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2016FALLATHELITCAWARDSCEREMONY

ORDEROFSPEAKERS

OpeningRemarks SueCabot

Slideshow

Wrestling BenHaldeman

BoysSquash ElliotBeck

GirlsBasketball AdrianStewart

BoysBasketball RockBassistoni

GirlsSquash LaurenWilliams

Skiing GaryHendrickson

BoysHockey JRZavisza

Equestrian HarrisonShure

GirlsSwimming&Diving BobDeConinck

BoysSwimming&Diving FredSeebeck

GirlsIceHockey LizLeyden

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Wrestling:BenHaldemanGoodevening!Ilearnedsomethingfairlyrecentlythatsortofcapturesourseason.Maybeyoualreadyknowthis,butitturnsoutthattheLoomismottoisactuallypartofalongeraphorismthattellsus,infull:“Yieldnotuntomisfortune,but,rather,gomoreboldlyagainstit.”Inthatvein,oneofmyfavoritematchesthisyearwasnotamatchthatwewon.ItwasAugustDonovan’smatchat126poundsinourdualmeetagainstperennialpowerhouseBelmontHill,atapointinthemeetwhereweweregettingsmokedandanyreasonablepersonwould’vejustrolledoverandbeggedformercy.Thebeginningofthematchinquestiondidn’tstartanybetter:Augusttookabadshot,gotcaughtunderneath,andthenpancakedflattothemat.Bytheendofthefirstperiod,hewasdown9-1.Buthedidn’tgiveup.Thenextperiod,hegotanescapeandaquicktakedown,andthenspenttherestofthematch–aboutthreeminutes,justpunishinghisopponent–likeI’m-gonna-rip-your-arms-off-and-feed-them-to-youpunishing.Whileitdidn’tultimatelywinhimthematch,itcompletelychangedtheteam’sattitudeandthetenorofthemeet.AndwhenAuguststeppedoffthemat,youwould’vebeenforgivenforthinkingtheotherguyhadjustlost.Andthiswas,amicrocosmofourseason–aseasonthatalackofexperiencecouldeasilyhaveturnedintoanexerciseintheoldLoomistraditionof“notyieldingtomisfortune,”butwhichwas,oneoftherichestandmostfulfillingseasonsI’vehadasacoach.Itwas,ayearofgreattechnicalandindividualimprovement.KaiserGarcia,forinstance,discoveredthewondersofusingcorestrengthtoexecutehistakedowns,andJacobdeRothschildlaidoutfordirtylowsinglesallseason.JakeBarbieri,aftertwoyearsofhuckingpeoplearoundlikehaybales,discoveredfinesse.WillMandelbaum,forhispartandforthefirsttimeinhiscareer,wasnotoutofbreathallthetime.(Healsoputinsomeofthetoughestperformanceswesawthisyear.)Morethantechnicalimprovement,however,thiswasaseasoncharacterizedbygenuineexcitementandpositivity–notmerelyareluctantacceptanceofhardwork,butanalmostfiendishenjoymentofit.Asaresult,wewereentertainedbyepicwrestle-offsallseasontodeterminethevarsitylineup(includingrecurringmatchesbetweenKaiserandHarveyTsoi,aswellasbetweenMaalikMcPhersonandTrevorSiemon).AndwehadseniorslikeWillandJacobwhowouldemergefromtheirmatchesbloodyandbatteredandsmilingallthewhile.Wehadfirst-yearwrestlerslikeSumanGuntupalliandAdamGuillemettewho,farfromcomplainingaboutfrequentmatch-upsagainstguyswithbicepsasbigastheirtorsos,simplydeterminedtolearnmoreanddobetteragainstthenextguy.AndthentherewereguyslikeIanMann,whosematcheswerealwaysrollicking,far-rangingaffairsthatranthefullgamutoftechnique,style,andsanity.Thesearethekindsofthingsthatturnedaseasonprimedforenduranceintoaseasonfullofenjoyment.Yousee,Ithinkalotofwrestlingteamsaregoodatthe‘yieldingnot

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untomisfortune’bit–Imean,ifyoureallycareaboutgettingbeatupallthetime,it’sprobablynotthesportforyou.Butit’sprettyraretohaveateamthatnotonlyendures–butalso“goesmoreboldly”inthefaceofsomeprettydauntingindividualandcollectivechallenges.Thiswasoneofthoseyears,andforthat,I’mgratefulandalsoveryproudoftheseguys–especiallyourseniors,JakeBarbieri,JordanPassarella,JacobdeRothschild,andWillMandelbaum.We’regonnamissallofyouguys.Iwouldnowliketocallthefollowingindividualstothepodiumtoberecognizedwithawards:SincereTuitt,RyanDurkin,JakeBarbieri,andJordanPassarella.MostImprovedWrestler:SincereTuitt‘18Thisyear'sMostImprovedWrestlerisjuniorSincereTuitt.Inhissecondyearonvarsity,Sincereaccrueda22-16recordandpulleddowna5th-placefinishintheClassAchampionshipsat160pounds.Justlastweekend,hetook2ndplaceinatoughfieldattheMid-AtlanticWrestlingAssociationdistricttournamenttoadvancetotheregionalcompetitioninPennsylvanianextmonth.Hehasdevelopedadevastatingcross-facecradle,asmoothsingle-leg,andapatient,effectiveturnout–alloftheelementsheneedstobeacontenderforatopplacingattheNewEnglandchampionshipsnextyear.Whatwe’remosthappyabout,though,ishiscommitmenttothesportandhiseagernesstodevelophistechniqueyear-round.Goodworksofar,Sincere–we’relookingforwardtoanothergoodone.MostOutstandingWrestler:RyanDurkin‘18Juniorco-captainRyanDurkinisthisyear'sMostOutstandingWrestler.Inonlyhissecondyearonvarsity,Ryanposteda38-9recordat145pounds,takingthirdattheClassAChampionshipsandthirdattheNewEnglandChampionshipsbeforepostingapairofwinsatPrepNationals.Asimpressiveasthesecredentialsare,however,we’vemostenjoyedwatchingRyan–onlyinhisfourthyearasawrestler–continuetoexpandhistechnicalarsensal,addingcrack-backsandBarzigars,anklepicksandarmbarstoanalreadydevastatinglowsingleandTurk.Wefullyexpectthathewillbecompetingattheveryhighestlevelofprepwrestlingnextyear,andwe’reexcitedtowatchitunfold.Congratulationsonanimpressivejuniorseason,Ryan.Coaches’Awards:JakeBarbieri’17&JordanPassarella‘17Ourtwoseniorcaptainssharetheremainingawardtonightasthe2017wrestlerswhobestembodythepillarsofLoomisWrestling:discipline,intensity,andteamwork.BothJakeBarbieriandJordanPassarella,182and152pounds,respectively,wereleadersonandoffthematthisseason.Asguyswho’dstartedwrestlingatLoomis,bothcontinuedtodeveloptheirtechniquethroughouttheirsenioryear,withJakediscoveringafreakishlyslickfireman’scarrytowardtheendoftheseasonandJordanperfectingoneofthesmoothest,quickestswingsinglesintheleague.Bothguys,moreover,foughttirelesslyintheirmatches,Jakeoftenbumpinguponeortwoweight-classesforthegoodoftheteam,andJordanwinningabouthalfofhismatchesbyagrittyoneortwopoints–thekindofwinsthatarebothbrutallytoughandutterlyessential.Offthemat,

