ATHLETICS

The Blair Hammer Award recognizes athletes at every level who demonstrate grit, strength, teamwork, character and effort. Congratulations to the Bucs who received the Blair Hammer Award in 2019-2020!

Sydney Landau ’20

Sydney’s undefeated record, highly competitive spirit and confident leadership were dominant and driving forces behind the girls’ tennis team’s 2019 success.

Kendra Payne ’20

A track and field athlete who displayed exceptional grit and discipline while training during distance learning, Kendra was Blair’s top pole-vaulter and an impressive hurdler.

Blair Academy Recognizes Spring Athletes &

Commends Class of 2020 for Legacy of Excellence by Wyatt Long ’16

On February 29, Blair Academy’s spring sports teams participated in media day, an opportunity to have professional individual and team photos taken before the season got underway. Athletes from every team were given the opportunity to express their personality and camaraderie during the photo sessions. Beyond the opportunity to come together to celebrate their individual and collective accomplishments, athletes from the class of 2020 were recognized by the athletic office and coaches in several other ways through the spring semester.

Sports information director Rhett Moroses ’13 described the importance of the media day to Blair athletics: “As it is at most colleges, Blair’s media day is designed to both provide a memorable experience for Blair athletes and help us gather content for Blair’s athletic branding and other media outlets.” Along with providing a unique experience that few other high schools offer, media day is a chance for Blair Academy to highlight the high level of talent within its student body.

In addition to the photo op, seniors from each spring team were interviewed about their upcoming season. When asked “What makes a Blair athlete?,” many seniors had similar themes in their answers. Competitive, persistent and dedicated were words used often to describe a Buccaneer. Sportsmanship, talent and passion were other qualities that seniors pointed out. Blair’s senior athletes constantly practiced

Blair’s crew athletes took part in media day. (Back row, left to right) Kate Gerdsen ’20, Mavric Crotty ’20, Nate Castimore ’20, Elizabeth Montfort ’20 and Thomas Engel ’20; (front row, left to right) Clara Ulivi ’20 and Ari Cobb ’20.

Girls’ golf team members (left to right) Alyx Khuat-Sherwood ’22, Xiaopei Chen ’21 and Muzi Fang ’20 established a legacy of winning.

Blair’s athletic department celebrated spring athletes on media day, including boys’ track team members. (Left to right) Morgan Jones ’21, Etka Ayhan ’22 and Isiah Webster ’20.

what they preached throughout their high school careers, in every practice, workout, game and in the countless hours they put into becoming the best representation of a Blair athlete that they could.

Cameron Grant ’20 had perhaps the perfect response when describing a Buccaneer. “An athlete who, no matter what, perseveres through everything that is thrown his or her way,” he said. Although Blair’s athletes from the class of 2020 were not able to compete in their final season for the Bucs, they persevered through the challenges presented to them by the coronavirus pandemic and a virtual spring semester.

“The athletes in the class of 2020 achieved a great deal during their time on the hill,” said Director of Athletics Paul Clavel ’88. “Their leadership and dedication to their sports set a high bar for their underclass teammates, and each senior represented what it means to be a Buccaneer on and off the field.” The class of 2020, he added, leaves Blair with a combined 171 wins and only 128 losses, nine Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) titles and four state prep “A” championships.

Blair Academy honored the senior athletes with a farewell video in which spring coaches talked about each senior and noted his or her contributions to individual programs, on and off the field. Mr. Clavel concluded the ceremony, saying: “A big thank you to all the seniors for working hard and representing Blair Academy. Good luck in your future endeavors, and remember, once a Buc, always a Buc!” ■

View the senior athlete farewell video at www.blair.edu/athletic-farewell.