Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SMS Scotty Sports Corner: Soccer, Swimming Hold Own
Tappahannock, VA (December 17, 2001) - This week in Scotty sports, Richmond opponents stopped both St. Margaret's basketball and soccer teams. Soccer rebounded to defeat a tough St. Catherine's squad and heads into the holidays on a high note, while SMS swimmers held their own against St. Cat's and Collegiate competitors in several events.
St. Margaret's School senior Mary Burke Parker of Tappahannock gets ready to compete at a four-school swim meet in Richmond on December 14. This year is the first that SMS has fielded a varsity swim team.
Soccer: St. Margaret's varsity soccer team faced sister school St. Catherine's in Richmond on Thursday, December 13. A second-half goal off a corner kick by sophomore Sarah Weakley of Montross showed St. Catherine's just what a motivated little sister can do. The SMS defense held the line to end the game with a winning score, 1-0.
Head Coach Rodney Watkins cited good headers by junior Ann Kramer Osburn of Tappahannock and the capable play of senior sweeper Danielle Magid as additional factors in the Scotty victory.
"It's was a better offensive game than we've had so far," said Assistant Coach Whitfield Mastin. "Our passing is improving, and so is our heading. And of course, it was a real morale booster to defeat a team from a much larger school."
A week earlier, on December 7, the Scotties played another Richmond team on the road. Despite brave play by JV substitutes, including senior Shu Jin, Trinity Episcopal's Lady Titans defeated St. Margaret's 1-0.
"We were missing three starters, and could have beaten them," said Watkins. "We will next time."
The soccer Scotties play Covenant in Charlottesville on December 20 before heading home for Christmas break.
Basketball: The going's been tough for the basketball Scotties, who have been short on starters as they played some of their strongest opponents. Eight points by sophomore Robin Ridderhof provided the bright spot in a 48-26 loss to a much taller St. Anne's-Belfield squad on December 7 at home.
Without senior co-captain Kristina Bethea and junior starter Cassy Cormack in the lineup against Steward on December 11, "We were beaten before we stepped on the court," said Head Coach Sue Saunders. She praised the resourceful rebounding of junior Fola Ogundiran and offensive drive of sophomore Blair Fisher of Lottsburg, who put 10 points on the board. Despite the girls' efforts, Steward downed the Scotties, 42-26.
"As long as the quality of our play continues to improve, I'm happy, " said Saunders. "The victories will follow."
St. Margaret's last game before the holidays is against St. Catherine's in Richmond on December 18.
Swimming: St. Margaret's brand new swim team took the plunge in a meet with Collegiate and Trinity at Briarwood in Richmond on December 8. Highlights included a state-qualifying performance by junior Mary Andrews in the 100-meter freestyle.
The swimming Scotties' second outing proved even more successful with the addition of New Zealand exchange student Stephanie McMullan to the roster. Back home, "Fi" holds Wellington city titles in the 50-, 100-, and 400- butterfly. At a December 14 meet at Richmond's NOVA Swimming Center attended by Collegiate, St. Catherine's, and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, McMullan placed second in the 100-meter butterfly (1:06.20) and third in the 200-meter individual medley (2:26.68). The team of McMullan, Andrews, Margaret Moncure of Tappahannock, and Merritt Allaun finished third in the 400-meter freestyle relay (4:23.03), an 18-second improvement over their previous time.
Other Scotty swimmers placing well included Andrews, who shaved more than a second off her time in the 100-meter freestyle (1:03.12) and qualified for the state championships with a third-place time of 0:27.94 in the 50-meter freestyle. Moncure posted a 1:17.57 in the 100-meter backstroke, just two seconds from the state qualifying time.
Team members span a broad range of competitive experience, said Head Coach Katie Speigler. Some have swam at previous schools or in summer leagues, while others are newer to the sport.
"I have two girls who had never jumped off the starting blocks before," she said. "When they saw how high they were at the meet-nearly a foot taller than the ones we use at practice-their eyes got real big. But they did it. On the way home, one of them told me, 'Coach, this was my favorite day ever.' Now, that's what it's all about. We're going to represent St. Margaret's in every event, and swim as well as we can."
