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Spring Sports Review

Byline: Steve Wishek

June 12, 2012

This spring was one of amazing success for Webb athletics. The Badminton and Baseball team brought home league championships and qualified for the CIF playoffs along with track, swimming, softball, and boys’ volleyball. It was the baseball team’s first league championship since 1985, the softball team’s first playoff appearance since 1995, and the boys’ volleyball teams first ever post season appearance. So with one last goodbye to the seniors and before the underclassmen get busy with their athletic preparations this summer, let’s take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of this past spring season.

WSC Athletics

Volleyball – Prep League Finish: 3rd Place, CIF Quarterfinals

The third time was the charm for our boys’ volleyball team as they reached the CIF playoffs for the first time in the program’s three year history. With many upperclassmen new to the sport, it was uncertain how the team would do this year. Under the veteran leadership of seniors Ben Geleris, Adam Cave, and Jake Feldsher, the team had an amazing year, spending most of the season ranked in the top 10, earning a 5 set win against Damien, and making a run to the CIF quarterfinals in their first ever playoff appearance.

Volleyball Award Winners

JV Volleyball Awards

Most Improved: Christian Quick

Coach’s Award: Chris Garabet

All League

2nd Team: Manraj Aulaukh and Jake Feldsher

1st Team: Ben Geleris

Perpetual Awards

MVP: Adam Cave

Coach’s Award: for exemplary commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication Ben Geleris and Jake Feldsher

Tennis – Prep League Finish: 3rd Place

With just two seniors on the squad, this season was one of growth and experience for the boys’ team. Always up for a challenging schedule, the team took on South Hills, Ayala, Whitney, and a host of top caliber competition as they looked to gain the experience necessary to play in the always competitive Prep League. With a league win against last year’s Prep League Champion Flintridge Prep, the future looks bright for the Gauls. For his efforts, coach Jack Coberly was named WSC coach of the year.

Boys’ Tennis Award Winners

JV Boys’ Tennis

MVP: Blake Williams

Most Improved: Andy Liu

Boys’ Tennis All League

2nd Team Singles: James Kim

2nd Team Doubles: Ivan Lam and Drew Silver

Perpetual Awards

Marco Novelo Award: for sportsmanship and ability Drew Silver

Coach’s Award: for improvement and sportsmanship Ivan Lam

Baseball – Prep League Finish: 1st Place

This season marked a huge jump for the Webb baseball program as they took home their first league championship since 1985, made the playoffs for the first time since 2004, and won over 20 games for the first time in school history. The team spent most of the season ranked in the top four of CIF and with seven starters returning including Prep League MVP Aaron DiGiamarino ’13, the team is poised for an extended stay near the top of the Prep League and CIF ladder. For this amazing achievement, coach Stodgel earned the WSC Coach of the Year award.

Baseball Award Winners

JV BB Awards

MVP: Anthony Jusuf

Most Improved: Tyler Dumont

Baseball All League

2nd Team: Joe Shaver, Wyatt Christiansen, Jordan Veiga

1st Team: Sam Woodward, Nick Gollin, Britton Bentley, Aaron DiGiamarino

League MVP: Aaron DiGiamarino

Perpetual Awards

Paul Reitler Award: for outstanding ability Aaron DiGiamarino

Marcus Fornicelli Award: for excellence in sportsmanship Sam Woodward

Boys’ Track and Field – Prep League Finish: 2nd Place

The boys’ track team had another successful campaign improving on last year’s 3rd place Prep League finish, and with many athletes reaching personal bests. Top performers include Zach Zanft ’12 who was the Prep League Champion in the high jump; and Andy H. Lee ’12 who was the prep League Champion in the triple jump, Prep League Field Events MVP, and set a new school record in the triple jump with a distance of 44’5”. Andy and Zach, along with high jumper Nick Pankratz ’13, all made it to CIF finals.

Boys’ Track Award Winners

Boys’ Track Prep League Individual Champions

High Jump: Zach Zanft

Triple Jump: Andy H. Lee

Perpetual Awards

Jack Wilson Award: for greatest contribution in ability and spirit Andy H. Lee

Ray Alf Fighting Heart Award: characterized by hard work dedication and perseverance Daniel Hernandez and Marcos Lopez

Boys’ Swimming – Prep League Finish: 4th Place

The boys’ swim team was very competitive this year missing out on several league wins by just a few points. Top performers included Austin Talleur ’12, Ari Chalian ’12, and Sam Chen ’12. Austin was the Prep League champion and a CIF qualifier in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 21.88 seconds. Keelan Henn ’15 was the Prep League Champion as a diver. With several top swimmers returning the future looks bright for boys swimming.

