RCDS Spring Sports Preview

– By Jim Byrne –

Boys’ Lacrosse

With only eight seniors on a 33-man roster, the Wildcats will look to youthful exuberance as a catalyst for success in 2007. Several starters graduated last June, but this year’s seniors hope to fill the void left by those departed from 2006’s talented squad that finished 9-5.

Fortunately, the starting defense is back for another round, as senior captains Adam Judd and Ian Virga will continue to shut down opposing offenses. Rye Country Day’s own offense was hit the hardest by graduation, losing Ross Halpering and Mike Bermingham. However, last year’s leading scorer, sophomore JP Garry returns with one full season already under his belt. Look for him to be even more prolific this season, with help from new starters on attack, sophomore Cody Levine and junior Matt Brunson. Senior captain Lucas Briger will be the anchor at midfield, a role he has filled admirably the past two years. Adam Sharaff, also a senior, and sophomore John Walsh will also be starting midfielders.

The season gets under way Wednesday, April 4, at Hamden Hall. Rosolen feels the stiffest competition this year will come from Hopkins (May 2), Kingswood-Oxford (April 21), Millbrook (May 19) and Rye High School (May 5).

Girls’ Lacrosse

With six seniors, seven juniors and one sophomore, the RCDS girls’ lacrosse game has an abundance of battle-tested athletes. The Wildcats return three senior FAA All League players in seniors Hayley O’Neil, Megan Savage and Allie Lynch. Kelly Lengsfield, also a senior, was an FAA All League Honorable Mention in 2006.

Rye Country Day finished the year 13-4 in 2006, and should maintain that level of excellence this season under head coach Georgette Summers. Savage and O’Neil will handle duties as co-captains.

Four of the seniors will be heading off to play lacrosse at college in the fall. O’Neil will play at Connecticut College, Savage at Trinity College, Lengsfield at Denison and Sammy Greenspan will compete at Gettysburg.

The first game of the season is Friday, March 30, at home against Greens Farms.

Boys’ Tennis

After going 25-4 over the past two seasons, the Wildcats have a lot to live up to in 2007. With returning players like seniors Antoine Gobin and Paul Kohnstamm and junior Steven Vogl, Rye Country Day School should be able to pick right up where they left off in 2006.

Along with Kohnstamm (All League in 2006), Gobin (All League, Journal News Westchester County All Section in 2006) and Vogl (All League, Journal News Westchester County All Section in 2006), senior Kunal Nayyar and juniors Gregg Cohenca (All League, Journal News Westchester County All Section in 2006), Alex Breinin and John Siderides will play important roles for the Wildcats. The season begins Thursday, March 29, at home against Horace Greeley.

Girls’ Golf

Hopes are high for the girls’ golf team in 2007, and it’s understandable with the hard work the nine-girl team has put into it.

“We anticipate our strongest season ever for girls’ varsity golf at RCDS,” said head coach Nancy Rees. “We have eight returning players, all of whom are seasoned match players.”

Of the eight returning players, senior captain Aimee Weber has the most important – and difficult – job playing in the No. 1 spot. Weber, who Rees refers to as a “terrific athlete,” will be heading to Williams College. Rees believes junior Julia Howland and senior Irina Schwatka will thrive in the No. 2 and No. 3 positions, respectively. Both players have been in the starting lineup for the past three years. Seniors Emily Raho and Isabelle Hochberg, junior Julia Hochberg, sophomores Gracie Konopka and Carole Mariani and freshman Marni Aronson round out the team.

“Aside from Aronson, they all played matches last year and have grown more comfortable with competition,” said Rees. “Raho and Konopka have intimidating long games, and are both big hitters. If they get their short games fine-tuned, they will be hard to beat.”

Along with the boys’ team, the girls headed down to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida for spring training from March 18-23. They were the first high school teams to be allowed to come work at the facility, which is designed for professional players.

Boys’ Golf

One can’t do better than what the Wildcats achieved in 2006, winning the New York State Championship for Independent Schools; but they will certainly look to repeat as champions in 2007.

“The entire team feels that they can win the New York State Championship again this year,” said head coach Maryanne Lynch. “I believed that they could win last year, and I believe they can meet the challenge again.”

Four players graduated last June, but Rye Country Day still has a bevy of talent to rely upon. Ryan Coughlin will return as the No. 1 player, and Lynch feels that J. Reed Endresen, Will Hillbert, Conor McDade, Alex Canning, Andrew Collingham, David Fertig and Denny Purcell will all play major roles for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats tee off Thursday, March 29, at home against St. Lukes.