Falcons’ newcomers leading the way
Kinkaid swim team pins SPC hopes on gifted freshman class
The Kinkaid swimming and diving program hasn’t been much of a factor in the Southwest Preparatory Conference lately, but that could change very soon.
Kinkaid head coach Erica Meyer has her strongest team in years – particularly on the girls’ side. “We have a lot of talent and depth,” Meyer said. “We have some outstanding kids who have been in our middle school program and now they’re moving up. It’s really changed the make-up of our team.”
That could shake up things at the SPC meet coming up Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Conroe ISD Natatorium in Shenandoah. While Dallas Hockaday, John Cooper and St. John’s rate as the favorites, Kinkaid’s girls could fight for a spot on the podium.
“I think top four is realistic, maybe higher if things go our way,” Meyer said.
The Falcons’ recent results have been encouraging, with Kinkaid’s girls taking third place at Bellaire’s Cardinal Classic and the St. John’s Invitational, both at the Lamar Natatorium.
The reason for the surge: the emergence of several fantastic freshmen.
Audrey Orange might be the best of Kinkaid’s celebrated ninth-grade class. Orange, a standout age-group swimmer, is a medal contender in any event she swims. Meyer is narrowing down her list of possible races to the 50and 100-yard freestyle or the 100-yard breaststroke.
“It’s not going to be an easy decision. Audrey is so good at everything,” Meyer said. “Audrey is undefeated in a couple of events and she’ll be tough to beat at SPCs.”
May Moorefield, another freshman, has been equally impressive. The versatile Moorefield is an dangerous freestyler, but she also excels in the 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Other notable freshmen include Emily Moak (freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke), Ellie Lucke (50 and 100 freestyle) and Helena Johnson (100 and 200 freestyle).
With so many newcomers, Kinkaid also relies heavily on the leadership of senior captain Madison Franzina, one of the Falcons’ top sprint freestylers.
Kinkaid’s girls should easily surpass last year’s seventh-place SPC finish. In another year, they could be in title contention.
As for the boys, Kinkaid simply doesn’t have the numbers, but there is no shortage of quality.
Senior Nicholas Fernandez is back after finishing second in the 500 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle a year ago. Fernandez, though, may add the 200 individual medley to his program.
“Nicholas is probably the best male swimmer we’ve had at Kinkaid in around five or six years,” Meyer said. “He has chance to win a couple of gold medals.”
Other Falcons who could contribute to Kinkaid’s point tally are senior captain Reagor Wagnon (200 and 500 freestyle), junior William Gage (freestyle, 100 butterfly) and sophomores Paul Thompson (100 butterfly, sprint freestyle) and William Miner (100 breaststroke).
With the SPC meet coming up next month, there’s still time for the Falcons to figure out their relays and individual swimmers. Next up for Kinkaid is the Houston Area Private and Parochial Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Spring Branch’s W.W. Emmons Natatorium.
Title hunt
The Kinkaid boys soccer team plans to contend for the SPC crown this season, but the Falcons must overcome the loss of their best player.
Senior forward/midfielder Demian Gass went down with a torn medial collateral ligament, leaving Kinkaid without its main offensive weapon.
“I don’t know how it’s going to affect us,” said Kinkaid head coach Curt Brooks. “Demian is such a vital part of the team. Losing him was a huge blow to everyone.”
Without Gass, Kinkaid fell to rival Episcopal 2-0 last week. However, the Falcons blanked San Antonio St. Mary’s Hall 6-0 to run their record to 6-3-2 overall and 1-1 in the South Zone.
Even with the loss to the Knights, there’s still plenty at stake the rest of the way for Kinkaid.
“Our goal is to get to the (SPC) tournament,” Brooks said. “Once we’re there, anything can happen.”
Kinkaid has done well in the postseason in recent years and this season should be no different. The Falcons are athletic and as speedy as ever.
Gass’ absence has left junior Willy DuCharme as the lone forward in the line-up.
Senior Josh Raizner anchors a gifted midfield that includes senior Cole Green, junior Phin Sprague, sophomore Zachary Lewitton and freshman Becket Toussaint.
“Our midfielders are exceptional,” Brooks said.
The defense is stingy, with seniors Brendan Martin, Hobbes Reynolds and Paolo Silva joining forces with junior Jon Hopkins. Kinkaid also has a quality goalkeeper in senior Jack Schuette.
Kinkaid, which edged Austin St. Stephen’s 1-0 a few weeks ago, will host Austin St. Andrew’s at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Segal Field, a game rescheduled because of the weather.