SPRING SPORTS RECAP 2021
How to Navigate the Spring Season Recap: scroll from sport to sport to learn about how each team developed over the season. Don't forget to click the green header boxes with the names of each sport -- those link out to more photos where available!
There were 672 days between our last interscholastic spring sports competition in 2019 and our first in 2021; it was an amazing feeling to see our spring sport student-athletes return to their sport and the playing field this season!
While the competition schedule looked slightly different this year, many of our Upper School teams had stand-out seasons: a regular season FAA Championship for Lacrosse, an undefeated season for Track and Field, a win at the Hornet Invitational for Golf, some epic battles in the pool for Water Polo, great racing and a return to consistent time on the water for Rowing, and many down to the wire victories for Tennis in third set tie-breakers and tough points. It was great to see all our Upper School student-athletes working hard each day, and enjoying being back in the team environment with one another.
At the Middle School level, our players and coaches rose to the occasion by staying motivated and focused in the absence of regular interscholastic competition and making the most out of every practice opportunity. Whether it was learning to jump hurdles, how to serve and volley on the tennis courts, the fundamentals of water polo in the pool, or improving their lacrosse IQ, each practice laid a great foundation for future seasons. We are excited to see these students continue to grow through the Middle and Upper School programs.
Please read below for more about each sport, including a recap from our Varsity Head Coaches. Thank you for your support of our student-athletes- looking forward to next year already!
Go Heart,
Sacred Heart Athletics
Varsity Golf got right back into the swing of things this spring, finishing with an overall season record of 6-2. The team made use of every training opportunity, whether it was chipping on campus, on the range, or on the course at Tamarack, Fairview, or the Griff. A season highlight was the 18-hole, first-ever, Hamden Hall Invitational Tournament, where Sacred Heart demonstrated our team and individual strength, finishing first as a team and claiming all three top individual finishing spots.
Note from Varsity Head Coach Karen Panarella:
Golf had a great season! In the beginning we were just so happy to be outside and on the golf course again. But as time grew, so did the competitive spirit. The team did great, and the highlight was the team win at the first ever Hamden Hall Invitational. We not only won, but placed 1, 2 & 3 in the individual standings. This season the team grew in skill, but really remembered what it is like to be a part of a team again. We look forward to being as competitive next year!
A return to full-time training on the water was the highlight for the rowing team this spring! There is nothing like the feeling of rowing, racing, and training on the water with your teammates after time away from the boathouse. The season included some great competitive, multi-piece racing with Greenwich Academy and Greenwich Country Day School, and an away race with tight racing against Farmington HS. The team is eager to return to high-level racing opportunities come Fall 2021!
Varsity Head Coach Costel Mutescu:
In spite of the challenging times we all have to go through, we approached the Spring 2021 season as a regular, normal one. The bar was set high even if we were facing uncertainties. The coaches kept telling the girls “ work hard and dream high” and so they did. We had a couple of scrimmages on our own body of water where we lost one and won one. We had one official regatta against the Farmington High School team where we placed second, with great races by all crews. As I look back on the season, I can’t help but to also look forward to the future of the team.The standard of excellence for our rowing program is approaching a new height, thanks to the seniors and the hard work of all the student-athletes this season.
The depth of skill, talent and passion in our Lacrosse program is evident on a daily basis when you see our student-athletes in action on the turf fields. It was great to see our lacrosse players back in action this spring, with both Upper School teams having winning seasons with respect to both results and player and program development.
The Varsity A team finished with a season record of 9-4, and was undefeated in FAA play to clinch the FAA Championship! The season also included some highly competitive games against nationally ranked teams from New Jersey and Pennsylvania- showing our program is one to watch on a national level. The team will continue its season at the first-ever, invitation-only HS National Girls Lacrosse Championship at the end of June. Our Varsity B/JV team had a busy, competitive season, finishing with an impressive overall record of 8-2-2.
Our MS Lacrosse teams took advantage of every practice opportunity- doing a mix of drill work, learning, and intrasquad scrimmages over the course of the spring. We are excited to see these players continue to move up through our Lacrosse program and contribute at every level along the way- including in interscholastic MS games next year.
