Weekly Athletic Update, 5/09/16

Cold, rainy conditions swept across the region for much of the week presenting major challenges for all. Practice time was severely curtailed yet a number of teams were able to play contests in and around the dismal weather.

• The Boys Varsity Lacrosse team finds itself in the midst of a four game winning streak including three during the past week. Youth has served the team well as Chase Orr '19, Gavin Maxwell '19 and Eric Boss' 21 all continue to find the back of the net with alarming regularity. Senior co-captain Marcello Nicoletti scored the game winner in overtime on Saturday as the Hilltoppers rallied to defeat the Hyde School, 13-12. Orr (4 goals vs. Hyde) and Maxwell (3 goals vs. Eagle Hill School) have provided the team with some offensive firepower leading to impressive victories including Tuesday’s 12-5 win at Beaver Country Day School.

• Playing golf in the rain is not a lot of fun, yet somehow our varsity team played three matches last week. Victories over Marianapolis Prep and PCD were sandwiched around a tough loss to Tabor Academy. Junior Olof Djurberg has made the nice transition from the hockey arena to the tee box, leading the team with Medalist rounds over the past three matches.

• Girls Tennis is on a nice run as well as Saturday's 6-1 win over St. George's School was the teams 4th consecutive victory pushing their overall record to 5-2.

• Morgan McSweeney ’16 continues to dominate batters in the NE prep league, spinning a 2 hitter on Saturday as the Hilltoppers (8-1 in the league) remain in control with a 7-5 victory at Deerfield. Seniors Jon Crimmin and Tom Diskin registered three hits apiece propelling the Academy to yet another league road win. Monday's road trip to battle ISL power, St. Sebastian's School, resulted in a 12-3 loss.

• The Hilltoppers Track & Field teams continued their fine season running past PCD, Concord Academy and Cushing in the rain on Wednesday at Gaskill Field. Road trips to Wilbraham & Monson (Wednesday) and Williston Northampton (Saturday) will round out the regular season for the teams.

• WA Softball ran into a buzz saw at Andover on Saturday and will look to rebound in the week ahead. Wednesday’s game at NMH was halted in the 4th inning due to rainy conditions as the Hilltoppers lead went for naught.

• In a thriller, the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team nipped Portsmouth Abbey, 9-8. It was the 1st win over PA for Coach Sean Chenevert. Shelia Gadbois ’18 registered three goals on the afternoon. In a quick turnaround, The Rivers School ran past the host Hilltoppers at Morse Field on Saturday afternoon.

• The WA Crew team travelled to Vermont on Sunday morning for their initial road race of the year and found the road unkind as WA boats competed hard but came out on the short end of the four races we entered. A final road trip to Medford, Ma on the 21st will conclude the regular season for the team.

• Sam Thoreen ’18 pitched the JV baseball team to a convincing win over NMH on Saturday as Paul Kelleher '18 led the hit parade with three singles.

The short spring season will conclude with a bevy of games over the final two weeks, culminating in league and NEPSAC championships the weekend of May 21st. Our spring athletic assembly will take place on Friday, May 13th on Rowe Court at 9:00 am and our senior Athletic Awards will be presented at that time.  

Around the Rim
Beautiful gesture by the Class of 1966 (50th Reunion Year) to recognize Lawson Riley and pay tribute to his legacy with a dedication ceremony in Daniels gymnasium on Friday afternoon. Coach Dee Rowe was eloquent in remembering Lawson as his sister, Barbara, and family members joined in the ceremony. "Spider" Riley passed suddenly during his junior year at the Academy due to spinal meningitis.

Co-Athlete of the Week
Chase Orr '19 - Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Shelia Gadbois ’18 – Girls Varsity Lacrosse