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January sports previews
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Miles Ozorio
2020 was an odd year for sports. Seasons were cut short, and some were abandoned altogether. That was the case for many of Carlmont’s winter and spring sports.
However, in true athletic fashion, the world of sports prevailed. For the 2021 school year, Carlmont’s athletes are back in action. Here is a comprehensive season preview of some of your favorite Carlmont teams playing this winter.
Gary Nakayama Gary Nakayama
Football
Carlmont’s varsity football team looks to bounce back after a disappointing end to their 2019 campaign. After losing their final five games, the Scots finished at the bottom of the Peninsula Athletic League’s Ocean Division. Their league record of 0-5 was partially due to a talent-filled division, with three out of the league’s six teams qualifying for Central Coast Section playoffs.
“Last season, we moved up to a tougher league. We lost a lot of close games but could have easily won two or three,” William Hesselgren, a senior and defensive end on the team said. “Injuries and late-game mistakes got us.”
For the 2020 season, the Scots are aiming for a fresh start. After four years with head coach Jake Messina, the team turns to new head coach Eric Rado for leadership. The Scots have a new quarterback, too. Justin Lavulo, a senior, intends to take the majority of snaps behind center with the absence of last year’s quarterback, Timothy Netane, a junior, who no longer plays football.
“Justin’s been working out hard all offseason, setting a good example for the team,” Hesselgren said. “He should be a good leader for this season.”
With a large number of returning varsity players like Lavulo, the expectations for Carlmont are high. The Scots have taken their extended offseason to refocus, learning a new offensive scheme and adjusting to a new head coach and defensive coordinator. Since September, the players and coaches have put in work with on-campus team workouts and practices.
After 2019’s last-place finish, the Scots are in a new league. The PAL’s Lake
Gary Nakayama
Division pits Carlmont against some less-skilled teams than last year, and the Scots hope their new league will result in an excellent record and a CCS berth.
Gary Nakayama
Girls Volleyball
By the standards of most teams on the Peninsula, the girls varsity volleyball team had a great season last year. Not by Carlmont’s, however. After winning the CCS Division I trophy and making it to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) NorCal Final in 2017, the Scots were eliminated in the semifinal round of CCS playoffs last season.
After the departure of head coach Chris Crader following the 2018 season, the girls were led by coach Michael Lapuz, who, at the time, was also the boys volleyball coach.
With a league record of 2-7 last year, the girls varsity water polo team seeks to bounce back after a mediocre 2019 season. Despite their record last year, the Scots ensured they would learn from every mistake. Their desire to improve was best seen against Woodside, where after losing 18-7 in their first matchup, Carlmont would rally to defeat the Wildcats 11-8 on Senior Night. The Scots will continue last season’s attitude of improvement as they remain in the PAL Bay Division for the 2020 season.
The girls varsity cross country team has a lot to look forward to this upcoming season. Due to injury, the Scots had their top three runners out for the bulk of the 2019 season. Despite the significant losses, the Scots managed to win the PAL Championship. Their season ultimately ended with disappointment, as Carlmont finished seventh at CCS.
The loss of top runners Alessandra Ayers and Kaimei Gescuk, who graduated last spring, will undoubtedly hurt the Scots. Still, the team has a strong collection of returning runners, many of whom are seniors.
For this season, the team is left without two key players, Alisha Mitha and Morgan McClellan, who graduated last spring.
Despite the high expectations and notable players absent, the team has a strong group of returning players like Grace Xu, a junior, and Jules Tan, a senior. Xu and Tan will look to lead their team deep into CCS playoffs, and hopefully, another CCS title.
Girls Water Polo
Gary Nakayama
Orange Tier
Part of the Scots’ attitude last season was due to the team’s tight bond. Since they saw each other five to six days a week, it was important for the Scots to maintain a good team dynamic, and they did just that. Despite losing multiple players due to graduation, the team aims to continue to build strong relationships with one another in the 2020 season.
Girls Cross Country
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Part of the Scots’ success last year, despite their injuries, was due to their hard work and perseverance. This year, the team seeks to continue that hard-working attitude.
To build upon last season’s success, the Scots must stay healthy. If they do, the girls cross country team will likely have a great 2020 season.
Gary Nakayama
Boys Volleyball
The boys varsity volleyball team loves to dominate the PAL. After an undefeated league championship in 2019, the Scots didn’t lose a single set in their three games prior to their 2020 season’s cancellation. Part of their success was due to co-captains Ethan Mayoss and Kyle Lau, who both graduated last spring.
Along with the graduated players, another change is the relatively new addition of head coach Dan Nelson. After the team’s first CCS berth in 2019, Nelson took over for Michael Lapuz, who had coached the team since 2016.
After an unusual 2019 season, expectations for the boys varsity water polo team are high. The Scots had a 1-5 league record, partially due to the absence of their coach, Justine Hedlund, who missed the season due to maternity leave.
Despite their unremarkable performance in 2019, the team has a lots to look forward to this season. Along with Hedlund’s return, the team’s captains and leading goalscorers, Zachary Nathan and Oliver Crawford-Shelmadine, are both
With the absence of their captains and a short 2020 campaign, Carlmont will look toward their seniors to lead the team to a third consecutive undefeated season. Seniors like Joshua Ahn, Ryan Tomita, and Dominique Veinstein have been on the varsity team since their sophomore year, and all have played essential roles in the Scots’ recent success.
Boys Water Polo
Gary Nakayama
Orange Tier coming back for their senior season. The team’s captains lead a group of seniors all looking to have an amazing year. In their extended offseason, the team has put in more work, sometimes practicing at 6:30 a.m. during distance learning. For the 2020 season, the extra work and experienced core are expected to pay dividends.
year, Jones qualified for State alongside
Boys Cross Country Aidan Dimick, now a junior. Despite the notable personnel losses, the Scots are prepared for this season, In 2020, the boys varsity cross country team looks to grow upon last season’s success. Although they won the PAL Championship, the team was disappointed after a fourth-place finish at CCS eliminated the possibility of a State Championship appearance. With with Jack Peacock, a junior, serving as co-captain alongside Dimick. Although their season was moved from its usual fall start, Carlmont’s runners have taken advantage, training both individually and as a team. Overall, it’s safe to say the Scots have their sights set on State. last season’s conclusion, the team lost Caleb Metzler, Max Hariri Turner, and Aidan Truel, three varsity runners who Games are permitted between schools once graduated last spring. The team also suffers the loss of their both counties are in... Malcolm Slaney number one runner, Sam Jones, a senior, who no longer attends Carlmont. Last Purple Tier
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