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bothJordanandJakewerearticulatespokesmenfortheirteammates,thoughtfulobservers,andinspiredmotivators.Theyshowedayoungteamhowtoworkhardwithoutcomplainingandhowtoworktogether,andwithoutthem,itwouldhavebeenfarlessenjoyable,positive,andproductiveseason.So,thankstobothofyouguys,andgoodluckasyoutakethenextstep.Iwouldnowliketointroducetheheadboyssquashcoach,ElliotBeck

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BoysSquash:ElliotBeckGoodevening.ThisseasonforBoysVarsitySquashendedupsuccessfulafterarockystarttotheseason.Aftera5-2victoryoverKent,theteamhadastringoflossesagainsttoughprograms,fightinghardbutultimatelylosing5matchesinarow.Wehadupdatedourschedule,andasaresultitwasalittleunbalanced,withmanyofourtoughestopponentscomingupagainstusinDecemberandearlyJanuary.Despitethistheboysstayedpositiveandworkedhard,andtheyendedupwinningtheirdivisioninthe100-teamtournamentweplayedinFebruarybeforeultimatelyplacing4thintheDivisionBNewEngland’s,missingarepeat1stplaceperformancebyonlyafewpoints.ThestrengthofourprogramhereatLoomisreliesnotjustontheabilitiesofourplayers,butonthecamaraderieandsportsmanshipthattheyalldisplayeverydayinpracticeandinmatches.Thisseasonwastough,asIwasabsentforasignificantportionoftheseasonduetoakneeinjuryandtheteamhadtolargelyrelyoneachotherforsupportandguidanceduringmatches.Manyteamsmighthavestruggledtodoso,buttheseguyswereincredibleduringmatches.Inparticular,IwouldliketothankSeniorCaptainWarmAyanaputra.Asanyoneontheteamcanattest,Warmwasanessentialmemberoftheteamthroughouttheyear.Warmtookonsomeofthemostdifficultopponentsoftheyearatthe#1position,andevenwhenhelosthemanagedtocomeoffcourtcheerfulandreadytosupporthisteam.longwithWarmIwouldliketothankourotherseniorontheteam,BenSukboontip.Benhelddownthecenteroftheladderforus,andthroughouttheseasonBenwonsomeofthelongestandmostdifficultmatchesofanyoneontheteam.Inparticular,Ben’swinagainstBuffalo-basedCanisiuswascrucialinourpathtovictoryintheHighSchoolTeamNationaltournament,andwithouthimweneverwouldhavehadthesuccessthatwedid.Lastly,beforetheawards,Iwanttotakeamomenttogivemythankstoourmanager,IzzyValle.AsImentionedbeforeIwasoutforpartsoftheseason,andsomuchoftheday-to-dayorganizationfelltoIzzy.Izzywasabletoholdthingstogetherspectacularly,andtheseasonwouldnothavebeenassuccessfulasitwaswithoutherhelp.Nowfortheawards:MostImprovedPlayerTheawardforMostImprovedPlayerthisyeargoestoKevinXavier,classof2018.Kevinisatalentedracquetsportsplayer,butatthebeginningofayearhewasrelyingalmostexclusivelyonhisretrievingandhisnaturalathleticism.Overthecourseoftheseason,andwithalotofhardwork,Kevinwasabletochangehisgameremarkably.Hestartedapplyingmoreandmoretacticswitheachgameheplayed,andeventualbecameadominantforceatthe#4positionontheladder.WewereluckytohaveKevinontheteamthisyear,andIlookforwardtocontinuedexcellentplaynextseason!MostValuablePlayer

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TheMostValuablePlayerawardthisyeargoestoStanleyWang,classof2018.Thisawardisgivenyearlytotheplayerwiththemostwinsduringthecourseoftheseason.Thosewhodon’tcloselyfollowsquashwouldoftenassumethatthe#1playerwouldautomaticallybetheMVP,simplybecausetheyarethebestplayerontheteam.However,insquashitisjustasimportanttowinat#7asitistowinat#1,andStanleycouldalwaysbereliedupontogiveusashotatwinningthe#7spotontheladder.EveryoneontheteamisgratefulfortheworkthatStanleydidthisyear,andhereallymadeabigimpactontheteam.Coach’sAwardTheCoach’sawardthisyeargoestoWarmAyanaputra,classof2017.Ifyoudon’tknowWarmhe’sleavingsoon,andIwouldstronglyadviseyoutotakethetime.WarmispossiblythefriendliestpersonIhaveevermet,andoneofmyfavoritepartsofgoingtosquashpracticeishavingtheopportunitytointeractwithWarm.TheteamthisyearwouldhavebeenlessenedconsiderablewithoutWarm,anditislargelyduetohimthatwehadsuchasuccessfulseason.ItwasanabsolutehonortohaveWarmonmyteamthelastthreeyears,andhewillbesorelymissednextseason.Now,Iwouldnowliketointroducetheheadcoachofgirlsbasketball,AdrianStewart.

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GirlsBasketball:AdrianStewartThe2016-17seasonbeganwithoursightssetonareturntotheClassANewEnglandtournament.AswepreparedtotakeononeofthemostchallengingschedulesinNewEngland,theteamapproachedeachdaycommittedtoour5non-negotiables:communication,defense,rebounding,runningthefloorandtakingcareofthebasketball.Wefinishedtheregularseasonwith18winsand5losses(9-0intheFoundersleagueforthe4thconsecutiveyear);a5thconsecutiveFounders’leaguetitleanda1seedintheClassAtournament.Signaturegamesduringtheregularseasonincluded2hugeroadwinsvstop3ClassBschoolsPomfretandBerkshire,atough10pointlossto#1rankedWorcester,a6pointlosstoNJ#6rankedLifeCenterAcademy,a40pointwinvsNMH,atough5pointlosstoTabor,a20pointwinvsabattletestedM-PrepteamthathadbeatenTabortwiceandaschoolrecord105pointsscoredvsHotchkiss.UnfortunatelyourseasonwascutshorterthanwewouldhavehopedinaMarchmadnessstylelosstoahotshootingThayerteaminthequarterfinals.Wehadalottocelebratethisyearandoursuccesswouldn’tbepossiblewithouttheeffortsofour6sophomoresElenaAnderson,GraceLawrence,Kat-BoachieYiadom,MakenzieHelms,MaddyStevensandReillyCambpell.JuniorsSarahBennettandChelseaDosSantosandseniorsSimoneSears,captainDomLeonidasandcaptainEmmaTrenchard.Specialthanksgoesouttoour3seniorsforthematurityandefforttheybroughttothecourtandlockerroomeachday.Simonethankyouforyourtoughnessandsteadyreboundingpresencewhilebattlingnaggingkneepainallseason.Domthankyouforyourleadershipandtirelesseffortonthecourtandforthe20pointsand7reboundsyougavePomfretandthe19pointsand10reboundsyoudeliveredtoMarianapolis.Emma,thankyouforyourabilitytomaketheopposingpointguardmiserablewithyourdefensivepressureANDforthe18pointson100%shootingvsTaft.Mybad...Ididn’tknowyouwereat18whenIsubbedyouout...youcould’vehad20.Thankyouforthetoughness,wisdom,consistencyandenergyyoubroughttothecourtforthepast4seasons.CongratulationstoDomLeonidas,MakenzieHelms,MaddyStevensandReillyCampbellwhowererecognizedfortheircontributionsonthecourtandselectedtotheNEPSACWestall-starteam.CoachesAward-MakenzieHelmsMakenzieledourteaminscoring,assists,stealsanddeflectionsthisseason.Scoring14.3pointspergameMakenzieearnedhersecondconsecutiveNEPSACall-starselection.Kenz’shighlightsthisseasoninclude21pointsand6reboundsvsThayer,27points,8reboundsand6assistsvsHotchkiss,22points,5assistsand3stealsvsKent,24points,5rebounds,4assistsand5stealsvsChoate,20pointsand4stealsvsWestminsterand13points,5rebounds,7assistsand8stealsvsWilliston.Congratsonagreatseason

