ENDZONE ENDZONE SPORTS MAGAZINE A REMARKER PUBLICATION
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Harrison Ingram reflects on his career here and looks forward to his next chapter.
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Assistant varsity lacrosse coach Jason Leneau on balancing two college sports.
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Yale receiver Seun Omonije ’18 is making the best of a year without college football.
MAY 12, 2021
WHY PODCASTS? W e went from a packed house to empty stands. From Friday Night Lights at Hunt Stadium to watching football games on our laptops. And from pep rallies to assembly on a screen. So we, Endzone, went to podcasts — the only way to capture the oddities and the unfamiliarity of playing high school sports during a global pandemic. Sports were unprecedented this year, so our coverage is also unprecedented. The world has completely gone sideways over the course of the last 14 months, making us feel uncomfortable,
unthinkable, and we had no clue how to respond or react. So why not also deviate from what is normal and comfortable to us? We embraced change all season long, so we hope you will embrace our change — and appreciate Endzone even more for what it is. We owe this to the entire community at 10600 Preston Rd. Sports have brought us incredible moments — just think back to last year at winter SPC — so we hope to bring you incredible insights into the meaning, the value and the place of athletics here. We want you to hear from the athletes and personalities that make Lions athletics what they are with your own ears, instead of us trying to recap seasons that were in many cases not there. Nearly a year ago to this date, uncertain about the future of sports, I carved out a few minutes of a typical, spring quarantine day to gather some sports-related thoughts, entitled “A Month Without Sports and Counting...” for 10600, a section of the school website devoted to maintaining a sense of community while learning remotely. And here we are, just a year later... and a lot has changed. We didn’t get a Homecoming football game, nor SPC tournaments in the fall and winter. Or even a chance to see our nationally ranked basketball squad take the court one time this season. But I’m just thankful it’s not “14 Months Without Sports and Counting...” And I think you should be too. Enjoy. —William Aniol Endzone editor 2 | ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021
GEARING UP Waiting for the ball to be snapped, junior wide receiver Connor Duffy inserts his mouthgard as he gets set on the line of scrimmage. Photo Sal Hussain
TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMITTED ATHLETES
4 5 6 7 8 9
Harrison Ingram Stanford Basketball
Knobel Hunt SMU Soccer
Kit Colson
Yale Track and Field Michael Vanekso Middlebury T&F
14 15 16
Korey Mack
Purdue Football
Cory Martin Soccer
Cameron Hillier Tennis
THE SUPERFANS
UCSB Water Polo
17 18 19
Jack Palmer Santa Clara Water Polo
ALUMNI ATHLETES
Cooper Ribman
Harvard Wrestling
Blake Hudspeth MIT Crew
Leo Ohannessian
10 11
Ian Mize
Princeton Lacrosse
Miller Trubey
Loyola Chicago Volleyball
FACULTY AS ATHLETES
12 13
Jason Leneau UVA Lacrosse
Reyno Arredondo
Army Soccer and Wrestling
NBA, Fantasy Basketball
STAFF Editor-in-Chief: William Aniol Contributing Editors: Jamie Mahowald Henry McElhaney Robert Pou Siddhartha Sinha Podcast Hosts: Alam Alidina Jack Davis Rajan Joshi Arjun Khatti
NFL Draft, College Football
SeMaj Musco Luke Nayfa Peter Orsak Cristian Periera
Soccer
20 21
Luke Piazza Sai Thirunagari Dillon Wyatt Eric Yoo Cover photo: Sal Hussain
Seun Omonije Yale Football
Andrew Laczkowski UPenn Basketball
22 23
Scan to listen to Endzone podcasts on Spotify
Jonathan Taylor
VIllanova Lacrosse
Pablo and Andres Arroyo MIT Track & XC
ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021 | 3
ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS After a sensational four-year career on the Lions’ varsity basketball team, five-star-prospect Harrison Ingram has his eyes set on the next step in his journey to the NBA at Stanford University.
A CUT ABOVE Manning the paint, senior Harrison Ingram finishes an uncontested layup during the 2019-2020 Lions’ 56-47 SPC basketball tournament semifinals victory against Episcopal High School.