Note from Varsity Head Coach Aly Costigan:
This lacrosse season was filled with lots of fun and excitement! The teams loved getting back out there and playing with their teammates and competing. The Varsity A team enjoyed fast pace practices filled with lots of competitions and high level drills. We got the opportunity to compete against highly competitive teams and learned so much from our experiences this season. Overall this team brought great energy, passion and love for each other this year and I could not ask for a better season! We look forward to continuing our season this June in the High School National Championship Tournament!
The Varsity Tennis season was highlighted by wins over Kingswood-Oxford, Holy Child, Greenwich Country Day, and a great win on the last day of the season over a strong team from Rye Country Day School. JV Tennis demonstrated our program depth and that the future is bright on the courts- finishing with a season record of 4-5.
Middle School tennis had one of the largest number of players in recent history. With a daily focus on tennis fundamentals and fun- we are excited to see what these players will do in interscholastic match play next year!
Note from Varsity Head Coach Ed Metzendorf:
After a season off due to Covid the girls tennis team returned with many new faces. From the first practice, the team, which consisted of one freshman, three Sophomores, five Juniors, and three Seniors, was filled with anticipation and excitement. It was quickly instilled in the team that tennis is a mental sport just as much as it is physical, and that attitude stuck for the entirety of the season with many of the girls winning deciding 3rd set tie breakers that could have gone either way.
We performed well against many strong teams this season. More importantly, though, we represented ourselves and our school at high standard competitively and with good sportsmanship. A special thanks goes out to our three senior captains: Grace, Ursula, and Morgan.
The Upper School Track and Field team had a season for the books- setting five new all-time school records, countless individual personal best performances at every track meet (with students improving weekly throughout the season), and finishing undefeated as a team. The Track and Field team will return to New England competition next year as a Division I program (formerly competing at the DII level)- and we are excited to see these student-athletes compete at the highest level in the region and nationally!
Middle School track and field student-athletes learned about the different disciplines that are included in a track and field meet. It was great to see the competitive and supportive atmosphere at these practices each day.
Note from Varsity Coach Carolina Gelbman:
This spring season was a little different; however, we were able to compete against all FAA schools as well as in virtual meets against New England Division 1, 2 and 3 schools. We had 5 new school records: 200m, 400m, 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles and Javelin, over 10 PRs at every meet and, with great HEART and HARD WORK, we were able to go undefeated! With our well-rounded coaching staff, we were able to maximize our time on the track and work on long, high and triple jump as well as our handoffs for our relay teams and throwing events. Working on speed, strength training, technique and mobility helped our team get better and better each week. Whether it was working on rebounding in the gym, on acceleration on the turf or on starts on the track, each student-athlete improved significantly from week to week and we look forward to being on the track again next spring. Congratulations to all the student-athletes on their season!
The small but mighty Varsity Water Polo team made the most of every competition opportunity, despite the schedule looking different due to no NEPSAC play this spring. This team is aggressive, committed, and super fun to watch. The season was highlighted by some strong team wins, and a highly competitive game against Greenwich Academy that came down to the last 20”. Keep an eye on this team next spring as we return to NEPSAC Championship play!
Our 7th and 8th grade players learned what the sport was all about in practices and our 5th and 6th graders participated in a great water polo clinic.
Note from Varsity Head Coach Gabriel Maldonado:
Water polo is one of the most difficult sports in the world, and for Sacred Heart student-athletes practicing, playing and winning at such a difficult sport comes naturally! We are a young program compared to other schools that have many years of tradition with this discipline. Despite our youthful program (only in its 4th year), we are already near the top of our region. Our philosophy is focused on the development of each player's skills and abilities for high-level competition, but our main goal is to develop excellent people prepared to win the competitions of life. This focus has resulted in victories in the pool and set the tone for a positive culture and future successes for all our players.
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Cheer on the Tigers on the turf, on the court, in the water, and on the track!
WINTER SEASON RECAP
