Athletic Conference banner are eligible to compete for these awards as well and quite frequently prevail in the balloting over their public school

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counterparts.

This past school year (2020-21) for example, NEPSAC produced 11 blue-chip athletes.

In breaking down the prep school winners sport by sport, boys basketball paved the way to the podium with three winners, while both boys and girls track registered two each. Girls basketball, meanwhile, finished with one first-place finisher, as did football, baseball and girls cross country.

Territorial bragging rights went to Massachusetts, which claimed home-field advantage in four sports: boys and girls basketball, as well as baseball and boys track. New Hampshire (boys basketball and boys track), Connecticut (football and girls track) and Rhode Island (boys basketball and girls track) collected two winners each, while New Jersey led the way in girls cross country. No single school ended up being represented by more than one student-athlete.

The two representatives in boys track were James Donahue of Belmont Hill (Mass.) and Jeremiah Swett of Phillips Exeter (N.H.) while Sydney Masciarelli of Marianapolis (Conn.) and Sophia Gorriaran of Moses Brown (R.I.) prevailed in girls track. The baseball award went to Joshua Baez of Dexter Southfield (Mass.).

James Donahue, a 5-11, 150-pound junior, finished third in the mile run at the RunningLane Track Championships this spring in a time of 4:09.50 which ranked him 34th nationally among prep competitors in this event this past spring.

Donahue was also 11th nationally in the 1,500-meter run, 35th in the 3,000-meter run and 56th in the 800-meter run.

In July, he ran even faster. At the Outdoor Nationals at the renowned and newly revamped Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, Donahue ran a newer personal record of 4:08.28 in the boys mile run championship, finishing fourth of 42 runners.

“James Donahue was a true force in the in the Independent School League by dominating every race he ran in by leaps and bounds,” said Kate Blake, the head coach at Noble & Greenough School.

“He is fast becoming one of the distance greats of all time in the league.

Donahue, who maintains a 3.56 GPA in the classroom, regularly volunteers on behalf of Belmont Hill’s Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, which annually provides meals to underprivileged families throughout the Boston area.

Swett, meanwhile, culminated his career at Phillips Exeter in style this spring as the 5-11, 235-pound senior launched the discus 190-1 and beat out everyone else in the state by nearly 29 feet. The toss placed him as the nation’s 17th best in 2021 and he went on to qualify for the

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 13

National Scholastic Athletic Foundation Outdoor Nationals, where he placed 10th with a throw of 177-8.

“It’s been a massive privilege to watch Jeremiah’s progression to reach national caliber in the discus,” said Phillips Exeter coach Hillary Coder Hall of Swett, who maintained an A average in his studies and is planning on attending Harvard University in the fall where he will compete in track and field. “He has trained and willed himself to a point where he could earn a medal on a national stage.”

While at Exeter, Swett formed the Black Sock Foundation, which seeks to spread awareness of May-Thurner Syndrome, a rare blood-clotting disorder he suffers from and during the recent COVID pandemic, he organized a sparechange fundraiser that ultimately purchased thousands of dollars of food for the St. Vincent Food Bank.

Sydney Masciarelli, who was named Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year in girls track and field in 2019, was back on top again this spring — and with good reason. The 5-10 Marianapolis senior, who will be doing her running for the University of North Carolina next spring, shattered the national record in the 2,000-meter steeplechase this spring in a time of 6:25.35 during the New York State Showcase. She was also clocked in the nation’s No, 1 prep performances this season in both the 3,000-meter run (9:24.09) and the two-mile run (10:04.54).

“Breaking a national record in the steeplechase during her debut in the event may have shocked many people, but not the people close to Sydney,” said Aisling Cuffe, Gatorade’s National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2010-11. “When she wants something as badly as she wanted to knock her first steeplechase out of the park, it happens.

The sky’s the limit for whatever she puts her mind to.”

Masciarelli, who also was a top performer in both cross country and basketball, owns a 3.43 GPA in the classroom and spent much time volunteering on behalf of a local food

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pantry, various youth basketball camps and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.

Sophia Gorriaran may be only heading into her junior year at Moses Brown, but during her sophomore season she became one of Rhode Island’s youngest competitors to ever be crowned a Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year.

The 5-6 sophomore earned the title in fine style, as she broke Mary Decker’s 45-yearold sophomore class national record in the 800-meter run during the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. Her time was 2:02.26, breaking her own state record and ranked her third nationally in the event.

She is also currently ranked in the top 50 nationally in the 400-meter dash, the 1,500-meter run as well as the mile and two-mile runs. Closer to home, Gorriaran is also the top-ranked runner in Rhode Island at distances from the 200-meter dash to the mile. She currently owns eight state records and is second in national prep annals in the indoor 600-meter run in a time of 1:27.02.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Sophia since she was five years old,” said Thom Spann, the head coach of Hope High School and Gorriaran’s club coach with the Providence Cobras. “I could tell right away that she was special … she never backed down from the older kids.

When all is said and done, Sophia will be the greatest female track athlete in Rhode Island’s history.”

Gorriaran will begin her junior year this fall with an impressive 3.87 GPA in the classroom. Away from school, she volunteers at an inner-city elementary school and as a youth track coach.

Josh Baez turned out to be NEPSAC’s lone representative in baseball, but the Dexter Southfield grad proved to be one of the very best throughout the entire country.

He proved that this summer when he was selected in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft (54th pick

overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals and signed with the team one week later. Earlier this year, Baez had signed a National Letter of Intent to play with perennial powerhouse Vanderbilt University.

The 6-4, 215-pound senior outfielder, who won the Gatorade title following his junior year as well, chalked up a .378 batting average with three home runs, 25 runs scored and 13 RBI to help lead Dexter Southfield to a 14-2 season. The big right-hander also pitches and posted a 1.94 ERA while striking out 44 batters in just 18 innings. Combined, that led the publication “Perfect Game” to rank him as the country’s No. 5 draft prospect.

“Josh Baez is a tremendous athlete and physical specimen and can certainly have a big impact on a game,” said Tim Mitropoulos, the head coach at Phillips Exeter Academy. “He has great tools and he is certainly someone you mark in the lineup and make sure he doesn’t beat you because he certainly has that potential.”

In the classroom, Baez maintained a 3.09 GPA and donated much of his time as a youth baseball coach and umpire.

Alex Karaban, a 6-8, 220-pound senior forward is ranked as the nation’s No. 48 recruit in the Class of 2022 by ESPN. com — and with good reason. While leading New Hampton School to an 11-3 record last season, Karaban averaged 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 blocks per game while connecting on 60.3 percent of his field-goal attempts. He also led the Huskies to the 2020 NEPSAC Class AAA tournament title and was named MVP of the championship game.

“Alex exudes basketball fundamentals such as fakes, footwork and shooting ability beyond the arc,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s National Recruiting Director. “He keeps defenders guessing with the ball in his hands as he is a very good decision maker. He is extremely productive everywhere on the court but especially on the glass.”

In addition to serving as a proctor in his dorm at New Hampton, Karaban, who owns an impressive 3.87 GPA, volunteers locally as a youth basketball coach.

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Matt Constant helped lead St. Andrew’s to a 15-2 record during his senior year as the Pace University bound 6-2, 180-pound backcourt standout averaged 18.9 points per game along with 8.5 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 steals every time he suited up for the Saints.

And, as if that wasn’t enough contribution, he hit on 46.2 percent of his 3-point attempts and 92.3 percent of his freethrow tosses. The All-NEPSAC selection finished his career with 1,201 points, 656 assists and 507 rebounds.

