Endzone Sports Magazine | 2019–2020

Endzone Sports Magazine – May 22, 2020

ENDZONE A Year To Remember

PAGE 14-15 PAGE 8 -9

ONE FINAL Q&A WITH THE SUPERFANMEN

SOCCER’S UNLIKELY CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY AS A THIRD SEED

PAGE 24

FINAL REMARKS FROM SENIOR SPRING ATHLETES

FROM THE EDITOR I have always been a guy that loved sports. I chose baseball cards over Pokemon cards as an elementary schooler. I chose NBA 2k over Call of Duty as a young teenager. And, much to the disappointment of my teachers, I chose Thursday Night NFL games over homework.

I shook my head in disappointment as the Cowboys lose playoff game after playoff game. I’ve jumped up in the air watching Rangers’ Rougned Odor punch José Bautista in the face during the 2016 ALCS. I’ve even rejoiced with my family witnessing the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA Championship.

But I’m not sure I ever really understood what it meant to be a sports fan until the 2019-2020 year at 10600 Preston Road – because I saw an entire school full of them.

Fans — a community that picks up its players through times of struggle — like, when a tornado blows right through their gym. Or when their team gets beaten by their rival on the final play of the year. Or even when a global pandemic strikes and there’s no season left to play. Even when the impossible becomes reality, the fans are there, strong as ever.

When failure strikes, the fans pick the players up. But when things go well — as in, when their teams win three championships in one weekend — they celebrate, together. They sing the Alma Mater at the top of their lungs, they hug their friends, they dog pile, they throw a party. They even get everyone in the St. Mark’s/Hockaday community together for one giant happy photo.

As I go on to college and start life away from 10600 Preston Road, I will always remember what it’s like to be a real sports fan in a community full of people who want to see each other succeed in every aspect.

So, from now on, when people tell me they’re a fan of some professional sports team, I’ll play along. I’ll ask them about the recent game or offseason move. But in my head, I know that they probably haven’t really experienced what it’s like to be a real sports fan.

The real ones – they’re over at St. Mark’s.

One of these days, weeks, or months, I’m going to walk across a stage and become an alum.

As I look back on my time here, I’m going to treasure memories of road tripping to Houston to watch our football team, singing the alma mater with the soccer team, stepping up to the plate to hear my walk-up music and even watching fencing practice as I stroll through Spencer Gym. I will get to tell everyone that I played on the same court as Harrison Ingram. I will have made some of my best friends on the court, on the field and even in the stands.

Table of Contents FALL

3

Cross Country

4-5

Football

6

Volleyball

7

SuperFanMen

WINTER

And, let’s not forget. I will get to call myself an SPC champion.

Through all the failures and triumphs, we all get to call ourselves winners.

Having played eight seasons of two sports in my high school career, I can confidently say that every time I ran a suicide sprint, every time I raked the infield, every time I got extra shots in after practice, every second of film I watched, all of it was worth it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Even though we, as a school, only got to play in 2/3 of the SPC tournaments, the 2019-2020 St. Mark’s Lions will go down in history as one of the greatest group of men to ever wear the blue and gold.

Here is a collection of photos, stories and memories from this incredible year.

I hope you enjoy. ­—Aaron Thorne Endzone editor

8-9

10-11

Soccer

12-13

Basketball

14-15

Swimming

16-17

Taylor Jenkins

18-19

Wrestling

20

SPRING

21

Spring Sports

22-23

Spring Cut Short 24 College Athletes

25

Alumni Athletes

26

Captains

27

4

SPC Championships

7

total chances to win SPC Championships

2 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

FALL Cross Country — First Football — Sixth Volleyball — Second

BACK ON TOP

The cross country team started off the record sports year by securing the fall SPC championship after dozens of interval workouts, early runs and dedication of its teammates.

J

jdust outside his office, on a wall covered by rugged tan canvas, varsity cross country coach John Turek has a slip of paper, pinned by two blue tacks. It’s titled “A Good Teammate.”

A good teammate, it declares, makes newcomers feel welcome.

A good teammate accepts the coach’s decisions.

A good teammate shows interest in teammates’ problems.

A good teammate sets a good example of right and wrong.

And, finally, a good teammate is a friend.

On Nov. 9, 2019, the cross country team won SPC, its first victory in six years.

There were many reasons for the win, including strong performances by a core group of team leaders, a tough coaching regimen that prepped the team for a difficult schedule and familiarity with the final course.

But it can’t have hurt that each time BACK OF THE PACK After waiting for the start of the race, the Lions work their way through they went to see their coach, the members the sea of other SPC runners to establish their place among the dozens of others. of the cross country team were reminded and a big effort by the underclassmen Zach Lightfoot and Fisayo Omonije, began to be good teammates. really paid off later in the season,” said to progress rapidly, putting up strong ▪▪▪ Arroyo. times at local and regional meets.

From the beginning of the season, Turek, too, was confident. Looking at “Eighteen guys set PRs [personal assistant coach Ryan Hershner emphasized past finishes on paper, he saw a core group records] this season,” said Turek. “We gave team unity as an important factor in team of athletes—Pablo and Andres Arroyo, them a chance to prove themselves and success.

Tyler Nussbaumer, Julian Ivarra and Sahil every single one responded.”

“I think one of the things that I Dodda—that he knew would do well. But With such a deep lineup, Turek stressed was, you know, in order to win as he wanted to design a program that would decided to give his top runners a chance a team we have to do it together,” Hershbuild up the whole team, regardless of to rest in the weeks before SPC, having ner said. “I just got the team to realize ability. them compete every three weeks instead of what it takes mentally and emotionally to “We were focused on giving each every week. win a championship and beat that drum group of athletes what they needed,” “That’s all they needed,” Turek said. early on in the year so when it got to the Turek said. “Finding out and applying the “Because then racing takes on a different championship day they were ready for it.” strengths of our team is where we found emphasis. When you pull back a bit, when Hershner utilized interval workouts, our happy spot, because everybody was they do get the chance to compete they recovery runs between seven and ten allowed to improve — and they did — want to make the most of it.” miles, as opportunities for the team to throughout the season.”

Arroyo thinks this strategic training bond and develop team chemistry.

Though SPC loomed in the distance, was key to the team’s success.

“I used the workouts as teaching Turek was focused on the present.

“Throughout the season we benefited moments, making sure that the boys run “We never put SPC on the front burnfrom the general optimism we felt as a retogether and as a group,” Hershner said, er,” Turek said. “We just took each week as sult of good times,” Arroyo said. “And this “and helping them understand just the imit came. And the kids brought into that — created a sort of positive feedback loop.” portance of what it means to stay together, that was the key.”

Turek, however, was focused on more even though it’s easy to forget.”

As the season progressed, Turek and than just the team’s physical fitness—he For team captain Pablo Arroyo, these Hershner started to see a new pattern wanted to make sure they were mentally initial workouts were the first signs that it emerge. The team’s youngest and least prepared for the competition. was going to be a good season. experienced runners, such as Trey Stager, “I really work on strengthening the “Better than ever summer attendance 4 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

Story Alam Alidina, Toby Barrett, Trevor Crosnoe Photos Tyler Nussbaumer

IN SIGHT Pushing through the aches and pain, sophomore Fisayo Omonije keeps the finish line in his sights as he looks for a spot on the podium.

ability not only to show up to every meet and run fast but also to get our minds into it.”

A key part of that work was the attitude with which each team member approached a tough competition.

Turek brought in counselor Barbara van Drie to give the team some advice.

“I give her all the credit for this,” Turek said. “She taught the team that too often we have a tendency to look at the big picture, when in reality we can only control the present moment. The boys learned that how they did in the past has no bearing on what they can do right now.”

Towards the end of the season, Hershner, too, grew confident in the team’s ability to be competitive in the final SPC meet.

“I knew going into this meet that mentally we were ready and physically were ready,” Hershner said. “I mean after some of these times they were turning

over in practice, you know, Coach Turek and I would just kind of look at our watches and just be like, ‘that’s pretty good.”

Part of the team’s success at SPC was due to its familiarity with the course. Four weeks before the meet, they had run the course at the Maverick Ramble.

“The kids automatically fell in love,” Turek said. “It’s very visually stimulating, going through some trees and around a park.”

On the day of the meet, team captain Andres Arroyo was confident in his approach.

“The weather was pretty much ideal for racing since it was nice and cold,” said Arroyo. “So [my brother Pablo and I] went with a safe strategy that involved holding our pace back at first to be able to outrun the competition a bit later into the race.”

TEAM ON THREE Getting ready for the race, the Lions huddle up and exchange words of encouragement together before heading on the start line with the other athletes.

Turek knew the pair would have a strong race.

“Pablo and Andres really fed off each other,” said Turek, “as they have their whole life. They were running really strong, and were coming in towards the front of the pack.”

The rest of the team was doing well.

“By the time I saw them at the two mile mark I knew we were in good shape,” Turek said. “And then with about a quarter of a mile to go, we were there.

Nobody was even close to us.”

Pablo and Andres Arroyo placed third and fourth respectively. Dodda, Nussbaumer and Ivarra placed tenth, eleventh and twelfth. But the most important statistic for Turek was that eight of the ten runners achieved PRs. “They had to trust the team, trust the coaching and trust the training,” Turek said. “And that performance really proved to me that they did.”

Pablo Arroyo felt the same way.

