The Lions are Back!

by COCO XIA ‘24

After a long year of hybrid learning due to the pandemic, the St. Mark’s community finally started operating fully in-person with everybody back on campus. As our first month of school passed in the blink of an eye, St. Mark’s students have developed widely different feelings and opinions of being back to school. Sitting in the classrooms again, some students felt at home again after a long journey to somewhere else. They looked forward to the sports seasons and the arrival of so many new people and friendships. However, some students are overwhelmed by the significantly larger workload, with “exhausting” and “disconnected” being some of the common words they use to describe the start of the year.

Jacob Cifuentes, a returning fourth former, said he is “really happy to see everyone again and make so many new friends.” Jacob is excited to see all his friends from last year after the summer as they study together in the library and share jokes again. He also brightens up as he finally meets many of his classmates who have been fully remote last year. As new third formers join the community with happiness and nervousness weaved together, Jacob also introduces the campus and builds friendships with many new students. 

With the start of the fall sports season, student athletes can finally practice with their best friends on their teams again. Games with other schools have also restarted, enabling students to challenge themselves and become better athletes. Judy Xie, a fifth form student athlete, expresses her excitement of finally being able to practice with her team in-person again, which makes her life feel much more “normal and refreshing” as sports has been “a huge part of her life and an important factor of shaping who she is.” Team reunions have enabled athletes to train more frequently, re-establish friendships, and rediscover who they are. 

Thirds soccer game on Sep. 29 with Pomfret school.
Photo Credit: Coco Xia ‘24

However, students who spent their past year entirely remote still need to adjust to the new learning environment. Charlene Murima, a returning fifth former, said that “it is normally never hard to know people around the school because the community is small, but now it’s just so hard to know who is who because all of us have never really met each other before” in the past year. Indeed, remote learning has over-simplified each of us to a tiny box on the Zoom screen. Without genuinely interacting with each other, it is hard to recognize people in the hallway after a full year of separation. At the same time of reconnecting with old friends from two years ago, Charlene also needs to build relationships with the many new faces joining our community, and an enormous amount of interaction makes her feel lost and disconnected during the first weeks of school. Jimmy Liu, a returning fourth former, also said he is “confused about the schedule and has experienced trouble getting to [his] classes.” The challenge of the in-person environment is huge for students who were remote last year, for they need a period to slowly reacquaint themselves with the campus, adjust to the flood of new people and find their comfortable place in the community. 

I am more than surprised at how quickly one month has passed since the beginning of school, and I feel fortunate that I get to hear students’ varying opinions towards their school life. The entirely in-person environment has brought laughter and cheer as the sports season has begun and as we make new friends and build new relationships with people in our great community. The process of adapting to the everyday St. Mark’s school life seems more challenging for students who studied remotely last year as they feel more pressured by the heavier workload and increased commitments. I believe that during the period of adjustment, the St. Mark’s community will continue to be resilient and inclusive, always providing our lions with the support they need. 

ISL Opening

By Judy Xie ‘23

On Saturday, April 17th, a new buzz of excitement filled the air as the first St. Mark’s game day finally commenced after a year without interscholastic competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Although certain restrictions, such as limited spectator capacity are still in place, the school community has been grateful for any semblance of an ISL season. 

Life under the looming presence of the virus comes with sacrifices and challenges, which the St. Mark’s athletics program certainly knows about. It has been a collective effort from our athletic directors, coaches, trainers, nurses, and athletes to pull off a spring season this year. 

Ashley Maddock, one of our head athletic trainers who has worked closely with the nurses and health and safety officials this year to keep our community protected from COVID, shared some of the policies that have been implemented regarding the virus. This spring, all faculty, staff, and students have been tested twice a week to maximize our ability to isolate positive cases. In addition, athletes participating in interscholastic competitions must have a negative test result that dates no more than 72 hours before their sporting event. Ms. Maddock also discussed the diligence of following mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines. She explains, “Masks and social distancing have been the requirement all year. This spring, we continued to maintain those standards, even outside with sports. We know there are instances where a mask slips while playing, but for the most part our students did well with readjusting and keeping their masks in place”. It’s been a journey adjusting to new health precautions, but we’ve managed quite nicely here at St. Mark’s. 

Another member of our community whom we owe a great deal to in putting together the spring sports season is John Levandowski, our Director of Athletics. He has had a positive outlook on this season, which I am certain has been conducive to the hard work and perseverance of our athletic program. Mr. Levandowski kindly shared his thoughts with me on how this unique year has given a different set of metrics to define and measure each of our athletic experiences. He has observed that “athletes demonstrated the very same level of morale, spirit and devotion to their team as they have in past seasons. They enjoyed competing in a practice setting and kept their eye on the prize which was simply to get better every day. In many ways, this past year was the most impressive one that I have witnessed as a Director of Athletics. Each afternoon our students’ love of sports was on full display. They bonded as a team, enjoyed their interactions and relationships, and reaped the many rewards associated with athletic participation.” Mr. Levandowski also made a point to give a special commendation and thank you to our talented staff of coaches that have helped to make this spring an exciting and vibrant athletic experience. 

