Taft Sports News

Yong '14 Wins Squash Title

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While most Tafties were celebrating the end of exams and the start of the holiday break, Sue Ann Yong ’14 was gearing up for yet another test: the largest individual junior squash tournament in the world. From December 17-20, Sue Ann competed in the 2011 US Junior Open Squash Championships, in Cambridge, MA. Sue Ann came away the winner of the Girls Under 17 division (GU17).

“It was a week of exciting squash,” Sue Ann said. “ It was a great experience and a wonderful feeling.”

A record field of over 750 players from more than 20 countries competed at this year’s Open; 128 of those players were in Sue Ann’s division.

“It was my first year playing the US Open,” Sue Ann explained, “and I had not had much practice time because of exams.”

After a strong opening, Sue Ann moved to the round of 16 with a 3-0 win, where she earned a spot in the quarterfinals with another decisive 3-0 victory. Sue Ann upset #4 seed Egypt’s Laila Omar to advance to the semi-finals where she faced #1 seed Olivia Fletcher.

“I knew it would be difficut as she has beaten me many times,” Sue Ann said.
Sue Ann defeated Fletcher, and went on to win the tournament in an exciting, 5-game match over #2 seed Katie Tutrone.

“I played without any expectations and I upset the top seed in the semi finals, and eventually won the finals against the second seed. I was very surprised, but exhausted and happy at the same time.”

Squash Trains With World's No. 6

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Every year Taft hosts a professional squash player to train with its teams, and this season it was Mohamed El Shorbagy, currently ranked sixth in the world. During a four-hour clinic, Shorbagy challenged the undefeated Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Squash Teams to improve their footwork and their positioning even as he drilled them at full-tilt. He finished with exhibition matches against the top-two players from both the boys’ and the girls’ teams, drawing a crowd to stands that are typically empty during a regular practice.

Shorbagy, in the Northeast to play in New York City’s Tournament of Champions, traveled to Taft at the request of number one Taft Boys’ player Zeyad Elshorfy '12. Both natives of Alexandria, Egypt, Shorbagy and Elshorfy hail from the same home club and often traveled together to play in Cairo, the squash mecca of Egypt. When not on the road, Shorbagy attends business school at Muirfield in Bristol, England.

“I never thought I could learn so much in one afternoon,” said Jake Lord ’14, who plays number seven for the Boys’ team. “It was awesome,” he added enthusiastically. Characteristically serious, Elshorfy was not surprised by the pro’s impact on the team. “I have played with him many times,” he said. “He takes it easy on me.”

Last year the Taft Varsity boys were the New England Champions and finished second at the National Championship. Taft has always occupied a place amongst the squash elite. Founders League competition began in 1985, and since that time Taft has been crowned Founders League Champion 19 times.

Fall 2011 Outstanding Athletes Honored

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

At its annual Fall Athletic Awards Banquet, Taft recognized Varsity team members who had outstanding achievements during the 2011 fall season. The following is a list of the Founders League All-Stars, Special Award winners and 2012 Captains-Elect who were honored at that dinner:

2011 FALL SPORTS FOUNDERS LEAGUE ALL-STARS

Girls' Varsity Cross Country: Dana C. Biddle '14, Sara E. Iannone '13

Varsity Field Hockey: Story G. R. Viebranz '12, Erin Jordan McCarthy '12

Boys' Varsity Soccer: Jonas F. Katkavich '12, Erich J. Marcks '12, Mitchel C. Wagner '12

Girls' Varsity Soccer: Alexa E. Dwyer '12, Shelby H. Meckstroth '13

Varsity Football: Anthony D. Gaffney '12, Matthew S. Quatrano '12, Jordan K. Stone '12

Varsity Volleyball: Cassandra L. Ruscz '13, Morgan G. Manz '13

2011 FALL: TAFT SPECIAL ATHLETIC AWARD WINNERS

The John B. Small Award: Eric H. Metcalf '12, Carlos E. Garcia '12

The Girls' Cross Country Award: Madison R. Estey '12, Eleanor B. Hough '12, Emma M. Stein '12

