Kristen Oelze ‘04 2002 and 2003 were special years for PCDS varsity volleyball. During those two years, Kristen Oelze ‘04 led the Eagles to the state championship game where they finished as state runner-up each year. Thanks to Kristen’s leadership and skill, she helped to put PCDS Eagles volleyball on the map. Kristen won many PCDS athletics honors including Most Valuable Player Award all four years. She was an All-Metro Region performer and in her senior year was selected as Metro Region Player of the Year. In conjunction with that honor, she was selected to the Arizona Republic All State team. Kristen went on to play volleyball at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in economics. Kristen is currently working as a vice president of a money management firm in Phoenix. She still keeps her hands in volleyball playing in local tournaments and leagues , and helped coach the PCDS volleyball team this fall!
Left: Associate Athletic Director Bob Kosower, Kristen Oelze ’04 and Athletic Director Shane Lewis at the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Right: Kristen with the 2004 Varsity Volleyball Team
1965 Athletes Fifty years ago, in 1965, the PCDS Upper School had a student body of 64. The 8th grade class was allowed to participate in varsity sports, which pushed the number of eligible student-athletes up to 88. The 1964-65 school year marked the initiation of the first varsity football team at PCDS. A total of 22 boys from 8th through 12th grades showed up in early September, coached by Mr. Rist, Mr. Hickox, and Mr. Eiseman. PCDS played 5 games that season, and to quote the 1965 yearbook, “Our lack of scores made little difference. Football was a great experience and it was a lot of fun.” That school year also marked the first year of competitive wrestling. Coach Tooker and the team wrestled one match against Judson and came away with a 15-13 victory, which signified an undefeated season! In addition to football and wrestling, the other sports offered to students in 1965 included baseball, basketball, soccer, track & field, and tennis (tennis being the only sport offered to women). Our 1965 sports team members laid the groundwork for our student-athletes today. As we reflect on Phoenix Country Day School’s athletic successes, we know that if it were not for their commitment in the school’s early years, our athletic programs may not be where they are today. 1965 athletes in attendance at the Hall of Fame Induction were: Larry Bonoff ‘67 – Football, Soccer, Tennis, Virginia Clifford Anders ‘68 - Tennis, Dan Foote ‘69 – Wrestling, Christopher Walker ‘65 – Football, Basketball.
Left: PCDS Athletic Director Shane Lewis, Christopher Walker ’65, Larry Bonoff ’67, Virginia Anders ’68, Dan Foote ’69, PCDS Associate Director of Athletic Bob Kosower. Right: 1964 Varsity Football Team
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