State Championship Softball Team Loses Senior Stars, Gains New Coach
By Melanie Cane
State Championship Softball Team Loses Senior Stars, Gains New Coach
Last year, the Gryphons won the state title in softball for the first time. But the team lost two seniors, including Kathleen Samuelson, the winning pitcher in the NYSAIS championship game. Samuelson now plays for Brown University.
This year’s team also welcomes a new coach, Mike Clancy, who coached junior varsity basketball and teachers science. He has extensive coaching experience.
Bella Mazzola, Julia Giordano, and Katie Muniz are the senior tri-captains. The team’s strength rests with a talented core of sophomores: catcher Camille Cavicchio, pitcher and clean-up batter Molly Leitner, shortstop Elizabeth Curcio, and third baseman Julianna Capasso.
Coach Clancy said the team is working on its pitching depth and improving its defense. Preparing for the season, the team spent a week of spring training at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
Laxers Ready to Contend Again
Six starters return from the team that finished runner-up in the state tournament.
Top returners include senior captains Quinn Cambria, Liz McCooey, and Ellen Rote. McCooey, who has committed to play lacrosse at Catholic University next year, and junior Maggie Welsh, were league all-stars last year. Sophomores Maeve Cambria, Lily Dennis, and Nicole Shapiro are top newcomers.
The Gryphons graduated six seniors including Charlotte Elcock, who finished her career as the second highest scorer in Holy Child history.
Coach Charles Sliter said the team’s goals are to build on last year’s post-season success and improve its league win-loss record.
The Gryphons played Hamden Hall in the opening game this week.
Golfers Eye Rebuilding Year
Last year, Holy Child’s golf team lost some very close matches and ended the season at 3-6. Since then, four seniors graduated, but Coach Mike Duignan said he’s confident he has “a deep team that can field many emerging match players.”
Seniors Meghan Meyers and Katie Rogan are this year’s captains. Other girls to watch include senior Jaci Demarco, junior Kristen Daddario, and sophomore Maggie Curtis.
Tennis Team Welcomes New Coach
The Gryphons finished last season at 5-7, but lost only two seniors. And the varsity tennis team has a new head coach: Allie Schwartz. Schwartz previously coached two seasons at Brooks School, in North Andover, Massachusetts. She played college tennis at Lehigh.
Captains Tori Almeida and Gianna Ciminello said they anticipate “a fun and competitive season.” Almeida, the Gryphons’ top singles player, plans on playing Division I tennis at Lafayette College next year. She’s among six seniors on the team.
Coach Schwartz said she’s encouraged by the excitement and confidence of the team, which includes several “promising” younger players.
The team’s opening match was against Packer at home on Friday.