The Field Hockey Award: Caitlin D. Majewski '12, Erin Jordan McCarthy '12

The Livingston Carroll Soccer Award: Zachary B. Karlan '12

The 1976 Girls' Soccer Award: Alexa E. Dwyer '12

The Black Football Award: Frankie J. Benavides '12

The Cross Football Award: Jordan K. Stone '12

The Volleyball Award: Olivia J. Burt '12

2012 - CAPTAINS ELECT

Boys' Varsity Cross Country: Jared H. Carson '13, Han Bin Lee '13

Girls' Varsity Cross Country: Sara E. Iannone '13, Elizabeth L. Shea '13, Megan A. TeeKing '13

Varsity Field Hockey: Mary C. DuBois '13, Margaret E. O'Neil '13

Boys' Varsity Soccer: Shane D. Hardie '13, Oliver W. Sippel '13, Charles M. Vallee '13

Girls' Varsity Soccer: Georgia M. Bermingham '13, Kathleen C. McLaughlin '13, Samantha A. Morrill '13

Varsity Football: Timothy S. Drakeley Jr. '13, Bulolo F. Jonga '13, Casey V. Kuhns '13

Varsity Volleyball: Morgan G. Manz '13

Taft Football Wins New England Championship

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Amidst the cheers of a triumphant home crowd, the Taft Varsity Football Team clinched the New England Class A Championship title on Saturday, besting an incredibly tough Kent team 28-18. The 2011 Norm Walker Bowl and the Erickson League trophies now reside in Watertown.

The 2011 Norm Walker Bowl was a showdown between the only two Class A teams that were undefeated in regular season play; Taft was 7-0, while Kent went 6-0. Going into the contest the two teams had yet to face one another, as October's freak snow storm forced the cancelation of their original game. Similar to the collegiate national football championship, it is a team’s record and the result of other New England contests – who beat whom -- that determine which two teams qualify to compete for the title. Based on those rankings, Taft and Kent shared the number one seed. Choate and Salisbury had the next best records, each were 7-1, but Taft beat Choate 48-20 and Kent beat Salisbury 41-9. "Basically if you lose a game," said Taft head coach Panos Voulgaris, "you won't be going to the Championship".

This was a season of crushing offense and strong defense for Taft. Prior to the Kent game, the Rhinos had never scored fewer than 37 points in a single game and had held their opponents to an average of 16 points per game. What was their key to success? “Respecting the process of preparation”, said Voulgaris. "The next game on our schedule is always the most important game of the season. And we have good players who work hard and are unselfish."

The Class A New England Championship Bowl is named for Norm Walker, the head football coach at Holderness from 1984 to 2005. Between 1988 and 1998, his Holderness teams were 83-1 in the regular season, competed in eight New England championship games, and won six times. So great was his impact on athletes at the school that the football field is named for him. Prior to his time at Holderness, Walker coached at Newton and Wayland High Schools in Massachusetts and was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Over the course of his career as a head football coach he won 276 games. Walker passed away in August of this year. In his obituary Boston Globe reporter Marvin Pave wrote that this outstanding mentor “expressed passion for his athletes through pregame speeches that sent them running to the field in tears.” For the full story go to: www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2011/08/25/norm_walker_brought_passion_to_high_school_coaching_at_73/

For stats from the 2011 Norm Walker Bowl go to: http://www.taftschool.org/sports/report.aspx?sportcode=football1&report=53813941 For photos go to: http://phototrophies.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=1323#page=1

Coach Palmer

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This fall marked Steve Palmer's 25th season as head cross country coach at Taft—a quarter century since he took over from the legendary John Small.

As things would have it, the team’s only home race, on Parents’ Weekend, got snowed out, but Palmer was honored at a schoolwide assembly at the end of the season.

