2017 Spring Desserts - Loomis Chaffee School · 2017 SPRING ATHELITC AWARDS CEREMONY ... tonight...

2017SPRINGATHELITCAWARDSCEREMONY

ORDEROFSPEAKERS

OpeningRemarks SueCabot SlideshowGirlsLacrosse MeganMurphy-Borman JulieWadlandWaterPolo EdPondBoysLacrosse BillLeeGirlsTennis GeoffSilver GirlsTrack&Field LilianHutchinsonTheDonaldJoffreyAward SueCabotTheGirl’sThreeSportAwardBoysTrackandField ScottPurdyBaseball DonnieMcKillopBoysGolf JeffScanlonSoftball BestyCongerGirlsGolf JimO’DonnellBoysTennis JoshSmith

OpeningRemarks:SueCabotGoodeveningandthankyouallforbeinghereaswecelebrateSpringSeasontheisland,andohweretheretimesthatandislanditwas.WearedoingsomethingalittledifferenttonighthereinHubbardAuditorium–aseachcoachisintroduced,Iaskthattheteamfollowthemtothestage.Allbut1teamaresituatedonanendandshouldfollowoneanothertothestage.Beforewegetstarted,IwanttooffersomethankstothosewhoareimportanttotheoperationoftheAthleticDept.AspecialthankstoMrsScanlon,sheanticipatestheneedstotheteams,coachesandathletesanddoeswhateverittakestohelptheathleticprogram.MrMckillop–congratulationsonthenewestmemberofyourfamily–Trace–wecantwaittohaveMrsMcKillopandTraceontheislandnextyear.Thanksforyourworkthisspringandlookingforwardtothegreatfuture.AspecialshoutouttoJoeandKeithfortheirworkincageandtoCraigforhisworkonthefieldsandplayingareas.AshoutouttoourGroundscrewfortheirworkonourfields,especiallythesnowremovalontheturffields!McG,MsSapula,Stuthankyouforyourcompassioncaringforourathletesinjuriesandgettingthembackonthefield,pool,trackorcourtasquicklyaspossible.ThankyoutoMsSteinfeldandthecommunicationsteamfortheirworksupportingathleticsviathewebandsocialmediaandtoMrsButterfieldandAArmarkforworkingwithustomakesureyouarewellfed.Iwouldalsoliketotakethistimetothankalloftheparentsforsupportingourathletes,coachesathleticprogramthroughoutthisseason.Ihaveenjoyedinmyshorttimehavingtheopportunitytoworkwiththemandobservetheirenergyandcreativityastheyapproachedeachdaythisseason.Theygenuinelysharetheirloveofthegame,theircommitment,theirpassionandtheirdedicationtomakingourteamsbetterandmakingsurethatLoomisathleticsisanimportantcomponentofyoureducationalexperience.Letsgivethemahand!ItishardtobelievethatthisistheendofourSpringseason,justastheweatherisbeginningtofeelalittlemorelikespring.9weeksagowereturnedfromSpringbreak,manyofyoucomingfromwarmerclimatestoafootofsnow.Whilethereweretimesweweren’tsurewewouldevergetoutside,allofourteamsperseveredthroughlessthanidealpracticeconditionstocompleteanotherimpressiveseasonforLoomisChaffeeAthleticsthisyear.Ourteamsdidwellandyoushouldallbeproud.ThegirlslacrosseteamdefendedtheirFoundersLeagueChampionship.OurbaseballteamdefendedtheirColonialConferenceChampionshipandfinishing2ndinFL.TheboystrackandfieldteamcapturedtheirsecondconsecutiveFoundersLeagueChampionshipalongwithafewschoolrecordsandaNEPSTAchampion,OurgirlstrackandfieldteamsetmultiplerecordsandrecordedtwoindividualNEPSTAchampions.Boysandgirlstennisteamsenjoyedcallinghomeourimpressivenewcourts,theboysgolfteamfinishedsecondinFoundersLeague,capturedtheCoppolaCupandthePhilipsAndoverInvitationalplayeddowninNewportandfinishedsecondinNewEngland.Eachteamimprovedeachdayandplayedhardrighttothelastgame!.Youdidn’tgiveup,you

playedwithpassionandenthusiasm,andIhopecherishedyourtimestogetherthisseason.AtthistimeifIcouldasktheseniorstostand–Asalutetoyou-outof191membersoftheclassof2017-141ofyouhavebeenawardedatleastonvarsityletterandyouhaveaccumulatedatotalof550varsityletters,9ofyougoingthedistanceandearninganimpressive12each.Youhavecontributedto4NEPSACChampionships,38FoundersLeagueChampionships,Colonial,PKO,Shaler,Canterbury,Cuppola,PAInvitationalchampionships,amyriadoftrackandfieldandswimanddivingrecordsandindividualFoundersLeagueandNewEnglandchampions;AllAmericans,andahostofgreathonorsandindividualaccomplishments.QuietanImpressivegroup!AsyourLoomiscareerquicklydrawstoaclose,taketimetoconnectwithyourfriends,teammatesandcoacheswhohavehelpedyougrow,whoyouhavesharedtearsinbothvictoryanddefeat,reflectonyourexperiencesandfindpersonalsatisfactioningivingyourbestonbehalfofyourteamandtheschool.LoomisChaffeecongratulatesallofyouforallyouhaveaccomplishedandforallthatyouhavegiventoLoomisathleticsovertheyears.WeThankyouforyouryearsofserviceandleadershipandIwishyouthebestasyoupursueyourpassionsinlife.GoodLuckClassof2017!Remember,youalwayshaveahomehereontheIsland.Totheunderclassmen-IhopeyoucanreflectuponyourexperiencesthispastyearandtakeawaythelessonsfromtheseniorsandPG’ssoyouarereadytotakeonthechallengeofleadingLCathleticsnextyearandbeyond-Beyourbestselfandteammate.Weareoftensobusyandplayingatthesametime,Ihopeyoutakethisopportunitytoenjoytheslideshowofalloftheteamsandlistenandenjoythemanymemoriesourcoacheswillsharewithyouabouteachteam.GoPelicans.Enjoytheslideshow….

GirlsLacrosse–JulieWadlandandMeganMurphyBormanLedbyseniorsIzzyLent,JustineBaird,EmmaTrenchard,KaleighQuennec,ClaireFanning,GraceUsilton,andMadieLeidt,the2017girlsvarsitylacrosseteamwastaskedwithbigshoestofill,havinggoneundefeatedin2016andgraduating11seniors.TheClassof2017setthetoneearlyoninchoosing‘driven’aswhattheyhopedwouldbecometheteam’sidentity.Endingtheseasonat(w)-(l),the2017teamofsevenseniors,sixjuniors,fivesophomores,andthreefreshmenwasdrivenintheirrelentlesspursuitofrallyingaroundandforoneanotherinthetoughmoments,ultimatelycreatinga‘teamfirst’culturewhichpropelledtheirgrowthandsuccessthroughoutthespring.MVP–SeniorEmmaTrenchardThisplayerbleedsmaroon.Tenaciousandarmedwithanincrediblystrongworkethic,herdesiretobethebest-andherdisdainforlosing-hasraisedthelevelofplayoneveryteamshehasbeenapartofatLoomis.She‘walksthetalk’andherleadershipbyexamplewillbesorelymissedontheIslandinthecomingyearandthosethereafter.RookieofTheYear–SeniorMadieLeidtHavingneverplayedlacrossepriortothisspring,thisplayerembodiedthe2017team’s‘DRIVEN’motto.Thoughoneoftheoldestmembersoftheteam,shewasconsistentlydriventoworkhardinordertoquicklylearnthegame(inadditiontolearninghowtothrowandcatch)notforherselfbutforthegreatergoodoftheteam.Shealwaysfoundawaytocontributeevenwhenshewasstilllearningthegame–whetherthroughherpositivevocalleadershiporwinningnumerous(andimportant)groundballsandcausedturnoversthatledtoaLoomispossession,shewassteadfastinherdesiretohelpherteammates.UnsungHero–SeniorIzzyLentOftentimeinsportscoachesandteamstalkaboutplayerswhoembodygrit–thosewho‘grind’andarerelentlesscompetitorsonthefield;thosewhomakeallofthelittlethingshappenthatarenecessarytomakethelargerthingshappens,suchasgoals,winning,andbringingateamtogether.Thisplayerdidallofthosethingsandthensomethispastspring.Whenshewasinjuredduringthefirstpartoftheseason,herfiercecompetitivenessandvocalleadershipweremissedonthefield.Whenshecouldn’tbeapresenceonthefield,shewouldfindawaytobeapresenceonthesideline.ThisplayerembodieswhatitmeanstosurrenderindividualwantsandneedsfortheCommonGood,asseeninthewayshesteppeduptoplaygoalieearlyintheseasonwhenonewasneeded.IwouldnowliketointroduceEdPond,theheadcoachofthegirlswaterpoloteam.

