As the days get longer and warmer, Concord Academy prepares to begin the Spring athletic season. After the conclusion of a very successful winter season, athletics for the 2022 spring season are underway. A wide variety of programming including interscholastic team sports, P.E., and IM courses are being offered this spring.
The spring team start-up meetings were held on February 17th during which the different teams gathered together in separate spaces to talk with the coaching staff and begin to go over logistics for the upcoming season. Tryouts for team sports were held from February 28th through March 3rd. Team sports being offered this year include Boys/Girls Varsity Track & Field, Coed Varsity Ultimate Frisbee, Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse, Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse, Girls’ Varsity Softball, Boys’ Varsity Baseball, Girls’ Varsity Tennis, Boys’ Tennis (Varsity/JV), and Sailing. CA has many different opportunities for athletes of all different skill levels to take advantage of to help them stay active and healthy.
Student-athletes are incredibly excited to begin this new season. Will Simon ’24, who is part of the track and field team, commented, “I am honestly really looking forward to restarting track this year. Last year, because of COVID, we did not really get the full experience. I am looking forward to competing in more meets this season with my teammates, as we only had four [meets] last season.”
Jasper Perlis ’24 agreed that it is thrilling to start the tennis season with more competitions planned and fewer restrictions in place. He noted, “I am excited to go out and compete in my favorite sport and to have a full spring season. Last year was shorter and some games were canceled so I’m looking forward to the fun of being on a team sport and being able to represent CA.”
Softball player Elyse Barry ’24 added that she is similarly ready to get back into competition and have a full season. “I’m super excited to play my first full spring season of softball at CA! I am looking forward to the fields drying out and getting into the new season.”
If students are not interested in competing in interscholastic teams, P.E. and IM offerings are available as well. Running, Fitness Center Training, Hiking Concord, Individualized Strength and Conditioning, Yoga, and Intramural Squash are all options. Additionally, students can choose to be a team manager, take Dance 1, 2, or 3, Ballet Workshop, participate in the Mainstage Musical, Theater Tech Crew, or be a Stage Manager. Finally, if athletes so chose, they are allowed to apply for an external athletic credit where they fulfill their athletic credit outside of school.
Sam Klein ’24 commented on his experience with IM and P.E. sports options, speaking to the advantages of the variety of options students have. He discussed, “I love how CA offers IM/P.E. options, as many area independent schools only offer team sports. Having IM/P.E. and team sports gives all types of athletes a chance to enjoy sports at CA.”
Students singing in the spring musical The Cradle Will Rock fulfill their athletic credit through this commitment. “I like having a Mainstage as an athletic credit because it allows students to prioritize their interests, and be part of whatever ‘team’ they want,” Liam O’Brien ’23 shared.
CA students, faculty, and coaches alike are all prepared and excited for the Spring season. The community hopes that all students enjoy their time outside the classroom with their teams, coaches, and friends. Best of luck to all the athletes competing this season!