SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Rye Country Day

Softball Team Bounces Back from Injuries

By Melanie Cane

Softball Team Bounces Back from Injuries

The Wildcats lost two starters to injuries during their second game last season. This year, all the players are healthy and raring to go.

The team finished 7-7 last year after those injuries forced the Wildcats to move players around and summon up help from the junior varsity squad.

Seniors Eve Wulf and Elena Conn are co-captains for a second straight season.

Coach Margaret Scarcella is confident that the team’s solid pitching, hitting, and defense will propel the Wildcats into the playoffs.  “If everyone does their job, we should be fun to watch,” she said.

The Wildcats opened their season this week against Hamden Hall and were set to play Rye High on Saturday.

Girls’ Lacrosse Team Is Young and Enthusiastic

The Wildcats’ girls lacrosse team graduated six seniors, two of whom are now playing at the collegiate level.

This year’s captains are talented and enthusiastic seniors Annie Grayer on defense and Clare McClintock on attack/midfield.Returning starters are: senior goalie Summer Elbardissy; juniors Ruby Aresty (attack/midfield) and Stephanie Sabatini at midfield; and sophomores Zoe Verni (midfield), Emily Duarte (attack), Yana Lee (midfield/defense), Kat DiCaprio (attack), and Julia Massaro (midfield/attack).

Coach Georgette Summers says their goal is to become a team without divisions. Rather than playing typical defense, midfield and attack squads, players will be switching up positions and playing as a 12-person unit. Their opening games were away this week against King and Rye High.

Healthy Boys’ Lacrosse Team Opens at Hamden Hall

The Wildcats were hampered by injuries last season, with seven starters missing at least two games apiece.

They finished the season at 8-10 and lost eight seniors, but Coach Matt Rosolen said the Wildcats will still have a very talented starting line-up.

This year’s squad is led by midfielders Tommy Garry and Tyler Miller, both of whom sat out last season with knee injuries. Dylan Bass, is the top player on attack, the the top returning scorer. Junior Michael Farber is expected to start as goaltender. He and Garry are the team’s captains. Sophomore Andrew Antonacci also is expected to shine on defense.

Their opening game was this week against Hamden Hall.

Girls’ Golf Gears Up For Greenwich

The Wildcats’ girls golf team played ten dual matches and two tournaments last season and only lost once, to Greenwich Academy. They finished second in the Fairchester Athletic Association.

They lost five seniors, but this year’s team still hopes to finish first in the FAA under the leadership of senior Captain Bryce Smith and junior Captain Summer Kitahara.   

The team has many good ball strikers, three of whom — Kate Weiss, and Summer and Jasmine Kitahara — have played in U.S. Golf Association tournaments. “Inexperience is our greatest weakness,” Coach Marie Vicek said.

Over spring break, the golf team trained at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa. Their opening match is against Greenwich Academy at Stanwich Country Club on April 8.

 
Boys’ Tennis Building on Winning Ways

Last year’s boys varsity tennis team ended the season with an impressive 9-3 record. The goal for this season is to better their record and be a strong contender for the Fairchester Athletic Association Championship.

Coach Gil Castagna said, “We are fortunate to have a very strong lineup. … We are happy that we have so many players with the ability to play singles as well as doubles.”  

Three stars graduated from last year’s team. Seniors Nick Kemp and Robert Levine are the team’s captains. Other returning members are: Tyler Tananbaum, Paul Leake, Adam Kozek, Sam Hearst, Ted Tananbaum, Bo Curry, and Andrew Wong. Their opening match is April 9 at Byram Hills.

Sailors on The Mend

The sailing team had a transitional season last spring. Head injuries, scheduling conflicts, and an unbalanced group of crews and skippers prevented the team from competing in many meets, although they had some unofficial regattas. Sailing conditions and circumstances are looking up this year. The team practiced for five days on Biscayne Bay last month, and Coach John Bainton said he was pleased with what he saw.

The team has some strong returning sailors, including Captain Julie Kahn, as well as some talented new members. Bainton said he plans to carry a large team this year in order to prepare to fill the (boat) shoes of the seven seniors who are currently on the team, but won’t be next year. He’s expecting a great season.

The first league regatta is Saturday at Stony Brook. The regatta will serve as the league’s qualifier for the Mallory District qualifier.  

The team practices at Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich four days a week.

Track & Field Squad Growing by Leaps and Bounds

Just three years old, the Wildcats’ team is gaining popularity every season. It started with 28 team members; there are now 56 trying out for track and field positions at Rye Country Day. Their opening meet is at Rye High on Saturday.

Last season, the boys’ team placed third at the New York State Association of Independent Schools Championships behind state powerhouses Collegiate and Hackley. This season, the boys’ squad boasts over 30 athletes with depth in all events and will look to make another strong run at the post-season Championships.

The girls are looking to improve on their 11th-place finish at the NYSAIS Championships. With all point-scorers from last year’s team returning, and some new running and jumping talent on the team, they are poised to be a top contender this year, according to Wildcats Coach Charles Ogbonna.

Seniors Julie Shanus and Victoria Montgomery are Co-Captains of the girls’ team.