GirlsWaterPolo–EdPond

ThankyoutoSueCabotandVickyScanlonandtheathleticdepartmentfortheirsupport.Thankyoutoourparentsandourcadreofmanagers.AndfinallyanextrabigthankyoutoAssistantCoachesLizBucceriandIssoShimamoto.Inthewaternearlyeverypracticechallengingthegirlstolearnandunderstandthisdemandinggame,their“handson”approachpushedallthegirlstoimprove.Thankyou!Thisyear’steamwasyoung.For12oftheteam’s19girlsouropeningscrimmageagainstWillistonwastheirfirstwaterpologameEVER.Despiteourinexperience,theteam,anchoredbythestrongplayofourseniors,wascompetitiveinnearlyeveryoneofour15leaguecontests.Ourfinalgame,alsoagainstWilliston,representedtheseason“inanutshell”.Wetook34shotstotheWildcats18,wehadeightpowerplaychancestoWilliston’stwo,ourgoalieplaywasstrongandyetwelost7-4.Nextyearwe’llputalittleextraemphasisonthemiddlephraseofour“Shoot–Score–Win”cheer!BeforerecognizingawardwinnersI’llspeakbrieflyaboutourseniorswhosecontributionsdeserveacknowledgement.Firstour“ManageroftheDecade”–JackMiller.OverhisLoomiscareer,Jacksupportedthisteamwithincredibledevotion.Hedidn’tmissapracticeorgame–homeoraway–infouryears.Jackpatientlyhelpedthegirlsbecomebetterplayersandhe’sisawonderfulexampleofthe“bestself”whileworkingforthe“commongood”downatthepooleveryday.MichaelP.andMichaelG.youhavesomeverybigshoestofill!GraceDonegan–Aninjuryasafreshman,curtailedGrace’swaterpolocareer.Thankfullysheremainedclosewithherfriendsontheteamandrejoinedusthisspring.Graceprovedacapabledefenderandtalliedafewdramaticgoals–includingahalf-courtbuzzerbeaterthathelpedtheteamtopStaplesHighSchool7-6.GabbyLugli,AlexWalenandMaggieFinlay-Thesethreefriendsweretheteam’snucleus.Theydidthebulkoftheball-handling,playedkeydefensiverolesandtaughttheyoungergirlshowLoomisChaffeeplayswaterpolo.GabbyLugli,afearlessdefender,tallied37steals.GabbybecameourprimarythreatonthepowerplaylateinseasonandherdevastatinglyquickshothelpedthePelicansupsetarchrivalChoate.ThroughouttheseasoncaptainAlexWalenwasatthecenteroftheactionatbothendsofthepool,leadingtheteamwith20goalsand49steals,whenAlexdrewextradefensiveattentionshecapablydeliveredpassestoteammatesnotchingateamleading15assists.CaptainMaggieFinlaywasthequintessentialwork-horseontheteam,hustlingintransitiontoassertoffensivepressureorcapablyneutralizingouropponentscounterattackwithstrongdefensiveplay.OfMaggie’s13goalsthemostmemorablewasherovertimestrikethatsealedourwinoverDeerfield.Spiritedteammatesandsupportiveleaders;wewillmissthesethreePelicansverymuch!

Ourtwo“MostImprovedAwards”gotosophomoreCarterHutchinsonandfreshmanNealaSweeney.LastyearCarter’sseasonstatsheetread“oneattempt”–that’sit!Thisspring,Carterwasastarterfromdayoneandsheplayedwithterrificawareness,determinationandrapidlyimprovingskill.We’restilllookingforCartertobreakoutasascorer,butweareconfidentthiswillhappensoonandweknowthatshe’llbringabigsmile,boundlessenthusiasmandadeepdedicationtoherteammatestothepooleachday.NealaSweeneyhadneverplayedwaterpolobeforejoiningtheteamthisspring.DuringourfirstscrimmageNealareallydidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon,butsheeagerlyjumpedinandeffectivelydefendedWilliston’sbestplayer.Byseason’sendNealahadworkedherwayintothestartinglineupandherfourgoalsinourlasttwogamesledthePelican’sscoringefforts.Fearlessandalwayseagertomakehermark,wecan’twaittoseewhatNealaachievesinthenextthreeyears!ThePelicanAwardisgiventotheseniorgirlwhohasmadethebiggestpositiveimpactonboththeswimmingandwaterpoloteams–thisspringwehonorEmilyFavreau.Inhersecondyearasourprimarygoalie,Emilywasarguablytheteam’sMostValuablePlayer.Herhardwork,fearlessplayandencouragingwordskeptourrivalsincheckandherteammateslookingforward.Alwayspositiveandeagertoimprove,Emilykeptthefocusongrowthandhavingfun.Thiswinterandspring,Emily’sinfluenceanddedicationhelpedherteammatesperformatahigherlevelandchallengethebestteamsintheirleagues.ForhermanycontributionsoverthepastfouryearswehonorEmilywiththiswelldeservedaward.Iwouldnowliketointroducetheheadcoachoftheboyslacrosseteam,BillLee.

BoysLacrosse–BillLeeThe2017Loomislacrosseteamhadhighhopesgoingintotheseason:wehadasolidgroupofreturningplayersandanewgroupofmotivatedyoungplayerstoreplacesomeoflastyear’sseniors.Unfortunately,ourhopesmettherealityofsomeinjuries,playinginaverycompetitiveleague,andquitehonestly,notplayingtoourpotential.Ourbiggestfoethisyearwasnotanotherteamnoragroupofdominantplayers.Ourbiggestfoewasthethirdquarterofmostofourgames.Oursuccessorlackthereofhadtodowithourteamplayinthethirdquarter,andwitha6-12recordthisyear,thethirdquarterwasatoughopponentthisspringaseightofourlosseshadtodowithpoorlyplayedthirdquarters.Sometimesthatisthedifferencebetweenwinningandlosing.Ascompetitors,itistoughlosingwhenyouknowyouhavepotentialtowin.So,eventhough,wesawmorelossesthanwinsthisyear,Igiveourteamcreditforneverlosinghopeandalwayscomingtoeachgametocompeteatthehighestlevel.Iwouldliketothankourseniors–manyofwhomhavebeenthreeandfour-yearplayers–foralloftheirdedicationtotheLoomislacrosseprogramandwewishyouthebestinyourcollegeendeavors.Awards:CoachesAward:OurfirstCoachesAwardgoestoourbiggestlacrossejunkieontheteam.JohnKelleherhastremendouspassionforthegameoflacrosse.HemaynotbethequickestorhavethehardestshotbuthislacrosseIQisoneofthehighestontheteam.HeknowsabouteveryplayerandcoachintheNewEnglandlacrossecommunityandwasverymuchacoachonthefieldforouroffensethisyear.Asanattackman,hereallysteppedupinthesecondhalfoftheseasonbyscoringsomekeygoalsbutalsohelpingtheteamoffensegetbetter.WewishhimthebestatElonUniversitynextyear.OursecondCoachesAwardgoestooneofourcaptains.BillyDreyerhasbeenourstartinggoalieforthelasttwoyears.Withagoodpushfromourothergoaliesinthebeginningoftheseason,Billyprovedtobeatopgoalieinourleague.Morethanthat,healwaysbroughtapositiveenergyandleadershiptopracticeandtoourteamingeneral.WewishhimthebestinhiscareeratConnecticutCollege.MostValuablePlayerOurmostvaluableplayerawardgoestoathree-yearstarterforus.WhenIdescribeJustinGrillo’sgametoparents,players,andcoaches,Istartbysaying,“Basically,hecandoitall–hecanplaydefense,hecanscore,heistough,heisfast,andheworkshard.”Justinhasbeenoneofourtopplayersforthelastthreeyears.Ano-nonsenseteamplayer,Justin’sgritanddeterminationwillbemissed.WewishhimthebestatColbyCollege.IwouldnowliketointroduceGeoffSilver,theheadcoachofthegirlstennisteam.

GirlsTennis–GeoffSilver

First,IwouldliketothanktheAthleticDepartment.SueandVickyforalloftheircoordinationandassistance,Craigforhelpingwithcourtpreparation,Mr.McGandMs.Sapulaforalltheirworkwithourathletesthroughouttheseason,althoughIadmitthatwegavethemmorebusinessthanIwouldhaveliked.

