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Season Preview: Flexibility and depth are strengths for girls’ soccer

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24-year head coach David Floeck. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers made the postseason last fall, but were unable to make the bang they hoped for, bowing out to Hingham, 2-1, in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals, capping the season at 14-2-4.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team, the goal remains the same.

“We want to get better every day and to be playing our best soccer towards the end of the season and hopefully that means we’re in the tournament and we can make some noise in there,” said 24-year W-H head coach David Floeck, whose team hasn’t had a losing season since 1999.

The Panthers made the postseason last fall, but were unable to make the bang they hoped for, bowing out to Hingham, 2-1, in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals, capping the season at 14-2-4.

“Going out in the second round of the tournament, that’s not something we wanted to see happen,” Floeck said.

Finding the back of the net was admittedly a challenge for W-H, which scored a nine-year low 51 goals. Now, with 44 of the goals back, scoring shouldn’t be an issue anymore. The now-sophomore trio of Olivia Borgen (eight goals), Nora Manning (eight goals) and Kelsee Wozniak (team-high 11 goals) netted over half of those tallies last season.

“They’ve worked on the physical part of their game and came back bigger, stronger and faster,” Floeck said. “They certainly have worked on things they needed to work on. We’re extremely impressed with the type of years they had last year, but if they duplicate that, we’d be disappointed because that means they didn’t grow.”

A striker, Wozniak was an EMass first-team selection and earned a spot in the Patriot League All-Star game, and she should be the catalyst of the offense yet again.

“She has the chance to go down as one of the best players we’ve ever had in this program when it’s all said and done,” said Floeck, whose program has churned out All-Americans in three straight seasons. “I don’t know that we’ve identified a ceiling for her yet. She has tremendous potential.”

Senior midfielders Riley Bina (captain), Anika Floeck and junior midfielder Alexis Billings will also be crucial assets to the offense.

Though, question marks do loom, in terms of experience, on the other end of the pitch, with the graduation of defender Olivia Johnson (starter for Endicott College), four-year starting goalie Skylar Kuzmich (starter for Hofstra University) and All-American back Sammy Smith (starter for Boston College), all of whom were captains last fall.

But the Panthers do return some talent back there, in seniors Sam Perkins (league all-star last season), Erin Wood, Courtney Woodward (captain) and sophomore Ava Melia.

In net, there’s a healthy competition going on between juniors Reese Codero and Kylee Colclough.

“They’ve been working with [Skylar Kuzmich] all along and both gotten varsity experience due to injuries or different opportunities,” Floeck said. “We feel pretty good about both of them. If we think both are at the same level, we can split them or they can play different games.”

Floeck said the Panthers’ strengths are their flexibility and depth.

“We have a number of players that play different positions,” said the coach. “We have a number of people who can put the ball in the back of the net, so if teams start to take away one aspect of what we’re doing there’s other players that can take advantage of that. We’ll have six or seven kids on our bench that can come in and score or help us defend.”

W-H opens its campaign at home Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. against league foe Plymouth South.

“We had a couple games that we didn’t perform at our best and it cost us the league championship,” Floeck said. “We’re gonna try to work on that to make sure we don’t have those missteps because we’re in a league where if you go out and lose a game or tie a game you shouldn’t have, it’ll cost you.”

 

Hanson’s Sweeney ready to tackle freshman campaign for Springfield College football team

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Whitman-Hanson Regional High alum Quinn Sweeney is a freshman on the Springfield College football team.

Growing up, Quinn Sweeney’s father Keith always had a simple message for him when it came to the college selection process.

“He just said to pick the school that was the right fit for me,” said Quinn, who hails from Hanson.

So, that’s what he did, and his choice just happened to be Springfield College, where his father achieved all-star status as a defensive back. He’d also get the opportunity to play football there, but education was a bigger factor in Quinn’s decision.

“Toward the end of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to become a physical education teacher,” Quinn said. “We researched a bunch of schools and Springfield and Bridgewater [State University] were my top choices. I felt most comfortable at Springfield. Following in his footsteps is like icing on the cake.”

His offseason was busy.

“[I] lifted three times a week and did conditioning three times a week,” Quinn said. “The strength and conditioning staff is really big on recovery and giving your body time to recover from workouts. I was lucky to get to play in the Shriners [Football Classic] game in June, so that was kind of like a mini camp to get back into the football mode.”

Whitman-Hanson Regional High football coach Mike Driscoll often lauded Quinn, who was a Patriot League All-Star last fall as a senior, during his playing days for the Panthers, coining him the “energy guy” and an essential part of the “heart and soul” of the line at either his end position on defense or post at tackle on offense.

“He loves football,” Driscoll said of Quinn last August. “He’s just the type of kid who can get off the ball and he’s worked on a lot of his quickness.”

Now, as Quinn readies to kick off his freshman campaign on the Pride, he’s is taking it one practice at a time.

“Preseason camp goes until Sept. 4,” he said. “I’m just trying to get better every day and put together a string of good practices. If I do that, everything will take care of itself.”

Springfield begins the season Saturday, Sept. 7 on the road against Western New England at 1 p.m.

“I have been given an amazing opportunity and I want to take advantage of everything the school has to offer,” Quinn said. “Football-wise, I’d love to be part of the team — brotherhood is what we call it here. Just do my part to help our team have success.”

Champions! W-H 14U girls’ softball team wins Halifax Summer Smash

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Courtesy photo

The W-H 14U girls’ softball team won the Halifax Summer Smash tournament.

Resilient and gritty.

The Whitman-Hanson 14U girls’ summer softball team was the epitome of both Sunday, Aug. 4.

The team entered the final day of the Halifax Summer Smash tournament with a daunting task: win four straight. It sat at 0-2-1 and seventh out of 10 teams after two days of pool play on Friday and Saturday. That didn’t matter.

W-H kicked off Sunday with a 10-6 victory over Hingham, sparked by key contributions from Makenna Kirschner and Ali Larkin at the plate.

Sparked by a nine-strikeout gem from Lauryn Meade, W-H shut out Norwell in Game No. 2, 12-0. Taryn Leonard (three hits) set the tone with a first-pitch home run.

In the third game of the day, W-H silenced Quincy, 6-0. Meade starred in the pitcher’s circle with 10 strikeouts to collect the win.

In the championship game against Attleboro, Meade struck out eight and Haley Leeber paced the offense with three hits.

Meade finished the day 3-0 with 27 strikeouts in 18 innings, while Leonard and Jesse Blyth had seven hits apiece to lead the offense. Kayden Lynch caught all 24 innings, while adding six hits.

“I have coached Whitman-Hanson softball for 10 years and this will be the most memorable day of coaching softball for me,” said coach Tim Young. “This was a team effort from player one to player 11.”

Talking Whitman-Hanson athletics with AD Bob Rodgers

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A question and answer with Whitman-Hanson AD Bob Rodgers.

The suspense and unknowns are two aspects of a new year that Whitman-Hanson Regional High athletic director Bob Rodgers can’t get enough.

From state titles to Patriot League championships to major milestones, he’s seen it all in his previous eight years as the school’s AD, and he’s setting a lofty goal for year No. 9.

The Express chatted with Rodgers about what to expect going into the fall.

Q: What gets you most excited for a new year of athletics?

A: “Students grow so much in the offseason, both mentally and physically. It’s exciting to see that improvement and growth. You never know which students will come back and have all-star seasons. It’s also exciting to feel the energy that high school sports brings to the entire school climate.”

Q: What’s your favorite part of the school year and why?

A: “I love it all, each season has its special qualities. My favorite is whatever season we are in. I will admit there is something special about the fall though because everyone is refreshed and excited for the new beginning.”

Q: How do you feel playing a sport benefits students?

A: “The self-discovery students enjoy by playing sports is invaluable. Young people (if those around them will allow it) get the opportunity to navigate adversity and solve problems in a safe environment. I believe this truly helps shape their ability to do the same later in life. All of the personal qualities of work ethic, discipline, dedication, sacrifice, teamwork, loyalty and all of the other components of character are allowed to grow through the high school athletic experience.”

Q: What are the highs and lows of being an AD? 

A: “The highs are all about the kids. Seeing them pursue their goals and enjoy the journey is so rewarding. Knowing they are creating memories they will have for a lifetime is really special. In terms of lows, I don’t really look at it that way. But I will say sometimes the negativity gets me down. When people are highly critical of one of our programs without cause gets me disappointed. Usually that negativity comes from a misinformed place.”

Q: For those who don’t know, what goes into the role of an AD?

A: “It’s a great job and I love it, but the demands are tough. Most ADs work all year and are available seven days a week and often late hours. We handle finance, human resources, scheduling, policy implementation and creation, working with our league and state association, public relations and culture development as well as coaching education and training.”

Q: When you look back on last year, what moment(s) stick out? 

A: “It’s so hard to pick one moment. Truthfully every team is special in its own way and each one has special moments I enjoyed.”

Q: Have there been any improvements in athletics for this upcoming year?

A: “This will be our first full year with the new scoreboard and we are hoping that every team that plays on that field will be using it.”

Q: Are there any teams at W-H that you have your eye on to make a deep postseason run or perhaps surprise some people?

A: “The best part of going into the season is that no one knows how teams will do as so much of it depends on how the kids trained when none of us were looking.”

Q: Are there any dates that fans of W-H athletics should mark down on their calendars for any reason?

A: “That entire first week of games will be a blast.”

Q: What are you hoping to see as the year gets underway?

A: “I hope we break the record for student participation this year once again. We have seen our numbers increases each of the last three years. My dream would be to have every student in the school join a team so they could learn how truly special it is to be on a team.”

Talking South Shore Tech athletics with AD Joe Marani

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A question and answer with South Shore Tech athletic director Joe Marani.

Sports will likely never be the draw for South Shore Tech, but it’s tough to deny that the athletics program is on the rise.

Joe Marani, who is entering his 21st year as the school’s athletic director, is a big reason why.

The Express chatted with Marani about the improvements going into the season, the highs and lows of being an AD and more.

Q: What gets you most excited for a new year of athletics?

A: “The fresh start, the new players, the new coaches, just the overall buzz and attitude of a new group of seniors and leaders makes starting up very exciting.”

Q: What’s your favorite part of the school year and why?

A: “The one word answer is summer, but that’s not true. I love the first month of school because everyone knows it’s a clean slate and the returning athletes get to prove themselves. You can immediately judge what kind of offseason you had. That never seems to get old.” 

Q: How do you feel playing a sport benefits students?

A: “The benefits are enormous. It allows students the opportunity to experience life lessons. It gives students the chance to start making decisions on their own and makes them more responsible for themselves. It’s the first time for a lot of kids where they are tested mentally, physically and emotionally, and they grow tremendously because of it. It’s not perfect for every student, and the coaching and leadership needs to be knowledgeable of the real purpose of sports in school. But it’s usually the most remembered part of high school.”

Q: What are the highs and lows of being an AD?

A: “The lows are the meetings, the clerical work, the constant communication issues. But the highs far outweigh the lows. Watching our players perform. Watching them grow up. Seeing the relationship develop between players and coaches. Once you have been involved in sports a part of you never leaves it and its seems like fun forever.”

Q: For those who don’t know, what goes into the role of an AD?

A: “The sheer enormity of it. You have to deal with every aspect and every department in a school. The cooperation and coordination to do anything in sports is enormous. Also being a vocational school we have more time committed to other organizations. The technical side can be daunting. Social media and computer skills are essential. The list goes on and on. We actually have four organizations that we are part of and all requiring us to follow their rules and attend their meetings.”

Q: When you look back on last year, what moment(s) stick out?

A: “No. 1: last year’s  girls’ lax MIAA tournament game versus Fontbonne. Our girls played great. I got to see first-hand the great athleticism our female athletes displayed all year. It was an awesome exhibition.

“No. 2: talking to the players and coach of our JV boys lax team. The coach, who was a former varsity coach, told me it was the best team and group of kids he had worked with in some time. They had a great season. 

“No. 3: the varsity baseball team beating Tri-County. That team had a great year but needed to beat someone big and Tri-County had only lost two games or so when we went over there and beat them. 

 “All three of those things stand out to me.”

Q: Have there been any improvements in athletics for this upcoming year?

A: “Quite a few actually. We are renovating the baseball field, which is also our fall practice field for soccer and football.  So we have to practice off campus this year. We have a new locker room out near the football field which is nearly complete. Football will use that freeing up space in our boys inside locker room. Our superintendent just announced that we will be installing lights on our football/soccer/lax field sometime later this year. That is probably the most exciting news regarding the facility.

“Other improvements are staff improvements. Our kid and parents are very lucky that we have added Mike Hernon to our faculty and put him on as an assistant AD. That is a huge benefit since he has many years’ experience as the AD at Upper Cape. Also John Barr, a former SST athlete has joined the staff. We have new coaches in football, golf, volleyball and soccer. Whenever that happens there is always a level of excitement that gets added. So things just keep getting better at SST.”

Q: Are there any teams at SST that you have your eye on to make a deep postseason run or perhaps surprise some people?

A: “I think cross country is in a good position. Volleyball has been steady for a while so we always look towards them. Football has been up and down but always plays good football so they will be fun to watch. Golf might be the sleeper in the fall. They came in second place last year so we are hoping for good things from them. But any of our teams could make a run at a championship. Boys’ basketball was not expected to be that good last year and they won the league. That is the type of thing we are shooting for with all our teams now.”

Q: Are there any dates that fans of SST athletics should mark down on their calendars for any reason?

A: “Well, for football, the Upper Cape game and the Old Colony games tend to be our big games. Volleyball versus Norfolk Aggie is always big.”

Q: What are you hoping to see as the year gets underway?

A: “I hope to see improvement in all our teams. It will be great to see what the soccer team will do. The same with football and golf. Overall, it’s just nice to see the numbers of participants growing and our teams competing. I hope to more and more of that.”

Part 3: W-H alums playing in college this year

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This is the final part of a series highlighting the members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High Class of 2019 headed to play ball in college.

NATE BEATH/CURRY FOOTBALL – In his one season as a Panther, he posted some big numbers, registering 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks and recovering three fumbles, while also contributing out of the backfield on offense as well.

MIKE CONNORS/STONEHILL FOOTBALL – Senior two-way starter posted 100 tackles from his linebacker post to finish his career with back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.

MASON GORMAN/WENTWORTH MEN’S LACROSSE – The future Leopard sparked the Panthers’ turnaround this season, leading the team with 58 points on 32 goals and 26 assists.

DYLAN MCCUE/KEYSTONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL – Brings some varsity experience to Keystone.

SHANE SCHRAUT/WENTWORTH MEN’S TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY – Put together a solid season captioning the boys’ cross country team and then starred in the hurdles and long jump during the track seasons.

RIAN SCHWEDE/ENDICOTT BASEBALL – The three-time Patriot League All-Star posted a 0.79 ERA in 62 1/3 innings, while holding opponents to a .167 batting average this spring.

QUINN SWEENEY/SPRINGFIELD FOOTBALL – Patriot League All-Star had eight sacks and 84 tackles at defensive end, while also starting on the offensive line.

RYAN TRONGONE/WPI FOOTBALL – Two-way starting lineman had 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Way-too-early fall preview

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A way-too-early fall preview.

At Whitman-Hanson Regional High, fall sports are creeping up, with the cutoff date for signups having just passed.

Here’s your early fall preview:

Boys’ cross country should improve drastically on its 3-5 mark last season. Steve George’s club is returning a heap of talent – led by the fast footed junior, Theo Kamperides, and senior Brandon Hager – both of whom were league all-stars. It doesn’t stop there. The Panthers are returning nine of their top 10 runners. The expectations are high for this group because the talent is there.

Girls’ cross country will return its top runner in senior Tori Boss and its No. 3 runner in senior Niki Kamperides, along with a talent core of underclassmen. The girls should be able to improve on a 3-5 mark last fall.

Field hockey’s emphasis should be on offense, offense, offense. The Panthers pumped in just 14 goals in a tough 2-10-6 campaign last fall. Juniors Delanie MacDonald (five goals last season) and Lauren Clark (three goals last season) are going to have to kick start the offense. Fellow junior Madi Savicke (1.67 GAA last season) returns in net.

Football is setting out to replace almost everyone – its quarterback, running backs, middle linebacker, secondary, two-way linemen, you name it. But, it’s tough to say Mike Driscoll’s squad, still searching for a playoff win, is rebuilding, because how are you supposed to know the talent level of the incoming crop of starters?  There are going to be a lot of positions up for grabs.

Boys’ golf can never be counted out. However, Brian Dempsey’s club is going to have its hands full trying to make up for the production of two-time team MVP and two-time league all-star Owen Manning. Junior Aidan Miller and senior captain-elect Matt Korzec key the returnees.

Boys’ soccer is hoping to put a challenging and “unlucky” 4-14-1 campaign last fall behind it. The Panthers have some momentum coming into the year, having won the final game of the season last fall. There’s a bevy of talent on this club, led by senior captains, forward Jason Brodeur (team-high nine goals last season) and defender Stevie Kelly (the team’s lone league all-star). A healthy Adam Milewski and Brandon Nehiley will also be key.

Girls’ soccer hasn’t missed the tournament since 1999 and don’t expect it to this fall either. Yes, the talented duo on defense of Olivia Johnson (headed to play at Endicott) and Sammy Smith (headed to play at Boston College) and goalkeeper Skylar Kuzmich (headed to play at Hofstra) are all gone, but there’s just something about this program that it just doesn’t seem to be affected by graduations. Twenty-seven of the Panthers’ 51 goals last season came off the foot of then-freshmen Olivia Borgen, Nora Manning and Kelsee Wozniak. The trio is primed for a huge season.

Girls’ volleyball is pretty much starting from scratch with W-H alum Samantha Richer taking over the helm. Rising senior captains Olivia Martin (right side hitter), Lexi Connolly (outside hitter), classmate Ella Sweeney (middle hitter) and rising junior Caileen Hurley (setter) key the returnees, but there’s a lot of experience gone.

Part 2: W-H alums playing in college this year

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This is the second of a three-part series highlighting the members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High Class of 2019 headed to play ball in college.

