The Rams Winter Season recently wrapped up. Congrats to each team on a job well done. Let’s see how all the teams did!
Boys Basketball
A Strong Season Finish
The Boys Basketball team completed another successful season posting a winning record of 14-13. After a challenging start to the season, the Rams finished strong by winning 11 of 16 games in 2018. Highlights of the season included a victory over Mascoutah in the inaugural Sager Shootout at MICDS, a win in the Pinckneyville Shootout and a six game winning streak from January into February. The Rams were led by Metro League Player of the Year Austin Thompson ‘18 and First Team All- league member Julian Cheaney ‘18. Dillon Scott ‘18 and Darion Smith ‘20 both received Honorable Mention recognition in the Metro League. Thompson and Cheaney were also named to the All- District team for Class 4, District 5. Other key senior contributors included Justin Pace ‘18, Zhadi Hervey ‘18 and Preston Buchanan ‘18.
Girls Basketball
District Champions
The MICDS Girls Varsity Basketball team capped off another strong season with a remarkable post season run (24-5 final record). Facing the toughest district competition in the state, #3 ranked MICDS pulled off an upset in the semifinals against a big Parkway Central starting lineup and an even bigger upset of #1 ranked Parkway North to win the District Championship. The Rams then went on to defeat Sullivan in the State Tournament Sectional round in a thrilling double overtime game, before falling in a hard-fought quarterfinal matchup against Incarnate Word. The four seniors finished their MICDS basketball career with a record of 99-16 with three district championships and two appearances in the Missouri State Championship game. Senior Jordyn Brooks ’18 scored her 1,000th career point against JBS on February 24 and ended up with 1,063 points (6th on the all-time MICDS scoring list). Senior Kayla Work ’18 broke both the single season and career three-point record with 81 on the season and 150 for her career. Senior Lindsay Parks ’18 broke both the single season and career rebound record with 353 in her senior year and 766 overall.
Cheerleading
Improved Skill and Teamwork
The cheerleaders continued to support our Rams through the winter season. They worked tirelessly to increase their skill level and collaborate as a team. The cheerleaders loved cheering on both the Girls and Boys Basketball Teams and capped their season off with an outstanding Senior Night routine performed at halftime. Captains Savannah Lesslie ’18 and Elizabeth Hughes ’18 led the squad not only to develop skill, but they were tremendous role models as well.
Dance
Another Awe-Inspiring Dance Concert
MICDS Dance had another great year, with the culmination at the annual dance concert. This year’s concert was made up of six Upper School students: Leila Awasthi ’20, Asha Dundoo ’20, Amarah Friedman ’20, Tista Mandal ’20, Mereya Riopedre ’20 and Elena Thomas ’20. Five of the six dancers also choreographed for the annual event in Mary Eliot Chapel. Choreography consisted of lyrical, contemporary modern, contemporary jazz and Indian dance styles. The lighting design was created by Bianca Sforza ’19.
Ice Hockey
Senior Leadership Step Up
The MICDS Varsity Hockey team had one of the best seasons on record, finishing the regular season 17-4. With the exceptionally strong regular season, the team was placed into the Challenge Cup playoffs at the end of the regular season. The Challenge Cup, typically larger schools, proved to be too much for the Rams, and the season came to an abrupt end facing some of the area’s largest programs. This season’s squad was one for the record books, led by a tremendous group of seniors whom did not win a regular season game their freshman year. The three season turnaround for the programs was beyond compare, and once again the MICDS Rams are among the area’s elite ice hockey programs.
Boys Squash
A Strong Season
With a cohort of six seniors, the ‘17-’18 season was one of the strongest to date for the Boys Varsity Squash team, finishing with a 10-5 record. The team scored five wins over East Coast schools; remained undefeated against local programs at John Burroughs, Whitfield and Washington University; and achieved its most convincing win over the men’s team from the Jewish Community Center.
This season, the team once again made a two-day trip to western Pennsylvania for the annual team squash tournament at Mercersburg Academy. The Rams placed second of six teams, and Eli Paul ‘20 and Jude Sorkin ‘20 went undefeated in play. At the HEAD High School Team Squash Championship in Philadelphia, the Rams faced Mercersburg Academy in the first round, but were edged out 3-4. However, they bounced back with convincing wins over Conestoga High School (Pennsylvania) and Rye Country Day School (New York). The Rams faced Belmont Hill School (Boston) in the final of the plate division, but lost 2-5 despite valiant wins by Sorkin and Paul.
The Rams were led by four captains this year: Jack Reed ‘18 (playing at no. 1), Robby Greenspan ‘18 (no. 2), Nick Jones ‘18 (no. 3) and Robert Baisch ‘18 (no. 4). The captains did a wonderful job leading workouts, motivating the team, winning important matches, and cultivating a supportive and positive team atmosphere. First year varsity team members Atri Bhattacharyya ‘18 and Charlie Smoller ‘18 also contributed significantly to the team and will be missed next year.
Girls Squash
2nd place finish in Division III at the U.S. Squash High School Nationals Tournament
The Girls Varsity Squash team, led by co-captains Connie Gonzalez Navarrine ‘18 and Mia Schroeder ‘18, finished the season 13-1—one of the best seasons on record, including winning a third-consecutive Tom Flanagan Invitational Tournament hosted by Mercersburg Academy and a second place finish in Division III at the U.S. Squash High School Nationals Tournament in Philadelphia. The highlight of the season was the historic run to the finals at Nationals, the furthest the team has advanced at the tournament. Unfortunately, the team suffered their only loss this season to Hopkins School (New Haven, Connecticut) during the championship match; though Annalisa Goot ‘21 and Amanda Kalishman ‘18 ended their season on a high note, going undefeated at the tournament. Overall, the girls showed great team effort with strong performances by each of the players, and there was a high level of team camaraderie, sportsmanship and determination both at practices and matches against local and East Coast teams. The varsity squad bids farewell to five seniors who have made a huge impact on the girls’ squash program: Navarrine, Schroeder, Layne Zaegel ’18, Kalishman and Lizzy Reisinger ’18.
Girls Swimming and Diving
2nd Place at Conference/Strong Individual Achievements
With our biggest team ever, made up of seven divers and 41 swimmers, the Girls Swimming and Diving team went 5-6-1 in the regular season dual meets, and finished 2nd place in the METRO conference! Highlights of the season included the highest place finish at conference in three years and a strong showing at State from individual qualifiers Caroline Liekweg ’18 and Madigan Kinsey ’21, as well as the 200 Medley Relay (Hallie Nuzum ’18, Kinsey, Grace Lee ’19 and Meaghan Cannon ’20) and the 400 Free Relay (Liekweg, Campbell Schafer ’18, Athena Tharenos ’20 and Cannon). Liekweg also finished 8th in the 200 Freestyle, and 2nd in the 500 Freestyle, both with lifetime best times.
Wrestling
Building Team Camaraderie
Another season has come to a close for MICDS Rams Wrestling. The team has struggled with low participation the last few years, but what we lack in numbers we more than make up for in camaraderie. Wrestlers Zion Thomas ’19, Morgan Niven ’20, Grant Purdy ’21, Kellen von Hoven ’19, Jack Morris ’21, Gary Zhou ’20 and Will Schaumburg ’21 showed up ready to compete and are the foundation for a program that hopes to rebuild to what it has been in years past. The season highlight was a 1st place finish at Metro League Tournament for Thomas and Morris. Thomas was also a match away from being a state qualifier and is set to return next year as a senior with eyes on a place on the State podium.