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Makenzie.CoachesAward-ReillyCampbell:Reilly’s8.9points,10.6reboundsand1.3blockspergamethisseasonwereinstrumentaltooursuccessthisseason.NewtotheteamthisyearReillyhadalottolearninashortperiodoftimeandgrewtremendouslythroughouttheseason.Reilly’shighlightsthisseasoninclude14pointsand10reboundsvs.Pomfret,14pointsand19reboundsvsBerkshireand16pointsand16reboundsvsLifeCenterAcademy.Congratulationsonagreatseason.CoachesAward-MaddyStevensMaddyhittheseasonwithdeterminationtomakehermarkonNEgirlsbasketball.Shedidsobydrasticallyimprovinginalmosteverystatisticalcategory.Hermostsignificantareaofimprovementwasherabilitytoscorethisseason.LastseasonMaddyaveraged5.6pointspergameshooting28%from3.Thisyearsheimprovedtoateamsecond13.7pointspergameandshot40%fromthe3pointline.Shemadeatotal653sthisseasonwhichis2morethansheattemptedalloflastseason.Maddy’shighlightsthisseasoninclude18pointsvsNewHamptonon4-7shootingfrom3,18pointsvsKingswoodon5-8shootingfrom3and33pointsvsDeerfieldhittingaschoolrecord93sinthegame.Andshedidallofthisbyspendingthe7monthspriortotheseasonrecoveringfromACLreconstructionlastApril.CongratsonagreatseasonMaddy.CaptainsAward-KatBoachie-YiadomEachweekofourseasonthecaptainsselectateammatewho’sworkinpracticeandgamesplayedasignificantroleinourteam’ssuccessduringthepreviousweek.Wecallitthecaptain’sgameball.Attheendoftheseasonthecaptainsselectagameballawardwinnerfortheseason.I'dliketothankourathleticdepartment,Sue,Vicky,Manya,Keith,Joe,Craig,DonandJeanformakingiteasyforustofocusoncoachingwhilethedetailsthatallowustodowhatwelovearetakencareof.Thankstoourparentsandstudentbodyforconsistentlysupportingthisteamandourathleticmission.Thankstoourmanagers,Justin,Isaac,Zaire,ClaireandDeuce,forbeingtherewhenweneededyou.AdditionalthankstocoachBrownandtheJVboysbasketballteamforhelpingusprepareforeachgame.Lastly,specialthanksgoesouttocoachSarisforthegreatworkshehasdonewithourgirlsallseason.Iwouldnowliketointroducetheheadcoachofboysbasketball,RockBassistoni.

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BoysBasketball:RockBassistoniThankyou:IwouldliketothankSueCabotandVickyScanlonforalloftheirhardwork,supportandguidance.Joe,KeithandCraigfortheirworkinthecageandkeepingthegymingreatplayingcondition.Ourtrainingstaffforkeepingthekidshealthyandonthecourt.TomyassistantCoachElliotDial,foralwaysplayingdevil’sadvocateandkeepingmefromnotbeingejectedfromanygames.Ourawesomemanagers;MichelleZhou,JustineBaird,ShanelleJonesandChinezeOsakwe.Anunbelievablejoballseason.Recap:Withafinalrecordof18-8,thiswasthemostwinssincethe2008-2009season.AlthoughwefellshortofourgoalofwinningtheNewEnglandChampionship,the2016-17seasonwasahighlysuccessfulone.Becauseoftheleveloftalentonthisyear’sroster,everysingleopponenthadLoomisChaffeecircledontheirscheduleasatoughopponent.Inmorecasesthannot,wewereabletorespond,whichsaysalotaboutthegroupwehad.Someofourteamhighlightsinclude;RoadwinsAtSt.Andrews,KimballUnion,ChoateandTrinity-Pawling.Asateam,weaverage73PFGmakespergame,Offensivereboundrateof11pergame,average72PPG,roughlyover2pointsperminute,6blockspergameandoutscoredouropponentsbymorethan10pointsinPiP.Beyondanystatisticsorwinsandlosses,thesetenyoungmenwereagreatgrouptobearound.Otherthantheoccasionalcomplaintsofridinginthetoastersorhavingtospeedbacktocampusbeforethedininghallclosed,thisgroupofPelicansmadeiteasyforCoachDialandmyselftocoach.Toourseniorsandpostgraduates;ThomasAnderson,DevinClyburn,ReggieGardner,JesusCruzandBrennanMorris:Wewishyouthebestofluckinyourfutureacademicandathleticendeavors.Awards:MostImprovedPlayer:Innowhisthirdyearasavarsitycontributor,thisindividualhasshowntremendousgrowthonthecourt.Hispergameaveragesdoubledfromlastyearseasoninpoints,reboundsandblocks.Moreimportantlyisthatthisindividualpossesstheworkethicthatanycoachwouldlovetohaveinaplayer.The2016-17MostImprovedPlayerawardgoestoJakeGlezenCoachesAward:Whetheritwasplayingpointguardordefendingtheopponent’scenter,thisindividualisajack-of-all-tradestypeofplayer.Hisapproachwasalways,“whateveryouneedcoach”.Aleaderonandoffthefloorandsomeonewhohisdedicatedtoimprovinghisgame.AallnewEnglandhonorablementionselection,thisindividualaverage14ppg,6rbs,2assistsand2steals.The2016-17coachesawardgoestoJesusCruzMVP:Whenyoucanbethebestplayeronthecourt,bynotscoringapoint,itsaysalotaboutyouasaplayer.Thisindividualwoulddoexactlythat,butthankfully,healsoshowedtheabilitytoputtheballinthebasket.Aleaderbyexamplewithaneven

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keeledpersonality.Atruewinnerwhohasbeenusedtowinninghisentirehighschoolcareer,andanytimeweneededabigstoporbasket,hewasmostlikelyapartofthat.AsecondteamAllNewEnglandselection,heaverage15ppg,4rbs,4asst,and1.5steals.The2016-17mostvaluableplayerawardgoestoReggieGardner.IwouldnowliketointroduceLaurenWilliams,theheadcoachofgirlssquash.

