WINTER WONDERLAND WITH PRESEASON COMING TO A QUICK CLOSE, WINTER ATHLETIC TEAMS ARE GETTING THEIR FINAL PREPARATION IN FOR THE SEASON AHEAD.
Wrestling led by two returning captains
Basketball optimistic with young team
Swimming looks for nine in a row
2015-2016 Record: 20-13 2015-2016 SPC Record: 10-1 2015-2016 SPC Finish: 3rd
2015-2016 SPC Finish: 2nd THEY SAID IT Head coach Justin Turner: “We have some really talented individuals that can do some really good things, and we are hopeful that they
THEY SAID IT Head coach Greg Guiler: “I’ve always loved the phrase ‘Full effort is full victory.’ I think if our guys show up every day, our hard hats on and the coaches, too, we’ll be tough to beat. I think we’ve got those kinds of guys on this team. We just have winners who will find ways to beat other teams even if they might be a little more talented.”
have a chance to compete for a state and SPC title.” NOTABLE The team attended camp over the summer in Colorado. The team will be led by returning captains Eli Ware and Tucker Ribman. Will Wood is returning state champion. 2016 SPC CHAMPIONS Will Wood at 106 lbs. Ivan Day at 120 lbs. Tucker Ribman at 126 lbs. Bryce Blinn at 170 lbs.
ALDEN JAMES PHOTO
NOTABLE Although the team lost four key seniors to graduation, eight players from last year’s team will return to the roster this season, including three juniors: Sam Sussman, Reece Rabin and Garrett Mize.
EYES ON THE PRIZE Finishing first place in SPC last year, swimming looks to continue the hot streak.
RETURNING ATHLETES Will Wood, Ivan Day, Tucker Ribman, Kal Buscaino, Rob Crow, Eli Ware, Colin Neuhoff, Gabe Bankston
2015-2016 SPC finish: 1st
RETURNING ATHLETES Will Ingram, Fabian Reyher, James Hancock, Sam Sussman, Reece Rabin, Garrett Mize
THEY SAID IT Head coach Mihai Oprea: “Every year has been spectacular for us lately, so a challenge for us is how we can top that. Not necessarily in terms of results, but how we can top that in terms of being a team and chemistry and enjoying what we’re doing.”
RYAN NORMAN PHOTO
THEY SAID IT Senior Easton Honaker: “The seniors last year put up a lot of records, so one of the things we really want to try and do is see how many records we can touch. I think we have the talent and ability to do it.”
HOLD THE PIN With first place in mind, junior Kal Buscaino prepares to secure a victory.
RETURNING ATHLETES Edward Ro, Christian McClain, Andrew Lin, Jacob Hum, Matthew Yang, Alan Jiang, Ethan Pittson, Benjamin Hurst, Cooper Johnson
RYAN NORMAN PHOTO
NOTABLE The swim team seeks to win its ninth straight SPC championship.
THE DISTRIBUTOR Glancing down the court, senior Will Ingram looks for a forward to pass to.
STORIES JAHAZIEL LOPEZ, NICK WALSH, PARKER DAVIS
SOCCER BOOSTED BY KEY SENIOR ADDITION by Sam Shane he third place finish in the 2016 winter SPC tournament still stung in head soccer coach Cory Martin’s mind. Their health, or lack thereof, had done them in. Their luck, or lack thereof, had done them in. Their aggressiveness, or lack thereof, had done them in. When Martin heard some great news regarding his team, however, he knew the time for excuses was over. It’s SPC or bust. Senior Josh Bandopadhay is returning to the soccer team. For all of his life, Bandopadhay has been an active player on the Dallas
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Texans, his academy soccer team. Once sophomore year came around, he joined the school soccer team, making varsity in his first year. After his sophomore year, however, academy obligations forced Bandopadhay to stop playing for the school. Although it was hard leaving the school team, Bandopadhay loved his experienced in academy. “Academy soccer was an awesome experience,” Bandopadhay said. “There is no doubt in my mind that I improved tremendously over the past four years, and I don’t regret my time in the program at all.” This year, Bandopadhay made the difficult decision of leaving academy soccer and returning to the team.
“With everything going on in senior year,” Bandopadhay said, “with college apps and a challenging workload, I don’t think I would have had time to cope with the intensity of academy and the rigor of life at SM. Also, it’s senior year, the last year to represent my school and play with some of my best friends.” Martin believes with the combination of Bandopadhay returning and the chemistry they have on the team, SPC is well within their grasp. “We had a lot of chemistry and camaraderie last year,” Martin said, “and it makes all the difference. In addition, the return of Josh [Bandopadhay] will be great. He’s one of those guys you want on your team.” Even though the team has high aspirations, they are not without their flaws. Last year, it was the amount of injuries that did the team in. This year, even before the season has begun, the team has already experienced a setback. “We lost a wealth of experienced defense,” Martin said. “So our first goal and challenge is to build up a defense that can stop goals from being scored.” Bandopadhay notices another part of the team’s play that needs to be worked on in order for them to win. “St. Mark’s hasn’t traditionally been the toughest, most aggressive team in SPC,” Bandopadhay said. “Some of the South Zone teams that
2015-2016 SPC Finish: 3rd THEY SAID IT senior captain Jake Vaughn: “We have a very solid group of guys coming back this year. And with the addition of Josh [Bandopadhay], I really feel like we can make a run in the SPC tournament. We’ve always been an aggressive team so if we can keep that trend going I’m sure we will reach our maximum potential this year.”
NOTABLE After giving up playing on his academy soccer team, senior Josh Bandopadhay will be a massive addition to the school’s soccer team this season. 2016-2017 CAPTAINS Midfielder Jake Vaughn Defender Corday Cruz
we might play in SPC are known to be strong and aggressive teams, so we need to be able to physically compete with them. Also, we won’t be the biggest team this year, so our game in the air might not be the best.” Martin and Bandopadhay both recognize that the team has some obstacles to overcome in order to win SPC. However, they both remain confident in the team’s abilities. “I’m sure we’re all looking to improve and develop over the course of the season,” Bandopadhay said. “But as of now, the only goal in my mind is to win SPC.”
SPORTS
| November 4, 2016 |sports| THE REMARKER |
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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS