Athlete of the Week

ANDREW ABRAMS 09’
KENT VARSITY LACROSSE
5/17-5/23

Coach Randall Hobbs issues high praise for Senior Defenseman Andrew Abrams.

“Andrew has anchored the Kent Varsity Lacrosse team for the past 2 seasons. He was instrumental in holding a high-scoring Brunswick team to 5 goals in a competitive 5-4 loss. On Friday, he again captained the defense to a 9-4 victory over The Gunnery.

“Andrew is an outstanding leader, with a strong work ethic in practice, and a relentless effort on the field. He has played well in every game this year, and has been a true warrior. The Hobart-bound senior plays the sport of lacrosse with passion and intensity.”

Congratulations Andrew!

LUCIA KIM 09’
KENT CREW MANAGER/ OARSWOMAN
5/17-5/23

Lucia was forced early in the season into a managerial role, suffering a nagging back injury which forced her out of competitive rowing. She threw herself into her new position, serving above and beyond all expectations, and more!

Coach Garrison Smith writes, “Throughout the season, Lucia was always willing to help, and even stepped up and raced in the fourth boat against both Andover and Exeter. This past weekend, she was selected as the winner of the Perry-McClarence Bowl, presented to the most dedicated member of KSBC.”

“Lucia was selfless, and cared sincerely about the girls with whom she shared her Senior season. She was an amazing manager, a wonderful spare, and a terrific athlete, in every sense of the word.”

Congratulations, Lucia!

ALI LOSPINUSO 09’
KENT VARSITY LACROSSE
5/10-5/16

Coach Liza Davis writes “Ali Lospinuso had another outstanding week on the playing field. In the team’s close win over Millbrook on Wednesday, Ali scored 5 goals, including 4 of the team’s first 5! She also did a terrific job winning the draw in the midfield.”

Ali also had great games against The Gunnery and Kingswood, tallying 8 goals and 1 assist on Friday, and another 7 goals on Saturday. Ali leads the team in scoring this year with an outstanding 68 goals.”

“She clearly has persistence to goal, and has a powerful shot. Her stellar defensive play in the midfield has added to the team’s success, and she will definitely be missed next year, as she heads to Gettysburg College.”

Congratulations, Ali!

ANDY BECKENBACH 09’
KENT 3RDS LACROSSE
5/10-5/16

Coach Tim Booth heartily nominates Andy as “Athlete of the Week”.

“Andy has been one of our great leaders this season, and our most prolific goal scorer. When asked how many goals he had scored this season, he replied in typical Beckenbach fashion, ‘I’m not sure, Coach.’ He is non-imposing, selfless, always team-first, a true leader by example.”

The Thirds team has won 8 games in a row, after a 0-2 start. The turn-around has been amazing, and Beck, joined by fellow co-captains, Billy Kim and Eric Choo, has set the tone for the winning streak.”

“Andy’s agility on the field, his nose for the back of the net, and his warrior’s mentality make him a force on the field. His gentlemanly countenance, and steady demeanor make him a joy to work with in every way.”

Congratulations Andy!

KYLE HYDE ’10
KENT VARSITY GOLF
5/3-5/9

“I nominate Kyle Hyde, Captain, for his many outstanding performances this season.” writes Coach Jeremy Sokolnicki.

“Kyle has led the team ably, scoring the low Kent round in nearly every match that we have played. His season-best 39 against Loomis, K-O, and Westminster came early in the season.”

“He has had his work cut out for him, facing strong opponents each match, and leading the team with his quiet focus. Clearly, Kyle is frustrated with the way that the season has unfolded for the team. But he should have his personal sights set high for the championship matches, where I hope that he will score very well.”

Congratulations Kyle!

CASEY CHISHOLM ’11
KENT J.V. LACROSSE
5/3-5/9

Coach Kristen Benjamin has high praise for this week’s female “Athlete of the Week”.

“In the girls J.V. contest against the Berkshire School, Casey Chisholm showed boundless energy and effort, as she played for every minute of the game.”

“Any ball that came near her was hers, and nobody else’s. She made intelligent passes to her team mates, and also scored 2 beautiful goals. Our 13-9 victory would not have been possible without her terrific effort.”