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GirlsSquash:LaurenWilliamsGoodevening!Firstoff,IwanttosaythankyoutotheentireAthleticDepartmentforalloftheirhardworkandsupportthroughouttheyear.ToJoe,Keith,Craig,Mr.MacGandMs.Sapula,thankyou!ButabigthankyoumustgotoMs.ScanlonandMs.Cabot,theyareanextraordinaryduo,andIcannotthankthemenoughforeverythingtheyhavedoneandcontinuetodo,sothankyou.ToMr.ReedandDr.Nisselson,thankyouforallyoursupportthisyear,youarethebest.Thispastseasonwasquitearidewiththegirlsplayingover25matches.Throughoutthattime,theteamcreatedandmaintainedafunandlightheartedattitudewhichcertainlyhelpedandprovedtobeamajorkeytooursuccess.Speakingofsuccess,thegirlsmaintainedastrongwinningrecordallseason.Anotableteamhighlightwasbeatingourcross-townrival,Westminster,twicethisyear.AttheIndividualtournament(beingtheNewEnglandChampionships),ourgirlstrulyshowedtheirskillandstrength,aswefinishedinthetopthreespotsinfouroutofthesevenbrackets.Thisultimatelyledustofinish4thasateamattheseChampionships.Overall,Ipersonallylookbackonthisseasonwithalotofprideandgratitude.Icouldnothaveaskedforabettergroupofstudentathletes.YouareallexceptionalyoungwomenandI’mverymuchlookingforwardtocontinuingwhereweleftoffnextseason.However,wewillcertainlymissourwonderfulandtalentedseniors,Anika,Izzy,Meghan,Katrina,HannahandGrace.Thankyouforeverythingyoudidforthisprogram,yourleadershipandhumorwillcertainlybemissed,butwewishyouallthebestinyourfuture.Totheawards,I’dliketostartwiththeMostImprovedPlayer.IfyouhavefollowedalongwithGirlsSquashthisyear,youwouldknowwehadaJuniorconverttotheSquashteam.ItisnosurprisethatLiaLaPriseearnedtheMostImprovedPlayerawardthisyear.JustafewfunfactsaboutLia,shereallyhadneverplayedsquashcompetitivelybeforeNovember,soherstatisticsattheendofthisseasonarequiteremarkable.Liahasanoutstandingrecordof16winsand5losses,with11ofthosewinsbeingconsecutive.Lia’sbiggestperformances(therearemultiple),wereherwinsoverteamslikeTaftandPhillips’Exeter.Similarly,Lia’sperformanceattheNewEnglandChampionshipswasjustasremarkableasher11matchunbeatenstreak,asshecruisedthroughthedraw,eventuallywinningherbracketandearningatitleasaNewEnglandDivisionChampion.So,Lia,thankyouforchoosingtoplaySquash,andcongratulationsonaphenomenalseason,wewillseeyounextyear!Ournextawards(Coaches’Award)aretoourtwoSeniorCaptains,AnikaBhargavaandIzzyLent.Theirleadership,hardworkandoverallspiritwastrulyawonderfulfixtureoftheSquashprogramthisseason.Theywereinvaluableinthedaytodaygrindofpractices,astheywereconstantlymotivatingtheirteammates,andalsosettingthebarofexpectationextremelyhigh.Notonlywerethesetwoourcaptains,buttheyalsooccupiedthetoptwospotsonourladder.This,initself,isnoeasyfeat,buttheirmaturityandoveralldrivetocompeteallowedthemtoperformatthehighestlevel,

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whilealsoleadingbyexceptionalexample.ThiswasepitomizedbybothoftheirperformancesattheNewEnglandChampionships.Firstoff,Anikawasplayingher5thmatchoftheweekend,againstanopponentshehadalreadyplayedandlostto.Thegamewasextremelycloseandwasgoingbackandforthuntilthefifthandfinalgame.Inbetweenthe4thand5th,Anikawascompletelyimmobile,hershinsplintswerekillingherandthememoriesofalossagainstthisopponentwerestartingtocreepback.However,withthesupportofherteammates,shewasabletopushthroughandwinthematchdramatically12-10.Herresilienceandgritwassomethingthatshebroughttoeverysinglepracticeandherdedicationtotheteamwasunwavering.ThankyouAnika.Similarly,Izzy’sChampionshipweekendwasjustasindicativeofherleadershipanddrive.Izzyactuallystartedthetournamentunseeded,butworkedherwaythroughthedrawdefeatingheropponentsquitedevastatingly.Inherlastmatch,Izzywassettoplayapreviousopponent,fromBrooksSchool.ThelasttimetheymetIzzylostinaheated,5gamebattle.ThenexttimearoundIzzy’sdeterminationandfightprovedtoostrongasshecompletelyoutclassedheropponenttowininthreegames,finishingthetournamentinthirdplace.ThiseffortembodiedthesheercompetitivenessanddrivethatIzzybroughttotheprogramdayinanddayout.So,thankyouIzzyforbringingthefightandbeingagreatleaderforthisprogram.Congratulationstoalltheawardwinnerstonightandtoalltheprogramsontheiramazingseasons.GoPelicans!Now,IwouldliketointroduceJRZavisza,theheadcoachofboysicehockey.

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BoysVarsityHockey:JRZaviszaTheboyshockeyteamfinishedtheseasonwitha13-9-2record.Theseasoncertainlyhaditsupsanddownsbutalltold,itwasthequalityofindividualsonthisteamthatmadetheyearspecial.Whilewedidn’talwaysplayasateamoralwaysplayourbesthockey,wealwaysstucktogether.Thisincrediblytightgroupwasapleasuretocoachandtobeapartofforthatreason.Thegroupwasledbyasmallgroupofseniorsthatincluded,JustinGrillo,DavidKompson,MaxDicicco,LiamLynch,captainsMichaelGreenbergandBrianGroom,andjuniorcaptainJoeyCipollone.Thirteenjuniorsmadeupthecoreoftheteamandafewnewsophomoresandfreshmensteppedupandcontributedaswell.Whiletherewereseveralhighlightstotheseasonthebiggesthastobethe“CrustaceanControversy”thatcappeditoff.ThereweresomanyfactorsthatmadethatnightintheSavageonetorememberforallinattendance:Thehighstakesofthatgame,SeniorNight,therivalrythat’sdevelopedbetweenAvonandLoomisontheice,thecomeback,thefansupportonbothsides,theatmosphereandenergyintherink,LarrytheLobsterandhisunfortunatedismembering,andthereal“fakenews”thatfollowed.ExcusingtheunfortunateincidentthatwillinfacthelptocementtheLarrytradition,thatwasLoomisHockeyatitsbest!Thankyoutoeachmemberofthisteam,ourseniorsespecially,tooneofthebestcoachingstaffsinprephockey,toourfantasticmanagerialstaff,thetrainers,JoeandKeith,SueCabot,alltheparents,ourfans,toLarryandGary,andeveryoneelsewhocontributedtothisseason.Awards:MVP—AndrewLucas:Andrewplayedasignificantroleforusthisseasoninallsituationsandwasoneofourmostconsistentperformers.Hewasespeciallykeytoourpowerplaywherehetalliedsixteenofhistwenty-eightpoints.HewastheleadingscoringdefensemanintheFoundersLeagueandearnedFirstTeamAllNewEnglandhonorsaswell.Statistically,hefinishedtheseasonwitha+18rating,sevengoals,fourteenassistants,andtwenty-eightpoints.MVP—JoeyCipollone:Statistically,Joeyfinishedtheseasonwitha+18rating,sixteengoals,sixteenassists,andthirtytwopoints.HealsohadthreegamewinninggoalsandagamewinningshootoutgoalthatcameagainstKent.HereceivedSecondTeamAllNewEnglandhonors,andfinishedfourthinscoringintheFounders’League.Joeyplayedineverysituationandcontributedasaleaderaswellinhisroleastheteam’sassistantcaptainthisyear.MostValuableTeammate—BrianGroom:I’vehadtheprivilegeofworkingwithBrianfortwoseasons.InthebestwayspossibleBrianhasliveduptochallengeto“exposehischaracter.”Thehockeyseasonisagrindasplayersfaceconsistentchallengesthat

