Adamsson ’11 and Heidrich ’11 to Head Young Andover Lineup

By Zach Sturman

Coach Greg Wilkin has selected eight Phillips Academy boys for the Varsity A Tennis team after days of intense indoor and outdoor competition and evaluation.

Last year, two-time NEPSITT singles title-holder Trey Meyer ’09 led the team to one of the most successful seasons in recent history. The team fell short to Loomis Chaffee in the finals of the NEITA team tournament, a memory four of this year’s players will not forget. Coach Wilkin added that Meyer was “the best player, leader and sportsman here in a long time.” With Meyer at Williams College and stronger competition from Division A teams, Andover will need to emerge as an all-out powerhouse this year in order to gain another chance at winning the New England Team Championship. New star Peter Heidrich ’11 joins Captain Mark Adamsson ’11 at the top of the lineup to form perhaps the most intimidating one...

Winslow ’10 Adds Experience to Ladder

By Zac Elder

Captain Billy Fowkes ’10 and a strong returning top five are set to dominate the links this year. With major improvement over the last year, plus the addition of talented post-graduate Stephen Winslow ’10, Andover will be a major competitor.

Andover won about half of their matches and finished sixth in the Newport Invitational last year in what head coach, Brian Faulk, called “our biggest day of the season.” Although last year Andover fell short against Exeter and Governor’s Academy in the chase for the Lovell Cup and Witherspoon Bowl, this year’s team is poised to achieve success in all three events. Along with Fowkes, Ben Ho ’11 and James Poss ’10 lead a strong returning class with an experienced and talented top seven. Both Ho and Poss were key elements of last year’s team, and both golfers are looking to build on their success. The addition of...

Solid Core of Returners Leads Team to Blowout Win in First Match

By Kristin Mendez

Andover Girls Tennis kicked off the season strong, crushing BB&N 14-1. With two new talented players joining six returners, the team strives to finish the year undefeated.

Despite the loss of star player Lauren Wilmarth ’09, who now plays for the University of Connecticut, the team still holds high expectations for this year. Coach Martha Grant said, “Our goal is to add 2010 to the ‘New England Champions’ banner in the Borden Gym.”

New players Katherine Lee ’13 and MJ Engel ’13 look to make a big impact on the team this year. Coming to play for Andover with six years of national tournament experience, Lee started on Wednesday in the fourth position and pummeled her opponent 6-1. “Tennis has already allowed me to meet a lot of great people at Andover, and I am looking forward to getting to know them in the next few months,” said Lee....

Andover Hopes to Overcome Loss of Entire Starting Lineup of 2009

By Derrick Choi

Despite having almost half the team graduate last year, the Andover Girls Water Polo is looking forward to a strong season this spring. The entire starting lineup graduated, leaving only eight returning players this year. Returning players Captain Alanna Waldman ’10, Taylor Clarke ’10, Kara Daniel ’10, Molly Levene ’12, Jennifer Oesterling ’10, Juliana Reider ’10, Julia Torabi ’12 and Kira Wyckoff ’11 will have to step up and fill these gaps.

Water polo is an intense sport that can be very physical and brutal at times. It also greatly tests each player’s endurance. Pleased with the new and returning members of the team, Waldman said, “I was so impressed by how quickly all of the new girls caught on to the drills and how patient everyone was with one another at the first official practice.” There are currently 18 girls on the team thanks to the high...

Boys Volleyball Looks to Bounce Back After Tough 2009 Season

By Jamie Shenk

After a difficult season last spring, Boys Volleyball looks to its returners for leadership to get through the season. Middle hitter DJ Dlesk ’10 said, “We have basically the same core as last year minus Menelik Washington ’09, but I think our captain, Stevie Xenakis ’10, and the rest of the returning players will take the initiative this season and set an example for the newcomers.” Xenakis is the anchor of Andover’s defense and will split the back row with Allen Zhang ’10. Outside Hitters Peter Bang ’11 and Peter Yang ’10 will also spend time in the back row. Middle Hitters Dlesk andPaul Bloemsma ’10 look to lead Andover’s offense, assisted by setter Andrew Khang ’10. Adrian Lehnen ’10, Jirapat Samranvedhya ’10 and Michael Yoon ’10 will also see time in the front row, in a platoon at opposite hitter. Khang said, “There are a lot...

