Athletics Round-Up

by Neil Rigg

The 2022–2023 school year brought a change of leadership to our Athletic Department with the appointment of Amy Mulligan as our Director of Athletics alongside Dan Kapps, Isaac Middleton, Lauren Mahoney, and Taylor Holze. The department hit the ground running with a busy pre-season and transitioned seamlessly into our fall sports season.

Portledge School saw tremendous success in its fall sports programs, with the varsity soccer teams and JV Boys bringing home PSAA championships. All three teams won on penalty kicks in overtime, and they supported and cheered for each other during their final matches. The cross-country program also showed growth, with a few student-athletes going to the NYSAIS championship this year. In its second year at the varsity level, the volleyball program made the playoffs and showed true growth. While currently only a varsity sport, the hope is to have more feeder-style programs down the line. The general growth of each player was a highlight for the season, with players like Laura Narby ’23 and Franklin Escobar ’24 stepping up on the soccer fields and showing true leadership. Returning and new coaches brought balance and invaluable experience into the programs, and this stability will help strengthen what has been started.

The winter season was filled with ups and downs, but overall, there was a strong performance from both the boys’ and girls’ programs. The boys’ hockey program in particular faced a lot of injuries but still managed to maintain a strong presence in the league. The girls’ hockey team exceeded expectations and won a championship in a thrilling four-overtime game. This success has allowed the program to grow, and the coaching staff has had a tremendous impact. The squash program on the varsity side also did well, but unfortunately, they just missed out on their NYSAIS tournament. The basketball programs had high expectations, and the boys’ team won the PSAA, while the girls’ team made the playoffs despite being young. Anthony Follett ’23 had a tremendous season, scoring 1,000 points and becoming a leader on his team. The boys’ and girls’ coaches worked hard to develop their programs and build a strong foundation for the future.

Spring sports was an exciting time for the young teams. Despite a lot of growth potential and eager players, the softball team improved and developed rapidly despite having mostly 8th graders and freshmen. The boys’ lacrosse team had many returning upperclassmen and some fantastic games, while the girls’ lacrosse team had brand new coaches and a young team with a few senior players, but they all put in the work to get better. On the other hand, baseball had great returning coaches and a solid season that showed a lot of potential. Outdoor track had 17 people and added more events to its repertoire, teaching athletes about shot put, jumps, hurdles, and more. The constancy of the coaching staff and their game plan helped these teams develop chemistry and camaraderie and allowed coaches to implement their strategies effectively. It was an exciting time to see these young teams’ growth and improvement.

The robustness of the programs and the strong relationships the players built with one another are what the school hopes to continue moving forward. This will only be enhanced by the new Athletic and Wellness Center, which will hopefully be available for our students and coaches to use in the new school year.