Athletics

FALL/WINTER ATHLETICS

Planning for the fall athletic season, administrators and athletic officials from the League of Independent Schools (LIS) and the Virginia Prep League (VPL) divided sports into three risk categories: low, medium and high. The sports categorized as “low-risk” (tennis and cross country) were able to schedule interscholastic competition in the fall, and the field hockey team competed in four modified (7v7) contests against Richmond area independent schools. In late September, the LIS and VPL voted to attempt a condensed fall season in March, to give the other medium and high-risk teams more opportunities to compete. As of this issue’s printing, boys soccer was scheduled to participate in approximately six additional games in March versus local opponents with like-minded mitigation strategies and protocols (e.g. masks). Varsity football began practicing again in late February for a two-game season (St. Christopher’s and Benedictine) set to end on March 27.

In the winter, all four winter programs held consistent daily practices and participated in some form of interscholastic competition. “Several of our winter coaches have commented on their ‘memorable’ seasons, where bonds were strengthened, team cultures were maintained, and collective hurdles made us grateful for one another’s face to face support,” said Anna Prillaman, director of athletics. “Titan coaches report the unique experiences they’ve shared within their programs have been challenging yet rewarding, frustrating yet empowering, and mentally trying yet physically energizing. Although many of us had hard days of digesting news of league and state meets going virtual, or not being able to participate in a full slate of regular season and tournament games, it has been incredible to see our community come together and remind one another of all we do have.”

Athletics

FOOTBALL

HEAD COACH: Sam Mickens (8th season) CAPTAINS: Daniel Eliasek ’21, Andrew Duhart ’21, Walker Ferguson ’21, Shawn Riley ’21

COACH’S REMARKS:

The 2020 football team was primed for a breakout season following the first Division 1 playoff appearance a season ago. Led by seniors AJ Anderson, Daniel Eliasek, Walker Ferguson, Shawn Riley, and Andrew Duhart the football team held socially distant, competitive practices during October, culminating with an exciting 7v7 win over rival St. Christopher’s School. Throughout the offseason, the team remained focused on improving team chemistry and setting goals for the upcoming season. And despite not having a formal fall season, the football program continued to take positive strides forward.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

HEAD COACH: Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00 (15th season) CAPTAINS: Ashley Dobzyniak ’21, Kiera Fisher ’21, Ellie Madigan ’21

COACH’S REMARKS:

The 2020-2021 season was one of agility and gratitude. There was virtually no certainty or sense of normalcy during the season, yet the girls adjusted and rose to the occasion no matter what changes were implemented. We reshaped our goals to be about personal improvement and team support, and we did an excellent job on both this season. We cherished every practice and the chance to be together, outside, enjoying running. We also had many personal records (PRs) set throughout the season, especially at Pole Green Park. It was one we’ll always remember for the challenges and the unexpected moments of joy and strength of our family.

VOLLEYBALL

HEAD COACH: Steve VanHuss (3rd season) CAPTAINS: Tiffani Bartee ’21, Ella Browder Jones ’21, Sydney Grogan ’21

COACH’S REMARKS:

Even though the volleyball season this fall was far from normal, the players and coaches were pleased to have an opportunity to play the sport we love. With 38 players trying out, we ended up with three teams: two JV teams and one varsity team. We started the season in August playing barefooted, outdoors on the softball fields. That was quite a change since we normally play in the gym, but we made the best of it! We had the opportunity to play a very limited scrimmage type season, but again, we were thrilled to be on the court. Towards the end of the season, we were able to move indoors safely and ended the season with a memorable Senior Night intrasquad scrimmage in the main Estes gym. Parents were allowed to attend for the first time this season. Thanks to all of the players and coaches for their positive attitudes throughout this season and especially our seniors: Ella Browder Jones, Tiffani Bartee, Caitlin Wilson and Sydney Grogan.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

HEAD COACH: Marcus Jones ’00 (17th season) CAPTAINS: Nathan Sauls ’21, Brendan Kelley ’21, Nolan Svoboda ’21 W/L RECORD: We did have a final meet where we compared times to Benedictine and “won”.

BENCHMARKS/RECORDS: Despite a lot of uncertainty with COVID and a very unique season we had several runners who had breakout seasons. Freshman Brady Scioscia recorded the fastest 5K time on the team running 17:20 at Pole Green Park. Nathan Sauls had an outstanding year, finishing 1st for the team in three out of five races, running 17:34 for 5K. Jackson Hart also showed significant improvement throughout the fall and was an important varsity contributor.

