Loomis Chaffee Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Tonight’s Program Welcome Remarks: TJ Reap Volleyball: Jeff Dyreson Girls Soccer: Chris Bart‐Williams, Julia Hinchman Boys Water Polo: Ed Pond Football: Chuck Reid Girls Cross‐Country Becky Purdy Boys Soccer: Bob Andrian Field Hockey: Bobbi Moran Boys Cross‐Country: Sally Knight Complete List of All Award Winners: ALL 2009 ATHLETIC AWARD WINNERS Boys Water Polo Coaches’ Award: Jack Mahoney Coaches’ Award: Ryan Swanson. Most Improved Award: Addison Wright. Football Unsung Hero Award: Seun Yung Sung ‘10 Coahes’ Award Mike Cifor ‘10 Character & Sportsmanship Award: Cameron Sandquist ‘10 Field Hockey Captains Award: Rae Lerner Coaches Award: Laura McConney MVP: Emily fluke Coaches Award: Molly Paduda Western New England All Stars: Molly Paduda, Rae Lerner, Emily Fluke New England All Star: Molly Paduda National Academic All American: Maggie Liang Team Achievements: FOUNDERS LEAGUE 2ND PLACE Western New England 4th Place New England 6th Place Volleyball Coaches’ Award: Claire Kokoska New England All‐Stars: Diana Edwards, Brittany Lo & Claire Kokoska Boys Soccer TEAM HONORS New England Class A “Stewart Cup” – Quarter‐finalist Western New England Prep School Soccer Assoc. Champions (12‐2‐1) Founders League Co‐Champions (6‐1‐1) Western New England Prep School Soccer Association All‐Stars: Andrew Bixler Michael Choquette New England East‐West Senior All‐Star Game: Jack Randazzo Andrew Bixler Western New England Prep School Soccer Assoc. Select Team: Jack Randazzo Andrew Bixler John Belanger Honorable Mention: Mike Choquette John Kramer Boys Cross Country Coaches’ Award: Miles Knight Coaches’ Award: Dylan Jennings Coaches’ Award: Jeremy Rosenblatt CAPTAINS’ AWARD: Tully Hannan FOUNDERS LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE: Sam Shushtari GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Most Valuable Runner: Claire Conway Coaches’ Award: Katherine Ricci Rookie of the Year: Alexis Johnson Founders League Championships: 2nd place Division 1 New Englands: 5th place Girls Soccer MVP: Kate McCarthy Coaches’ Award: Chelsea Ryan Girls Varsity Volleyball 2009 Roster: Diana Edwards MH 2010 (captain) Mackenzie Merrick MH 2010 (captain) Katie Swinton RH 2010 (captain) Melissa Yow S 2010 Diana Tseng BS 2010 Brittany Lo L 2011 Claire Kokoska OH 2011 Jocelyn Toll OH 2011 Erin Currey OH 2012 Team Awards: Diana Edwards, Brittany Lo & Claire Kokoska were elected to represent Loomis Chaffee at the New England All‐Star Tournament. Season Summary: After graduating 3 starters and 2 New England All‐Stars the 2009 team knew it had a tough road if it were to follow in the tradition of regular season success and post season play. There were many uncertainties going in, but as a credit to this team, especially the seniors, the 2009 season concludes with wonderful memories and a lasting legacy. The lady Pelicans kicked off the season with a match versus NMH and St. Pauls starting 3 new players at new positions. It wasn’t the prettiest of volleyball, but Loomis fought hard for 2 key Class A victories and that day set an early tone of success. Midway through the season Loomis battled through a tough stretch and found itself licking its wounds after suffering tough losses to Andover, Choate (2 times), Hotchkiss, and a heartbreaker 5 set match versus Exeter. Loomis was 5‐5, searching for its identity and wondering if the post‐season was a possibility. To make matters worse the Pelicans were plagued with injury and illness but Loomis stayed positive and found ways to win. After a key victory at Taft (1 in the midst of an 8 game win streak), everyone started to gain confidence and the identity of the 2009 team started to emerge. Loomis played 12 of its 19 matches on the road which is always tough, but in retrospect it proved to be a valuable asset as it made playing at home all that more special and gave the team an added boost of confidence. As evidence, Loomis hosted #3 ranked Hotchkiss in the last week of the season and played a memorable match. Set 1 was a thriller with Loomis holding a lead throughout. The Pelicans had set point 24‐21, but failed to tally the last point and lost a heartbreaker 26‐24. The momentum was in favor of Hotchkiss and they looked to have an easy game in set 2 holding a 7 point lead throughout much of the set, but then came perhaps the most pivotal moment in recent history. Senior captain Katie Swinton stepped back to the service line with the team trailing 17‐23. It was crunch time and everyone knew that if Loomis didn’t make a run the match was probably over. Katie and the entire team found their inner mental fortitude (something that was lacking early in the season) and executed beautifully in a classic comeback taking set 2 