By Paige Jackson ’24
If you are still undecided on what co-curricular to do this spring term, never fret because the Frederick Gunn School has many options for interscholastic sports and other activities. The school offers co-ed golf, boys and girls crew, boys and girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, boys and girls tennis, co-ed ultimate frisbee, artistry and technique, and dance. Let’s dive into what each of these options entails.
The FGS Golf team is co-ed, composed of ten to twelve boys and girls. Due to our lack of a golf course on campus, the team is kept fairly small and, therefore, more difficult to make. This might not be a realistic option unless you are experienced in golf or overflowing with natural talent.
Both boys and girls crew row with several boats of different skill levels, and cuts are not common. There is a novice boat for beginners and higher-level boats for serious rowers and coxswains. The teams row out of the school’s boathouse on Lake Waramaug. Note that crew can be considered more of a time commitment because of the commute to the lake and long races on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Lacrosse is a great option for athletes, especially those who already play team sports on the field. It is a sport that commonly overlaps with the field hockey, soccer, and football teams. JV and Varsity are offered for both genders, and JV is a great option for people just getting into the sport. The rules, especially when it comes to contact, vary between genders, so make sure to learn the difference between boys and girls before hopping onto the field.
Baseball and softball are well known as America’s pastime and are also beloved on our campus. Over spring break, the Varsity Baseball team will travel to Florida to train for the season. Both JV and Varsity are offered for baseball, and softball is one team that welcomes all skill levels.
Consider ultimate frisbee for those looking to try something different and have fun. FGS’s co-ed Ultimate Frisbee team is a unique and entertaining sport for boys and girls. Due to extreme popular demand, the team does make cuts.
Tennis is a classic option for everyone. Whether you grew up playing for fun, have never touched a racket, or have been playing for years, tennis is a great sport to practice hand-eye coordination, stay fit, and have fun. Both boys and girls have a JV and Varsity team. For girls interested in tennis, beware that cuts have occurred in recent years due to an overflow of potential players. Last year, over a dozen girls were cut, and this year, it is expected to be around eight to ten. Boys also cut similar numbers, so if you consider trying out for tennis, have a backup plan.
The Dance team is a new offering at the Frederick Gunn School, and it is the third part of our performance arts co-curricular program. In the fall, there is the play, and in the winter, there is the musical. Due to a lack of spring productions, the Dance Team was introduced last year. The team is co-ed and beginner-friendly, taught by Mikalah Ferrigno, who also choreographed Urinetown. Artistry and technique is a fun and creative option for those who do not wish to play a sport this spring. In this afterschool program, students can pursue a variety of different art mediums. The offering is held in TPACC every day and is a less stressful commitment because there is no competition on Wednesdays and Saturdays as there is with the school’s athletic teams.
So, if you are still worrying, don’t stress yourself out because there are so many options, and there is something for everyone. Rosters lock on the 30th of March, so the Highlanders have until then to connect with the faculty to switch their co-curricular if they feel the need. Tryouts for all teams will begin officially after students return from spring break.
