22 minute read
Sports
Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com Feb. 25, 2022 Page 46
Decatur to send eight girls, four boys to states
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) Eight girls and four boys will represent Stephen Decatur in the MPSSAA 3A-2A-1A state swim meet this Saturday at University of Maryland Eppley Recreation Center.
The swimmers advanced to the state championship because of their performances during the Feb. 19, 3A-2A-1A East Region competition at the Anne Arundel Swim Center. The top three in each event automatically qualified for states. The individuals and relay teams with the next 12 best times statewide also advanced. The Decatur girls’ team finished in second place overall with 324 points. Easton won the regional meet with a score of 368.5 points. Kent Island placed third with 295 points.
“The girls got mostly best times and if they weren’t best times they were really close,” said Decatur Coach Kristina Watts.
“It was really exciting when we heard that [we came in second] because my freshman year we got third, so moving up to second was pretty awesome,” said junior captain Natalie Canham.
Canham was part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that came in first place and earned a regional title (1:47.12). She swam the first leg of the race.
“I was able to get a really good start and get us off to a pretty good lead,” she said. “It’s so exciting to go to states for that [event]. I went to states for my freshman year relay so getting to do it again is just so much fun, and the people that are in my relay are just so nice and so kind, and obviously so fast.”
Also members of the 200-yard freestyle relay team were senior captain Sierra Wakefield, junior Kayden Hamby and sophomore Trista Harner.
“It was pretty great to win. I just remember I kept looking at the water and then back at the time board waiting for either them to touch or the time board to light up,” Wakefield said. “It’s really cool this being my first regionals and being part of a relay team that got first.”
Canham will compete in three other events at states. She took second in the 200IM (2:22.43) and third in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:13.21) at regionals.
Canham, Wakefield, Hamby and Harner will also compete at states in the 400-yard freestyle relay race. They finished in second place at regionals (3:57.51).
“I think I did really well. I got a best time for my 100 breaststroke, which I haven’t beaten in like three months, so that was really exciting for me,” Canham said. “My 200IM was pretty good too, not my best, but still pretty good. Overall, I was pretty happy about it.”
Canham went to states her freshman year. There was no swim season last year because of covid.
“I’m excited and nervous. It’s a surreal experience,” she said.
Her main goal is to place top five in the 100-yard breaststroke.
In addition to the two relay events, Wakefield will compete in 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly at states. She took second in both the 200 free (2:09.65) and 100 fly (1:03:16) at regionals.
“I think I did pretty good. I’m pretty happy,” she said. “The people that I went up against who got first, they both deserved it and did really well. It wasn’t the first time swam against them. It was cool to watch their times improve as well as my own.”
Her main goal for states is to swim the butterfly event in one minute flat, or faster.
“I’m so close and I really just want to get it down to that double zero. That would be really great if I can do that,” she said.
In addition to the relays, Harner and Hamby will swim in two individual races each.
Harner finished in second place in both the 50-yard freestyle (25.76 seconds) and 100-yard freestyle (56.96 seconds) at regionals.
Hamby took third in the 100-yard butterfly (1:07.82) to automatically advance to states. Her time of 27.17 seconds (sixth place) in the 50-yard freestyle was good enough to send her to states.
The 200-yard medley relay team of sophomore Katie Mitchell, freshman Vienna Williams and juniors Emma Coyman and captain Katelyn Pizlo finished in fifth place, but their time of 2:07.68 qualified them for state.
Pizlo is unable to attend the state meet so freshman Molly Hoffman will take her place.
Coyman will also swim in the 200IM at states. Her time of 2:36.42 (eighth place) advanced her to the championship meet.
The Decatur boys’ team came in sixth place overall at regionals, scoring 195 points.
“The boys did great. We got some wins, and everyone pretty much swam their best times,” said Decatur Coach Steve Deakyne.
Two swimmers earned regional titles in their races.
Junior captain Gavin Stearn won the 50-yard freestyle (22.08 seconds) and 100-yard freestyle (48.67 seconds).
“I got a personal best in the 50, so that was good. The 100 I was just holding my time, so that was also good. It was pretty close,” he said. “I was out for the week before and I got two days in of swimming, so I think I did pretty good. It’s exciting to bring that back [two regional titles] for Decatur. I’m trying to go out for a state title, maybe two.”