“Matt is one of the top point guards in the history of our program,” said Mike Hart, head basketball coach at St. Andrew’s. “He will go down as our leader in career assists despite not playing a lot as a freshman on a loaded team that went to the New England Championship game.

If COVID-19 didn’t exist, Matt would have graduated as our all-time leader in games won. He’s been that good during his fouryear career at our school.”

Constant, who maintained a 3.0 GPA in the classroom, volunteered with the Youth Basketball Association in his hometown of Londonderry and also donated his time to multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit the American Cancer Society through the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign.

Kyle Filipowski, a 6-10, 230-pound junior forward/center netted 21 points and 13.2 rebounds per game this season for Wilbraham & Monson during an abbreviated 5-0 season. He also registered 5.2 assists, two steals and one blocked shot while hitting on 56.3 percent of his field goal attempts. Heading into his senior season, Filipowski is rated as the nation’s No. 39 recruit in the Class of 2022 by ESPN.com. His sophomore season saw him average 20.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and led the Titans to the 2020 NEPSAC Class AA title while being named the tournament’s MVP “Kyle is special because of his outstanding playmaking ability at his size,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s National Recruiting Director. “He demonstrates extreme versatility as he handles passes and shows a good touch around the rim

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with a developing outside shot. It’s hard to find this type of skill set and decision making with a center’s height.”

Filipowski, who will begin his senior year maintaining an A average in the classroom, volunteers locally as an elementary school math tutor as well as a youth basketball coach.

NEPSAC’s lone girls basketball representative is Noble and Greenough’s Caroline Ducharme, who has now won this award in back-to-back seasons.

The 6-2 senior guard earned the hardware a second time after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-0 record by averaging 31 points per game, as well as 15.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 steals and 3.3 blocked shots per outing. Despite sitting out her entire sophomore season due to an injury, she still concluded her career at Nobles with 2,092 points.

“There are countless ways that Caroline’s game makes her a standout,” said Alex Gallagher, Ducharme’s coach at Noble & Greenough. “Her ability to shoot from anywhere on the court, read doubleteams, attack the rim, dominate the glass and defend all five positions are just a few dimensions of her skill set that make clear how versatile she is.”

Ducharme, who maintained a B average in the classroom and who has signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Connecticut this winter, volunteered locally at fundraising events to benefit the American Cancer Society and also donates her time as a youth basketball coach.

Wilfredo Aybar proved to be the council’s one-andonly participant in the category of football as the 6-4, 240-pound junior defensive end registered 39 tackles and four sacks — in just three games last fall for Cheshire Academy. A two-time First Team NEPSAC selection Aybar is ranked as the nation’s No. 112 recruit in the Class of 2022 by ESPN.com and is pondering more

than 20 scholarship offers from Division I college programs. Heading into his senior year, he has chalked up 177 tackles and 18.5 sacks during his prep career.

“On the field, Wilfredo’s a complete terror,” said LJ Spinnato, the coach at Choate. “He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s quick and he kicked our butts, there’s no doubt about that.”

Aybar, who maintains a B- average in the classroom volunteers much of his time as a youth football coach.

Charlotte Bednar of Lawrenceville School, who has now won back-to-back Gatorade awards for her performances in cross country, scampered to Holmdel Invitational title this fall in a time of 17:21. It was the fastest showing ever recorded by a New Jersey high school-age runner.

She also finished second at the East Coast Championships in 17:46.7.

“Charlotte has grown so much as an athlete in the past year,” said Lawrenceville coach Katie Chaput. “Like all kids her age, she was unable to compete last spring due to COVID, but instead of letting that stop her, she kept her head down and trained steadily over the spring and into the summer. And when the opportunity came to compete this fall, she didn’t waste it.”

Heading into her senior year, Bednar maintains a B average in the classroom.

She is a talented pianist who participated in Swim Across America and volunteers locally on behalf of a soup kitchen, clothing drives and Ronal McDonald House Charities.

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Wrestling Continues to Grow in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic

by Zach Bates, Northfield Mount Hermon

Cesar paced on the edge of the mat. The scene around him was chaotic. Eight mats filled the arena, with competitors battling in the final round of the 2021 National Prep Championship. The twoday competition was drawing to a close and the stale air of the arena was now tainted further with the smell of sweat shed by the countless competitors. Cries inspired by the elation of victory and the pain of defeat burst out from multiple directions and their echoes ping-ponged around the stadium. As he walked back and forth, the sounds of the arena were drowned out by the music in his headphones. Mouthing the words to a familiar song, his mind entered a trance-like state. Cesar visualized his pending match; seeing wrestlers in his mind work through the possible situations he could encounter. One aspect remained constant through all of these scenarios; he would be victorious and get his hand raised.

As he waited in the on-deck area, time ticked down in the match in front of him. Time slowed to a crawl as the anticipation in him grew. Finally, the official’s whistle blew and the action on the mat stopped. A National Champion was crowned. Now it was his turn.

Cesar pulled up his singlet straps and snapped them down onto his shoulders. The uniform seemed a physical manifestation of

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the pressure he felt at this moment. As he took the mat his fears about his ability to compete, the complications of the year, and the setbacks caused by COVID-19 were far from his mind. The whistle blew, and both athletes clashed.

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t is an exciting time for NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) wrestling. The inspired efforts of coaches and administrators helped ensure that motivated athletes had the opportunity to train and compete in the sport of wrestling despite the challenges of COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 school year. The competitive season, though limited, culminated in one of the most successful national tournaments for the NEPSAC in decades. Furthermore, the announcement of a women’s New England Championship promises to boost participation numbers around the league and create more opportunities for underrepresented athletes.

As Cesar and his peers prepared to start school in the fall of 2020, they and the schools they attended faced a multitude of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situations were constantly evolving in areas around the country there seemed to be more questions than answers. For schools in the NEPSAC, challenges were compounded when one considers all the factors required to provide the holistic education that schools in the league strive to deliver to their students. Athletics were a particularly challenging piece of the puzzle. The majority of athletic competition and training requires some level of intimate proximity, higher numbers of participants, and interscholastic competition. All of which significantly increase risk factors for contracting and transmitting COVID. The sport of wrestling was under additional scrutiny due to its designation as a ‘high risk’ sport by multiple health organizations.

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Fortunately, school administrators, health care professionals, and coaches worked together to find inventive and safe solutions to allow their athletes to train, and eventually compete despite the impacts of the global pandemic. Of course, solutions to problems varied by school as each institution made decisions in the best interest of their constituents.

as long as they have the support of caring coaches, they will become better people The community of Northfield Mount Hermon School elected to quarantine students on campus, forming an isolated bubble to limit exposure to uncontrollable outside factors of the local community. This system gave athletic director Debby Gezzie, and director of medicine Sara Rourke the latitude to allow students to wrestle on campus. Of course, there were additional precautions to help further mitigate any increased risk. Practices were limited to eight competitors all of whom were subject to regular COVID testing as a member of our residential program. Partners remained consistent and were based on dorm assignments when possible to decrease the web on athletes in close contact.

