L’ville, PDS look to repeat as Prep champs
The local prep schools are coming off a banner year and this season should be another great one.
Lawrenceville won another Mercer County Tournament title and a Prep A title. Princeton Day won Prep B over Stuart.
Hun, Pennington and Peddie played well and will look to be improved this season. Hun Coach: Kathy Quirk (12th season) Assistant Coaches: Molly O’Sullivan, Roisin Dougherty Last Year: 9-10 Roster: Gigi Venizelos (So., F), Kendall Nehlig (Jr., M), Gabby Samano, Ali Rho (Fr., F/M), Claudine Chiminski (Sr., M), Laura McBryan (Sr., M), Kendall Versfeld (Sr., S), Julie Revock (Sr., F), Barlow Antar (Sr., M/B), Letson Nehlig (Jr., B), Megan Donohue (Jr., B), Isabell Ross (Sr., F/M), Abby Zucatti (So., B), M.C. Shea (Jr., G). Outlook: The Raiders are very and will take some time to mesh, but if there is one definite about Hun it’s that they will get better. They have some experience in some key positions and those players will need to set the tone. Once the younger players settle Hun should be very competitive. Lawrenceville Coach: Lisa Ewanchyna (10th season) Assistant Coaches: Holly Burks Becker, Claire Burchi Last Year: 16-5, Prep A state champion and MCT champion Roster: Lauren Cloughan (Sr., D), Lizzy Gracey (Sr., M), Tess Maloney (Sr., M), Annie Morgan (Sr., F), Ciara Hoover (So., D), Charlotte Albert (Jr., D), Lizze Huesman (So., M), Lydia Wilcox (Jr., F), Meg Hillman (Jr., M), Meg Barnes (Jr., M). Outlook: There were some graduation losses and while some programs would be rebuilding the Big Red is reloading with solid group returning and a very anxious bunch of newcomers. They return a lot of their scoring and have depth in the back. Expect another banner season from Lawrenceville. Peddie Coach: Nicole Manziano (2nd season, 2-13) Assistant Coach: Katie Hulit Last Year: 2-13 Roster: Madeline Carroll (Sr.) Brooke Dennison (Sr.), Alex Fanelli (Sr.), Sonal Gupta (Sr.), Pia Martindale (Sr.), Elaine Moon (Sr.), Alex Tang (Sr.), Aimee Wiencek (Sr.), Raga Bhagavathi (Jr.), Sruthi Kocherlakota (Jr.) Abigail Maley (Jr.), Sophie McClellan (Jr.), Jess Scopellite (Jr.), Maria Elizabeth de Buck (So.), Alex Lenart (So.), Teagan Martindale (So.). Outlook: Despite some losses the Falcons are ready for the challenge of 2017 with a nice group of veterans and newcomers that are going have them ready to compete every time on the turf. It is a group that has been working hard and wants to put last year in the rear view mirror. Pennington Coach: Wendy Morris (9th season) Assistant Coaches: Kathryn Bowman, Maria Kane Roster: Kathleen Horsley (Sr., M), Julia Miller (Sr., G), Maddi Seibel (Sr., F), Emma Garry (Jr., D), Danielle DiMeglio (Jr., D), Kate Reim (Jr., M), Claire Seward (Jr., F), Julia Wakin (Jr., F), Emma Van Cleef (Jr., F), Molly Nelson So., M), Amanda Kenrick (Jr., D), Kate Long (So., D). Outlook: Some talent left in June and the Red Raiders are going to be young in some sports early in the year. The players are working hard to become a cohesive unit. They might struggle early, but are a team that will improve through the year. Princeton Day Coach: Heather Farlow (17, 3rd at PDS) Assistant Coaches: Pim van Paaassen, Kira Dudeck Last Year: 16-4, Prep B state champions, MCT finalist Roster: Elizabeth Brennan, Lexie Hausheer, Gwen Allen, Val Radvany, Madison Mundenar, Julie Lach, Sasha Sindhwani, Gretchen Lindenfeldar, Caroline Haggerty, Skylar Mundenar. Outlook: The Panthers won a state title in 2016 and with plenty of key performers returning they will once the field and could be a team that even surpasses last year’s success. Stuart Coach: Missy Bruvik (27th season) Assistant Coaches: Sara Wagner, Kelly Bruvik Last Year: 6-11-2, Prep B finalist Roster: Catherine Biava (Sr., M), Ali Hannah (Sr., B), Sam Johnson (Sr., G), Maddie Michaels (Sr. M), Elle Widger (Sr., M/B), Millie Briguad (Sr., B), Bey-Shana Clark (Jr., B), Priscilla Francois (Jr., F/B), Meaghan Liebowitz (Sr., F), Lauren Magnani (Jr., F), Maria Mc Bride (Jr., F/M), Breasia Williams (Jr., B), Emma Shaw (Jr., F/M), Aditi Mehndiratta (So., F), Caroline Mullen (So., F/M). Outlook: After a slow start in 2016 the Tartans advanced to the Prep B finals and with many returning it’s looking to make another run. Stuart will be vastly improved this season with a nice mix of veterans and newcomers to push each other. The numbers are climbing once again and that’s a plus for the program.