Stearn, who is making his second state appearance, said his goal is to get under 22 seconds in the 50 free.
“I’m very nervous. The times are very close in my events because all those top seedings are like .0-something off. They will be all very close races,” he said.
Sophomore Daniel Karcheuski won the 200IM (2:06.95). He placed second in the 100-yard butterfly (54.59 seconds).
“I was pretty surprised by my results. I wasn’t expecting to do as well, but I’ve been putting in the work this season and I’m definitely proud of how I did,” he said. “It didn’t matter whether I won, just the fact that I saw that I got better over the season, that I improved. I’m really proud of how I’ve been getting a lot stronger, a lot faster, a lot more coordinated. Work-
Steve Deakyne Kristina Watts
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY Eight girls and four boys will represent Stephen Decatur in the MPSSAA 3A-2A-1A state swim meet this Saturday at University of Maryland Eppley Recreation Center.
FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Decatur wrestling dominates, wins Bayside Conf. title
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) The Stephen Decatur wrestling team displayed another dominating performance, winning the Bayside Conference championship title by more than 100 points last Saturday in Cambridge.
“I was ecstatic. We wrestled great. We really competed well. We were pretty dominating,” said Decatur Coach Todd Martinek. “We got 10 in the finals, eight champions – which is a record – we only lost seven matches the whole tournament, and only got pinned once. Even the matches we lost we wrestled well. We’ve been doing well all season, but that was pretty impressive.”
Decatur finished the 14-school tournament with 348.5 points. Parkside was runner-up with 224 points, followed by Kent Island with 209.
All 14 Decatur wrestlers finish in the top four in their weight classes. Eight Seahawks won their divisions, two finished in second place, three in third and one in fourth.
Coming in first place in their weight classes and bringing home Bayside champion awards were: freshmen Juan Hinojosa (106 pounds) and Liam Hugues (120), sophomore Gavin Solito (145), junior captain Logan Intrieri (132), seniors Cody Drummond (138) and Henry Brous (220), and senior captains Noah Reho (160) and Alex Koulikov (195).
Freshman Aaron August (113) and senior Jack Quisgard (182) finished in second place in their weight classes.
Sophomores Reid Caimi (126) and Parker Intrieri (170) and junior Evan Haworth (152) took third in their divisions.
Senior Michael Rayne (285) placed fourth.
“I was so happy with the kids’ performance. They revenged some losses, they beat some kids that were ranked higher. Lots of good things happened,” said Martinek, who was named Bayside Coach of the Year. “It’s nice to be recognized, but I was really excited with how the kids did. I was very proud of them.”
Decatur won the Bayside Conference championship for 10 consecutive seasons (2002-2011), then again in 2017, 2019 and 2020. There was no wrestling season last year because of covid.
Decatur will send all 14, plus five female wrestlers, to the MPSSAA 2A East regional tournament on Saturday at Queen Anne’s High School in Centreville.
The top two finishers in each weight class will advance to the state tournament, held March 3-5 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
PHOTO COURTESY VINNEY CAIMI The Stephen Decatur wrestling team displayed another dominating performance, winning the Bayside Conference championship title by more than 100 points last Saturday in Cambridge.
SD swimmers ready for states
Continued from Page 46 ing on the little things is all adding up.”
Karcheuski said winning a title was pretty special.
“Rewatching my races, I was like, ‘Wow that’s me out there,’” he said. “Both events at least a second dropped, so that was pretty cool.”
He’s hoping to drop more time in his events at states.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for awhile,” he said. “This is my first year getting to compete. I’m happy and excited for it.”
The two will also compete in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200yard freestyle relay races at states.
The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Karcheuski, Stearn, sophomore Mason Castanares and freshman Bryce Gill finished in second place at regionals (1:39.20).
The foursome took third in the 200-yard medley relay race (1:48.61) to advance to states.
The top eight in each event will earn a spot on the awards podium at states.
“I’m looking forward to what states is going to be like, since there was nothing last year [because of covid],” Watts said.
“They just need to swim to the best of their ability and hopefully drop more time,” Deakyne added.
