SPORTS

Land use plan moves ahead

First steps focus on infrastructure improvements, utility work

by Anna Gum Co-Editor-In-Chief

The Hockaday Athletic Department has made visible progress since releasing a Request for Proposal to work on a Land Use plan in December 2018. After selecting HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, as the design partner for the plan, Athletic Director Deb Surgi worked with a number of people within the Hockaday community to progress the plan.

The Athletics and Wellness team, Hockaday Chief Operations Officer Joan Guzman, Chief Financial Officer JT Coats, Eugene McDermott Head of School Dr. Karen Warren Coleman and Assistant Director to Athletics Jen Johnson are a few of the numerous people involved in the project.

In the last three years they have surveyed alumnae, toured campus, consulted with parents, students, department chairs, faculty and staff and Board Members at stakeholder meetings with HOK and in ongoing weekly Core Team Meetings. In Coach Surgi’s words, the process has been largely collaborative.

While much of their plan has yet to take form, the early phases of the land use plan were initiated in fall 2018. Aimed toward utility infrastructure improvements, the early steps will be followed with utility work in the late spring to early summer to divert storm water from campus to Bachman Creek. Once these preliminary steps see completion, the more visible, perhaps more exciting, work will begin — as early as Fall 2021.

As approved by the Hockaday Board of Trustees in March 2020, the Land Use Plan includes plans to reorganize existing athletic fields in a North-South configuration and the addition of a Track and Field venue — complete with four synthetic turf fields, two new grass fields and two new softball skinned diamonds — a plaza with a concession stand, a locker room that includes a lounge area, a storage unit and outdoor classrooms, gathering spaces and a crosscountry path. The plan also notes the possibility of a future natatorium, new parking, improved fitness and wellness facilities and spectatorfriendly event access.

The updates aim to further promote Hockaday athletics and student well-being.

Architect’s rendering of the land use plan.

Checking in

Continued from page 18 Tennis

Varsity tennis won its last four counter games, with an overall record of 4–2. Although there were a few bumps along the way, the team ended the season on a winning streak. “I think the one word to describe this season is resilience,” senior captain Rosemary Sands said. Although there was no SPC tournament for tennis this year, the varsity team will be ranked in third place for the overall season. Even without the SPC tournament, team members cited highlights of the season such as the team trip to Oklahoma City to play against Casady. Senior Kelsey Chen, Sands’ co-captain, said her favorite match this season was against Trinity Valley. “We beat Trinity Valley in a counter match even though we had lost to them during a practice match earlier in the season,” Chen said.

photo courtesy of Deb Surgi

In the last match of the season, varsity tennis defeated Fort Worth Country Day School 4-1.

Softball

Varsity softball ended its season on a six-game winning streak. “The most memorable game of the season was against Trinity Valley,” sophomore co-captain Maia Hartley said. “It was really exciting winning against a good team.” Between COVID-19 and the weather, many games were cancelled or rescheduled. “The season has exceeded my expectations,” senior co-captain Avery Antes said. Softball did have a degree of normalcy with spectators being allowed, but there will be no SPC tournament this year. “A good word for this season would be perseverance,” Antes said.

Reviving Daisy spirit

Supporters return to the sidelines for end-of-season competitions

by Lacy Green Staff Writer

Teams have played their games throughout this year without in-person supporters, but with fans watching online for COVID safety. However, the recent decision to allow two senior parents or guardians at the varsity and junior varsity spring games has been a step toward returning to some sense of normalcy.

The varsity lacrosse team has benefitted the most from this decision because of its participation in the SPC Championship and state tournament. As they wrapped up their season, they competed for the SPC title game, hosted by Hockaday. Not only were the athletes’ parents allowed to attend, but the junior and senior classes were also invited to cheer on their peers. While the Daisies may not have won the hardfought game, they went on to win the state tournament, and there is no doubt that co-captain Maddy Charest and the rest of the team felt the spirit from the sidelines.

“Although I know we were already being cheered on through the livestreams, having their support on the sidelines makes the games so much more fun and energetic,” Charest said.

Not only are parents now allowed back on campus for Upper School athletics, but there have been more changes to the spring season sports. Upper School athletes are now only required to wear masks on the bench, but not during play.

As COVID-19 protocols and precautions have changed rapidly and unexpectedly, Coach Deb Surgi, director of athletics, has worked closely alongside the school’s Medical Advisory Committee, as well as with the other Dallas SPC schools to make changes to the policies as the circumstances progressed.

“We assess COVID-19 protocols weekly, sometimes daily, given the changing landscape, and the

photo courtesy of Deb Surgi

Varsity Co-Captain senior Maddy Charest fights to score on Southlake in a harrowing game. The varsity lacrosse team had to wear masks during practice and on the sidelines, but not on the field, and parents were allowed to attend games late in the season.

spectator policy was reviewed in all seasons,” Surgi said.

While fall and winter athletes such as Ryenne Reiter, varsity basketball player, said they wish they could have had parents or supporters at their games, they believe the decision is fair based on the current COVID-19 regulations and are happy for their fellow athletes.

“I feel that Hockaday made a good decision pertaining to COVID-19, as I was very thankful that parents were allowed back on campus for spring sports, especially for the sake of the seniors,” Reiter said.

Prior to the spectator policy update, all varsity and JV games were livestreamed for fans to watch live and for teams to rewatch game film. Games will continue to be livestreamed, but not all games will be included.

Teams of all seasons have competed for the year no matter who was or was not watching from the sidelines. Bringing back fans to the games has only added to the Daisy spirit.

“Our teams represent our school and our fans, and they are essential to building and nurturing the entire Hockaday community,” Surgi said.

Signing Day for senior athletes

Recruited athletes make college choices official at ceremony

by Melody Tian Staff Writer

Sun shining upon the Graduation Terrace and emotions high, 11 student athletes sat socially distanced as they signed with their committed schools on April 21.

During the event, the athletes gave short speeches, capturing their athletic experience during their high school life. The head coaches of their sports acknowledged their achievements as well.

Alyssa Taylor, a senior committed to Tulane University for track and field, said signing day celebrates athletes who will continue their sport in college. For most schools, the athletes will receive an official document to sign that represents their commitment to attend and play.

In past years, signing day has been an event for everyone to watch in person. However, this year, only the faculty and the signee’s parents were allowed to attend the event.

Emilia Callahan, a senior who committed to Dartmouth College for field hockey, said she appreciated the opportunity for supporters to attend.

“I’m really excited that they have been able to invite our families, because my parents got to come, and so does my little sister,” Callahan said.

Callahan attends practice for field hockey twice a week and said she is thrilled to be going to Dartmouth next year. She said she is also happy that, as a freshman in a totally new environment, she will have a team around her to support her through all the challenges she may encounter.

Minje Kwun, a junior who committed to the admissions process at Dartmouth College for lacrosse, watched the signing event.

“It’s so amazing seeing some girls in the grade above me signing into their dream colleges for the sports they’ve been working so hard on for their whole lives,” Kwun said.

From top left: Lauren Stallings, Sewanee: The University of the South for Lacrosse; Alyssa Taylor, Tulane University for Track and Field; Erin Hughes, Rollins College for Rowing; Estelle Fisher, Washington and Lee University for Swimming; Sophia Foster, LeHigh University for Rowing; Annie Herring, Brown University for Rowing; Diana Piovanetti, Cornell University for Fencing, Kate Clark, Boston College for Track and Field; Emilia Callahan, Dartmouth College for Field Hockey; Maddy Charest, Tufts University for Lacrosse; Laine Betanzos, Colgate University for Rowing.