Weekly Athletic Update, 4/19/17

The stretch run to graduation has begun in earnest as our teams and athletes ramp up their training and game day competitions. It was a busy week as Mother Nature
cooperated with pleasant temperatures and decent playing conditions for all.
 
WA’s longest tenured coach, Bob Thorn, has his golf team in rare early season form behind a nice blend of youth and experience. The team captured two out of three matches in a week devoid of practice but replete with wins and solid performances. Julian Kates ’20, Dylan Lien ’19, and David Carlson ’17 have all shared medalist honors to lend balance and depth to the ’17 edition!
 
First year coach Matt Dickson and staff are already seeing signs of good things to come with a young and talented Boys Varsity Lacrosse team. The current three game win streak has been the by-product of a steady backline defensive corps and a rapidly improving offensive juggernaut. Owen Boss ’20 was stellar during the week including an 8-goal performance on Saturday in WA’s 16-5 triumph over Vermont Academy. Earlier in the week Jake Drapkin ’18 poured in three goals as the Hilltoppers rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit and powered past the Winchendon School, 12-6. Chase Orr ’19 has found his scoring touch of late adding to the firepower on the offensive side of the ball for WA!
 
Girls Softball went 2-1 on the week (lone loss at Deerfield Academy, 9-5) including a nice 5-3 road win at Marianapolis Prep and a 13-8 shootout over Phillips Exeter on Saturday afternoon at New Balance. Emma Crocker ’17, Kirsten Letourneau ’20, Morgan Mordini ’18, and Mickey Sindoris ’18 have been the offensive leaders to date.
 
Senior Brendan Conley ’17 knocked in the game winner on Wednesday as the Hilltoppers hung on to defeat league rival Cushing Academy, 7-6.  On Saturday the team travelled to New Hampshire and came away with a split against Exeter, running away with the nightcap after dropping the opener, 10-7. Seniors Mariano Ricciardi, Shane O’Halloran, and the aforementioned Conley have been stalwarts to date at the plate.
 
Tony Johnson has taken over the reigns of the Track & Field program from Gerry Frew who has remained with the team – thankfully – in an assistant’s capacity. A beefed up schedule, which includes this Saturday prestigious Deerfield Invitational, has seen some mixed results and some stunning performances to date. Mia Conte ’18 continues to roll in the 200m and 400m events and senior Christa Moore has lived up to expectations in both the Pole Vault and the High Hurdles. On the boys’ side seniors Matt Adiletta (victories at the Tabor Invitational in the 100m, 200m, and the triple jump) and speedster Sam Hatem (victorious in both the 400m and 800m) have led the scoring parade to date!
 
Grace McShea ’19 scored 6 goals propelling the Girls Lacrosse team to a 12-6 win over Winchendon on Wednesday afternoon at Morse Field. The team will have a return engagement at Winchendon on Wednesday 4/19 hoping to build on their current winning streak!
 
Windy conditions seem to be the norm at Gaskill tennis courts and certainly last week’s home match was no different for our varsity boys’ team. A strong Moses Brown squad blanked the boys’ team on Monday afternoon despite the blustery conditions and the determined efforts of our squad. On the girls’ side, Dana Hall posted a 4-1 victory on Saturday with Veronika Jacobson '17 posting the lone WA victory.
 
Our Crew teams performed well in their opening meet on Saturday and will continue to shave seconds off their times as they continue to get their workouts in on Lake Quinsigamond. Starts and stops varied from boat to boat with the boys’ getting out to a good, early start and the girls’ finishing with a flourish over the final 500m.
 
Coach Zak Johnson’s JV Baseball team evened their record at 1-1 with a convincing road win over Portsmouth Abbey. The team will look to get on the positive side of the ledger as they travel to the Pomfret School on Wednesday.
 
Around the Rim
The 2017 Varsity Club Dinner will take place here in the Megaron next Thursday evening, April 27. All current Worcester Academy team captains’ are expected to attend. Honorees are Mr. Joseph Shield ’81 and Ms. Caitjan Gainty ’93 (in absentia).
 
Athletes of the Week
Matt Adiletta ’17 – Varsity Track & Field
Owen Boss ’20 – Varsity Boys Lacrosse
Grace McShea ’19 – Varsity Girls Lacrosse 
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