Reported by Sue Gottlieb
The trophy cases at Fox Chapel Area High School are brimming with new, shiny medals as a result of a stellar fall sports season. Eight out of ten teams had winning records; three were section champs, two made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals, two teams were WPIAL runner-ups, and girls’ field hockey won its first WPIAL championship since 1997. It also marked the first time in school history that three teams advanced to statewide PIAA competition — boys’ cross country, girls’ field hockey, and girls’ volleyball. With all fall sports squads teeming with young, promising talent, fans should have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
Boys’ Cross Country
If the boys’ cross country team set out to shake up some school records, they certainly accomplished their mission. For the first time in school history, the team advanced to the PIAA championships in Hershey, a feat preceded by earning a perfect 8-0 record, the silver medal at the WPIAL championships, and the Class AAA Section 4 championship, which had eluded them since 2003. The Foxes’ team placed 12th at the state team competition and was represented by seniors James Humphrey, Karthik Narayanan and John Shymansky, juniors Colin Martin and Ethan Martin, and sophomores Aaron Bliss and Elias Graca. In the Class AAA PIAA cross country individual competition that fielded 219 runners, Ethan finished 5th with a time of 16:00, while Colin crossed the finish line in 16:22 and won 16th place. Other Fox Chapel Area PIAA individual qualifiers were Bliss, Travis Eckman, Gracas, Humphrey, Naryana, and Shymansky. Ethan Martin was one of only two runners from the WPIAL to be named to the all-state team.
Girls’ Cross Country
Much of the team’s success came from contributions from young runners who helped propel it to a 6-2 section record, and an overall record of 8-2. Seven underclassmen — sophomores Greta Altmeyer and Sonia Appasamy, and freshmen Erin Curry, Emily Germanos, Mary Humphrey, Angelin Lucas, and Maura Whelan — joined senior alternate Katherine Meisner on the team representing the Foxes at the WPIAL competition. Coach Tom Moul was pleased with the team’s evolution and expects good things next year.
Girls’ Tennis
After earning a 12-2 section record, the girls’ tennis team celebrated another victorious season with its fifth consecutive return to the Class AAA WPIAL team tournament. An impressive show of freshman dominance made Fox Chapel Are High School an imposing presence at the WPIAL individual competitions, as well. Freshman Laurel Shymansky won the Class AAA Section 3 singles championship and then teamed with fellow freshman Lacey Cohen to sweep the doubles championship. Coach Alex Slezak is understandably optimistic about next year. He plans to teach the young players who achieved early success how to withstand the increased pressure and expectations they will face, while also helping every team member reach her full potential. Girls’ Cross Country
Much of the team’s success came from contributions from young runners who helped propel it to a 6-2 section record, and an overall record of 8-2. Seven underclassmen — sophomores Greta Altmeyer and Sonia Appasamy, and freshmen Erin Curry, Emily Germanos, Mary Humphrey, Angelin Lucas, and Maura Whelan — joined senior alternate Katherine Meisner on the team representing the Foxes at the WPIAL competition. Coach Tom Moul was pleased with the team’s evolution and expects good things next year. Girls’ Tennis
After earning a 12-2 section record, the girls’ tennis team celebrated another victorious season with its fifth consecutive return to the Class AAA WPIAL team tournament. An impressive show of freshman dominance made Fox Chapel Are High School an imposing presence at the WPIAL individual competitions, as well. Freshman Laurel Shymansky won the Class AAA Section 3 singles championship and then teamed with fellow freshman Lacey Cohen to sweep the doubles championship. Coach Alex Slezak is understandably optimistic about next year. He plans to teach the young players who achieved early success how to withstand the increased pressure and expectations they will face, while also helping every team member reach her full potential.
Boys’ Soccer
Depth, versatility, and great technical and tactical abilities powered the boys’ soccer team to a 9-2-1 section record and yet another trip to the Class AAA WPIAL playoffs. The team’s strengths enabled Coach Eric Ingram to use a more inclusive and balanced attack that competitors found hard to defend. With so many players able to score from different positions on the field and a talented bench that scrambled up the attack, the Foxes were able to generate points from 13 different players. All-section honors went to juniors Jack Dickens, Connor Duquette, Gregory Fiorillo, Shota Furuhata, and sophomore Cole Ryan. Senior Griffin Burke was all-section honorable mention. Dickens and Furuhata also were voted all-WPIAL. With more than 20 players with varsity experience returning, Coach Ingram anticipates another strong season in 2013.
Girls’ Soccer
Consider these statistics and they pretty much sum up the year for the girls’ soccer team – 11 consecutive wins, 11 shutouts, an invitation to the WPIAL playoffs, and six players voted all section, the most in school history. The team went 16-2 in regular season play and at one time was the No. 2-ranked team in the WPIAL. However, Coach Erik Duffy says the thing that impressed him most and far exceeded his expectations was how the girls adapted so easily to challenges and approached obstacles as a team. With the team losing only two starters, it’s probably a good bet Coach Duffy will revise his expectations for next year and set even loftier goals. Voted all-section were seniors Yayoi Furuhata and Jessie Thiessen, and juniors Janelle DeBaldo, Sarah Friedland, Lauren Kelly, and Theresa Scheiffarth. Theissen and Kelly also were all-WPIAL picks.
Girls’ Field Hockey
This year, girls’ field hockey proved it is a legitimate, perennial powerhouse and should be mentioned in the same conversation with North Allegheny, Penn-Trafford, and the region’s other premiere programs. For the first time in school history, and after their third appearance in four years, the team finally seized the Class AAA WPIAL championship title, 1-0, in an overtime battle against an aggressive Penn-Trafford squad. Within 10 hours of winning the WPIAL championship game, they were on their way to the PIAA competition, but exhaustion and poor conditions might have contributed to their loss in the first game. Coach Jen McCrady said a balanced attack, improved quickness, defensive stick skills, phenomenal leadership, and the intangible factors of team spirit and unbridled determination all were factors in their success. That same combination drove the team to a regular season record of 9-1 and the Class AAA Section 2 co-champions crown. The team will lose six seniors — all starters — but five returning starters and what Coach McCrady calls the most impressive freshmen class she has ever coached will lead the team to an exciting future. Senior goalie Alaina George was named all-section, and senior defender Elizabeth Martin was named all-section honorable mention. Senior forward Kate Hardiman and senior midfielder Rose Grennan were selected to the all-section and all-WPIAL teams.
Girls’ Volleyball
After moving to one of the toughest girls’ volleyball sections in the WPIAL, Coach Sara D’Angelo knew it might be a David vs. Goliath season, especially judging from their performance early on. Instead, the team stunned more than a few people when they came back with ferocity and toppled perennial powers North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, and Seneca Valley. Seniors Sarah Bradley, Riley Herrmann, Alyson Hess, Marcy Meinert, and Carly Slovenec led the team to a 9-3 Section 3 Class AAA record, an impressive 17 consecutive game win streak, and a regular season ranking of ninth in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. In the playoffs, they tapped what had worked most of the year — their ability to control the pace of the game; strong defense, service, and passing; and amazing team chemistry — to win the WPIAL runner-up title and for first time in school history, advanced to the PIAA girls’ volleyball playoffs. Postseason honors went to Bradley and Herrmann, who were named Class AAA Section 3 all-section first team. Meinert and junior Megan Hollingsworth were named all-section second team, while Hess, Michaela Patsko, Betsy Slagel, and Slovenec were voted all-section honorable mention. Opponents should expect more of the same from the Lady Foxes next season due to a strong class of upcoming seniors and future sophomores who gained valuable varsity experience this year.