Fall SpOrtS
Fall SpOrtS
Volleyball 7–10 The team’s theme was “Relentless Pursuit.” They were constantly chasing their dream, and one special highlight was defeating Hotchkiss on the home court on Taft-Hotchkiss Day. Seniors Pen Naviroj, Victoria Gordon, and Caroline Leopold played their final game in storybook fashion. These three players had the final three touches—pass, set, and spike—to seal the victory and allow Taft fans to storm the court. The team had great wins against Greenwich Academy, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Miss Porter’s, Hopkins, Canterbury, and Northfield Mount Herman, but did not qualify for the New England Class A Tournament. New England All-Stars were Caroline Leopold ’15 and Pen Naviroj ’15. Founders League honors went to Leopold and Victoria Gordon ’15. Three-year varsity letter winner Naviroj received the Varsity Volleyball Award.
AthLetIC AwArD wInnerS John B. Small Award randall S. mcHugh ’15 rory J. ronan ’15 girls’ Cross Country Award Olivia H. Barnett ’15 colleen m. iannone ’15 field hockey Award rachael m. alberti ’15 lauren a. Drakeley ’15 Livingston Carroll Soccer Award Daniel c. Quirk ’15 1976 girls’ Soccer Award Peyton a. Swift ’15 Black Cup Quentin a. Harris ’15 Justin T. lebek ’15 harry K. Cross football Award Stephen D. mesh ’15 Volleyball Award Pensiri naviroj ’15
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Taft Bulletin / wInter 2015
Founders League Championship, and set a new school record for the 3.0 mile home course (16:46). The team’s best race came on Parents’ Day, at home against a strong Williston squad. Taft took the race out hard and held on as Williston moved up for a 25–30 win. The strong crew of upper middlers, including Dullinger, Evan Miller, Leon Vortmeyer, Rob Dettmann, and Abokor Ismael, has the chance to be a very strong team next year.
football 3–5 The football team entered the season with great enthusiasm and hopes to compete for a league title with one of the most athletically talented teams in New England. Unfortunately, this season was one of adversity due to a rash of injuries. Two very talented postgraduates were lost before the end of the first game. At one point, Taft had seven starters unable to play; rather than quit on the season, the boys rose to the occasion and came together. This team was dedicated, perseverant, and full of
Pen naviroj ’15, from Thailand, left, and caroline leopold ’15 react to winning a point against northfield Mount Hermon during a 3–1 win.
girls’ Cross Country 8–2 Thirteen girls vied for position in the varsity top seven throughout the season, and this depth led the Rhinos to a strong dual-meet record, falling only to perennial powerhouses Loomis and Hotchkiss. The team ran away with a 4th-place finish at the Founders League championships and a 9th-place finish at the New England Championships. Livvy Barnett ’15 led the team in each race, earning All-League honors both at the Founders (3rd place) and New England (15th place) Championships, and she set a new school record on her home course (18:58 for 3.0 miles). Maggie Swomley ’16 also earned All-League honors for her 15th-place finish at the Founders Championships. The final dual meet of the season was a memorable one at Kent, where Taft’s pack running paid off as the runners placed
young men with heart. Highlights of the year included defeating Trinity-Pawling (8–6) at home on a 4th down, red-zone stand in the driving rain. The Rhinos dismantled Hotchkiss (49–14), ensuring that this group of seniors never lost a game to our rival. In the final contest of the season, Taft defeated Salisbury (26–18) in a rematch of a game that was a 35-point loss three weeks earlier. This winning result was a testament to the team’s commitment and grit. The squad was led by tri-captains Quentin Harris ’15, Justin Lebek ’15, and Nadir Pearson ’15. Harris (1,642 yards passing, 14 TD passes, 442 yards rushing, 3 TD) received All-Erickson League and All-New England honors. Lebek led the team with his physicality on defense as well as contributing 446 yards receiving and 6 TD in only six games. Pearson led the team in receiving (41 catches for 425 and 5 TDs) and was one of the best defensive backs in New England (6 INT). Senior Stephen Mesh ’15 and postgrads Bobby Nevin ’15 (AllErickson League) and Jeremy Zeitler ’15 were exceptional two-way linemen.
field hockey 6–10–1 After graduating 10 seniors, this young team worked hard all season to begin a new foundation. The overall record does not reflect how well this team came together and competed over the course of the season. Led by a small but strong senior class, the Rhinos also were supported by some very talented younger players. Co-captains Lauren Drakeley ’15 and Rachael Alberti ’15 were both named WNEPSHFA All-Stars, and Sarah Laico ’15 and Hope Tierney ’15 were Founders League All-Stars. The season culminated with a very exciting game against eventual New England champion Hotchkiss, who scored early off a penalty stroke. The game remained at 1–0 until the last 10 minutes when Hotchkiss was able to open up a 2–0 lead. Taft, however, never gave up, and Laico scored, assisted by Drakeley and Alberti, with 2.5 seconds left on the clock. It was only the third goal that had been scored against Hotchkiss this season. The team is planning an international trip this summer to either London or Costa Rica to build on all the growth this year. j
2nd, 3rd, and 5th through 9th after two grueling, mountainous climbs through the woods. Next year’s team looks to be strong, led by tri-captains Sophia Dawn ’16, Amanda Roberts ’16, and Swomley.
Boys’ Cross Country 4–5 The Rhinos’ varsity seven ran well together throughout the season, defeating Berkshire, Suffield, Deerfield, and Avon along the way. Taft was not strong enough to compete with the Founders League leaders (Loomis and Choate) or the New England leaders (Exeter and Andover), making for middle-of-the-pack finishes at those championship meets (5th League Meet; 11th at the Division I New England Meet). However, Tyler Dullinger ’16 led the way for Taft all season, earned an All-League 11th-place finish at the
Sam Okpan ’16 sacks the Hotchkiss quarterback during a 49–14 win on TaftHotchkiss Day.