By Daniel Zajkowski ’21
Spring sports started up after spring break, and varsity teams are already mostly settled into their seasons. The ultimate goal of most teams is to make it to playoffs, which are in the end of May. This season, there are a lot of returning players mixed in with new impact players in nearly every sport.
Boys Varsity Lacrosse is looking for a big season, especially with a handful of new older players who will look to help guide the team and continue in the right direction towards playoffs in the 2019 season.
Cody Sipher ‘19, a Saint Lawrence University commit and a Canton, New York native will look to take charge this year along with Jared Rainville ‘19, who is committed to Connecticut College. Jared is a multi-year veteran entering his final season with The Gunnery, and he looks to be a key contributor this spring. Matthew Lee ‘19 is a first-year senior who announced his commitment to High Point University in the fall and, alongside Cody and Jared, will be another big factor for the lacrosse team. The team, as in years past, will be led by Mr. Marich.
The Girls Varsity Lacrosse team is led by returning coach, Ms. Paulekas, in addition to Ms. Abelson and an outside coach, Riley Loomis. Ms. Paulekas has set goals for the team that include working hard and getting better everyday, as well as improving on and off the field. The team looks ready for a promising 2019 season under Ms. Paulekas with the leadership of many upperclassmen.
The Boys Varsity Baseball team has a long history of success and it doesn’t look like that will stop anytime soon. Led by veteran coach Mr. Trundy, the team returns a handful of returning key players. Garrett Coe ‘19, who will play at University of Connecticut next year, returns this year to once again anchor the team on the mound. He is primed for a great senior season. Robert Taylor ‘19, who will play baseball at the University of New Haven next year, looks to lead again this spring in the outfield and at the plate as well.
The Girls Varsity Tennis team consists of 12 players, five of which are seniors. Led by Maria Lombardi, an outside coach, and Ms. Hart, the team looks to succeed in a highly competitive conference once again this spring. Coming off a strong end to the season last year, the girls are hoping to build on that success, especially with nearly half the team being seniors.
Boys Varsity Tennis, led by Mr. Clemente, is hoping to rebound this spring. Like Girls Tennis, they have five seniors on the squad this year. Mr. Clemente is entering his third year coaching, and his goals include having each player improve every day, become close as a group and be great teammates.
Boys Varsity Crew is led by Mr. Turner, with Mr. Visentin alongside as well. With a roster of 18 students, including 8 seniors, the team is looking forward to a big season, especially because they also have many talented underclassmen. Their ultimate goal is to qualify again for the New England Interscholastic Rowing Championships (NEIRAs), which will be held on Saturday, May 25 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Girls Varsity Crew, led by Mr. Poole, also has an end goal of qualifying for NEIRAs. The girls have a roster of 22 students, four of which are seniors who hold high expectations for the team these next couple of months. Many key races are upon them, such as ones against Canterbury School, Deerfield Academy, and Choate Rosemary Hall.
Head Coach Ms. Ruscz and Assistant Coach Mrs. Croft look to guide the Varsity Softball team to a strong season this year. Five seniors lead the way, including captains Lauren Burkhart ‘19 and Katie Broccoli ‘19. Big games such as those against Canterbury and Millbrook will help determine where the team sits playoff-wise, which would begin on May 18.
Co-Ed Varsity Ultimate Frisbee carries 28 members, many of which are new to the program. The team hopes to defend their two back-to-back state titles this spring with help of returning key players such as Harry Sutton ‘20 and Ali Noeding ‘19. Ms. Giroux and Ms. Rimany are looking to help guide the team to a third straight state championship come the end of May.
Varsity Golf is coached by Mr. McMann and includes key returners like Hunter Kolpak ‘20, Jack Gleason ‘21 and Erik Gustafson ‘21. There are also many new faces like Corinne Bolding ‘20, Case Kantgias ‘19, and Robert Cronin ‘19.
The Highlander 