The best visit I went on was definitely North Carolina. They brought me in for the North Carolina-Duke game. Courtside seats. Fans behind me knew my name. Girls were chanting my name. I was a junior. Honestly, I was this close to committing to North Carolina on the spot.
If everything clicks, mark my words – I’m going on record – we are winning a national championship next year. I’m telling you. We’re tough.
It depends on the team. There were games. I’ll just say the team. Cistercian. I said, ‘I’ll pass, but I’m only going to shoot stepback threes. That’s the only thing I’ll shoot. If I have a layup, I’m passing to somebody. If I have a dunk, I’m passing. I’m only shooting stepback threes.’ Stuff like that. Using [SPC competition] to work on my game when the kids aren’t good enough to make me work hard.
TEAM SPIRIT Having forced a timeout from the opposition, senior Harrison Ingram and his teammates exchange fist bumps during a game at Spencer Gym.
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EASY MONEY Ball in the air, senior Harrison Ingram follows through on his second free throw of two during the Lions’ 85-57 blowout win in the 2020 SPC basketball championship game against Houston Christian at Greenhill’s Phillips Gym.
Interview Siddhartha Sinha Photos Sal Hussain, Daniel Sanchez
SOCCER SAVANT Senior soccer captain Knobel Hunt details his recruitment by SMU, the same team his father played for, and how he envisions the next four years of his soccer career playing out.
I’m blessed that I went to the [college] ID camps when I did because I had no idea COVID would hit and camps would be canceled the summer after my junior year. CHAMPION Junior Knobel Hunt grips the 2020 SPC Boys Soccer Championship trophy after defeating Kinkaid in the championship game.
TAKEDOWN Knobel Hunt crosses up Oakridge’s goalie.
To be going to the same place my dad did is amazing – he played on the soccer team at St. Mark’s too, actually – but I’m also extremely excited to carve my own legacy and go in the direction of whatever’s best for me. I’m honored that I’m going to be there, following in his footsteps, but I understand that nothing related to legacy earns playing time on the field. I’m going to have to work my hardest to earn that playing time and prove myself, prove why I deserve that spot on the roster.
Interview Robert Pou Photos Courtesy Knobel Hunt
TAKEDOWN 2.0 Oakridge’s goalie once again has his ankles broken by Hunt.
COMMITTED A member of an FC Dallas club team, Hunt will keep the same colors — red, white and blue.
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TRACK AND FIELD STARS Two soon-to-be college athletes, Michael Vanesko and Kit Colson, recount their years in track and field and their path to recruitment.
OUT IN FRONT Above, crossing the finish line, senior Kit Colson wins the 200-meter dash at SPC North Zone May 1 with a time of 21.89. The Lions went on to win the North Zone with 261 total points, trailed by Greenhill with 130.5.
BY THE NUMBERS North Zone finish 1st place Kit Colson 100m school record
10.67
I’m glad that [athletes who are looking for competition in college] are so committed to the sport already, but if you try your hardest, care about the team and work really hard, the time will come. That’s not the issue. – Senior Kit Colson
Rosser Newton ’82
Previous 100m record holder
10.69
Michael Vanesko
Personal record at an event
13’
Michael Vanesko
Unofficial personal record
13’ 6”
IN THE AIR Senior Michael Vanesko makes one last push off the pole and clears the bar with room to spare.
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I’ve made it a life goal to make my PR be better than the best girls vault ever, slightly over 16.5’, so quite a way away, but that would be a cool thing to say. – Senior Michael Vanesko
Interview Siddhartha Sinha Photos Courtesy Randy Colson, Michael Vanesko
FIGHTING FOR THE CRIMSON Being recruited to Harvard’s NCAA Division I wrestling program was just the peak of Cooper Ribman’s love for the combative sport.
More than anything—and this may sound weird, and it may be a cliche — despite how physical wrestling looks, I’d say it’s 80 to 85% mental. At some point it’s not about what you can physically do. It’s about what you know what to do.
It’s certainly a big commitment. There’s a lot of training, a lot of early mornings, a lot of late nights, but that’s never really been a question for me. I love wrestling, and especially doing it at a place like Harvard where I’m gonna have such great opportunities academically, I’m gonna be able to make such great connections. Going through the training, which I love anyway, has never really been the question.