Additionally, masks were required and there was a strict cleaning regiment between training sessions. Gezzie and Rourke were in daily conversation with other NMH employees, officials from health care organizations, and colleagues from other schools to amend policies as necessary. Gezzie passionately supported her athletes and explained that she “had no qualms, continuing to drive home the point that there was a safe way to compete. We had a group of college-bound kids who needed exposure and young kids that needed to further their development for the years ahead. All reasons to practice, scrimmage, stream events, and ultimately get in a few games.” The efforts of Gezzie and Rourke were greatly appreciated by their students and enabled NMH to be one of the only schools in the NEPSAC that allowed contact wrestling practices in the 2020–2021 winter season.

Noble and Greenough School had a similar approach. In an effort to de-densify athletic facilities, the department elected to split practices into cohorts by grade level. Still, there was a focus on social distancing and regimented cleaning protocols. With these arrangements in place, the team continued with an internal season. Workouts were noncontact and focused on strength and conditioning. Head coach and league president of NEPSWA (New England Preparatory School Wrestling Association), Charles Danhof, explained why he worked so hard to keep wrestling going despite barriers. “Once a student becomes involved in the sport of wrestling, as long as they have the support of caring coaches, they will become better people.” Danhof believes in the transformative power of athletic competition and loves being a part of that process with his athletes at Nobles. “Wrestling is the most challenging and nuanced sport in the world. I tell the students I work with that there is so much to learn in wrestling that I can’t possibly teach it all to them in four winter seasons.

The combination of moves, strategies, and positions is infinite.”

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Aidin Bina, a ninth-grader on Danhof’s team and a member of the Massachusetts National Team, appreciated the efforts made by school administrators and his coach. “I was just happy to have the opportunity to work with my coaches and teammates. It was super meaningful”. While the regular season was canceled, the National Prep board worked hard to find a way to host the National Prep Championships. Fortunately, they were able to find a way.

Bill Dunham, the National Prep representative from the NEPSWA, coach, and long-time educator at the Trinity-Pawling School, attended countless Zoom meetings throughout the fall, winter, and spring to discuss options and the complex issues for hosting a national tournament in the midst of a pandemic. His consistent emails kept coaches and athletic directors updated on the developments as the board continued to look for solutions. It was decided that the location of the championships would change and that the timing of the event would shift into the late spring.

This plan would allow additional time for the number of COVID cases that had surged in the winter months to drop significantly by the time of the event. The location, which had traditionally been Lehigh University, would now shift to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township, PA. Athletes and coaches would all need to provide either a vaccination card or a negative COVID test taken within the last seventy-two hours. Masks would be required for all and spectators were limited. This announcement was met with excitement from member schools and exhilaration from eligible athletes. Finally, they had something to train for.

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The action of the bout took the two wrestlers all over the mat.

As the match progressed Cesar began to build his lead. After another flurry in the third period led the athletes out of bounds, they walked back to the center of the mat and prepared for the mat official’s whistle to restart the action. Forty-one seconds were left in the match and Cesar was up, six to three. As he got set in the top position, Cesar quickly strategized how to wrestle the last few seconds of the match. “Do not waste energy trying to ride him out. Give up the one point for the escape and then wrestle from neutral” he said to himself. Neutral was after all his best position.

The referee gave a quick blast to his whistle and the action started anew. With an impressive show of strength, the wrestler from Tennessee exploded to his feet, turning hard to face Cesar and earning his one point. Cesar’s lead was now cut to two. Thirty-four seconds were left on the clock. Cesar adjusted his stance to a defense position, bending his knees to lower his level and dropping his hand to the mat. His posture seemed to mimic that of an offensive lineman in football. His opponent attacked desperately, shot after shot trying to even the score with a takedown. Cesar defended all of these attempts, blocking with his face and hands.

As time ticked down, Cesar fired off a counterattack and locked his hands around the lead leg of his opponent.

Three, two, one, TIME! He had done it! As the official raised his hand and presented him to the crowd.

Cesar was overcome by a mix of joy, excitement, and relief that flooded his body.

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esar was not the only wrestler from the NEPSAC who walked away with a national title that weekend. Nico Provo from Greens Farms Academy, Jimmy Herrington from Belmont Hill, and Dominic Rossetti from Loomis Chaffee were all crowned national champions at their respective weight classes. In total, eighteen other New England wrestlers earned All-American honors at the 2021 National Prep Championship. This was the strongest performance by NEPSAC wrestlers in recent history. As a region, New England finished in second place, only being outdone by the Pennsylvania prep schools. The accomplishments of these athletes are even more impressive when one considers the adverse training situations and uncertainty that most of these athletes and coaches faced during the months leading up to the tournament. While athletes competed independently from school affiliation, the performance of Green Farms Academy wrestlers could not be ignored.

Greens Farms, a small private day school, is punching above its weight on the mats these days. Much of the credit for their success goes to alumnus and head coach Jack Conroy. Conroy graduated from GFA in 2006 where he was a New England Champion and Prep All-American. He went on to wrestle at Bucknell University before returning to his alma mater to take over the wrestling program and serve as a physical education teacher. When asked about the program’s success this season, Jack explained that this season was something they have been building to since he took over the program. When COVID threatened their season “the willingness and ability to be creative along with institutional support” was their saving grace. Conroy was fairly guarded when asked about the potential of the team’s performance being replicated in the upcoming season. He did sound cautiously optimistic and hinting at additional incoming talent. Despite the success on the mat of GFA and of our region as a whole, many NEPSAC wrestling programs find themselves in precarious positions.

In the last few years, a number of member schools have dropped their wrestler programs for a variety of reasons. Williston Northampton, Tilton, Loomis Chaffee, and St. Thomas Moore have all folded their programs despite the success of individual athletes.

Falling numbers, lack of competitiveness, adequate coaching staff, and gender equity are the justifications often offered by administrators for these decisions. This trend is also present in the NCAA where the impact of COVID-19 has put additional stress on athletic departments. Old Dominion University announced cutting their programs shortly after the shutdown in the spring of 2020.

Fortunately, there is some bright news on the horizon for NEPSAC wrestling fans. The 2021–2022 season will be the first season with a New England Women’s Tournament sanctioned by the NEPSAC. This victory was the result of years of work for many coaches in the league and is a bright symbol for things to come.

Danhaf, who played an important role in this decision, stated, “the creation of a women’s division in the NEPSWA tournament is an important step for women’s wrestling and for wrestling in general.

Women’s wrestling is the fastest-growing high school sport in the US, by some metrics.” In his mind, and in the minds of many others around the league, sanctioning wrestling as an official sport recognizes the growth that we have already experienced and will help facilitate the continued proliferation of female wrestling.

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One might expect the development of new sports to begin at the youth level to cultivate talent. Then as participants age, progress into the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.

Women’s wrestling seems to have taken the opposite path. One of the early victories of women’s wrestling was its addition to the Olympic games in 2004. Putting female grapplers at the pinnacle of athletics pushed the sport into the limelight. Giving the next generation inspirational role models spikes interest, and earlier opportunities to compete naturally emerge. Yelena Pirozhkova held a key role in this wave of female wrestling.

Growing up in rural western Massachusetts she understood that if she wanted to wrestle, it would have to be against boys.

“The first time I actually came to wrestling practice I was really uncomfortable. I was 13 and being so close and personal with other teen boys was borderline embarrassing at first. But there were no other options” said Pirozhkova about her early experience in the sport. Still, she persevered.

After her high school graduation, Yelena moved out to Colorado Springs to live and train as a resident athlete at the Olympic training center. In the years that followed she would go on to be a multiple-time world medalist and an Olympian in 2008 and 2012.