“Better than coming in third and fourth place,” Arroyo said, “was seeing freshmen and sophomores doing as well as they did and setting a good example for the underclassmen by breaking the ‘drought’ we have had since 2013.”

After the team won the meet, Hershner felt gratified to have been part of the season — it had been his first SPC title as an assistant coach.

“All the talk and all the preparation that we were talking about came true,” Hershner said. “February will be my sixth year. We’ve had a lot of talks, but it’s the first time it actually happened.”

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 5

LION PACK

With a new head coach and a safety-turned-quarterback leading the team, the football team looks to create a new dynasty.

W

--ith two games remaining in the 2020 football season, the F-3 tornado that swept through 10600 Preston Road, obliterating Hicks Gym and severely damaging other parts of campus, resultin in uncertainty surrounding the future of Lions athletics’ fall seasons.

What would happen to our homecoming football game against Greenhill? And our highly anticipated showdown with ESD? Can a football season even continue?

All Marksmen eagerly sought answers to their unanswerable questions.

The Lions football team didn’t have a place to practice and their brand new locker room couldn’t be used.

Forgetting the usual intense rivalries between schools, the Dallas community instead offered up their hands.

Hockaday saved the Lions’ season by graciously allowing the team onto their campus and onto their playing fields, giving them the opportunity to hold daily practices on their grass field.

Greenhill selflessly agreed to host the Lions’ special homecoming game at Brinkmann Stadium the night of Oct. 25, hoping to make homecoming as authentic of an experience as possible for Lions football players and students alike.

The Lions collectively were thankful for the opportunity to finish the season while not being able to be at school or on their home field, revealing the true resolve and character of the team along the way.

••• Head Coach Hayward Lee, also the school’s varsity lacrosse coach, last coached football in 2006. However, after former Head Football Coach Bart Epperson’s departure, Lee decided to serve in a position of need this season.

“I felt like we needed somebody to step up,” Lee said. “I know the seniors particularly well, and I wanted them to have a really good experience in a really good culture

6 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

MORE THAN A GAME Many sport pink in support of Breast Cancer awareness month.

in our program. The biggest thing was to try and build a good culture because a good culture is attractive to people, and we need more kids playing football.”

Senior defensive end Carr Urschel feels that Lee had a profound impact on the program in his first season back at the helm, and that his coaching style will continue to grow the Lions’ football program.

“I can’t even quantify how good of a job that I think he did. I think he did a really good job in bringing in his ideas, but keeping the things that worked in the past,” Urschel said. “As a coach, he came into the season with a team and then formed the game plan around us.”

The Lions’ season was defined by both players and coaches’ selfless attitudes of wanting to step up and contribute to the team when most counted upon.

“Anthony played quarterback when he’s realistically a D[ivision]-I safety,” senior captain Paxton Scott said. “He could have just been happy and played there and just been in this comfort zone, but he decided to get out and play quarterback in the most critiqued position possible.”

While the Lions finishing three and five, Lee and Scott felt strongly that they had opportunities to win six games.

“Every game that we lost, we lost literally in the final seconds of the game – in the final 30 seconds of the game; it came down to one play away,” Lee said. “I would have

loved for us to have made one more play in those games. Just our guys fighting and working to put themselves in that position was something we can be proud of.”

Lee commends the character and leadership qualities of senior captains Anthony Andrews and Taylor Hopkin, along with Paxton Scott and Carr Urschel, who both have signed to continue playing football at Dartmouth College next year.

“Those are obviously four of our most talented players, so it’s not surprising that your hardest working guys are also your most talented capable guys,” Lee said. “That doesn’t always happen, but there is a very strong correlation between the work you put in and your effectiveness on the field. Each of those guys has a different personality, but with a different way of communicating comes a different way of leading.”

Believing that the Lions are on the brink of reestablishing the dominant football powerhouse the Lions were in 2001, a SPC championship season, Urschel urges all students to try out for the team.

“Obviously we’re not going to get these 305 pound kids and five-star running backs, but we never had that in the first place,” Urschel said. “For my lasting impression on St. Mark’s football, if I could say what I wanted that to be, it would be for almost every kid to try out, for us to get all the athletes on the field, everyone bought in and make those Friday nights really count.”

Story Peter Orsak, William Aniol Photo Evan Lai

AGAINST ALL ODDS After disaster struck, wiping out the home court of the volleyball team, the 2019 season seemed all but lost. However, the squad stormed back to make another run at SPC.

A NEW HOME The Lions were able to find a new home after Hockaday graciously offered their court as a host sight for the team’s Homecoming match against Greenhill.

S

-enior volleyball captain Lincoln Dales’s journey on the team has been nothing short of a roller coaster.

Being called up to join the varsity squad the second half of his Sophomore season.

Playing a crucial role on the SPC Championship run his junior year.

Seeing photos of Hicks Gym, the home court of the team, torn down by a tornado his last season donning blue and gold.

In coming back from disaster to make another run at the SPC title this year, Lincoln ascribes the team’s fortitude and strength with one word.

Confidence.

••• Dales sees the Senior night game against Greenhill as the turning point for the team’s season.

“While the tornado temporarily dampened our spirits we soon were able to use it as a motivation,” Dales said. “I still remember [senior Sam Ahmed] giving a speech on Senior night that was hosted at Hockaday talking about winning the game against Greenhill not for us but for the St. Mark’s community and we came out with a big win.”

From the victory against Greenhill, the Lions powered their way to the SPC Championship game. Although they came up short, Dales believes they still had a captivating season.

“We didn’t come up with our intended goal of winning SPC, but we definitely were the team to beat this season,” Dales said. “I think it was a really successful season, not just because of our record, but because of the program that the 2019 Varsity Seniors are leaving behind.”

Even though his last season didn’t go as he would have hoped, Dales reflects fondly back on his time on the volleyball team and made unforgettable, lifelong memories along the way.

“My favorite moment in all my years of playing has got to Story Christopher Wang, SeMaj Musco Photo Evan McGowan

be playing such an important role in bringing a championship to St. Mark’s at home,” Dales said. “The memories of everyone rushing the court after our win and being able to win for the seniors at the time who had poured their heart into this team for years.”

Dales hopes he was able to influence the future leaders of the team in a positive way from his time as a captain this past season.

“If I could tell the rising seniors anything it would be to continue to represent St. Mark’s through interactions with coaches, other players and refs,” Dales said. “Also, don’t forget about the younger guys. They will be in your place soon and every ounce of influence and time you pour into them they will return it for years to come.”

Junior Tristan Doan, who has played as a member of the starting six on the volleyball team the past two years, is grateful for the experiences the seniors have been able to provide him.

“I think after anyone loses anything we’re all a little bit disappointed in ourselves,” Doan said. “I didn’t ride home with the team on the bus, but I got on the bus before they left and spirits were really high. People were glad for such an amazing season. Especially the seniors who aren’t going to come back next year. We had lots of fun, we got a lot better, there were also family bonds that go on a team. It’s pretty much everything you could ask for.”

Doan plans to play a key role in piecing another successful season next year, and he is hopeful for the future of the team.

“The current junior class, we have some strong players who have a lot of talent and are definitely fun,” Doan said. It’ll be a lot different since we’re losing, I think, 6 seniors, five of which are starters. I think it’ll be fun. Everyone’s excited. We already have a group chat going, and we’re designing uniforms I’m looking forward to it and I’m pretty sure everyone else is.”

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 7

FROM THE SUPERFANMEN

From leading student sections to being active on social media, seniors Luke Evangelist have undoubtedly contributed to the success of our sports teams, bleeding blue and gold all year long.

LE: It is our athletes at the end of the day that are the ones putting it all out on the field, but it does help to be on the soccer field and look over and see the entire basketball team, especially for winter SPC. We did what we could to get people to come out ,but at the end of the day, the athletes played the best they could and all the fans came out and that’s all that we can ask for really.

AT: So I know that you guys are doing your bracket of best moments of the of the year, but Can you guys give me besides winter SPC day, Can you guys give me your favorite sports moment of the year.

PEP RALLY In front of the entire Upper School, Jack (left) and Luke (right) announce the upcoming sports events at the first Pep Rally of the school year Sep. 6.

Aaron Thorne: Why was being SuperFanMen something that interested you?

Luke Evangelist: I would say because we both love St Mark’s sports. We had a position and we wanted to fill it and do the best that we could with our abilities.

We knew that we could make it something great and elevate it for years to come.

Jack Trahan: I think we both saw a real opportunity to elevate the position.

Also, we kind of had a platform where we could do what we really wanted to do, which was to promote school pride and school spirit, and promote the sports culture that we see as so important for the St. Mark’s community and emphasize that to everyone else.

AT: How did you guys go about developing your brand and getting recognized?

JT: Our agenda from the beginning was consistency, even in the summer when we didn’t necessarily have that much content and we had to be creative with what we posted. So, I think by presenting ourselves from the beginning is a serious force, by the time the square started, everyone knew the superfan and when we were 8 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

only able to build off of that from there.

I think it’s kind of setting that agenda being consistent and actually taking our job seriously, that’s where people began to take notice of us.

LE: I think social media was the big key because we were the first SuperFanMen meant to really go that route. Because in the years past, it was kind of just like send out a Facebook update an hour before the game telling people what to do and what to wear. We wanted to change that and really bring like St Mark’s sports to Twitter and Instagram.