Former captain Mike Moreau ’09 came to help with the honors, presenting Palmer with an engraved pewter tray and reminiscinces from his former runners (see below).

It was, remarked assistant coach Don Padgett, “a deserved acknowledgment of an extraordinary coach and gentleman.”

Although Taft has a rich history of legendary coaches, to our knowledge only eight other faculty have head coached a varsity team for as many seasons. They are: Dick Cobb, Peter Frew ’75 (still coaching tennis), Jim Logan, Steve McCabe (this spring, still coaching track), Patsy Odden, John Small, Larry Stone and John Wynne.

* * *

I have always remembered Coach Palmer quoting Coach Small, “You are stronger than you think.” This mantra has helped me through some tough times. Also, I remember Coach Palmer discussing race strategy at Taft, “When you get to that rock . . . BOOM!”

—Buster Nelson ’95

I wanted to say congratulations and add my voice to the many from the past 25 years to say thank you. I still look back on those days with very fond and vivid memories, from my very first Taft XC race after which you asked me in passing, “you did do two loops, right?”, to a New England Championship race in ‘95 finishing in a 3-way sprint around the lower flats. College running was a good experience, but the 4 years at Taft under you were life-altering in all the best ways.

—Geoff Deschenes ’96

When Ted Crispino and I were cross country captains in the fall of 1994, coach Palmer helped us out in numerous ways. He made us run faster and he kept us out of trouble. He made it clear that despite years of tradition it was not okay to streak girls sports teams during practice. We took his advice after the fact.

—Tilden Daniels ’95

Mr. Palmer went above and beyond the duty of a cross country coach, and the program’s success is due to his commitment to Taft cross country. Above it all, Mr. Palmer’s primary focus was to develop the character of each student who ran cross country at Taft. He succeeded in cultivating an environment for promising young runners to value teamwork, determination and the beauty of running.

—Mike Moreau ’09

Coach Palmer is passionately devoted to both the sport and the team. Each runner’s performance, training and goals hold immense importance to him. He is fully involved in both the team’s and individuals’ work and progress. Whether it is running with the team at practice or chatting on the bus after a meet about an individual or team performance, Coach Palmer fully and passionately devotes himself to the sport, the team and the individual runner. What more could one ask for in a great coach?

—Christopher Petroff ’11

I can honestly say that one of my favorite athletic seasons I ever experienced was the fall that I ran for Mr. Palmer. The camaraderie of that team was incredible, especially with so many diverse characters. I learned a lot about myself both as an athlete and a person, and all of the hard work helped me achieve my goal of starting for the Varsity lacrosse team the following spring. I certainly wasn’t the only one questioning whether or not I could do it, but you guys were always there encouraging me to sprint through the finish line.

—Gray Lincoln ’05

Steve is a great coach and a great motivator of young athletes (and students in general). He is unfailingly positive and helpful; the man makes Fr. Flanagan look like a pessimist! Steve is a walking exemplar of all that he espouses in thought and deed.

—Don Padgett

My favorite memories of Mr. Palmer: Driving to the Litchfield woods in a mini-van with the X-C team and running there on weekday afternoons for practice. Palmer once asked us to think of ourselves as Native Americans running stealthily through the woods in pursuit of deer. This got a few laughs (from Captain Rob Collins, perhaps!), but I liked the idea. It also showed us how Palmer thought or imagined himself. He wasn’t just into running to win races. He did it for other, less tangible reasons.

—Nick Frankfurt ’94

Congratulations on this incredible milestone! It was a privilege and a delight to have shared three of those years with you. During that time, your coaching, mentoring and friendship were vital ingredients to my success and development as a young man.

—Peter Murphy ’05

If you have a recollection about your cross country seasons with Coach Palmer that you would like to share here, please email JulieReiff@TaftSchool.org.

Big Red Keeps Rolling

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Wednesday was another big day for Taft sports as all three teams in tournament action advanced to the next round of play. Congratulations to the field hockey, boys soccer, and volleyball teams for their quarterfinal successes! These teams, along with Big Red football, continue their tournament runs this Saturday, November 19.

