4 minute read
Golf
Coach Keith Cappo brings new edge to soccer program
Charlie Keidel ’24
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When Fifth Former Thomas Kaplan heard that Varsity Soccer Coach Mr. Keith Cappo was coming to Haverford this fall, he only had one word in mind: excitement. Coach Cappo brings much experience to the soccer program. He has coached FC Delco and Penn Fusion. He joins Haverford after six years as the head soccer coach at Ursinus College. After announcing he would be joining the community back in April, Director of Athletics Mr. Michael Murphy highlighted his trust and confidence in his new hire. “In Coach Cappo, we found an experienced and accomplished soccer coach who will also fit in with Haverford’s tradition of the teacher-coach model,” Mr. Murphy said. Having just won the Centennial Conference Coach of the Year award, Coach Cappo looks to bring that success to Haverford.
“I am extremely excited to get back in the classroom and to continue to build on Haverford’s strong tradition of success on the soccer field,” Coach Cappo said. The hard work in practice is adding another level of intensity to the team. “Coach Cappo has brought the leadership we needed this year. By doing more fitness post-practice, he’s really raising the level of play and the intensity has risen tremendously,” Sixth Former and captain Alexander Nekoumand said. By raising the expectations of training, competition for places in the team has intensified. Each player wants to win just as badly as the next. The new energy has the players not only motivated but ambitious. With the Inter-Ac season quickly approaching, the team feels confident in its preparation. Coach Cappo has made it very clear that both the Inter-Ac and state titles are attainable.
The team believes that the emphasis Coach Cappo has put on working harder in practice will end up paying dividends, as that style of play is a very tiring one. No matter the result, the team’s performance won’t suffer from a lack of hard work or discipline. Returning players believe that he brings a winning mindset to the team while emphasizing work ethic in practice. “Coach Cappo has made it very clear this year that he wants to bring the program back to its winning ways, and he’s demanding that each of us work harder in practice,” Kaplan said. “He pushes us to be better every time we step out onto the pitch.”
COACH KEITH CAPPO
THOMAS KAPLAN
Mr. Cappo joins the soccer program
PIERCE LAVERAN ‘24
Bodle and leaders get the ball rolling for Fords Golf
Tripp Ronon ’24
Last Fall, after several seasons on the team, then-Fifth Former Ben Bodle opted out of continuing to play on the Haverford water polo team.
“It was sad that he moved on. Ben brought an extensive knowledge of the game that was often appreciated in the film room,” said Sixth Former water polo captain Isaiah Shuchman.
After being raised in a water polocentric household, Bodle grew tired of the sport. The pressure and intensity of morning swims, after-school practices, and club practices began to weigh on him.
“I still love water polo and I also love to watch it, but playing it drains you because it is such a big time commitment,” Bodle said.
Bodle knew he needed to try something different. Around this time, he began to take golf more seriously, keeping track of his scores and improving his handicap. Eventually, he emailed golf coach Mr. Cole Berman ’14 for a spot to try out for the team.
“The tryouts were at The 1912 Club, which happens to be one of the courses I play at on a regular basis,” Bodle said. “It was two days of golf, and I happened to do very well on those days. I made the team, and the rest is history.”
Bodle serves as captain this season, along with Sixth Formers Rory Nesbitt, Brendan Leary, and Henry Gowen. The team started the year with a close win against Radnor High School on Haverford’s home course, Merion West. Mr. Berman is ably assisted by Math Teacher Mr. Andrew Franz. The team has several talented underclassmen, including Third Formers Nicky Nemo, Sean Curran, Will Forman, and Liam McFadden. “Sean, Liam, Will, and my brother, Nicky, have all played in varsity matches this year as freshmen. We have high hopes for the next four years with them,” Fifth Former and teammate Alex Nemo said.
When not in the fairway, the team can be found at team dinners. Each week, a player hosts a dinner to promote team chemistry and support.
“Team dinners are great, and our captain Rory hosted one earlier this week. At dinners we usually chill, talk about golf, and update each other on how we’re doing,” Fourth Former Zach Moua said. “The senior leaders are great too; they’ve provided us with rides to matches and practices many times.”
The golf team supports each other and exhibits great integrity.
“It’s easy to lie in golf, but a Haverford player would never give himself or others an unfair advantage,” Bodle said. “When we played Radnor High School, the players said that we were one of the few teams they have played where everybody is honest about their scores. Haverford golf has a great environment and a great group of kids. Golf is quite an individual sport, but here we treat it as a team sport.”An Instagram post of Rory Nesbitt ‘23 (left) and Henry Gowen ‘23