TAKEDOWN In a local tournament during his junior year, Cooper Ribman demonstrates the flexibility and dynamism that wrestling encourages.
A lot of kids in Texas have trouble when they go outside of Texas [to wrestle] because they’re used to getting away with stuff just because they’re big and strong. When they wrestle somebody who’s a technical wrestler and knows exactly what they’re doing, that stuff doesn’t fly.
Interview Alam Alidina Photos Courtesy Cooper Ribman
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ROWING FORWARD
After serving as one of the varsity crew captains this year, senior Blake Hudspeth committed to Division III rowing at MIT.
Rowing isn’t necessarily fun in the sense that you’re sinking a three-pointer and go crazy. It’s really rewarding — that’s what I would say in terms of how fun it is. It’s the practices, the camaraderie, the teamwork and the memories that you have messing around in the boat on a Monday afternoon — you’re just out of school and have beautiful Bachman Lake.
I started rowing through the Dallas Rowing Club in seventh grade on the weekends with my dad. Then in eighth grade, I did the fall tutorial with the St. Mark’s team. Usually, that’s not something that happens every year, but I knew the coach — my brother [Luke Hudspeth ’15] had rowed through St. Mark’s and had been coaching me, so he was like, ‘Yeah, we’ll take you.’ I got to meet a lot of older guys through that, which was awesome. One of the coolest parts about St. Mark’s athletics is getting to know older guys, and the crew team is definitely a sport that lets you do that.
OFF DECK During his junior year, Hudspeth raced a single and placed third statewide at the Heart of Texas regatta in Austin.
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NATIONALS The varsity Lions crew team placed 13th at the Youth Nationals race in Sarasota, FL, during Hudspeth’s sophomore year.
I am excited to see where crew will take me in terms of opening me to other areas at MIT. What I’ve heard a lot is that the guys that you meet there will be really great supports in terms of, ‘Alright, take this class, do this club. This is what dorm you should be in.’ To immediately have a group of guys to support me in the fall is going to be pretty awesome.
NOVICES Hudspeth and three teammates placed fourth at the Central Youth Championship in Oklahoma City his freshman year.
Interview Sai Thirunagari Photos Courtesy Blake Hudspeth
IN NEW WATERS
Seniors Leo Ohannessian and Jack Palmer join the big leagues in the Califorinia waterpolo circuit against the best teams in the nation.
COMEBACK Beating Flower Mound High School 14-4, the Lions won their regional waterpolo championship for the first time since 2017 at the Lewisville ISD Westside Aquatics Center.
I think one of the best moments was after winning the state championship sophomore year, which went into double overtime, and we ended up winning seven to five, getting out of the pool, pushing coach into the pool. I think that was awesome, celebrating with him and singing the alma mater. It was an intense moment. – Senior Leo Ohannessian Right now we’re undefeated here in Texas this year. It’s not that there hasn’t been competition in the past, but there’s not a ton of it compared to California, at least. It’s gonna be it’s gonna be a whole different ballgame – Senior Leo Ohannessian
COMMITTED Senior Leo Ohannessian will play waterpolo at University of California, Santa Barbara next fall.
Interview Luke Piazza Photos Courtesy Jack Palmer
We were doing 50s, and for some reason, coach made me only do them butterfly, which is the hardest stroke to do 50s of for me. And I’d look out of the corner of my eye while I was swimming at the coaches on the deck and they were just laughing at me, just the whole time. – Senior Jack Palmer I definitely think polo is going to get harder in college, just based off of conditioning and how much we were working out, but when it comes to workload and balancing it, I don’t think there’s a better place we could’ve gone to prepare ourselves than St. Mark’s. – Senior Jack Palmer
BIG LEAP Joining Santa Clara’s waterpolo team, Senior Jack Palmer hopes to find even greater competition at the college level. ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021 | 9
The combination of mental and physical abilities is what makes it such a cool sport. You’re always moving. The play never really stops more than ten seconds or so.
STICKING WITH LAX
Having played lacrosse since his childhood, junior Ian Mize recently committed to playing the Division I sport at Princeton University.
DOWN THE ALLEY Mize scores against ESD, tying the score in the first quarter of the Lions’ second game of the season.
