Our fall sports season just wrapped up, so take a look at all of the amazing accomplishments by our student-athletes in this recap. There is a lot to celebrate, and be sure to check out the Rams Rewind video at the end!
Soccer
State Champions For the First Time!
Boys Varsity Soccer completed an extraordinary season by capturing the first State Championship in school history. The Rams defeated Orchard Farm 1-0 in Springfield to complete their historic run, finishing with a final record of 13-3. Along the way, they also captured their first district championship in MICDS history by defeating Westminster 2-1 in a double-overtime thriller. A shortened regular season included standout victories over traditional powers SLUH and Priory. The team was led by senior captains Hayden Fischer ’21 and Joe Nicpon ’21, who earned Class 2 All-State Player of the Year and Defensive Players of the Year honors, respectively. Fischer, along with senior forwards Alexander Birkel ’21 and Walter Ralph ’21 paced a balanced attack for the Rams. Nicpon led the defense with help from fellow seniors William Ploszay ’21, Nick Scheele ’21, and goalkeeper James Hammersmith ’21. In total, eight players earned postseason recognition.
Football
#1 District Seed and Second at State
In the strangest of years and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 MICDS Football program completed the truncated season and 102nd year of football with a record of 7-1 and finished as the #2 ranked team and the State Runner-up in Missouri’s Class 4 Division. Despite some injuries to key playmakers in the first two games, their regular season performance earned the Rams the #1 district seed in the MSHSAA playoffs. They defeated an athletic Trinity Catholic team 31-6 in the district semifinals and St. Dominic 42-6 in the district championship game to capture only their third district title in twelve years. In the state quarterfinals, the Rams beat Hannibal 48-34 and in the state semifinals defeated Union 56-30 before losing to Helias Catholic 30-35 in the state championship game.
The Rams averaged over 44 points per game and quarterback Reagan Andrew ’22 had consecutive games when he threw for four touchdowns versus St. Dominic then rushed for four touchdowns versus John Burroughs and threw for five touchdowns in the state quarterfinals at Hannibal. Aside from making the State title game, another highlight of the regular season was soundly beating an undefeated JBS team 42-6 to mark the fifth straight time beating the rival Bombers. Further, Andrew led the St. Louis area in passing efficiency, Steve Hall ’23 led the team in rushing with 113 yards per game and Crawford Bundy ’21, Will Kacmarek ’21, and PJ Behan ’22 all contributed as receivers in the passing game. Linebacker Grant Purdy ’21 averaged 14 tackles per game, Jalen Pace ’21 led the team in interceptions, and Kacmarek recorded six sacks in the shortened season to lead the Rams defense. Kickers Landon Gelven ’22 and Harrison Engel ’24 were nearly perfect in handling kicking duties during the season. The following Rams were selected All-Conference and/or All-District 1st Team for the season: Reagan Andrew ’22 QB; Steve Hall ’23 RB; PJ Behan ’22 WR; Crawford Bundy ’21 Returner/Athlete; Raphy Soway ’21 OL; Will Schaumburg ’21 OL; Will Kacmarek ’21 DL; Grant Purdy ’21 LB; Jalen Pace ’21 OLB; Bjorn Sjorgren ’22 DB and Landon Gelven ’22 K. The All-State selection process has not yet occurred prior to this summary, but a number of those players are likely to receive recognition on those teams also.
Boys Swimming & Diving
Second at State and a Record-Setting Season
The Rams’ Swim and Dive Team placed second at State Championships. The season was capped by a series of record-setting performances. The Rams 200 Medley Relay broke a team record that stood since 1992, and the 400 Free Relay team broke another that stood since the ’80s. Lee Naber ’22 broke the 100 Backstroke record three times during the season. He went on to break the 200 Free record, winning the event at State. Along with Naber, Greg Dreisewerd ’21, Ryan Mauney ’22, and captains Jackson Fox ’21 and Eric Ji ’21 were part of the record-setting relays. Ji would go on to take second at State in both the 200 IM and 100 Breast. Dreisewerd took 3rd in the 100 Fly and 500 Free.
