Athletics

Fall Sports Recap

A modified fall sports season proved to be successful for Cheshire Academy’s student-athletes and community at large, as teams from all six fall sports were able to compete head-to-head with rival schools.

Going into the fall semester, Cheshire Academy knew it would be difficult to proceed with a regular athletics program. On Aug. 5, prior to the start of the academic year, CA implemented a set of protocols that included no formal preseason, a reduced number of games per week, and a limited game schedule. Weekly conversations were held between Associate Head of School David Dykeman, Director of the Health Center Debra Bond, and Director of Athletics Ed Banach to determine whether games would be played, and where they would take place. Strong relationships with other independent schools also contributed to weekly decisions.

By the Thanksgiving break, varsity football, varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer, varsity field hockey, varsity girls’ volleyball, and coed cross country all had their opportunity to shine. Many of CA’s teams have played a limited number of schools to keep student-athletes and school communities safe.

In the time of COVID-19, faculty and staff have worked to ensure that all risks of contracting the disease are mitigated before teams even arrive at game sites. Football players, for example, were tested for the coronavirus 72 hours prior to their games. Families and CA staff worked closely in partnership to make sure the testing was done, off campus, without interrupting class schedules. Players also were provided face shields for their helmets to further reduce risks. Anyone on the sidelines—including the limited number of spectators, coaches, and other staff—was required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Laundry was done after each game, and equipment, such as balls, cones, and sticks, were disinfected.

Other changes have included seven-on-seven field hockey games, outdoor volleyball matches, and checking the players’ temperatures before the games. CA’s own protocols, as well as those of the NCAA for high-risk sports, were used to keep everyone safe.

Through flexibility and determination, the athletics program achieved several important goals this fall; most importantly, offering the opportunity for the students to take part in the integral Afternoon Program at CA. Students were able to participate in something that they train and look forward to every semester, practices and strength and conditioning sessions were held, and the opportunity for studentathletes to showcase their talents was made available.

Field Hockey: co-captains Sarah Greenberg '21, Sofia Pfannenbecker '21, and Meghan Mikulski '21

Boys' Soccer: Kavin Kathir '22

Girls' Soccer: Reese Purdy '21

Volleyball: seniors Helena Garcia '21, Kiley Cristman '21, Cassie Parmelee '21, and Caroline Fishbein '21

Football: Ali Barkley '21

Coed Cross Country: co-captains Lixuanyi Pan '21, Logan Shvartsman '21, and Julia Shatalov '21

MORGAN MANZ NAMED CA’S HEAD COACH OF VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL AND VARSITY GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL TEAMS

Cheshire Academy welcomed Morgan Manz, a 2017 graduate of Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut), as the newest head coach of Varsity Girls’ Basketball and Varsity Girls’ Volleyball teams. Manz is also serving as a member of the science department faculty.

Manz graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science Studies degree, with a minor in psychology. She later received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

In her senior year, Manz helped Quinnipiac reach the Sweet 16. During the Bobcats’ game against Miami, Manz hit her career high by landing six three-point shots. Two years prior during her sophomore year, QU won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament for the first time since joining the conference. She also went out to Stanford for the NCAA tournament, and played against the University of Oklahoma.

ALUMNI ATHLETICS UPDATE

In June, former University of South Alabama basketball star Josh Ajayi ’15 signed with French professional basketball team Hermine Nantes Basket.

Elijah Pemberton ’16 was invited to participate in the NBA G-League pre-draft evaluation process, which includes a virtual evaluation through both shooting drills and an NBA Pro Day 45-minute open workout. Pemberton recently finished his college basketball career at Hofstra University.

Tarik Black ’17, a former All-American for the Cats and wide receiver for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns football team, was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Top 250 watch list. Black had eight catches for 188 yards and a touchdown through the first six games for the Longhorns.

Brandon Sebastian ’17 and CJ Lewis ’17 have had a phenomenal year on the Boston College Eagles football team. During the Oct. 31 game against topranked Clemson University, Sebastian (defensive back) returned a fumble for a 99-yard touchdown, while Lewis (wide receiver) narrowly caught the ball for a touchdown followed by a successful 40-yard field goal fake to secure a first down.

Richard Kelly ’17 transferred to Boston College after having a standout career on Quinnipiac University’s basketball team.

CJ Holmes ’17 is a defensive back at Kent State, having transferred from Penn State.

Samuel Vretman ’17 (offensive line, Rutgers University) started at right guard in the season-opening win against Michigan State.

Mia Leko '18

Mia Leko ’18 has been making waves as part of Dartmouth College’s Women’s Swimming and Diving team, including her win in the 200-meter freestyle (1:52.95) and 200-meter fly (2:06.97) versus Bates College, and being named the recipient for the second year in a row of the team’s Karl B. Michael Award in honor of the school’s longtime head coach.

Joshua Jobe '18

Joshua Jobe ’18 (University of Alabama) is making his name known on the football field as a starting defensive back, registering 20 tackles and one sack so far in the season. Jobe is projected in some mock drafts to get as high as the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Tanner Davis ’19 (safety) and Cletus Mathurin ’19 (defensive line) were both active in the University of Massachusetts’ Minutemen football game against Georgia Southern, with Davis having three tackles and Mathurin having one.

Jordan Funk ’19 (defensive line) and Andre Carter II ’19 (linebacker) have earned playing time at Army West Point.