Although Yelena is proud of her accomplishments and career she recognizes the barriers she had to overcome. “I never knew women competed at the Olympics so I had no role models that I was aware of.” She is excited to see the recent growth in the female side of the sport and believes it will encourage more young women to give the sport a shot. Entering the coaching phase of her career, she now serves as the Head Women’s Wrestling Coach at New Jersey City University. Back in January of 2020, her duties brought her back to Massachusetts to run a clinic at Phillips Academy Andover.

Andover has a long tradition of female wrestling at their school. The current head coach and Director of Girl’s Wrestling for the conference, Kassie Archambault, is doing everything she can to provide young women with the opportunity to wrestle and build the sport in New England. Kassie is the first female to hold a head coaching position in

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the NEPSWA and as an alumnus of Andover, she knows firsthand what it takes to compete in our league. Throughout her tenure, Kassie has been working hard to pave the way for other young women in the sport of wrestling. For the last seven seasons, she has hosted a female-only regular-season tournament. Back in 2013, the Phillips Academy Girls Wrestling tournament only had nine entries. Since that inaugural event, the numbers have swelled to nearly 100 participants. Archambault explained “once we established ourselves as a tournament worth attending and that we would provide a good experience, competition, and matches, more and more schools started bringing their wrestlers.”

As we look ahead to this coming season she expects numbers to continue to rise and believes that a female NEPSAC tournament is an important step for the cause. “I am so excited for the creation of a women’s NEPSAC championship next winter. The fact that these wrestlers who work so hard throughout the season not only get the opportunity to earn an individual medal but also earn a team title, is so important for the continued growth of our sport.”

One of Archambault’s former wrestlers, Marisol Nugent, was also thrilled to hear the announcement made by the NEPSAC. “The addition of a women’s championship showcases the sport to a new audience and allows more people to get involved. These developments can go on to influence the development of division one women’s wrestling and fulfill the goal of providing more opportunities to female athletes.” Nugent, who graduated from Andover in 2020, was the first female National Prep Champion and currently attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she trains at the Tar Heel Wrestling Club RTC (Regional Training Center). The statistics that we’ve seen in other regions of the country support these predictions of potential growth.

Bior Guigni, the CEO of Beat the Streets New England, applauded the step taken by the NEPSAC board to create and sanction a female-only event. Bior is a New England native and wrestled in Connecticut before attending Menlo College in Atherton, California. She and her colleagues at BTS are on a mission to develop and support urban youth through athletic competition, specifically the sport of wrestling. Over the last few years, the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine have all sanctioned women’s State Tournaments. Bior explained that “there has been a direct correlation between an increase in female participation and the sanctioning of girls’ state tournaments at the HS level. We also see more camaraderie between the male and female wrestlers and in turn growth of participation on both sides.” She is confident that this trend will continue in the NEPSAC. Bior went on to say that “it is important to have opportunities at all levels. As the fastest growing sport in the nation, more women are choosing to continue their wrestling journey after high school and we need to build avenues to support that”. Emma Randall, a former colleague of Bior’s at Beat the Streets, is also passionate about building women’s wrestling and is now working from the college perspective.

Emma, who grew up in a small town in Ohio, followed her brother to the sport of wrestling and quickly fell in love with the sport. To her, “Step one is creating opportunity, but step two is making sure people know it exists. Growth will happen when coaches, administrators, and teammates share new opportunities with females in their community.” In July of 2021, coach Randall transitioned from

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her role at BTS to the Women’s Head Coach at the New York City Regional Training Center, housed at Columbia University. In her new coaching role, Randall will work to grow the club roster (shared

by Barnard and Columbia), work toward creating an Ivy League for women’s wrestling, and develop camps and clinics to unite

more women are choosing to continue their wrestling journey after high school and we need to build avenues to support that women who wrestle nearby. From her perspective, post-season tournaments are crucial: “These events are a great opportunity for women to meet potential college coaches and student-athletes.

Additional matches can help athletes develop and hone skills. The largest benefit from competing in women’s post-season events is gaining a sense of community in the women’s wrestling world.”

While Emma reminds us that growing pains will continue to present themselves along the way, she encourages NEPSAC coaches to stay the course and spread the news.

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his fall, graduated seniors are prepared to make the transition to college. For Cesar Alvan, that means a move to New York City where he will attend Columbia University. “The sport of wrestling has been such a blessing in my life. It has made me a humble person and taught me resilience. Still, I want to achieve more.” As a league, we should also push ourselves to achieve more. Of course, we should celebrate the athletes, coaches, and administrators for their efforts in the 2022–2021 school year. As a region, we were able to provide our students with a meaningful educational and athletic experience that will be cherished by these students. Still, we need to continue to support the continued development of women’s wrestling in our region and support the smaller and struggling programs.

As we prepare for another winter season, it looks as though we will yet again be dealing with the impacts and complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. We should be encouraged by our success this past year and continue to draw on the experience and expertise of our colleagues around the league. Let us look forward to another successful season despite the challenges we face.

Zach Bates is the head varsity wrestling coach at Northfield Mount Hermon, where he teaches math. He has been at NMH since 2016.

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Turf Care: Winter’s on the Way

by Jason Lanier, Turf Specialist, University of Massachusetts Extension This article first appeared in the September 2021 issue of The Blade. Reprinted by permission of NESTMA.

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hile the month of September is precious prime time for key turf management activities like planting, fertilization, and aeration, once the calendar turns to October forward-thinking turf managers begin to shift their attention to the oncoming winter. Shorter days and cooler nights remind us that winter is just around the corner. After the heat and drought of summer, the winter season is the most difficult test for our cool-season (C3) grasses.

Most perennial warm-season (C4) turfgrasses, such as bermudagrass or centipedegrass, are easily killed by lower temperatures and are therefore much better utilized in warmer geographic areas. Cool-season (C3) grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, are well-suited for culture in the Northeast because they have an inherent ability to survive the winter conditions typical of this region. Different species and cultivars vary in their tolerance level however, and injury or death is still very possible under the wrong mix of circumstances. There are two basic mechanisms of turfgrass injury by low temperature, or what is often called direct low temperature kill: » Intracellular freezing occurs when the temperature dips to the point at which ice crystals form in the fluid within plant cells. The sharp crystals rupture the cell membrane resulting in leakage and eventual death of the cell. When this phenomenon occurs within the turfgrass crown (the main growing point of the plant), death of the entire plant is likely. » Extracellular freezing involves ice crystal formation outside of plant cells during low temperature exposure. The ice crystals create a negative potential gradient that draws water out of cells and leads to desiccation, cell collapse and death of tissue.

In response to shorter days and cooler temperatures in the fall, grass plants gradually shift resources away from growth and towards preparation for winter survival. During this acclimation to decreasing temperature (hardening), the ability of turfgrass plants to reduce crown hydration and accumulate solutes such as carbohydrates, soluble proteins and amino acids helps to

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protect plants from direct low temperature kill. The period after which shoot growth ceases, but the turf remains green (typically around late November-early December in Southern New England) is especially critical for acclimation. The bulk of the carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis during this phase, instead of being directed to growth, are used by each plant to protect vital cells from freezing. A gradual decline in temperature over a period of 3 or 4 weeks is preferable during the last stage of the hardening process. Although air temperatures often fluctuate (sometimes considerably), soil temperatures are buffered and therefore the descent is typically more measured.