Boys’ Swimming Awards

JV Swimming

MVP: Alec Hou

Most Improved: Jonathan Homidan

League Champions

50 Yard Freestyle: Austin Talleur

Perpetual Awards

Coach’s Award: for exemplary commitment and determination: Ari Chalian

Steve Hanley Award: for outstanding ability and leadership: Austin Talleur

Boys’ Golf – Prep League Finish: 3rd Place

The boys’ golf team was the generous beneficiary of an anonymous donation last summer whereby a golf simulator and putting green were installed on campus, allowing the team to practice more often on campus rather than having to constantly travel to local courses. Top players Alec Harbison ’12 and Davis Tsui ’13 made it to the second day of league finals but each just missed out on qualifying for post season play. With many returning players, a promising new incoming class, and great facilities, the program looks to build on its successes next year.

Boys’ Golf Awards

Perpetual Awards

Coach’s Award: for exemplary commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication: Davis Tsui

Most Improved Golfer: Calvin Li

Coed Badminton – San Andreas League Finish: Champion, CIF Finalists

The coed Badminton team continued its run of dominance this year as they secured back-to-back San Andreas League Championships with a second straight undefeated regular season. This year’s team then breezed through the CIF playoffs until they reached top seeded Cerritos in the championship match. The team gave a valiant effort before succumbing to the defending champions. With many top players returning the team is looking forward to another run and all are excited to be hanging a CIF finals banner in the gym this fall.

Coed Badminton Awards

JV Badminton Awards

MVP: Rachel Choi

Most Improved: Max Zhang

Varsity Badminton Event Champions:

Men’s Singles: Terence Tien

Women’s Singles: Connie Zhang

Mixed Doubles: Kevin Pandji and Connie Zhang

Women’s Doubles: Jennie Eosakul and Lisa Pangilinan

Varsity Badminton Perpetual Awards:

MVP: Connie Zhang

Most Improved: Chris Kwon

VWS Athletics

Softball – Prep League Finish: 5th Place

It was a great season for the girls’ softball team under new head coach Thomas O’Dell as the team finished with a 10-10 record and qualified for post season play for the first time since 1995. Pitcher Eryn Halvey ’14 and catcher Tristan Duque ’14 were top performers along with four year letter winner Megan Kilmer ’13. With the core of the team coming back along with several impact freshmen, the future is bright indeed for this talented team.

Girls’ Softball Awards

Girls’ Softball All League

2nd Team: Tristan Duque

1st Team: Eryn Halvey

Perpetual Awards

Alumnae Association given to most inspirational player: Entire Team

Coach’s Award given for outstanding ability: Eryn Halvey and Tristan Duque

Girls’ Swimming – Prep League Finish: 6th Place

The girls’ swim team was small and young this year. A tough combination in the competitive Prep league, but it certainly bodes well for the team’s future. Senior leader Marja Diaz will be missed, but freshmen Maddie Gaumer and Shannon Torrance will be providing a great foundation for the team to build on.

Girls Swimming Awards

JV Swimming

Most Improved: Cindy Rezk

Most Improved: Erika Jaquez and Abby Kingsbury

Varsity Perpetual Awards:

Tim Quinn Award for devoted interest and hard work: Maddie Gaumer and Shannon Torrance

Julie Grabowski Award for inspirational leadership and ability: Marja Diaz

Girls’ Track and Field – Prep League Finish: 2nd Place

The girls’ track team at Webb was once again one of the top programs in the girls’ school. Amara Berry ’12, who will be continuing her track career at Brown next year was a standout performer winning the Prep League Running MVP with league championships in the 100m, 200m, 100m HH, and as the anchor leg of the 4x100 m relay team (other members of the relay team include Miya Wensley ’13, Alicia Zheng ’14, and Nancy Cheng ’12). In addition, Amara broke her own school record in the 200m and finished 4th in CIF in the 200m. Miya Wensley also took home a league championship in the triple jump while setting a school record with a jump of 37’.

Girls’ Track Awards

League Champions

100m: Amara Berry

200m: Amara Berry

100m HH: Amara Berry

4 x 100: Alicia Zheng, Nancy Cheng, Miya Wensley, Amara Berry

Triple Jump: Miya Wensley

Perpetual Awards:

Coach’s Award devoted interest and hard work: Miya Wensley

Alumnae Association Award greatest contribution in ability and spirit: Amara Berry

As you can see it was a great season for Webb athletics. Thank you for your continued support.

GO GAULS!

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