AT: What kind of effect you think that you guys have on our athletes and do you take any credit for the athletics success of the school year?

JT: At the end of the day, it’s the athletes that are bringing us SPC championships. I wouldn’t ever say that If you didn’t have the SuperFanMen, y’all wouldn’t have been able to pull off the SPC championship. But, that said, I think that there’s definitely something to home court advantage. I think by creating that kind of atmosphere and that kind of culture, I think it does kind of have an intangible effect on how athletes view their jobs. I think in that way we contribute to the success of St. Mark’s sports.

LE: I would have to say Stefan’s penalty kick was my favorite moment, when Stefan and the whole team clutched that out.

Everything was so improbable, and then we came back to win that. We were the only three seed to win the SPC championship in soccer, it’s crazy.

JT: I would say the Homecoming games at Greenhill after the tornado. We were out of school that whole week, then Greenhill graciously let us use their facilities for our homecoming and we still took care of business. For the first time, I think it became clear to me and a lot of other people that like we might have lost Hicks and the buildings have been damaged, but St. Mark’s is still intact and all the people are still here.

NEW GEAR The SuperFanMen introduce some new custom-made gear to support the Lions sports teams on Lion Pride Night.

AT: Obviously, everyone was excited to take the energy from winter SPC into the spring, but you guys were thrown a big curveball. How were you guys able to stay active as SuperFanMen even when there weren’t any sports being played?

LE: Obviously, it’s unfortunate that we only got to be the outspoken like in school superfan man for two thirds of the year but that doesn’t mean we can’t take that other one third and be just as active on social media so whether it’s that rock paper

basketball game. I’m still going to be the same SuperFan just in different colors. I’m looking forward to being at another school that cares just as much about athletics as St. Mark’s does.

JT: I don’t know if you know this, but some call Dartmouth the Texas A&M of New Hampshire. Same thing, I’m looking forward to re establishing myself as a presence in the sports world. I’m just excited to see how I can bring my love for sports at a given school and how I can and add to the

WINNERS A rowdy student section built by the SuperFanMen celebrates the basketball team’s SPC championship victory moments before storming the court.

scissors competition on Instagram live, or like the moments bracket or just coming up with new things. We’re just trying to like bring that Friday night sports environment to social media a little bit, whether it’s like competitive voting or whatever, we’re just trying to keep people interested.

JT: Our goal moving into distance learning was that we wanted to not just have a worse substitute for what we normally might, but instead, do things that we could only do in our current situation. And also, I want to thank the 10600 team, especially Mr. Carden and Ms. Rubarth, because they’ve really helped us out and supported us making content for both our account and the 10600 account. So they’ve been awesome.

AT: What kind of superfanmen things are you going to bring to Texas A&M and Dartmouth?

LE: I mean, people have said that I’m the literal 12th man, so I gotta bring it to College Station. I think I’ll probably make another social media account, so stay tuned.

You’ll find me like every single football and

Dartmouth sports culture.

AT: What advice do you have for future potential superfan men looking to fill your shoes?

JT: Every superfanmen is different, so don’t try and be us, try and use your own traits and talents. But I would also say, you just really need to like think of yourself as the super fanmen. You need to get into the mindset that you are the guy when it comes to school spirit and school sports, and that people are looking up to you, which is kind of something that’s always emphasized for the whole senior class.

LE: Yeah, I would say make sure that you actually truly love it.

It’s one thing to love St. Mark’s sports but you also got to put in all this work that I don’t think a lot of people see behind the scenes. Don’t take any moment for granted.

what kind of legacy do you think you left on St. Mark sports and the same community as a whole?

JT: Our whole attitude is that, we had our jobs to do. And I think we did that. I’m not sure how well we can judge like what kind of long lasting impact will have on being Superfans and on St. Mark’s sports as a whole. But I will say, for example, Lion Pride Night, the moms in charge of that have reached out to us and they’re like, “we want the superfanmen to be like a permanent fixture and helping to organize Lion Pride night each year.” Though it might be a bit too early to speak to what legacy we’ve left, I think there’s definitely an attitude prevalent in the community that people have enjoyed the SuperFanMen being fixtures in school pride as we tried to be. Hopefully, that same perception and that same attitude, toward the SuperFanMen will continue.

LE: I agree with Jack. We really did what we could to go above and beyond and change what it means to be a SuperFanMan, whether that’s through having a great relationship with Hockaday and promoting their sports, or going above and beyond to talk about quiz bowl or talk about coffeehouse or some of the concerts. Another part of the legacy is just the tangible memories I think we’ve made like whether that’s how we rebounded from the tornado or that Winter SPC trophy picture that I think is going to go down as one of the most legendary pictures ever. And like that’s something that we’ll come back and talk about at our reunions, and something people will be talking about for years to come.

WALKOUT Trahan and Evangelist prepare students to line up

AT: Even though it got cut short, outside the locker room for the football team to take the field

Interview Aaron Thorne Photos Evan Lai, Courtesy SuperFanMen

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 |9

WIN Soccer — ­ Basketball — ­ Swimming — ­ Wrestling — ­

Feb. 13-15: A Weekend

TER First First First Third

for the Record Books

ENDZONE — MAY 16, 2019 | 11

GOING FOR THE GOAL Coming into SPC quarterfinals as the third seed, the soccer team defied all odds, beat a former powerhouse and secured a first place finish.

EAGLE EYES During the championship game against The Kinkaid School, junior Cristian Pereira lasers in on the ball. The Lions won 3-1.

A

s he watches snow trickle down from the sky, senior William Holtby is visibly upset.

They’re going to hate this.

In early February, on a bitterly cold Saturday morning, the entire soccer team has showed up for an early morning run around the neighborhood.

As captain, Holtby wants to keep everybody happy, excited. But as the weather keeps getting colder, Holtby knows that goal is only going to get harder.

Impossible, maybe.

At first, he thinks he hears the whining and complaining start, but it’s different this time. There’s no pain in his teammates’ voices, no drawn-out sighs. Holtby turns around, and he sees a completely different picture than he expected.

Everybody’s jumping up and down in the air, bumping their fists on their chests and yelling from the bottom of their lungs.

Legend has it, the team’s hollering could be heard from all the way across Preston.

Holtby’s shocked by the reaction. He’s played soccer for years, on many different teams, but this energy? He’s never seen it before. The team doesn’t care about the freezing cold or how early it is. They’ve all bought in, and they only have one goal.

To make the impossible possible.

To win.

••• The soccer team’s energy carried them through a long uphill battle Feb. 15 this year, 12 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

starting as the third seed but ending up as the SPC champions.

But just because they had the right talent and put in the work doesn’t mean this season was a breeze for the team.

“During the season, we had a few mishaps that definitely put some doubt throughout the team,” Holtby said. “However, as people would come to find out, it was how we reacted to pressure that set us apart from everyone else.”

As they came back stronger from each and every obstacle on their path, a new challenge would show up. When it came to the regular season game against the Casady School Cyclones in Oklahoma City, that meant a 3-1 loss for the Lions.

But when head coach Cory Martin realized the team would be playing Casady again in the semifinals, he didn’t let anybody get intimidated. Even though almost everybody expected Casady to progress onto the finals, Martin knew the Lions were better than before, and they could handle a rematch.

What nobody expected was a red card on the goalie, senior Billy Lockhart.

“I was thinking ‘Oh crap, we’re down a player,’” sophomore Stefan Moreno said. “I thought it was a free kick!”

Sitting on the bench, Moreno didn’t have time to register Lockhart’s red card before coach Martin called his name. He was completely unprepared.

“I didn’t think I was actually gonna have to try to save it. I don’t have my shin guards

on. I don’t have my jersey on. I came in with a pinnie. So I got the pinnie, I went on the field and [Sophomore Lars Ochs] comes up to me. He’s like, ‘You’ve got to stop this dude.’

And I’m like, ‘It’s a free kick.’ And he’s like, ‘No, it’s a penalty kick.’”

Moreno hadn’t warmed up, but he was mentally prepared and knew how much the team had to lose at this moment. The pressure was on as the ball came hurtling through the air. But Moreno made the save.

As Martin’s confidence in the team skyrocketed, he realized the Lions really could beat Casady and head onto the finals.

“I went from thinking we had a chance to knowing we’re going to win this game,” Martin said. “I didn’t know anything about their guys taking penalties, but I knew our guys taking penalties were going to be money. All I said was ‘Stefan, if you save one, we win this game.’”

The team had a whole season of failures and comebacks – a season that prepared them for that semifinal game. And although it didn’t get the same spotlight as the final, it may have been a better example of how the team’s energy carried them through a hardfought season.

“I felt really good about our boys going into that final when we beat Casady,” Martin said. “I was watching the Kinkaid players, and they were tired. They were worn out. I liked our chances the next day, knowing what I know about our boys.”

Martin was right. The day after, the Lions

Story Ishan Gupta, Jonathan Yin, Peter Orsak Photos Charlie Rose

beat The Kinkaid School 3-1. Each player spent countless hours preparing for this final moment, it still felt surreal.

“Expectations weren’t just met – they were shattered,” Holtby said. “Coming off a strong season last year, we expected big things, but not as big as they turned out. Obviously at the beginning of the season it was a goal to win SPC, but taking into account the teams we beat and how we did it made everything so much more special.”

It was a goal that seemed nearly impossible at the beginning of the season. But the team knew they had their own special set of advantages they could use in their favor down the road.