I had the wonderful opportunity of attending both the Varsity Softball and Boy’s Varsity Lacrosse home games against Lawrence Academy and Groton School, respectively that opened the ISL season for St. Mark’s. It was a thrilling experience and reminded me of how much I missed the game-day atmosphere. The roaring cheer that erupted from the sidelines of the turf after the boys pulled off an epic comeback win in overtime against our longtime rivals truly embodies the beauty of the St. Mark’s community. Softball was also able to clinch a victory as they came back from a 2-5 deficit to send Lawrence back home in despair. 

In addition to being a spectator at numerous home games, I am also a member of the Girl’s Varsity Rowing team. We faced challenges with capacity limits at our boathouse and seating regulations on the buses, but we found a way to adjust.  Our practices were fun and rewarding, and not only prepared us for our three races against other ISL schools but also brought us closer as individual boats and as a team.  Racing added immense excitement to our season that helped boost morale as well. The unique circumstances surrounding this season certainly made it a memorable one.  

The decision to hold an ISL season and have St. Mark’s participate in it was carefully deliberated. It has come with its own set of unique challenges and has brought upon new experiences for all of us. We have all lost a great deal to the pandemic, but it has also taught gratefulness and appreciation for parts of our lives we may have taken for granted. Where interscholastic athletic competitions would have been a given in previous years, it has now become a blessing. Everyone has adapted to make the best of the situation and I think I can speak for much of the school community when I say that I am ecstatic that nearly “normal” spring sports are now a reality. 

Boys Lacrosse 2021, St. Mark’s vs Groton

Sound mind in a Sound body

Yoonjeong Yang’24

Regardless of their origin, boundaries inevitably lead to separation from one’s surrounding world. This term has become even more relevant today, as society deals with the Covid-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time of quarantines and social distancing, boundaries have become mental coping mechanisms that we use to try to shield ourselves. However, these mental boundaries come at a cost. The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that when we erect these mental boundaries, the side effect is that we also imprison ourselves in anxiety. Marked by COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and vaccinations, the fight against COVID-19 has been largely about the virus itself, but what about mental health? The issues of depression and anxiety, as they relate to the pandemic, have been largely neglected because the focus has been on dealing with and eradicating the virus itself. During these pressing times, taking care of our mental health is crucial, and one way to do this is through physical activity, which remains critical for our overall well-being. To provide students with dynamic training experiences during remote periods, the Athletic Department has launched winter athletic options through a program called PLT4M (“Platform”). 

Established in 2012, PLT4M is an educational fitness platform that manages physical education curricula and athletic development programs. Since December 1st of last year, students that signed up for a wellness class and a sub-varsity sport for winter have been participating three different workouts and taking weekly fitness challenges using PLT4M’s instructional videos and programs. The platform tracks both training data and progress, bolstering student engagement even through remote learning. Featuring specialized exercises that are sport-specific, the program allows students to actively participate and improve. This virtual fitness program has resumed after the holidays, and remote students can utilize the platform for the rest of the year. While in-person sports are scheduled to begin as soon as school starts, anyone interested in following an additional program on PLT4M is welcome to continue using the program in addition to the actual training they will do at school. 

During remote periods, PLT4M has allowed us to stay active, keeping us both physically and mentally fit, as well as getting us ready for in-person winter sports. More importantly, during these uncertain times, the platform has allowed the students to take a break from their hectic schedules and avoid being inundated by feelings of loneliness, apprehension, and frustration. At a time when we can easily fall victim to anxiety, PLT4M has helped to keep us physically and mentally healthy. 

Fall Athletics Persevere

By Elise Gobron ‘21

Sports are an integral part of the St. Mark’s experience. We form tight bonds and meet our closest friends during practices. We work together and support one another during every game. Sports are essential in forming the close-knit community that makes St. Mark’s feel like home. But, St. Mark’s is determined to continue with sports to the best of their ability given the unfortunate circumstance. Fall sports are thankfully able to practice this season, however, these practices look a little different than previous seasons. The Athletics Department has implemented social distancing rules and mask requirements in order to keep students safe and healthy. Students can be seen in their masks at practice every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, while Wednesday practices are reserved for Spring teams to make up for their canceled 2020 season. 

Varsity Girls Soccer captain, Brook Farrel ‘21, had nothing but gratitude for the continuation of the fall 2020 season. When asked about the fall season Brooke said “[she’s] just really happy and grateful that we are actually able to practice together and still have that team atmosphere.” As a Senior, she’s saddened by the fact that her last year on SMJVS will not include some of her best memories such as the team’s victorious games against other ISL teams or bonding over team dinners. However, Brooke is glad that she and her team can still play together during this unsettling time and have a nice break from the craziness that the school day brings. 

Varsity Boys Soccer Captain, Tommy Flathers 21’, also shares a similar view. To adjust to the new COVID-19 safe rules, Tommy and his team are taking this time to focus on skills and physical fitness in place of games and scrimmages. The team’s determination to keep up their lively and fun atmosphere is admirable. Tommy said that he and his team are “trying to find ways to make it fun and enjoyable for everybody.”

Just as the fall athletic teams are experiencing major differences in their sports seasons, the Athletics Department must also undergo adjustments in order to safely meet the needs of these student-athletes. Coaches have been consistent in wearing their masks and following protocol, setting a good example for student-athletes and others on campus. 