Additionally,Ineedtothankmyassistantcoach,Mr.Shure.Itwasmosttellingthatinourfirsttennismeetinginthefall,afterIoutlinedtheoffseasonschedule,thetryoutprocess,theupdatesonthenewcourts,theonlyquestionIreceivedfromthegirlswas,“Um,isMr.Shuregoingtobecoachingagainthisyear?”Beyondhisbeingaveryclosefriendandabrothertome,heisaperceptivecoachwhoiskeentonoticebothstrategicandpersonalelementsandmaintainsabalanceofthoughtfulness,finesse,andhumortocommunicatethatfeedbackeffectively.Iammostgrateful.

Thiswasanextremelyexcitingseasonforthegirlsvarsitytennisteam.Debutingthebrandnewcourts,theteamembracedthenewfacilityandthereturntothecenterofcampus.Whileinitiallydistractedbythebustleofatrackmeetorconstruction,theattentionofcarsandpedestrianspassingby,andthebeepofatruckinreverse,theteamlearnedtofocusonthetaskathandandembracethehomecourtadvantage,recognizingthattheiropponentswouldnotbeaccustomedtosimilardistractions.

Earlyontheteamperseveredthroughpoorweather,buildingmentalandphysicaltoughnessindoorsthroughvolleyworkinthesquashcourts,sprintingonramps,carryingmedicineballsthoughtherain,enduringShawnTworkoutsessionsaswellasayogavideothatplayersinsistedwas“notrealyoga.”Thisteammaintainedanadmirablepositivespiritthroughout.

Additionally,thepreparationfortheseasonbeganwellbeforewesteppedoutsideinMarch.Overthefallandwinter,wehadfivedifferentplayerscompleteoff-campusISPsfortennis,inadditiontootherswhoplayedinformallyinweekendclinics.ThatisfivemorethanwehavehadduringalltheotherseasonsI’vebeenhereandrepresentsanewtypeofcommitmentthatwillcontinuetopropeltheprogramupwardsmovingforward.

HighlightsduringtheseasonincludedjuniorEleanorStruthersandfreshmanAnyaSastrypairingtogetherindoublesattheKentTournament,going3-1withvictoriesoverCanterbury,HotchkissandTaftbeforeunfortunatelyfailingtoadvanceonatie-breakertechnicality.FreshmanBaileyPretebattlingatNo.4singles,outlastingaveteranTaftopponentandthencomingbackagainstWestminsterwhendown6-3towin10-6.Juniorco-captainCathyHyeon,ourNo.1playerfromstarttofinishwhosteadilybuiltupherarsenalofweaponswhilefacingthegauntletofcompetition.Idon’tthinkanythingmakesmehappierthanthesoft-spokenCathy’sjoyousfistpump,orherattemptedairhigh-fiveswithEleanor(keyword,attempted).

JuniorBlaineStevensbroughtconsistencytothebottomoftheladderandthedailysoundtrack,andsophomoreQuincyWilliamstaughtusallthemeaningoftheword“chill.”Iwouldliketorecognizeone-yearseniorCarolynSilverstein,whodisplayedperpetualpositivityandaselfless,team-firstmentalitythatsetanexampleforherteammates.

Thisyearwehaveoneawardwinner.TheGirlsVarsityTennisCoaches’AwardisawardedtoseniorAbiWorrell.

Athree-yearmemberofthevarsityteamandtwo-yearcaptain,Abidemonstratestenacity,determination,andphysicalandmentaltoughnessonthecourt.Throughouttheseason,Abiexhibitedapatternoffightingbackinmatches.AgainstBerkshire,forexample,afterlosingthefirstset1-6,Abibattledbacktowinthesecondsetandthethirdsetsupertiebreakertoclaimthevictory.AbishowedthissimilarpatternagainstGreenFarms,Suffield,andDeerfield,nevergivingup,notonlyfightingbackbutgettingstrongerasthematchwenton.

Abihasgreatlyimprovedhernetgame,establishingapowerfuloverheadandput-awayvolleystofinishpoints.Additionally,Abibattlednumerousbackandleginjuriesthroughouttheseasonyetnevermissedamatch.

OverthreeyearsIhavelearnedthatAbiadamantlydoesnotenjoywhenotherswatchherplay.Ironically,herpersistentstyleandpropensitytocomebackhasoftenensuredthatsheisthelastmatchstillonthecourt,andthuseveryoneendsupwatchingher.

ItwasamajorstepforAbiwhen,inourrecentmatchagainstWestminsterwithfamilyandfriendsonhand,Abiputforthherbestmatchoftheseason,triumphingagainstatoughopponent,winningdecisively10-1attheNo.2singlesspot.

Anoldersisterthrough-and-through,Abiprovidedasteadyinginfluenceandmentor-roleformanyofouryoungerplayers.Indeed,beyondourownteam,othersgravitatedtoheraswell.DuringtheKentTournament,asallplayersintheNo.2singlesdrawwereshuttledovertoasatellitesiteatHotchkiss,ayoungKOplayerattachedherselftoAbi.Aseveryoneelseonthebussatalone,andwithnumerousemptyrowsstillavailable,theKOgirlvigorouslyflaggedAbioverandtheysatraptinconversationthewholeride.

IamgratefulforAbi’scontributions,herhardwork,herdetermination,hercommitment,andherflair.Theteamwillmissherdearlynextyear.And,Abi,everyoneiswatchingyounow.Congratulations.IwouldnowliketointroduceLilianHutchinson,theheadcoachofthegirlstrackandfieldteam.

GirlsTrackandField–LilianHutchinsonOneofthiscountry’smostfamousathletes,JesseOwensoncesaid,“Thebattlesthatcountaren'ttheonesforgoldmedals.Thestruggleswithinyourself-theinvisible,inevitablebattlesinsideallofus-that'swhereit'sat.”Notruerwordscouldencapsulatethisseasonforthegirlstrackandfieldteam.Thisgroupralliedfromsetbacksonandoffthefield;theybattledinjuriesandsickness,personalandacademicchallengesandyetneverdidtheyallowtheseobstaclestostoptheirdesirestorepresenttheirschoolwithdignityanddistinction.Slowly,anddespitethelownumbers,theybegantherebuildingprocesssettingasolidfoundationforthefuture.Theyneverlookedforindividualtitlesandyetsomedidearnsuchhonors.Theyneversoughtforindividualaccoladesyetcollegecoachessangtheirpraises.Theyneverasked“whataboutme?”andalwayslookedwhereelsetheycouldhelp;remindingmethatthesameJesseOwenssaid“Friendshipsbornonthefieldofathleticstrifearetherealgoldofcompetition.Awardsbecomecorroded,butfriendsgathernodust.”Thisattitudeishowweascoacheswillrememberthisteam.Wehaddedicatedreturnersthatalwayssteppedinwheneverweneededtofillgapsinthelineup.Althoughwedidnotfareaswehadhoped,endingwitha3-5record,wegainedfarmoreaswecametogether.Welearnedtheimportanceofgritanddeterminationandthetruepurposeoftheprocessoflearningandchallengingyourselftobebetterthanbefore.Toourseniors,captainSophieElgamal,captainSkylerDovi,ourfour-yearmemberSophieChristiano,andtwoyearmembersChinezeOsakweandSimoneSearsthankyouformotivatingtheothersallseasonlong.ThankyouforyourunendingcommitmenttotheLoomisChaffeetrackandfieldprogram,restassuredyouhaverepresentedyourteam,yourschoolandyourcoaches’well!TheALLFOUNDERSCERTIFICATEispresentedtoathleteswhodemonstrateunprecedentedaccomplishmentsduringtheseason.Ourhonoreesworkedtirelesslyforthegoodoftheteamattimessacrificingindividualacknowledgements.ThisyearaschoolrecordandFoundersLeaguerecordswerebroken.

• JuniorChelseaOffiaeliforsettinganewFoundersLeagueRecordintheshotput;arecordthatwaspreviouslyheldbyhersister,Kendra.Chelsea’sdistanceanimpressive,41’8”!

• SeniorSkylerDoviforsettinganewSchoolRecordinthe300hurdleswithatimeof45.84seconds.Therecordwaspreviouslysetin2012.