“Right when the schedule came out, we knew how daunting the task seemed,” Holtby said.

“However, we also knew that each team we played would count us out before the game even started. I think that sense of being an underdog lit a fire under our bellies, and used it to stay strong the whole tournament.”

But it’s not enough just being underdogs. Holtby believes Martin’s coaching was a major factor that helped them cross the finish line.

“Coach Martin always teaches us to learn from our mistakes,” Holtby said. “We fixed what wasn’t working early in the season and moved on. We also practice longer and more often than everyone else. Christmas, Thanksgiving, MLK Day – you name it, we were training.

By pushing us harder during the season, we blew everyone away.”

And it all led to that final moment at the end of the finals against The Kinkaid School.

As a captain playing his last game for the school after a long career, Holtby was flooded with feelings.

“After the final whistle blew, I crumpled to the ground, overcome with emotion,” Holtby said. “I have played a lot of soccer in my life, and I always came up short. To be able to win it with my teammates, coaches, friends and the whole St. Mark’s community supporting us was an indescribable feeling that I still play over in my head, again, again and again.”

JUMP FOR JOY Junior Eric Yoo, senior William Holtby and juniors Knobel Hunt and Henry McElhaney (partially hidden) celebrate after Holtby’s goal and backflip celebration in the final.

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 13

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Using a disappointing 2019 tournament as fuel, the basketball team rallied together to win its first SPC championship since 2007 despite the initial loss of its home court.

14 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

rom the moment the first game, an aura of radiated from varsity Fresh off an unsuccessfu 2019, senior captain Andrew championship trophy more “The entire offseason w game, and we basically cam on revising that loss,” Laczk how bad that loss was, like t the worst thing we had ever we decided to band together again.”

And it didn’t.

•• After an 85-57 victory a Feb. 15, head coach Greg Gu champions. Guiler remembe “When a group of guys together and celebrate cente puts the icing on the cake.”

But the path to triumph had it taken the team to reac Guiler believes the time season helped.

“We had a really good o “There was a lot of confiden we would be tough to beat. maturation that occurred off Laczkowski has experie this growth over the course lengthy varsity basketball ca Joining his freshman year, h evolved his skills and minds “I came in as a freshman and I was unsure of my abil Laczkowski said. “I knew I w good, but I wasn’t sure how good I was. I didn’t know ho confident I should be. Playin freshman year helped me ga confidence, and sophomore year I gained more confiden growing as a leader each yea Guiler noticed a growth the work ethic of his players stood out to him over the las two seasons.

“The number of guys w themselves into the offseaso volume of players who set t championship and pushed e as driven of a team I’ve ever Junior captain Harrison discipline to his personal life “My biggest takeaway f much consistent hard work Ingram said. “I will be using to be successful in life.”

Guiler enjoyed watchin “I found a lot of joy in s the team in scoring,” Guiler Harrison Ingram and how m turned in. Colin Smith with

ment the buzzer sounded in the an aura of solidarity and resolution om varsity basketball players. nsuccessful SPC title run in February n Andrew Laczkowski zeroed in on a phy more than ever before. ffseason we had talked about that cally came into the next year focused ss,” Laczkowski said. “We all felt was, like the taste in our mouth was e had ever experienced. So, as a team, d together and never let that happen

Laczkowski hit 2000 points for his career. The way that guys celebrate each other when people hit those kinds of milestones, I thought it was really cool.”

Laczkowski felt his 2000th point was a reminder of the remaining time he had left with his team.

“It had always been hanging over my head,” he said. “That moment was so special, with the 2000 points, Spencer Gym how it was, that was when I was like, ‘Dang, I only have three games left in my career, I have to make them count.’”

Laczkowski believes the attractiveness of these moments were hard to resist, often feeling the lure of crowd pleasing while he was on the floor.

“When all the lights are on, people want to make ••• plays for themselves,” he said. “I felt that trap. I would victory against Houston Christian be like, ‘This shot might not be the best for the team or h Greg Guiler and his team were SPC the best play to make, but if I make it can you imagine remembers the game fondly. what people are going to say about me?’” p of guys get to cut down nets Laczkowski recalls how the team addressed these rate centercourt,” Guiler said, “it just situations, frequently coming together as a team . he cake.”

“We talked about that a lot as a team,” Laczkowski o triumph had not been easy. What said. “Coach Guiler kept us centered. If we play am to reach their goal? together as a team, one game at a time, we can be the s the time from last season to this greatest team we can be.”

The tornado proved to be another obstacle the lly good offseason,” Guiler said. team was able to overcome. The high morale after the f confidence going into this year that storm surprised Ingram, who said he expected a larger h to beat. I think there was a lot of negative effect on the team. Instead, Guiler says it curred off the court.” helped team cohesion. as experienced “The tornado in particular he course of his forced the team to go through

BY THE NUMBERS sketball career. [emotional growth] together,” an year, he’s Guiler said. “I just saw a lot of players with at least and mindset. servant leadership, guys think 50 percent field goal a freshman, outside themselves to support percentage of my abilities,” one another.”

“I knew I was The SPC Championship sure how game brought along different ’t know how effects than what Guiler points be. Playing expected, watching his players scored by ped me gain truly come to life. He believes freshmen and points per possession sophomores phomore the effort and work ethic he had e confidence, seen all season long brought the r each year.” team to a victory. d a growth in “It wasn’t a scheme that charges his players that overwhelmed them,” Guiler total rebounds taken ver the last said, “it was the players playing their guts out.” of guys who really poured Guiler says the sacrifices players made this season e offseason,” Guiler said. “The sheer made the dream come true. who set their mind on winning a “Every selfless decision the guys made, it made us pushed each other in practice. It was stronger,” Guiler said. “Talent wins. That’s a testament m I’ve ever coached.” to those guys playing ball their whole lives and having Harrison Ingram applies this dreams as a six-year-old of hoisting a trophy.” ersonal life.

Ingram recalls his emotions after winning. akeaway from last season is how “It was an amazing feeling, given we lost last ard work can lead to success,” year,” Ingram said. “It means the world to win it all.” ll be using this as a baseline on how For Laczkowski, the victory was more special with life.” brother and teammate, sophomore Tate Laczkowski. d watching his players stand out.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, playing of joy in seeing different guys lead with Tate,” Andrew Laczkowski said. “We were both g,” Guiler said, “and I think about battling injuries that week. His hip was hurting and nd how many triple-doubles he my leg also hurt, but we fought through it. To hold the mith with a 40-point effort. Andrew trophy with him was probably the most special part.”

6 0.85 1138

DREAM COME TRUE After the buzzer sounds on the championship game, head coach Greg Guiler shares a moment with former coach Tom Adams.

TRAP Swarming the Houston Christian ballhandler, sophomore Colin Smith and junior Harrison Ingram close in on their opposition during the championship game Feb. 15. “I didn’t think our pressure would overwhelm them,” head coach Greg Guiler said about the team’s 85-57 win, “but I’ve never seen a look in the eyes of our players like I saw that day.”

889

8

Story Will Pechersky, Toby Barrett, Luke Nayfa Photo Courtesy Yang Zhong

SPLASH In front of the Episcopal High School bench, sophomore Noah Shelby launches a three pointer in the team’s 56-47 semifinals victory at Greenhill’s Phillips Gym.

HUSTLE Fighting for an extra possession, sophomore Tate Laczkowski and junior Harrison Ingram dive on the floor against Kinkaid in the quarterfinals Feb. 14.

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 15

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aptain and senior David Li, a veteran to the swim program, stands up on the diving blocks. He eyes the bottom of the pool, knowing that he has to provide a good start to the Lions’ last event, the 400 freestyle relay, in order to win SPC. Take your mark.

Beep!

He swims a 49.71, 0.1 seconds within his personal record.

Junior Ryan Park dives in after David. An excellent long distance swimmer for the Lions, Park hopes to perform just as well in the sprint. He does.

48.48. A PR. Next, Freshman Jerry Fox. Although a newcomer to the varsity program, Fox has quickly established himself to be one of the fastest up and coming members of the team.

48.82. A PR. Finally, Junior Leo Ohannessian. The anchor of the relay and the fastest freestyler out of the four.

His job? Simple. Carry the team home and win SPC. His time? An amazing 47.05.

PR. Everyone looks at the scoreboard.

Did we win? Did Leo do his job?

Dyn asty Rec laimed After failing to achieve first Coming off a 3rd place finish in theplace for two years in a row, the swimming team over2018-2019 season, the Lions overcame came expectations to once expectations of 3rd place to seize the again claim first place.

SPC Swimming Championship once more.

16 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

Yes. 0.6 seconds.

The time difference between the Lions and St. John’s, to win the meet.

▪▪▪ OFF THE BLOCKS Senior David Li prepares to spring himself off the diving block to start the 400 freestyle relay.

STROKE AFTER STROKE- Sophomore Brett Honaker swims the 100 meter freestyle, already a head length in front of his competitors.

The 2019-2020 swim season was an undeniable success. SPC was just a confirmation of something much greater—the team’s incredibly tough work ethic and discipline as well as a strong sense of brotherhood.

“I think for the first time our season wasn’t focused so much around winning SPC as it was about improving and getting better at the sport that we came to do,” Senior David Li said. “It’s just like, how do I get better, because that’s the goal.”