Field Hockey
Taft defeated Nobles in the quarter-final round of the New England Tournament. Despite strong play by Nobles in the first quarter, Taft pushed hard and walked away with a 1-0 win, and a ticket to the semi-finals. Saturday's semi-final round, which begins at noon, pits five seed Taft against perennial rival and number one seed Hotchkiss. Taft will host both of the field hockey semifinal games as well as the finals on Sunday morning, November 20.

#1 Hotchkiss vs. #5 Taft, 12:00 noon
#2 Greenwich vs. #3 Westminster, 2:00 p.m.
Finals Sunday at Taft, 11:00 a.m.

Football
It has been a great year for Taft football as the Rhinos wrap up their regular season play with a perfect record of 7-0. Taft hopes to carry that momentum into the Norm Walker Bowl on their home field this Saturday, November 19 at 1:45 p.m. when they meet the undefeated Kent School Lions. The teams are currently co-owners of the Erickson League title; the winner of Saturday's game will be crowned New England Champion.

This has been a season of crushing offense and strong defense for Taft. The Rhinos never scored fewer than 37 points in a single game this season and held their opponents to an average of 16 points per game. The Kent Lions have been equally dominant, averaging 42 points per game, and holding their opponents to an average of 14 points. The two teams did not meet in regular season play this year, as their game was cancelled due to the unusual October snow storm. This promises to be a spectacular match-up of two football Titans!

Taft vs. Kent at Taft, 1:45 p.m. for the title

Boys Soccer

A little rain was no deterrent for the Rhinos on Wednesday as the boys soccer team defeated Worcester Academy 4-1 in the quarter-final round of tournament play. Taft started the game strong, quickly establishing a sharp passing game and an eagerness to get forward. That momentum -- and the support of the great Taft fans -- carried the three seed boys to victory over six seed Worcester. Play continues with the semis on Saturday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. when Taft meets two seed Hotchkiss (at Hotchkiss) in this important round; finals are at Northfield Mount Herman Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

#3 Boys Soccer at #2 Hotchkiss, 2:00 p.m.
Finals Sunday at NMH, 1:30 p.m.

Volleyball

Five seed Taft blanked number four Northfield Mount Herman to advance to the semi-finals on the road Wednesday. The team travels to Wallingford on Saturday, where they will face one seed Choate.

#5 Taft at #1 Choate, 2:00 p.m.
Finals are 30 minutes after the semifinal games.

COME OUT! WEAR RED! MAKE NOISE!
GO RHINOS!

Four Taft Teams Qualify for New England Championships

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It has been a spectacular fall season for Taft sports and for four teams, things are just getting started. Tournament play begins on Wednesday, November 16 for our field hockey, volleyball and boys' soccer teams; Taft takes on Kent School this Saturday in the Norm Walker Bowl for the title of New England Football Champions.

Field Hockey
The five seed Taft Rhinos begin their tournament run this Wednesday, November 16 at Thayer Academy against the four seed team from Nobles. This quarterfinal game starts at 2:15 p.m.; semi-final games will be held on Saturday, November 19 at noon and 2p.m., both on the Taft School campus.

A look at the seeds going into the tournament finds Hotchkiss on top, followed by Greenwich Academy, Westminster, Nobles and Taft. Deerfield, Andover and Milton round out the field at six, seventh and eighth seeds, respectively.

Volleyball
The volleyball team will continue their success season Wednesday, November 19 at 3:45 p.m. on the court at the Northfield Mount Herman School. Taft, seeded fifth, will take on number four NMH. Choate, Andover and St. Paul's lead the girls' field at one, two and three seeds, respectively, while Deerfield, Hotchkiss, and Exeter complete the field at six, seven and eight.

