Contact: Jenni Brockman Junior varsity soccer coach, Chip Sprouse, began the St. Margaret's School year 2000 Winter Sports Athletic Luncheon reading a poem he had written titled "And Then There Were Seven". The luncheon honored St. Margaret's junior varsity and varsity basketball and soccer teams. His poem represented a light-hearted jest about the challenges faced by the team this winter as the number of players dwindled from 14 down to 7 by season's end. "We had to modify our goals midway through the season," coach Sprouse said. "We decided, in lieu of winning, to make having fun our top priority. Applying that measure, our season was successful." Chip, a Presbyterian minister in Tappahannock, was assisted in coaching the team this season by his friend Bob Waring. Coach Waring is the husband of St. Margaret's head nurse, Liz Waring. In addition to reading his poem, Mr. Sprouse presented special awards to all team members who "survived" the entire (1999-2000) season. Awards were presented to: Nabila Ali, "Mayfly Award" (for nagging defense on opponent teams); Caroline Chewning, "Best Resistance to Harsh Weather Award" (for wearing a t-shirt
and shorts to nearly every practice despite freezing temperatures); Christian
Cintron, "All Smiles Award" (for her perpetual smiles); Emily Fisher, "Red
Ain't Dead Award" (for demonstrated affinity to NASCAR fashion apparel);
Erin Hall, "Incomprehensible Utterance/Most Bruises Award" (for the most unique grunting sound made during athletic play); Claire Hopkins, "Mild Mannered Award" (despite breaking her ankle, Claire took everything in stride);
Meredith Lawson, "Defensive Tactic Award" (for brilliant defense); Kat
Price, "Slide Tackle Award" (for earning a coaches-treat dessert after successfully performing a slide tackle during a game); Alison Wasserman, "Best Dribbler/Self Deprecating Award" (for excellent footwork and a relentless self-driven attitude); Sarah Weakley, "Too Bad There's Not a Track Team at SMS Award" (for faster-than-the-coaches foot speed); Ashley Whitehead, "Nicest Player Award" (the most congenial goalie award). Kat "Kamikazee" Price was also voted the Most Improved Player by her teammates and Emily Fisher was chosen as the Most Valuable Player.
The SMS varsity team was less injury plagued and managed to keep its roster somewhat more intact, but also faced a heavy challenge when mother Nature dumped a record 14 inches of snow on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, adding an unexpected twist to the 1999-2000 season. The Scotties were forced to don lots of hats, gloves, and sweat clothing in order to conquer the freezing temperatures. Despite only being able to start the same lineup for 2 games, St. Margaret's earned the respect of the other league teams by playing many tough, competitive matches this season. SMS 1999-2000 varsity soccer team members were: Brittany Alexander, goalie; Tonia Arsala, forward; Carol Combs, midfielder; Tess Cooney, midfield-defender; Britton Faulkner, stopper; Carla Layton, midfield-defender; Danielle Magid, sweeper; Kendall Pettigrew, defender; Kelly Proctor, multiple-positions; Claire Stephenson, forward; Beth Wilson, midfielder; Ann Kramer Osburn, forward; Tae Washino, forward; Sarah Wagner, defender and Sarah Taliaferro, midfielder. Team Captains were midfielder Chase Craven and defender Katie Hawks. Clarissa Roberts, SMS geography teacher, and Jennifer Gura, SMS Spanish teacher, coached this year's team. Roberts and Gura coached cross country and junior varsity volleyball, respectively this fall. Senior student Amy Laskar served as team manager. Sarah Taliaferro was awarded the Most Improved player award. Junior Carol Combs was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Chase Craven was presented the Senior Trophy. "We had an awesome season. Every player should be proud of herself", said Assistant Coach Gura. The 1999-2000 JV basketball squad also recently finished a strong season. Kate Taylor, who graduated from St. Margaret's in 1983, coached the team. Team members were: Susie Aguirre, Nikki Clark, Dwann Cutler, Tess Duncan, Ayano Kitamura, Olivia Longest, Laurna (Robyn) Ritterhoff, Lexi Shoemaker, Michelle Sylva, Leila Weissenger, Paige Weinbrenner, and manager/scorekeeper, Maryama Tagoe. Paige Winebrenner was voted the team's Most Improved Player. Lexi Shoemaker was selected as the Most Valuable Player. Varsity basketball head coach Sue Saunders began her speech saying, "Y'all
have to realize I don't plan in advance to cry…it just happens." Holding back tears throughout, a humbled coach Saunders acknowledged her team's success this season and thanked the girls for being a part of her life. Cameron Sgroi was the team captain, high scorer and Most Valuable Player. Other team members were: Ai Akahori (Most Improved Player), Garnett Ashworth, Kristina Bethea, Laura Bishop, Katie Farmer, Lindsay Neist, Sara Newman, Mary Burke Parker, Kym Register (Coaches Award), Jamie Shelor and Alexes Anderson, manager.
"Our winter sports teams had great seasons and certainly have a lot to be
proud of," Saunders concluded. In addition to coaching the basketball team, Sue Saunders is also the Athletic Director at St. Margaret's School. For a comprehensive athletics calendar of upcoming matches and games for spring 2000 - click here.
Telephone: 804-443-3357(w/h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Honors Winter Athletes At Luncheon
2000 Senior Winter Sports Athletes (l. to r.) are: Alexes Anderson (basketball, manager), Cameron Sgroi (basketball), Kym Register (basketball), Garnett Ashworth (basketball), Ai Akahori (basketball), Sarah Wagner (soccer), Katie Farmer (basketball), Kendall Pettigrew (soccer), Katie Hawks (soccer), Amy Laskar (soccer), Chase Craven (soccer), and Beth Wilson (soccer).
Athletic Director Sue Saunders (r.) presents junior Carol Combs with the 1999-2000 varsity soccer Most Valuable Player award. Combs, a native of Statesboro, Ga., played midfield for the Scotties.