COACH’S REMARKS:

It was unlike any other season I’ve ever coached. We never raced directly against another team, sometimes we staged individual time trials, and on a couple of occasions we were able to race against ourselves. With so many things being lost or canceled due to COVID I was happy to have any aspect of competition. We just tried to focus on the things we could control: our attitude and effort. I was really proud of the guys for not lamenting about what was lost because of COVID but for the gratitude they expressed for what we had. They seemed to enjoy and make the most of the time we had together. In the two meets we hosted at Pole Green Park, we were able to set them up so they looked like major invitationals we would have competed in during a normal year and we contracted with a timing company to make it look official. It felt like a big competition, even though it was only the 30 Trinity boys and girls, and the team competed with the intensity of a big race even though it was largely a time trial. Our goal was to maintain a positive attitude, train as hard as possible, and try to have each runner improve on their 5K time. I thought it was a very successful season.

FIELD HOCKEY

HEAD COACH: Margie Vaughan Snead ’85 (21st season) CAPTAINS: Cate Monaco ’21, Annie Nash ’21, Emily Field ’21, Genevieve Johnson ’21 W/L RECORD: 4-0 (not traditional games, 7v7)

COACH’S REMARKS:

Although the team was hoping to be able to play full games with full lineups, we were still excited to be able to play as a team in the modified games. It was certainly nice for the seniors to be able to wear their uniforms in competition. We hosted a Green vs Blue game and were able to have parents on campus. It was a much needed community event that brought the field hockey families together. We had to overcome the challenge of the uncertainty that hung over half of the season. Staying focused and working hard for whatever the future held was critical and the girls did a great job of that. They worked hard and motivated each other. It was nice to be able to play some modified games at the end as a reward for their commitment and hard work. We are looking forward to celebrating all of our seniors later this spring in a senior ceremony. We will be losing 11 seniors, all of whom have been impactful on the program. We will bring back a young, but highly motivated group for the fall 2021 season.

GIRLS TENNIS

HEAD COACH: Alicia Raymond (2nd season) CAPTAINS: Lucy Crichton ’21, Kate Hurlbert ’21, Clare Murphy ’21, Emma Smith ’21, Emelia Woolman ’21 W/L RECORD: 4 Wins / 6 Losses

BENCHMARKS/RECORDS:

Notable matches were #2 Lucy Rowe ’23 earning our only win (107) over St. Catherine’s; Senior Emelia Woolman continued to improve as the season went on, earning our only win against STAB (8-6) and an exhibition win against St. Catherine’s (9-8), and Senior Lucy Crichton held the record for longest match of the season, in a threehour tie-breaker against Veritas, ultimately winning 11-10 (7-5).

COACH’S REMARKS:

This season perhaps will be a season that all other seasons are compared to. Once screenings were handled and COVID protocol was dictated, the team stepped onto the court, and we lived in a familiar world. Where we were one team, we were Titans, we were there to succeed athletically, personally and emotionally. The team’s goal this season was to get outside, be active, enjoy the sport of tennis, and focus on individual improvements when we could. We focused on drills, footwork, athleticism, match play when we could, with DJ Woolman blasting music, and the occasional visit from Nike (coach’s dog) as she ran around as the best ball dog for the girls. Every player on the team was dedicated to practices and giving their all on the court. As a team we played 10 Matches, at five different locations, playing 638 games, earning 11 singles wins, with every senior having a winning match this season; they should all be proud of what they accomplished. Graduating five seniors is a tough loss, but we have lots of young talent already on the team with more interest coming into Trinity.

BOYS SOCCER

HEAD COACH: Brian Phillips (25th season) CAPTAINS: Rob Parlow ’21, Colin Madigan ’21

BENCHMARKS/RECORDS: The major milestone was being scrimmage with three schools: St. Christopher’s, Collegiate and Woodberry Forest.

COACH’S REMARKS:

The goal this season was to make the best of a challenging situation. To learn to be positive and flexible in challenging and unpredictable circumstances and to develop individual soccer skills as well. The theme of the season was adaptability. We were glad to be able to have some scrimmages with other schools and especially for all the players to participate in an intrasquad scrimmage in November that parents could attend. We have a lot to be proud of: the coaches and players brought great attitudes and work ethic to each training session, and there was a wonderful camaraderie and a “make the most of the opportunity” ethos. I am incredibly thankful for all those players, coaches, athletic staff and parents who worked to support the team throughout the fall.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Adam Lonon (4th season) CAPTAINS: Sydney Brearly ’21, Hayley Blair ’21, Tiffani Bartee ’21 W/L RECORD: 1-0 (Only game vs. Collegiate at home for Senior Night 68-42)

BENCHMARKS/RECORDS: Senior Night for our only game was a great accomplishment. Seven out of nine players scored and our seniors ended with 16 points from Tiffani Bartee, 15 points from Hayley Blair, and 4 points from Sydney Brearly.