NOLAN CLACK/MITCHELL COLLEGE MEN’S SOCCER – Clack was one of two players to pace the offense, scoring seven times and tallying four assists.

MIKE COOK/BABSON BASEBALL – A three-year starter at second base and four-year varsity player, Cook never hit below .300, and he led the Panthers in average (.364) and RBIs (14) this past spring.

JOEY DEPINA/EASTERN NAZARENE MEN’S BASKETBALL – Captain scored roughly 110 points, while shooting roughly 38 percent from the field.

DEREK FRANK/MASS MARITIME BASEBALL – First-year catcher knocked in five runs and scored another 13 for the 15-win Panthers.

DAN KLINE/WENTWORTH MEN’S TRACK & FIELD – Was named the team’s MVP in the spring thanks to strong performances in the 110-meter hurdles and javelin.

OWEN MANNING/BRYAN UNIVERSITY MEN’S GOLF – A two-time team MVP and two time Patriot League All-Star, Manning averaged 4.1 shots over par en route to advancing to the Div. 2 state qualifying tournament.

KYLE O’BRIEN/WESTFIELD MEN’S TRACK & FIELD – Posted a career year as a senior this past winter, capped by a ninth-place finish in the 600-meter run in the Div. 3 championships.

ETHAN PHELPS/COLBY COLLEGE FOOTBALL – Three-time Patriot League All-Star racked up over 650 yards on the ground and punched into the end zone 12 times.

SHANE ROSS/WEATON MEN’S LACROSSE – Captain was a key part of the Panthers’ turnaround, netting 35 goals and dishing out 18 assists.

ED SCRIVEN/QUINNIPIAC MEN’S HOCKEY – Converted from the wing to defense, and had 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points on the year.

*This is the second part of a three-part series. 

Part 2: W-H alums playing in college this year

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From the pitch to the court, there are several members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High Class of 2019 taking their skills to the next level.

KATHRYN DUNN/CURRY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – Captain and Patriot League All-Star led the 12-win and tourney-bound Panthers in points (11.5), rebounds (eight) and assists (3.5) per game.

MARIE FOSCALDO/WHEATON COLLEGE WOMEN’S LACROSSE – Foscaldo brings her goalie skills to the next level.

MEGAN HENAGHAN/SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – The 6-foot-2 center snatched 4.9 rebounds per game this past season.

CHLOE HUMPHREYS/ASSUMPTION WOMEN’S SOCCER – Humphreys brings a blend of speed and athleticism to the Greyhounds.

OLIVIA JOHNSON/ENDICOTT COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER – Captain paced the Panthers’ defense all the way to the Div. 1 South quarterfinals.

SEAN KUKAUSKAS/BRIDGEWATER STATE MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD – Set personal bests in the 100-meter dash (:11.97), 200-meter dash (:24.91) and the high jump (5-6) this spring.

SKYLAR KUZMICH/HOFTSTRA UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S SOCCER – Four-year starter and Patriot League All-Star finished her career with 45 shutouts and  72-7-7 record.

ERIN LEAHY/REGIS COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – Captain, who missed the entire 2018-19 season due to injury was a league all-star the winter prior. Can play in the post or run the point.

SAMMY SMITH/BOSTON COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER – An All-American this past season, she posted seven goals and was a two-time Patriot League All-Star.

*This is the first part of a three-part series. 

A Year of Panther Sports in Review: 2018-19

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From freshmen making their debuts to a coach’s last meet to a team finally cracking through in the postseason, there was a lot that went on this past school year in sports at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Here is a complete look back on all the action.

FALL

FOOTBALL

Storyline: Seniors push football to eight-win campaign.

The rundown: The season didn’t come together like some were envisioning, but you won’t hear many complaints. The Panthers snapped a streak of three straight seven-win seasons with an 8-3 mark. W-H – led by its 21 seniors – opened the season with a bang, routing Marshfield, 41-13, and capped it by extracting revenge against Abington for a 16-0 victory on Thanksgiving. The Panthers still weren’t able to get it done in the playoffs, however, falling to North Attleboro, 21-13. During the season, senior captain Rian Schwede stepped in at quarterback for the first time since youth football and provided the Panthers with a jolt, while two-way linemen Ryan Trongone and Quinn Sweeney anchored the trenches. The Panthers will return little experience next season.

Top game: 16-0 victory over Abington on Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving) in frigid temperatures to get over the seven-win hump.

Top quote: “I told the seniors how proud we were of them for their four years in the program, and I told the younger guys to remember how it feels and do what those kids did and just continue on what they did.” – head coach Mike Driscoll

FIELD HOCKEY

Storyline: Field hockey flexes defense.

The rundown: In a season that was tough results-wise (2-10-6), mainly because of a stagnant offense, the Panthers’ defense shined bright. W-H let up just 32 goals, five of which came in one meeting. The backline was anchored by seniors and league all-stars Kathryn Dunn and Olivia Sheehan, while sophomore Skylar Leonard and Noelle Cornetta made the most of their time. Sophomore Madi Savicke starred in net with a 1.67 goals against average. As for the Panthers’ offensive woes (14 goals scored all season), which stemmed from losing senior captain and forward Annika Putur to a torn ACL, they should be eased with more experience under the belts of sophomores Delanie MacDonald (team-high five goals) and Lauren Clark (three goals).

Top game: 1-0 victory against East Bridgewater on Sept. 7. It wasn’t the most talented team W-H faced, but it was one of the most complete games it put forward. Clark had the goal.

Top quote: “The defense had to stop amazing offenses and they themselves were truly amazing.” – head coach Todd Humphrey

BOYS’ GOLF

Storyline: A Manning on a mission: Senior captain paces club.

The rundown: Senior captain Owen Manning put an exclamation point on his Panthers career, advancing all the way to the Div. 2 state finals for the first time, to cap a career as both a two-time team MVP and league all-star. Manning, who carded a 4.1-over par average, propelled the Panthers to a 4-0 start out of the gate. But the Panthers, who finished the season 6-11, went on to hit a rough patch, dropping 10 of their next 12, which head coach Brian Dempsey said was a result of mounting pressure and frequent poor weather and cancelations. Sophomore Aidan Miller and junior captain-elect Matt Korzec key the returnees next fall.