Serving Maryland and Delaware OFFERING COMPETITIVE PAY AND BENEFITS CALL US TODAY AT 410-641-1434 OR APPLY ONLINE ARCTICHEATANDAIR.COM
Rebounding and defense key for squad in playoffs
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) The Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball team earned the No. 3 seed in the MPSSAA 3A South Region tournament and will host first-round competition today, Friday, at 5 p.m. in Berlin. “We’re jelling at the right time,” said Decatur Coach BJ Johnson. “I’m excited BJ Johnson about where we are. I just hope it continues to carry over. In the playoffs it’s one and done, so you’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game.”
Decatur finished the regular season with a 13-7 record. The Seahawks will host the sixth-seeded Crofton Cardinals on their home court today.
“You always like to have a home game. We’ve been spoiled over the years,” Johnson said. “After we beat this team on Friday we’ll have to go on the road to get it done.”
Johnson said earlier this week he planned to watch game film on Crofton to help prepare for the competition.
‘We’re going to focus on what we need to do and see what happens,” Johnson said. “We’re going to concentrate on what we can do to win the game.
“From day one, we’ve preached defense and rebounding,” he continued. “That’s the key to winning. If we can do those two things we’ll be OK.”
The winner of Friday’s game will take on the second-seeded Oxon Hill Clippers in Oxon Hill, on Monday.
PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT KURTZ The Stephen Decatur girls’ basketball team finished the regular season undefeated, 19-0, as the Lady Seahawks now prepare for regional tournament competition, which kicks off today.
Lady Seahawks ready for playoffs
www.oceancitytoday.com By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) The Stephen Decatur girls’ basketball team is focusing on the positives of the season as the Lady Seahawks prepare for the MPSSAA 3A South Region tournament competition, which kicks off today.
Decatur wrapped up the regular season undefeated, 19-0, earning a spot in Tuesday’s Bayside Conference championship game against the Queen Anne’s Lions.
The game was originally slated to take place at the civic center in Salisbury, but it was moved to Queen Anne’s High School. Home-court advantage and the environment in the gym were big factors.
The Lions led 12-4 at the end of the first quarter. Decatur went on a 9-0 run in the second quarter to pull ahead, 13-12. At halftime, Queen Anne’s held a 20-17 advantage. After three quarters, the home team was on top, 34-22. The Lions won, 44-24.
Decatur was playing half of the game without its center, junior captain Mayah Garner, who sprained her ankle in the first half.
“We were playing against arguably the best center in the conference [Kendall Moxey] without our center,” Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz said.
In addition, junior Shelby Rosemond got into foul trouble, and freshman Sam Boger turned her ankle and missed the rest of the game.
“The environment, level of stress, injuries and fouls, we couldn’t come back from,” Kurtz said. “Now we have to figure out who we’ve got and just get them motivated to play for a regional championship. We have to remind them of the successes, focus on all the good stuff, and how much support they have.”
Decatur received a first-round bye in the regional tournament bracket and will host the winner of today’s No. 4 James M. Bennett Clippers vs. No. 5 Chesapeake Cougars game, on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Berlin.
“We took today off. It’s a blessing we get this little gap to recover, heal and get ready,” Kurtz said Wednesday evening.
He said he plans to watch the Bennett-Chesapeake game, mostly to learn more about the Cougars. Decatur beat Bennett during the regular season, 62-12 and 66-25.
“I anticipate it will be Chesapeake [who wins], but you never know. We’ll get the girls ready for whoever is coming,” Kurtz said.
To be successful in the postseason, Kurtz said “we need to prepare for multiple defensive looks – press, man, zone, multiple zones.”
“They play at a higher level across the bridge, they’re more athletic and bigger,” he added. “We have a lot of girls who can play in multiple spots. We need to find where they feel confident, where they can succeed and not think twice about it, but just play.”
The Seahawks hope to continue their dominant run in the playoffs like they had during the regular season.
“No matter what happens, they’ll always remember this season,” Kurtz said. “We won the close games. We found a way to get the girls ready and they did what they had to do. [Going] 19-0 all goes back to how hard they worked in the offseason.”
Mielnik 3rd in pole vault and Brenner 9th in high jump
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) Two indoor track athletes represented Stephen Decatur at the MPSSAA 3A state championship meet, held last Thursday at the Baltimore Armory.
Senior Owen Mielnik came in third in the pole vault event and junior Summer Brenner finished in ninth place in the high jump. “They did well,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel. Mielnik’s pole vault goal going into the state meet was 14 feet, 14 feet 6 inches. He Brenda Hommel finished the competition with a best of 13
feet.
