In this time of COVID-19 protocols and the need for physical distancing, the Thayer Academy Athletics Department would like to share the 2020-21 winter season athletics review which is usually shared during Monday Morning Meeting, including team highlights and recognition awards, with the Thayer community. 

Below, please find a message from Athletics Director Rick Foresteire P ‘19, ‘21 and individual season summaries. 

The 2020-21 Winter Season Athletics Review

In this time of COVID-19 protocols and the need for physical distancing, the Thayer Academy Athletics Department would like to share the 2020-21 winter season athletics review, including team highlights and recognition awards, with the Thayer community. 

In my role as athletics director, I first want to thank all Athletics Department staff, the nurses, facilities personnel, faculty, staff, administration, and parents/guardians for all their help navigating the choppy waters of athletics during this period. I want to especially thank the athletes and coaches who did their best to play hard, maintain enthusiasm, and, most importantly, have fun. Though there were bumps along the road, it was great to watch the teams participate in both virtual and interscholastic competition. The overall spirited play and team camaraderie was truly outstanding. 

I would now like to send a special recognition to all our senior athletes. Though this was not the final season seniors expected, they remained positive and displayed tremendous leadership throughout this winter. All senior athletes will receive the Independent School League Senior Appreciation Award in recognition of their senior winter season during the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic. All seniors: please pick up your certificate in the Athletics Office. All other award winners can also pick up their awards in the office.

On behalf of the entire Athletics Department, I hope you enjoy reading through following season reviews. Go, Tigers!

Sincerely, 

Rick Foresteire P ’19, ‘21
Director of Athletics 

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Girls Varsity Basketball
Led by captains Cassie Davidson and Claire McCarthy, the girls varsity basketball team was able to compete in 14 scrimmages/games this winter. Highlights of the season included wins over Governor's Academy and Lawrence as well as a one-point win in our last scrimmage of the season against Double-A opponent Rivers. With 11 girls returning next year, the future is bright for this program.

MVP Award - Cassie Davidson ‘21
Coaches’ Award - Grace Kuropatkin ‘21

Boys Varsity Basketball
In a year of many unknowns, the boys basketball program overcame many obstacles and remained engaged through it all. The JV basketball team worked hard and steadily improved throughout the season. The varsity basketball team, led by senior captains Myles Wilson and Mike Marshall, battled through a difficult schedule. Highlights included a spirited road win over Tabor Academy as well as an impressive win against a proven St. George’s basketball program on Senior Day. Additionally, we added another talented three-sport athlete in Myles Wilson to the 1,000-Point Club. I want to send a special thank-you to our other seniors — John Carbone, Ryan Manning, Jefferson Driscoll, Evan Viera, and Andrew Klaff — for their commitment and dedication to the program. We wish you all the best next school year. Lastly, with a talented group of underclassmen returning, the building blocks are established for continued future success.

MVP Award – Myles Wilson ‘21
Coaches’ Award – Michael Marshall ’21 & Samuel Okunlola ’22 

Girls Varsity Hockey
While Coach Brian Cibelli was out on paternity leave, Mark Cornforth P ’20, ’22, ’25 stepped in as the interim head coach for the 2020-21 season. With all of the protocols and rules the pandemic brought, the girls were fortunate enough to have an uninterrupted season without missing a practice or a game. We applaud the girls and the coaching staff for making smart choices throughout the season to make this possible. Thank you to our three seniors — Claire Kennedy, Leonie Kuehberger, and Allie Wetterberg — for all of your leadership this past season. Claire was a great captain and leader, displayed a great work ethic, and was a reliable defenseman in all three zones. She set the bar high for the entire group. Leonie, another great captain, kept us in every game throughout the season, making numerous big saves when it mattered; she was a warrior at practices and put herself in the talks for the best goalie in the league. Allie brought great senior leadership this year and always brought a great dynamic to practices and games with her positive, team-oriented personality. Overall, it was a great season, and we are looking forward to the 2021-22 season!