Head Athletic Trainer, Ashley Maddock, has also been adjusting to the new athletic training guidelines. With an emphasis on maintaining social distancing rules, athletic trainers must focus on asking more questions in order to better help student-athletes. Just as Ms. Maddock says, “The more [they] can figure out from questions versus physical contact, the better!” In addition to this new athletic training approach, the Athletic Training Room has been moved outside. This way, athletic trainers can more safely handle a larger capacity of athletes.

Going around to watch all of the fall sports on Saturdays has always been one of my favorite St. Mark’s activities so not being able to have games is definitely a bit sad for me. Between the grand celebration of Groton night and cheering our talented athletes on as they play, athletics is a big part of the fall season that I, among many others, am missing. However, I admire St. Mark’s dedication to maintaining fall athletics as safely as possible. While it is still uncertain what COVID-19 will bring about for the winter and spring sports seasons this year, I know that St. Mark’s will continue to be resilient in preserving our athletic opportunities that help bring the entire community together.     

Coping with the Pandemic as an Athlete

By Judy Xie ‘23

When Covid-19 effectively snaked its highly contagious self into every corner of the world, panic and fear festered in the hearts of many. By March, most of the population was homebound, following government-mandated quarantine procedures. With the closing of schools and athletic facilities, as well as the suspension of competition in sporting leagues, athletes and sports fans everywhere had their hopes for a spring season crushed. Here at St. Mark’s, many of us held onto hope that we would make a return to school by May or early June, but that quickly fell out of the realm of possibility as the seemingly unending pandemic raged on all through spring and into summer. As we approached the beginning of the 2020-2021, school year, the probability of a fall athletic season came into question.

In the end, it was determined that in-person athletics would begin on September 28th with the return to campus. However, many restrictions were put into place to promote safety in the midst of the pandemic. Interscholastic competition was suspended, and practices had to be conducted socially distanced and while wearing masks. 

For many athletes, sports are a needed reprieval from the chaos of daily life. To me, sports have always been a constant in my life, even when I dealt with stress and pressures. Having a steady routine of practices and games or meets grounded me.  Coping with the  

uncertainty that has surrounded these past few months and the sudden changes to my schedule has been really tough and I know that many others are in a similar boat. Personally, I experienced a lot of self-doubt, lack of motivation, and frustration throughout the quarantine. It’s been a difficult process, but I’ve worked really hard to find ways to healthily deal with these unprecedented times and the negative impact that it has had on my mental health. If you’ve also found yourself struggling mentally or feeling frustrated with yourslf, then I think that these tips could benefit you greatly. 

1. Forgive yourself.

Remember that it’s ok not to be perfect. It’s ok if your skills are rusty or you had a rough practice, skipped a workout, aren’t as physically fit as you used to be. It’s important to be able to forgive yourself and work on making changes so that you can do better in the future. 

1. Develop a routine.

I’ve found that having a fairly consistent routine improves my productivity and motivation tremendously. Even something as small as just eating breakfast everyday at a certain time can go a long way.

1. Find the positives.

It can be really easy to get caught up in a negative mindset. Trying to see the positive aspects of situations is very beneficial for your mental health. Another method is to find little things in life that bring you joy or you are greatful for.

1. Set smaller goals.

I have found that I have a tendency to set ambitious goals- which can be great at times, but can also be overwhelming. Setting smaller, more easily and quickly attainable goals has helped me to stay motivated because I see progress faster.

1. Stay present.

I often find myself dwelling on the past or worrying too much about the future. This be stressful and frustrating, which is why I like to remind myself to be present in the moment. Think about who you are in the present and what you can do in the now to reach your goals. 

1. Take it easy.

If you’re like me, you may put a lot of unnecessary pressure on yourself. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to be perfect all of the time. Always take breaks and rest if you feel that you need it. 

1. Focus on yourself.

Comparison is deadly. Especially in a competitive athletic environment, it’s easy to begin comparing yourself to others. However, other people aren’t going to be at the same place as you and it can lead to feeling down on yourself.

Hot Topics Through a Cold Season

By Julie He 23’

As semester two began after a restful break—the Thanksgiving Holiday— St. Mark’s kicked off its winter sports season. In a stressful and moody quarter, winter activities are a great solution to cure those winter blues. Sports allow us to unwind from a stressful day of school and just focus on a fun sport for a few hours. Studies show that playing sports can help with your mood, concentration, and sleep. It also reduces stress and depression. In the winter, there are a variety of sports to choose from such as basketball, ice hockey, and squash just to name a few. We also offer non-team sports such as fitness, yearbook, or robotics. Three unique options here at St. Mark’s are ice hockey, squash, and theatre. They are very different from each other but are nonetheless fun. They all require teamwork, persistence, and efforts. 

One of our most popular winter sports is ice hockey. Unlike many sports, the game is played on a slippery sheet of ice with skates, making it even more difficult to stand. Each hockey game is two hours where five players try to shoot a puck using sticks into a goal. All the members on the teams are close to each other and they would always cheer for one another. One team, in particular, exemplifies this team spirit is the girls' varsity hockey team. The 18-girl team is very supportive of one another and regularly has team breakfasts and dinners. Everyone works extremely hard and has achieved noticeable results through the seven games they have won. Their biggest victory was the 5-0 game against Middlesex. When asked about the team, Molly Lefebvre 23’ says it is “everybody on the team is very supportive and fun to be around.” Hockey is a team sport and depends on lots of joined efforts. St. Mark’s students help make this team shine through championships with their determination, compassion, and tenacity.