Top match: 238-245 victory over Duxbury on Sept. 13. After defeating the Dragons for the first time in program history the year prior, the Panthers notched another win over their rivals. Manning led the way with a 2-over par 36 and Korzec had a 3-over par.

Top quote: “I’ve improved a lot. My game’s just developed a lot. Practicing chipping and putting is a big help because that’s where you shave the strokes off right there – the chipping and putting – the short game.”– senior captain Owen Manning

BOYS’ SOCCER

Storyline: For boys’ soccer team, an unlucky fall.

The rundown: It’s tough to describe the Panthers’ season on the pitch without the word “unlucky.” Sophomore standouts Peyton Collins and Joel Arsenault transferred before the campaign kicked off and junior midfielder Adam Milewski went down with a broken ankle. Later in the season, W-H lost sophomore starter Brandon Nehiley for two weeks and junior goalie Andrew Sullivan as well to injuries. Rising senior captains, forward Jason Broduer (team-high nine goals last season), and defender Stevie Kelly (the team’s lone Patriot League All-Star) provide some hope that a 4-14-1 2018 campaign can be distant memory.

Top game: 2-1 victory over Rockland on Oct. 26. After all that didn’t go their way during the season, W-H headed into the offseason on a high note. Nehiley found Brodeur twice for goals.

Top quote: “We worked very hard as a group heading into the 2018 season, but bad luck got in our way. I hope the disappointments felt by returning players in the program will feel motivated to improve as much as they possibly can to get us back on the more successful side in 2019.”– head coach Dave Leahy

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Storyline: Freshmen supply the offense as girls’ soccer keeps up winning ways.

The rundown: Veteran head coach Dave Floeck, whose team hasn’t had a losing season since 1999, wasn’t sure what to expect out of his club heading into the fall. He was confident senior captain Sammy Smith was going to be an All-American force in the middle and classmate and senior captain Skylar Kuzmich was going to be a rock in net. Both were. What he didn’t see coming were his freshmen scoring 27 of his team’s 51 goals to lead it to a 14-2-4 record – capped by a 2-1 loss to Hingham in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals. Kelsee Wozniak had 11 of those goals, while Olivia Borgen and Nora Manning added eight apiece.

Top game: 1-1 tie against Hingham on Oct. 22. It wasn’t a win, but they’re not easy to come by against an opponent like Hingham. After tying the Harborwomen to kick off the month, they played to a draw again. After Hingham took the lead in the first, which it held for most of the second, junior Riley Bina scored the equalizer with eight minutes to go.

Top quote: “After you let up a goal you have to have a goldfish mindset. Forget about it [and] move on to the next save. You can’t let it get in your head or else you’ll let in another one and part of that is you just need to be a little crazy too because one, you’re diving at the ball all the time and two, you have to forget something that just happened even if it was your mistake.”– Skylar Kuzmich on playing goalie

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

Storyline: Senior-laden girls’ volleyball team moves in right direction.

The rundown: The girls’ volleyball team had a pretty decent campaign on the court, doubling its win total from the prior season to eight. Its nine returning players are a big reason why. Senior outside hitter Allison Hanlon and senior libero Nicole Scott turned in splendid campaigns, which resulted in league all-star status. Seniors Kayla Crawford (defensive specialist), Kylie Gervasio (setter) and Erin Leahy (middle hitter) were also starters. Rising senior captains Olivia Martin (right side hitter), Lexi Connolly (outside hitter), classmate Ella Sweeney (middle hitter) and rising junior Caileen Hurley (setter) will anchor the club next fall.

Top match 3-2 victory over Bridgewater-Raynham on Oct. 29. Already out of the playoffs and in the final contest of the season, the Panthers could have laid down. They didn’t, digging themselves out of a two-set hole for the victory. Hanlon registered her 200th career kill in that match.

Top quote: “It’s a big deal.”– Then-head coach Ashley Balbian on Allison Hanlon’s 200th career kill.

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Storyline: Boys’ cross country finishes 3-5.

The rundown: The boys’ cross country team was young – its top seven will all be back next season. Sophomore Theo Kamperides, though, stood above them all, leading W-H in every single race. On the year, he owned a first-place finish, three second-place finishes and four third-place finishes. Junior Brandon Hager and freshman Evan Jewitt were the team’s second and third best. The Panthers are in a good spot moving forward.

Top meet: 21-40 victory over Scituate on Oct. 16. Kamperides sparked the Panthers with a first-place showing at 17:44 with Hager shortly behind him at 17:48.

Top quote: “Theo is a tireless worker, always wanting to do more. He doesn’t enjoy days off and always wants to extend his weekly long run which we capped off at 15 miles this fall.” – head coach Steve George on Kamperides

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Storyline: The girls also finish 3-5.  

The rundown: Head coach Steve George knows what the girls’ program has been – and he wants it to return to the pedestal atop EMass. But if numbers don’t rise, the girls will scuffle like this past fall, which concluded in a 3-5 mark. It certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort but really just the participation. W-H has a jumping off point to build from next season, its top runner, rising senior Tori Boss, and No. 3 runner, rising senior Niki Kamperides will both be back. It now needs the underclassmen to step up.

Top meet: 26-31 victory over Plymouth North on Sept. 26. Boss finished the course in 22:21 and Kamperides finished fourth as the Panthers got their first win of the season.

Top quote: “We went into the season knowing Hingham, Duxbury, Plymouth North and Plymouth South had some phenomenal runners, so our expectations were not high. But our kids’ effort and commitment were rewarded with a good record and some incredible times and finishes.”– head coach Steve George

CHEERLEADING

Storyline: Cheerleaders roll.  

The rundown: Under the watch of second-year head coach Alyssa Hayes, the cheerleading team rolled to a Patriot League title, regional crown and state title – its 14th.

Top competition: Scoring a 198.7 at Worcester State on Nov. 18 to win the MSAA Division 2 state crown.

Top quote:“Their motivation, determination and drive has been unmatched these last few weeks. I am even more impressed with the way they handle themselves – they’ve managed to stay humble regardless of their state championship record. They don’t stop working hard after a win.” – head coach Alyssa Hayes

WINTER

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Storyline: For the boys’ basketball team, all it does is win, win, win no matter what. 

