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WESTPORT, Conn. Greens Farms Academy teams are busy preparing for the fall seasons. The Dragons' boys cross country team appears particularly strong as it aims for its fourth straight Fairchester Athletic Association and New England championships. Here's a breakdown of the GFA fall sports teams, courtesy of the GFA athletics department:
Cross Country: Leading the boys team are senior captains Wills Rooney (Darien), Charlie Ross (Darien) and Peter Maturo (Darien). These three, in addition to senior Chris Tarika (Fairfield), Kenner Clark (Greenwich) and Andrew McCarthy (Fairfield), helped carry the boys team to its third straight Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) and New England championships last year.
The girls team is the largest in recent history, with two returning runners and nine newcomers. Junior captain Kate Mohr (Fairfield) will lead the young team as it looks to become a competitive force in the FAA. Showing early promise for a strong cross country debut are freshman Joanna Moley (Darien) and junior Olivia Kjorlien (New Canaan).
Upcoming meets to watch include GFA's first home meet at Sherwood Island State Park on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and the Wickham Invitational in Manchester on Saturday, Oct. 8. The FAA championship meet will be held at New Canaan's Waveny Park on Monday, Nov. 7. GFA will race in the New England Division III championship meet on Saturday, Nov. 12, after two years competing at the Division IV level.
The team will be following the collegiate cross country careers of 2010 captains Will McCarthy (Colby College) and Evan Bieder (Wesleyan University).
Field Hockey: This will be a rebuilding year for the GFA field hockey team, which added eight new players to last year's varsity squad and a new turf field. The team will be led by senior captains Isabelle Canaan (New Canaan) and Kenzie Lau-Kee (Westport) on defense and in the midfield respectively. Defensively, sophomore Maggie Sherin (Weston) joins Canaan in addition to juniors Jen D'Agostino (New Canaan) and Ashley Hutchison (Westport). Sophomore JJ Rattray (Old Greenwich) and freshmen Hope Tierney (Fairfield), Juliet Fontana (Southport) and Page Soper (Southport) will add depth, speed and energy to the backfield. In goal, freshman Jenny Ross (Darien) will compete for the starting role and will be supported by junior Cailtin Rummelsburg (Fairfield). Rummelsburg will join the midfield of Lau-Kee and sophomore Hayley Holzinger (Norwalk). Offensively, GFA will be led by juniors Madison Leonard (Westport), Margot Bruder (Fairfield), Liz McDermott (Darien), Delaney Sontag (Greenwich), sophomores Chloe Perlen (Westport) and Olivia Taylor (Fairfield). Freshman Nicole Litt (Darien) will try to add depth and speed to the front line. GFA opens its season on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at home against St. Luke's.
Girls Soccer: The GFA girls soccer team is looking forward to another successful season after finishing last year ranked No. 1 in New England. Leading the defensive team will be seniors Kate Tomlinson (Darien) and Sam Brown (Old Greenwich), sophomores Cole Vanacore (Darien) and Georgie Garner (Westport) and freshmen Campbell Goldsmith (Darien) and Olivia Lennon (Southport), who will also play in the midfield. Offensively, the Dragons will be led by senior Emily Caldwell (Fairfield), Nora Flaherty (Norwalk), sophomore Tia Carson (Westport) and new junior Phoebe Wong (Darien). Junior Caroline Vanacore (Darien) will lead the midfield, joined by juniors Blair Pelley (Darien), Meighan Grady (Darien), Kiki Kaufman (Darien), Jessica Lui (Westport) and sophomore Rachel Cohen (Westport). Starting in goal for the second season will be sophomore Caroline Kruk (Easton), supported by junior Megan Donovan (Westport). Adding depth to the lineup will be seniors Taylor Schendel (Fairfield) and Hailey Durno (Westport), juniors Haley McCalpin (Wilton), Leah Jennings (Darien) and sophomore Hillary Shannon (Redding). GFA opens its season on Friday, Sept. 16, at home against The Wooster School.
Boys Soccer: Coming off a winning season in 2010, the GFA boys soccer team must fill the cleats of 11 graduating players. This year's team will be led by senior captain Harry Garland (Westport) and returning junior starters Munir Qaddourah (Trumbull), Ryan Friend (Darien), Clay Garner (Westport), Ryan Eckert (Wilton) and sophomore Brendan Bieder (Southport). Freshmen Wyatt Cook (Westport) and Griffin Garner (Greens Farms) along with sophomore John Lawrence (Southport), juniors Anders Forfang (New Canaan), Justin Arzi (Weston) and senior Sebastian deGoeijen (Norwalk) are expected to make an impact as is junior newcomer Spencer Hartig (Greenwich). GFA opens with three straight away games beginning with Cheshire Academy on Wednesday, Sept.14. Girls Volleyball: The GFA girls volleyball team enters the fall 2011 season with eight returning players aiming to challenge in the FAA and once again return to the New England Tournament. The Dragons are fortunate to have senior FAA All-League setter Sarah MacDonell (Westport) back to lead the team. Offensively, GFA will look to veteran hitters senior Kiera Wood (Redding) and junior Sarah Young (Greenwich). Defensively the team has experienced backline players in senior Lucy Hoffman (Fairfield) and junior Brooke Cirillo (Bedford, N.Y.). Also returning to the squad are seniors Mickaela Fouad (New Canaan), Lizzie Pinede (Norwalk) and junior Jacqui Young (Greenwich), who will add depth in all areas this season. Newcomers to the program that have proven themselves this pre-season are junior Allie Anderson (New Canaan) and sophomore Laura Reul (Norwalk). There are still a few spots to fill and some promising players challenging to secure those positions. GFA will open the season at home Thursday, Sept. 15, against conference rival Convent of the Sacred Heart.
Send information about your child's high school team to trenner@mainstreetconnect.us.
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