Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Honors Spring Athletes At Awards Dinner
St. Margaret's recognized its spring sports participants at an awards dinner on Wednesday, May 24. The evening program, held in the new Community/Technology Center dining area overlooking the Rappahannock River, honored athletes from the school's crew, lacrosse, softball, and tennis teams.
Spring sports award recipients are: (l. to r.) Taylor Ellis, Britt Faulkner, Sara Newman, Laura Austin, Laura Bishop, Lauren Cannon, Catherine Redfearn, Cathy Ryan, Ashley Whitehead, Mary Burke Parker, Claire Hopkins, Brandy Benito, Ginny Moncure, and Michelle Sylva.
CREW - Following a welcome by athletic director Sue Saunders and prayer by SMS chaplain Ann Riggs, SMS crew coaches Kary Fronk and Andrea Robinson shared crew anecdotes. Stories told included running out of gas in the launch boat (more than once) and having to part with the eight shell after a run-in with a rare "jumping tree". The varsity four team was recognized for beating Christchurch at the Walter Mess Regatta and the novice four team was cited for winning a blue ribbon at the Virginia State Rowing Championships.
The 2000 crew team, only the second rowing team ever at St. Margaret's, featured senior team co-captains Catherine Redfearn and Laura Austin who were selected as the Most Valuable Rower and Most Valuable Coxswain, respectively. Junior Britton Faulkner, formerly a softball player, tried her luck with a new sport this spring and was named the team's Most Improved Rower.
Laura Austin and Catherine Redfearn thanked the coaches for their energy and effort this year by presenting each with three special gifts: a "I Survived Coaching My First Year of SMS Crew" button, a personalized 2.5 gallon red gasoline tank and a bouquet of flowers.
LACROSSE - St. Margaret's varsity lacrosse team (1-5 LIS) finished only its second season playing at the varsity level with a record of 3 wins and 5 losses. Senior co-captains Lacey Wright and Ginny Moncure led the team in scoring with 16 and 17 goals, respectively. Nicki Zuralow (15), Carol Combs (13), and Ashley Colen (10) also scored in double figures for the lacrosse team this year.
The season highlight for the Scotties came in a thrilling overtime win at home against Covenant on April 11th. Junior Carol Combs, finishing with a game high four goals, scored the game winner in double overtime to lift SMS over Covenant, 9-8.
Junior Sara Newman received the Coach's Award from head coach Cupper Dickinson of Loretta. Coach Dickinson commented, "Sara exhibited team leadership and a strong work ethic throughout the season. Her efforts made practice fun for everyone." Memphis, TN native Laura Bishop, also a junior, was named the team's Most Improved Player. Seniors Chase Craven (3), Ginny Moncure (4), Sara Pirtle (4) and Lacey Wright (3) received trophies for their respective numbers of years of team participation.
SOFTBALL - Led by power hitters Taylor Ellis and Mary Burke Parker, St. Margaret's varsity softball team (3-5 LIS) finished the regular season fourth in the five-team League of Independent Schools. Taylor Ellis and Mary Burke Parker, two of the seven first-year players on the team, tied with the highest batting average, with each hitting .460.
Team regular season highlights include an 18-8 victory over Trinity and a pair of impressive wins against St. Vincent's by scores of 14-0 and 22-3. At the LIS Championships, the Scotties pummeled St. Vincent's 25-9 in the first round, but were shutout by Collegiate 6-0 in the tournament semifinal.
St. Margaret's spring sports athletes named to their respective all-star teams were lacrosse athletes (l. to r.) Carol Combs, Nicki Zuralow, Lacey Wright and Sarah Muller and varsity softball players Lauren Cannon and Shannon Davis (not pictured).
Lauren Cannon, a four-year starter, was named the team's Most Valuable Player. First-year player Michelle Sylva who head coach Sue Saunders called "the fastest on the team" earned the Most Improved Player award. Senior team tri-captain Kym Register was recognized as a three-year varsity player.
This year's team was made up of the most youthful group that Sue Saunders has worked with in her many years of coaching. In the end, youthful exuberance paid off as the Scotties have gained experience and taken great strides towards improved performance next year.
TENNIS - St. Margaret's varsity tennis team finished the 2000 regular season with a record of 4 wins and 4 losses. The Scotties' fortunes shifted this season when Australian exchange student Britt Erwin returned to her home after two weeks of play and senior Jeong Min Kim of Seoul, Korea sprained her ankle while practicing.
In individual play, junior Cathy Ryan, despite losing twice to top-ranked Lauren Dikey of St. Vincent's de Paul during the regular season, posted a 5-2 record in singles competition. Senior Katie Farmer (5-1) and junior Ann Melchionna (4-2) also posted winning records in regular season singles matches.
Season highlights included a 5-4 win over Covenant and a pair of 7-2 victories over St. Vincent's. Despite not playing their best tennis during the League of Independent Schools conference tournament, hosted by St. Margaret's May 12-13 in Richmond, the Scotties remain upbeat and many returning players have already begun practicing for next year.
Described by her coach as "the epitome of a coachable athlete," Danielle Magid was named the team's Most Improved Player. Third-year No. 1 singles player Cathy Ryan earned the Most Valuable Player award. Jeong Min Kim and Katie Farmer were awarded senior trophies for participating on the team for 3 and 4 years, respectively. Returning players Kristina Bethea, Heeran Kim, Ann Melchionna and Danielle Magid will add strength to next year's team.
