ATHLETICS
rectory wolves defeat covid in athletics By Courtney Callanan, Assistant Athletic Director John Wooden once said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” As we approached this school year, there were many things we could not do when it came to athletics. No games, no contact drills, wearing masks, and much more. But we did not let that stop us from what we could do. We provided students with a space outside the classroom to play, run, be a part of a team atmosphere, and work on their skills for the sports they love. We faced many challenges due to state and national guidelines, but with the mentality of determination, coaches and students overcame those challenges each week and each season. Challenges often mean change, and sometimes that change can be a positive thing. Along with the traditional fall offerings, we created a mountain biking team and a fall tennis team. We added new activities such as a disc golf course, a footgolf course, an outdoor volleyball net for teams to use, and pickleball became a crowd favorite. Our coaches continually developed new ways to keep the athletes engaged. Staying on campus for winter sports meant we had no access to the Pomfret Rink, Hale YMCA, or the Pomfret Squash courts. With this challenge in front of us, we adapted and created a new sports schedule to accommodate our students. We were able to offer boys and girls basketball, fitness, fencing, winter warriors, hockey on our new outdoor ice rink, and we transformed the wrestling room into a competitive ping-pong/pickleball arena. With two seasons of successful and safe athletic activities, spring continued to look even more favorable for our sports teams. We were able to offer all of our typical spring sports and even a new spring adventure offering. Our golf team traveled to the local Connecticut National Golf Course for practice each day. Our tennis courts beamed with students perfecting their serves. Our lacrosse, baseball, softball, and track teams took over our fields and created a space where they worked hard and improved every day. The 2020-2021 Rectory Athletics year will be one many of us never forget. As we move on and put this year behind us, the coaches and student-athletes should be proud because what they could not do did not interfere with what they did do. (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): Fitness,
16
THE RECTORY NEWS | FALL 2021
Vollyeball, Fencing, Equestrian
