Scraped knees, early morning and late night practices, sold out games with a spirited student section – sports have returned to O’Dowd!
Check out our end-of-season Fall Sports Round-Up:
Cheer
School spirit has been vibrant on the quad and at the games and our cheer squad has led the way. The squad traveled with the football team to away games and rallied the student section at the home games. “Dragon Cheer does much for our community,” says Marguerite Green, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Cheer Moderator. “They cheer for football and basketball while preparing to defend their national championship status.” In their first two competitions of the year, the team has taken first place!
Cross Country
After a year and a half without normal practice or competition, the cross country team eagerly jumped into a very busy and competitive fall season. “Team culture and camaraderie was especially high,” reports Hillary Kigar, cross country coach and Associate Director of Athletics. We welcomed our largest 9th grade boys group, with 19 boys!” The season was also a huge success because of senior leadership, especially captains Ellie Sellman ’22, Isa Whitten ’22, and Marcus Fong ’22. “Their leadership kept our community tight and strong” Kigar says.
The boys’ team finished with a 10-1 record, placing 2nd in the league. Ennio Ellenberg ’25 was the top 9th grader in NCS and Maggie Sinclair ’25 was the top 9th grader in WACC. Marcus Fong ’22, Zachary Tanenbaum ’23, and Lyle Phillips ’24 were all named WACC All-League Second Team winners. “The future is incredibly bright and we cannot wait to build on this year in the seasons to come!” shares Kiger.
Football
Enthusiasm was high every Friday during lunch as students stood in line to get their wristbands for the night’s home game. The team played to a sold out crowd each Friday night, with students dressed to each game’s theme with fervor, and players working hard on the field to build a strong team.
Ending the season in 3rd place in the league, Dragon football provided a place of camaraderie and community for players and spectators alike. Additionally, 10 players received All-League awards. Congratulations to linebacker Julian Wilson ’22 and defensive back Isaac Greene ’22 for making the WACC 1st team, wide receiver Kyon Loud ’24, offensive lineman Emilio De Palm ’23, running back Matt White ’22, defensive lineman Alijah Brown ’22, Charlie Van Ness ’22, and Makari Kenyon ’25 for making WACC 2nd team, and quarterback Ty Jones ’22 and offensive lineman Aidan Madden ’22 for receiving Honorable Mention.
Golf
The girls’ golf team had a terrific season, placing 2nd in the WACC League Championship! “The most memorable moments have been the bonding and fun during practices,” says Mary Lee ’22. “Then we turn into fierce players when competing on the course! I’m proud of how we support each other and carry ourselves.”
Not only did the team finish 2nd in the league, but Sydney Silva ’25 made the league’s 1st team and was named Player of the Year. Mary Lee ’22 and Chelsea Chin ’25 also made the league’s 1st team.
Tennis
This year’s tennis team dominated the courts every match. Together, they accomplished something that no O’Dowd women’s or men’s tennis team has ever done before: win a WACC League Championship!
“Not only was this team incredibly talented, but we also bonded like sisters,” shares Marianne Taner ‘22. “Our camaraderie was something really special and helped us set a new bar for O’Dowd Tennis.” Seniors Maya Mehta ’22 and Piper Bunkers ’22 both made the league’s 1st team. Polina Marakhtanova ’24 also made 1st team and was named WACC Player of the Year.
Volleyball
Volleyball had a highly competitive season this year. With a strong senior presence, the team led in league play throughout the season, winning the WACC League Championship! “This past season of O’Dowd volleyball has been one of my favorites,” reflects Zindzhi Montgomery ‘22. “I am amazed at everyone’s performance, especially considering that we couldn’t have a normal season last year. Our bond to one another translated to our performance on the court.”
Congratulations to Zindzhi Montgomery ‘22, Cecilia Costa ’22, and Maya Bartkowi ’22 for making the league’s 1st team; Isabel Sandoval ’22 for making 2nd team; and Lydia Olguin ’22 and Lucia Tarantino ’22 for earning Honorable Mention.
Water Polo
The water polo teams were incredibly competitive this season. “Coming out of a COVID season it was important to come together as a team, and we did that very well this fall,” asserts Sofia Corbett ’23. “Bonding as a team helped us get so far this water polo season, and it was so much fun to play with a group of people who all love this sport and love being a team.”
The girls’ team finished the season in 3rd place and the boys’ team finished in 4th. Additionally, Jonathan Schnoebelen ’22, Fiona Corbett ’23, Sofia Corbett ’23 and Harper Casey-Housand ’23 were named Academic All-Americans by USA Water Polo. At the end of the season, Cahal Connolly ’22, Jonathan Schnoebelen ’22, Sofia Corbett ’23, and Harper Casey-Housand ’23 were awarded WACC All-League 1st team. Maddy Porras ’22 was named 2nd team; and Hunter Morgan ’24, Ryan Walsh ’23, Gabby Goss ’22, and Chrissy Isola ’22 received Honorable Mention. Sofia Corbett ’23 was also named Player of the Year.
No matter the sport, our student-athletes returned to their fields, courts, and pools in true Dragon Spirit, ready to build relationships with their teammates and succeed on and off the field. Congratulations to all of our teams!