• TheMVPAwardispresentedtotheathletewhohasgreatlycontributedtothesuccessoftheseasonbasedonthetotalpoints.JuniorcaptainChelseaOffiaeliearnedanimpressive90pointsthisseasonandhasbeenrelentlesssinceherarrivalontheIsland.DespitebeinglimitedtoonlyoneeventattheNewEnglandchampionships(shequalifiedforthree)duetoaninjuryinthelastweekoftraining,ChelseahasoneofthemostimpressiveriseinthethrowsaroundNewEngland.Somemaysaythatthesiblingrivalryhashadsomethingtodowithit(forthoseofyouwhodonotknowbothhersisters,MaxineandKendraareLoomisgradsandcurrentlyholdcollegiatedistinctions)buthercoachesknowthatherlimitlessworkethicisunlikeanyotherathleteinherfield

andhasgarneredtherespectofcoachesandathletesaroundtheleague.Sincearrivingontheisland,shehasbeeneagertoestablishherdominanceandcontrolintheshotputandthediscus.ThisyearshemadegreatstridestowardsthatgoalbycementinghernameamongtheannalsoftheFoundersLeaguebybreakinghersisterpreviouslyestablishedrecordwithathrowof41’8”.ThisyearsheearnedboththeFoundersLeagueandNEPSTAleaguetitlesintheshotput.CongratulationsChelseaforyourhardwork;wearesogladtohaveyoubacknextyearforanotherseason!MostOutstandingAthleteisnotatitlewecoachestakelightlyyetthisyoungladyhasdonejustthatinhershortthreeyearsonthisteam.Mostdonotknowthatshestartedherpelicancareerasalacrosseplayerandafterafunfillednightontheturfshedecidedtojumpahurdleneverlookingbackandonlylookingforwardtohernewlifeasasprinterandhurdleronthegirlstrackteam.Captain,SeniorSkylerDovihasparticipatedandchallengedheropponentsineight(8)of14events.InherLoomiscareershehasrunthe100m,100h,200m,300h,400m,alegofthe4x100m,4x200mandmrelays.Shehasearned4PennRelaytitles,oneofthemostprestigioushonorbestoweduponahighschoolathleteyetshehasfour;sheholdstwoFoundersleaguetitleandtwoNEPSTAtitles,sheispartoftheschoolrecordteamin4x200mandthisyearbroketheindividual300htitlewithanimpressive45.84secondrecord.CongratulationSkylerDoviforyourhardworkandlimitlessdedicationtothisteam.WewishyouallthebestatBostonCollegenextyear.TheCoachesAwardisgiventotheathleteswhohavegoneaboveandbeyondtheexpectationssetbeforethem.Thisyearwehonortwoyoungladieswhoinfusedtheteamwiththeirselflessspirit.Theirconfidence,steadfastleadership,sheerdeterminationandhardworkendedincementingtheTEAM.Thisyear’sCoachesAwardsgotoseniorSophieChristianoandjuniorJulietRhodes.Quietandunassumingbynature,SophieChristianopossessesaninnerstrengthanddeterminationthatfewbeforeherhavehad.SheexemplifiesdisciplineandmodestyonandoffthetrackandherfinalkickisunlikeanyotherstudentIhavecoached.ThankyouSophie.Julietisperhapstheperfectteammate:encouraging,hardworkingandselfless.Watchinghertrainonewouldrealizethatshehasanunquenchabledesiretorun.Inhertrainingsheencouragesthosearoundhertoimproveandinspiresotherstohopeandachievebeyondtheirownexpectations.Bothoftheseyoungladiesaretrueleaders,unpretentiousandalwaystheirbestself.Thankyouforgivingusaguidebywhichwecanlive.

MostImprovedathleteisnotanawardthatwehavetypicallyawardedasalloftheyoungladieswehavecoachedhaveimprovedinsomeway,shapeorform.YetthisyearsophomoreMarleighGilibertodidtheunimaginable;shecommittedtotheteamineverywaypossible.Shereveledinthewins,criedintheirlossesandalwayspushedherselftobebetterthanbefore.HertrainingbeganinthewinterwithAPweightswhereshegainedstrengthandhertrainingcontinuedthroughoutthespringwhereshesoughttoimproveherconditioning.For9weeksMarleighparticipatedin4eventseveryWednesdayandSaturday,themaximumforatrackathlete.SherepresentedtheschoolattheprestigiousPennRelaysandgarneredpointsfortheteaminboththeFoundersleagueandNEPSTAchampionships.Weascoachesarecomfortedinknowingthatshewillbewithusfortwomoreyears.Welookforwardtowatchinghertocontinuetogrowasanathlete.ThankyouMarleighforallyourhardwork.Inclosing,Iwouldliketoremindyouallthat“It'sbettertolookaheadandprepare,thantolookbackandregret.”NotruerwordshavebeenspokenandIamsurethatJackieJoyner-Kerseewouldsaythatyouhavealreadystartedtolookforward.Thankyou!IwouldnowliketoreintroduceSueCabottopresenttheDonJoffrayandGirlsVarsityAthleteawards.

DonJoffrayandGirlsVarsityAthleteAwards:SueCabotTheDonaldJoffrayAwardandtheThreeSportFemaleAthleteawardarepresentedannuallytotheseniorathletesinthegraduatingclassinrecognitionofoutstandingachievementin3Varsitysportselectedbytheirfellowvarsityathletes.Thisyearthereare3recipients:MichaelGreenburg,MaggieFinlayandEmmaTrenchard.AllofyouhavedonesomuchforLoomisChaffeeathletics,yourcoachesandteammates.WhenIaskedyourcoachestoreflectbackontheirtimewithyounothingbutthehighestofpraisecomesback.Youhavelearnedtobehumblewithyoursuccesses,aswellasbeinggraciousindefeat.You’veledotherstochampionshipsthroughyourdeterminedplay,selflesscontributionstoteam,andwillingnesstorepresentyourschooltothehighestdegreepossible.Atthesametimeyouhavemadetheyoungerplayersfellliketheybelonghelpingtogivethemtheconfidencetoflourish.DonJoffraywasamathteacherherefor49yearsandhetoowasatremendousathlete.HetowashumbleandfewknewhewasanOlympicKayaker.LikeMr.Joffray,youthreerepresentthebestofsports;youdon’texpectpraise,youplayforthelovegame,nomatterwhatgameitisandyoumakethosearoundyoubetter.As12varsityletterwinnersyouhavedonesoin9differentsports.Yourleadershipascaptainsonyourteamshashelpedmakethisyear’sathleticsprogramsosuccessful.YouleaveLoomisalegacyofexcellenceinyourwake.ThankyouforrepresentingLoomisChaffeewithgreatspirit,fireandgrace.Congratulationsandbestoflucktoyouinyouryearsahead.NowIwouldliketointroduce,ScottPurdy,headcoachoftheboystrackandfieldteam.

BoysTrackandField–ScottPurdy

Regularseasonrecord8-1FoundersLeagueChampions

4thinDivisionINewEnglandChampionships4x400relayPennRelayPrepIndividualChampions

Whatasurprisingyear.Fromtheoutside,onecouldsupposethattheboystrackandfieldteamwinninganotherFoundersLeagueChampionship,their7thwininthelast8years,wasjustthenorm,andthat5or10yearsfromnowthisseasonwon’tstandoutinthememory.Thatwouldbeaterribleassumption.Thiswasanythingbutanormalyear.Usually,weareinfusedwithnewtalenteachspring,andwhilewehadsomenewadditions,only3ofthetop25pointscorerswerenewtrackandfieldcompetitors.Thiswasagroupwe’vegrownupwith.However,formanyofthem,thiswasthefirsttimethattheywerebeingreliedupontobethestars.Infact,wetookaboywhohadneverfinishedhigherthan3rdplaceinanymeet,noteventhetiniestlittledualmeet,andchosetohavehimcompeteinthepolevaultattheNewEnglandChampionshipsbecausehehadahotterhandthanateammaterankedhigherthanhimbutwhowewouldthenhavetosit.Theresult?Thekidtooksecondplacewiththebigboys,andhisteammatewasrighttherecheeringhimonfromthesidelines.Otheroddthings?Wehad2guysbreakbonesinthehurdles,somethingthathasn’thappenedevenonceinthepast20yearsatLoomis.Andyet,afterthoseinjuries,wehad4otherguysmoveintothehurdleseventstohelpshoreupthepotentialweakspot.Youcan’tmakethisstuffup!Ouronlyregularseasonlosscameafterwethoughtwehadwon,astheofficialsatanawaymeetcameupwithsomeinterestinginterpretationsoftherulesgoverningscoringfromslowerheats.Andevenonthatdayofourloneregularseasonloss,wehad4athletescompetingatthePennRelaysinfrontofacrowdof25,000people.Those4,Ryan,Hunter,ShichandTags,wouldwininPhiladelphiaandgoontoscorenearlyhalfourteampointsatNewEnglands,andthusthecreativelyscoredlosswasabitterpilltoswallow,butwechosetotaketheriskofaregularseasonlosstogivethoseguysthechancetoruninsuchanamazingmeet.Theentireyearwaslikethis,withadversitycomingfromeverydirection,andthisteamansweringthecalleverytime.Wehadveteranteammatescheeringontheupstartunderclassmenandwehadathletesagreetoswitchintochallengingeventsmid-yearinordertohelptheteam.Wechosetoreachforgreatnessasopposedtosettlingforthecomfortable.Isupposethatifyou’renotdrainedattheendofajourney,youhaven’tlived.Imaylookalittletiredtoday,butIwilltakeit,forthisteamlived.

YearEndAwardsMVPsRyanHeskinandRyanDurkinRyanHeskinAdependablecompetitorwhoscoredthemostpointsfortheteamthisyear,RyanHeskinledwithexcellenceandwiththedepthofimpactthatfewdistancerunnerscanachieve.Consideringthelongereventsaresophysicallydemandingitisdifficultforanathletetobeinmorethanonedistanceeventpermeet,Ryanusuallyranthreeeventseachmeet.Wehaven’thadadistancerunnerleadtheteamintotalpointssince2010.RyandidthatwhilealsocompetinginthePennRelays,thusmissingthechancetoearnevenmorepointsinatri-meetheldthesameweekend.Nottomention,Ryanisajunior.Infact,Ryanisthefirstjuniordistancerunnertoleadusinpointsinmynearly20yearsatLoomis.Additionally,Ryanwastheteam'sonlyFoundersLeagueChampionshipdoublewinner(triplewinnerifyoucountthe4x400relay)thisyear,andhewasaPennRelayssquadchampion.Congratulationsonagreatseason!RyanDurkinIwishwecouldshoweveryoneavideoofRyanDurkinpolevaulting.Everymeetwewentto,athletesandevencoachesnearthepolevaultwouldgaspthefirsttimetheysawhimperform,eveninwarmups.ThishappenedagainonSaturdayattheNewEnglandChampionship,whereawholecrowdofkids,allofthemexcellentathletesthemselveswarmingupforvariousotherevents,jumpedtotheirfeet,pointingtothepolevaultandturningtofriendstoyell"Didyouseethat?!"Ryanwentundefeatedinthepolevaultthisyear,crushingour17-yearoldschoolrecord,andinspiringoneopponentattheTaftmeettosay,"Ihaveneverseenahumanbeingdoanythinglikethat."PerhapstheTaftkidhasledashelteredlifeandneedstogetoutalittlemore,butitistruethatRyanperformedatalevelseenperhapsonlyonceadecadeintheNEprepschooltrackandfieldscene.Andhedidthisallwithquirkinessbutprecision,focusbutfriendliness,confidencebuthumility.Congratulations!CoachesAwardsDanTaglianettiUndefeatedinthe400metersthroughouttheregularseason,andtheanchorofthePennRelayandFoundersChampionship4x400relayteams,Danwasrocksolidthisyear,leadingbyexample.Hewasneverdistractedbytheweather,orthecompetition,orthenoiseofcontroversyonmeetdays.Hesimplytookcareofhimself,guidedhisteammatesinthebestdirections,andexcelled.Tagsliftedteammatesbyshowingthemhowtoprepare,howtoact,howtocompete.Wewereblessedtohavehimwithusthisseason.JohnCox

OneofourcoachessentmeanoteaboutJohn:"Hedoeseverythingright,everythingquietly,everythinghumbly."WhatmorecanIsay,andwhatmorecanateamaskfromaguy?Aseniorcaptainwhotookthirdinthe3000meterattheFoundersChampionship,whoalsogotthefirstbloodynoseinhistoryfightingforhissquadinourwaterpoloFinalFourcontest,Johnwasanathletewhobroughtmaturitytotheteamandmixeditwithadeeplyfeltcompetitivespirit.Hewasagreatreasonthisteamachievedsomuch.Iwouldnowliketointroducetheheadcoachofthebaseballteam,andnewfather,DonnieMcKillop.

Baseball–DonnieMcKillopItwasanhonorandapleasuretocoachthevarsitybaseballteamthisspring.Ithinkthemostmemorablethingaboutthisteamwashowmuchfuntheyhadtogether.WhenaskedaboutourseasonIalwayssharedwithpeoplehowmuchourguysloveeachother.Itwasamazingtohavethatkindofcohesionand“loosejuice”combinedwithaninnateabilitytocompeteandbattle.Iamsoproudofthisteamandtheseseniorleadersdeservesomuchofthatcredit.Theywentthroughtwocoachingchangesbeforetheirsenioryear,butwereabletoresilientlypersevere.Iamappreciativeoftheentireteam’swillingnesstobesoopentomyselfandournewstaffasweembarkedontheseason.ThankyoutoJakeLeydenforhelpingtalkmethroughthetransitiontotheprogram.Jake’sinputwasalwaysextremelyhelpfulandhisadvicewasgivenwithagenuinegentletouch.ThankyoutoMatDeNunzioforhisenergy,enthusiasm,andhisrelentlesseffortstohelptheteamgetbetter.WhenJakeandIwereoffhavingkidsweknewtheteamwasingoodhandswithMat.IalsowanttothankSueCabot,VickyScanlon,andCraigLamenzoforsupportingourteaminthisseason.Withthetoughrainyspringwehadaquiteabitofreschedulingandlogisticsthatwerequitecomplicated,butwealwaysgotwhereweneededtogotocompeteandourfieldwasalwayslinedandreadyongamedays.Asforourseason,webegandowninPortSt.LucieFlorida.ThankyoutoElliotDialforjoiningusonthattripandSueagainforhelpingmefigureoutthedetailsofplanningthattripwith33playersjoiningus.WhenwewereinFloridaweplayed10gamesin5daysasabrandnewteamwithnewleadership.Itwasalot.Itwasatripfulloffunandteamactivities,buttheonfieldplaywasdefinitelyalearningprocessforourplayersandourstaff.Itwasevidentthatwehadaprogramfullofcompetitors.Althoughwedidn’tleavewithasinglewininthoseexhibitiongames,welefthungryforgrowthandimprovement.Whenwereturnedourseasonseemedmorelikewewereahockeyteamthanabaseballteamwithallthetimewespentintherink.Theguysperseveredandworkedextremelyhardtoimprovefundamentalsandimpressivelybroughtenthusiasmdayinanddayouttopractice.Wewonourfirstthreegamesofourseasonbutdropped2ofournext3toAvonandChoate.Sittingat3-2withalotofseasonleft,theteamhadtoworkhardtoensureapositiveresponsetotheadversity.TherainseemedtoonlycomeonWednesdaysandSaturdaysandforcedustoplaymultipleweekswith3-4games.Theturnofourseasonwastheweekwewon3gamesin3daysbeatingKO,Taft,andTPinclosecontests.ThehighlightscontinuedwhenwewenttoAvonforaredemptiongamebeatingthewingedbeavers3-0andtherevengeagainstChoateathomebeatingthem5-1withbacktobackhomerunshitduringthatgame.Asateamweweregrittycompetitorsandwethrivedintightgamesandclutchsituations.Wehave4awardwinnersthisspring.Firstisthe“ChickSellers”coachesawardthathonorsthespiritofLoomis’firstbaseballcoach.ItisawardedtoCamMoroskyforhisexceptionalroleontheteamthisyear.Camwasalwaysthefirstkidouttopracticeandthelastoneoffthefield.ThiswasCam’sfirst

yearasaneverydaystarterandboydidheimprovethroughoutthewholeyear.Hebecameanexcellentcatcherandalsohadhugehitsforusinbigtimes.Camwasalsoalwaystheteammatethatpickedupthebucketofbaseballsorthehelmetbag,heisthequintessentialteamguy.CongratulationsCam.NextistheNewcomerawardforthemostoutstandingnewballplayerthatjoinedourprogramthisspring.ThisawardgoestoBlaisHermanforhiscontributionsbothintheinthefieldandonthemound.Blaisbecameourstartingcenterfielder,ourthreehitter,andourcloser.Blaiswasaclutchperformerandalwayscompetedwithpoise.CongratulationsBlais.TheMVPpitchergoestoJustinPacheco.Justin’sbiggest2(hopefully3winsaftertoday)wereagainstAvon,Choate,andTaft.ThesegameswerethemostimportantoftheyearandJustinwasonthemoundforallofthem.HisperformanceatAvonepitomizeswhoheisasapitcher.Hehadfilmfromourlastgameagainstthemandstudiedeachhitter’sswing.Heplannedanapproachandexecutedflawlesslywithconfidence.Justinisagameranddominatedonthemoundforusthisseason.CongratulationsJustin.TheteamMVPgoestoLuisGuerrero.Luwasonfirethisyear.Weallknewhewasagreatplayer,butitwassofuntowatchhimplaythisyear,hewasonanotherlevel.Luledusattheplateandonthefield.InthefieldIwillalwaysremembertheplayhemadeupthemiddleagainstTaftontheoppositesideof2ndbaseanddeliveredastriketo1stbasetogetthefinaloutwhichprevented2runsfromscoring.In17gamesLuishit5homeruns,drovein13runsandscored23runsofhisown.Luiswasourteamleader,heworkedrelentlesslytoperfecthisgameandhisresultscamefromtheendlesshoursofhardworkhedevotedtothegame.CongratulationsLuisonagreatseason!IwouldnowliketointroduceJeffScanlon,headcoachoftheboysgolfteam.

BoysGolf–JeffScanlonWithonlyonesenioronlastyear’steam,webeganthiscampaignwithhighhopes—hopeselevatedbythereturnofafullyhealedDavidMiccoli,whohadshouldersurgerylastyearandthusplayedinonlyabouthalfofourmatches.WiththereturnofDavidandJasonLiu,ourtwoco-captainslastyearandthisyear,arguably(andprobablystatistically)oneofthebestone-twocombosinallofNewEnglandgolf,wehadreasontoexpectagoodseason.Itwasnot,however,agoodseason.Itwasanexcellentseason.WebeganhesitantlybackonApril5inatri-match,losingtoBrunswickby12strokesinthisnine-holetilt,butbestingDeerfieldbyseven.Ourteamscore,204,wasoneofonlythreetimesallseasonthatwescoredover200.I’llexplainbrieflythescoringofgolfsoyouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.First,PARisextremelygood.Parfornineholesisusually35or36;for18it’susuallybetween70and72.Thegameofgolfhassomerandombutmeaningfulbenchmarks.Mostsportsdo(battingaverages,ERAs,Polevault,longjump,goalie’ssavepercentage).Ifyoubreak40fornineholesor80for18holesingolf,youareverygood.Ifyoubreakparforeither,youareexceptionalornasty.Inmostmatches,sixplayersplayandthetopfivescoresarecounted.Ifyourteamscoreis200,then,obviously,youhaveanaverageof40forthefiveplayers.Toillustratewhyweweredisappointedwiththatseason-openingroundof204,IwillsharetheresultsofthenextmatchwehadagainstK-OandTheGunnery.K-Oshotasolid201;TheGunnerypostedanimpressive192;andwebeattheir192bytenstrokes.Our182,infact,tiedtheschoolrecord.Divide182by5andyougeta36.4averageforthefiveplayers.Onewouldthinksuchasuccessfulshowingmightspringboardustoournextmatchwithoptimismandconfidence.ButwhenthevenueisFarmingtonWoods,thehomecourseofAvonOldFarms,anythingcanhappen.Wait!Letmeamendthatcomment:AnythingBADcanhappen.Yes,theweatherwasnotgreat,butitwasnotgreatforAvonandWilliston,too.Thosetwotalentedteamsshot204,withthetiebreakergoingtoWilliston.Wepostedahideous216.Ourrecordisnow3-3!Let’spickupthepace.ThosetwolossescameonApril15,2017.Wewentundefeatedagainstournext19opponents.ThisimpressivestringofvictoriesgotustoMay10th.OnthatWednesdaywetraveledouttoSouthKent,CT,andagorgeousprivateclubcalledBullsBridgefortheSecondAnnualW.N.E.PrepGolfInvitational.14teamswereonhandforthisfulldayofgolfandthendinnerandashortawardsceremony.Whataday!WhenallofoursixplayerswerebackattheClubhouse,Ilearnedthatfiveofoursix:Jason,David,Bobby,Brian,andAdinhadallshotinthe70’s.WOW!Ithought,“Ifsomeonebeatsourteamscoreof383(a76.4average),theydeservetowin.”WeknewBrunswickandTaftwouldprobablypostgoodscores.

Intheend,wedidgetrevengeonBrunswick,beatingthembyfivestrokes.Taft,ontheotherhand,whomwehadtiedattheAndoverInvitational,postedateamscoreof377,bestingusbysix.WehadtocancelourownBaderCuptournamentwithChoate,Westminster,andTheGunnerybecauseoftherainstormonMay13th.AsuccessfuldaylastWednesdayagainstWilbrahamandPomfret(ourteamscorewas186)gotusreadyfortheFoundersTournamentatTaftonSaturday.Longstoryshort?ItwasusagainstTaftagain—unlessofcourseweortheystruggleduncharacteristically.Wedidnotplayuptoourpotentialandwerewithoutthe“hot”BrianGroom.Ourtopfiveposteda393,or78.6average.WejustekedbyChoatebytwostrokesandAvonbyfive.Unfortunately,theTaftRhinos,ontheirhomecourse,wereunstoppable.Theirteamscorewas375;that’sanaverageof75perplayer.OurDavidMiccoliposteda72,oneoverpar,butaTaftguybeathimfortheMedalistHonorbyastroke.Jason’srollercoaster77,Emmett’s83,Bobby’s80,andMax’s81accountedfortherestofour393.Adinplayed,butwe...didn’tneedtocounthisscorethatday.TheNewEngland’s:Theseason-endingtournamentfeaturedfiveplayersfromeachof23schools.Twoyearsago,theLiu–MiccoliduoledthePelicanstothetitle.Lastyear,wefinishedT-9.Thisyear....Countingmatcheswithfourorfewerteams,ourrecordthisseasonwas19-3.Ihavetodosomeresearch,butIthinkthatmaybeaschoolrecord.IntheAndoverInvitationalatNCC(eightteams),wetiedwithTaftforthetitle;attheWNEPGI(14teams),weplacedsecond;intheFoundersLeagueChampionshipwecameinsecond;andintheNewEnglandChampionship,wecamein_________.Wehavethreeawards:theMVP,theMIP,andaCoach’sAwardForthesecondyearinarowandforthreeofhisfouryears,co-captainJasonLiuistheteam’sMVP.Weplayedin15matchesortournaments(wehadfourwithmorethanfourteams)thisseason.JasonmissedonebecauseofafamilytriptoChinaforawedding.Innineofourteam’s15matches,hehadthelowestround.Hisaverageinthenine-holematcheswasa37.2.Hisaverageinthefour18-holematcheswasa73.ThesestellarnumbersreflectJason’stalent,consistency,carefulpreparation,andextremedevotiontothisgame.Sincehisfreshmanyear,JasonhasbeenaleaderofthisteamandoneofthebestplayersinNewEnglandPrepSchoolgolf.Wewillmisshimdearly.TheMostImprovedPlayerLastyear,Brian’sfirstatLoomis,sawhimstruggleperiodicallywithhisgame.Onseveraloccasions,Brianhadtobattleanotherplayerortwotodecidewhowouldgettoplayintheupcomingmatch.Heultimatelyplayedinfiveofoursixteenmatchesandhada41.6averageinthenine-holematchesinwhichhecompeted.Thisyear,heplayedintenof

our15matchesandtournaments,missingseveralforvariousreasons,includingafewforfamilyobligations.Hisfirstthreescoreswereobviouslymixed:47,37,55.Uponreturningfromaweek-longhiatus,heshotan81,thenwentonatear,beingthelowLoomisscorerforthreeconsecutivematches,postingscoresof35*(whichenabledustobeatWNHinatiebreaker),38*,and37*;hethenshotastrong77intheWesternNewEnglandtournament(WNEPGI),anda37againstWilbrahamandPomfret.Lastyear,hebroke40incompetitiononlyonce.Thisyear,hebecameasteady,reliableleaderoftheteam.Hisnine-holeaverageforsevenmatcheswasasparkling38.6!Congratulations,Brian!COACH’sAWARDAcoach’sawardgoestotheplayerwhoputsselfsecondandteamfirst,whodoesthesubtlethingsthatfostercamaraderie,whomaynotpostthelowestscore,butcommitshimselfearnestlyandpleasantlytodoinghisbestandneverquitting.Whencalledupontogoaboveandbeyondthenorm,hesays“yes”withenthusiasmandhumilityandgoodcheer.MaxDiCiccowasthatmanthisseason.ExceptfortheAndoverInvitationalandtheNewEngland’s,weplayedsixplayersineverymatch.Intheopeningfewweeksoftheseason,weoftenhadplayoffmatchesinpracticetodeterminewhowouldplayinthatsixthspot.SometimesitwasMax,sometimeshegotbeatenoutbyateammateandhadtositout.Wehadafewawkwardmomentsthisseasonwhenweneededasixthplayeratthelastminute.Once,aplayerwastakingtheSAT’suntimed,andthecoachdidnotknowthathe’dbetoolatetomakethetrip.Withthebusrunningandreadytoleaveforthematch,wehadtocallMaxtoseeifhecouldjoinus.Ofcourse,hesaidyesandcamerunningfromhisdormtohoponthetoaster.Thoughheshotamodest44,henevergaveup.BecauseourtopfivescorersweretiedwithWilliston’stopfive,wewenttotheNo.6players’scorestodecidewhowouldwin.Max’sscorebeattheWilliston’sguy’sscorebyasinglestrokeandgaveusthewin.Onanothermatchday,Emmettwasstrugglingwithaboutoffoodpoisoningandatthelastminutesaidhelackedthestrengthtoplay.Max,again,hoppedonthebusandhappilycommittedhimselftothe18-holematch(andnine-hourday!),shootingarespectablemid-80’sround.Andonelasttime,onthedayoftheFoundersChampionship,hisroommateandfellowgolfer,BrianGroom,wascalledawaytohissister’scollegegraduation.Maxbroughthispositiveattitudeandsolidplayingenroutetoanimpressive81,whichcontributedtooursecondplacefinishandaslimtwo-strokevictoryoverChoate.Thankyou,Max,forgivingsogenerouslyandgraciouslytotheteamthisseason.IwouldnowliketointroduceBetsyConger,theheadcoachofthesoftballteam.

Softball–BetsyCongerThiswasaprettytoughseasonforthesoftballteam,butluckilywecansaywithallhonestythatitisayoungteamandthatthiswasarebuildingyear.Withalosingrecorditwouldhavebeensoeasyforthisteamtohavestartedtobecomenegativeortohavesimplygivenuponeachother…instead,theybondedtogetherandbecamearesilientandtenaciousteam.Thisabilitytoplayhard,worktogether,andsupporteachotherhavebeenhallmarksofthisseason.IaskedtheplayerstosendmesomeoftheirstandoutmemoriesanditisthesemeaningfulmomentsthatIwouldliketofocuson.“ThedaywetravelledtoWillistonismyamazingmoment:wehadareallyfunandpumpedupbusrideonthewayup,wetookanearlyleadandwefinishedstrong.Evenwhenweweredownweneverletthatstopusfromplayingourhardestandreallygivingthemarunfortheirmoney.IthinkthewholedayfromthemomentweleftLoomisuntilwereturnedreallyshowedourteam'sfullpotential.”“IthinkmyfavoritemomentintheseasonwasthecatchthatKatieBegleymadeintheK.O.gamewithseeminglylittleeffort.IthinkIloveditsomuchbecauseofhowtrulygracefulitwasandbecauseitwassomethingthatgavemesomehopethatifwekeptworkinglikethat,wecouldmakeacomebackandthatwecouldbeatthisteamholdingourheadshighuptothesky.”Finally,“MyfavoritemomentwasourbusridetoWillistonbecauseitismomentslikethatonethatIwillrememberforever.Imaynotalwaysrememberthescoresofthegamesorwhathappened,butIwillalwaysrememberthelaughterofmyteammatesandthepregameexcitement”.BeforeIgivetheawards,IwouldliketogiveahugethankyoutoGlennFrankelwhohasdonatedhistimefortwoyearstohelpusbeasmartandsolidsoftballteam.Glenn’sfocusonbeingyourbestselfoutonthefieldhasmeshedperfectlywiththisLoomisChaffeeteam.AshoutouttoCoachSamuelswhoalsovolunteeredhistimethisseason;heexpertlykeptthebookforeverygameandneverfailedtoentertaintheplayersonthefield!Andabigthankyouto“Dr.Coach”whowasatremendoussupportfortheplayersallseasonlong.Finally,ahugethankyoutotheparentswhohavebeensosupportivethroughouttheseasonandtoCraigLamenzofortakingsuchgoodcareofourfield.MVP:SharonFrankelWitha.467battingaverageanda.500onbasepercentagefortheseason,itiseasytoseewhySharonFrankelisourchoiceforMVP.Offensively,shecouldbuntorhittogetonbaseandshecrossedtheplatemorethananyotherplayerthisseason.Inaddition,Sharonwasaskedtoplaytwoverydifferentdefensivepositionsduringtheseason–attimesshewasintheoutfieldandothertimesweneededheratshortstop–oftenduringthesamegame!Sharonhandledtheswitcheswithgraceandplayedincrediblywellat

bothpositions.However,herathleticismisn’theronlystrength;Sharonnevergivesupandplayswithheart100%ofthetime.Inaddition,herabilitytohavefunwithherteammateswhileremainingintenseandcompetitivehasbeensoimportantonthisyoungteam.WewillreallymissSharon’senergyandfriendshipnextyear!COACHESAWARD:KellyWhiteInmybook,theCoach’sawardisoneofthehighesthonorswecangiveaplayer,andthat’swhatKellyWhitedeservesforherfouryearsofdedicationtothisteam.Hallmarksofhertimehereareherathleticismandthecamaraderiethatshehaswithherteammates.Offensively,Kellyhadasolid.308battingaverageand.341onbasepercentageandsheleadtheteaminstolenbaseswith15ontheseason.Defensively,Kelly’sabilitytocoverALOTofgroundintheoutfieldisamazingandwatchingKellymakeNCAA-highlight–worthycatchesisathingofbeauty!Inaddition,thisyear,Kellywasaskedtoplaybothleftandcenterfieldindifferentgamesandadaptedeasilytothevariousresponsibilitiesinthosepositions.Justas,ifnotmore,importantlyhavebeenKelly’scontributionstothecollectivegrowthofthisteam;sheleadsbyexampleandmakessurethatallplayersfeelincludedandrespected.Sheknowshowtohavefun,howtogetherteammatesengagedandunderstandsjusthowtopickthemupwhenthey’redown.WewillmissKelly’sleadership,herinfectiouslaughandallofhercontributionstothisteam.COACH’SAWARD:SarahOlenderSarahOlenderhasalsoearnedtherespectofhercoachesandteammatesthisyear;beingajuniorcaptaincanbeatoughthing,butSarahwasmadeforit!Shelovesthegameofsoftballandleadsbyexamplebothonandoffthefield.Battingcleanupwitha.417battingaverageanda.525onbasepercentage,Sarahwasanoffensiveforcetobereckonedwith.Defensively,shewasoneofthetopcatchersintheleague;shemadeitlookeasy,butweknowhowmuchhardworkanddedicationsheputinbehindtheplate.Asaleader,Sarahknowsherteammates;sheholdsthemtohighstandardsandexpectsagreatdeal,butisalwaystheretopickthemupandsupportthemwhenneeded.WehonorSarahwithacoach’sawardandaresolookingforwardtohercontinuedleadershipnextseason.Now,Iwouldliketointroducetheheadcoachofthegirlsgolfteam,JimO’Donnell.

GirlsGolf–JimO’DonnellItwasaprivilegetocoachthegirlsvarsitygolfteamthisseason.Iwassurroundedbysixplayersofthehighestcharacter,whoseemedtofindgreatjoyinthegameofgolfandwhoweredevotedtodailyimprovement.Theseasonstartedwithrulesclinicsinaclassroom,puttingonthehallwayrugsinChaffee,andswingafterswingintothenetsinShimkusgymnasiumduringaprolongedwinter.Golfisagameofdisciplineandrepetitionandtheirfocusneverwavered.Wediscussedthementalaspectofpeakperformance,notablyagolfer’sdevotiontothe“nextshot.”Throughouttheseason,thegirlscommittedtonewroutines,remainedopentoavarietyofoptionsforclubselectionandcoursemanagement,andtrainedthemselvestoremainpositiveandconfidentoneveryshot.Asacoach,youtrustthatsuchrefinementswillleadtopeakperformance,butremainmindfulthatpositiveresultstaketimetoyield.I’mpleasedtosharethattheirtrustandhardworkpaidoff.Herearejustafewoftheculminatingandinspiringmomentsthatweexperienced:

• AshleyEdwardsbroke50strokesfornineholesforthefirsttimeinherlifewhensheshot48inpracticetwoweeksago.Thisisaspecialmilestoneforayounggolfer;

• MaddyHofffmanreachedthesamepersonalmilestoneaweeklaterincompetitionbyfiring49inthematchagainstMissHall’sandWilliston;

• In18-holecompetition,JuliaThompsonshot94atthePippyO’ConnorInvitational,ourNewEnglandChampionship.ThisscorewasapersonalrecordforJuliaandearnedheratiefor20thplaceoutof47competitors;

• MaddieHongshotanimpressive38,herlowest9-holescoreever,winningallthreeofhermatchesagainstChoate,Williston,andWestminsteronMay3;

• JuliaDeitelbaumshot42,fiveshotsbelowheraverage,inthefinalmatchoftheseason;

• And,ElenaAndersonshot41and44inconsecutiveroundslastweek,bothwell-belowherseasonaverageof48.Shealsoearnedtheteam’stopmatchrecordfortheseasonwith13winsandonlythreelosses.