Girls Tennis
Wins in Districts and Sectionals Lead to Run for State
The 2020 season for the Girls Tennis Team included many individual and team achievements. The team was led this year by captain Ashley Kane ’21, who divided time playing at #6 singles and #3 doubles. Kane took the young team under her wing and led them through all of the team traditions that were possible during the pandemic. She was assisted by Kashish Motwani ’23 (#5/6 singles, #3 doubles) and Stella Kreisel ’23 (#3/4 singles, #2 doubles). They created a positive atmosphere and work ethic that resulted in some spectacular team results. After two milestone wins over regular season opponents Lafayette and Ladue, the team headed into the Team Districts round seeded #2 where they upset #1 seed Parkway Central 5-2 to earn a spot in Sectionals for the first time since 2017. In the Sectional match, the girls dispatched Liberty 5-0 to punch their ticket to the Final Four Championship round. The semi-final round brought an end to the run, however, in the 3rd Place match the Rams rebounded to defeat Republic 5-0 and complete an incredible season.
Returning junior Journee White ’22 put on an amazing performance by winning the individual Districts singles title and qualifying for the State Championships. White reached the semi-finals where she lost to the eventual champion, but bounced back to take 3rd place. This was White’s third consecutive year to medal at state and her third straight improvement on the previous season (5th freshman/doubles, 4th sophomore/doubles). This year the team included the most number of freshmen (eight) in memory, three of whom played in the top six (#1 Mikaela Mikulec ’24, #2 Rachel Li ’24, and #4/5 Diane Li ’24). Mikulec and R. Li qualified for the State Championships in doubles and made an incredible run all the way to the state finals before succumbing. Their second place finish was the best doubles result for two freshmen in the history of girls tennis at MICDS and the first appearance in the state finals for a girls doubles team since 2000.
Girls Cross Country
All Conference Honors and Strong Finishes at State
This season, the MICDS Girls Cross Country team had a very successful season. Julia Ray ’23 finished 4th in our State Championship and captain Simrin Phatak ’21 ran a 30-second personal best finishing 84th. Riley Noonan ’22 earned all-conference honors along with Ray, who was Metro League Champion, and Phatak. Phatak earned All-District Honors for the fourth time. Ray was District Champion for the second time in two years and again earned All-State honors. Due to the success of their program including last season’s State Championship, the team was moved by MSHSAA to Class 5 for competition. This contains the largest schools in the state. The team held its own in this new class, finishing third in the District Championship and showing constant improvement throughout the season. The team had excellent leadership from our Captains Phatak, Helen Love ’21, Gretel Wurdak ’21, and Estephanie Estrada ’21. The Cross Country team gives out only one postseason award which is the Harriet Green Award for the most dedicated and inspirational member of the team. This season’s winner was Simrin Phatak.
Boys Cross Country
Second Place Finish at Hancock Invitational, Appearance at State
The Boys Cross Country team began their season unsure if meets would even be held this year, but they threw themselves wholeheartedly into a demanding practice schedule despite not knowing if they would be able to compete. By the end of the season, MICDS ended up sending representatives to the State meet, and the Rams completed the season on a high note. Team highlights included a second place team finish in their division at the Hancock Invitational. Will Falk ’21 earned All-Metro League honors in the Metro League Meet with a fourth place finish on October 21, and went on to medal in the district meet the following week, placing fifth to earn a spot on the starting line at State. Co-captain Jackson Strelo ’22 stepped up in the district meet as well, medaling in 10th place overall, and he accompanied Falk on the trip to compete on the State Meet course on November 5 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. Strelo finished under 18 minutes on his first trip to State. Falk completed his MICDS Cross Country career with style, earning All-State honors in the Class 3 meet. Falk climbed seven places in the final kilometer and showed a determined kick in the final 200 meters to secure his spot and represent MICDS on the awards stand.
