Fall Sports Previews 2016

Previews written by Sports Editor Dalia Jimenez

 

Boys Volleyball

Coach: Whitney Di Frischia

Last year’s finish: 25-3

Captains: Connor Hicks – Court captain, Ryan Keogh – team captain, James Carroll – team captain, and Brendan McWalters – program captain.

Key Athletes: Senior setter Connor Hicks, Senior opposite Ryan Keogh, Junior libero Cory o’shea, and Junior outside James Carroll.

Key Athletes lost: Outsides Adam Smith and Luke Farina, libero Jacob McKee, and middle blockers Spencer West and Noah Kaufman.

Coach Quote: “I have high expectations for this season.  We’ll have some rough times to start off the season while newer members figure out their roles, but I know the team will find their flow and get the job done when it counts. Keeping Setter Connor Hicks and opposite Ryan Keogh will help greatly. Alone they are two of the best players in our region. Together they are an offensive force. I am looking forward to our team being injury free, playing without Keogh is hurting us a bit, but our bench is getting some good experience as his replacements and a deep bench makes for a good season.” – Coach Whitney Di Frischia

Player Quote: “The Godwin Volleyball program is one of the best in the country because of our great Coaching staff and teammates.” –Patrick Lyons

 

Football

Coach: Logan McPherson

Last Year’s Finish: 4-6

Captains: Justin Spencer, Will Abbott, and Wesley Dugger

Key Athletes: Spencer, Abbott, Dugger, Minas Stathis, Drake Penicook, John Williams, Colter Mahon, and Easton Royals

Key Athletes lost: Trey Turnage, Ben Carroll, and Liam McAllister

Coach Quote: This season has a chance to be successful. The goal is to make to the playoffs and the team is led by mostly seniors. Depth is a concern as our numbers are lighter than usual this year. – Coach William Winston

Player quote: “I think the team this year is much closer and we work really well together.” – Bardia Jahangiri

 

Golf

Coach: Tom Hoy

Last Year’s Finish: 17-3

Seniors: Andrew Kennedy, Adam Collins, Jack Keller, Dalton Smoot, and Parker Shaw

Key Athletes: Andrew Kennedy Diana Domenech, and Adam Collins

Key Athletes Lost: David Qin

Coach Quote: “Well we’ve played nine out of our 12 games and we’ve had a really good year. Our Current record is 18-2 and it appears that we can complete for a state championship. The key is going to be getting a good fourth score each day.”

Player Quote: “It’s been a pretty decent season so far! The team is doing well and I’m looking forward to states this year. I think that if we put the work into it we can beat Deep Run.” –Diana Domenech

 

Girls Cross Country

Coach: Kemper Towler

Last Year’s Finish: 12-4 5^th in Conference

Leaders: Molly Hunold, Madison Bradley, and Brittany Bell

Key Runners: Johanna Lupica, and Emily Whitty

Key Runners Lost: No seniors were on the team last season

Key Upcoming Meets: Conference and Regionals

Coach Quote: “In 35 years we’ve made it to the Regional meets 32 times. Our Goal is to make it again this year. This groups shows promise; it’s an interesting one but they’ll pull together.” – Coach Towler

Runner Quote: “I remember my Sophomore year we only had 15 girls on the team and now we have 33. I’m so excited about the growing team, training well, and having an injury free season!” – Molly Hunold

 

Boys Cross Country

Coach: Jonathan Lauder

Last Year’s Finish: 5th in Regionals, 10^th in State

Captain: Matt Chilton

Key Runners: Ronan Higgins and Reed Westin

Key Runners Lost: Steven Tivnan and Carter Ward

Key Upcoming Meets: Conference, Regionals, and States

Coach Quote: “We have a strong top three and want to improve on our finish. Our ultimate goal is to be top three in the state.” – Coach Lauder

Runner Quote: “We have a really good team this year. Lots of guys are willing to work hard and step it up!” – Matt Shilton

 

Field Hockey

Coach: Caitlin Walton

Last Year’s Finish: 8-7

Captains: Sally Kate Plaster, Abigail Killius, and Katie Johnson

Key Athletes: Peyton O’Donnell, Sally Plaster, Molly Wheeler, Abigail Killius, and Katie Johnson

Key Athletes Lost: None

Coach Quote:  I am really excited for this season. The girls have been working really hard all summer throughout conditioning in preparations for a great season. We have a lot of potential and I have already noticed improvements for a lot of Individuals and as a team. I look forward to competing against the best teams in the state and I can’t wait to see how we do in conference play this year. We made it to the semi-finals for the district last year and I have no doubt these girls can go further this season. I am confident in our team’s competitiveness and passion to be successful”. – Coach Walton

Player Quote: We have most of our starters back and are excited to see how far we can go this year.” – Abigail Killius, Katie Johnson, and Sally Kate Plaster

 

Girls Volleyball

Coach: Chris Wakefield

Last Year’s Finish: 28-4

Captains: Ayanna Swan and Polina Bukina

Key Athletes: Ayanna Swan, Polina Bukina, Isabelle Clyde, and Carmen Wright

Key Athlete Lost: Mackenzie Brewer

Coach Quote: “I feel really good about this season and the players that are on the team. We have a big mix of youth and experience. I’m excited to watch the maturation process of our younger players…they are the future of Godwin Volleyball. I’m also looking forward to my veterans stepping up and leading this year.” – Coach Wakefield

Player Quote: “I feel like this season we’ll surprise everyone with how we play as we lost two major players from last year. A lot of players such as Isabelle Clyde, our new setter, are stepping up to get us to conference this year.” – Ayanna Swan