Li, being the only member of the team to have participated in the team’s 2017 SPC win, believed the team had a new perspective going into SPC this year.

“When I came into this program my freshman year, we’d never lost an SPC. And now we were the next year to come and all of us were like, ‘Oh, we’ve never lost. This is not the year we are going to lose SPC.’ Then my sophomore and junior year, we lost. So we removed that SPC expectation. This year was more about ourselves and improvement.”

Going into SPC, there were doubts of whether the lions would win, but everyone knew they would try their hardest.

“There was a hope that we would win,” Li said. “However, we calculated the outcome beforehand, and originally we would’ve lost by like a 20, 30 point margin. But we spent the time doing the numbers and stuff and like, if this happens, and this happens, and if we all swim extremely well, we might win. But 20 - 30 points is an incredible difference to overcome.”

Senior captain Lee Schlosser believed

of success in the program, Schlosser still believes that the feeling of winning never gets old.

“It’s electric,” Schlosser said. “Personally, as a senior on the team, as captain of the team, you feel like you’re responsible for helping the team get there. In addition to all the other St. Mark’s teams doing incredible that weekend, it was just a high.

It’s always an incredible feeling.”

After countless years in the program, Schlosser learned countless life lessons from both the coaching staff, and the swim team as a whole.

“I’ve learned that discipline and hard work pay off, even if they don’t seem to in the short term,” Schlosser said. “We live in an instant gratification world and sometimes it’s really hard as a high school athlete to give up your weekend plans or not eat what you want to eat. But through the aquatics program, I’ve learned that it pays off both in championships and in personal development.

Schlosser believes that the success of the swim program is based on things that Coach Mihai Oprea espouses— strong team spirit, culture, discipline and brotherhood, rather than having the best athletes on campus.

“A team like St. Mark’s that wins so many SPCs in a row and is so dominant is not normal,” Schlosser said. “That’s a rarity. That doesn’t come from us having the best athletes, that comes from the team culture and the team mindset of working hard. Swimming is supposed to be an individual sport, but at St. Mark’s, it’s not.

The team is the most valuable part.”

that the Lions could beat the odds. “People were a little discouraged going into the meet, but our coaches sat us down and told us that we’ve come back from bigger deficits,” Schlosser said. “We beat the odds before, so don’t stop fighting. I think about halfway through the meet, everyone really realized that it was gonna be our time to take back the title and we kicked into high gear.”

All the months of training, hard work, and holiday practices definitely paid off for the swimmers. Around 98% of the team got best times in their events.

“We had a lot of people place where they shouldn’t have placed, like they weren’t projected to place, and then we had a lot of kids who really changed the game for us and placed much higher than they were supposed to place,” Schlosser said.

“Our relays of course brought it home and individual swimmers like David Yang and Leo Ohannessian really outperformed everyone’s expectations. But I think that goes for everyone who went, every single person outperformed expectations, and there’s no way to come back from a 20 plus point deficit if you don’t outperform BACK ON TOP The Lions smile after they finish in first place, expectations.” once again securing their place as SPC champions.

As a senior who has experienced a lot

Story Paul Sullivan, Luke Nayfa, Han Zhang Photos Swim Team

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 |17

CATCHING THE LEAGUE BY SURPRISE As just the NBA’s second youngest head coach, Taylor Jenkins ’03 had his Memphis Grizzlies far outperforming expectations in year one.

T

aylor Jenkins ‘03 did it all in his time at 10600 Preston Road.

He was a multi-year letterwinner in both basketball and baseball. He was a part of the SPC Championship-winning baseball squad in 2003. He was the very first sports editor of The ReMarker.

And –– not to mention, he was also a stellar student who attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania following his graduation.

Following his academic career, Jenkins found himself as an intern in the NBA, working for the San Antonio Spurs. Little did he know, in just a few years, he would become one of 30 head coaches in the NBA, a job envied by sports fans around the world.

Jenkins cites that his community here was extraordinarily impactful in his life and his success. So, when Jenkins found himself in the position of head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, he decided to give back to the school that helped shape him.

Jenkins gave members of The ReMarker staff the chance to be a part of the media crew at the American Airlines Center Feb. 5 when the Grizzlies came to town to play the Dallas Mavericks. In addition, he got box tickets for both the basketball teams and the previously mentioned ReMarker staff members.

TOGETHER Following the Grizzlies’ 121-107 victory over the Mavericks in the American Airlines Center, Jenkins answered questions from ReMarker staff members.

And, he even found himself in the nostalgic Spencer Gym on campus the next day, taking part in a live Q&A with senior basketball captain Andrew Laczkowski for a special Upper School assembly.

Needless to say, Jenkins gave back to the community and played a big role in sports at 10600 Preston Road for the 20192020 school year.

Following the Memphis Grizzlies’ 121107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks Feb. 5, Jenkins, while sporting a Lions tie, spoke outside of the American Airlines Center’s visitors locker room about the deeper meaning of the win, given that it was his first one in his hometown arena as a head coach.

“Every time I came back here as an assistant coach to play in this building, so many memories rushed through my head,” Jenkins said. “I was a fan growing up with the Mavericks, but now I get to compete against a team I watched growing up when I was falling in love with the game of basketball.

Now, to be a head coach and to come back here and get that first win under your belt. I joke to say ‘at least I got one.’ There’s going to be some great battles with the Mavericks.”

INTERVIEW Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins ’03 converses with The following ReMarker staff members, reflecting on his journey to Memphis.

18 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

day after the team’s victory in Dallas, Jenkins came back to 10600 Preston Road to speak to Upper School students and faculty during assembly.

As a team, the Grizzlies were expected to go into rebuilding mode in the 2019-2020 season. However, under Jenkins’s leadership, the team was competing for one of eight playoff spots in the Western Conference before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to suspend its season.

Jenkins attributes the team’s success to the desire to win from everyone in the organization, all who embrace competition.

“Our goal has always been to build something,” Jenkins said. “We don‘t like the phrase rebuilding here. The number one thing is we want to build a competitive environment. Every day when these guys come into the gym and come into these arenas, they’re playing to win. Our three tenets are compete, together and get better.

That was my goal year one, and that‘s gonna be my goal year ten.”

Although Memphis, the youngest team in the NBA, experienced a slow start to the season, winning six out of their first 22 games, Jenkins has captained a remarkable turnaround.

The Grizzlies held a 32-33 record before the season’s suspension, and Jenkins was in contention for the Coach of The Year award.

“After a slow start with so many new guys and young guys here –– their first time playing with each other –– they’ve just embraced the daily approach to just go out and compete, it’s not just a one guy show it’s not one guy’s turn,” Jenkins said.

“We’re going to go through this together. To

FOLLOW THROUGH Grizzlies rookie guard Ja Morant perfects his form at shootaround the morning before taking on the Mavericks.

be one of the league leaders in assists with a team that is so brand new is awesome.

And then defensively for us, we struggled, early in the season, but we’ve been trending better. But that takes unselfishness, that takes doing it together. It’s not like it happened overnight.”

Jenkins commends his polarizing young core of Rookie of The Year candidates Ja Morant and Branden Clarke, as well as second-year emerging star Jaren Jackson Jr., for adapting quickly and coming in ready to lead a playoff-caliber team this early in their careers, something that is rare in today’s NBA. When deciding what type of player he wants to build something special in Memphis with, Jenkins asks three simple questions.

“Are they unselfish?” Jenkins said.

“Are they ultra-competitive? Can and are they willing to get better? Our three guys, [point guard] Ja Morant, [forward] Jaren Jackson Jr. and [forward] Branden Clarke epitomize that –– the fact that they can be leaders at such a young age, our veterans embrace that philosophy as well, and they’re doing that together. We’ve got everyone one in the room pretty much in alignment, and that’s big. That can take a lot of time, and the fact that we’re doing that so soon. Now the test is can we keep that up for the rest of the year or two, three, four or five as everyone is evolving their games.”

In terms of his offensive and defensive philosophies, Jenkins emphasizes the importance that the Grizzlies stick to their game plan and avoid straying away from their play style.

WARMING UP Leading 59-56 at halftime, the Grizzlies, looking to increase their lead, get shots up before the second half tips off.

“We want to take away threes as much as possible,” Jenkins said. “It’s just can we get out and play our style. We do our game prep, but at the end of the day, it’s always about us. Are we executing our standards on the defensive end knowing that teams are going to throw different things out? Get into the pain, drive and kick, find an open teammate, it’s as simple as that. There’s nuances behind it, but at the end of the day, it’s always about us.”

After starting his coaching career in the NBA’s D-League (now the G-League), Jenkins served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks before coaching for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2018-2019 season.

After helping lead the team to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in May, Jenkins was offered the Grizzlies’ head coaching position in June of 2019.

As the league’s second youngest head

coach, Jenkins, 35, realizes he has a great deal of basketball ahead of him, although he tries to take things one game at a time.

For Jenkins, in a career that has had its fair share of humbling experiences thus far, coaching against his former mentors is something he will cherish until he’s done coaching.

“To go up against [Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach] Mike Budenholzer, to go up against [Utah Jazz Head Coach] Quin Snyder, [former Brooklyn Nets Head Coach] Kenny Atkinson and so many other coaches that I’ve scouted against and have so much respect for is a unique fraternity,” Jenkins said. “It’s about how you’re one of 30 as a head coach, but I just try to focus on just coaching. I’m still this young, 35-year-old head coach who’s just trying to go out there and lead and teach.”

