spring SPORT (49.74), and Erich Marcks ’12 took 3rd in the 800m (2:01.17). To end the season, Robertson and Marcks would team up with Karlan and John MacMullen ’14 to smash the school record in the 4x400m relay (3:25.17).
Boys Lacrosse 10–7
n Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78 congratulates Boys’ Varsity Tennis Coach Peter Frew ’75 on his more than 25 years of service to the team. Phil Dutton/www.PhotoTrophies.com
Girls Crew 6–4 This was a relatively deep and balanced team, indicated by the strong 3rd-place finish at the Founders Day Regatta of the Third boat of Ellie Park ’13, Kelley Gaston ’12, Liz Demmon ’13, Caroline Leopold ’15 and Tiffany Li ’14. Taft had perhaps its best day near the end of the season in sweeping Berkshire, Canterbury and Hopkins, ensuring that all four Taft boats qualified for the New England championships (NEIRA). At the NEIRAs, the Third boat again rowed extremely well, making the Grand Finals for a 6th place finish. Throughout the spring, captain Hanna Dethlefs ’12 teamed up with Anne Tewksbury ’12, Alanna Fogarty ’12, Josie Danziger ’14 and cox RC O’Shea ’14 to power a very competitive First boat.
Girls Track 6–4 Again this year Taft was dominant in the weight events and scored big points in the jumps. Early wins over Deerfield and Berkshire made for the winning season, but the Rhinos had their best meet at the New England championships, where they edged out Choate by one point to place 22 Taft Bulletin SUMMER 2012
6th. At that meet, the 400-meter relay team of Lexi Rogers ’12, Candice Dyce ’13, Shana Joseph ’14 and Alex Lewis ’12 set a new school record in 50.68. Katie Harpin won the shot put by less than an inch with a throw of 36'2", while tricaptain Ellen Kalnins ’12 placed 2nd in the javelin. Dyce placed in the long jump but also shattered her own school record in the triple jump by winning the event with an impressive 37'7" leap.
Boys Track 8–4 Taft earned regular-season wins over Avon, Berkshire and, for the first time ever, Andover, due to its strength in the jumps, throws and middle distance. At the Founders League meet, senior Anthony Gaffney ’12 won the long jump with a final leap of 22'11.5" to break the long-standing record of Peter Guernsey ’40 [22'7"]. Gaffney also anchored the 4x100m relay team of Demetrius Russell ’12, Zach Karlan ’12 and Adam Parker ’13, to set another new school record (43.72) and a 3rd-place finish. At the New England championships, the Rhinos had their best day, with Shane Hardie ’13 winning the high jump (6'0") and Kevin Trotman ’12 winning the discus (151'10"). Andrew Robertson ’12 placed 4th in the 400m
Taft lacrosse ended the season with a 10–7 record and placed 4th in Western New England. Taft was led by All-Western New England and Colorado College-bound goalie Chase Murphy ’12 with a 66 save percentage in net. Virginia-bound Jeff Kratky ’13 was All-Western New England for the second straight year and won 67% of his face offs and ended with 28 points. Virginia-bound Tyler Breen ’14 led the team with 24 goals, and Chas South ’13 and Eric Smith ’14 showed why they are some of the best defenders in the nation helping the defense hold opponents to 6.57 goals per game. Taft’s big win this year was a 14–10 win over nationally ranked Hotchkiss on Alumni Day.
Girls Lacrosse 13–2 This fast team had real offensive punch and defensive tenacity, playing well together all season. Convincing wins over Deerfield (17–8) and Westminster (14–6) set up a showdown with Andover at home; in a back-and-forth contest, Taft prevailed 7–5 behind senior Laurel Pascal’s two unassisted goals. In the final week, the Rhinos fought for two exciting wins, defeating Hotchkiss in overtime (13–12) for the third straight year, and then Choate 14–13. Throughout the season All-Americans Pascal and defender Jordan McCarthy ’12 led the team in scoring, while Charlotte O’Leary ’12 and Caroline Queally ’14 were crucial to the team’s offense. Goalie Lexi Dwyer ’12 and fellow seniors Story Viebranz, Jackie Michnoff and Caitlin Majewski anchored the defense.