By Adam Peng ’17, Sports Editor
As the weather gets colder, Country Day players and coaches are getting ready for their exciting new winter sport season. I asked some key players and coaches about their love for winter sports and their expectations for the 2015-2016 season.
The Country Day swimming team had a terrific season last year. Holly Jacobs ’17 made it to state. When asked about the upcoming season, she said, “I’m looking forward to representing Country Day on the swim team again this year. Swimming takes a lot of discipline and hard work, but I love it because the reward of breaking a personal record by hundredths of a second is so satisfying.” She also thanked the coaches of the team, Jana and Amanda, who helped get them to State last year.
Malcolm Doepke ‘16, another swimmer who dominates in middle distance events, expressed his high expectations for the team. “Despite losing a lot of swimmers in the senior class last year, I still believe we can get the boys freestyle relays to state, and also, maybe the girls relay.” Of their coach, Doepke said, “She brings a new philosophy to the team and I am excited about how she will be able to form the team as a whole.” When asked why he loves swimming, Doepke displayed a winning attitude, saying, “Because of the competition. We work hard for most of the year for just a couple of fast meets to show what we all can do.”
This year, the Country Day girls’ basketball team also looks much more confident. In addition to new recruits, they return all of their players from last season. One of the outstanding players on the girls’ basketball team, Isobel Hensley ’18, talked about her lifelong connection with basketball. Hensley said, “I’ve always grown up playing basketball; it is really something my entire family enjoys. Both my parents and grandparents have played major roles in my development as a player, whether they are my coach or just show up to my games. It really means a lot to see my entire family get excited and come together over something we all love.”
She also had great things to say about her teammates, adding, “While our practices have been fast paced, it’s nice to also have a group of girls that get along and work together well. We try to be very vocal in our practices whether it be calling for an outlet or talking on defense; there’s definitely much more chatter in the gym than last year. While our coach helped set the tone, our two senior captains Katie Jamison and Missy Dieckman-Meyer have been great leaders for our team.” With so much talent, the girls’ basketball team will look for excellence this season.
The other Country Day winter sports teams are also readily preparing for their seasons. The boys’ basketball team ended last year with a 17-7 record. Gaining more talented players this year, they are looking stronger as well. Their first game will be against Hillcrest School on November 28th. Wrestling team practices have already started. They begin their season at the Purcell Marian Invitational on Dec. 5th. The girls’ gymnastics team, under the leadership of Coach Conner, impressed a lot of people last year. Their first meet will be at home on December 8th.
The efforts of each player this winter season will be remembered and appreciated by the Country Day community for years to come. Athletic Director Chris Milmoe says, “It is a very taxing, long season, spanning four months, with winter break right in the middle and late night games each week. The athletes who put in the time are real warriors.”
Go Indians!
Image Source: https://twitter.com/CCDSathletics/media