CLOSEOUT Grizzlies point guard De’Anthony Melton contests shooting guard John Konchar’s three-point attempt at the team’s morning shootaround Feb. 5.

Story William Aniol, Aaron Thorne Photos Sam Ahmed

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 19

TAKEDOWN

After losing key members of the team due to injury before SPC, the wrestling team still put up a resilient fight.

S

kophomore Sal Abbasi and his teammates sat in tension as the referee calculated points.

In wrestling, a team can win ‘by criteria’, where certain statistics from each team are compared. A lucky call gave them the win by one criteria, since an opposing wrestler had gotten a misconduct call for yelling at the referee.

Abbasi wasn’t content. The team had a long way to go, but they had the season ahead of them and he knew they would make tons of progress.

Fast forward to a little under three months later, it’s Prep-State Duals, and they’re wrestling the same team. One major difference: the last three months had been full of hard work and bonding.

They had gone from a mere group of guys to a connected unit of peers and menPINNING THE OPPONENT Junior Reid Fundis takes down his opponent and waits for the tors, and that growth was invaluable. signal from the referee before claiming his win during his SPC match.

That day, Saturday, Jan. 18, the wrestling team blew out their competition. It it makes it tough. The guys just went at it they had to step up,” Ellis said. “That was was a true representation of how much even harder and kept great attitudes, and a big thing. The whole message was evthey had transformed throughout the year. it all worked out great.” erybody needs to do their part and step up ▪▪▪ Sophomore Elijah Ellis believes one of because Cooper, Jed, and Sal were hurt.”

Head wrestling coach Reyno Arredonthe strengths of this team is the growth the Despite the injuries to key wrestlers, do has had the pleasure of watching such team has had without seniors. the team was able to capture third place at an amazing group of guys develop over “Because this is our second year of the SPC thanks to strong performances across the past year. team being together, we grew a lot from the board.

“That last dual, we completely blew last year,” Ellis said. “Since we didn’t have “Everyone who could make it from them out,” Arredondo said. “As a coach, any seniors, everybody will be returning our team for SPC ranked in the top 4 it was just a great reflection of the team. next year, and we’re going to make another places in their weight classes,” Fair said.

Our attitude and our sportsmanship was run at SPC.” “Hayward Metcalf, Elijah Ellis, and I all unwavering, and we were humble in vicJunior captain Jackson Fair echoes this placed in the top 2 in our weight classes, tory and defeat. It was just great to see us sentiment. giving us the honor of All-SPC.” improve so well.”

“The wrestling team chemistry is what Although achieving third place, Ellis The team had a rather unlucky start, convinces me to put more effort in every feels the team could have performed betlosing junior captain Cooper Ribman to an year,” Fair said. “This past season the ter had they been healthy. injury, but Arredondo knew they would juniors and sophomores have already been “I think if we didn’t have those injufind a way to get through it. really close, but even the freshmen and ries, we would have won but you know, “One of the things Cooper brought to new wrestlers got along well.” everybody wishes they could do things the team is that he wrestles hard in pracHeading into the SPC championship, differently,” Ellis said. “As a team, everytice and he’s a constant winner,” ArredonFair said the team’s biggest hurdle was body wrestled pretty well.” do said. “If you pull that out of the mix, injuries to key members.

A three-year member of the team, Fair “Our biggest hurdle was definitely has seen the improvement and hopes for a lack of experienced people,” Fair said. an even bigger jump next year.

THE BREAKDOWN “Besides not having any seniors this year, “Each year I’ve been on the wrestling Some highlight statistics from the captains Cooper Ribman, Sal Abbasi, and team we’ve improved in our SPC standwrestling season this year Jed Kim were all hurt toward the end ings,” Fair said. of the year, hurting our State and SPC Ultimately, the team spirit they carState Champion outcomes. We already lacked some of the ried was the most essential part of their Elijah Ellis weight classes due to a shortage of people, success. but this hurt us even more.”

“A lot of people don’t realize that All-SPC wrestlers Although the injuries hurt the team, even though wrestling is an individual Elijah Ellis (1st) Ellis says it gave the others a chance to sport, your team is more important to Jackson Fair (2nd) improve. your success than you are as an individuHayward Metcalf (2nd) “With the injuries, everyone knew that al,” Arredondo said.

20 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

Story Semaj Musco, Austin Williams Photo Ekansh Tambe

Spring Baseball Crew Golf Lacrosse Tennis Track & Field Water Polo

ENDZONE — MAY 16, 2019 | 21

TITLE RUN CUT SHORT The crew team aimed to go to regions and state again this year, but their run stopped with the end of the season.

P

oised to take the region and state by storm again, the crew team, led by senior captains Christian Duessel, Jack Trahan and Billy Lockhart, had the experience and team grit to dominate for yet another season.

Before the season even started, junior Blake Hudspeth first witnessed the depth of the team to come after dozens of students came out to the pre-season workouts and tryouts before the first regatta.

“So this was the biggest turnout we’ve had ever for students who came to try out for the sport,” Hudspeth said. “It was the first year in a long time that we’ve had to do cuts, but once we got our team and we started working out every day, we started to fall into a groove and really started to develop momentum.”

Because of the Oct. 20 tornado, the team had to find a new home to house the erg machines and to conduct practice.

“We would normally be in Hicks for practice, but because of tornado, we moved all the erg machines to the wres-

tling room and that became our home for the couple weeks of the season,” Hudspeth said.

Since there was an increase of underclass participation, the team had a lot of novices to AFTER THE RACE Senior captains Billy Lockhart, Jack Trahan and Cristian Duessel along with junior Blake Hudspeth celebrate with bring in. During practices, Hudspeth their medals after the Heart of Texas Regatta in Austin. felt a sense of lish that sort of energy early in the season.” brotherhood during the workouts as the The team had their first taste of 2020 veterans often cheered on the novices and competition at the Heart of Texas regatta slower teammates after they finished their the weekend of Feb. 29. The varsity quad, workout. which included senior captains Duessel, “Because we had a lot of new guys, Trahan and Lockhart as well as Hudspeth, they would be finishing later, but that placed third. All of the three junior varsity meant that all the veterans and all the guys quads qualified for the finals and the fastwho finished before them were always est got second. The varsity double which screaming their heads off and yelling at included Duessel and Lockhart placed them to get to the end,” Hudspeth said. third. And the varsity single with Huds“So that’s always really awesome to estabpeth placed third.

A POWERFUL SHOWING

In their shorter season, the Lions water polo team fought hard during the state championships.

D

uring a the Texas state water polo championships, which took place at the end of a shortened 2020 season, the Lions showed dominant performances, with scores such as 25-0. 24-3. 16-0. 13-7.

According to junior Aayan Khasgiwala, the team’s unique blend of talent and cohesion led to this early-season brilliance.

“We have amazing chemistry and have strengths in every area of the pool when we play, including our bench,” Khasgiwala said. “In our starting lineup, we have the best defenders in the state along with the

best goalie, and we have amazing shooters, drivers and centers. Nearly everyone on our varsity team has been playing together for three years so we know each other’s preferences, and when we get in the pool, we can read each other’s minds.”

The team’s roster had tremendous overlap with the 2019-2020 swim team, the 2020 SPC champions. According to Khasgiwala, the extra three months with his teammates in a championship environment paid dividends once it became polo time.

“Our swim team’s camaraderie was already phenomenal,” Khasgiwala said. “The only things that kept me motivated during swim season was the goal of winning SPC and the support I received from teammates. This culture stayed and grew even stronger during polo season.

Especially after winning swimming SPC, we were hungry for another championship to add to WARMING UP Before practice, Lions water polo play- the rafters.” ers get in the water to prepare for that day’s practice.

22 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

Senior Odran Fitzgerald asserts that this discipline is orchestrated from the top

by Head Coach Mihiai Oprea.

“I truly believe that the best thing he does is care about all of us and push us to discover ourselves at our limits through extreme discipline and brotherhood,” Fitzgerald said. “Coach has been formative in the way I attack problems in and out of the water, and the discipline that I hold myself to in polo and in life is mostly due to him.”

The team’s 2020 campaign was highlighted by a win at the AggieLand invitational, an annual tournament held in College Station. Khasgiwala identified the finals of the tournament as a testament to the team’s prowess.

“We played Foster High School, the team we played in the 2019 State Finals and beat by two goals, but in this tournament, we totally dominated them, winning 13-7,” Khasgiwala said. “They only lost one key senior, while we lost almost an entire starting lineup. Even while we lost players, our team this year had the potential to do great things.”

Stories Colin Campbell, Sam Ahmed Photos Courtesy Christian Duessel

A CRAZY SEASON

Looking at an uncertain start to the season due to the Oct. 20 tornado, the Lions baseball squad still found an immense amount of brotherhood and leadership during the season.

E

ven though the Lions didn’t take the field officially until the Spring, the beginning of their season was hindered by the destruction to the field caused by the October tornado that swept through parts of campus.

That, combined with early spring rain, forced the team to work out at indoor facilities rather than the field up until right before their first game against Dallas Christian School.

“We didn’t know if we would even play any home games because of the tornado impacting the field,” junior captain Daniel Sanchez said. “We wanted to make the most out of a not-so-good situation.”