HUSTLING Dodging other players, Mize runs down the alley against Highland Park in the Lions’ last regular season game.
FUTURE TIGER Visiting the Princeton University campus, Nov. 6, 2020, Mize stands outside of Nassau Hall, the university’s oldest building.
It’s always been a dream of mine to play a Division I sport. Lacrosse was definitely an interest from a young age, so I was looking forward to that from the time I first started playing lacrosse. I also grew up watching my older brothers play, so that inspired me to want to play at the next level.
THE TURF Mize overlooks the Sherrerd Field at the Class of 1952 Stadium, home to the university’s men’s and women’s lacrosse and field hockey teams.
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I want to come in on day one and make an impact on the team. I’ve never really sat on the bench, so I want to continue that trend and try to make an impact my freshman year from the day I step on campus.
Interview Sai Thirunagari Photos Courtesy Ian Mize
IN RARE AIR While preparing for his senior season, junior Miller Trubey recently committed to playing Division I volleyball at Loyola Chicago.
I don’t really want to think of myself as being good. When you get to college, nobody cares what you did in high school. I want to keep an open mind that I’m always gonna be the worst one on the court every day until I prove it.
For me in eighth grade volleyball wasn’t really a priority, and so playing with my friends was a great first step. The love that they had for the game kind of took control of me a little bit and I started loving the game too.
Always hold your teammates head high, I think that would be a big lesson. It’s having that dude you can always look to if you need advice like that, and I hopefully will be like that to the freshmen, sophomores and juniors next year.
EASY HIT Trubey jumps up for a easy roll shot over the net during the Lions’ game against their long-time rival Trinity Valley.
I’m no five star recruit like Harrison Ingram was, I don’t know if there’s even star recruiting for volleyball. Just go out there and be the best you can be and make other people the best that they can be. And just always work hard even when nobody’s watching.
Interview SeMaj Musco Photos Blake Broom
SKYWALKER The 6’ 8” Trubey rises above the competition for a spike while playing for the Lions. ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021 | 11
FAMILIAR BEGINNINGS
Assistant varsity lacrosse coach Jason Leneau talks about his experiences and the values he learned from Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, an institution whose philosophy echoes a similar message to that of 10600 Preston Road. He also shares what it feels like to play two DI sports, winning a national championship in one of them.
Being at one place for so many years, such as my 12-year time at Boys’ Latin, the world gets pretty small and you start to make really meaningful connections. I’ll just remember great pieces of advice from my old high school and college coaches, and those memories still resonate with me as I coach the young men at St. Mark’s.
GROUND BALL Leneau (above) invested a lot of his athletic time to the Boys’ Latin School of Maryland’s prestigous lacrosse program. GOING FOR SIX In addition to lacrosse, Leneau (left) played varsity football in high school. After high school, Leneau left the sport to focus on lacrosse and wrestling.
The first time I ever met with a college lacrosse coach was at Bucknell University. He only asked me a few things, then he just told me, ‘You’re too small to play Division I lacrosse.’ That just ignited a fire under me. I got a chance to meet him later on, and he asked me if I wanted to pursue a lacrosse opportunity with him, but in that same conversation, I met my future Virginia coach Dom Starsia, who I won a national championship with.
COACHING THEM UP Before coming here to coach lacrosse, Leneau was an assistant coach at Chapman University, a private university in Orange, California. He served the Panthers from 2012 to 2017, earning a 96-23 record over those six years.
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Interview Arjun Khatti Photos Courtesy Jason Leneau
LEAVING IT
ON THE MAT
Head wrestling coach Reyno Arredondo was recruited to West Point University as a soccer player and wrestler after graduating St. Mark’s in 1987. Arredondo went on to serve 30 years for the United States Army where he earned several ranks and accomplishments before returning to 10600 Preston Rd. in 2017. Throughout his childhood, high school, and collegiate sports career, Arredondo has absorbed several life lessons that athletics introduced to him. I attribute a lot of my physicality and my athletic success to my older brothers. I either had to rise to their level or I couldn’t play with them. Even though I was a small-framed guy, I could always compete with the biggest guys because of what I learned from my older brothers.
TAKEDOWN During a wrestling match, Reyno Arredondo holds his defender from behind as he prepares for the takedown.