Captain Peter Hetzler ’10 to Lead Cast of 20 Returners This Spring

By Katie Ellinger

This year’s outdoor track team plans to run faster, jump higher and throw farther than ever before. In all the events, returning athletes and newcomers to the team are fit and ready to dominate in this weekend’s competition against cross-town rival Andover High School.

“This is the best team we have had in five years, if not more,” said Captain Peter Hetzler ’10. “We have all events covered with tremendous athletes.” Both teams look to be the best in New England this year and hope to win the NEPSTA Championships.

The boys’ team came in second to Hotchkiss last year at the Championships, their biggest competitor. However, the current team is poised to beat them. Hetzler said, “They always have very good athletes, but our team is much stronger this year with the addition of new students and PG’s along with the experience of the returning students. It will...

Experienced Group Will Be Key To Blue Steel’s Success this Season

By Brian Hanafin

After a crushing sudden-death loss last May in the New England finals, Andover will take the field this year with a chip on its shoulder and the New England title in its sights. Led by Captain Duncan Crystal ’10, Andover is ready for another great season.

Lucas Christopherson ’12 said, “The team looks very strong this year with the majority of players being returners. From watching the newcomers in practice and tryouts, I am sure they are ready to step up and have a great season as well.” So far head coach, Steve Hoenig, has placed an emphasis on conditioning in practice and tryouts.

Dylan Gully ’12 said, “I’m feeling good about the team. We have great skill, so conditioning is the number one priority as we prepare for the games starting next week.”

“We have a lot of potential this year, but we are going to have to work...

Ryan Hartung ’12 Nets Game-Winner as Time Expires for First A/E Win Since 2002

By Blake Grubbs

With two seconds remaining and the score tied at 56, Ryan Hartung ’12 grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it in as the buzzer sounded to give Andover the win over Exeter. Fans stormed the court to celebrate the exhilarating victory which marked the first win for Andover Basketball over Exeter in the last eleven years. Hartung said, “I wasn’t sure if I had gotten the shot off because I couldn’t hear the buzzer, so I turned and saw that the ref was counting the shot. After that all, I remember is being mauled by everyone in the crowd. It was a great feeling.” Following a back-and-forth battle all game, Exeter tied the game at 56 with 29 seconds left on the clock. Andover called a timeout to draw up a play for the final possession. After inbounding the ball to McCaskill, Andover passed the ball around...

Girls Squash Ends Season on High Note with 4th Place Finish

By Jessica Lee

Seeded first at the Class B New England Interscholastic Tournament this weekend, Andover’s sixth seed Julia Zorthian ’11 battled to a second place finish in her bracket. Trouncing her opponents in the quarter and semi-finals in three games apiece, she fell to Williston in the final round. “Making it to the finals was very exciting, and I exceeded my own expectations. I was ecstatic to take home second place, but right after the match it was somewhat disappointing to come so close to winning. I was surprised by how many people watched my match, and I think the support helped me to play better,” said Zorthian. Overall, Andover earned fourth place out of sixteen schools competing in the tournament. Dropping down to Class B for New Englands, the team fought stroke for stroke with its opponents throughout the tournament.

Amanda Howland ’11 came in fifth place, Jessica...

Brooks ’11 and Tanski ’11 Earn Top 10 Individual Honors

By Katie Ellinger

Cal Brooks ’11 powered through the wet, heavy snow at Proctor Academy last Saturday, skating to a phenomenal eighth place finish in the League Championships. Brooks’ vital finish in the duathalon style race earned him ninth place overall in the league, and cemented Andover’s 4th place ranking in the league standings.

The championship race-course consisted of two 2.7 kilometer loops, one of classic-style skiing and one of skate-style skiing. As the race progressed, a heavy wet snow began to fall and blanket the racecourse with a slushy sticky snow that made skiing difficult, especially during the skate leg of the race.

The boys’ team entered the race fourth in the Lakes Region Standings, and needed a strong finish to overcome second place Holderness and third place Proctor. Despite Brooks’ solid finish, Andover struggled in the sloppy conditions, and failed to beat either team. “The conditions were awful. We put...