Staffed by head coach Johnny Hunter and assistant coaches Ryan Pfleger and Sam Carpenter, Sanchez saw a significant

improvement in the team’s skills as a result of the experienced coaching staff.

“The coaches put in endless work every single day so we could get better as a unit,” Sanchez said. “We held a strong relationship with our coaches that would’ve proved valuable into conference play.”

ON THE FIELD Before a game, the Lions baseball team stands The team had a together in uniform reciting the national anthem. total of 15 players, with “Although we only had two seniors players from every on the team, it still felt like a normal grade. One freshman, three sophomores, team,” Sanchez said. “They provided tons nine juniors and only two seniors. Despite of leadership that will be passed on to me having players of all ages, the team and other in our grade.” camaraderie was strong.

AN ABBREVIATED TIME

Hoping for yet another dominating season, the Lions lacrosse team looked to build off their success from past seasons with the introduction of key underclassmen.

T

he mantra of the 2020 Lions lacrosse team was simple: embrace the grind and get better everyday.

Competing in a league with public powerhouses such as Southlake Carroll, Highland Park and Allen High Schools, this steady improvement was critical for the Lions’ ability to compete with such teams early in the season.

According to senior captain John David McClain, a defender for the team, an early season loss motivated the team for the rest of the season.

“I think our team kicked off the season with a great start,” McClain said. “We came to practice as a team with amazing energy. Although our first game against Southlake was a tough loss, we fought back hard in our following games to battle for a state playoff position.”

Also essential to the team were contributions from a talented group of freshmen.

One such athlete, freshman midfielder Henry Boykin, credits head coach Hayward Lee for preparing the inexperienced players for the varsity stage.

“Last year, coach Lee allowed some of us to practice with the varsity, which

helped a lot,” Boykin said. “We also had ourselves. Even though the season was the ability to practice with the uppercut short, we had a great time playing classmen in the summer, fall and winter. together.”

Whether it was box lacrosse or strength Wins against Prosper, Plano West and and quickness sessions, Coach Lee really Houston Episcopal rounded out the Lions’ helped us freshmen get acclimated to the early season victories. According to Mcvarsity level. He was also available at any Clain, an underdog mentality helps propel time to talk or get in extra work.” the teams to such victories.

The team’s four win and one loss start “We know we are going against big to the season was highlighted by a 7-6 schools, so we work that much harder in thriller against SPC rival St. John’s. Boykin the preseason,” McClain said. “That way, identifies this game, played March 6, as his when it gets down to the wire, the Lions favorite from his first year on the varsity come out on top.” team.

“It was a big road test and we knew we had to play our best to beat them,” Boykin said. “It was a close game throughout and everyone played really well. I was really excited that I contributed a goal and got to be part of a big win, and it meant a lot to me that I got to play with the seniors, even if the season got cut short.”

McClain says this team camaraderie was key to the Lion’s success.

“The biggest strength of the team was a hundred-percent camaraderie,” McClain said. “Day in and day out, we worked AIMING FOR A GOAL Lions athletes practice passes and shots on goal at their home field. our hardest for each other and not for

Stories Aaron Thorne, Colin Campbell Photo

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 23

SEASON CUT SHORT

After being forced to miss out on the remainder of their final season wearing the blue and gold, senior spring athletes give their final remarks on what it has meant to them to be a part of the athletic program.

‘

Ending the season and my baseball career because of a pandemic was a really tough ordeal to cope with and come to terms with, but I think I have finally accepted it and helped the rest of the team come to terms with a season ending so short. That being said, my advice for future players of baseball and the current athletes on the baseball team is to truly appreciate the time you have playing baseball and becoming friends with everyone on the team, because you never truly realize just how much time flies.”

— senior baseball captain Mason Rareshide

‘

‘

I think playing sports at St Mark’s made me so much more involved in the school. I made so many friends not only in my class, but also in the classes below and above that i would have never made if i decided to not play sports. This past year has especially been very meaningful. I put in a lot of work with the lacrosse program and while my senior year on the field was taken from me, it was a tremendous honor to be recognized as a captain by my teammates.

— senior lacrosse captain Charlie Rose

‘

Being a captain this year has really meant a lot. I’ve been playing tennis since 7th grade, and tennis has kind of shown me my progression through St. Mark’s and how I have moved up the ranks.

It also feels really good to have earned a high level of respect from the people in the athletic department and even the younger kids. What I’ll miss the most is the day to day practices along with the laughs with the guys. It’s really been a lot of fun.

—senior tennis captain Alex Piccagli

‘

I have definitely gotten better at time management through golf.

When I’m playing after school, I really have to focus on time management to make sure I get everything done.

I want to say the most memorable experiences are all the golf trips we take and all the people we meet and even our competitors. It really all comes down to relationships.

I feel like the relationships I have made through golf mean everything.

—senior golf captain Romil Mathur

I started water polo in fifth grade, and it’s always been the same coaching staff, the same team. With that, I’ve really been able to feel like a part of this super tight-knit community. It started off as a way to spend my time, but it quickly became my life, in a good way. Coach became one of my best friends, and he’s taught me a lot of life lessons I couldn’t learn from anywhere else.

— senior water polo captain Lee Schlosser

The process of canceling the remainder of the SPC season

by William Aniol

Before ultimately deciding to cancel all spring seasons April 3, the SPC’s operations committee, made up of commissioner Bob Windham, four heads of schools and two athletic directors, explored numerous options before concluding that a season could not occur.

“Our thought was going into that maybe we could have a North Zone and a South Zone tournament,” Windham said, “a two day tournament or a three day tournament, where we just played and seeded people based on how they did in the tournament in Fort Worth on April 30, May 1 and May 2. We were thinking that was a possibility, but then we started talking to athletic directors that were on the committee and they said that nobody had practiced at all and they thought they would at least need a couple of weeks to get back in shape to be able to play.”

The SPC also decided that if school was eventually able to resume on April 18, as they once hoped, having a large portion of the school leave to go to an athletic tournament would not sit well with many.

All things considered, Windham cited safety

24 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

concerns as the primary reason the SPC’s hopes to hold an abbreviated season were put to rest.

“We felt like the parents were going to be really reluctant to put their kids on a bus and then send them to stay in a hotel with usually you and three other people in a room,” Windham said. “We just knew the combination of all those things, missing more school if we did get to come back, the close quarters that we would have to have in a tournament made it unrealistic and obviously, we just needed some good news and everything we got was bad news.”

According to Windham, the SPC has discussed allowing nearby schools to get together and play exhibition games, but the conference would have no part in organizing such games.

“We’ve held out to say that if sometime in the summer, if any of the schools want to be able to try to just schedule a game just to get the team together and play somebody else locally, that’d be great,” Windham said. “But when we came up with that idea, we hadn’t gotten too much good news since then. I don’t know whether that would even be a possibility now, I’m thinking

it’s a kind of a long shot, but that’s something we just held out that if anybody wanted to try to do that, they could, but it certainly wouldn’t be an SPC tournament.”

In recent memory, the only other time the SPC has not been able to crown champions was in the 2002-2003 winter season –– championship weekend was cancelled due to a snow storm.

However, according to Windham, he can’t ever recall an entire season being canceled.

As seniors around SPC finish their careers in a way they never could’ve envisioned, Windham knows what a disappointment the abrupt end to the 2020 spring season is.

“If there was anything we could have done that would have been within the guidelines, but in the end, we just had to do what was best for the safety of the students and the spectators and everybody involved,” Windham said. “But if there was a way we’d have been able to pull it off, we certainly wanted to give it a shot. We know what a disappointment it was, but in the end, we ended up being consistent with what the whole world’s doing.”

COLLEGE ATHLETES

While many Lions athletes have successful athletic careers at 10600 Preston Road, only a select few decide to take their abilities to the next level and play college sports.

Note* not listed – David Li, University of Toronto Water Polo Paxton Scott Dartmouth Football (D1)

“At the beginning of the summer of junior year I was getting concerned because I saw all these kids getting different offers, and I started to think I wasn’t good enough but I kind of brushed it off and stayed the course and focused on getting better, but thankfully it all worked out in the end with Dartmouth.”

Carr Urschel Dartmouth Football (D1)

“Playing a sport in college has always been my dream. I realized I couldn’t see myself being without football in my life just yet. I think that playing football in college will give me some much needed structure but also give me a family and an outlet for me to push myself.”

Andrew Laczkowski Pennsylvania Basketball (D1) “There are so many people to thank for helping me realize my dream of playing D1 basketball. Thank you to the St. Mark’s community for their unending support of me through my high school career. I’m excited for this next chapter.”

Luke Adams Junior Hockey League “Playing hockey in college always was a dream of mine ever since I was in middle school. After I spend a year or two playing, I would be happy to play at any college but really I would love to play at schools that have an emphasis on academics.

Daniel Ardila Johns Hopkins Tennis (D3)

“From the beginning, I was looking at D3 schools because they have that unique combination of good academics and a high level of tennis . I knew I wanted to keep going after high school, and if it was going to help me get into a better college that I wouldn’t be able to attend without tennis, then it was a no-brainer.”

Pablo and Andres Arroyo MIT XC/T&F (D3)

“Our coach got in contact with the MIT coach, and we sent him some times and called back and forth. From there, he said he would put in a good word, and it just went from there. We are so grateful to have this amazing opportunity.”