Sports made my heart happy as a kid. I lived on the other side of the tracks and the dichotomy between where I lived and the St. Mark’s community was pretty big, but in athletics, when you put on the same uniform and play on the same field, nothing else matters.
One of the reasons playing baseball was good for me was that I played baseball in my barrio in West Dallas. Having the opportunity to play a sport with the friends in my community was pretty cool. The guys in my community didn’t really like me because I went to school at St. Mark’s, but when we played sports together in the summer, all of that went away. Interview Luke Nayfa Photos Courtesy Reyno Arredondo
HARDWARE After beating the Naval Academy Preparatory School for the annual Army Prep vs. Navy Prep game, Arredondo stands proudly next to his trophy. ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021 | 13
THE BONDS HE BUILT A Division I-recruited athlete who played for Purdue University in the Rose Bowl, Admissions Officer Korey Mack ’00 talks about the impact of his athletic experiences — and how meaningful his St. Mark’s experiences continue to be to him.
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES Above, Mack said the camaraderie and lessons learned from St. Mark’s Football were incomparable. Left, Mack’s Rose Bowl jersey. BROTHERHOOD Below, Mack’s junior and senior-year varsity football squads. Below right, 25 seniors played St. Mark’s football in 1999. Mack said he would do anything for them.
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Being [at the Rose Bowl], running out on the field, looking up and seeing all the flashbulbs… absolutely just out of a movie. And when they got through with the National Anthem, they had F-16s flying over the stadium. Like, immediately after the national anthem. I was just in awe of being on that stage and participating in something that I didn’t necessarily dream of going to but certainly dreamed of being part of a team that was playing on national TV. Everybody was watching. We were threeway-tied with Michigan and Northwestern for the conference championship, but that year, we had beat [Michigan and Northwestern] head to head, so we were the ones that got to go.
Interview Cristian Pereira Photos Courtesy Korey Mack
ONCE A PLAYER, ALWAYS A PLAYER
Varsity soccer head coach Cory Martin’s passion for soccer began in his childhood, and he’s continued to pursue it through coaching. From SPC championships to memories of playing in Europe, Martin has his own experiences with the beautiful game.
HALFTIME Martin uses his experience as a coach and player to help guide the Lions towards success. Active on the sidelines and during halftime, Martin tries to give his players a winning mentality.
My experiences, my championships here at St. Mark’s and especially the championship last year, I don’t think I will ever forget them. It’s not just the final but just our run last year. It is without a doubt probably the most unlikely run to a championship that I’ve ever been a part of, and it was just phenomenal. Interview Peter Orsak Photos Courtesy Cory Martin
EXPERIENCE Before his time coaching here, Martin had coached club teams like Sting Soccer Club
CHAMPIONSHIPS Martin coached the Lions to SPC championships in the 2019-2020, 2012-2013 and 2011-2012 seasons.
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RETURNING HOME Reflecting on his tennis career, varsity tennis coach Cameron Hillier ’13 reveals what brought him back to 10600 Preston Rd.
I loved [playing on the varsity tennis team]. It’s great to have a team especially after playing for years, traveling by yourself and representing yourself. It’s pretty fun to get to represent a team and to work with a group of guys, so I really enjoyed that. It’s also fun that it’s vertical, so you have freshmen playing alongside juniors and seniors.
[Coaching] was the sidecar that came along with me. It’s just like teaching, I love doing it. I love working with guys, and I happen to also love tennis, so that worked out really well.
D-III Sporting his uniform, Hillier smiles for his tennis team, the Colby College Mules, after committing to play there in 2013.
I found that playing collegiate tennis is, again, like I said, there’s nowhere other to go than pro. It’s a worldwide sport. Very few people do. So that’s the peak of experience you can get as a player. So being able to then bring that to [the tennis team] is a great opportunity.
IMPACT Hillier swings at a ball returning it across the net onto his opponents court, playing in a match for Colby College.
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I love St. Mark’s. It’s a great place to be. As a graduate, I know how good it is, and I was excited to come back and I think the students have only gotten smarter so it’s a treat to get to teach… And it worked out here at St. Mark’s where I’d be able to teach both English and direct the Wilderness Program which is near and dear to me. So, just that kind of worked out and here I am.
