Coaches at The Hotchkiss School talk fall sports

LAKEVILLE — Another fall sports season is underway at The Hotchkiss School.

The school, which operates eight varsity sports programs in the fall, has an enrollment of 598 students this year.

The football team finished the season last year with a record of 7-2 and an Erickson League Championship, their second in a row. The team also made it to the Class A New England Championship last season, finishing as runners-up to Exeter.

“We will be a decent team this season,� football coach Danny Smith said. “We will have lots of youth and some inexperience.�

Smith said he expects Will Boscow, Quincy McDougal, Charlie Palmer and Preston Burke to be leaders for the team.

In volleyball, last year’s team had a record of 13-5 and made it to the finals in the New England Class A tournament for the fifth year in a row.

Coach David Bolmer said this year’s team has good potential.

“I think we can be contenders again,� Bolmer said. “We will need to rely on great defense and determination to compete against the bigger schools. We have a nice mix of seven returning players, two former junior varsity players and three girls who are new to the school.�

Bolmer said players to look for on the team include co-captain Julia Hunter, Diana Lezama, Lois Kimmel, Charlotte Belling and Lindsey Norse.

In field hockey, last season the team had a record of 13 wins, two losses and one tie.

They also picked up their eighth straight New England Class A championship.

Coach Robin Chandler said that a solid core of both returning and new players will make the team major contenders for the championship this year.

“In pre-season scrimmages, we have looked strong,� Chandler said. “We hope to continue to build on this foundation. This could be another exciting year for the Bearcats.�

Chandler said players to watch for are Claire Yackery, Sydney Ellis, Cat Fowler, Steph Mock and Annie Meyjes.

The boys varsity soccer team did very well last year with a record of 16 wins, three losses and one tie, winning the Founders League Championship and, for the second straight year, the New England Class A championship.

“We’re looking this year for a ‘threepeat,’� coach Chris Downs said about this year’s team. “We have a solid group of returning players from the championship team coupled with additional new talent. We plan to be contenders in the league once again.�

He said leadership from the team’s three captains, Anders Fogel, James Nortey and Atobra Ampadu, will be a factor in the team’s success.

As for girls varsity soccer, the team last year had an even season with seven wins, six losses and three ties.

“We had a solid season last year, although it was fraught with injury and illness,� coach Christy Cooper said. “We’re hoping to stay healthy this year as we have a solid crew of returners to build on and a especially strong senior class. We are a team that has many exciting and talented players who will strive to work to make the season a success.�

The boys cross-country team had an even season in 2009 with three wins and four losses.

“Last year’s team was young and hit by injuries,� coach Ron Laurence said. “One could say that it was a building year. The 2010 team is experienced, senior heavy and looks as though it will give some of the other teams a run for the money. At this moment, our team has much to look forward to and could develop into a strong unit with league championship potential.�

Coach Laurence said Charles Hurlock, Chris Carey and Cameron Ewing are among some of the runners to watch out for this season.

The girls cross-country team had an excellent 2009 season, racing to an undefeated record and winning the Founders League championship for the second year in a row.

“We’re hoping to defend our league championship again and finish in the top three in the New England Class A meet,� coach Charlie Bell said. “If we stay healthy and run big, we will be a tough team to beat.�

Bell said senior captains Sonia Skoularikis and Abby Rogers, along with top runner Allie Sperry, will be major factors in the team’s success.

For boys water polo, last year’s season was just about even with a record of 8-7.

“Our bench was deep and throughout the season we were able to play even those players who had never picked up a ball before,� coach Laura Barrosse-Antle said. “Our outlook for this year is good. While there are still some schools at the top of the division that will be hard to topple, we have a solid core of returning talent and an exciting infusion of new blood.�

She said co-captains Noah Callaghan and Spencer Sherrill are both players to watch out for this season.