COACH’S REMARKS: With the restrictions due to COVID-19, we lost a few returning players, but it was memorable that most of our players faced the adversity and uncertainty of the season and performed well in our only game. The team’s ultimate goal was to stay prepared in case we had the opportunity to compete. The focus in practice was to get better with skills and drills while social distancing, but also to have FUN! Next season, we look to rebuild after saying goodbye to five seniors. Returning players Mia Woolfolk, Addison Winn, and Delaney Snyder, Olivia Wright and Sophie Dolan bring hope for a returning team that can make noise.

WINTER TRACK & FIELD

HEAD COACH: Kendrick Richardson (2nd season) CAPTAINS: Kate Hurlbert ’21, Tyler Jenkins ’22, Millie Speck ’22, Nathan Sauls ’21, Kayla Quigley ’22 W/L RECORD: 15 top-10 finishes, seven top-5 finishes and one 1st-place finish

INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES:

Kate Hurlbert ’21 state champion in the shot put.

COACH’S REMARKS: Due to COVID, staying healthy was our main goal. With that in mind the athletes still went out and had an amazing year. Our mantra was “Mind over matter. If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter. Having so many athletes finish at the top of their events was unbelievable. With the amazing support of the athletic department and the parents, what may have seemed impossible turned out to be the biggest moments to shine. With such great support, the future of this program is glowing.

SWIM & DIVE

HEAD COACH: Tim Johnson (3rd season) CAPTAINS: Charlie Boykin ’21; William Lyons ’21; Ethan Rosen ’21; Kaila Hewitt ’21; Hallie Perry ’21 W/L RECORD: Girls and Boys, 7-0

COACH’S REMARKS: This was a unique season, so really our goal was to take it one day at a time and have fun. We didn’t know if COVID would shut us down, so we told kids to enjoy every moment and every swim because we weren’t guaranteed the next practice or the next meet. If we had one mantra, it was probably “Adapt and Survive.” The COVID protocols were a bit onerous at times, but we knew if we followed them, it kept the season alive. There was some definite disappointment that we couldn’t have a normal season and didn’t really get to have a postseason. However, I think we all appreciated the time we did get to have together because for a lot of us, swimming provided the first real escape from what’s been going on in the world. I think we’re all pretty sad we couldn’t provide a normal season for our seniors, but we’re proud of what we were able to do. We hope that next year brings about a return to normalcy.

BOYS BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Rick Hamlin ’96 (10th season) CAPTAINS: Erik Prosise ’21, Andrew Duhart ’21

COACH’S REMARKS: This season was like nothing we’d ever experienced. We’ve been fortunate to have won a lot of championships in recent years, but I am as proud of the 2020-21 team as I have ever been of any team. These young men came to the gym every day ready to work hard despite having no chance to compete for a title due to COVID. The team’s goal was to have fun, make friends, improve skills, and improve our physical and mental health in this most unusual of seasons. Our mantra this year was to be flexible. We didn’t know when or if we’d play games. Most of the season was spent on socially distant drills, and yet the players were incredibly flexible and resilient. We ultimately played three games (a home-and-home series with St. Christopher’s and at Collegiate for their Senior Day). Our senior night intrasquad scrimmage when we got to play in front of the players’ families was a really special evening that a lot of people in the athletic department worked hard to make happen so that our seniors could get the recognition they deserved. We will really miss our six seniors from this year’s team: Erik Prosise, Andrew Duhart, Jack Jenkins, J.D. Danny, Brady Tylka, and Turner Showalter. The future is bright with five juniors and five sophomores set to return and hopefully get to have a more “normal” season in 2021-22.

Athletics BRIDGING THE GAP

Sideline support goes virtual, as livestreaming allows families and friends

of Titan Nation to cheer from a distance — By Alicia Raymond, Assistant Athletic Director

After a long week of classes and practices, nothing beats the crowd on a fall afternoon when a Titan touchdown is scored; kids run around while students, teachers, and alumni alike, join together for the spirit and camaraderie in Aycock Stadium. Nothing rivals the cheers from Dale Travis Court when a basket is scored, as the Titan mascot slides down the floor into the student section with minutes left on the clock. Nothing is louder than the beaded spirit stick being pumped in the air as the AquaTitans scream during a 50-freestyle split-second race to the finish.