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requireagreatsenseofmentaltoughnessandanunwaveringcommitmenttoteamvaluesandexpectations.Thosechallengesmultiplyforseniorsandforcaptains.Onthatnote,inthefaceofanypersonalchallengethisyear,puttinghisegoaside,Brianalwaysrespondedandconductedhimselfinthebestinterestofhisteam.Further,asteamchallengesarose,Brianmeteverychallengewithapositivecan-doattitude.Hissenseofdutywaseverapparentasheheldhimselfandhisteammatesaccountabletothedetailsateverymomentoftheseason.AnothergreatthingaboutBrianisthathewasneverafraidtobehimselfandasaresultactedandledfromagenuineplace—hisactionswereneverguidedbyadesiretobeliked,tolookgood,orintheinterestofwhatwaspopular;insteadhisactionswereprofoundlyguidedbyadesiretodowhathedeepdownthoughtwasright.Insum,Brian“exposedhischaracter”onadailybasisinsuchafashionthatmakeshimagrandexampleofwhatselflessdevotionandagreatteammatereallyare.GoldenBuoy—JustinGrillo:Thelobsterbuoyinitsintendeduseoffersasenseofplaceandasenseofdirection.Whiledoingsuchittakesabeatingfromtheebbsandflowsofthetideandthecrashingofwaves.Lobsteringinandofitselfishardworkaslobstermenbravecoldweather,fog,andhaulheavytrapshopefullyfilledwithstrongpinchingcrustaceans.Withthatinmind,TheGoldenBuoyisanawardvotedonbytheteamaftereverywin,handeddownbythepreviousvictorandacknowledgesthehardestworkingandmostspiritedplayerwhobestrepresentstheidealsofLoomisHockey.The2016-2017goldenbuoygoestoa3yearsenior,JustinGrillo.ThroughoutmythreeyearsplayingwithJustin,hehasalwaysbeenafearlessandfiercecompetitor.Inhisseniorcampaign,Justinhasbeenourmostreliableplayerinbothgamesandpractices.Justinwasalwaystheretosparktheteamwithenergy,whetheritbethroughabighitontheiceorwordsofsternencouragementinthelockerroom.Furthermore,hisabilitytoplaybiginthemostpressingsituationswasaninvaluableassettotheteam.Hisdevotiontohisteammateswasalwaysapparentthroughhisactionsonandofftheice.Itismyhonortopresentthisawardtonotonlyagreathockeyplayer,butagreatteammate,agreatperson,andmybestfriend,JustinGrillo.JoeBirarelli“LivingtheDream”ScholarshipAward—AdinFarhat:TheJoeBirarelli“LivingtheDream”ScholarshipFundwasstartedin2014inhonorofJoeandhisloveofwatchinghissonTim,Loomisclassof2016,playhockeyandbecomingahugepartoftheBeverly,MAhockeyfamily&community.Joe'smottowas"LivingtheDream".Hefelteverydaywasagiftandlivedandraisedhisfamilytolivewithnoregrets.Theabilitytobeacommercialfishermanandtobeoutontheoceananddowhathelovedwashiswayof"LivinghisDream".AdinFarhatisaseniorandthreeyearletterwinner.Inhisfirsttwoseasons,hehadonlyninestartsbutthisyearemergedasournumberonegoalieandfinishedtheseasonwiththenumberonesavepercentageinNewEnglandat.942.However,Adinisn’treceivingthisscholarshipforhisplay;he’sreceivingitfortheattitudethathe’sdemonstratedoverthecourseofhiscareeratLoomis.Whenitwashardforhiminhisfirsttwoyearshepersistentlydemonstratedateam-firstattitudebysupportingeveryoneofhis

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teammatesandnotgettingcaughtupinhisownsituation.Healwaysworkedhard,alwayspushedhisteammates,andneverforgottolaughandsmile.UNCSoccerCoachAnsonDorrancehasaphraseheusestochallengehisplayers:“beapositivelifeforce,”and“makeeverythingbetterbecauseyou’reinit.”WithoutaquestionAdinhasdonethatnotonlyinhiseffortsonthisteambuthiseffortswithinthegreatercommunityasaRAandasastudent.ItisthehonoroftheBirarellifamilyandtheLoomishockeyfamilytogivethisyear’sscholarshiptoAdinandhopethatithelpshimto"LivehisDream."ClawDedication:Dr.CulberthasnotedthatthetraditionofLarrytheLobstercancontinueifthelobsterisboiledfirst.So,inhonorofcontinuingthetraditionI’dliketobeginanotherbydedicatingtheclaw.TheLoomisBoysVarsityHockeyTeamDedicatesthisyear’sclawtoallthefanswhohavehelpedtobuildandmaintainthistradition.LonglivethespiritofLarry!IwouldnowliketointroducetheheadcoachoftheEquestrianteam,HarrisonShure.

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Equestrian:HarrisonShureFromthebeginningoftheseason,itwasclearthatthisgroupofriderswashighlydeterminedtomakesomebigimprovementsfromlastyear,bothasindividuals,andasateam.FromearlySeptember,theyworkedexcellentlytogetherasteammatesaroundthebarn,andtheoveralllevelofridingonaday-to-daybasiswasmuchstrongerthaninpreviousseasons.Thedailycompetitionatpracticecertainlycarriedoverpositivelytohorseshows,inwhichtheentireprogrammadeconsiderableprogressduringthe2016-2017season.Asateam,wenearlydoubledourpointtallyfromlastseasonfrom13to25,whichhelpedustoqualifyforRegionalsemi-finalsattheendofFebruary.Afewhighlightsfortheteamthisyearwerewinningourfirstshowasavarsityprogram,tyingforfirstinacompetitiveshowatStoneleigh-Burnham,finishingsecondoverallatWindcrest,andseveralothertopplacing’s.I’dalsoliketonotethatwewereneversolelydependentononeridercontributingtotheteam’stallyattheseshows.Onanygivenday,therewerealwaysanumberofdifferentriderswhowouldstepuptotheplatetohelptheteamasawhole.Toquicklytouchonprogressthatwasmadeonanindividualbasis,whereaslastseasonweonlyhadoneriderqualifyforpostseasoncompetition,wehadsixridersmakeittoRegionalsatMysticthisyear.IwouldliketocongratulateDagnyMactaggart,MiaGriffiths,LiamScott,KellyTitus,LuciaGiannamoreandAnnMarieHannoushfortheirresultsoverthecourseoftheseason.Iwouldliketogiveaspecialshoutouttoourtwocaptains,KellyTitusandAveryLena.Theyhavebothbeenapartoftheprogramsincetheirfreshmanyear,andIgivethemalotofcreditforhelpingtheteamuptheanteandbecomemorecompetitivethisyear.IwouldliketosaythankyoutomyAssistantCoach,MarilynBennett.Marilynworkstirelesslyhelpingusonaday-to-daybasisoutatthefarm,andnoneofthiswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutherhelpandhardwork.IwouldnowliketocallDagnyMactaggartandKellyTitustothepodium:MostValuableRider:DagnyMactaggart‘19DagnycametoLoomiswithquitealotofexperienceintheringasafreshman.Havingsaidthat,DagnycertainlyexperiencedsomewhatofalearningcurvewiththeuniqueanddifferentnatureoftheformatatIEAhorseshows.Sincetheendoflastseason,thecountlesshoursofhardworkthatDagnyspenttrainingwerenoticeablethroughouttheyear.Havingjustmissedoutonqualifyingforpostseasonasanindividuallastseason,DagnywasabletoqualifyforRegionalFinalsbothontheflatandoverfences.Furthermore,Dagny’sabilitytorideunderpressureatRegionals–wheresheearnedafirst,secondandfourthplaceintheOpendivision–helpedherqualifyforZonefinalsnextweekendinSpringfield,whereshewillbethesolerepresentativefromtheteam.WelookforwardtoworkingwithDagnyagainnextfall,andwishherluckatZonesnextweekend.

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MostImproved:KellyTitus‘17ThedegreethatKellywasabletoimproveasarideroverthecourseofhersenioryearisimpressive.Kellycomestopracticeeachdayreadytofocusandnotonlypushherself,butalsothosearoundher.Astheyearprogressed,itwasfantastictoseeKellycontinuetogainconfidenceinpractice,andbeabletoshowcaseherhardworkathorseshows.Nowherewasherprogressmoreevidentthanatshowsthisyear.Thisyear,Kellymorethantripledherpointtotalinthering,–from11to36points–qualifiedforregionalsontheflat,andonlymissedqualifyingoverfencesbyfourpoints.Outsideofthering,wealsolovedseeingKellybecomeamorevocalleaderinherroleasoneofourteamcaptains.There’snodoubtinmymindthatweweremorecompetitiveasateamthisyearbecauseofthetonethatKellyhelpedestablishinpracticeandaroundthefarmthroughouttheyear.Havingbeenamemberoftheequestrianprogramfromitsinception,wewillmisshavingKellyontheteam,butwishherthebestofluckwithallherfutureridingendeavors.NowIwouldliketointroduceFredSeebeck,headcoachofboysswimminganddiving.

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BoysSwimmingandDiving:FredSeebeckYouMarchMadnessfansmayknowoftheCinderellaseasonthatthemenfromNorthwesternUniversityhavehad.Accordingtotheircoach,Northwestern'ssuccessthisyearwasdueinlargemeasuretotheteam'sdevotiontoonewordthattheychoseattheoutsetoftheseason:“toughness.”Althoughourboysswimminganddivingteamdidnotselectamantratofollowoverthecourseoftheseason,toanyattentiveobserver,thatwordmightwellhavebeen"committed."Fromdayone,asagroup,theboyswerecommittedtobuildingtheirenduranceandperfectingtheirtechnique.DowninFloridaforourholidaytrainingtrip,theswimmerswerecommittedtomakingthemostofthattrainingopportunity,resultinginthemostsuccessfultripthatCoachDeConinckandIrememberinour20yearsofexperiencetogether.DuringthelateJanuary/earlyFebruarydoldrums,theboysremainedcommittedtopushingthemselvestothelimitduringourpracticesandcompetingwithpassioninourmeets.Thatcommitment,testedinourtoughestdualmeetsoftheyearinearlyFebruary,resultedinaanextremelycompetitivetwo-pointheartbreakinglosstoExeter,anotherbarn-burnerandsix-pointdefeatbyChoate,and,finally,atwelve-pointwinoverDeerfield,ourfirsttriumphovertheBigGreeninadecade.ThatcommitmentalsoinspiredourcommandingvictoryattheFoundersLeagueChampionshipsthisFebruary,ourfourthinthelastfiveyears,aswellasastrongseventhplacefinishintheD-1NewEnglandChampionships.Furthermore,nearlyhalfofourswimmersanddiversthisyearappearonourall-timetop20listswhichdatebackto1970,atestimonytothedepth,strength,anddevotionofthissquad.AndamongthosemilestonesweaddedoneschoolrecordthiswinterwhenJordanChensurpassedthepreviousmarkintheindividualmedleybynearlytwoseconds.Ourseniors,especially,modeledandinvestedthecommitmentthatfosteredoursuccessthiswinter.ToTimothyEng,oneofLoomis’stopbreaststrokersever;HaydenElms,whoconcludedhisLoomiscareerwithsomeamazingracesattheFounderschampionships;ChristopherLi,whoemergedasoursecondfastestbackstrokerofalltime;andtoPatrickCraig,dominantdiver,formerNewEnglandDivingChampion,andspiritualguruoftheteam;weoweanenormousdebtofgratitude.(APPLAUD)Toallofyouboys,veteransandneophytes,CoachesCali,MemoandIofferourcongratulationsandthanksforanunforgettable2016-17campaign.Andtoourmanagers,MichaelPaolollaandRobertWang,tomyfellowcoachesAlejandro,Buccieri,DeConinck,andespeciallyCoachShimamoto,underwhosewatchfuleyessomanyofyouhaveimprovedsodramatically,Ioffermydeepestthanksonbehalfofalltheboys.(APPLAUD)Wehonorthreeindividualstonightfortheirspecialcontributionstotheprogramthiswinter;OttoLaakso,ConnorFarrell,andJackMiller,pleasecomejoinmeatthepodium.Coaches’Award:ThoughFinlandmaynotrankamongthenationsthatproducelegendaryswimmers,OttohascertainlybroughtFinnishflairaswellasconsiderabletalentandpassiontothe

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HedgesPoolthiswinter.AsaFreestylesprinter,Ottograceduswithhisdevotiontohistraining,hishighregardforhisteammates,hisrespectfulsportsmanship,andhispropensitytofinisheveryraceexplosively.Weapplaudhishardwork,hismaturecommitmenttoboththeprogramandhisteammates,aswellashisintensefocusonimprovement,withthisCoaches’Awardforthe2016-17season.RobertW.HartmanMVPAward:Sadly,theMillererainLoomisaquaticscomestoaclosethisyear,thoughtheMillers’impactuponthecultureoftheHedgesNatatoriumwillneverwane.Afterasensationalfirstcoupleofyearsintheswimprogram–particularlyhissophomoreyear–Jackhitabitofaplateaulastwinterdespitedistinguishinghimselfasoneofourmostcompetitiveandsuccessfulrelayanchorlegswimmersinprogramhistory.Nevertheless,thiswinter,Jackembracedhistrainingwithevenmorefortitudeandferocitythanhehadinthepast,takingthetoughestdaysinstridewhiledoinghisverybesttoinspirehisfellowdistanceswimmers,inparticular,withhisunflaggingcommitmenttohisworkouts.Asco-captain,Jackclarifiedandmodeledthestandardsofself-discipline,generoussportsmanship,concernforallofhisteammates,andfiercelycompetitiveracingthatwevaluesodearly.Hisastonishingsuccessatthisyear’sNewEnglandChampionships,forCoachCaliandmeatleast,symbolizedJack’sdevotiontohisteam,hissport,hispersonalvalues,andhisSchool.WethankJackaswehonorhimthiseveningwiththe2017HartmanMVPAward.AnthonyM.RiccioAward:Inthemid-1990s,teammatesofTonyRiccio,whodiedtragicallywhilespendingayearabroadfromcollegeinMoscow,dedicatedaspecialtrophytohismemory.Tonywasaneffusive,bright,committedyoungmanwhoseimpactuponourprogramcontinuestothisday.TothememberofourswimmingANDwaterpoloteamswhohasbroughtcompetitiveness,conviction,humor,andgoodwilltohisteammatesandtoopponents,weawardthishonortooneofourmostcommittedandversatileathletesinourprogram'shistory.Overhisyearshere,Connorhasblossomedintoanimpassionedandextremelyeffectivepoloplayer,relyingonhisintellectandvisionasmuchashisskillandconditioning.Duringthewinter,beginninglastyear,Connorvolunteeredtoserveinthedualcapacityasbothdiverandswimmer,essentiallycommittinghimselftotwopracticesaday.Asaresult,ConnorprovideduswithathirdplacefinishintheFoundersdivingchampionshipsthisyearaswellasnumerouscrucialpointsineventsrangingfromthe50Freestyletothe500FreetohisbelovedBreaststroke.Moreimportantly,asco-captainofbothourpoloandswimmingteams,Connorbroughthumor,conviction,compassion,competitiveness,reliability,andtonsofenergytotheplateeverysingleday,enrichingtheexperienceforusall.WecongratulateandhonorConnorwiththe2017RiccioAward.Next,Iwouldliketointroducemycolleagueonthepooldeckandheadcoachofgirlsswimminganddiving,BobDeConinck.