Interview Dillon Wyatt Photos Cameron Hillier
TALKING HOOPS
From playing fantasy basketball to watching games in NBA arenas on a nightly basis, Endzone staffers and senior Benny Wang discuss the state of the NBA and the best ways to dominate your fantasy basketball league.
A NEW WRINKLE As the 20202021 NBA season comes to a close and the innaugural NBA play-in tournament approaches, Luka Dončić (center) and the Dallas Mavericks face the uphill battle of competing in a deep Western Conference full of championship hopefuls.
THE LEAGUE
Endzone’s very own Rajan Joshi, William Aniol and Siddhartha Sinha discuss today’s NBA landscape.
FANTASY BALL
Senior Benny Wang breaks down his approach to fantasy basketball.
REGULAR SEASON MVP Joshi
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
Aniol
Philadephia 76ers center Joel Embiid
Sinha
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul
REGULAR SEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Joshi
Philadephia 76ers forward Ben Simmons
Aniol
Philadephia 76ers forward Ben Simmons
Sinha
Philadephia 76ers forward Ben Simmons
Interview Siddhartha Sinha Photo Creative Commons
Part of the reason I do fantasy sports is to learn about those sports. Looking deeper than just the big numbers that I see on TV.
I absolutely love the waiver wire. That’s my favorite piece of fantasy sports ever. That’s where championships are made. Not when you draft.
ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021 | 17
TALKING TOUCHDOWNS
With the 2021 NFL Draft concluded, the guys react with their reaches and steals. Then we share our thoughts on the ESPN 2021 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25.
NFL DRAFT REACHES AND STEALS BEFORE How Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium looked before the COVID-19 pandemic. 1. Clemson Tigers 2020 Record: 10-2 Big Losses: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Key Players: DJ Ugualalei, Justyn Ross, Joseph Ngata 2. Alabama Crimson Tide 2020 Record: 13-0 Big Losses: Mac Jones, Devonta Smith, Najee Harris, Patrick Surtain II Key Players: Bryce Jones, Trey Sanders, John Metchie III 3. Oklahoma Sooners 2020 Record: 9-2 Big Losses: Charleston Rambo, Ronnie Perkins, Tre Brown Key Players: Spencer Rattler, Kennedy Brooks, Mario Williams Jr. 4. Georgia Bulldogs 2020 Record: 8-2 Big Losses: Richard LeCounte, Eric Stokes, Monty Rice Key Players: J.T. Daniels, George Pickens, Adam Anderson 5. Ohio State Buckeyes 2020 Record: 7-1 Big Losses: Justin Fields, Chris Olave, Trey Sermon Key Players: Jack Miller III, C.J. Stroud, Jack Sawyer 6. Texas A&M Aggies 2020 Record: 9-1 Big Losses: Kellen Mond, Buddy Johnson, Myles Jones Key Players: Isaiah Spiller, Ainas Smith, Jalen Wydermyer 7. North Carolina Tarheels 2020 Record: 8-4 Big Losses: Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, Chazz Surratt Key Players: Sam Howell, Tomon Fox, Tyrone Hopper 8. Iowa State Cyclones 2020 Record: 9-3 Big Losses: JaQuan Bailey, Lawrence Wright IV Key Players: Brock Purdy, Breece Hall, Charlie Kolar 9. USC Trojans 2020 Record: 5-1 Big Losses: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Olaijah Griffin Key Players: Kedon Slovis
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AFTER How Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium looks in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. 10. Indiana Hoosiers 2020 Record: 6-2 Big Losses: Jerome Johnson, Whop Philyor, Harry Crider Key Players: Michael Penix Jr., Ty Fryfogle 11. Cincinnati Bearcats 2020 Record: 9-1 12. Iowa Hawkeyes 2020 Record: 6-2 13. Oregon Ducks 2020 Record: 4-3 14. Washington Huskies 2020 Record: 3-1 15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2020 Record: 10-2 16. Florida Gators 2020 Record: 8-4 17. Wisconsin Badgers 2020 Record: 4-3 18. Ole Miss Rebels 2020 Record: 5-5 19. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 2020 Record: 10-1
Zaven Collins - LB, Tulsa Reach by Arizona Cardinals
16
Alex Leatherwood - OT, Alabama Reach by Las Vegas Raiders
17 Travis Etienne - RB, Clemson Reach by Jacksonville Jaguars
25
Greg Newsome II - CB, Northwestern Steal by Cleveland Browns
26 Eric Stokes - CB, Georgia Reach by Green Bay Packers
29 Jayson Oweh - EDGE, Penn State Steal by Baltimore Ravens
31 Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - LB, Notre Dame Steal by Cleveland Browns
52
20. LSU Tigers 2020 Record: 5-5 21. Texas Longhorns
LONE STAR University of Texas Longhorns fans stand in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
2020 Record: 7-3 22. Penn State Nittany Lions 2020 Record: 4-5 23. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 2020 Record: 11-1 24. Liberty Flames 2020 Record: 10-1 25. Miami Hurricanes 2020 Record: 8-3
Interviews William Aniol, Rajan Joshi, Robert Pou, Sid Sinha Photos Creative Commons
TALKING SOCCER
GREATNESS FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, although Juventus’s Cristiano Ronaldo is in the conversation as well. With six Ballon d’Ors and over 770 goals for club and country, Messi has cemented his legacy as one of soccer’s legendary names.
