By Eden Barnes and Molly Gray, Staff Writers
As the weather begins to get warmer, students at River Hill are anxiously awaiting tryouts for the 2021-2022 spring sports season. River Hill offers many spring sports including tennis, softball, lacrosse, track, and baseball. Each team has been preparing for the season by hosting conditioning sessions, team interest meetings, and participating in other leagues; many student-athletes are ready to suit up for the season.
Girls lacrosse has been working extremely hard to prepare for this season as the reigning regional champions. This year girls lacrosse has three division one commits, Claire Slade who will be attending Xavier, Molly Maloney for La Salle, and Erin Devine who will be going to Rutgers next year. Amy Weinberg, the Girl’s Varsity Coach, has been focused on getting the girls into their top shape before the season starts up. Coach Weinberg said she expects a lot out of her team. “This season, I will be expecting athletes to come prepared to play their best, during the season it is expected that they will be on time to every practice, and I hold myself to the same expectations.”
Senior Maddie Kim has been looking forward to her fourth and last year on girls varsity lacrosse. “The team has been preparing by holding workouts two days a week as well as winter league every Sunday.” She shows her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited about the upcoming season, I think we will be really good.”
Boys lacrosse has also been organizing team workouts which have included many running drills and team bonding. Senior goalie Charlie Kluckhuhn hyped the team up greatly, explaining, “As a team, we have been conditioning 3 times a week and practicing one time a week so that we start the season at a good pace.” This year boys lacrosse have 4 captains who will be holding the team to a high standard; Jack McCormick, Liam Curtin, Ethan Varani, and Will Gochar have all expressed their excitement for this season explaining that they will be giving their all to each practice, in hopes to win another regional championship.
Not only has lacrosse been taking time to prepare, but so has softball. Senior Allie Young had lots to say about the Varsity softball team’s dedication to the pre-season grind. “As a team, we have not only prepared mentally with team meetings but also getting ready physically with personal practices outside of school, based on each player’s position,” Allie exclaims. Baseball has shown similar commitment for the majority of the team’s senior season. “The team has been working together on and off the mound this year. Once a week the majority of our players have been waking up before school to specifically practice their positions,” senior Michael Flaim states. Daniel Sheehan, Ryan Mcclellan, Ryan Pickus, and Will Kilcoyne are some of the many returning seniors who are ready to have another shot at States.
The track team has hit a lot of milestones throughout the year. Due to practices and team bonding, Senior runner Eric Rudo states, “The team has come a long way since the beginning of the winter season. Not only have we seen improvement on the track, but off the track as well, coming together as both teammates and friends; everyone is ready and eager for this upcoming spring season.” Many returners, including Daniel Lu, Janasia Buckner, Ara Omitowuju, and Tami Mumuney, should be kept on River Hill’s radar.
This spring season will be very exciting for River Hill; we have many talented student-athletes who will be putting their all into their spring sports.