Another popular sport is squash—about 80 students participating. Squash is an indoor sport played using a racquet and a small rubber ball. To play a squash match, two players are put in a box room and hit the ball back and forth until one player is unable to return the shot. One of our squash teams, the varsity girls squash team, has already faced off against numerable teams this season. Currently, they have a record of 6-4. Beining(Cathy) Zhou 21’, a varsity player for girls squash, enjoys the sport very much. With members old and new, she feels the team is like a big family to her. Even though squash is an individual sport, her teammates are a huge part of her sport. Her teammates are always there to give her advice and encouragement. She believes that “without them, [she] couldn’t have kept [herself] together during those tough matches.” Her only concern about the sport, however, was that St. Mark’s could only accommodate six courts. Nonetheless, it is still plenty to play on. Cathy plans on continuing squash and would recommend it 10/10. The girls' varsity squash team has upcoming home games on February 7th, 8th, 14th, and 19th. Visitors are always welcome to go watch in the area above the squash courts!

Another interesting option for afternoon activity is the winter play. This year, the winter play is “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot”. It is a thrilling dark comedy by Stephen Adly Guirgis, which is about Judas Iscariot who is tried in court. The story is told through flashbacks of witness’ testimonies. Leading by Mr. Kent, the theatre crew meets every week from Monday to Friday. They work hard to prepare and bring the community of St Marks a fascinating tale. For the actors, the rehearsals are fun and give students a chance to pursue their passion. However, some actors do not enjoy the waiting time off stage when they are not needed. At this time, people can work together and help each other run their lines while waiting. The actors have been preparing for a long time and are excited to show everyone what they have achieved on February 27th, 28th, and 29th in the Black Box.

Overall, all the winter activities are adding colors to students' lives at St. Mark’s. The players on every team are working hard to improve their skills while having fun. Sports are about having a sense of membership and community: it unwinds everyone after a day of school and also get closer to the people in the community. Most importantly, winter activities are about having fun and enjoying what you do! From all the interviews gathered, most students are very satisfied with their choices and are enjoying their winter experience. As winter soon comes to an end, we hope everyone enjoys their winter sports and the article above will encourage other students to go and watch the games/performances!

A New Sport: Taekwondo

—ANNI ZHANG ‘21

Taekwondo is the new addition to the fall sports in St. Mark’s. It is a Korean martial art that emphasizes the techniques of head-high and spinning kicks. The group is led by Mr. Brady Loomer, who is very experienced in the field. More specifically, the students are learning Moodukkwan, a particular branch of Taekwondo that requires great agility and speed. Although Taekwondo is an Olympic sport, its main purpose is as an art of self-defense.

With Mr. Brady Loomer as the coach, the team has received a lot of positive feedback in just the two short weeks of training time. Sixth former Ji Woo Kang said that “I have never been exposed to Taekwondo before, even though I am Korean and the sport is a Korean sport. However, it is really fascinating to learn the techniques here in the US and in English.” Ji is not the only St. Marker who enjoys taekwondo. Cathy Zhou of the fifth form also stated that Mr. Loomer's passion for the sport is so inspiring that she could even sense his happiness every time the team finishes a routine. The group works on a daily basis to improve the accuracy and speed of high kicks while developing their skills in self-protection from the opponent’s strikes. Since Taekwondo emphasizes the importance of breathing and self-reflection, Mr. Brady often motivates the group by having them perform a routine in unison without vocalized guidance. This task not only drives the students to focus on their techniques but it also directs synchronized collaboration among the group.

Taekwondo is a very fulfilling sport with a handful of benefits. Since it is a physically demanding sport, people who do taekwondo become stronger, faster, and more agile. In addition to these external advantages, Taekwondo can better one’s self-esteem, discipline, ability to concentrate, and leadership skills due to the belief of the theory of power and breathing. With all of these advancements that Taekwondo offers, it should be a much more prevalent sport. Thank you, Mr. Loomer for bringing such a wonderful opportunity here to campus!

College Athlete Celebration

—Luke Lee ‘20

Although academics take priority for students, athletics are also an important aspect of a St. Mark’s experience. The school has a long tradition of celebrating outstanding athletes, with one of the oldest inductees to the Hall of Fame from the Class of 1885. It is important to honor St. Markers who have made great athletic achievements since sports help students develop a sharper mind and a healthier body. Additionally, positive results in sports’ games bring a lot of joy to the community. There is always a great deal of excitement when teams are doing well.

On Monday May 20th, the College Athletes Celebration was held in the Center, about two weeks away from the Cum Laude Ceremony. Twenty-three members of the Class of 2019 will be playing at the collegiate level next year. These student-athletes represent almost every sport that is offered in St. Marks, with the exception of Tennis, Softball, Golf, and Crew. The fact that the seniors are playing a wide range of sports instead of a few sports in college demonstrates the competitiveness of SM Athletics all around.

