RED WING REPORT

Back to Normal and Back on Top

By Jacob Werrick ’16

After more than a year without typical competition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivers athletics came back strong in 2021-22. Fans, athletes, and coaches alike were excited to get out there and compete after a lengthy hiatus—and it didn’t take long for Rivers to return to its winning ways, with four teams taking their respective championships.

Boys’ soccer got things started in the fall, finishing the season 15-3-2 and capturing the ISL Championship for the first time since 2012. Coach Steve Schechter ’88 said, “We went into 2021 knowing that there was a lot of talent and experience on our team. Winning the ISL was certainly among our goals, but it’s always a tall task and requires more than talent. It takes grit, long-term focus, and even a bit of luck. This year’s team had a ton of guts, and despite some tough injuries, they battled each day to win that banner. We had great leadership from our captains, Cal Lemley ’22 and Drew Stephans ’22, and from the other seniors, and the boys took a ton of pride defensively. It’s certainly going to be a group that I’ll never forget.”

The winter season also brought its share of triumphs. Boys’ basketball finished the season 22-5 and captured the NEPSAC Class B title, the first New England championship for Rivers since 1976 and the first for Coach Keith Zalaski, after twice falling short in the championship game in his first five seasons at Rivers. “Our group this year was unlike any other I’ve been around,” said Zalaski. “With only one player having experienced what a full season looks like here at Rivers, there was a naiveté to our group that I believe benefitted us throughout the season. Their camaraderie off the court translated seamlessly to in between the lines, as they were unselfish and connected in a way you don’t often see with high school teams. They were a joy to be around every day and made it easy on our coaching staff with their commitment to getting better every day and to each other.”

Girls’ hockey finished with a record of 17-9-1, and the team captured its first NEPSAC championship since 2019. In her second year at the helm, Coach Courtney Sheary was able to navigate a difficult schedule and overcome a five-game losing streak in January to right the ship and win three road playoff games on the way to capturing the NEPSAC championship. Said Sheary, “We could not be happier with how our season ended! Our roster was full of girls who came ready to work every practice and game day. I was very fortunate to have so many upperclassmen during my first two seasons with Rivers. They have continued to be such incredible leaders and are extremely deserving of everything they’ve accomplished.”

Rounding out a successful winter season, boys’ alpine skiing also won the NEPSAC Class B championship. This was the team’s first championship since 2015 and the first under Coach Ross Gormley. “I owe a lot of credit to the kids,” said Gormley. “They can turn on a dime, from a group of fun-loving kids to a serious team who can put their heads down and train and race their hardest. We focused on repetition, being consistent even as the New

England weather offered us wildly different conditions each week.

Our captains also did a great job setting the tone for the team—one of inclusivity, respect, and diligence —which paid off when it came time to race for NEPSACs.”