The rundown: Really, all it seems to do is win. Another year, another tournament berth for the boys’ basketball team – its 11thstraight after graduating its entire starting five for the second time in three years. The Panthers’ 18-7 mark gave them at least 16 wins for the seventh consecutive season.  Seeded eighth in the Div. 2 South Sectional tournament, Bob Rodgers’ club knocked off ninth-ranked Dennis-Yarmouth, 60-57, and upset top-seeded Randolph on the road, 60-51, before falling to second-seeded New Mission in a semifinal thriller, 79-70. The team’s MVP, junior Stevie Kelly emerged at the floor general, while junior Ben Rice and sophomore Cole LeVangie were threats inside and out.

Top game: 60-51 win over top-ranked Randolph in the quarterfinals March 4. Kelly (13 points) had a key layup late to hold off the Blue Devils.

Top quote:  “He’s a tenacious player for sure. He really gets after it. He’s a tremendous defender and a great leader on the floor.”– head coach Bob Rodgers on Kelly

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Storyline: A strong showing for girls’ hoop.   

The rundown: Returning Patriot League All-Star Erin Leahy was expected to run the point and produce at a high level, but instead, she didn’t suit up at all due to injury. That didn’t stop then-head coach Jenna Olem from leading the squad to a 12-10 campaign, which ended with a tough 45-41 loss to Mansfield in the Div. 1 South tournament. Senior captain and league all-star Kathryn Dunn did it all for W-H, leading it in points (11.5) rebounds (eight) and assists (3.5) per game. She’ll leave an immense hole. The Panthers were a resilient bunch, winning eight games by 10 points or less, including an overtime win over Hoosac Valley, two-point thriller over Scituate on the road and two-point triumph over Duxbury at home. Rising seniors Hannah Damon, Britany Gacicia and Liv Martin, rising junior Reese Coedero and rising sophomore Lauren Dunn will play big roles next season.

Top game: 51-46 victory over Hoosac Valley on Dec. 28. Resiliency, grit, determination are all words used to recap this one as the Panthers stormed back from a 17-point deficit to knock off the hosts. Martin and Kathryn Dunn were both huge down the stretch.

Top quote:  “A big thing at beginning of season was stressing our depth and players filling in necessary roles when called on. We’ve had big nights from a different players at different points in the season. When different players are able to stand out on different nights, it is a strength to our team.”– then-head coach Jenna Olem

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Storyline: Boys’ hockey battles way to tournament for first time since 2013.   

The rundown: Head coach Chris Googins had nothing but praise for his club at season’s end, after making the tournament for the first time since 2013. While the Panthers, who fell to Westwood, 5-1, in the first round, flexed their immense depth all winter, their first line of junior Adam Solari (10 goals and 14 assists), classmate Chris Stoddard (13 goals and 10 assists) and Owen Manning (six goals and 14 assists) was money.  Sophomore Bobby Siders shored up a desperate need in net going head-to-head with some of the best teams in the state. Manning and converted defenseman Ed Scriven will be tough voids to fill, but the Panthers, who finished 10-9-1 this winter, should be contending for the playoffs again next season.

Top game: 6-1 victory over Cohasset on Feb. 18. The Panthers needed three points in their final two games to make the tournament and this win game them four. A gutsy effort.

Top quote: “The kids are really buying into the importance of how much you have to work in the offseason and getting out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s working out or whether it’s trying to play high-level hockey in the offseason to compete with surrounding towns. It’s happening. Kids are actually taking this sport seriously and realizing that you got to play the game and train for the game year round if you want to compete.”– head coach Chris Googins

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Storyline: WHSL not there yet as it skates to a 4-13-2 campaign.   

The rundown: Head coach Kevin Marani thought he may have a playoff team at the outset of the season, but he didn’t. The Panthers showed flashes of what they could be if they put it all together, but their youth (15 combined freshmen and sophomores) led to some mistakes at times. Junior captain Alyssa Murphy (Kingston) was essentially the offense, netting 27 tallies and dishing out 15 assists to be in on 67 percent of the team’s scores.Sophomore Emily McDonald (Whitman) was second on the team with 15 points (six goals and nine assists). Both will lead the offense again next winter. Sophomore goalie Kat Gilbert, who turned away 481 shots, will provide experience in net.

Top game: 6-1 win over Stoughton on Feb. 16. One of the most complete games WHSL managed, where both the offense and defense were in the zone.

Top quote: “I said to the girls, ‘We’re so close. Once you start to win, it becomes a habit.’ We had a ton of one-goal games, two-goal games with an empty net.”– head coach Kevin Marani

WRESTLING

Storyline: Wrestling team finishes white-hot.     

The rundown: The wrestling team may have gone 7-20, but four of those wins came in their final seven matches. It also sent three wrestlers to the state tournament, as opposed to zero the year before. Rising junior Damari Goldsmith-Greene, in the 138-pount weight category, was really the Panthers’ lone star, collecting a team-high 29 wins and placing in four tournaments and seventh at states. Freshmen Jason Rapoza (13 wins at 182) and Rocco Ruffini (10 wins at 220) gave the Panthers a quick glimpse into the future.

Top meet: 63-6 over Everett and 39-39 triumph over Bristol-Plymouth/Coyle & Cassidy on Feb. 2. Goldsmith-Greene had a pin and two wins on the day, senior Joel McInnis (145) had two pins and junior captain Steve Brooks had three pins to pace the Panthers.

Top quote: “We are losing only three seniors and two were starters. Time will tell, but offseason wrestling is the key for next season.”– head coach Gary Rabinovitz

GYMNASTICS

Storyline: New coach, co-op formed for gymnastics.

The rundown: There was a lot of turnover with the gymnastics team, which was in limbo before the season due to lack of turnout and no coach. That was until Sarah O’Shaughnessy accepted the coaching position and the program co-oped with Middleboro. The club finished 2-13. The team’s MVP, junior Sarah Bombardier was a bright spot as W-H’s only gymnast to compete in every all around, and she consistently scored 32 all-arounds, averaging eight on every event.