Boys Varsity Soccer
Quarterfinal play begins on Wednesday, November 16, at 2p.m.. Number three Taft will meet six seed Worcester Academy on our home field. Exeter leads the field with a number one seed, followed by Hotchkiss, Taft, Andover and Choate, with Worcester Academy, Berkshire and Belmont Hill filling the six, seven and eight slots.

Finals will be held on Sunday, November 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Taft.

Football
It will be the battle of the undefeated teams this Saturday, November 19 when Taft (7-0) meets Kent (6-0). Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, but only one can win the crown. The Norm Walker Bowl -- the New England Championship Game -- begins 1:45 p.m. on the field at Taft.

Come out, wear red, make noise!

GO RHINOS!

Taft Hoops Standout Goes Pro

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK – Former Taft School and Saint Anselm College men's basketball standout, Thomas Baudinet, was selected with the 11^th pick of the sixth round (90^th overall) by the Iowa Energy in Thursday night's National Basketball Association Development League (NBADL) draft. The NBA D-League is the official minor league of the NBA.

"This is a great honor for Tom and hopefully just the beginning of a successful post-Saint Anselm career," Saint Anselm men's basketball head coach Keith Dickson said. "He is a terrific shot-maker and is capable of scoring points at the professional level. Tom is a wonderful kid and Iowa has drafted a very passionate and committed basketball player."

Baudinet is coming off a stellar senior campaign at Saint Anselm in which the Watertown, Conn., native was selected to the State Farm® National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America Team, as well as the Daktronics All-America Third Team. Baudinet, who also earned Daktronics East All-Region First Team and NABC East All-District First Team honors, was the 2010-11 Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year and a unanimous All NE-10 First Team selection, in addition to the ECAC Co-Player of the Year and ECAC First Team All-Star. Baudinet also shined in the classroom as he was the recipient of the Northeast-10 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award for the sport of men's basketball, as well as a three-time NE-10 Academic All-Conference Team member.

Baudinet, who helped the Hawks to a 19-win season and the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament, led the NE-10 in scoring (22.1 ppg) and was among the league leaders in a handful of other categories, including second in 3-point field goals made (85), third in minutes played (1,000) and fourth in free throw percentage (.861). The third-year captain also pulled down 5.2 rebounds per game and dished out 2.7 assists per contest.

Baudinet, a Pre-Season All-American selection, wrapped up his career on a 31-game double-digit scoring streak, including all 28 games that he started. Baudinet put together 12 20-point games, two 30-point games and a pair of 40-point performances this season.

Baudinet made it on Saint Anselm's top-10 single-season lists in a number of categories. He finished second in field goals attempted (528), fourth in field goals made (423) and 3-point field goals attempted (225), fifth in free throw percentage (.861), sixth in points scored (618) and seventh in scoring average (22.1 ppg).

Baudinet is also all over the Hawks' career record book, wrapping up his career as the all-time leader in field goals attempted (1,640) and field goals made (712), second in scoring average (18.8 ppg), third in points scored (1,957), 3-point field goals attempted (690) and 3-point field goals made (274), and eighth in minutes played (3,429). In 104 games, Baudinet amassed 530 rebounds and 220 assists.

The Energy, the minor league affiliate of the NBA's Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards, are the reigning champions of the D-League, and are coached by Kevin Young. The Energy, who make their home at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, open their season Friday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. on the road against the Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers).

Baudinet could have a homecoming of sorts when the Energy travel to take on the Maine Red Claws (Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers). The Energy will battle the Red Claws at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine, on Friday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 24 at noon and Sunday, March 11 at 4 p.m.

Rhino Hockey Star Launches Brain Injury Foundation

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

MONTREAL – After sustaining a vicious check that left him with a broken vertebra and a severe concussion, Taft hockey veteran and current Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty spent many bleak days last spring wondering if he would ever play hockey again. He received ongoing treatment for his injuries at the Traumatic Brain Injury Centre at the Montreal General Hospital, and now has doctor’s permission to return to the ice this season.