It’simportanttonotethatavarsityteamthatearneda10-5-1matchrecordwasledbyonejuniorandroundedoutbyfivesophomores.Whilerelativelyinexperienced,thegirlsaretalented,committed,andwonderfullypoisedincompetition.Theyareoutstandingstudents,widelyengagedinthearts,athletics,andextracurricularprogrammingintheLoomisChaffeecommunity,andtheyarekindandcaringpeoplewhoinstinctivelyprioritizetheneedsofothersbeforethemselves.Theyliveourmottoof“bestselfandcommongood”andthehighestpraisethatIcanofferisthatIsincerelyhopethatmy7-and10-year-olddaughtersmakefriendswithgirlslikethesesixindividualswhentheyareinhighschool.

Awards:TheCoaches'AwardgoestoJuliaThompson,theteam’scaptain.Juliaisamemberofstudentcouncil,playedaconsiderableroleinthedevelopmentofaday-studentmentoringprogramthatwillstartnextyear,andshemanagesarigorouscourseload,allthewhileleadingourteamwithtremendouspoiseandcare.Shementoredayoungteambysharinginsightsintothecourseswewouldplay,coordinatingcommunicationaboutupcomingevents,andmodelingthetypeofworkethicthateverycoachlikestoseeintheirteam.Also,JuliacouldoftenbeheardonthebustoandfromamatchorpracticereviewingSpanishessays,discussingmathorChemistry,orlendinganeartoateammatewhojustwantedtotalk.Juliaisamodelofservantleadershipandshehastherespectandappreciationofhercoach,whovaluedhersuggestionsashenavigatedhisfirstseasonwiththeteam.Julia,thankyouforyourservice,yourleadership,andyourdevotiontotheteam.TheMostValuablePlayerAwardgoestoMaddieHong.Amodelofconsistency,character,andworkethic,Maddiemaintainedtheteam’sloweststrokeaverage,44,whichwasthreeshotslowerthanthenextplayerontheteam.Ineverymatch,shefacedtheotherschool’sbestplayerandearnedanadmirable8-5-2matchrecord.Maddieisagiftedathlete,aterrificteammate,andanexcellentcompetitor.ItisapleasureformetothinkthatIgettocoachherforanothertwoseasons.Thankyoutoallmyplayers,whobroughtasmiletomyfaceeachdayforthepasteightweeks.I’mproudtobeyourcoach.Andlastly,Iwouldliketointroducetheheadcoachoftheboystennisteam,JoshSmith.

BoysTennis–JoshSmithDespiteaverywetstarttothespring,theboysvarsitytennisteamhadagoodseason;havingtheopportunitytoplayonournewtenniscourtsmadetheseasonevensweeter!Coachesandplayersaliketrulyappreciatethesupportwereceivedfromtheschool,theDevelopmentOffice,andthemanydonorswhocontributedtothisnewandmuch-neededfacility.Enteringthe2017campaign,weknewwehadgraduatedthreeseniorsandthereforehadbigshoestofill.Fortunately,wewelcomedfivenewadditionstothisyear’ssquad,whoallcontributedinarangeofdifferentways,totheladderandtotheoverallprogram:sophomoreKenChandraprasert,whoprimarilyplayedatfifthsinglesandthirddoubles,addedmuchneededdepthtothebottomoftheladder;seniorKevinXiateamedupwithKenatthirddoublesandprimarilyplayedsixthsinglesafterhavingplayedonJVpriortothisyear.He,too,addedafightingspiritinaveryimportantspot;juniorEricLiplayedatthetopoftheJVladderinbothsinglesanddoubleslastyear.Hemadethemostdrasticleapofall,steppingintothethirdsinglesspotandteamingupwithco-captainKevinXavieratfirstdoubles;sophomoreLiamScott,whoplayedJVlastyear,tookonseventhsinglesandfourthdoubleswithco-captainConnorFarrell.Liamworkshardandhasgreatpotentialasatennisplayer;ConnorFarrell,whoplayedeighthsinglesandteamedupwithLiamatfourthdoubles,wasvotedbyhisteammatestoserveasthisyear’sco-captainalongsidenumberonesinglesplayer,juniorKevinXavier.Connorservedasaneffectivecaptainoverthecourseoftheseason,namelybringingagreatdealofmaturitytotheposition.Inaverycompetitiveleague,wefinished7-6overall.HighlightsoftheseasonwerebeatingExeterontheroad(oursecondmatch)onablusteryafternoon.Wehadatoughstarttothebeginningoftheseason(wewere1-5headingintoourseventhmatch),butthePelicanswentonafivematchwin-streakandbeatWilliston,Pomfret,Salisbury,NMH,Westminster,andKent.AttheSouthernNewEnglandLeagueTournament(SNETL),co-captainKevinXavieravengedhislosstoTaft’snumberoneplayeronarainymorning.Hekepthiscomposure,andwithonlyafewminutestosparebeforewewererainedupon,Kevinwonthesupertiebreakertoclinchthematch.ItistoKevin’screditforfindingawaytotakedownthenumberoneplayerontheteamthateventuallywontheNewEnglandTournament(ClassA)thisspring.Iamgoingtotrulymisstheseyoungmennextyearandwishthemtheabsolutebest.IwanttothankeveryoneatLoomisandeveryoneintheAthleticsDepartmentforalloftheirsupportoverthepastnineyears.Additionally,Iwanttothankthemanydonorswhocontributedtothebrand-newandstate-of-the-arttenniscourts.Theboysandgirlstennisprogramsnowhaveanexcellentfacilityforthemtocompeteon.IamveryexcitedforthefutureofLoomistennisandfeelespeciallygratefulforhavinghadtheopportunitytocoachthesportIloveoverthepastseveralyearsontheIsland.

Iwouldnowliketorecognizetwostudents,inparticular,whowillbereceivingawardsthisseason:CoachesAwards:BenRushmadeoneheckofaleapthisyear,andtheteamisastrongerunitbecauseofit.Lastyear,hisfirstyearonvarsity,heprimarilyplayedseventhsingles.Thisyear,hesteppedupinamajorway,playingthemajorityofhissinglesmatchesatthefourthspotaswellasteamingupwithRameshShresthaatseconddoubles.Injustafewyears,Benhastrulymaturedintoquitethetennisplayer,playingoutsideofschoolandworkinghardonhisgame.Withanimpressiveserve,adevelopingnetgame,andgroundstrokesthathavebecomequiteconsistent,Benislearninghowtoeffectivelyconstructpointsandapplystrategytohisgame—bothsinglesanddoubles.Additionally,Benexhibitsaloveforthegame,excellentsportsmanship,andaverystrongworkethic.HeisawonderfulteammatewhohascontributedsignificantlytoLCtennis.Forallofthesereasons,BenRushhasearnedthisyear’sCoachesAward.CoachesAwards:RameshShresthahasplayedonvarsityforthreeyearsandhasmadeasignificantimpact.It’sworthmentioningthat,inadditiontotennis,Rameshhasbeenathree-sportvarsityathleteforallthreeyearshehasbeenatLoomis:crosscountry,skiing,andtennis.Thisyear,he,too,steppeduphisgameandmovedfromfourthtosecondsinglesandfromthirdtoseconddoubleswithteammateBenRush.ThedoublestandemwillplayintheNewEnglandPrepSchoolInvitationalTennisTournament(NEPSITT)onSaturdayatChoateastheycompeteagainstsomeofthestrongestplayersinNewEngland.Rameshisatruecompetitor,whocaresdeeplyaboutthesportoftennis,whoisalwaysprepared,andwhoisalwaysreadytobattle.Heisafocusedandambitiousyoungmanwhocomestoeverypracticeandmatchreadytoworkonhisgameandreadytocompeteagainsteveryopponentwhohecomesupagainst.Forallofthesereasons,hehasearnedthisyear’sCoachesAward.

ClosingRemarks–SueCabotAswepreparetoclose,Iwouldliketorecognize3groups:

• First,thankyoutoallstudentswhohaveparticipatedinaninterscholasticsporteachseasonthisyear.Asaschool,webelieveathleticsisanimportantpartofyourLCexperienceandapplaudyoufortakingadvantageoftheseopportunities.PleasestopbytoseeJoeandpickupyour3SportTshirt

• Second,allathleteswhohaveearned3varsitylettersthisyeartostand.Giventherigorsofourathleticandacademicprogramthisisaremarkablefeet!Pleasestopbythecageandpickupyour3varsitysporthoody.

• Third,IwanttothankCoachesBorman,SilverandSmithfortheirsharingwithusyourpassionforathletics,yourcompetitiveedgebutmostimportantlybeliefsthatlessonsandexperiencethroughathleticsisfargreaterthanwinningandlosing.Inyourownway,youallhavedemonstratedtheimportanceofgoodsportsmanship,buildingcharacterandrelationships,humilityandfunthroughsport.Thankyouandwewishyouthebest.