Gymnastics

By Isabella Pilot ’18

After finishing last season 7-0 and winning the county title, the gymnastics team is looking forward to another successful season. Some very talented gymnasts, including All-Met Cassidy Deerin, graduated last year, but with lots of hard work and conditioning, along with the skills new members are bringing to the table, Coach Gary Peters knows they will go far.

The leadership of juniors Ania Pasternak and Toni Williams, National HS Gymnastics Association gymnasts and Washington Post honorable mention All Mets, will be instrumental in the team’s success. Both girls performed incredibly well at the county meet last season; Pasternak placing in several events, including second in Floor Exercise, and Williams placing first in uneven bars and floor exercise, and second in all around and balance beam. Both girls are team captains this season along with senior Brooke Butterfield.

“We must bring out the intensity we showed at the MCPS Championship right away. I believe we will have a strong team and all of the others teams will be trying to knock us off,” said Peters. The teams’ strength will be tested on April 7, when they compete against Blake and Blair in their first tri-meet of the season.

Boys’ Tennis

By Lucy Kuchma ‘18 and Mallory Carlson ‘19

As the spring season approaches, boys’ varsity tennis looks forward to another successful season. With close to 20 boys on the team, the upcoming season looks as though it will be an exciting one as the group of strong players eagerly compete to show off their talents.

Last season the boys won nine of 12 total matches, earning a promotion to Division 2 from Division 3. The team will have to overcome the loss of last season’s No. 1 singles player, senior Ryan Gilroy, who left the team last spring and has not returned to play this year. Senior Chris Nguyen and junior Matt Bent are expecting to compete as Sherwood’s top players.

“The team is stronger this year because many of our returning players have improved, and there are plenty of new players,” said Nguyen.

The team will need that level of improvement as the stakes are higher for each match, because there is the added pressure to achieve results to stay in Division 2 rather than Division 3 for next year. The Warriors will play matches against county competition at all three levels, including matches against such traditional powerhouses as Churchill, Walter Johnson, and B-CC.

The tennis team will be coached by Tom Maley, who is eager to lead the boys to victory. Maley has been using various techniques to get a feel for the new and returning talent his team possesses and prepare them for the quickly approaching opening match against Churchill on March 21. He utilizes fitness in his practices to ensure that his players are at the top of their game, and keeps the boys in line with witty barbs that highlight the sense of comradery between coach and players.

Track & Field

By Lexi Matthews ’18

Running shoes were laced, layers thrown on and stretches performed as the outdoor track and field season began March 1. Despite the graduation of several top-performing competitors, senior jumper Alyssa Moran, senior long-distance runner Amanda Hayes-Puttfarcken and senior thrower Rachel Goldberg return as key leaders for the girls as well as junior jumper Renaldo Smith, senior hurdler Paul Lee, senior thrower Osa Ikheloa, and senior sprinter DeVonte Doward return for the boys.

Despite some disappointment in the number of qualifiers for States last season, the team is encouraging each other to grow from within and across event lines to yield more consistently high results this year. Competitors are working hard to improve as individuals and as a whole in preparation for their first meet against Paint Branch on March 22.

“Paint Branch is in a rebuilding year. That said, both their girls and boys teams are strong. The meet should be interesting, and could come down to how well we do in field events, where we may have some surprises, and the 4×1 and 4×4 relays,” said Coach Dan Reeks.

And bring a fierce competition they will, as the Warriors have many underclassmen runners able to hold their own too, especially on the girls’ side. The team also welcomes several top-flight football players this spring, including Travis Levy and Everett Stubblefield, training as hopeful competitors in various events.

Reeks encourages students to come out and support the Warriors at Paint Branch and at the first home meet against Springbrook and Blake on April 19.

Boys’ Volleyball

By John Sutherland ’16

Last year, boys’ volleyball’s season could not have been more perfect. They were 12-0 in the regular season and beat BCC three sets to one in the county championship. Last year’s team may have cruised to the top, but this year’s team has no interest in resting on past glory. The team will not be satisfied with anything short of a second consecutive county championship.

With six seniors gone from last year’s team, new players, such as senior Jack Ratino, are going to have to step up. “There [are] definitely high expectations coming into the year. Each day we have to focus on getting better individually and as a team,” said Ratino. “But there’s no forgetting about the success the team had last year. We want to make sure we continue that success.”

Another big change is star senior James Moyer switching from libero to outside hitter. After being an all-county honorable mention last year as a libero, he will hope to have the same kind of success at his new position. Much of the team’s dream of repeating will rest on Moyer’s shoulders.\

Co-ed Volleyball

By Katherine Sperduto ’19

Bump! Set! Spike! Co-ed volleyball is getting ready for another successful season as one of the consistently top teams in Montgomery County.

“We have an extremely experienced and talented group of girls this year. The guys don’t have quite as much experience but have the athleticism. We look at that as a plus; the girls can teach them how to use their talents on the court,” said Timothy Gilchrist, the new co-ed volleyball coach starting this season.

The top projected girls for this year’s team consist of seniors Ariella Rodriguez, Kendall Kahn, Alex Greenbaum and Hannah Brown. Varsity basketball players, senior Tyrese Williams and sophomore Kamari Williams will provide the team with height and athleticism. Gilchrist also coaches varsity basketball.