As noted above, even among well adapted cool-season grasses, there is significant variability in low temperature tolerance and overall winter hardiness at both the species and especially the cultivar level. Genetics, furthermore, are only part of the equation, as a whole series of environmental, management and plant factors will play a role in the actual risk of cold injury any given year. In the end, much depends on the quality of acclimation and also the timing and pace of de-acclimation come spring. A lot of frustration originates from the fact that many aspects of the process are beyond our control. Research is ongoing to increase our understanding of low temperature hardiness in C3 grasses.

In addition to direct low temperature kill, keep an eye out for other potentially damaging agents in the ‘winter injury complex’: » Frost damage – Frost can in some cases be lethal to seedlings, but it is less common that frost alone causes lasting damage to mature turfgrass plants. A notable exception is when traffic (foot, equipment, vehicle) occurs on frosted turf. The compression drives the frost crystals into cells, rapidly killing tissue. Even if crowns are not directly affected, frost injury can destroy frozen shoots and leave crowns more exposed and vulnerable to other stresses.

Visible frost injury caused in the fall will often be apparent throughout the winter until growth resumes in the spring.

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» Desiccation is caused by excessive drying of plants from dry air and winter winds. Moisture is driven from vital tissues and is not replaced as a result of dormant plants and frozen soils, resulting in plants that do not recover when growth resumes in the spring. Desiccation is especially common during ‘open’ winters or due to other factors that leave turf exposed for lengths of time. » Low temperature diseases, particularly snow molds, which are fungi that can grow and thrive despite cold temperatures. Often exacerbated by available moisture, higher N levels going into winter, and extended snow cover.

While snow molds can be lethal on intensively managed turf such as that on golf courses, they are typically a temporary, superficial nuisance on lawns and grounds. » Ice damage – this injury is caused by lack of sufficient gas exchange when ice cover is present on turf for long periods (typically > 60 days). Can be widespread and incredibly damaging under the wrong mix of weather conditions. » Mechanical damage and heaving – Physical surface disruption from either natural frost heaving or snow removal operations. Can necessitate extensive springtime repairs. » Critter damage – Voles are the most common culprit.

Winters with lasting snow cover provide voles with protection from predators, frequently resulting in damage to turf areas and also woody plantings. » Salt damage – De-icing salts that contact turf areas can impact plant growth in several ways: by affecting the ability of plants to able to absorb water from the soil, by alteration of physical soil structure, by competition with desirable nutrients in terms of root uptake, or simply by direct toxicity from some critical level of undesirable salts.

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 23

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ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL | SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

Horizons at The Ethel Walker School Launches New Field Hockey Initiative

Horizons Executive Director Princess Hyatt and Ethel Walker field hockey coach Mimi Duran unpack equipment for Walker’s Horizons program.

W

alker School’s Head Varsity Field Hockey coach Mimi Duran, a New Agenda: Northeast Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, recognized the gaps between opportunity and access to sports in underserved communities and she worked to incorporate field hockey into Walker’s Horizons program, a national program which aims to combat summer learning loss for underserved girls. Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, the nation’s first all-girls program, serves girls from Hartford public schools by offering year-round enrichment offerings including a six-week summer program at the Walker’s Simsbury campus with the aim to prepare students to thrive both in and out of the classroom. The girls spent time each week during the summer learning the field hockey sport, and also about the importance of physical activity and the benefits it can have on mental health and wellness.

“Sports has become a rite of passage for many children, but there is a lack of access for under-represented children, particularly in Hartford. This program has been developed to address these

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disparities and offer access and opportunity to young girls so that we can fill the college pipeline with diverse players,” says Duran. “The Horizons program supports the academic progress of students in its program in addition to the physical component that includes swimming and dance lessons. This partnership which introduces organized sports coupled with academics prepares Horizons students with the skills they will need to be successful in high school and beyond.”

This new initiative has been developed in partnerships with Growing the Greatest Game (GGG), a national initiative to measurably advance field hockey through diversity and inclusion.

This year GGG supports more than 20 grassroots sites that target underrepresented athletes with the aim to generate sustainable support from collegiate institutions and local clubs so that athletes have the opportunity to continue to play once they complete the grassroots sessions. Sistas with Sticks, another partner in the program, led diversity training for Horizons coaching staff and will continue to lead diversity training for the program on a yearly

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 25

basis. Penn Monto, a field hockey equipment company, donated and deeply discounted more than 130 sticks, shin guards, goggles, and mouthguards that were made available at no charge to students in the program.

“I am beyond excited that Coach Mimi and our partners approached our Horizons program with the chance to collaborate on this initiative,” said Horizons Executive Director Princess Hyatt. “It is a transformative experience for our students to learn to play a sport that they may not have access to at their home schools. I am especially impressed with Sistas with Stix holistic approach to training coaches and volunteers during our diversity equity, inclusion, and justice webinar run by Sistas with Stix which helped all of us understand the impact of creating this program to introduce our students as young as third grade to the benefits of playing field hockey.”

Students will continue to participate in developmental sessions throughout the fall with special events also part of the agenda including a trip in November to Trinity College in Hartford for the NCAA Division 3 Field Hockey Finals.

In addition to the partnerships created with Growing the Greatest Game, Sistas with Sticks, and Penn Monto, the Walker’s/ Horizons coaching staff will collaborate with head field hockey coach Karen Nell of University of St. Joseph (West Hartford, CT) and Trinity College’s (Hartford, CT) head field hockey coach Anne Parmenter, to offer opportunity and access to underserved girls of color to the sport by providing equipment and transportation to participate in clinics and other activities throughout the summer and fall. The Walker’s/Horizons coaching staff includes Head Coach Amanda Naimie, a former JV coach in Walker’s field hockey program, current Walker’s field hockey players, and members of University of Saint Joseph’s field hockey program.

Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, the first all-girls Horizons program in the nation, serves 130 underserved girls in Greater Hartford public schools in grades Pre-K–7th grade.

Horizons creates the conditions, connections, and community that enable every girl who attends to gain the skills, confidence,

Former Walker’s field hockey player Nafarrah Ramsay ’21 teaches a player how to pull the ball.

26 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

A Horizons student practices stick handling skills by balancing a small stuffed animal on her arm.

and motivation to overcome the opportunity gap and realize her potential. Horizons at The Ethel Walker School builds brighter futures for girls by creating year-round academic, artistic, and athletic opportunities, nurturing potential, and inspiring individual dreams in a safe and supportive community.

I am beyond excited that Coach Mimi and our partners approached our Horizons program with the chance to collaborate on this initiative Growing the Greatest Game is a national initiative to measurably advance field hockey through diversity and inclusion.

GGG supports more than 20 grassroots sites that target underrepresented athletes. The hope is that there is sustainable support from collegiate institutions and local clubs so that the athletes have the opportunity to continue to play once they complete the grassroots sessions. GGG is a passion project that is led by four organizations, So Sports Foundation (Megan Stocks), Sistas With Sticks (Imani Ruffin) Stepping into Field Hockey (Shari Jones, Janessa Pope, Idrienne Walker), and Beyond Sticks (Chrissy Summers).

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GREENS FARMS ACADEMY | WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT

The Running Cofskys Are Making Their Mark

by John Nash

I

t took many miles a big personality to to get the Cofsky the team.

