Moorestown Friends School’s Upper School Spring sports season began on March 2, 2018. The 2018 season follows a spirited 2017 spring season. The varsity boys tennis team won South Jersey Non-public B Sectionals, and the varsity crew team sent 5 boats to Nationals, with one boat taking a Junior National title. The success in stats and camaraderie is due to incredible leaders of the 2017 spring teams and their efforts to bring together athletes of all ages and skill levels. This year, new and returning athletes alike began their season by building on the teamwork, strength, and leadership which the Class of 2017 left behind. WordsWorth interviewed several of each sport’s athletes to get a feel for how this season looks to pan out.

BASEBALL

MFS’ Varsity baseball team, alongside coach Ron Obermeier, finished off the 2017 season with a 4-10-0 record, while the Junior Varsity baseball team, coached by Rich Schmidt, ended with a 3-4-0 record. The team, made up of almost exclusively underclassmen, had a rebuilding year last season and gained several strong freshman players.

Now-sophomore Mark Johnson is looking to expand on his incredible freshman season. He recently provided WordsWorth with some insight on this coming year’s team: “I’d like to see us make it to the FSL [Friends School League] play-offs and be able to compete there. We only lost one Senior last year to graduation, so we basically have everyone back. We’re now more skillful and comfortable as a team.” The latter statement is a testament to the success of 2017’s rebuilding season.

When asked about his own goals for the season, Johnson noted, “I’m trying to minimize my errors at shortstop and to hit really well… [and] to be smarter in the field… I’m going to be pitching more this year because Nick Boller graduated, so that’s an area I could improve.”

Junior Joe Abate has been on the team for the past three years and is a committed member of MFS athletics. He is a good representative of a popular attitude among the team members, sharing that if any of the players are asked about what they look forward to most this season, “almost all of them will say the camaraderie.” He continued, “We didn’t fare so well last year and definitely didn’t play as well as we could have, but this year we will undoubtedly be better.  At the end of the day, it’s just about playing the best baseball you can.”

The positivity from the underclassmen and leadership from the juniors is sure to make this MFS baseball season one to watch.

BOYS TENNIS

MFS’ boys Varsity tennis team is coming off of a strong 2017 season under coach Kathleen Tuck, with a 2017 Sectional Championships, Friends School League semifinal, and an 11-6-0 victory under their belt. The JV comes off of a stacked 2017 season under coach Steve Wells, with a 4-3-1 record. Following the significant loss of top Seniors such as Dylan Carilli, Jordan White, Hunter Harris, and Ivo Ivanovich, the team will look to underclassmen and the now-Seniors to strengthen the lineup all the way down.

Junior Liam Schenk is returning after a successful season in a singles position as a sophomore. He shared a few notes with WordsWorth about areas which the team as a whole can work on to reach their goals: “I think this year, especially with the addition of two strong freshman, we have a shot to do the same [as last year]. To improve and go further in Friends League or win states, our team would especially need to work on fitness and mental toughness on the court.”

In terms of his personal goals, Schenk said he wants to improve his forehand attack and to possibly reach the Burlington County Open finals once again. According to Schenk, however, the most exciting aspect of his season will be playing with his brother, Nolan Schenk. Nolan is a freshman who made waves in the middle school ranks and, like his older brother, has been playing tennis from a young age.

Nolan Schenk also explained to WordsWorth what he is most looking forward to and what his personal goals for the season are: “I’m looking forward to playing [in a] high school competition because it will be a first for me. My personal goal is, wherever I am placed on the team, I will play my best and have a good record.” Nolan will likely work closely with fellow freshman talent Mitchell Desman. With a team of strong JV players constantly pushing the Varsity squad, this team has the ability all the way down through the lineup. They hope to translate that steady, dependable strength to the matches this season.

GOLF

MFS’ coed Varsity golf team finished the 2017 season with a respectable 7-4-1 record under coach Joe O’Hara. With the loss of golf icons Charles Kropiewnicki and Ian Bucci of the class of 2017, the team is looking to some promising upperclassmen for leadership. With growing ranks this year, the team hopes to gain members, but to improve upon its camaraderie and record as well.

Sophomore Hannah Jin is observant of her team’s personal progress this year and hopes to support every member: “There are several beginners, myself included. I expect that team members will be [supportive] of one another. This year, I’m glad that I have seen advanced players helping newer players during these few practices so far.”

One of the more experienced players is senior Calum Boone. Boone has been on the team since his sophomore year and steps into an expected leadership role this year as a twelfth grader. He has high expectations for his team: “I expect the team to do really well this year and hopefully get first in the FSL championship.”

That possibility does not seem out of reach with his senior leadership and other experienced members. In regards to reaching such a goal as FSL Championships, Boone stressed the aspect of teamwork. “Despite it being an individual sport the team aspect is still quite important”. His one goal for this year is to beat frontrunner Alec Ryden in “at least one match.”

A current Junior, Ryden showed up on the MFS Varsity golf scene as a freshman and made an immediate impact, winning the Friends School League title in his first year. Ryden’s work has set a precedent for the team moving forward, and he aims to step into a leadership role this year: “I am looking forward to starting to really become a role model for the team. I haven’t really been taken seriously until I was an upperclassman, and I want to make a positive impact on everyone.” That positivity and consistency will be key for the Foxes moving forward this Spring, hopefully propelling them to push even farther than the 2017 season.