Girls Golf
Mikulec Medals Eight Times, Earning All-Metro League 1st Team
Girls Golf luckily completed the Varsity and JV Covid season. As all athletes dealt with the restrictions due to the pandemic, the shortened season ended with a 1-5-1 Varsity record and a 1-1 JV record. Well-deserved All-Metro 1st team accolades went to Captain Katharine Mikulec ’22 who medaled eight times, including at the Angel Classic, Districts & State! Angela Shiang ’21 earned a Varsity spot on the team after three years improving on JV and helped mentor Julie Qian ’24 throughout the season. Shiang’s positive attitude and infectious smile will be missed.
Field Hockey
Seven Players Named to All-Metro League First Team
While it was unclear if the 100th MI/MICDS field hockey team would be able to compete, they practiced with intensity for eight weeks before games began. Finishing their season with a 6-3 record, the Rams made it to the semi finals of the Midwest field hockey tournament for the 18th time in the past 20 years. All three losses came at the hands of the first and second seed in the tournament. Seven players were named to the All-Metro League first team (Lily Baker ’21, Ella Durrill ’21, Jenna Bernstein ’21, Kate Oliver ’22, Anna Lochhead ’22, Greta Wolfsberger ’22, and Brecken Calcari ’22) and three made the second team (Livie Warren ’21, Ananya Radhakrishnan ’21, and Caroline Cooper ’22). The Rams will say goodbye to eight wonderful seniors, three of whom will continue their careers in college. Team 100 was truly about community and supported each other through challenging times making memories that will never be forgotten.
Volleyball
Improving By Always Playing “One More Point”
Varsity coaches Deanna Pettit and Peggy Shelton couldn’t be prouder of the commitment and dedication the varsity players demonstrated daily. The varsity team experienced growing pains with the new coaching staff, new or different position and skill development of players, injuries and adapting to the new normal of “playing wearing masks and the socially distanced bench.” These student-athletes exemplified the true meaning of representing a varsity team with their willingness to mentor the other Upper School teams as well as the Middle School teams. The team’s unwavering efforts to get better by playing “one more point” in practice proved to be pivotal in their match win against Villa Duchesne. Captains Cece Nourie ’21 and Courtney Shands ’21 lived up to their team’s expectations in representing them as both earned First Team All-District Honors, were nominated to the AVCA All-Region team and both were selected to First Team All Metro League. Hannah Forsberg ’23 was selected to Second Team All Metro League and Maya Anderson ’23 also received post-season honors being selected to the Second Team All-District and Honorable Mention for the All Metro League. When we take a look back at this season, a very strange season due to COVID-19, we’re very grateful for the opportunity to get to play the game we love and to further develop our skills and enhance our lives with the memories we made.
Cyclocross
Creativity, Patience, and Dedication Pay Off in Improvements
The Cyclocross season, like many fall sports, began with the uncertainty of a blank competition calendar. Under the leadership of Lucas McCarty ’21, the team made the best of the situation and constructed a cyclocross course on campus as they looked to sharpen old skills and develop new ones. Patience and dedication paid off and racing resumed in October. Each week of the season featured a different course in a different St. Louis County park. Courses this year were characterized by either technical challenges or endurance challenges offering no easy weeks, but the team made notable improvements over the season. Joey Roth ’21 and Patrick O’Brien ’21 led the way on the course as they made the move from the Junior to the Adult division. Next year will see a team lead by Ash Aranha ’22 as they look to rebuild after two big graduating classes.
Cheerleading
Building Strong Team Bonds
The Rams Cheerleaders started their season with high hopes of getting to cheer on the football team. About halfway through the season, they got to showcase their hard work and support the football team through the regular and playoff season. They showed their school spirit and led the crowd in cheers, chants, and halftime performances. Captains Mimi Brown ’21, Lily Dooley ’21, and Rowan Taylor ’21, along with Ilana Meissner ’21 and Kendall Rozen ’21, provided leadership for the underclassmen throughout the entire season. They are excited to continue to build their strong team bonds as they move into the winter season!