Family on the “Dylan has been same team.And — steadily improving his literally — a few hurdles, times but his main as well. This fall, role is keeping the though, the Greens situation light and Farms Academy cross making everybody country team has laugh,” his coach said. brought the siblings Dylan also can together for one spot talent, predicting season, competing Logan will be GFA’s No. as Dragons. Senior 1 runner by the time Dana is on the GFA he graduates. After girls squad while her running his first varsity brothers Dylan, a race at the Canterbury junior, and Logan, a Invitational, Logan freshman, are on the finished as GFA’s boys team. seventh runner — “The Cofsky Colello was impressed. siblings are a GFA “Logan, a soccer cross country first, phenom, puts his having three family head down and works members on one hard while being very team,” Dragons coach quiet,” Colello said.

Glen Collelo said.

“He earned a spot Dylan has been on the varsity seven part of the program for the Canterbury The running Cofskys: Dana, Dylan and Logan. for three years, as Invitational and well as running on the showed he belonged.” school’s track team. He has enjoyed every mile he along the way.

Dylan joked that his older sister joined the team so she could When asked why he started running as a freshman, Dylan actually supply rides for her brothers, but her actual role on the replied, “I just really liked it. The team had a bunch of seniors my girls squad is much bigger than that. She is GFA’s No. 5 runner on first year and they really made all the runs a lot of fun. Plus, I had the girls side, giving the Dragons a full team. some friends who ran, too.”

“Her joining gave the girls squad a fifth teammate and the Last year, during GFA’s track season, Dylan convinced Logan— ability to score as a team,” Colello said. “Dana’s almost-twothen an 8th grader—to compete for the Dragons. minute improvement from race 1 to race 2 is very promising for an “I thought it was fun, running every day and the team really already-strong girls squad.” had a sense of camaraderie,” Logan said.

Dana also epitomizes everything that is great about cross With Logan moving into the Upper School, the brothers knew country, where even the newest runner can gauge one’s they’d be running together this fall. Having their older sister join performance against the clock. them was a bit of a surprise. Dana had grown up riding horses and “My goal is just to finish every race,” she said. “But if you beat competing in equestrian sports. She took a break from the sport, your last time, then that’s great, too.” though, leaving her with time on her hands — so she decided to start using her feet.

Photo courtesy of Greens Farms Academy Communications.

Dana explained, “Dylan and my parents suggested it’d be fun to run. It’s my first time doing a GFA sport, which is a new experience for me, but meeting kids from different grades has been fun.”

Each Cofsky brings something different to the program, Colello said. While Dylan is the most experienced runner, he brings

28 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

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BERKSHIRE SCHOOL | SHEFFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

Blast Program Empowers Female Athletes

by Megan Mokriski ’21, Editor of “The Green and Gray” Photos courtesy of Berkshire School

I

t was hard not to notice the group of more than 70 female athletes working out, playing loud music, and cheering each other on every Monday and Thursday afternoon last fall— which is exactly what the founders of BLAST intended.

BLAST is a workout program designed for Berkshire’s female varsity athletes to make them stronger, prevent injury, and foster a supportive environment. Athletes can also work with different coaches and take their training to the next level—physically and mentally—as they set their sights on collegiate athletics.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between varsity coaches, including Cori Chambers, Lisa Marshall, Katherine Simmons, Heidi Woodworth, and many others. Coach Woodworth said BLAST was an opportunity “to better serve our athletes.”

Their goal is to create a space where female athletes can feel proud of who they are and what they can do. In the past, Coach Marshall said there’s been a “tangible inequity” between

30 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 31

girls’ and boys’ sports at Berkshire, and many girls have felt that cheering for each other to finish ... you can’t coach that, you can’t they are not taken seriously as athletes, despite the large number make them cheer, it’s something that you have to want to do. And of girls who play two or three varsity sports. The coaches wanted in life, you need other people to pick you up, and you need other to figure out what Berkshire sports had been lacking in the past women to empower you instead of breaking you down.” and find a way bridge that gap.

If one athlete gets stronger, everyone else does too, which is To Coach Marshall, BLAST is “the passing of responsibility. So imbued in the BLAST motto: “If she gets stronger, we get stronger.” much of why I came back to work at a boarding school is to not And beyond getting stronger, Coach Woodworth says that these only identify what I did have and appreciate it, but also to identify first BLAST participants are “rewriting the narrative around female what I didn’t have. And what we’re doing here is so much more athletics at Berkshire.” than what I lived.”

Coach Becky McCabe wanted to give back after her time as Athletes to Coaches a student-athlete at Berkshire and to offer the next generation of The Berkshire coaches who participated in coaching the BLAST athletes the same opportunities she had. program were Kelley Bogardus, Callie That includes mentoring other athletes, Carew-Miller, Cori Chambers, Hannah “MANY FEMALE ATHLETES just as Coach Sylvia Gappa was a mentor Cooke ’14, Dory Driscoll, Sylvia Gappa, for her.

John Hyland, Maura MacKenzie, Lisa GROW UP WITH THE Many female athletes grow up with Marshall, Becky Zavisza McCabe ’05, the message that they should “keep up Britt Plante, Katherine Simmons, Georgia MESSAGE THAT THEY with the boys,” but Coach Simmons hopes Tuttle, and Heidi Woodworth. All of the SHOULD ‘KEEP UP WITH that BLAST relays a different message: “I coaches were also athletes themselves. want to keep up with the girls. I want the Combined, they played 135 varsity high THE BOYS,’ BUT I WANT TO girls to set the standard,” she said. school seasons and 78 seasons of college The highlight so far for Coach Marshall athletics, captained 43 teams, won 16 KEEP UP WITH THE GIRLS. was seeing athletes supporting each league championships, completed 11 other. One moment in particular stands marathons, earned four college AllI WANT THE GIRLS TO SET out: after a hard BLAST practice, athletes Americans, and one coach even played at THE STANDARD.” were finishing up with sprints, and “all of the national level. the girls were so tired, but they were still

—COACH SIMMONS

32 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

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HOLDERNESS SCHOOL | PLYMOUTH NEW HAMPSHIRE

No Snow? No Problem! Air Bag Lets Holderness Skiers Flip, Spin, and Grab All Summer Long!

by Greg Kwasnik

I

t’s the height of summer in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but our student-athletes are still skiing and snowboarding thanks to Holderness School’s innovative new air bag jump.

Built into the hillside above the school’s football field, the jump provides a year-round venue for the Holderness freeski, snowboarding, and big mountain teams to throw tricks and improve their skills - all while greatly reducing the risk of injury. Now, instead of trying a new trick for the first time on snow, Holderness athletes can practice aerial maneuvers dozens or hundreds of times on the air bag jump, where an impactabsorbing, 1,800-square-foot air bag ensures a soft landing.

The air bag, designed and built by BigAirBag®, a leading manufacturer of air bags for freestyle and action sports, promises to be an invaluable training tool for Holderness athletes. In a Holderness athlete’s overall training progression, it will bridge the gap between the school’s existing training trampoline and competitive, on-snow aerials.

“Going into next year, I see a reduction in injuries, an increase in our progression, and on the competition side I see more podiums,” says Alan Smarse, Holderness School’s director of snowboard & freeski. Beyond podium finishes, the jump’s true value comes in its ability to keep kids healthy and motivated. “If we avoid injury, that means our kids don’t lose time on snow,” Smarse says. “It also means they don’t have a mental block, which means we can practice better and smarter, and put them in a better position to be successful.”

Boasting a 70-foot-long ramp, 27-degree slope, and four possible takeoff configurations, the jump can be tailored to any level of skier or snowboarder. Several large fans keep the 10-foothigh bag inflated, and the ramp itself is covered by an artificial turflike surface that mimics the sliding properties of snow. But unlike a jump made out of snow, which changes constantly with weather and use, the air bag jump provides a perfectly consistent training

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environment. “This all makes it so that the tenth jump an athlete takes feels the same as the first,” Smarse says. “That’s really the whole purpose.”