Congratulations, Casey

LAUREN BRADY ’10
KENT VARSITY LACROSSE
4/27-5/2

Lauren Brady is this week’s female “Athlete of the Week”, having 2 outstanding games. Coach Liza Davis wrote “Against Choate on Wednesday, Lauren had an assist, 2 ground balls, and 1 interception.”

“In Saturday’s win over Berkshire, she had 2 goals, 2 assists, 5 ground balls, and 2 important interceptions at a point in the game when Berkshire was starting to mount a comeback.”

“Lauren pushes herself 100% in every game. She plays the full field, often running the ball all the way up to our attack during a break-out, and still can be counted on to come back and play solid defense. Lauren’s shot has improved, and she has started to become a real threat on attack, which was clear in Saturday’s game.”

Congratulations, Lauren!

DAN HEDDEN ’12
KENT J.V. BASEBALL
4/27-5/2

Coach Todd Marble writes: “On Saturday, Dan pitched a masterful complete game shutout over perennial power Choate Rosemary Hall. He limited the opposition to
5 hits, walked only 2, and struck out 7.”

“Backed by stellar play in the field, Dan worked his way out of a second and third situation with one out in the fourth inning-fanning the last two hitters.”

“At the plate, he also contributed with a huge bases-clearing double in the fifth, putting the game out of reach, as Kent built a 13-0 that would hold through the final out. Dan’s team mates played an outstanding game offensively and defensively.”

Congratulations Dan!

GRAYSON BAILEY ’10
KENT VARSITY BASEBALL
4/20-4/25

Grayson Bailey is this week’s male “Athlete of the Week”. He had an outstanding week at the plate, hitting for an average of .571.

In games against Avon Old Farms and Kingswood-Oxford, Gray scored 4 Kent runs, had 2 runs batted in, and had 2 doubles.

In the important Colonial League win over Old Farms, Gray came in for starter Marc Plante, garnering a save, while shutting down an Avon rally in the last inning.

Coach Matt Herr says “Gray has been a season-long leader both on and off the field, performing under pressure when the game is on the line.”

Congratulations Grayson!

TARA DOWD ’10
KENT EQUESTRIAN TEAM
4/20-4/25

Coach Tina Cloutier nominates Tara as this week’s female “Athlete of the Week”.

A first year rider, Tara has learned the basics quickly, and well. This was never more apparent than this past Sunday, when she emerged a winner at Kent’s own Horse Trials.

Competing on the horse “Harrison”, Tara was able to win the “Beginner-Novice Combined Test” with a combined high score of Dressage and Stadium competitions.

Congratulations, Tara!

JAMES WILLIAMS’10
KENT VARSITY LACROSSE
4/13 - 4/18

Coach Randall Hobbs writes: “James was instrumental in leading the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team to its first two victories of the year. The victims were Millbrook and Kingswood.”

“James has played excellent individual defense, as well as being a leader of the team defensive unit. He has shown tremendous skills in terms of ground balls and clearing. He also scored a key late-game goal against Millbrook.”

“James plays within himself, and makes difficult plays seem routine. This is the mark of a truly outstanding player.”

Congratulations James!

DAVID SANCHEZ ’12
KENT J.V. BASEBALL
4/6 - 4/11

Coach Todd Marble writes: “David Sanchez was masterful in his first start for the J.V. Baseball team, leading the Lions to a 6-2 win over The Gunnery. He pitched 6 solid
innings of 3-hit ball, striking out 9, and walking none.”

“David’s control was outstanding from start to finish, as he rarely got behind on a count. His teammates provided outstanding support in the field, playing errorless defense.

At the plate, David batted in the leadoff position, and is a catalyst for the team’s offense.”

Congratulations David!

SOPHIA SCHLIESSKE ’10
KENT ROWING- 1ST BOAT
4/6 - 4/11

Coach Garrison Smith this week nominated Sophia Schliesske as this week’s female athlete of the week. A rowing novice, she quickly picked up the stroke position, starting the season in the second boat, but moved up the first boat after just one race.

Pulling Kent’s best ergometer time, Sophia proved her mettle in an actual race on Saturday, leading her crew to a convincing win over Phillips Andover, in the first-ever Hart Perry Cup. Mr. Perry was a long-time crew coach and Athletic Director at Kent.

Coach Smith stated the “If Sophia keeps working hard and learning, she will have a great future in the sport of rowing”.

Congratulations, Sophia!