The baseball team worked hard this spring, fighting through adversity and inexperience all season. With no seniors on the active roster, there were many players filling new roles and gaining invaluable experience in different positions and new spots in the batting order.
Juniors Daniel Shabsin, Brendan King, Kellen King, and Joey Blank anchored the infield all season. Kellen did most of the catching, while the others moved all around the infield. They also served as our three top starting pitchers. Donnovan Aguayo-Craig provided thump in the middle of the order and played mostly in left field. The other juniors that spent time in the outfield were Rachel Stone, Jason Boettcher, and Hritwik Singh.
Sophomore Andrew Guest showed flashes at 3rd and 2nd base, while fellow sophomore Manny Gerbi spent some time in the outfield. The remainder of the team were freshmen, and many got exposure early in their career. Gianni Panzeri saw time primarily at 2nd base and displayed a lot of potential. Jordan Caradine recovered from an injury to play on the left side of the infield. Russell Bigham gained some experience at 1st base. Outfielder Mac Beatrice spent all season in centerfield and showed good defensive ability while Michael Green got some experience at the corner outfield spots.
Soccer
The girls’ soccer team had a successful season, finishing as the District runner-up. This was a team with great experience, graduating 10 seniors who served in many roles in their 4 years. Kieran Uhlmansiek filled the goalie spot admirably. Faith Blank, Callista Martin, and Andrea Skrobic mostly played on the defensive end. Elaina Grimm and Annie Chappell spent most of their time in the midfield. Grace Gerbi, Elysse Price, Amarys Evans, and Sara Clark played at the forward position.
Junior Charlotte Vieth did a great job in the midfield, while fellow junior Esme Call did well up front. Sophomore Blaire Williams anchored the defense all season. Lauren Weber was training in goal, while other sophomores included Elena Truman, Emily Hirshman, and Malasia Taylor.
There were many freshmen who developed and contributed this season including Catherine Birch, Meg Corbett, Maddy Fuller, Maya Gregory, and Ashlyn Wiley. These players will be key to a strong future.
Track and Field
The 2nd year into the rebirth of the track program was an encouraging one for the future of the program. The team enjoyed increased participation and accomplished quite a bit.
Seniors Homer Dula, Kafele Wimbley and LaVaughn Caradine competed in sprints and relays, with Kafele qualifying for Sectionals in the 200m. Junior Gerald McAdoo competed in relays, triple jump, long jump and hurdles. Charlie O’Gorman and Ari Maayan worked hard in the shot put and discus. Ethan Lutjens ran the hurdles and competed in relays.
Sophomores Casimir Buttar-Miller and Adam Raney ran distance. Gian Zignago threw shot and discus. Jabari Wimbley threw javelin and did high jump. Jude Huck-Raymond threw the javelin, did triple jump and participated in relays. Blair Williams ran distance and relays and threw the javelin. Samantha Nelson did a good job throwing the shot and discus. Faith Webster did long jump, relays, sprints and hurdles. Faith advanced to Sectionals in the 110m hurdles.
Freshman Catherine Birch ran mostly relays while Olivia Smith took part in sprints and relays. McKinlee Morris was one of the best throwers in the State. She advanced all the way to the State Meet in the shot put. She was ranked in the top 10 in Missouri in both shot and discus.
This program is in a great position to go forward in the next year and beyond.