Sports
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
SportsLine: as one reaches the peak, the other climbs
Andy Backstrom Co-Editor-in-Chief In sports, at all levels, timing is critical; no team is exempt from this principle. Winning is built over time. When a force of dominance ends, another must begin to grow. The same is true for high school sports, and, in Conestoga’s case, for squash. Boys: After losing only one varsity senior last year, the boys’ squash team acknowledged that they had the chance to do something special this season. “We knew going into the season
that we were arguably the best squash team Conestoga has ever had. After rebuilding our team for the most part of my sophomore and junior year seasons, we knew that it would all come together for this year,” senior Arun Balaji said. With experience at hand, captains Alex Lee and Tommy Brennan, both seniors, understood the magnitude of the situation. They held captains’ practices in the offseason, in which players hit together and worked to improve their stamina for the upcoming season. So far, they have lived up to expectations. On Jan. 28, the team defeated Haverford 7-2 — a milestone, as ’Stoga had never emerged victo-
Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE
Awaiting the moment: Senior captains Alex Lee and Tommy Brennan anticipate the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships on Feb. 12-14. The boys have achieved several milestones this year, including defeating Haverford for the first time in program history.
Peter Jean ’16
rious versus Haverford in a varsity contest. Despite the team’s performance and lofty goals, they retain their focus and try not to get ahead of themselves . “Everyone on our team keeps their goals and expectations high, but nobody loses their humility: after losses, nobody points fingers at other guys. Everyone just takes responsibility for themselves. We win and lose as a team and nobody is ever singled out, which I think is a direct result of our close friendship and respect for each other,” Brennan said. The boys are prepared to make their mark in Conestoga squash history when they compete in the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships on Feb. 12-14 in Philadelphia, Pa. Brennan says that the team looks to finish in the top 20 in the nation and earn honors as the country’s best public high school squash team. Girls: Unlike the boys’ team, the girls lost a majority of their previous season’s varsity lineup. However, senior Julia Bevan sees this course of events as something positive. “I think the loss of so many seniors actually gave the team a fresh start. We all love the girls that left, but, with a new team this year, there’s a real chance for everyone to bond together rather than a few new people working to fit in with an already formed team,” Bevan said.
Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE
Grooming the future: Senior captains (from left to right) Julia Herman, Julia Hess and Julia Bevan provide leadership for the underclassmen-heavy team. The Pioneers have turned a roster turnover into an opportunity to shape the program for coming years. Due to the roster turnover and the abundance of underclassman who joined the team this year, the JV and varsity teams have blended together. Like the boys, Conestoga’s girls participated in the Poly Prep Interscholastic Invitational and the MASA tournament. They will travel with the boys to the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships to cap off the season. The Pioneers are starting their climb back to success. And most importantly, they have accomplished their goal. “We’ve focused a lot on making sure that everyone gains strong fundamental skills and creates a foundation to build on throughout their time in the
COMMITMENT CORNER
program. I’d say that as a team we’ve met that goal. Everyone, especially the newer players, have come so far since the beginning of November,” Bevan said. As the newcomers improve, respect is earned. “I think our team right now does a fantastic job of focusing and really giving their best effort at every single practice and match. I have never seen so many players learn and improve as quickly as our team has this year, and I am extremely proud to call them my teammates,” junior Amelia Quazi said. In a few years, the girls’ team could very well reach the peak where their counterpart, the boys’ team, stands.
Hannah Ashton ’16
School: Ursinus College Grade: 12 Sport: Football Position: Outside Linebacker
School: Rollins College Grade: 12 Sport: Lacrosse Position: Attack
Why Ursinus? “I like the coach, I like the campus. It has a good football program and a good position I can play there. It’s a good school and I had a really good feeling as soon as I got there.”
Why Rollins? “I fell in love with the beautiful campus and the town of Winter Park, Fla. I love the coaches’ philosophy of making the team work really hard, but also having a lot of fun. Rollins also offers me several great programs that I’m interested in studying.”
What ’Stoga Football taught him: “It taught me a lot. It taught me a lot about responsibility, about brotherhood, and taking things seriously.” Favorite ’Stoga Football Memory: “During my junior year, beating Marple Newtown at Marple Newtown.”
What ’Stoga Lacrosse taught her: “How to play as a team and work as one until to reach a common goal.” Favorite ‘Stoga Lacrosse Memory: “Beating Radnor in the semifinals of states to advance to the State Championship game in Hershey last year.” The Spoke 27