Soccer captains Henry McElhaney and Eric Yoo have been fans of the beautiful game for their entire lives. From how they got into the sport to current events, they’ve got a lot to say.
The first team I ever played on was when I was five. It was like a YMCA team. From there I never looked back. I’ve been playing ever since then at the highest level until high school, but it’s always been my only sport.. My dad tried to get me into other sports, but I never wanted to do them. It has always been soccer for me.
ICONIC Both McElhaney and Yoo remember watching Landon Donovan’s last minute winner against Algeria that sent the United States into the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That goal helped put the team into the national spotlight and grew the popularity of the sport.
– Senior Henry McElhaney
Messi, he’s just unbelievable. If you watch him play, his dribbling is incredible, his vision is incredible, his passing is incredible, his shooting is incredible. He’s just ridiculous. He’s my favorite player right now. –Senior Eric Yoo
I wasn’t a fan of the European Super League proposal… It would have been 15 teams with five additional slots for teams to qualify. The 15 founding clubs were just rich clubs that would have the ability to never be relegated, so there’s no incentive if you’re not challenging for the title. That’s against the whole point of soccer, because besides the MLS, there’s relegations — there’s always an incentive to do well, and there’s never a reason to tank. –Henry McElhaney
PROTEST Fans of the biggest soccer clubs in the world voiced their opposition to the European Super League in April. The proposed league would help the clubs’ owners deal with financial troubles, but the majority of fans were against the idea of a breakaway league.
Interview Henry McElhaney and Eric Yoo Photos Creative Commons
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I remember coming in, my first year counselor literally said to my face, ‘There’s no way you can do that, you’re gonna have to drop your computer science major, there’s no way you can do both [football and computer science].’ Now here I am doing it and working for Google. That’s the mentality that you got to have, you know, you just got to want to be resilient and persevere through it.
MASTERMIND OFF THE FIELD When the Ivy League decided to cancel all fall sports seasons, Seun Omonije ’18, a wide receiver for Yale’s Football squad, took his talents elsewhere – Google., FAMILY After competing in a game as a member of the Yale Bulldogs’ Football team, Seun Omonije convenes with sister, Sola, and brother, Fisayo ’22.
I would like to be Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, but honestly, I kind of joke around. I say, I’ll know I made it when I testify in front of Congress with my company. If I got to go to Congress and talk to them about why my app is causing destruction, I’ll know I made it. So that’s definitely something I want to do and that’s on my bucket list.
BONDING ON THE FIELD Ball in hand after hauling in a catch, Yale wide receiver Seun Omonije celebrates with his teammates.
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The fact that [the season] was canceled was kind of disappointing, especially because you work so hard for something and you grind, and then it’s not really what you expect, but one thing I will say is even besides that, there’s a reason why I decided to come to Yale. There’s a reason why I wanted to go to the Ivy League and that’s to have something outside of football to go to. When the season was canceled, it obviously was disappointing, and it hurt, but I also knew that I’m at this school for a reason. That’s what gives me an opportunity to take advantage of some of the other things that it has to offer, which is what I was able to do. Interview SeMaj Musco Photos Courtesy Seun Omonije
WINNING THE WAIT
Andrew Laczkowski ’20 has been gearing up for next season by working hard in practice every single day.