MVP Award – Leonie Kuehberger ‘21
Coaches’ Award – Claire Kennedy ‘21

Boys Varsity Hockey
The boys varsity hockey team had a great season. The team was led by our eight seniors — Zach Glass, Michael Kerr, Joseph Kramer, Peter Kramer, C.J. Monturio, David Romaine, Andrew Seymour, and Matt Sullivan — who displayed great energy and pride every practice and game and truly set the tone for the underclassmen. Although the season was much shorter than normal seasons, the boys worked hard every day they were in the rink and continued the success that the program has seen over the last few years. With a return to normal on the horizon, we are hoping for a full hockey schedule next winter.  

MVP Award – Joseph Kramer ’21 & Peter Kramer ‘21
Coaches’ Award – David Romaine ‘21

Varsity Swimming & Diving
The 2020-21 season was a challenging one to say the least. From the uncertainty of having a season to the daily COVID-19 protocol changes to no spectators or a championship meet, our student-athletes persevered through one of their best seasons yet. We ended our season this year with a record of 5-1. Many personal records were set, and one team record was broken by Ella Richards ‘24 in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:13.69! Our team will not be complete next year without our seniors Sonya Penanhoat, Aly Truckenmiller, Mel McCue, and Captains Angie LoNigro, Vinh Tran, and Lindsay Ticker. We wish our seniors nothing but the best in their new chapter — you will be missed!

MVP Award – Peyton Knightly ’24 & Bowman Schneider ‘22
Coaches’ Award – Angie LoNigro ’21 & Vinh Tran ‘21

Varsity Wrestling
The varsity wrestling team had a fantastic season even considering we had no meets. We were fortunate enough to be allowed to practice six days per week starting two weeks prior to the holiday break and going through March 6 for the bulk of the team. Senior captain Ethan Wilson, Quinn Cashman, Samson Okunlola, Anthony Frank, Clement Scott, Calvin Cigna, Will Kouforas, Arjun Sohur, and Liam Carey grappled all season and had a lot of fun (too much at times) this past season.

While the official season had ended, we had three wrestlers who competed at the National Prep School championships on May 2 & 3 in Pennsylvania: Quinn Cashman ‘21, Samson Okunlola ’23, and Ethan Wilson ‘21. They practiced up until April 30 before heading to nationals — one of the toughest and most challenging wrestling tournaments in the country.

MVP Award – Ethan Wilson ‘21
Coaches’ Award – Calvin Cigna ‘24

Girls & Boys Varsity Skiing
The ski team was fortunate to be able to compete in varsity races against all of the other ISL ski teams this season. Practices at Blue Hills were well-attended, and every active skier was rostered for at least a few races. While the girls did not have the opportunity to defend their NEPSAC title, captains and seniors Lilly Arends, Maggie Fleck, and Abby Stubelis worked to foster a fun and inclusive environment for all. Martha Arends, Amelia Compson, Hilary Morris, Sophie Garber, and Kylie Bogar will be the foundation for a team capable of defending the NEPSAC title in 2022. Will Counselman and Conrad Langenhagen led the boys on the hill, ably supported by Peter Fleck, Eli Kream, Aaron Cohen and surprise addition Chase Janes. As we say "so long" to our three seniors, we look forward to welcoming new racers to the team and resuming both JV races and more intense competition overall in January 2022.

MVP Award – Martha Arends ’23, William Counselman ’22,  Conrad Langenhagen ’24
Coaches’ Award – Abigail Stubelis ’21 & Maggie Fleck ‘21

Gymnastics
The gymnastics team had a good year considering the circumstances. We are a young team with great talent and potential. Our Coaches’ Award this year goes to Alice Chen ‘24. This was Alice’s first year doing gymnastics, and she did very well. Alice works hard and was very dedicated to the sport and our team. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy; we are looking forward to next year!