25‐23. The momentum was now back with the Pelicans and games 3 and 4 were drubbings of the Bearcats from Hotchkiss. Everyone played with a fire and passion for defense and executed wisely on offense. As one spectator commented after the match “Loomis broke the will of Hotchkiss and whupped them out of the gym”. It was a proud moment that finalized the identity but it wasn’t the last. Loomis concluded the regular season with a 9 game win streak going 14‐5 overall. They earned a #4 seed in the New England tournament and hosted #5 Exeter in the quarterfinal match. The storybook season continued as Loomis once again played inspired defense and avenged the early season loss, winning 3‐1 in a thrilling match. For only the third time in school history, Loomis made it to the semifinals and there they faced undefeated #1 Choate. Unfortunately, Choate proved to be the better team that day (they went on the win the Championship over Hotchkiss), but the 2009 team has nothing to shame. In my coaching career, I have never had a team play like this one. They embodied the true essence of the word team as there were no superstars or go to players. All 9 players made critical contributions and plays at some point in the season. Their key to success was a love for the game and competition and a drive to work hard in every practice. Going into every season, every coach hopes that a team will improve a little every week and I can honestly say that this team did just that and for that and so much more I am proud of all that they accomplished and I will now refer back onto the 2009 as a team to be modeled. I thank them for a fun ride! LCVB would like to thank all the parents, family, friends and the entire athletic department for their support throughout this memorable season. Varsity Girls Soccer 2009 No. Name Position Year 29 Kelsey Adamson 10 11 Julia Allain Assistant Captain 12 9 Roxane Barbera 9 28 Sarah Byrne 11 24 Sarah Coco 10 2 Breana Derella 10 5 Madeline Gardner 11 15 Annabel Hess 10 22 Liana Hinds 10 13 Emily Hughes Goalie 11 18 Katherine Kent 9 4 Morgan Kille 11 17 Sophie Kokoska 9 12 Danielle Marmer 9 20 Faith McCarthy 10 23 Kate McCarthy Assistant Captain 12 7 Katrina Queirolo 10 Caroline Reese Manager 12 21 Emily Riccio 11 26 Chelsea Ryan CAPTAIN 12 Allison Saucier Goalie 10 30 Kendra Waters 11 16 Kaily Williams 11 19 Sylvia Xistris 12 14 Katherine Yannopoulos 11 Girls Varsity Soccer First and foremost a huge congratulations is due to all of the soccer players in the girls program this fall. It's been my honor to be part of this soccer program, and I can honestly say that I've loved every minute of it. As students and soccer players, these girls are vibrant, passionate, ambitious ‐ dare I say, brilliant. They are a wonderful group. They, in the tradition of Loomis, pioneered an untraditional approach to their sport. Their team was expanded to a program of 56 players all focused on the development and success of each contributor. The objective was to create an open roster and allow all players to build confidence in themselves so they bring their best skills to the field and fulfill their responsibilities on the field regardless of whomever else is on the field with them. These 56 players embraced the potential. They doubted the process, and despite realizing a different sense of camarderie, they powered through with curiosity and courage that brought ultimate success. The success is not defined by the 16‐1‐3 record, but rather the willingness of the players to learn from each other, to recognize more playing time means more touches, which traslates to increased confidence and better skills ensuring more playing time ‐ etc, etc. Each and every player achieved at least one something great. For some it was increased leadership capabilities, others it was better soccer intelligence. For most there was tremendous improvement in overall skills on and off the ball. For all personal trust in themselves and teammates was fostered and reinforced. Such trust leads to stronger faith in their own decision making, specifically the ability to recognize the best choice quickly by considering outcomes and discerning options. This is the most critical of life skills ‐ on and off the field. My sense is that this season was a success. The success came in the life lessons about open‐mindedness, flexibility, curiosity, and courage. All these traits are as much a part of the Loomis Chaffee Girls' Soccer Program as are speed, agility, quickness, perseverence, dedication, athleticism, and talent. Two players who truly embraced this new philosophy of development and excelled in the process are: Coaches' Award: Chelsea Ryan ‐ for her attributes as a great leader evidenced by her willingness to embrace all of her colleagues in the program.