Sacred Heart Academy’s ever- successful fall athletic season has recently come to a close, each of the teams having done wonderfully throughout.  Based on their absolutely amazing performances throughout their seasons this year, SHA’s swimming & diving, field hockey, and cross country teams were able to compete in their sport’s state competitions through the Southern Connecticut Conference, each having done a wonderful job, making their school incredibly proud.

On Saturday, October 29, the qualifying members of the cross country team took to the course at Wickham National Park in Manchester, Connecticut, eager to participate in the CIAC Class MM State Championships.  Wickham is known by its tremendously difficult and strenuous course, a monster uphill battle during the first leg being a major obstacle for runners to conquer throughout their race (having participated in cross country during my own freshman year at SHA, I once had to complete the same course and believe me, it is not a walk in the park)!  In being able to complete such a strenuous course without so much as breaking a sweat, the girls on the cross country team deserve endless recognition and respect for their strength and ability, no matter where they placed.  Captains Caroline Berberian (53^rd place), Maddy Hekeler (106^th place), and Jessica Filardi (110^th place) led their team with honor and grace, having managed to provide excellent leadership and encouragement to their fellow teammates all throughout the season and surely beyond.  They closed their season with such a fantastic turn-out–the entire team ranked 14^th place among nearly 20 teams with 355 points! The stand-out runner of the day was junior Rachel Joyce who came in 39^th place after completing the course in just over 22 minutes. The 2016 Sacred Heart Academy cross country team surely should be proud of what they have accomplished this season.  Varsity Head Coach William Skiorsky spent his last year coaching with this team and their successful season was a great way to send him off. The SHArks certainly made their mark among the record books this time around.

Soon after cross country’s incredible success, the field hockey team braced for the first round of the 2016 SCC Field Hockey Playoffs. Led by the ever-talented senior captains, Ava D’Agostino and Sara Martin, the quarterfinals took place at Higher Seeds on Saturday, October 29^th, and the SHArks were one of the eight teams to qualify (among Cheshire, Lauralton Hall, Branford, Guildford, Daniel Hand, Hamden, and Mercy).  During the quarterfinals, Sacred Heart unfortunately fell slightly short, losing to Lauralton Hall by only 3 points. Despite the score, however, SHA still did wonderfully, managing to exhibit their true talent and drive to succeed, even when the odds appeared to be against them.  In demonstrating such a massive amount of teamwork, courage, and might, the field hockey team did an amazing job and their true effort was entirely evident until the very last second of the game.  Having managed to place among the small amount of teams that earned a spot to compete in the race for the championship, that fact alone is enough reason to celebrate.  Within the near future, and along with the guidance of their wonderful coaches, Jacqueline DeFrancesco and Heather Hudson, it is certain that the field hockey team will continue to do very well!

Sacred Heart Academy’s swimming & diving team, led by senior captains Maddy Lagarde and Jenna Tubby and head coach Stephen DiVerniero, also performed outstandingly well throughout their own conference: the Girl’s Swimming Championship Meet. The meet took place on Thursday, November 3^rd at Southern CT State University.  Though SHA did not place among the highest ranking teams that participated, they took home 12^th place, having done incredibly well regardless of where they placed or how they scored.  Having taken to their sport with fervor like no other, each member of the team was entirely encouraging and full of spirit, sportsmanship, and strength throughout the entire season. This meet was no exception. The swimming & diving team exhibited an ability like no other.  In regards to their entire season this year, the swim team made a huge splash, taking win after win after win after continuously having applied their amazing unity and bond to reach for the stars and beyond.  With such considered, this landed them among the teams who qualified to compete in this championship, a feat unprecedented.  With that fact alone, the girls on the swimming & diving team should be incredibly proud, as so many of us are, for their hard work certainly paid off.  The girls achieved much throughout this season. For junior, Georgia Rossetti, this meet was a game-changer, her 12^th place title in the women’s 100 yard freestyle, completed in 56.83 seconds, was a personal record for her!  Sacred Heart also took home 6^th place in the 200 yard freestyle relay and 9^th place in the 200 yard medley relay with a team of Georgia Rossetti (junior), Megan Duffy (junior), Maddy Lagarde (fearless captain and senior), and Nikki Robinson (junior), despite fierce competition.  All in all, as demonstrated through their stellar performance throughout this entire fall season, they worked hard until their last dive into the pool during the SSCs. The swimming & diving team deserves endless recognition for all that they have achieved.

In general, throughout their respective seasons, no matter the score, rank, title, or awards received, Sacred Heart Academy’s 2016 cross country, field hockey, and swimming & diving teams did spectacularly, having been led to outstanding victories by their coaches, captains, and loyal SHA fans, friends, and family.  In approaching the next year of fall athletics at SHA, it is no doubt that such success will continue and each year will bring more lovely students who are willing to contribute their athletic talents in hopes to bring their school to victory.  We greatly look forward to the future!