Meet the winter sports captains
Senior Colleen O’Neill will begin her second consecutive year as captain of the Convent of the Sacred Heart basketball team. Not only is she looking to perform well on the court, but also hopes to lead her team to great success for their 2013-2014 season. Photo courtesy of Stamford Advocate
As the winter sports season gets underway, Convent of the Sacred Heart open its gymnasium and pool doors to welcome a new group of student-athletes. Meet the student leaders of the Sacred Heart winter teams.
The swimming, diving, basketball, and squash teams began their preseason right before Thanksgiving and have begun to compete against other schools in the Fairchester Athletic Association. While the players prepare for competitions, their captains are optimistic about the potential of their respective teams.
As the 2012 Fairchester Athletic Association Champions, Sacred Heart varsity basketball players, under the leadership of senior captain Colleen O’Neill, are anxious to start their season. These athletes are working hard in hopes of achieving the FAA Championship title again.
Colleen returns as captain of the varsity basketball team after being co-captain with Kayla Souza in the 2012-2013 season. Also returning is varsity head coach Mr. Sean Green, who will direct alongside new assistant coach, Jessica Spicer.
Last year, the team picked up a season total of 13 wins and seven losses. While hoping to replicate their previous record in the upcoming season, Colleen anticipates tough competition this year.
“Every game is a big game,” Colleen said. “Our toughest games may be Hamden Hall, Masters and Holy Child.”
As for their goals, Colleen and her teammates aim for an extended season due to championships and finals.
“We hope to win the FAAs and make it all the way to New England Preparatory School Athletic Council competitions,” Colleen said.
Also hoping to excel in the FAA’s is the Sacred Heart squash team. The captains, senior Margot McCloskey and junior Mary Grace Henry, are prepared for what the season will bring.
“Mary Grace and I hope to motivate the team, work hard, stay positive and of course, have fun” Margot said.
The captains look forward to an influx of freshman players who are eager to show their skills and hope to bond with these new members through practices, competitions, and activities. Outside-of-school team activities include a team SoulCycle class as well as team dinners.
“We are really excited to welcome new people to our team. It is always good to have new players and it will help our team to grow,” Mary Grace said.
Under the guidance of co-captains Margot and Mary Grace and the leadership of coaches Mike Callaway, Tiffany Callaway and Emma Molyneux, the squash team looks to defeat their toughest rivals, which include Rye Country Day School, The Taft School, and Greenwich Academy.
The Sacred Heart swimming and diving program, led by co-captains, juniors Jordan Cohen and Grace Isford, has also expanded this year with the addition of many new freshmen. The captains have welcomed their teammates in hopes of a successful new season.
Courtesy of Neil Isford
“We hope with a warm welcome we can inspire all of our team members to swim to their full potential,” Grace said. “Jordan and I decorated the team locker room with personalized locker decorations, calendars and a best times chart.”
Along with these encouragements, the captains are also working to ensure that their teammates are mentally motivated.
“Everyone usually makes their own individual goals, such as times to beat, but as a team we want to really push ourselves at every practice, acting like every lap is a race in order to improve,” Jordan said.“We would love to beat GA and also have as many people as we can make New England’s.”
During practices, the swimmers keep their Greenwich Academy rivals in the back of their minds as they try to push past personal records and beat other competitors.
“My hope is that with a determined and even more competitive team this year, Sacred Heart can win against our cross-town rival,” Grace said.
With seven wins and six losses last year, the swim team is ready to increase their number of wins. The swim team welcomes a new coach, Mr. Billy Rose to assist longtime head coach and Upper School Assistant Dean of Students Ms. Maura O’Grady.
With high hopes and expectations, the captains of Sacred Heart winter athletic teams are preparing their teams to face the competition and improve their skills and teamwork.
– Sarah Jackmauh, Co-Features Editor
