November 20, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Sports

College signings at local schools
by TOM UTESCHER

Front row (from left): Gail Redpath and son Steel Russell, Brandon Sady and mother, Risa Sady Back row (from left): John McArdle (assistant baseball coach); Bruce Redpath, Steel Russell’s father; Stan Parker, (varsity baseball coach); Dennis Primavera (assistant baseball coach); and Brandon’s father, Bennett Sady.

The early signing period for NCAA letters of intent began last Wednesday for current high school seniors who want to play sports at the Division I level in college. A number of athletes at area schools made their marks on these documents while others already had plans in place.

On Wednesday afternoon at Springside School, 5’8” shooting guard Katie Rutan signed with two-time Atlantic 10 Conference champion Xavier University, the No. 22 team in pre-season national rankings. Wrist surgery had Rutan sidelined last winter during her junior year at Springside, but she returned to action in the summer with the Philadelphia Belles club team, which finished third at the AAU national championships.

CHA, Springside, Mount finish fall crew season with two races
by TOM UTESCHER

Mount St. Joseph Academy’s varsity eight capped off a successful fall crew season by winning the Theresa Braxton Trophy at the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta on Nov. 9. Pictured on the awards dock are (standing, left to right) Coach Mike McKenna, Nicole Weinrich, Mary Maginnis, Erika McCormick, Katy Gregor, Vicky Babson, Laura Pospisil, Mary Duff, Johanna Duff, and Chierika Ukogu. In the foreground is Cine Braxton. (Photo by Kevin Kelly.)

The fall rowing season has seen a marked increase in both the number of events and participants in recent years, and two weekends ago crews fromChestnut Hill Academy, Mount St. Joseph Academy, and Springside School wrapped up their autumn agenda. In back-to-back events at the Kelly Drive course on the Schuylkill, the Blue Devils, Magic, and Lions raced in the Frostbite Regatta on Saturday, Nov. 8, and in the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta the following day.

For the first time at CHA and Springside, a physical education credit is being given for participation in fall crew, and each school entered a quad in the high school category at the Frostbite and the Braxton. They rowed under the name of the University Barge Club, a boathouse the two schools have called home for many years.

CHYSC Ties Hulmeville 1-1

The CHYSC under-15 girls played Hulmeville at Carson Valley on Nov. 16, ending the game with a 1-1 tie.  The game started at a fast pace, with CHYSC pressing hard from the midfield.  Sarah Thomas, Phoebe Ingersoll and Emma Ebert quickly established dominance in midfield, and passed the ball well between one another.  On defense, Eric Schneer and Angela Cascio were formidable, keeping the ball on the Hulmeville half of the field.  Ellie Stout came close with a good run, but her final shot was weak off her left foot.  Eve Maxson probed with her trickery, playing upfront, but the team was unable to break through.  A quick counter attack saw Hulmeville get behind Katie Blake who had been playing very well. But she was unlucky to have a penalty called against her. In goal, Alex Clark did very well to save the penalty and collect the ball.  But a misdirected clearance kick saw Hulmeville break again, scoring at the end of the half.