by Alexandra Sukin ’15, Co Editor- in- Chief
Country Day’s athletic requirements are of a mystical, elusive nature that keep many students guessing well into the second semester of their senior year, when they sit weeping in Mrs. Luebbers’ office insisting that recreational Pilates is a sport. In order to graduate from high school, the State of Ohio mandates two credits of physical education (“PE”). Different schools have different PE policies for fulfilling this requirement. Some schools require classes and then allow you to fulfill your requirement with Varsity or JV sports. At Country Day, students can fulfill their PE requirement with eight seasons of school sports, or by taking two PE courses, which are offered during the school year or in the summer, or some combination of the three. School year PE courses are not scheduled for students until senior year. As Athletic Director Theresa Hirschauer explained, the purpose of this policy is to reward students for team participation and to eliminate the need for daytime PE classes.
Some students encounter a particular difficulty fulfilling the PE requirement, and in that case, a special PE class is a possibility in the senior year. Emma Hoenemeyer, a senior at CCDS, found the athletic system to be effective and flexible for her hectic schedule. She had played two sports for the first three years of high school, but was chosen this year for Cincinnati Music Theater’s production of A Chorus Line, which coincided with her fall sports. Given this conflict, Emma found her “former coaches were understanding, and the PE class alternative was easy to arrange.” Emma says that she has not “faced too many obstacles” in meeting her PE requirement due to changing schedule circumstances. The dancing in the show and participation in out-of-school yoga and gym workouts have helped her fulfill the 3-4 hours a week of exercise required. In addition, Emma finds the two-sport requirement a special opportunity rather than a hassle. “Being part of a team builds character,” she explains, “and lets you form relationships with students from different grade levels and helps you learn how to set and achieve goals.”
In the last couple of years, the school added an alternative to winter sports called Winter PE, an after-school class taught by a different faculty member each day, in which students practice yoga, weight training and other exercise activities. This class lasts throughout the winter sports season and is open to students at any grade level. A single season of Winter PE replaces a single season of team sports in the school’s PE requirement.
Even though Country Day’s policy at first glance may seem more rigorous than that at other private schools, Ms. Hirschauer explained that there is still quite a bit of flexibility in the program to meet students’ needs. For those who don’t play two varsity or junior varsity sports each year, meeting the requirement can be done in a variety of ways: two to four weeks of summer PE (depending on the number of sports you play), or a daytime PE class in the senior year. In fact, Country Day’s summer
PE program is exceedingly popular not only with Country Day students, but with other area high school students as well. Ms. Hirschauer estimated that between 50-75% of the students enrolled in Country Day summer PE are from other schools. Although the school charges for this course, it is a popular and convenient way to fulfill all or part of your PE requirement. In addition, Ms. Hirschauer notes that all Summer PE programs charge a fee for participation.
Ms. Hirschauer feels strongly that Country Day’s athletic program is excellent, stating that “[she] would put our program up against anyone in the city.” Accordingly, she does not foresee any plans to modify the school athletic policies
and her belief in the program’s excellence seems supported by ample evidence. Last year’s Division II Men’s State Tennis Final consisted of tennis standouts Patrick Wildman and Asher Hirsh and, female tennis star, Danielle Wolf placed third in this year’s girls State Tennis tournament. Country Day’s Men’s Varsity Soccer team won the district championship and the Women’s Varsity Soccer team had an exceptional season as well. Ishan Ghildyal went to the State Tournament for Golf. Country Day’s football team also had a remarkable undefeated regular season. In addition, Allie Wooden, one of the top women high school swimmers in the country, is training for another spectacular swim season.