Top meet:132.1-121.25 victory over Norwell/Cohasset and 135.95-123.1 loss to Mashpee/Falmouth on Feb. 1. Bombardier had a 32.55 in all around.

Top quote: “I’m more trying to get them to come together. I know they didn’t think they were going to have a team at all, so I’m more trying to get them to come together.”– head coach Sarah O’Shaughnessy

GIRLS’ SWIMMING/DIVING

Storyline: Girls’ swimming/diving team has great year in pool.

The rundown: What a season it was for the Whitman-Hanson/Middleboro girls’ swimming/diving team, which finished 8-2. Junior captain Maddie Navicky was a star in the pool, qualifying for both sectionals and states, while pacing WHAM to a second-place finish in a deep South Shore League. Rising sophomore Abby Bonney, rising senior Niki Kamperides and rising junior Sabrina O’Connor were also key cogs all year.

Top meet: 89-84 victory over Rockland on Jan. 2, backed by splendid performances from Navicky in all three relay and a personal best from Bonney in the 50-yard freestyle in the final meet of the season.

Top quote: “During my freshman year, I saw that students were given the opportunity to swim with a nearby school as a co-op team, WHAM (Whitman Hanson and Middleboro), and I loved swimming at my grandparents’ pool, so I thought, ‘Why not try out?’” – Maddie Navicky

BOYS’ INDOOR TRACK

Storyline: Head coach Mike Driscoll gifted a ‘dedicated’ team during his final season.

The rundown: After 20-plus years coaching track at W-H, this was head coach Mike Driscoll’s final season, and he was complementary of his bunch that finished 2-3. He coined his group, one of the most “dedicated” teams he’s had. From senior captain Billy Martell to classmate Kyle O’Brien, the compete-level was there in practice and during meets. Junior Brandon Hager was the team’s top scorer. Junior Pat Bui was huge in the sprinting game and throwing the shot put.

Top meet: 51-48 victory over Pembroke on Jan. 4. Bui, Martell, fellow seniors Sean Kukauskas and Nic Fernandes clinched the win in the 4×200 replay.

Top quote: “That was a huge win for us. That was a big night for the kids. [Pembroke] is someone we all respect in the track world, and to beat them was a cool thing.”– then-head coach Mike Driscoll on the win over Pembroke

GIRLS’ INDOOR TRACK

Storyline: Tough season for girls’ indoor track team.

The rundown: Head coach Steve George isn’t much for team records, but he admitted his club’s 0-5 record was a bit tough to swallow. The Panthers only had 40 participants, so that put them in a hole often. Senior captain was W-H’s top point scorer, scoring nearly 40 percent of the team’s points in a bevy of ways. Sophomores Izzy Amado and Anna Sullivan both put forth strong winters as did junior Courtney Woodward.

Top meet: 54-46 loss to Plymouth North on Jan. 23.W-H wins came from: Sullivan (2-mile, 12:36.09), Woodward (600-meter dash, 1:54.15), Bartlett (55-meter hurdles, :09.68) and senior Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue (long jump, 14-foot-10 1/4) in the close loss.

Top quote: “The goal is to increase participation and with more athletes, achieve greater success in competition. Our kids are out there spreading the word that track is not all work, it can be a lot of fun, too.”– head coach Steve George

SPRING

BASEBALL

Storyline: Heartbreaking end for baseball team.  

The rundown: The talent was certainly there and so were the aspirations to make a run at a state title. After an 11-1 start, it appeared the only thing that could hold W-H back from a Div. 2 state title was itself. The Panthers got cold in the homestretch, finishing the regular season 14-5. After a 2-1 victory over Plymouth South to open the tournament, W-H drew a tough Westwood squad, committed four errors and left 11 men on base and fell, 4-3. It was a heartbreaker because the Panthers led late but couldn’t hold on. It was also a heartbreaker because they will send off their three senior co-captains and four-year varsity players – Rian Schwede (three-time league all-star), Mike Cook (three-time league all-star) and Ethan Phelps (one-time league all-star) – into the sunset. The three racked up 61 wins and won two Patriot League titles during their time at W-H. The rotation now turns over to rising juniors Tommy and Bobby Marshall and Cole LeVangie. The offense will be led by rising senior Chris Zalewski.

Top game: 1-0 victory over Duxbury on May 7. What a game this was. An old-fashion pitchers’ duel featuring Schwede and former AAU teammate Charlie Coon with Schwede just getting the better of him. Tommy Marshall slammed the door for the save.

Top quote: “They knew what I thought and knew what they thought and it made it a nice smooth ride. We had a lot of great wins here. They’ve helped a lot. I will miss them. It’s been great having them, and I’m going to miss the heck out of them.”– head coach Pat Cronin on Cook, Phelps and Schwede

SOFTBALL

Storyline: Future really bright on softball diamond.  

The rundown: The talent is there for a tournament team next season, it’s just about cleaning some things up. After finishing the spring 7-13 under first-year head coach Jordan McDermott, the Panthers will return all but one starter next year in catcher Kayla Crawford. League all-stars, freshman Annie Cook burst onto the scene at third base and junior captain Victoria Ryan was her steady self as second base. Cook also hit leadoff and was second on the team in hits (21) and fourth in average (.344). Ryan, who hit in the heart of the order, led W-H in average (.390), hits (23) and home runs (two). The team’s MVP, Emily McDonald led it with a .448 on-base percentage and by scoring 13 runs. Freshman Erin Burke and sophomore Abby Cleary will both have another season under the belt on the mound as well. There’s a lot to like about the softball team moving forward.

Top game: 25-6 rout of Scituate on May 25. Whenever you score 25 runs, regardless of the opponent, it’s a big deal.

Top quote: “I’ve always had high expectations from them. They’ve always been really, really good athletes and really good scholars and stuff like that so I’ve always tried to hold myself up to their standards and try my best to be like them.” – Annie Cook on following her siblings’ legacies on the diamond

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Storyline: Good signs for boys’ lacrosse.   

