Girls’ Cross Country
After winning the Founders League Championship last season, this year’s Girls’ Varsity Cross Country team will look to build on last season’s success. “We have some strong returners this season, but we are also very lucky to have promising new runners,” said Betsy Overstrum ’20. “We lost a key group of seniors last year, but there is no doubt that our new runners are going to step up. It certainly is a bubbly group of girls, which makes for a fun environment.” This year’s team will again be competitive for a Founders League title, and it hopes for high placement at New England’s.
Boys’ Cross Country
Boys’ Varsity Cross Country ended on a disappointing note last season, placing ninth at New England’s. However, this year’s team is motivated to improve on that result. Despite losing five seniors, Boys’ Varsity Cross Country will feature a strong group of new runners. “Since the start of the season, new runners Devin Seli ’20 and Tilden Jackson ’21 have been great additions to the team,” said co-captain Alex Coletti ’20. “Both had a great race in New Haven a couple of weeks ago, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they can produce for us during the season.”
Varsity Football
After the team’s first loss in five years, to St. Thomas More, this year’s Varsity Football faces adversity and challenges uncommon in prior years. Still, the team looks to defend its NEPSAC title for a possible sixth time in a row. However, co-captain Cameron Polemeni-Hegarty ’20 is unfazed by the added pressure. “My goals for the team this year are to play as a unit so that we can perform to our highest potential,” he said. “The win streak has never really been a concern for us. All we have cared about with regards to goals is playing as hard as we can and playing as a team.” This year’s team will be led by co-captains Polemeni-Hegarty and Beau Luther ’20, who are both projected to have big seasons. Also, quarterback Shane Baldwin ’21 will be handed the reins of the offense once againafter an incredibly successful sophomore campaign.
Varsity Field Hockey
Despite a difficult season last year, Varsity Field Hockey will try to bounce back this season. Led by co-captains Brooke Wise ’20 and Gina Driscoll ’20, this year’s team has the experience necessary to produce many positive results, and new junior Ashley Lensch ’21 will add talent and skill to the team. “Some of our goals for the season are to be a strong competitor against other teams,” said Wise. “We’re also aiming to have a record of at least .500, especially coming off of a difficult season last year.” Varsity Field Hockey certainly has the potential to contend for a spot in the NEPSAC Class A Playoffs this season.
Boys’ Varsity Soccer
Despite losing many key pieces to graduation, Boys’ Varsity Soccer features a team that is once again primed for a playoff run. With a midfield comprised of Stephen Antogiovanni ’20, Kamal Ibrahim ’20, and Temi Agunloye ’21, Boys’ Varsity Soccer will have no trouble controlling the game. New goalkeeper Gunnar Lucuk ’22 has also been a welcome addition to the team and made multiple key saves against Brunswick and Buckingham Browne & Nichols in recent weeks. “The team this season is pretty characteristic of Choate — hardworking and smart,” said co-captain Sam Curtis ’20. “We also have a good mix of personalities on the team that really makes the group special, so I’m looking forward to a fun season with awesome guys.”
Girls’ Varsity Soccer
After a stellar season last fall, featuring eleven wins and a NEPSAC Class A playoff berth, Girls’ Varsity Soccer looks to build upon last year’s success. The program returns attackers Abbi Adler ’20, Sam Brown ’20, Julia Gottschalk ’20, and Julianne Sekula ’20 who have all proved to be dangerous in the final third. However, this year’s team also added an enormous amount of talent and depth, including postgraduate goalkeeper Taylor Vecchione ’20. “We have more depth than I think I’ve ever seen in my four years at Choate,” said captain Cici Curran ’20. “Considering the new competition brought in by the new players, I see our team as more competitive and hardworking than ever.” Girls’ Varsity Soccer has the potential for another playoff run.
Boys’ Varsity Water Polo
Boys’ Varsity Water Polo has gotten off to a strong start this season, defeating Deerfield in overtime despite losing to them during the previous two seasons. The team also returns a strong, core group of players that includes co-captains Hilal Zoberi ’20, George McCabe ’20, and Derek Son ’20. In his second year, Jack Sun ’21 will also likely make a key difference with his goal-scoring ability. “This year we are very motivated,” said Son. “Unfortunately, we are on the smaller side, but we make up for it with our speed and shrewdness.” Despite only winning four games last season, the boys’ early success will give the team momentum for a run in the New England Playoffs.
Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Girls’ Varsity Volleyball returns many key players, including co-captains Ally Chadha ’20 and Kiki Kim ’20. This year’s team is also incredibly deep, and all players are likely to contribute throughout the season, especially some new talent that has been added to the team. “Someone to watch on the court is Maddy Estenson ’21 in the offense this year,” said Kim. “She’s a new recruit that we’ve been excited for since spring term, and she’s been looking great in practice.” Girls’ Varsity Volleyball is in an excellent position to beat Deerfield on Deerfield Day and take home another NEPSAC Class A championship.