On a recent summer afternoon, skiers and snowboarders enrolled in a Freestyle America summer camp spent several hours training on the Holderness air bag jump. Taking cues and instruction from several experienced coaches, the campers methodically launched off the ramp and spun through the air before landing with a soft whoosh on the giant air bag. One Holderness athlete at the camp, a 16-year-old freeskier, managed to land her first 360 after just two days on the jump. A similar training progression would have taken much longer on snow. “That would have taken a month on snow with perfect conditions,” Smarse says.

Once school starts this fall, the school’s skiers and snowboarders will use the jump to get a similar head start on their winter training. Athletes will be guided by Holderness coaches with US Ski & Snowboard aerial coaching certifications, who will give constant feedback and ensure a safe training environment.

Once the snow falls and competitions begin, Smarse hopes the jump will have given his athletes a competitive edge – and kept injuries at bay. “Even if we weren’t getting progression from this, keeping the kids healthy is, by far, our highest priority across the board,” Smarse says.

Construction of the air bag jump was made possible by a transformational $6 million gift in support of Holderness athletics.

That anonymous gift is also funding a number of other major projects on and off campus, including the construction of five world-class homologated race loops and a snowmaking system on the school’s Nordic trail system; the creation of several new athletics fields, including a lighted turf field; and the building of the Mittersill Performance Center at Cannon Mountain for the school’s alpine skiers.

NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 33

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 35

THE RIVERS SCHOOL | WESTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Rivers Hosts Bay State Games Events

by Jane Dornbusch

I

n July, sports fans had the opportunity to watch high-level athletic competition involving participants from far-flung locations—not at the Tokyo Olympics but at the Bay State Games, now in its 39th season in Massachusetts. And for the first time, The Rivers School served as a venue for two of the events, hosting volleyball July 10–11 and girls’ basketball July 16–18.

“We are very excited to be hosting some of the Bay State Games at Rivers this summer,” said Rivers Athletics Director Keith Zalaski.

“We love our campus and facilities, and we feel fortunate to be able to use them to help local kids have the experience playing in an event that represents all of the athletes in Massachusetts. We look forward to providing a high-level setting for such a special event.”

The Bay State Games, which provides recreational and enrichment opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities, may not be the Olympics, but, as part of the National Congress of State Games, which in turn is part of the United States Olympic Committees Affiliate Organizations Council, it’s Olympics-adjacent, and over the years it has sent more than three dozen participants on to compete at the Olympic or professional level.

Of course, COVID has had its impact on the Bay State Games.

“We had to cancel all summer games events in 2020 and only received state approval to proceed with events in summer 2021 in May,” explained Bay State Games Executive Director Kevin Cummings. Moreover, said Cummings, some of the locations the organization typically counts on, such as Harvard and UMass Boston, have chosen not to let outside groups use their facilities this summer. That left the organization scrambling to find suitable venues that offer the right combination of location, accessibility, and quality.

As luck would have it, though, the Bay State Games announced a partnership with the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) this past winter, and that put facilities like Rivers on the radar. “We received several recommendations to investigate the Rivers School,” said Cummings. “We made an inquiry, took a site visit, and are very grateful that our request was approved for this summer.”

36 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

The connection between the Bay State Games and NEPSAC does more than expand the list of potential venues, says Cummings. “The new partnership helps us to ensure that we are reaching the full range of high school athletic participation,” he said. “By participating in the Bay State Games, NEPSAC athletes will receive additional college recruiting exposure and the opportunity to participate with new teammates and coaches, as well as the benefits of several non-athletic programs, including the Future Leaders Scholarship Program and our High School Ambassador Initiative.”

Cummings says that Rivers is a great fit for the Games. “We are very excited to be at The Rivers School this year,” Cummings continued. “Their athletic facilities are top notch, the location is centrally located for many of our participants, and the campus provides a great, small-college-campus feel. We believe our participants will be very impressed with the venue for our basketball and volleyball events.” Let the games begin!

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 37

AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL | AVON, CONNECTICUT

Coaches Corner

by Matt Mihalich

I

“

f you want to be a coach, first you must refer to yourself as a teacher. That will guide everything you do.”

These words come from Morgan Wootten, a Naismith Hall of Fame inductee who is often referred to as “the Godfather of Basketball.” He amassed 1,274 victories over 46 years, all at one high school. He declined many, many offers to go beyond DeMatha Catholic High School but insisted on remaining true to his calling, teaching history and coaching basketball at the high school level. His philosophy always came back to the real reason he got into coaching in the first place, which was to touch peoples’ lives. I was fortunate enough to know Coach Wootten and his son, Joe, whose camps I worked every summer.

Wootten’s career is an inspiration to anyone who wants to make a career out of coaching and played a large part in bringing me to Avon Old Farms. The coaching profession is often warped by immediate gratification. Too often coaches begin compromising principles to win and climb the ranks. But at Avon, we are teachers.

We coach so young men can learn life lessons through sports. We can measure success by how much we grow as a team and how willing we are to work every single day. When teams can work hard and learn each day, winning takes care of itself.

My love and passion for coaching began the day I was born.

My father has been a college basketball coach for my entire life, and I learned the game from him. His first job was as an assistant coach for Morgan Wootten, who contributed so much to how my dad approached the game. I watched him simplify, then teach, and repeat. Above all, I watched how much he cared for his players

38 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

and how hard he worked to be successful. He lived each day with tremendous enthusiasm and passion for his craft. That was the kind of career I wanted.

My dad’s type of enthusiasm is essential for success.

Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm. I am sure all professions can inspire enthusiasm in some form, but each day gives members of this program the chance to feel such great emotion. Reaching for goals presents tough times and adversity, and those experiences fuel the desire to persevere. Furthermore, achieving a goal brings about such a well-deserved sense of accomplishment and joy. These young high school basketball players will feel each of these incredible experiences, and I am honored to be a part of that.

These core values shaped my philosophy: be a teacher first, make the game simple, and bring enthusiasm to each thing we do.

At Avon, those ideas are second nature. I am so grateful to be here adding to the amazing culture that has been established over so many years, and I am very excited for what is to come. Go Winged Beavers!

Matt Mihalich is the head varsity basketball coach at Avon Old Farms, where he teaches math.

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 39

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL | CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

A New Look for St. Paul’s Athletics

S

t. Paul’s School has developed a cohesive athletics brand The visual brand uses the School’s official colors of red, black, identity that reflects the energy and spirit of its student white, and yellow but expresses them in a custom font with a fresh athletes, coaches, and the community that supports them. new take on the pelican mascot. Central to the identity is the As the 2021–22 academic year begins, it does so with an differentiation between the nickname and mascot, a structural exciting new look for the School’s athletics teams. After more decision that was reached after polling of students, captains, than a year of collaborative, cross-departmental work, St. Paul’s coaches, staff, faculty, and a cohort of alumni. Are the SPS teams School has developed a cohesive athletics brand identity that the Pelicans or Big Red? The answer has varied over the years. reflects the energy and spirit of its student Community feedback solidified around athletes, coaches, and the community the moniker of “Big Red” for the athletics CENTRAL TO THE IDENTITY that supports them. teams, and the visual brand reflects that Watch our brand in action in the video shift.

IS THE DIFFERENTIATION here.