In the meantime he has launched the Max Pacioretty Foundation to help raise funds toward the acquisition and installation of a Functional MRI (fMRI) scanner for the Montreal General. One of the most recently developed forms of neuroimaging, fMRI scans measure changes in blood flow related to neural activity in the brain or spinal cord. It offers a concrete means of measuring changes in neural connections and brain chemistry, and is a tremendous leap forward from current post-concussion tests, such as treadmill performance or sensitivity to light.

Pacioretty describes his initiative as an effort to give something back to the medical facility that helped him toward a rapid recovery. “It’s rewarding to score a goal or have a good game, but even more so to help someone’s life. That’s why I want to be hands-on with this,” he said.

The $3.5-million fMRI machine will attract researchers and make the Montreal General Hospital a major player in the study of injuries that affect anyone exposed head trauma.

“This would be the first machine of its type,” said Dr. Tarek Razek, who runs the Montreal General’s trauma unit. “There are maybe half a dozen in the world that approximate its function. This will be of a newer, higher generation. There’s already a lot of cool stuff going on in terms of traumatic brain injury care and research. But this is a really big advancement, and it will set our whole region apart in terms of the kind of work we’re able to do.”

Pacioretty hopes his Foundation will draw support from corporations, service clubs, minor hockey leagues – “anyone out there who would like to undertake a fundraising project,” he said.

To read more, go to the Montreal Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Pacioretty+launches+foundation+help+treat+brain+injuries/5670428/story.html

Taft-Hotchkiss Rivalry Heats Up

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It is Spirit Week on campus as the excitement builds for Hotchkiss Day this Saturday, November 12. It will be an exciting day for Taft sports, as many of our teams travel north in the hopes of extending their winning records and defending Taft’s name against our perennial rival.

Highlights include:

Varsity Football at 3:00 p.m.

The Rhinos are currently undefeated. They will defend their 6-0 record against the Bearcats by playing the way they have played all season, with a punishing offense that averages 47 points per game.

Varsity Field Hockey at 1:45 p.m.

The girls travel north with an impressive 11-3 record to meet an undefeated Bearcat team. Come out, make some noise and support the girls as they work to break the Bearcat’s winning streak!

Boys Varsity Soccer at 1:45

The Rhinos are currently 11-1-1 and ready to give it their all in Lakeville! With a 9-3-1 record, the Bearcats are looking for a win. This promises to be a very exciting game.

Varsity Volleyball at 1:45

Fresh off a successful trip to Andover for the Volleyball All-Star Class A game, the 12-5 Rhinos will flex their muscle in Lakeville against the 7-6 Bearcats. The indoor venue makes this makes for a great spectating environment. Come wearing your red!

All games vs Hotchkiss games are at The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT.

Other Athletic Events on Saturday, November 12, 2011

Varsity Football- Hotchkiss 3:00 Away

Boys' Varsity Soccer- Hotchkiss 1:45 Away

Boys' JV Soccer- Hotchkiss- 2:15 Away- w/ BV Soccer - 11:45

Boys' Thirds Soccer- Hotchkiss 2:15 Away

Girls' Varsity Soccer- Hotchkiss 2:00 Away

Girls' JV Soccer- Hotchkiss 2:15 Away

Boys' Varsity Cross Country- New Englands 2:15 Away

Girls' Varsity Cross Country - New Englands 1:30 Away

Boys’ JV Cross Country – Andover 3:30 Away

Girls’ JV Cross Country – Andover 3:00 Away

Varsity Field Hockey- Hotchkiss 1:45 Away

JV Field Hockey- Hotchkiss 3:15 Away

Thirds Field Hockey- Hotchkiss 3:15 Away-w/ JV Field Hockey - 12:45 CANCELED

Varsity Volleyball- Hotchkiss 1:45

JV Volleyball- Hotchkiss 1:45 Away

GO RHINOS!

For complete listings and up to the minute changes visit http://www.taftschool.org/sports.