The rundown: First-year head coach Tyler Sabens got to work, establishing chemistry and reviving a program that had won just seven games the previous two springs. The Panthers finished their campaign 9-11 – one game out of the tournament. The seniors led the way in the locker room and on the field, combining for almost all the offense and providing a steady presence in net. Senior captain and goalie Mario Troiani, a league all-star, stopped nearly 60 percent of shots on him. Fellow senior captain, midfielder Ryan Downing, scored a team-high 49 goals. Senior captain and midfielder Mason Gorman led the team with 58 points, while senior attackmen Shane Ross (35 goals and 18 assists) and Sean Joanis (31 goals and 21 assists) packed a punch on offense. Senior captain Ryan Trongone anchored the defense. They’ll be a lot of new faces next year.

Top game: 18-11 victory over Pembroke on May 14. Gorman, Ross and sophomore Aidan McCarthy all scored four times and Troiani 13 saves in net for the win.

Top quote: “They can see how the Duxburys and the Hinghams, Scituates operate, but if they don’t want to do the work on their own, it’s going to be very hard to build this. The guys gotta do some of the work, like wall ball and shoot on your own in order to get better as individual players. And also, just watch lacrosse. The more you watch it, the more you’re around it, the more the fundamental concepts tend to sink in that are important to building a successful program.” – head coach Tyler Sabens

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Storyline: Injuries bite girls’ lacrosse.

The rundown:A season-ending injury to senior captain and defenseman Anikka Putur and a seven-game absence for Riley Bina due to a concussion were just a few of the injuries that threw a wrench in any plans of making the postseason. Bina still led the club with 37 goals and was a Patriot League All-Star, despite missing the time. Senior attack and captain Zoe Lyon was productive, scoring 35 goals and a team-high 53 points. Lyon, senior captain Sami Whitman (25 goals and nine assists) and classmate Taylor Ross (20 goals and seven assists) will be missed on offense. Look for sophomore Brooke Connors (12 goals and seven assists) to shoulder a lot of the offensive load next season with Bina. They should be surpass this season’s 7-11 mark.

Top game: 14-6 victory over East Bridgewater on May 29. After limping through the season, the Panthers – paced by four Bina goals – capped it in style with a blowout on senior night.

Top quote: “Riley earned the respect of her teammates due to her competitive nature and also her pure skill to transition the ball and find the back of the net with great shooting percentage. She also tended to score more goals in competitive games than against easier opponents.” – head coach AC Decker on Bina

BOYS’ TENNIS

Storyline: 14 new faces on boys’ tennis team.  

The rundown: The boys’ tennis team’s record slipped from the previous season (from 5-12 to 3-13), but the number of new faces rose to 14, which signals second-year head coach Alyssa Hayes has the program trending in the right direction. Of course, now the results need to come. Junior captain Brian Fox was the club’s spark once again, leading it with five wins in No. 1 singles en route to being a Patriot League All-Star.

Top match: 4-1 victory over Pembroke on May 21. League wins are always a good thing. This win was followed by sweeping Cardinal Spellman the following match.

Top quote: “I definitely would call this season a success due to the growth and depth we were able to gain within the team.”– head coach Alyssa Hayes

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Storyline: Girls’ tennis nets history.

The rundown: This was the most successful girls’ tennis team on record at W-H, winning the program’s first tournament match ever,  4-1 over Bishop Feehan in the preliminary round of the Div. 1 South tournament. In No. 1 singles, junior captain went 9-9 and was the 11-11 Panthers’ lone league all-star. Junior captain Abby Pulling (12-6 in No. 2 singles) and sophomore Julia Benvie (9-2 in No. 3 singles) were the Panthers’ strength all season. The thought is that this is just the beginning for W-H, which is set to return everyone next spring.

Top match: 4-1 victory over Bishop Feehan on June 3 in the preliminary round of the Div. 1 South Sectional tournament to post the program’s first tournament win ever.

Top quote: “I knew they had that in them, it was just my job I feel to present that. I knew they could do this, I didn’t know if they knew they could do this and that was my role and my assistant Sue Moss’ role to get them to that point. They have the talent, they just needed to believe in themselves.”– head coach Sue Sookiasian

BOYS’ OUTDOOR TRACK

Storyline: Boys’ outdoor track goes 3-2.  

The rundown: Head coach Stephen Schlicting was pleased with his team’s performance. The Panthers finished the season 3-2, had 60 active participants and saw more than 50 personal bests set in the final three dual meets. Senior captain Dan Kline was named the team’s MVP after having a monster spring in both the 110-meter hurdles and javelin, while also contributing in the 400-meter hurdles. Sophomore Theo Kamperides, who set personal bests in both the 1- (4:45) and 2-mile run (9:58.37), was the team’s long league all-star.

Top meet: 75-61 victory over Duxbury on April 24,  which was sparked by a pair of relay wins.

Top quote: “Our goals going into the season were to recruit a larger number of athletes than in the previous years. We wanted those athletes to improve. We wanted to participate in the major invitational meets (state relays, Patriot League meet, Div. 2 state meet and the MSTCA decathlon.) All those goals were met.” – head coach Stephen Schlicting

GIRLS’ OUTDOOR TRACK

Storyline: Bartlett awesome outdoors as well.

The rundown: Senior captain Ally Bartlett picked off where she left off in the winter, leading the charge for the outdoor track team, participating and scoring in the maximum of four events every dual meet. Freshmen Olivia Borgen (team’s second leading scorer who was unbeaten in both the 200- and 400- meter dash) and Myah Kamperides (team’s third leading scorer) were also immense contributors. Those rising sophomores and rising seniors Ryley Hurley and Samantha Perkins will lead the way next spring, as W-H looks to improve on a 3-2 season.

Top meet: 72-64 victory over Duxbury on April; 24. Borgen was a double-winner in the 100- and 200-meter dash to push the Panthers over the top and to a 3-0 start.

Top quote: “I was asked recently about the importance of winning, and frankly, my response drew some surprise when I replied that winning was unimportant. But in our sport, the focus, as well as each athlete’s goal, is to improve each time out. We try to motivate our kids to establish a personal record every time out. While it may seem unrealistic, we had several meets where PRs totaled in the 60s. Each one is a win for me. Team wins will ultimately follow if every athlete does his/her part to improve.”– head coach Steve George

 

–This year in review is written solely by the Express, the Whitman-Hanson coaches have no input in what is written.