By Hunter Osburn and Zach Topolosky / Guest Reporter and Staff Reporter
Photos by Livi Tuber, Hunter Osburn and Zach Topolosky
Boys Lacrosse
Junior captain Henry Pitts said he is mostly looking forward to teaching the younger players on the team who are newer to the sport.
He said they lost a large number of players from the senior class and other former players quitting, which has resulted in the program only having enough players to form one team as opposed to two.
“They are going to be tough shoes to fill, but I believe our guys have been working hard this offseason,” Pitts added.
Boys Tennis
Senior captain Oscar Ramsden explained he is mainly looking forward to spending more time with the team because that was something that they struggled with last year.
“The other captains and I are going to organize some activities to build some team morale because that is something that we need to improve on,” Ramsden said.
He added the loss of the seniors last year will have a tremendous impact on the team.
Girls Track
Head track coach Jamie Hayes said the team is having a lot more people join this year, not just from the freshman class but also from the junior and senior classes.
“Last year we had around 50 girls sign up, and this year we have 66 girls signed up on Final Forms,” Hayes said.
Hayes added since they have all of the new girls signing up, they don’t plan to slow down from being league champs last year. She added they plan to build off of last year’s successes and hope to go even further.
Girls Lacrosse
After a 10-7-1 finish last season, girls lacrosse head coach Kate Bridge said the team is ready to build on their offseason improvements.
The team is ready to face their opponents this season with an increase in team chemistry, Bridge added.
Senior goalie Casey Krasnow said the team bonding aspect of the program is a big part.
“We all get along super well and always help each other in the best way possible,” she explained.
Krasnow said the team’s biggest games this season are against Columbus Academy and Granville.
Softball
Junior Helena Sidel said the team’s biggest strength is their work ethic. She explained their ability to work through their mistakes will contribute to their success.
“We could step it up if we believe we are capable,” she added.
Head coach Joshua Abbott said he’s excited to see what the team can achieve this year.
“Our hitting is looking really good right now,” he said. “I think we’re going to have one of the best defenses we’ve ever had.”
Baseball
Senior captain Stanford Brandt said the team could face adversity this season stemming from the loss of last year’s seniors, but after their preseason, they believe that they’re prepared.
“They set a really good example, and even the ones before that too, on what the upperclassmen do and how to react as a varsity baseball player,” Brandt said.
The team shines in its younger class, with players like Kyle Hagely, Grayson Sherman and Alec Redding, Brandt added.
“We have a really good sophomore class, so we’re hoping that they can step into that position,” he said.
Boys Track
After placing sixth at the state meet last season, the boys track and field team’s offseason brought many new faces into the coaching staff, head coach Shane Roberts said.
Roberts added he is eager for all of the opportunities this season’s meets will bring for the athletes.
“I’m excited for all of them because it gives the kids an opportunity to get better and see where they stand against people in the area,” he said.
A lot of the excitement for this season comes from the fresh faces within the program, senior captain Solly McDow explained.
“I like racing,” he said. “That’s what we train for: to be competitive and win races.”