Aaron Thorne Carleton Baseball (D3)

“My recruiting process was different in that I had no real intention of playing college baseball until the end of senior year, so I just applied to some schools I wanted to go to and then when I got into Carleton I emailed the coach and after some communication, I got the offer.”

Anthony Andrews Undecided as of May 16 “Even though I didn’t play the position I was getting recruited for my senior year (safety), my commitment to the team helped show colleges that I’m an all-around athlete and that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my team win.”

Titus McGowan Undecided as of May 16 “I definitely didn’t always want to play sports in college. It wasn’t until my freshman or sophomore year when I started playing club lacrosse and getting all this attention from coaches did I really realize my love for the game and that I could play this at a high level if I wanted to.”

Christian Duessel Billy Lockhart MIT Rowing (D3) Dartmouth Rowing (D1) “The summer before senior year, I was “The recruiting process really started after talking to a bunch of coaches and I my sophomore year. I went to a couple emailed a ton of people, but I wasn’t too camps at colleges to meet coaches and sure that I wanted to do crew in college when you start building relationships is because academics were definitely going when it really starts. I do better in the to come first for me. So MIT was my first classroom when I’m working hard in the visit and I went there and absolutely loved field, or in my case the boat. Also, having it. That’s when I knew I wanted to go and a team to be a part of makes the transition continue crew in college.” to college easier.”

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 25 Interviews Sam Ahmed, Sid Vattamreddy, Reid Goldsmith Photos Courtesy Luke Evangelist

COLLEGE ATHLETES

Taking a look at how former Lions and their collegiate teams fared in the 2019-2020 year.

Sam Clayman ’17

Seun Omonije ’18

Jonathan Taylor ’19

Zach Landry ’18

Reece Rabin ’18

Dylan Osimetha ’19 Will Ingram ’17 shot 67% from the field in seven appearances for the Kenyon College basketball team. The team finished with a record of 6-19.

started six games for the Middlebury College Panthers men’s basketball team, helping lead the team to a 21-6 record.

Tucker Ribman ’18

John Harbison ’19

Parker Dixon ’16

Seun Omonije ’18

Sam Clayman ’17

Cameron Clark ’16

Jonathan Taylor ’19 John Gunnin ’18 played lacrosse for Villanova, a team that finished the season with a record of 4-3 and an upset win over Maryland.

was a reserve goalie for Colgate University. The Raiders finished the shortened season with a record of 0-6.

Garrett Mize ’18

Jake Vaughn ’17

Max Sadlowski ’16

Houston Engelman ’18

hit .458 in 12 appearances for Haverford College baseball.

The team finished with a 7-5 record.

earned his first win of the season for the Harvard Crimson wrestling team at the Franklin & Marshall open Jan. 4. had a low round of 73 and a stroke average of 75.83 for the Princeton Tigers men’s golf team.

was a student assistant coach for the Washington & Lee men’s lacrosse team after suffering a knee injury in the fall.

Nick Malvezzi ’18

played reserve goalkeeper for the Boston University Terriers, which finished with a record of 4-12-1 in 17 2019 matches.

pitched in two of the Princeton Tigers baseball team’s seven 2020 games. He had three strikeouts vs. Ole Miss March 8.

made 25 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, for Sewanee’s football team. The team finished with a record of 0-10. was a senior golfer for the Amherst College Mammoths and shot a team second-best 73 at the NESCAC Qualifier.

played in five lacrosse games for the Sewanee Tigers, recording 12 shots for the onewin and five-loss Tigers.

Seth Weprin ’19

ran a 4-minute, 22-second mile for Dartmouth College track & field at the 2020 Dartmouth Indoor Invitational Feb. 8.

Albert Luo ’19

played in six volleyball games for the MIT Engineers, a team that finished the season with an overall record of 17-4.

26 | ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020

was given first team all-conference honors for the Princeton Tigers men’s volleyball team.

was a senior captain and started every game at defense for the Washington & Lee Generals men’s lacrosse team.

Nehemiah McGowan ’17

played as a reserve goalkeeper for a UCLA Bruins men’s water polo team that finished with a 2019 record of 17-5.

played soccer for Claremont McKenna College. The team finished with a 16-4-2 record.

Daniel Cope ’17

set the Amherst College school record for the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.92 seconds.

Chase Honaker ’19

played wide receiver for the Yale Bulldogs, the co-champions, along with Dartmouth College, of the Ivy League.

placed fourth in the 3,000 meter event at the 2020 ODAC track & field championship, helping Washington & Lee win.

Andrew Lin ’17

played in 12 games and contributed four goals, four assists and four steals for Princeton Tigers water polo.

Compilations Colin Campbell Photos Courtesy of athletes

BROTHERHOOD OF LIONS

A

by Andrew Laczkowski

fter walking through the line of my clapping teammates, I fist bump the line of refs, and gather with the starting five out at midcourt. We remind each other how this game is no different than any we have played all year, that if we just do our job, we will take care of business. We step away. I take a second to take in the moment. I look at the fans in the stands, some cheering, others jeering. I look at my teammates on the bench, laser focused in trying to help us win. I look at the bleachers behind our bench, listening to our students cheer loudly as they wait for the game to start. I focus back in on the game, and we win the tip. The SPC championship game, my last game at St. Mark’s, had begun.

This moment perfectly encapsulates the St. Mark’s athletic program. Teammates who had practiced with each other all season, persevering through incredible hardship together, getting a chance to put it on the line one last time.

The fans in the stands buzzing with excitement. Our student section being loud and proud, encouraging us to preform our best. Nearly every student in that crowd of supporters was an athlete himself. That shows just how strong the culture is, everyone supports everyone, no matter the sport.

I know there were countless football players, swimmers and golfers in the crowd that day and loved being able to support the lacrosse, baseball and track teams among the rest throughout my time at St. Mark’s. Every brother cares for one another. That is something special that is nearly impossible to replicate.

As the final seconds ticked down and what seemed like the entire school dog piled at midcourt, I was elated. All the hard work we as a team had put in had finally paid off with victory.

It only took a few moments for me to then remember that soccer was playing a mere 100 yards away in their own championship.

All the students remaining in the gym sprinted down to the field to support our fellow Lions. As soccer was putting the finishing touches on a championship in extra time, the entire sideline was going berserk.

When the triple whistle blew, we all rushed the field and I raised our SPC trophy high.

This is my favorite moment as a marksman athlete. The symbolism of the moment shows just how important athletics at this school are to us. We all share in each other’s celebration because of the brotherhood that we Lions cherish. The things that this community of athletics has taught me at 10600 Preston Rd. over these four years have molded me into a better player, leader and man.

I urge the younger marksmen to carry on this community that has meant so much to me and all my fellow seniors.

Thank you, St. Mark’s, for all that you have given me. I hope to make your fame be endless.

TOGETHER THROUGH EACH CURVEBALL

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by Anthony Andrews

ver greater may you rise, endless be your fame.’

Every St. Mark’s athlete has the honor to sing or listen to these words. The words that we play by whenever we step on the field.

Though these are not the words that are running through your mind when you’re up at 6 a.m. to go to summer workouts, when you have a 450-meter breakdown after a long day of school, or even when you can’t feel anything and you hear a Dilworth “curveball,” these are the words that light the fire underneath every Lion athlete. Once you step on the field, you no longer are an individual, but instead a reflection of St. Mark’s, for better or for worse. You want to succeed for your classmates, teammates, coaches, teachers and, lastly, yourself. You want to succeed so that you can be remembered like legends such as the Acho brothers and Ty Montgomery. This is what being a Lion athlete has taught me: it’s always bigger than you.

This past fall was one of the most trying times for the school during my time here. But the tornado that damaged the school was not strong enough to damage the St. Mark’s community.

Hockaday was generous enough to offer their facilities to the football team for the remainder of the season. Driving from my unscathed side of town to go to practice in the middle of the chaotic Preston Hollow area really put my priorities into perspective. There were people that unable to live in their own houses, while my main issue in life was just trying to get to football practice on time.

That homecoming game, we played for something greater than just our classmates and our school, but instead a whole community that had been brought together by tragedy. With the inspiration of disaster in our hearts, we defeated Greenhill in the seniors’ last game in the blue and gold and were more than happy to sing the alma mater to the ‘home crowd’ one last time on Senior Night.

The following week we faced ESD in a hard-fought grudge match where everyone that saw the field gave everything they had. As a senior and captain of the team, I was once again aware of the responsibility that this team had to the community that had been struck by disaster again.

The seniors went into this game hungry for our first win over our rivals to the west and were willing to do anything to earn it. When Coach Lee asked me if I was ready to go in at safety, I did because it was bigger than me. When the offense unknowingly huddled for the last time in double overtime, it was bigger than us.

Even when we lost the game on some suspicious calls, we did not throw tantrums or yell out of rage.

Instead, we went to shake the opposing teams hands because it was bigger than us. The seniors who walked to the post-game huddle were met with a tidal wave of emotions knowing we gave it all and still came up short.

It was still bigger than us, we didn’t want to discredit our careers or that season by unnecessary anger or outbursts, instead we praised the coaches for their hard work and gave advice to the underclassmen. We walked off the field with our heads held high, arms around each other and tears in our eyes because we knew that we were part of something bigger than us for the last time.

Thank you to St. Mark’s for allowing me to take this journey, ever greater may you rise, and endless be your fame.

ENDZONE — MAY 22, 2020 | 27