In Baseball, we have Ethan Student, who will play for Rochester Institute of Technology and Gunnar Vachris, who will play for Rhodes College. Grant Gattuso and Rwick Sarkar will both run Cross Country for Williams College. Faith Jennings will play Field Hockey for Bowdoin College and Lindsay Strong will play for Wellesley College. We have five athletes who will play Football in college. Alex Batista will play for Muhlenberg College, Patrick Dei will play for Colby College, Tyler (Ty) Gonsalves will also play for Colby, C.J. Schumaker will play for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Ben Winters will play for Franklin & Marshall College.

For Ice Hockey, arguably the most beloved sport in St. Mark’s, we have Alex Cardonick playing for Williams and Julianna Gong playing for Hobart and William Smith College. In Lacrosse Boyd Hall will play for Quinnipiac University, and Bailey Horne will play for University of North Carolina. For Soccer, we have Zoe Maddox, who will play for Holy Cross, Teressa Meyer, who will play for Franklin & Marshall College, Keerie Verbeek, who will play for Colby, and Luca Vicinelli who will play for Denison University. We have two athletes playing two sports, Soccer and Lacrosse. Caroline Dawson will play for Hamilton College and Shelby Howard will play for Bates College. Last but not least, Edwardo Perez will play squash in Bowdoin College and Kareem Chambers will join the wrestling program at Johns Hopkins University.

Wish the best of luck to all of the athletes heading to different colleges next year! And thanks to every one of them for their contributions to our school’s athletic program.

Varsity Girls Tennis Undefeated Season

—Anni Zhang ’21

Girls’ Varsity Tennis team ended their season with an amazing record of 12-2. They are tied with Groton at second place in the ISL. Coach Behnke, Coach Caitlyn, and the girls all worked very hard throughout the season. Their efforts were rewarded with this successful outcome. The roster includes the senior captains Reevie Fenstermacher ‘19 and Rosanna Zhao ‘19, as well as players Tate Frederick ‘21, Leila Frederick ‘21, Anni Zhang ‘21, Emma Simon ‘21, Frances Hornbostel ‘21, Ryley Holmes ‘21, and Lowell Fenstermacher ‘22.

Although tennis is a racquet sport, the St. Mark’s Girls tennis team truly demonstrated their collaborative efforts as every player prioritized the team’s success over individual accomplishments. There were always cheers and words of encouragement exchanged between teammates around the courts, and the positive energy never died out even in difficult conditions such as harsh weather or long bus-rides. The team’s top player, Leila Frederick ’21, commented that every players’ mental toughness was the key to such a successful season. The valuable and lasting team-spirit demonstrated by these tennis players were elements that contributed significantly to their wins as well.

There were many highlights throughout the season, but the most noteworthy match was no-doubt the girls’ win against Milton Academy. This was the first time that St. Mark’s has ever beaten Milton in  history. Although the girls won with the score of 10-5, it was definitely one of the most competitive matches all season. Coach Behnke remarked that it was “truly one of my most memorable moments as a coach at St. Mark's.”  With numbers three, four, and five singles winning both of their sets, St. Mark’s needed just one more point to win the match. At this point number six singles, number two and number three doubles were also able to take their sets thus securing the win for St. Mark’s.

Other highlights include the team’s wins against Thayer Academy and Groton Academy, two additional historical wins since St. Mark’s has not beaten these teams in at least 14 years.

In addition to their amazing record, the team’s dynamic this year has also been well-balanced with different types of players and personalities. Captain Reevie Fenstermacher ‘19 said, “the team chemistry was the best I have seen in three years.” The players bonded not only on the courts but also over team dinners in the the dining hall as the team gathers around a shared table almost every night during the season. These fun times are what made girls varsity tennis such a special team this year!

Athletics in Autumn

By Blake Gattuso ‘20

The fall sports season is in full swing, highlighted by nine out of thirteen teams with a winning percentage at or above .500.

Girls’ Varsity Soccer

Record (7-3)

Girls’ Varsity Soccer is off to a hot start, per usual. The perennial dominance can be attributed to an outstanding class of 2019, which includes eight returners. Even in the absence of Coach Ames and the loss of seven VI Formers the team performs at a high level. Coach Backon and the underclass players have stepped up to fill the void and then some. Captain Ainsley Dubose ‘19 says, “People were kind of nervous coming into the season but I think, so far, all the new players… have really adapted well to our team.” The team boasts a 4-2 ISL record, with big wins against Lawrence Academy (3-1) and Brooks (2-0).

Girls’ JV Soccer

Record (4-0)

The Girls’ JV Soccer team, a reliable feeder to the varsity squad, has set the tone for another successful season. Despite having three straight games canceled (!), they have managed to stay on track, most recently with a 2-1 win against St. George’s. Coaches Ms. Behan and Ms. Barila have another solid team on their hands for 2018.

Boys’ Varsity Soccer

Record (1-5-1)

Despite a slow start, things seem to be catching for the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team. After a couple close losses, the team came together and fought out a 2-0 victory. The team had been feeling the loss of ISL Offensive Player of the Year Matt Leigh ‘18, but V Form Captain Nate King ‘20 says, “we are just starting to figure out [how to overcome the loss], and we are starting to get a lot more shots on goal by playing Luca Vicinelli ‘19 up top.” Coach Cieufuentes and company look to keep rolling against Milton Academy on Wednesday (10/17).

Boys’ JV Soccer

Record (1-3)

Coach Loomer has another talented squad full of VI Formers on his hands this year. VI Former Goalkeeper Nick Bechard ‘19 has kept the games within striking distance, while all others have contributed. The team lost seven players to the Varsity team this year, yet managed to field another solid squad this year. They are coming hot off a 3-1 victory at St. George’s and look to do some damage at Milton on Wednesday.

Boys’ Thirds Soccer

Record (4-0)

The story of the Thirds Boys’ season has been a successful one, led by Aussie sensations Hamish Dickins, Jim Billingham, and Callum Byk. The team also features standout defense from returners Brett Harmon ‘21 and Norbie Vazquez ‘21. The future looks bright for these young stars, with an undefeated record heading into the stretch.

Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey

Record (6-3-1)

Coach Finnerty ‘11 and Co. have secured another successful season, displaying a 6-3-1 record. The season is highlighted by wins against BB&N and Middlesex, along with non-ISL foes Loomis Chaffee and Williston. With a plethora of underformers, the team is set up well for the rest of the season – and the long-term.

Girls’ JV Field Hockey

Record (5-1)

An unstoppable combination of defense and goalkeeping has been key in the season for the JV Girls. A total of three goals have been scored against them, compared to fifteen that they have scored. A promising core has the ability to contribute to the varsity team in the years to come. Much of their success can be attributed to the coaching of former varsity head coach Ms. Warner. They face Milton on Wednesday and look to keep the opponents score to tack on another win.

Girls’ Thirds Field Hockey

Record (1-2)

Ms. Caron’s veteran coaching experience, no matter the sport, has helped another team. The newly-created thirds field hockey team has allowed the field hockey program to expand. The team has competed against ISL opponents Tabor and Brooks and Southborough opponent Fay.

Varsity Football

(Record 0-4)

Varsity Football is coming off a tough loss to ISL powerhouse Lawrence Academy, but their play has been improving. Despite a slow start, VI Form Quarterback and Captain CJ Schumaker ‘19 says that he is proud of the team because they have lost five two-way starters to injury and the adversity they have faced has been tough, yet the guys are always “ready to step up and fill in.” The team is hoping to capture a win this Saturday against St. George’s.

Boys’ Varsity Cross-Country

(Record 9-2)

Another year, another dominant Coach Lyons led team. They have an ISL frontrunner in Grant Gattuso ‘19 who is backed by a young core, including III Former Joshua Bergers and IV Former Nolan Willoughby, that has run them to a 9-2 record. Highlighted by a sweep down at Tabor versus Milton (16-46), Nobles (21-36), and the host (25-32), they are once again a top ISL team. Personal bests were all across the board in the win. The team has ISL Championship dreams again, but they will need to run their best in the upcoming races as well. They run at home on Saturday.

Boys’ JV Cross-Country

(Record 11-0)

In the middle of an impeccable 11-0 season, part of a 49-0 regular season win streak, the Lions JV Boys’ team is at it again. Tearing through teams left and right, with times comparing to many varsity teams, the depth of the team has again been utilized. Young and old, the team is a perfect blend that makes it so successful. III Former Nick Sparrow has become a valuable asset while VI Formers Luc Coté, Kareem Chambers, and David Ragone lead. The team faces off against BB&N at home this weekend.

Girls’ Varsity Cross-Country

(Record 4-4)

A team defined by its three front-running underformers, the team has been extremely successful. Natalie Zaterka ‘22 has assumed the frontrunning role for the varsity team behind the leadership of Co-captain Kate Normandin ‘19 among others. She says that their success can be attributed to “the morale and that all the freshmen that are so into cross-country and they are dedicated to the team.” Boasting the 4-4 record, they look to finish strong before ISL Championships in November.

Girls’ JV Cross-Country

(Record 0-4)

Facing tough opponents the JV Girls are running their best this season. Co-captain Rosanna Zhao ‘19 has offered her cross-country experience to help guide the girls to improvement. Ms. Bryant is sure to be appreciative of the hard work the girls are putting in, so they can contribute down the stretch. The girls face BB&N at home on Saturday.

Groton Shirt Design

By Filip Kierzenka ‘19

The 2018-2019 Groton Day T-Shirt design has been announced. This year’s design, drawn by sixth- former Nathan Laudani, features a regal lion resting upon an ornate chair with the raccoon coat, beneath a zebra head. Groton Day dates back 129 years and the Groton Day t-shirts have become a modern staple of this event. The shirts are our school’s “jersey” as they distinguish St. Markers during the Groton games. This year’s games are sure to be full of friendly but fierce competition, and the lions are certain to win “Best Dressed.” Go St. Mark’s!

The Pride is Proud: Athletic Performance takes center stage

by Filip Kierzenka ‘19

St. Mark’s School, founded in 1865, prides itself on being one of the oldest  boarding schools in the country. While being a school with a lengthy history, the Pride does not shy away from creating the most cutting edge facilities in the nation. Coming only four years after the opening of the STEM building, it seems fitting that the newest addition to the St. Mark’s campus, The Coolidge Center, bolsters our aging athletics facilities.