The pelican remains an important BETWEEN THE NICKNAME Associate Director of Athletics Chris symbol of the athletics program, conveying, Smith, who led the branding effort, says as Smith says, “the mission of the School AND MASCOT the goal “was to provide a coordinated and its athletes. It suggests aspiration, visual identity and enable us to implement service, and sacrifice. It represents who we it in a manner that presents a consistent graphic depiction of strive to be as people — thoughtful, unselfish, and compassionate our teams, our Big Red nickname, and our pelican mascot while — always striving forward and upward.” The pelican mirrors that connecting Athletics with the School’s overall visual identity. ideal in the new visual brand; drawn in vibrant School colors, it “With this new look,” Smith adds, “students, faculty, staff, SPS flies boldly forward, just like the School’s Big Red student-athletes. families, and alumni can show their spirit and their pride in St. Paul’s School continuing its tradition of athletic excellence.”

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NEPSAC News | Fall 2021 | 41

WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY

Ice Hockey to return to WMA after 2 decades

by Bill Wells, Director of Student Promotion

T

he Titans shoot. The Titans score. Starting in 2021–2022, ice hockey will return to Wilbraham & Monson Academy after a 19-year hiatus.

The program will begin as a club sport for boys and girls, with the plan of offering teams at the varsity level in the very near future.

“I was here when we dropped hockey,” WMA Head of School Brian Easler said. “I know the reasons for it, and they were good reasons at the time. However, honestly, we’ve all been hoping since that day for the time when we could bring hockey back to WMA, and we feel that time is now. “As an institution, and I mean that from the Board of Trustees down, we couldn’t be more excited to do this. Hockey is a part of our heritage, it’s a part of our history and it’s going to be part of our future.”

Support for hockey at the Academy came instantly following the announcement in February, with hundreds of alumni and current families reacting on WMA’s various social media platforms.

“The return of ice hockey to the WMA sports program is certainly being greeted with great enthusiasm by so many within our overall community,” Director of Athletics Don Nicholson ’79 said. “It has been very rewarding to also see the reaction from our alumni body as so many former players have communicated with the Academy to let us know of their excitement and to offer their support.”

“Being local, my immediate response was how can I help and how can I give back,” said Bryan Musa ’92, an active local coach, including that of his three daughters. “I built lifelong friendships. I just talked to one of my teammates. Playing hockey at WMA gave me an opportunity to continue to play hockey and to get exposure to play in college.”

WMA won Western New England Prep School Division II hockey titles in 1972–73, 1984–85 and 1985–86. Rick Bennett ’86, the men’s coach at Union College, was named MVP of the 1986 team.

“It was an honor to wear the Wilbraham & Monson Academy hockey jersey,” said Bennett, whose Union team won the NCAA Division I title in 2014. “The program offered a tremendous Our mascot Titan took to the ice on Crystal Pond to share excitement of the return of ice hockey to WMA.

Wilbraham Academy team photo, 1971

42 | NEPSAC News | Fall 2021

experience, filled with extraordinary opportunities. I am forever grateful to WMA and to have played with such terrific teammates.”

More than 20 current WMA students have played, or are playing, organized hockey for clubs in the region.

“I thought it was a great idea because it will attract more people to the school since hockey is such a big deal in the area,” Cory Bignell ’24 said. “We can make this work.”

“It’s going to be great for our school to have another program and give our students something else to participate in,” J. J. Fox ’23 added. “I’m excited for it.”

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Differentiated Leadership: How to Figure Out What Each Athlete Needs

O

n a team, there are athletes who naturally gravitate towards leadership roles and require little support. But those athletes aren’t the only ones who can be team leaders, and a dedicated coach can help athletes hone previously dormant leadership skills.

Here, TrueSport Expert Deborah Gilboa, MD, explains how to look at your team through a new lens: Seeing each athlete as capable of taking on leadership roles, and as individuals who may require different types of encouragement from you.

Leadership can look different to different athletes

It’s important to recognize that leadership is not an inherent trait: it’s a series of skills that can be honed.

Similarly, there’s not just one type of leader. “We often have this picture, especially in sport, of what a leader looks like,” Gilboa says. “Most people will list characteristics like outgoing, assertive, talented, and communicative. But the truth is that not all leaders are like that, and we rob some kids of leadership opportunities because they don’t have those obvious characteristics. Some leaders have great insight and empathy, or the ability to listen and not to talk, or to delegate decision making.”

Differentiate your coaching and their leadership

“Differentiating leadership means knowing your group and giving each athlete an opportunity to use the leadership characteristics that are natural to them,” Gilboa explains. “And it’s also about differentiating your approach to each athlete.” Some kids will respond well to tough love, others need quiet guidance, some need reassurance, and some need to be pushed a bit harder in order to perform.

You need to let athletes lead

Because of the work required to manage a team and the needs of each player, you cannot be the only leader for your team. “There’s not enough of you to go around,” Gilboa says. “You’ll burn out trying to be the only leader.” However, especially at the start of a season, it can feel difficult to let go of leading and trust that your athletes can take over certain aspects. In fact, it can feel like more work as you set up team leaders who will run the team through warm up drills and cool-downs, or who will help to call plays and offer suggestions to other players. But fostering leaders in the group will pay off quickly—and save you time and energy through the season. Delegate as much as possible to leaders on the team as the season progresses. This is also great practice for them!

Get outside of your own beliefs

Gilboa suggests making a list of all the different qualities that can be associated with being a leader. Later, look at the list and match the names of all the athletes to each quality: Some athletes might have more than one, but ensure that every athlete has at least one quality. This will help you hone in on how each athlete can

About TrueSport TrueSport®, a movement powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, champions the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sport. TrueSport inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement and thoughtful curriculum based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, characterbuilding, and clean and healthy performance, while also creating leaders across communities through sport.

For more expert-driven articles and materials, visit TrueSport’s comprehensive library of resources.

This content was reproduced in partnership with TrueSport. Any content copied or reproduced without TrueSport and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s express written permission would be in violation of our copyright, and subject to legal recourse. To learn more or request permission to reproduce content, click here.

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improve their personal leadership qualities, and serve to remind you how different leadership can look.

Help kids see themselves as leaders

“Out loud, acknowledge what athletes do as leaders. Naming their leadership qualities makes a big difference, so tell an athlete, ‘Hey, I admire how you handled that situation on the court today,’” Gilboa says. For a shy athlete, being told that they are being a great leader can be a life-changing moment. Young athletes need to hear that from you because many possess some leadership quality, but don’t see it in themselves.

Set a goal of telling each athlete one thing that you noticed each week.

Try different approaches

While coaches shouldn’t show any signs of favoritism on the team, you may need to change up your own leadership style to reach different athletes. Some athletes may require more attention, while other athletes actually thrive with only occasional input from you, Gilboa explains. And remember that some athletes won’t respond well to being put on the spot, especially in leadership roles, but might be more suited to quiet leadership opportunities. Leading warm up drills may frighten some athletes, but those athletes may be well-suited to help organize their team’s tactics during a scrimmage.

Tell athletes what to expect

“One thing that will really help coaches is providing full transparency: Tell your team that throughout the year, athletes may notice that you’re spending more time with one person or another,” Gilboa says. “Let them know, ‘While you might think that another athlete is getting most of my attention, I give attention to who needs it in the moment. And each of you are going to need it at some point.’”

Takeaway

With differentiated leadership, coaches can both honor young athletes’ natural leadership styles and effectively offer them support based on individual needs.

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