Athletics News

Fall Sports Awards

Congratulations, to the Fall 2020 Sports Award winners, pictured, and to all fall athletes, coaches, and staff on a successful season! The hard work and dedication to Saints athletics is a wonderful example of perseverance, resilience, and positive attitude amid a pandemic. Playing, competing, practicing together in team sports has made everyone a winner this fall!

Varsity Cross Country MVP: Sophia Bahna-Neta; MIP (Most Improved Player): Mahari Bennett; Coaches Award: Emma Claire Broome Varsity Golf MVP: Vivian Shillingsburg; MIP: Bryn Montgomery; Coaches Award: Avery DiPasquale Varsity Tennis MVP: Joyner Rascoe; MIP: Caroline Koonce; Coaches Award: Holly Godwin; TISAC All-Conference Honorable Mention: Holly Godwin JV Tennis: MVP: Kathryne Woods; MIP: Sarah Fischer; Coaches Award: Annabel Semans

Chrismon Clark ’21 signs with University of Michigan diving

Congratulations, to Saint Mary's senior Chrismon Clark ’21 on signing her National Letter of Intent with the University of Michigan Wolverines diving team. The ceremony was held at the Pavilion on the Hannah Smith ’12 Quad, Nov. 11, 2020, with Chrismon surrounded by her family and Saint Mary's friends. Outstanding achievement! Chrismon is primarily a springboard diver. She is a seven-time USA Diving Junior National Championships qualifier, making five semifinals and one final. She qualified for the 2019 USA Diving Senior National Championships, finishing 18th on one-meter. Go, Blue!

Athletics in the age of COVID at SMS

Saint Mary’s athletics wrapped up a successful, meaningful, and fun fall season that included modifications for health and safety in the age of COVID-19. The Saints were able to safely compete interscholastically in tennis, golf, and cross country, while the field hockey and volleyball teams forged on with skill building, practice, scrimmages, and team bonding each afternoon on campus. This winter, the basketball and swim teams have taken to the court and the pool, with the basketball teams playing in masks and the swimmers donning masks between races.

The fall season culminated with senior day celebrations for seniors and their families in all sports and conference and state tournaments and meets for tennis, golf, and cross-country teams. Winter sports will celebrate their seniors at the conclusion of the season.

Varsity tennis enjoyed a successful season with numerous wins and qualified for the NCISAA state tournament. Junior varsity tennis enjoyed another winning season.

Varsity golf ended the regular season with an exciting one-stroke win over Cary Academy. The team competed in the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference tournament, and sophomore Vivian Shillingsburg ’23 qualified for the NCISAA state championship held at Bryant Park in Greensboro. The cross-country team capped off the season by competing in both the TISAC conference meet at Wake Med Park in Cary and at the NCISAA state meet at McAlpine Park in October.

Varsity volleyball wrapped up a season of hard work - both in a wellventilated Bacon Gym and on the outdoor courts on the athletic practice field - with a thrilling Blue-White inter-squad match on Senior Day 2020.

Participation in athletics in the COVID pandemic brings victories and life lessons large and small – from simply being able to safely participate in sports during the pandemic to the exciting competitions, challenging practices, big wins, close losses, exercise, representing our school with pride, and team camaraderie, fun, and friendships. With no fans allowed (except for senior parents on senior days) team members learn to rely on and cheer each other on even more than usual, creating strong team bonds that will always be remembered.

Kudos, to the Athletics Department, coaches, and team members on masking up, taking the field and the courts, and persevering through an unusual year while carrying on Saint Mary’s proud athletics tradition during a global pandemic. Go, Saints!