The T. Jefferson Coolidge Jr. '50 Athletic Performance and Wellness Center is a complete overhaul of the first floor of the Elkins Field House. Consisting of an entirely new gym with a turf track, a dedicated ERG room, and a refurbished equipment room, the new Coolidge Center will cultivate all levels of athletics at St. Mark’s. In addition, the old gym has been remodeled into the new Wiedergott Fitness Room. The renovation of the athletic facilities is belated in correspondence to the exceptional athletics program at St. Mark’s School. The new enhancement is a source of pride for not only the athletics department, but for the entire SM community.

The new athletics center yields controversy. Along with the new facilities came some new rules. To much of the student body’s dismay, in order to use the facilities there are a few stipulations. For example, the ban of sleeveless tees, headphones, non-water drinks, and hats. The prerequisite of a formal workout plan before using the facilities has certainly raised some eyebrows around campus. A student stated that it almost seemed as if they wanted to steer students away from using the new space, and that the rules made it unnecessarily difficult to go in and lift weights for general fitness. Considering that it is only the second week of school, it is still to be seen how these rules may change in the future. Regardless of the opinions regarding the rules, it must be said that the new Coolidge Center is a phenomenal addition to the St. Mark’s campus, and that it will be an invaluable asset to all of the athletics programs.

Featured Team: Girls Varsity Tennis

by Captain Summer Hornbostel ‘18

With freshmen Leila Fredrick, Tate Fredrick, and Anni Zhang competing as the top three players, the St. Mark’s girls varsity tennis team has done exceptionally well this season. The success is due to each and every one of the players, skill level aside. Captains Reevie Fenstermacher and Summer Hornbostel energize the team with fun music, swagger and horrible jokes, creating an atmosphere every team should aspire to have. Rosanna Zhao and Leean Li have been proud members of the team for three years now and have helped me feel like a part of SMGVT from day one. Isabelle Titcomb joined SMGVT later with me, and we have helped each other improve since then. Emma Simon and Frances Hornbostel are two other freshmen who bring skill, dedication, and positive energy to the team. Together we work hard and play hard against every team. We pride ourselves on our mental toughness, which is an important aspect of tennis, where each and every stroke and point matters. We like to think about the next point, rather than dwelling on past points. Whether we made a mistake or won the last point, we try to think only of the point we are playing in that moment. We have had one of the best SMGVT records of all time and this year we were invited to play in the Class B New England Championship for the first time in St. Mark’s history. We are prepared to bring our physical and mental toughness, our positive attitudes and our fun personalities (with our amazing assortment of snacks) to New England’s this weekend. We will leave our hearts on the court and walk out with swagger no matter what happens. I’m so lucky to be a captain of such a wonderful and fun group of girls this year. Our practices and team dinners are always full of laughter, and I love seeing smiles on everyone’s faces. I will miss hearing Rosanna scream every time a bug comes near her. I will miss being my sister’s doubles partner. I will miss listening to Anni sassing Tate and Leila (and vice versa) and I will miss playing with Leann. I will miss co-captaining with Reevie and making really bad cheers with her. I will miss joking around with Emma and I will miss eating snacks and talking with Isabelle. Thank you to Ms. Behnke for giving her all to our team and to Ms. Kosow and our managers!

Zumba Changes up the Spring Sports Offerings

By Luke Lee '20

Students are familiar with the 13 team sports throughout the fall, winter, and spring, but many would be surprised that one of the sports offered at St. Mark’s is Zumba.

Zumba, a program created by Colombian dancer Alberto Perez, is a form of exercise that incorporates dancing. Approximately 4 million people in 40 different countries are estimated to take zumba classes each year. Zumba’s popularity originates from its effectiveness in losing weight. According to the website Fitnessblender, women on average burn about 350-650 calories from an hour of Zumba.

Zumba has spread not only because it is good for one’s health but also because it is very fun. Mary Flathers, a junior at St. Mark’s and member of the Zumba class, described the experience of zumba as, “so much fun” and “it relieves so much stress!” Mary’s enthusiasm for the sport was surprising to learn since she had never had a passion for dance before taking Zumba. That itself is a testament to the positive qualities of zumba. Also, the program offers a great amount of freedom in music choice. Though many zumba classes feature Latin Music, Mary elaborated on how much musical freedom there is in class, adding, “Mr. Gayle always plays music if people ask him to play their favorite music. It’s not Latin music all the time.”

Unlike lacrosse or baseball, where students play under the scorching sun and drizzling rain, Zumba takes place in the room next to Taft in the PFAC, meaning rain or shine, you have the chance to exercise in cool air. So, if you are a student looking for a new sport to try that is both fun and indoors, give Zumba a try!

The Girls of Winter

by Shelby Howard ‘19

Pictured above is the St. Mark's Girls JV Ice Hockey team from the 2016-2017 season

As the Battle Hymn of the Republic plays in the Gardner Rink, the girls of winter skate out onto the ice. This is one of many great traditions of St. Mark’s Girls JV Ice Hockey. Senior captains Brynn Kennedy and Rebecca Lovett are four-year members of the team, who are proud pioneers of the program. This team is built from girls who have a passion for the sport, which is fostered by coaches Bernt and Eslick. Coach Eslick is new to the team, replacing Mr. Upton's one year stint as assistant coach, and he has already taught the players some invaluable rules of the sport. Coach Berndt is entering her seventh season as JV Girls Hockey coach and is a maternal figure for many of the players, including her biological daughter Zoe Maddox.  But when the girls take the ice on game day she shows her lion spirit as she gets the girls prepared for the tough fight ahead of them.

Every week, the team battles in an intense scrimmage in preparation for game day. Practice begins and ends every day with a dance party. Then, when it is game day, the girls scream in the locker room before they take the ice. Key defensive players include Rebecca Lovett and Kate Normandin. Mary Hoffman and Mary Flathers are skilled players on the second line, and Brynn Kennedy and Sarah Lammert are a threat to any opponent’s defense. Together, the team has an aggressive, hard-working style of play.

Another tradition of the team is the annual Hockey Olympics, which includes intense events such as; relay races, speed skating, and the choreographed synchronized skating competition. The girls are split up into three teams, in hopes to lay their hands on the winning title.

JV Hockey is a force to be reckoned with, and at the end of the day, the girls skate off the ice as sisters rather than teammates. Rebecca Lovett epitomizes this sisterhood by saying, “I love JV hockey with all of my heart and soul.”

Featured! Boy's JV Cross Country Team

by Blake Gattuso ‘20, featuring Boys JV Cross Country

Thirty-Eight straight wins. Two ISL Championships in Three years. Five Runners in the top eleven spots in the Championship Race. This year, JV Boys Cross-Country continued our dominance. Running to a perfect 15-0 record, placing second in the ISL Championships to a tough Roxbury Latin team, finishing fourth in the Division 1 NEPSTA Championships, and setting a new St. Mark’s record for most consecutive wins at 38 straight, this team was confident, relaxed, and most importantly...fast!

This year, many people contributed, with twelve runners (Matt Walsh ‘19, Rick Sarkar ‘19, Henry Butterfield ‘18, Ben Teixeira ‘19, Crawford Wittman ‘21, Nolan Willoughby ‘21, Kareem Chambers ‘19,  David Ragone ‘19, Chapin Pyne ‘20, Connor Browder ‘19, Leo Xie ‘19, and myself) scoring across nine meets. The season began with a bang with a 15-50 (the best possible score) win over St. Sebastian’s and took off from there with at least four more 15-50 finishes. Some highlights from the season include a 1 through 4 sweep on parents weekend against Tabor, and individual first-place finishes from Matt Walsh ‘19 during the two team Tabor race, Nolan Willoughby ‘21 during the four-team Middlesex race, and myself during the four-team Governors race.

The regular season ended with a challenge against Roxbury Latin, but nevertheless, we pulled through a tight 26-29 win. ISL championships came in the following week and once again we ran a great race. For those who do not know cross-country, championship race scorings are generally very high because the scorers take the place of the top five runners on each team and add them up - lowest score wins. So, most often the winning scores are in the 60’s or 70’s and the worst teams near 400. We just barely lost despite scoring an unheard of 38 points, with Butterfield ‘18 leading the way in 4th place.  

A wildly successful regular season lead to an incredible second place finish in an elite league. The following week, the team traveled to Choate to compete in Division 1 NEPSTA Cross Country Championships. Despite being the smallest school there, we finished fourth, with our top 5 runners all placing in the top 35. Next season, many of these outstanding runners will jump on up to help the 14-1 varsity team (who also finished in second place at the ISL Championships) while the rest look to each other and Coach Lyons to help continue the dominance of St. Mark’s JV Boys Cross-Country.

From left to right: Connor Browder ‘19, Rick Sarkar ‘19, Henry Butterfield ‘18, Kareem Chambers ‘19, and myself after the ISL Championship race. All 5 placed in the top 11 in a race with 235 runners.

Tales of the Tailgate Club

by Henry Butterfield '18

Early in the fall of last year, Colin Boylan and I finished our Wednesday cross-country practice and saw that the Girl's Varsity Soccer team had a home game against Brooks. We noticed that there weren’t many students at the game, but decided to join the few parents watching from the stands. It was a beautiful day, and Mr. Hebert was watching the game with his son when he approached us and said that we should bring a grill to games and cook for the fans. On that day, Colin and I got the idea to found the Tailgating Club at St. Mark’s.

Colin and I had thought for some time that at St. Mark’s there was little to no fan engagement and very little school spirit at games. We created the club to increase a sense of community and fan involvement, hoping that by bringing food to the games and cooking for fans and players, more and more people would come to events around school. Each Wednesday, Colin, Pete Nugent and I would pick a game to tailgate. The weekend prior, Pete or I would go out and buy the necessary food for the game. During free periods on Wednesdays, we would bring the grill down and get everything ready for the games. We sent emails out to the school and made announcements at school meeting to make sure every student at St. Mark's was aware of the tailgated game.

Last Fall we tailgated ten games for nearly every varsity sport, and we were able to tailgate away games too, including the New England Championship Girls Soccer game, which was held at Brooks. At that game we had hundreds of students and parents drive to the game to cheer on the team. The club has been widely successful in the fall and we plan on attending more winter and spring games soon. Go St. Mark's!