“Owen got one foot higher than he did at regionals. He was feeling really good. He came in at 12 feet and had no problem clearing it. And at 12’6” he had no problem,” Hommel said. “He’s very competitive, but we’re just happy with what he did.”
Mielnik said he was a bit disappointed with his performance. He cleared 13 feet and then attempted 13 feet 6 inches.
“I felt confident, I was high enough over [the bar], I just came down on it,” he said.
The third attempt he said he misstepped and ran through.
“It was just a bad jumping day,” he said.
He advanced to the state championship by winning the MPSSAA 3A East Region pole vault event, with a height of 12 feet. Mielnik is also the
PHOTO COURTESY BRENDA HOMMEL
PHOTO COURTESY FRED BILLINGS Stephen Decatur indoor track athletes, junior Summer Brenner finished in ninth place in the high jump and senior Owen Mielnik came in third in the pole vault at the MPSSAA 3A state championship meet, held last Thursday at the Baltimore Armory.
Bayside Conference champion in the event.
He placed third in the pole vault at the 3A state championship outdoor track meet in June and is also a regional champion outdoors. He plans to compete in the outdoor track season, which kicks off next week. His goal is to pole vault 14 feet in his final outdoor season and return to regionals and states.
“I’m hoping to do well my last season,” he said.
Hommel said she hopes Mielnik can be a mentor for the other Decatur pole vaulters during the outdoor spring season.
Brenner earned a PR of 4 feet 8 inches, placing third in the regional high jump event, to qualify for states. Brenner’s high jump of 4 feet 6 inches landed her in ninth place for her state tournament debut.
“I didn’t get a personal record –I got it the week before at regionals – but I improved a lot this season so I was happy,” Brenner said. “[States] was a good experience all around. You always bond with the people in your event [and] I knew some of them from regionals.”
Brenner said it was a big accomplishment just to qualify for states.
“I hope to place even higher next year,” she said.
“I was very happy with how she did in general, just being able to get to states,” Hommel said. “I’m looking forward to her outdoors.”
Brenner said she will be participating in outdoor track, competing in the high jump and hurdles events. She hopes to return to regionals and states for her outdoor events.
Hommel thought the overall indoor track season went well, but was challenging.
“I don’t know if it was any more or any less [challenging] that any other school,” Hommel said. “We were fortunate to have a venue for meets, but weather, snow on the track, covid is-
Beach Lacrosse registration open
(Feb. 25, 2022) The 2022 Beach Lacrosse season is right around the corner and registration is now open to all ages, pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade, until March 1.
Beach Lacrosse board members are hoping to see registration numbers grow, encouraging more kids to fall in love with America’s oldest sport.
“It’s a new year and a perfect time for kids to get excited about a new season with Beach Lacrosse,” said Beach Lacrosse Vice President Jenny Carven. “Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced player, we thrive on fair, inclusive play that forms a fun, sportsmanlike environment for all ages.”
The season will open the week of March 7, with practices at Worcester County’s Northern Athletic Complex. Along with practices, games are held on Saturdays, beginning the first weekend in April through mid-May. “Beach Lacrosse belongs to the Eastern Shore Youth Lacrosse Association (ESYLA) and plays teams across the Eastern Shore,” Carven said.
“Whether it’s developing new skills during practices or being challenged during games against our ESYLA opponents, we are proud that our Beach Lacrosse Club participants are enjoying the highest levels of competitive recreational lacrosse while also developing lifelong friendships.”
Beach Lacrosse is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to the growth of youth lacrosse on the lower shore of Maryland and Delaware. To learn more, or to get involved as a volunteer, visit www.beachlax.org, or contact beachlacrosse@yahoo.com. sues, injuries, it was a challenging season any way you look at it. Also, being a 3A school on the shore, we don’t compete against other 3A schools unless you go across the bridge. It’s difficult to rise to that level when you don’t have that competition here.”
Hommel said several key contributors and high scorers will be graduating, more from the boys’ team than the girls’ squad.
“We should have a good group next year,” she said.
Many indoor track athletes plan to participate in outdoor track this spring.
QUALITY MEANS DOING IT JUST-RITE MARINE CONSTRUCTION
INSIDE SMALL BOAT & PONTOON STORAGE VINYL BULKHEADS • RIP-RAP PIERS • DOCKS BOATLIFT PILING • DREDGING
JUST-RITE MARINE INC.