“From all players we are looking for good work ethic, grit and the will to win. Those qualities are not teachable,”said Gilchrist. “Ball handling and court play are what we coach and teach, but the will to win and learn is the real key to any successful team.”

 

Boys’ Lacrosse

 

By Elizabeth Kronlage ‘18 and John Sutherland ‘16

When boys’ lacrosse marches onto the field this spring, they are going to look a whole lot different than last year. The team lost a number of seniors from last year, including All-American Chris Chiogioji. All-County defender Leo Hanrahan has transferred to Bullis.

With so much change in the roster, the team will need to rely on senior Justin Rose to anchor the defense. Rose brings much needed experience, and Coach Chip Steel even believes he may have played in more games than any other player in Sherwood history by the time he graduates.

There is plenty of talent left on this roster despite all of the changes. Senior Nick Dunwoody will provide plenty of scoring in the attack. Seniors Tommy Cuviello, Kennen Harman, Matt Leifer, and Alex Everett will lead the midfield. All-County junior Matt Popeck, who committed to play Division I lacrosse at St. Joesph’s University, will bring versatility through his ability to play both offense and defense. Juniors Clinton Bissell and Dimitri Guynn will have to compete for the starting goalie position before the season.

The team hopes to build on last year’s success of going 11-5 and reaching the regional final before losing to Howard. Coach Steel expects to have a good season this year as well. “We expect to be very competitive as always. Although we are relatively young, with only a few experienced players returning, we should have a very successful season.”

Girls’ Lacrosse

By Lizi Thach ’18

 

 

Expectations are soaring for the girls’ lacrosse team, returning with the starting lineup from last season still intact. The team reached the regional finals last season, losing to Howard 16-14.

Senior Team Captain Kristin Russell has seen improvements in the team led by herself and seniors Taylor Andrews, Connor Ganey, Delaney McMenamin, and Danielle Rohrman. “I believe that our team has gotten stronger so I expect for us to go further than last year,” said Russell. “We have a [high] chance of winning the regionals and making it to the state tournament.”

Coach Kelly Hughes said the girls’ experience allows the team to run quick offenses while knowing when to change the pace of the game. “Our style tends to be a mix of speed and patience,” said Hughes. “We like to play a smart game and match our opponents strategically. We will slow the game down against some teams and run the ball against others.”

Hughes believes the team should hone their defensive skills, requiring lots of team effort and strong fitness. Russell also stated that Rohrman will become a midfielder who will benefit the team’s transitions to re-defending.

The team’s ambition is evident as their first game of the season will be home on March 21 against Southern High School, one of the state semifinalists from last year. Russell explained that maintaining possession and having early leads against other top teams will be a key factor for this season.

 

Baseball

 

By Nick Comeau ’17

Last spring, the baseball team season came up short in a loss in the regional semi-final to divisional rival Paint Branch. The team returns with a younger but experienced group of players, who are expected to continue the success of a team that consistently has been one of the strongest in Montgomery County.

“We do have a lot of returning players with game experience. The guys have put in a lot of time and hard work in the off-season. The expectations are very high this year. This is a very deep and talented group,” said Coach Sean Davis.

Davis said it is too early to tell who will be the team’s impact players but candidates include senior outfielder Matt Ervin and senior third baseman and York University commit Bailey Doan, who have both been on varsity since their sophomore years. Junior pitcher Brendan Collins has been on varsity since his freshman year and is expected to be the team’s ace this season. These players are the only remaining members of the state runner up team two seasons ago.

This team will have it tough right off the bat when they play Quince Orchard, a team Davis expects to be one of the stronger opponents this season. Another challenging opponent for the squad on the schedule is defending 4A state champion Gaithersburg. However, Davis is confident that he has the players who can compete against the best teams in the state. “This is a very well rounded team. We do everything well. If we play our game, we will be tough to beat.”

 

Softball

 

By Natalie Murray ’18

Last spring, the softball team ended their undefeated season with a 4-0 win over Northwest in the state championships for their fourth consecutive 4A state title and 83rd straight victory.

Coach Ashley Barber-Strunk credits the team’s success over the past four years to the hard work and determination of the players. Although the team lost two starters, Julie Swarr (second baseman) and Nicole Stockinger (shortstop), when they graduated last year, current seniors such as Marisa Mancini (outfielder), Kelly Bouma (first baseman), and McKenzie Bina (third baseman), who have all been on varsity for the past four years, will likely be very valuable to the team. In addition, the team returns senior pitcher Jaime Schmier, who will play a large factor in the team’s success in the upcoming season.

Although Coach Barber-Strunk is confident in her team’s abilities–the team is not ranked first in their class (4A) for nothing–she does expect tough competition from Blair, Northwest, and Howard County’s Leonardtown. Also, with strong freshmen coming in all over the county, she doesn’t count any team out and says that anything can happen.

Although the players want to continue the victory streak started by the team four years ago, they don’t intend to win games strictly for the purpose of building onto their state record. “Our goal is to do our best and always get better, both individually and as a team,” said Barber-Strunk. “I want to instill great values both in softball and in life.”