Athletics Update

sportsmanship | underscored: ATHLETICS AT PECK

Our coaches recap the FALL SEASON for our Peck teams. Go Pride!

Girls 5/6 Field Hockey had a fantastic season! The sixth graders elevated their gameplay, displayed wonderful sportsmanship, and assisted the newly competing fifth graders in developing their skills. These 20 players represented Peck with pride. The leadership and experience of our 10 sixth graders, in addition to the talent and enthusiasm of our 10 fifth graders, made for an unstoppable combination. It was an exciting season, as the girls excelled at playing multiple positions, learned intricate corner plays, and finished the season 5-0, shutting out all their competition and outscoring their opponents with 24 goals scored to zero goals allowed. They practiced and played with fierce determination, always hustling and putting their best foot forward with their attitude and effort. The future looks bright for Peck field hockey! Girls 7/8 Field Hockey enjoyed another fun and productive season. Everyone worked hard each practice to improve their technical skills and understanding of the game, and grew and developed in at least one aspect of their game. The White team achieved a 7-0 winning record, while the Blue team ended the season 2-2-1. The highlight of the season was, for many, bringing home the Greater Morris County Junior School Coaches Association Field Hockey Group 1 county crown, but for the coaches, it was seeing the girls always having a blast and exhibiting great sportsmanship!

Boys 5/6 Soccer had an excellent season. Their positive attitudes, hardworking approach to practices and games, and collaboration on the field led to much growth and success. With two equal teams, players got a chance to try different positions, work on their game individually and collaboratively, and form two cohesive units. With a combined 7-1 record, the squad shows great promise! They cheered one another on and met each challenge with a can-do attitude and determination. The Boys 7/8 Soccer team had a great season and posted a 6-2-1 record, but, more importantly, the players really gelled, coming together at a critical moment in the season. They reclaimed the Delaporte Cup for the 29th time since 1971 in Peck’s annual contest with Gill St. Bernard’s, and performed admirably in the Middle School Athletic Association tournament. They dominated in the quarter and semifinals, and gave a valiant effort in their final match though ending 0-3 against a tough squad. Over the season the team showed toughness and grit—playing through adversity such as losing three key players to injury at different times during the season. The eighth graders have left a legacy of determination for our promising seventh-grade players to build off of as they prepare to lead the program into next season.

Cross Country completed a fantastic fall season! Led by eighth graders, the team competed in five races, all of about 1.75 miles. Rain or shine, Peck runners demonstrated motivation to continually improve their times, thus, improving Peck’s overall scores. Throughout the season, there were countless positive stories of personal bests, gutsy finishes, challenges overcome, positive leadership, and teamwork. At the final meet, the Gill St Bernard’s Middle School Great Pumpkin Run, the boys finished in a solid sixth place (with the top five runners finishing at least 55th out of about 150 runners). The girls finished in third place—just five points behind first place—with five runners in the top 20 and seven in the top 25.