LACROSSE

MFS’ Varsity girls lacrosse team concluded their 2017 season with a 7-10-0 record under coach Ann Stouffer. The JV girls lacrosse team, under Katie Stutz, achieved a 6-2-0 record to round off their past year. With a huge lineup, the team worked hard on and off the field to maintain and build their camaraderie and teamwork. With talents such as junior Meghan Roberts and Rutgers Lax-commit senior Alexis Watson, the girls lacrosse team is gearing up for a fighting season.

Freshman Priya Shah is excited to join the team and get right into the mold of things. “I think as a freshman, the grade you’re in doesn’t make a difference to the team dynamic … once you all start working together, the team becomes one,” she told WordsWorth. Shah is most excited about meeting new people and becoming closer with the upperclassmen.

Junior Meghan Roberts is in her third year of MFS lacrosse and has an equally positive but more streamlined attitude for her team this season. She hopes to be a leader again this season, and as a three-year player with almost 100 goals before the start of the season, Roberts has both the grit and the experience to be one. “Out of the team, I expect [the girls] to have confidence in themselves and then confidence in the team. They may not be the best on the team, but if they demonstrate their abilities with confidence then they are already halfway there. I also expect them to hustle and never give up. For myself, I expect to take a role of leadership and help others to the best of my ability, as well as demonstrating my confidence and hustle.” With the hardworking attitudes of younger players like Shah and strong, confident leadership in Roberts, the Foxes are looking up and forward for this season.

The tightly bonded MFS Varsity boys lacrosse team finished off their tough 2017 season with a 3-10-0 record under coach Michael McGinn. After the loss of a hefty number of seniors post-2017, the boys lacrosse program looks to upperclassmen and some stellar underclassmen to be leaders for the team this year.

Senior Aidan Van Osten has some notes for his team: “We cannot get down on ourselves after losses. We need to come into practice the next day and get to work and try to get a win in our next game.” With the younger team members lacking experience, Van Osten knows that putting in the work to gain experience in practice will be the most important factor for the team’s potential success.

Even as a senior, Van Osten knows that there are areas to improve: “I am looking to improve in all aspects of my game, specifically throwing with my left and getting better at ground balls.” Minute details could be the key to success, as Van Osten eludes.

Junior Jordan Edelstein is in his third year as a high school lacrosse player. He brings a positive, encouraging leadership attitude to this upcoming season: “I’m looking forward to helping out all the young guys by getting them used to high school lacrosse. … I expect our team to give it their all in every game, even against the strongest teams. As for me, I hope to get better with each day [and] become a player that my teammates can depend on, whether it’s on the field or off.” With the intention to be a friend and role model both inside and outside of practice, Edelstein’s hardworking approach will be crucial to maintaining the team’s drive this year.

CREW

MFS’ coed Varsity crew team sent a record five boats to Youth Nationals in the 2017 season, with one boat placing first. The team placed 11th nationally for the year, coming extremely close to a top 10 ranking. The team trains and competes with South Jersey Rowing Club, a rowing team comprised of rowers from high schools all over the SJ area. Coming off such a strong season, the senior leaders are looking to improve on their record from last year and smoothly incorporate the younger members into the group.

Senior Dylan Mitnick has been as active for his 4 years on the MFS crew team as anyone could be. He stresses the value of doing a sport that includes non-MFS members: “Being with people outside of the MFS bubble has allowed me to look at situations from different viewpoints and taught me how to keep an open mind.” Keeping an open and positive attitude is essential if the team wants to be able to achieve another win at nationals, and he hopes the younger members will learn from that.

As for his personal goals, Mitnick hopes to achieve a “7:00 2k time, which is a major achievement in the rowing world.” Along with acute attention to detail, Mitnick is aware of his leadership position. “Since I’ve been on the team since 8th grade, I’ve grown to understand what it means to be a teammate and a real athlete. I expect the guys and girls on the team to push themselves to their limit everyday and then some.” With his 5-years of determination, Mitnick has shown that he can demonstrate what he wants his team to achieve and that leadership will be imperative.

Senior and University of Michigan Rowing recruit Sujin Kim is another symbol of leadership on the MFS crew team. “I expect my teammates to be fully present mentally whenever we’re training and especially when we’re racing. Sometimes we have bad days … [but] I expect my teammates to be fighting to make it as good as we can. Any time that isn’t being used to our full potential is wasted,” she said of her expectations for this year’s team. Mental focus breaks are detrimental occurrences in crew, as the rowing motion is obviously repetitive, and any distraction is tough to overcome. Kim stresses the importance of keeping up her own mental strength for her team: “I always expect myself to be on top of my game. If I have a bad practice, it impacts my teammates in my boat, so I try and prep myself during the drive from school to the boathouse to have as productive a practice as I can.”

Kim also wants to share lessons she has learned in racing with her team: “Be decisive and assertive. I was timid and shy when I started rowing, but I had to learn quickly how to stand my ground and assert myself. Whether that meant standing up for myself, putting in hours outside of practice, or asserting what I knew was right.” With the leadership of Kim and Mitnick on the team in the 2018 season, MFS crew looks to gain even more momentum this year.