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GirlsSwimmingandDiving:BobDeConinckTheGirlsVarsitySwimmingandDivingteamenjoyedasuccessfulseason.Asateam,thePelicansfinishedtheseasonwitharecordofsixwinsandsixlosses,andrepeatedasFoundersLeagueChampions.InahighlycompetitiveDivisionINewEnglandChampionships,thePelicansdoveandswamtheirwaytoaseventhplacefinish.Mostimportantly,theathleteshadfun,workedhardandsawsignificantpersonalimprovementthroughouttheseason.FromthebeginningoftheseasonstartingwithaverysuccessfulFloridatrainingtrip,throughthegauntletofourdualmeetschedule,tothechampionshipmeetsattheendoftheseason,thegirlsshowedupeachdaytogivetheirbestefforts.Withtheadditionofyoung,hard-workingnewswimmersanddiversontheteamthisyear,combinedwithourreturningveterans,thebarwasraisedinworkoutsfromtheveryfirstdayandtheathletesacceptedthischallenge.Whetheritwas100x100’sorBucceriBootcamp,thegirlsknewthatallthehardworkwasnecessarytoswimfastattheendoftheyear.Duringdualmeets,thegirlslearnedtoraceandtocompete,learningtofocusandpayattentiontothedetailsoftheirracestrategies,starts,strokesandturns.HighlightsofthedualmeetseasonincludedwatchingseniorMadisonPerrycontinueherdominanceintheleague,breakingherownschoolrecordandsettingpoolrecordsalongtheway,andourtwofreestylerelaysbreakingschoolrecordsduringourhomemeetagainstHotchkiss.Atourtwochampionshipmeets,thegirlsreallyshined,withMadison,alongwithjuniorsKimMa,SuzyRyckman,andAshleighScottwinningFoundersLeagueChampionshipsintheirindividualevents.AlongwithMaddie,Suzy,KimandAshleigh,freshmanNealaSweeney,sophomoreJeriKim,juniorsJulietRhodesandRubySchiller,andseniorsMaggieFinlayandEmilyGardiner,thesegirlseitherscoredvaluableindividualpointsatNewEnglandsorhelpedtomakeasignificantcontributiontoourstrongrelays.Alongtheway,SuzyRyckmanbroketheschoolrecordinthe100-yardbackstrokeandteamsconsistingofSuzyRyckman,EmilyGardiner,KimMa,JeriKimandAshleighScottbrokeschoolrecordsinthe200and400yardFreestyleRelays.Theteamwillmissthefineleadershipofourseniors.EmilyGardinerhasbeenatwo-timecaptainandwewillmisshercontributioninthepoolbutmostimportantlyherleadershipandunendingenthusiasmoverthepastthreeyears.AlongwithCaptainMaggieFinlay,EmilyFavreauhasbeenastalwartofourprogramforthepastfouryearsandservedasagreatcaptainthisyear.Emilyleadsbyexampleandbringsenthusiasmandherbesteffortstothepooleachday.Thetri-captainssetagreattonethisyear,leadingtoapositive,hard-workingatmosphere.Theywillbetoughtoreplace.SeniorsAlexWalen,ChloeIrving,andGabbyLuglihaveallbeenmajorcontributorstoourteamoverthepastfouryears.TheirdedicationtoLoomisandtheirworkethicandcompetitivenesshasbeenagreatmodelforotherstofollow.Iamindebttothemfortheirleadershipandforwhattheyhavemeanttotheprogram.Thankyouseniorsandgoodluck!Thankyoutoalltheswimmersanddiversforallyoureffortandhardwork!

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Youwereagreatgrouptocoach!In31yearsasaheadcoach,thishasbeenoneofmymostenjoyableyearsandIoweittotheswimmersanddivers.MOSTVALUABLEATHLETE:MadisonPerry:MaddiehasbeenoneofthemostdominantfemalediversthatNewEnglandhaseverseen.Herdualmeetrecordoverthefouryearsisanincredible41winsandonly2losses.ThelasttimeMaddielostadualmeetwasmid-Januaryofherfreshmanyear.SincethenshehaswonfourFoundersLeaguechampionships,twoNewEnglandchampionships,hassetnumerousschoolandpoolrecordsallthroughoutthearea,achievedAll-Americanstatusasoneofthetop100diversinthecountryandhasrecentlybeenrecognizedasanAcademicAll-American.WhenMaddiedives,peoplestopandwatch,waitingforsomethinggreattohappen.MaddiehascertainlysetthestandardinNewEnglandforherdiving,butshehasalsosetthestandardformentaltoughnessandtheabilitytocompete.ThepasttwoNE’s,shehascomefrombehindtowin,noeasyfeatwheneveryathleteislookingtobeatyou.Herdegreeofdifficultyinherdivesisatthetopoftheleagueandshehastheconfidenceandthefocustoputblindersonanddivewithinherself.NostageistoobigforMaddieanditwasnicetocountonthosesixpointseachmeet!WewillmissMaddieforallofhercontributionstoLoomis.Shehasraisedthebarforallthosaroundher.IamhappytoawardMaddieMVPofourswimminganddivingteam.COACHESAWARDS:MaggieFinlay:MaggiefinishedherthreeyearsontheteamwithagreatNewEnglandChampionships,makingfinalsinthe500freestyle.Duringhertimeinthepool,shehasgivenallshehashadtoLoomisChaffeeswimming,servingasoneofourtri-captainsthisseason.Maggie’sthreeyearswerefilledwithgreatindividualprogressasanathleteandtobeingthebestteammatethatshecouldbe.MaggiewasavaluableanddeterminedmemberofourdistancegroupthattrainedtogetherallyearandmadesuchanimpactatNewEngland’s,placingfourgirlsinthetop16atthatmeet.Asasenior,Maggiehasbeenapositiverolemodelforthosearoundherandherenergyandenthusiasmandcommitmenttotheteamhasbeenmuchappreciated.ShehasbeenagreatandloyalPelicanandhercoachesandteammateswillsurelymissher.Congratulations,Maggie.AshleighScott:WearefortunatetohaveAshleighonourteam.HerworkethicanddeterminationinpracticeandinmeetsforcedherteammatestoworkhardertomatchAshleigh’sdrive.AFoundersChampionandNewEnglandfinalist,Ashleigh’sversatilityallyearhelpedustohavegreatflexibilityinourlineups.WhenAshleighbegantheseason,Idonotthinkthatshesawherselfasa200freestylerbutsheembracedthechallengeandfinishedtheseasonwiththesecondfastestswiminthateventeveratLoomisChaffee.Infact,youcanfindAshleigh’snameonourTop10listforbothmetersandyardsanincredible10times.Impressiveafterjustoneyear.Ashleighwasanintegralpartof4recordbreakingrelaysthisyearandherexperience,maturityandleadershipallowedAshleightoserveasapositiverolemodeltoherteammates.IlookforwardtoworkingwithAshleighnextyear.Herbestisyettocome!

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SuzyRyckman:Tough,hardworking,andhumble,Suzydemonstratesonadailybasiswhatittakestobeasuccessfulathlete.HeraccomplishmentsaremanyandareevenmoreamazingconsideringshetoreherACLlastspringandhadsurgeryinJune.Withanincredibleamountofhardworkanddetermination,Suzyprogressedthroughtheseason,showingimprovementeachmeet.HeraccomplishmentsthisseasonexceededmyexpectationsbutIshouldhaveknownbetter.Suzytookherswimmingtoanotherlevelthisyear,breakingalong-standingschoolrecordinthe100backstroke,aswellasbeingpartoffourrecordbreakingrelays.Herabilityandconfidenceinherselftoanchortheserelaysiscomfortingtoherteammatesandcoaches.Herswimmingabilityaside,whatismostimpressiveaboutSuzyistheinnerstrengthandcharacterthatSuzypossesses.Herleadershipabilityhasgrownwitheachseasonandherabilitytobringherbestwhenthestakesgetevenhigherisincredible.Acoachcannotaskforanymorefromanathlete!Lastly,IwouldliketointroduceLizLeyden,headcoachofthegirlsicehockeyteam.

