FALL 2020 ATHLETICS As the start of the school year approached, there was uncertainty about how the fall season would unfold. All aspects of life at Portsmouth Abbey had to be reimagined and revamped to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Athletics, which plays such an integral part of the students’ experience at the Abbey, was no exception. Over the summer, when it became apparent that no league games would be played, Athletic Director Al Brown and Assistant Athletic Director Whitney Jones began the task of adjusting the format and schedule of the athletics program. In September 125 students arrived for preseason, eager to take part in the revamped fall program. Once the season began student-athletes were offered a robust weekly schedule that included interscholastic practice days along with scrimmages and strength training. Every sport differed in its approach; golf, for example, was much easier to play while social distancing, whereas the football team had to get very creative in their practices. No matter the sport, coaches saw their players improve and build strength throughout the season within a well-planned structure and an added recreational aspect. Coach Jones commented, “The students were really able to embrace the modifications that were made to their
Mary Adams ‘24 Lucia McLaughlin ‘21 and Kaely McCarthy ‘21 run Cross Country
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sports. They were grateful to be out in the field with their coaches, teammates, they were just glad to be playing the sport they love.” Fall athletics culminated with a Raven vs. Raven Day where Abbey teams competed to close out the season. “One of the best memories this year was the Raven vs. Raven Day because it was a day filled with competition,” said Julia Sisk ‘21. “The volleyball team split into two teams and we played a full-on ‘five-setter’ with our head coach as the referee. Also, my team put together a senior day ceremony for me and the three other seniors on the team, so it was a great way to end the season!” Throughout the term, there were also optional weekend clinics for spring and winter sports, providing students the opportunity to practice the sports they may have missed last spring during distance learning. Lulu LePage, a Sixth-Form student-athlete said, “It was a great opportunity that we were able to mix up our sports. It definitely was something I looked forward to each week. It allowed for a change of pace and the ability to be around different groups of people depending on your sports. Personally, starting early allowed for the
Sean O’Hara ’21 on Boys’ Varsity Soccer
P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL
