After a strong fall season, evidenced by the varsity sweep on Deerfield Day, Choate Athletics hopes to carry its momentum into the winter term. Most teams have already begun their seasons, but much is still unknown about the winter sports, with many teams still looking to solidify their identities. Whether it be in the pool, on the ice, on the courts, or on the mats, the Wild Boars are set to begin another hopeful winter season. Jackson Elkins ’18 reports on the outlook of Choate’s varsity winter teams.
Boys’ Basketball
Key Players: Owen de Graaf ’17, Nick Fennell ’17, Colin Donovan ’17, Brad Landry ’18
As Elliot Sawyer-Kaplan ’18 put it, “We aren’t the most athletic or talented team in the league, but we can play with anyone. If we believe in ourselves, we will have a good shot at being a great team.” Look out for Elliot and company to grab some wins this year.
Girls’ Basketball
Key Players: Nicole Hiller ’17, Jocelyn Polansky ’19, Abby Blair ’17
Girls’ Varsity Basketball team is now reloaded with talented players, adding the likes of Jordan Obi ’20, Sam Gallo ’19, and Claudia Pagnozzi Schwam ’18, as well as returners Olivia McCulloch ’17 and Lexy Cook ’17. With playoffs in their crosshairs, the girls’ basketball court is certain to buzz all winter.
Boys’ Hockey
Key Players: Jack Hoey ’18, Faisal Al-Saif ’18, Craig Uyeno ’17, Bobby Goggin ’17
Boys’ Varsity Hockey is looking for a rebound season after a disappointing campaign last year, and with a new set of players, they look primed to do so. Players like Chance Gorman ’18, Sasha Tertyshny ’18, and Cooper Swift ’19 will be looking to increase their respective impacts, while new faces like Brendan Darby ’19 and Daniel Kramer ’18 aim to help round out the team.
Girls’ Hockey
Key Players: Cam Leonard ’17, Kristina Schuler ’17, Lexi Takashima ’18
Coming off a 2-1 win over Noble and Greenough, the Girls’ Varsity Hockey team, while not a large squad, has the right players on board to have success out on the ice. Post Graduate (PG) Ellen Arena ’17 will bring leadership and experience to the team, while freshman twins Christina and Effie Tournas ’20 look to be impact players straightaway.
Boys’ Squash
Key Players: Robin Armour ’18, Dylan Muldoon ’17, Jack O’Donnell ’17
Fresh off of annihilating Kent 7-0, Boys’ Squash looks to notch a dominant season this winter. With half the team having risen from Thirds to Varsity (an uncommon trajectory, for sure), the Squash program embodies hard work and skill development. Continued dedication should earn them many wins on the courts this winter.
Girls’ Squash
Key Players: Olivia van den Born ’17, Hope Worcester ’19, Keeley Osborn ’18
Like several other teams, Girls’ Squash is fresh off a massive victory against Kent, defeating them 6-1. With no freshmen on the team, the girls will bring a wealth of experience to the courts this winter, which is sure to help them at the National Team Championships in February and the New England Championships in March.
Boys’ Swimming
Key Players: Scott Romeyn ’18, Tristan So ’17
After delivering a strong performance against Andover early in the term, Boys’ Varsity Swimming is on track to have a great season. On Saturday, December 3, the team broke Choate’s existing record for the 200 meter IM relay. The collaborative effort included Scott Romeyn ’18, Tristan So ’17, Jason Weng ’17, and Ben Zhao ’18.
Girls’ Swimming
Key Players: Nina Hastings ’18, Samantha Scott ’20
The girls have a promising season ahead of them based on their recent 98-80 win against Andover. Nina Hastings ’18 said, “We have strong swimmers specializing in every event, which is promising for the New England Championships come March.”
Wrestling
Key Players: Fallou Babou ’18, Nick Bradley ’17, Sam Madden ’17
Currently 5-0-1, most recently destroying Worcester, 57-12, the Wrestling team is off to an impressive start. With a big and committed team spanning across a variety of weight classes, Wrestling looks forward to more victories out on the mats.