Titan crowds, cheers and applause haven’t stopped; but are now muted behind screens as fans must watch from home. For the 2020-21 school year and in response to COVID-19, both the VPL and LIS leagues agreed to a “no spectator” rule for all contests to ensure the health and safety of the community. In response, staff members in the athletics and technology departments have worked to bridge the gap between an “in person” and “virtual” experience by streaming all home contests on Youtube. A virtual experience for at home spectators, however, wasn’t a new idea.

Athletic Director Anna Prillaman has envisioned for several years that all home contests might one day be livestreamed. Whether for at-home viewing, for coach analytics, or for highlight reels for potential college applications, streaming of high school athletics is a nationwide trend. “While we would always prefer to have our stands full of cheering Titans from every corner of our community,” says Prillaman, “we also understand providing another avenue for viewership broadens our community support near and far.” What began as a simple laptop camera angled at the court has evolved with the aid of streaming technologies like Wirecast and LiveU Solo to enable more sophisticated production. Thanks to the help of Kyle van de Kamp ’12 and the entire tech department, a once rudimentary “Titan ESPN” has become more of a reality. Adam Lonon, Trinity girls head basketball coach and athletic site manager, also stepped in to assist van de Kamp. “After seeing the success from our live-streamed Wirecast contests, I’ve been excited to help bring those capabilities to our other programs,” says Lonon. “Community plays such a key role in Trinity’s culture, and it is comforting that our parents, although socially distant, can still witness first goals or first aces.”

As the fall 2020 season quickly approached, only “low-risk” sports were initially allowed to have modified contests, opening the door for cross-country and singles tennis. Cameras were mounted on stationary tripods at Southampton Recreation Association’s (SRA) tennis courts and the Titans’ first home contest of fall 2020 was streamed live to the crowds at home on October 2. That match had 223 views. Since that first match, Trinity has been able to stream every home varsity fall contest and as well as several JV contests, with over 2,700 views for our Titan Nation at home.

Ultimately, in order to create opportunities for the entire student body, Prillaman would like to provide avenues for Trinity students who have an interest in sports broadcasting and video production. “It’s always been a goal of our program to give any student the opportunity to be involved with athletics, even if they are not on a team” she says. “This could be it.” Trinity looks forward to building a student-run operation, one that runs the production of livestreaming athletic contests from start to finish. A channel for those times when voluntarily cheering at home is a necessity, and eventually for those nights when the sideline cheers are louder than ever once more.

Athletics SURE SIGNS

Small but enthusiastic groups of parents, family and coaches and students gathered in the Estes Athletic Center on two occasions to celebrate fourteen Trinity seniors officially committing to competing in intercollegiate athletics next year. These dates have become a customary time for seniors to sign their national letters of intent, and Trinity seniors joined student-athletes nationwide for these “National Signing Day” ceremonies.

In November, the group, which included an unprecedented eight field hockey players, were seated apart from one another at a dais, and all participants and guests wore masks while indoors.”We are overwhelmingly thrilled to have this day in person in the gym,” said Athletic Director Anna Prillaman, recalling the school’s previous signing day in April, conducted entirely online. Coaches shared words of praise, appreciation and anticipation of more great things to come for the group of Trinity student leaders and their extended families who have committed so much time toward the pursuit of excellence both on and off the playing field.

FALL 2020 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES

• Alyssa Chapman ’21 (basketball) — Radford University • Emily Field ’21 (field hockey) — University of Virginia • Genevieve Johnson ’21 (field hockey) University of Delaware • Emerie Loftis ’21 (field hockey) — University of Delaware • John Lucas ’21 (baseball) — Virginia Commonwealth University • Alison McCarey ’21 (field hockey) — Franklin & Marshall College • Cate Monaco ’21 (field hockey) — Lehigh University • Annie Nash ’21 (field hockey) — University of Richmond • Shawn Riley ’21 (football) — Columbia University • Riley Winefordner ’21 (field hockey) — University of Lynchburg • Mackenzie Wunderlich ’21 (field hockey) —

Randolph-Macon College In February, Sam Mickens, head football coach, shared his appreciation and excitement for a strong group of young men. Finishing a high school career without having a full football season due to a pandemic definitely wasn’t a part of the plan but their will, determination and understanding allowed them to be in this spot today. “Given everything that has happened, they are three of the toughest players that I’ve ever coached,” said Mickens. “They truly model excellence.”

WINTER 2021 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES

• Andrew Duhart ’21 (football) — United States Naval Academy • Max Cullen ’21 (football) — Virginia Military Institute • Walker Ferguson ’21 (football) — Wake Forest University