Boys’ Soccer:
Boys’ Varsity Soccer is young and has plenty of room to grow, but it seems poised to have a great season. Co-captain Zach Lopes ’18 is the leader of the team’s defense this year, while newcomer Brendan Kish ’19 will likely add to the team’s offense on the other end of the pitch. The team fell just short of the playoffs last year, but it has a good chance at redemption this season. Co-captain Sebi Barquin ’18 said, “I have high expectations for this team, as we have many great young players and a great squad of older players. This gives us enough depth to be able to handle the whole season.” Look for a strong showing this season from Boys’ Varsity Soccer.
Boys’ Cross Country:
Boys’ Cross Country looks to have another strong season after a solid performance in last year’s championship races. Home course record holder and Co-captain Griffin Birney ’18 is attempting to follow up last year’s strong performance. Newcomer Mustafe Dahir ’19 has also shown a great deal of potential, as he looks to be a significant contributor to this year’s squad. On the team, co-captain Matt Kim ’18 said, “The team is looking strong this year. We have a good nucleus of returning guys and ran a solid first race, and we’re really excited to see what we can do.” With the New England Championships taking place on Choate’s home course this November, the team has a huge advantage going into the most important race of the season.
Girls’ Cross Country:
Girls’ Cross Country has many new faces — 27 of them, to be exact. They have a tremendous ceiling, talent-wise, and they should expect to be competitors in every race this year. Head coach Mr. Jim Davidson said, “We are a young team with many new runners and many runners new to school.” Kay Ingulli ’18, Lily Bar ’19, and Sarah McAndrew ’20 are expected to be key contributors this season, as well as leaders. There are especially difficult races on the schedule against teams like Andover, Hotchkiss, Loomis, and Taft, but the team looks to be up to the challenges it will face this season. With the New England Championships on their home course this year, look for fast times towards the end of the season for Girls’ Cross Country.
Water Polo:
Having reached the playoffs last season, Boys’ Water Polo has a long road ahead of them to achieve that level again this season. After losing their outstanding goaltender from last season, Jackson Haile ’19 makes the move into goal, eager to fill the shoes left for him. This team is young and unproven, but they have enough talent to surprise other teams. Co-captains Oliver Chessen ‘19 and Ben Zhao ‘18 will lead the squad, after both played big minutes for the team last year. Chessen said, “I think it’s definitely going to be an interesting season. A lot of people would consider it a rebuilding year based on some of the guys who graduated, but I think we’re all very optimistic and we think this team can go really far.” Expect the team to battle hard as they work to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Girls’ Soccer:
Girls’ Soccer has dominated its competition for years, and the team looks strong again this season. The team has a new goaltender in: Jordan Small ’19, who looks to be a big contributor this fall. The team is short on defense, but that isn’t likely to prove cause for concern — the team runs like a well-oiled machine. The girls will surely play hard and be competitive in every game as they have in previous seasons. Not only do they look set to make the playoffs but also to succeed in them as they have in the past.
Volleyball:
There is cause to be optimistic for Girls’ Volleyball, despite having lost a good number of starters from last season. Lani Uyeno ’19 is going to be a spectacul ar presence on the court for the team once again after a series of good performances in their previous campaign, along with Co-captains Elyse Cornwall ’18 and Anabel de Montebello ’18. In discussing the upcoming season, Lizzy Mitchell ’19 said, “I think the expectations for the team this year are to work hard, play together, and learn everyday. Having won New England’s last year definitely puts a big target on our backs. But with that in mind, we are a completely different team this year, with only five returners.” Despite this, it’s expected that the team will pull together over the course of the year, and perhaps another New England Championship isn’t so far out of reach.
Football:
Football looks destined to have another strong year. Choate dominated all NEPSAC competition last year, and it seems poised to repeat that feat, having knocked off St. Thomas More, 49-27. Third-year running back Clay Zachery ’19 said, “I think the expectations are the same as they’ve been. We try to be the best team out there and that’s through the hard work and dedication we put in every week.” The team has to have a target on its back after going undefeated the past three seasons and winning the NEPSAC championship in every one. Opposing offenses must watch out for weapons Hunter Burns ’19 and Shane Sweitzer ’18, while defenses should be wary of the dynamic running back duo of Zachery and Rashaud Conway ’19. The team has so much depth and that, in truth, any player could be the key to winning any game.
Field Hockey:
While Field Hockey returns a big nucleus of players, there are a few new players added into the mix. With the new additions in play, the team looks poised to improve upon their 10-5 record from last year. Kaleah Haddock ’19 said, “We will be trying to meet and exceed our goal of reaching the playoffs, which we set last year and achieved, so we want to work harder to go deeper.” The team should have an excellent year given their returning talent and leadership in co-captains Riley Marchin ’18, Lexi Takashima ’18, and Madison Sakheim ’18.