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GirlsHockey:LizLeydenIwouldliketostartbysayingthankyou.Noteamachievessuccessontheirownandourschool’scommitmenttoathleticsissignificant.FromSueCabot’sableleadership,toDonandJeanandthetrainers,toourincrediblemanagersSophie,AnhandJames,tocoachesChuckVernonandChelseaOuellette,toZambonidriverGary,tosupremeskatesharpenerChris,toeachplayer’sfamily,andtoallofthemanysupportersandadvocatesoncampus–wewouldn’thavegottenthroughsuchasuccessfulseasonwithoutallofyou.Weareveryfortunate,andIamextremelyappreciative.Thankyou!Thiswasanothermemorableseasonforthegirlsvarsityhockeyteam.Theseniorscameupwiththephrase“Berelentless,beresilient,beremembered”priortothestartoftheseason,andIthinktheteamworkedhardtoembodythis.Witharecordof22-4-1thiswinter,itwouldbeeasytobelieveweoftensteamrolledthecompetition;intruth10ofourwinswerecome-from-behindvictories.Wedidhoweveroutscoreouropponents92-35overthecourseofthewinter.Andthosefourpeskylosses–itwasonelosseachmonth,threeofthemwerebyonegoal,andwegrewandgotbetteraftereachone.Theconsistencyinthisgroupwasremarkable,thecommitmenttocontinuallypusheachothertobecomebetteratypical,andthefocustobethebestteampossiblewaslaser-sharpfromNovemberthroughMarch.Afewotherthingsstandoutaboutthiswinter.WewonthePKOTafttournamentinDecemberinaterrificgameoverrivalKent.WealsowontheFounder’sLeaguetitle.BoththesechampionshipshaveeludedtheteamsI’vecoachedforthepasteightyears–wehavebeenintherunningmostyearsbuthavecomeupjustshort.Butnotthisyear.Wealsoearnedthe#1seedinNewEngland,whichwasthefirsttimetheteamhasachievedthissince1990.AndwhilewewereunabletoaddaNewEnglandchampionshiptothetrophycase,withtwoconsecutive20+winseasonswehavequiteclearlyearnedourwayintothetopechelonofNewEnglandgirlsprephockey.Wewouldn’thavebeenabletodothiswithoutourincrediblytalentedgroupofseniors.PGsKaleighQuennecandMadieLeidtaddedleadership,wisdom,andpassionforthesport.AndthreeandfouryearseniorsEmmaFlynn,JuliaBenjamin,LindaEssery,SharonFrankel,MaddieGiordanoandGraceUsiltonhelpedimproveourprogramoverthepastfouryearsmorethananyothergraduatingclass.Throughacommitmenttoexcellenceandhardwork,thisgroupledourteamtotheplayoffsfourconsecutiveyearsandisprobablythedeepest2017classinallofgirlsprephockey.Thankyouseniorsforallyouhavedoneforourteam!Beyondtheteamaccolades,wehavesomeindividualswhoearnedAll-NEPSAChonors.SeniorSharonFrankelandPGMadieLeidtearnedAll-NEPSACFirst-TeamrecognitionwhilesophomoreJessSchryverearnedAll-NEPSAChonorablemention.Congratulationstothethreeofyou!

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Nowourawardwinners.ThisyearIhadaparticularlydifficulttimedeterminingawards;inpartbecauseofthestrengthofourseniorclass,butalsopartiallyduetothedepthanduniquecontributionseverymemberofourteammade.Ultimately,uponlookingatthisteam,atthisprogram,andwherewearenowcomparedtofouryearsagothreepeoplecametomind.IwouldliketocallLindaEssery,SharonFrankel,andMaddieGiordanotothepodium.TheProgramElevationand“IntheClutch”Award.LindaEsseryhasundoubtedlyhelpedelevateourhockeyprogramtothenextlevelinhertimehere.Shehasbeenaleadingcontributorontheicesinceshearrivedasafreshman.Shehasmadeourprogrambetterfromday1throughbothherpassionandunderstandingofthegame,herskills,andherabilitytotakeoveragamewiththepuckonherstick.OurprogramwouldnothaveenjoyedthesuccesswehavehadoverthepastfouryearshadLindadecidedtoattendanotherschoolinsteadofbecomeaPelican.Further,thisyearasaseniorLinda’splaywastremendous.Herplayandpointproductioninbiggameswasoffthecharts.DownthestretchinFebruary,Lindaaveragedthreepointspergame–andthisdoesn’tincludethefactthatshewasinstrumentalinhelpingusachieveboththePKOTournamentchampionshipandtheFounder’sLeaguetitle.ThesecondProgramElevationAwardgoestoSharonFrankel.OverfouryearsSharonhasfundamentallytransformedthewayourteampracticesandplays.Hertenacity,heart,andfullandcompleteefforteverysingletimeshestepsontheicehaspushedbothherandherteammatestobecomebetter.Shehastaughtcountlessteammateshowtocompeteandhowtonotbecontentwiththestatusquo.AndSharonhastheskilltobackthisup.IknewSharonwasaspecialplayerwhenshechosetocometoLoomisfouryearsago;whatIdidnotknowwasjusthowmuchofamarkshewouldleaveontheprogram.Sheembodiesmanyofourteam’scorevalues–hardworking,relentlessness,accountable,competitive.Wewouldnothavedevelopedsuchafearedpenaltykill,orsuchanaggressiveforecheckwithoutSharononourteam.ThankyouSharonandLindaforpouringyourheartintoourteamforthepastfouryears!Tobeabletosayyouhaveleftaprogrambetterthanyoufounditisnoeasytask;Icanthinkoffewhighercomplementsforthesetwoplayers.TheChuckVernonAward.Newin2016,thisawardisthehighestawardgivenoutbyourprogramattheAwardsBanquetandisinhonorofBruno.Chuck’scontributionstothegirlshockeyprogramgobacktotheprogram’sinception.Hehelpedmovegirlshockeyalonginitsinfancy,andasmorethanonecoachingcolleaguehassaid:“Brunoistrulyalivinglegend.”Thewinnerofthisawardinadditiontoreceivingtheawardtonightalsohashernameengravedonaplaquethatwillbehangingintherink.Theinscriptionreads:TheChuckVernonAward-Presentedannuallytoamemberofthegirlsvarsityhockeyteamwhobestdemonstrateshighcharacter,commitmenttoteamvalues,andleadership.She,muchlikeChuckVernon,hasundoubtedlycreatedapositivemarkandlastinglegacyontheLoomisChaffeegirlshockeyteam.

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ThisyeartheawardgoestoMaddieGiordano.InherfouryearsasaPelicanMaddieshowedupeachdaywithasmile,camecommittedtoworkherhardest,supportedherteammatesthroughbothgoodanddifficulttimes,andplayedwhateverrolewasaskedofhertothebestofherability.Maddiefindsjoyinherteammates’successesandrecognizesthattheteamisbestwheneveryoneisworkingcohesivelytogether.Maddiehasbeenapleasuretocoach,andIcongratulateheronaterrificfouryearsontheice!