Along with the cancellation of school for the Covid-19 pandemic came the cancellation of the spring athletic season. Many in the Class of 2020 had been looking forward to their senior spring season since the beginning of their high school athletic careers. This pandemic was a devastating blow to their hopes of leading CCDS’s teams. For others, this spring would have played a critical role in the collegiate recruiting process. For all wishing to play sports this spring they faced disappointment unable to hit the fields, tracks, and courts. However, all the offseason training was not a waste with the fall season quickly approaching. Many teams have begun training this summer as all sports got the go ahead for contact from OHSAA on June 22nd. For those playing on summer teams, tournaments are being hosted as scheduled and many of our Country Day athletes are out competing again. The cancellation of the Spring 2020 season has created much more anticipation from the athletes to compete this fall. The Class of 2020 will be missed, but the Class of 2024 is hungry to showcase their talent this fall competing at the high school level. Many of our fall teams had strong seasons last year and are looking to go even further this year. Here is a quick report on how our teams are looking:

Football: The football team went 6-0 in 2018 after questions of whether there would be enough guys to field a team. This success brought more boys to the field in 2019 with 27 players on the roster. This team played a full schedule instead of a shortened one like in 2018 and went 2-7 in their campaign. This team faced stiff competition the entire season and would have preferred a better record. The team this fall will be missing the Class of 2020 players including Will Horton, Oliver McClean, T.J. Moorman, Ethan Howard, Josh Nixon, Matt Adkins, Noah Wise, Cader Rowe, Brennan Walker, Keane Warner, and Ethan Reisenfeld. These absences will be felt, although the team is ready for a strong season this fall. Junior quarterback Zach Corbin will be playing in his 3rd season, and with greater experience and training will lead the team more than ever this season. With a lack of big lineman after losing the Class of 2020 the skill players will shine this fall. Seniors Jack Roy, Brian Foster, RT Adkins, Michael Noack and Wynton Jackson will head the teams’ efforts this fall. The boys have begun working hard this summer and should have a successful season come the 2020-2021 school year.
Cross Country: The cross-country team had a strong season in the fall of 2019. Class of 2020 member David Morales led the boys’ side of the team and Natalie DeBeer on the girls’ side. Losing the top runners, others on the team are eager to step up to the task. Junior Ashton Snell and Senior Griffin McAndrew will look to fill this leading role on the men’s side. On the women’s side the previous top 4 runners all graduated with the Class of 2020 and Seniors Taylor Pavlisko, Lila Weizer, Maggie Ma, and Junior Terre Virzi will fill those roles. Already working to get in shape both these teams will be looking at great results this fall. Coach Merle Black has sadly retired his coaching career though a new coach will bring fresh energy to a young team this year.
Men’s Golf: Although the men’s golf team did not have high numbers, neither did their scores. The boys’ top player was Sam Pettengill ’21 placing 8th at state and he will be returning after a busy summer full of tournaments ready to play. Alex Arnold ’20 has moved on and his contributions to the team will be missed. The rising sophomores have three of the team’s golfers and their game will be much improved for the fall with their talent around for another 3 seasons.
Women’s Golf: The girls’ golf team had a strong showing last fall. With 11 ladies on the team the friendly competition was stiff and created room for great improvement. With only 2 graduates the team will return strong again this fall. Class of 2021 members Paige Cordea, Lila Joffe, Rose Joffe, Gauri Midha, and Jessica Rutherford will return and lead the team. Fellow classmate Sophie O’Brien has found a strong interest in golf this coronacation and summer and will join the team come the fall.
Men’s Soccer: The boys’ soccer team in 2019 had a strong regular season followed by a disappointing second round exit to McNicholas in the playoffs. Coming off this loss the boys are fired up to come out strong this fall. Losing MVC 1st team Class of 2020 members Riley Michalski, Cader Rowe, and Dylan Hacker will be a setback for the team, but one they can overcome. The team has begun their summer training and are thrilled to get back out on the field. Junior Sam Nitzberg will play his second season as keeper though his job will be made easier by Senior Captain Dereck Gray who will start at center back for his fourth consecutive season this fall. With most of the Varsity lineup returning the team is on track for a strong season come the fall.
Women’s Soccer: Back to back to back? The girls’ team won state for the second year in a row in 2019 and this sets the bar quite high for the team in the fall. Lawson Renie ‘20 was a key factor in both of the state championships and was named all state for her play. The loss of Lawson and fellow Class of 2020 members and starters including Joely Virzi, Alex Vredeveld, Sabrina Buechly, and Katie Brock is a devastating loss to the program. However there is no lack of talent amongst the girls still around. Senior Jenna Setters was named 1st team MVC in 2019, and Juniors Jada Moorman and Sara Zimmerman were both recognized as 2nd team by the MVC for their play. With these 3 returning along with the other talented players there is no reason why this team led by Coach Teresa Hirschauer cannot make another playoff run.
Women’s Tennis: The girls’ tennis team had a touch schedule in 2019 and did not sport the best record. Despite this, two of the team’s doubles partners were recognized as MVC second team players. This list included Abby Blum ’21 and Sophie Obrien ’21, along with Rowan Castrucci ’21 and Sabrina DelBello ’21. The team will be looking to improve their regular season record this fall and with a strong group of seniors there is no reason why they should not.
Women’s Volleyball: This team in 2019 was easily one of Country Day’s best volleyball teams. The ladies went 10-0 in division games and 15-7 overall playing some tough teams in their out of division games. The team will only lose one player from graduation, Liz Brock, with Catherine Kreidler looking to fill this role come game time. With Daisy McClean’s ’22 height up front along with fellow MVC 1st team athletes Kamryn Jordan ’21 and Julia Recker ’22 the team this fall will be even better than last year and should make it far into the playoffs.