By Chewy Baumel ’13, Sports Editor

“Lead by example” – This phrase is used constantly by Newark Academy coaches to motivate their players and to promote a winning atmosphere on and off the fields. Each team consists of a core of players that must lead the way and set the example for younger underclassman. It starts at the top! This year, NA sports teams were lead by the seniors, the class of 2011, who truly demonstrated these qualities of being leaders that people admired and followed.

In a high school career, Newark Academy athletes give up remarkable amounts of time to their sports teams, day in and day out. Whether it is the Men’s Lacrosse team in the weight room organizing off-season workouts, or the Women’s Soccer team placing motivational notes on each player’s clips on game day, these seniors have given more than just their athletic talents to their sports teams. The seniors have continued traditions and kept teams positive and having fun on and off the fields. Daniel Eatroff ’13, a varsity soccer and tennis player commented, “Tom (Henshall), Pat (McMahon), and T.J. (Redmond) were all fun to play on the same field as. They were a great combination of captains. Tom was silky smooth on the field, Pat was a strong motivator, and T.J. brought a sense of humor.” The captains truly led the way as the Men’s Soccer team made it to the Prep Finals in Perth Amboy, NJ after defeating rival MKA in the semi-finals.

Every year, each team recognizes and names new captains to be the designated leaders of the team.  It is also important however, to acknowledge that there are plenty more seniors who provide and demonstrate true leadership to their respective teams. A leader is not necessarily the most talented athlete on the team or highest scorer, but someone who comes ready to play every day with a hard-working mentality. On teams where there is a large group of seniors, such as Baseball, Track, Tennis, and Lacrosse, the presence of many seniors can be felt. Mr. Manigan, Athletic Director and assistant varsity football coach at NA, reflected, “Seniors are important to every athletic program at NA. It is a given that the seniors will assume leadership roles on all sports teams regardless of them being captains or not. The leadership of the graduating seniors was very important to all the coaches here and will be greatly missed next year.”

Many seniors are able to juggle not one, but two or three varsity sports into their schedules. There are a few athletes that are worthy of recognition for earning 10+ varsity letters over their high school careers: Ashley Ulrich (11 letters) (Cross Country [Soccer], Swimming, Lacrosse), Jordan Jett (Football, Basketball, Track and Field), Adrienne White (Field Hockey, Swimming, Softball), Pat McMahon (11 letters) (Soccer, Wrestling, Baseball). Ashley, Jordan, Adrienne, and Pat have been outstanding athletes who have truly set the standards high for the NA sports programs. These athletes have given more time to NA than many of us can even believe. Participating in three varsity sports is a rare feat and these four athletes were able to accomplish that.

The presence of these senior athletes will be missed, but the class of 2012 hopes to step up and fill these big shoes next year. The Minuteman wishes these graduating seniors the best of luck in college and in all future athletic endeavors. The seniors will be remembered not only for their remarkable on field accomplishments, but the reputation they have brought to this school as an outstanding institution.

See below for a list of all NA’s senior varsity athletes who are all worthy of our recognition.

Fall

Cross County (Boys/Girls)- Eric Li (C), Delphine Slotten (C), Ashley Ulrich, Matthew Willian (C)

Field Hockey– Nitika Daga, Rebecca Ellis, Jodi Feinberg (C), Callie Marx, Adrienne White (C), Leigh Wolfson

Football– Jason Diamond, Hardy Evans, Jordan Jett (C), Jack Lawler (C), Theo Lester, Adam Seltzer, Zach Shinske

Soccer (Boys)- Nick Becker, Christopher Cutri, Jake Gillman, Thomas Henshall (C), Pat McMahon (C), T.J. Redmond (C)

Soccer (Girls)- Nicole Blank (C), Hannah Davidson, Sarah McGrath, Rebecca Press, Emily Ullman, Jamie Yang (C)

Tennis (Girls)- Emma Baumgartner, Katherine Bu, Rachel Charow, Utarra Gadde, Monica Gibilisco, Emily Heller (C), Aleksandra Resnikova, Ariel Sadeghi

Volleyball (Girls)- Marie Quintana (C)

Winter

Basketball (Boys)- Christopher Cutri (C), Whit Harwood, Jordan Jett (C)

Basketball (Girls)- Rebecca Press (C)

Fencing (Boys/Girls)- Jimmy Damiano (C), Nyasia Jones (C), Kelsey Mulgrew

Swimming (Boys/Girls)- Michael Alelov (C), Katherine Bu (C), Rebecca Ellis, Brenna Gormally, Sydney Hershman, Andrew Morrison (C), Ashley Ulrich, Adrienne White

Wrestling– Joe Gerish (C), Patrick McMahon (C)

Spring

Baseball– Jack Lawler, Pat McMahon (C), Adam Seltzer (C), David Webster (C)

Golf- Jake Goldenring (C),Eric Neiman, Steven Wilf (C)

Lacrosse (Boys)- Jack Bloom (C), Jack Breene, Jake Gillman, Whit Harwood (C), Luke Hudelson, Noah Liff, Sam Peinado (C), T.J. Redmond (C)

Lacrosse (Girls)- Nicole Blank (C), Jodi Feinberg, Brenna Gormally (C), Sarah McGrath, Calli Snook, Ashley Ulrich (C), Leigh Wolfson (C)

Softball– Emma Baumgartner (C), Elizabeth Celente (C), Katherine Johnson, Callie Marx, Adrienne White

Track and Field (Boys/Girls)- George Boyar, Katherine Bu, Michael Colizza, Anthony Fernandes, Jaxon Gruber, Jordan Jett (C), Nyasia Jones, Eric Li, Delphine Slotten (C), Matthew Willian (C)

Tennis (Boys)- Nick Becker, Adam Hyatt, Om Pathak, Rohan Sawhney, Nicholas Szuch, Neil Sethi (C)