The season ending was disheartening to hear, but our coach contacted us right away and we just went right into practicing so we coud win the wait.
My knee injury was a little bit of a setback, but I feel great now and I’m excited to go at it next year.
We’ve gained a lot of chemistry this season, and we’re one of the most talented sqauds Penn has had in a while, so we’re really excited to compete next year for the Ivy League championship.
STAREDOWN Laczkowski looks for a teammate while dribbling in a game. The Lions won the SPC championship his senior year.
DIMES Andrew dishes the ball a teammate in the halfcourt in a game against the Highland Park Scots.
QUAKERS Laczkowski committed to UPenn for men’s basketball last year.
Interview Rajan Joshi Photos Courtesy Andrew Laczkowski
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ANOTHER FAMILY
Playing Division I lacrosse during a pandemic, Jonathan Taylor ’19 shares his experiences with the Villanova Men’s Lacrosse squad.
EYEING THE BALL Sophomore long-stick midfielder Jonathan Taylor matches his opponent stride-for-stride vs. St. John’s 4/17. The Wildcats went on to win the contest 23-8.
IN THE PASSING LANE Stick up, Jonathan Taylor attempts to intercept an offensive player’s pass during a team practice.
I got COVID my first week back on campus so I missed two weeks there and then when I came out of quarantine, I don’t think my body was ready to play yet and then I ended up pulling my hamstring, so I’ve been pretty much dealing with that the entire season.
AS A LION St. Mark’s Lacrosse Honors
“[Division I] lacrosse is more than I thought it would be. I figured that the team would be close and that we’d have strong camaraderie, but it’s on another level than I thought it was going to be coming into college. Our team is very, very close and it’s basically a brotherhood and another family, which is something very nice to have.
Another thing about being a Division I athlete is that wherever you go, I don’t want to say that there’s a target on your back, but people always know who you are, and there are certain expectations that you have to follow that the normal student might not be subject to.
All-American
2019 US Lacrosse All-American
All-State
2019 Texas High School Lacrosse League All-State
All-SPC 2019
All-North SPC 2018
During the fall and the first two weeks of the season, we weren’t allowed to practice as a full team. We practiced in “pods” [grouped by age]... so that definitely made it harder to prepare for the season. 22 | ENDZONE — MAY 12, 2021
We don’t feel like we get the respect that we deserve, especially with media. It seems like they always look down on us every yearast year, we opened up with Yale, Penn State and Maryland, and in each of those games we were expected to lose but then we ended up beating Maryland.
IN POSITION Jonathan Taylor stands in front of his crease, ready to slide.
Interview William Aniol Photos Courtesy Jonathan Taylor
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY Pandemic-forced gap year in their rearview mirrors, incoming MIT cross country and track athletes Pablo ’20 and Andrés Arroyo ’20 are ready to take college sports by storm after months of training on their own. STRIDE FOR STRIDE Rounding the first turn of their third lap in the 2020 Volunteer Relays 1600 meter race, Pablo ’20 (left) and Andrés Arroyo ’20 (right) take control of the lead. Pablo finished with the winning time of 4:31.95 with Andrés close behind at 4:36.74.
ALL OUT With less than 100 meters left in their 800 meter race, Pablo ’20 (right) and Andrés Arroyo ’20 (left) sprint to the finish line. During their varsity track and field career, Pablo achieved a personal record of 1:56.44 in the 800 meter race, and Andrés turned in a 4:24.13 in the 1600 meter race.
Interview Siddhartha Sinha Photos Courtesy Randy Colson
Without coaches, it can be hard to know when enough is enough. On my own, that’s really been a challenge. – Pablo Arroyo ’20
I think we’re going to go there in very good shape. We’re probably going to be more comfortable at mileage and more ready for new training as fall starts. – Andrés Arroyo ’20
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CURVEBALL Senior Jacob Daniels hurls a curveball toward homeplate, looking to strike the batter out. Photo Luke Voorheis