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) The Worcester Prep girls’ basketball team fought hard but came up a bit short, falling 27-26 to the Saints Peter and Paul Sabres last Thursday in the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference semifinals in Easton.
“They played really well, especially in the second half. They fought and never gave up,” Prep Coach Mike Kelley said. “We slowly chipped away at it. We were talking, moving, great help defense.”
Worcester’s leading scorer and cocaptain, senior Lily Baeurle, rolling her ankle in the first quarter was a big hit for the squad. After one, the Sabres led 7-0.
“Once Lily went down we struggled a bit,” Kelley said.
At halftime, Saints Peter and Paul was on top, 7-2.
Baeurle was able to return to the game and points were traded in the third quarter. After three, the Sabres held a 1715 advantage. Worcester took a one-point lead with about two minutes left in the game. Saints Peter and Paul pulled back ahead by four in the final seconds.
Baeurle hit a three at the buzzer to make it 26-27. She was Worcester top producer with 15 points.
Worcester finished the season with a 13-5 record.
“We had a goal of cutting down the nets [and winning a conference championship] and we were in a position to get there but it was a tough final game,” Kelley said.
He was pleased overall with the girls’ performance and growth this season.
“The things we could control we did well,” he said. “There were very few moments throughout the season we didn’t play well defensively. When offense wasn’t there, defense carried us. We either played great defense or great offense, we never got to do it both at the same time.”
Kelley said he was thankful to be a part of the program this season and to work with the girls.
“I enjoyed coaching. I had a great time. The girls were fantastic,” he said. “I’m happy I did it. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.”
Seven of the 11 players on Kelley’s roster were seniors. Four were main contributors this season.
“With so many seniors, it was special to be a part of. I had the best seat in the house to watch them play,” Kelley said. ”It’s going to be a small roster next year. We won’t have the same type of depth. It might be hard to find some scoring.”
Baeurle, and co-senior captains Morgan White and Myranda Beebe received All-ESIAC honors. Senior Natalie Brushmiller was awarded honorable mention accolades.
Kelley presented the team’s MVP award to Baeurle. His coach’s award went to Beebe. Freshman Isabella Marinelli earned the most improved award.
Mike Kelley
By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Feb. 25, 2022) The Worcester Prep boys’ basketball team chipped away at Delmarva Christian’s lead, but the Mallards were unable to pull ahead and lost the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference semifinals game last Thursday in Georgetown, Delaware, 65-58.
“It was a good game. If you look at the stats, they made four more threes then we did,” said Prep Coach Pat Moylan. “The kids did everything they needed to do to win the game. We were down 20 to down five in the second half.”
Delmarva Christian Royals led 126 at the end of the first and 29-15 at halftime. Both teams scored 18 points in the third quarter. Worcester outscored its opponent, 25-18, in the final quarter.
“We got steals, but we couldn’t score. We just couldn’t convert a bucket. We ran the offense well, we got shots, we just didn’t make them,” Moylan said. “We out-rebounded them, we had more steals, fewer turnovers, we took about the same amount of shots, they just made more of them.”
Worcester was 22-for-59, while Delmarva tallied 22-for-51. The Prep squad hit four threes and the Royals netted eight. From the foul line, the Mallards went 10-for-18, while the home team hit 13 of 19.
Senior captain Brice Richins led Worcester with 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.
“They busted their butts. They were right there. I was proud of their effort,” Moylan said. “They never quit all year long. It was a good season.”
Worcester finished the year with an 8-7 record. The team will graduate five players, two of whom were main contributors.
“I enjoyed coaching. The kids are great,” Moylan said. “They’re all smart, nice kids. They will all end up doing great things in life for sure.”
Receiving All-ESIAC accolades were Richins and junior captain Griffin Jones. Senior Michael Wehberg earned honorable mention distinction.
Moylan presented the team MVP award to Jones. Richins received the coach’s award. Junior Harrison Humes earned most improved honors.
Despite graduating five players, Moylan thinks next year’s team will be strong.
“With the talent coming back [and coming up from the JV program] we can be really good. I think we’ve got a good shot to win it next year,” Moylan said. “They want to get better, they want to work.”
Pat Moylan
