Spring Sports Preview: Briarcliff High School

The spring season has just begun with many possibilities in terms of which squads will have good seasons. Here's a look into what readers can look forward to during the spring 2010 season.

Baseball

Briarcliff Bears are coming off a 14-9 season which creates for an exciting season and a lot of room to grow for years to come. Eight seniors give juniors and underclassmen vital playing experience and room to grow for next season and beyond.

Softball

Briarcliff Softball is coming off a 7-10 season with seven seniors who should look to make noise in section one playoff play.

Girls Lacrosse

Erica Werney heads the Bears’ girls lacrosse program which will be led by Carly Dumas on the attack.

“She is our shooter to watch out for,” Werney said of the over 150 goal scorer.

Missy Colton, Kristiana Roth (attack middle) and Danielle Lacey (attack middle) join Dumas on the attack. Look for Joanna Chalsen to dominate the center mid-field.

Sarah Elkes will be making her first contributions on the varsity level this year as a defensive middle. Brianna Celaj joins her while Mary Bianco and Alex Shaw will protect defensively. Jenna Hirsch will be counted on in goal.

“Her skills and voice are going to be crucial communicating to the defense,” Werney said.

She added, “We have some tough competition in our schedule this year. We have a few small goals as a team and if we accomplish those, it should lead us to our ultimate goal to win the league.”

Track

A strong winter season and a strong finish from the 4x4 relay team of junior Rebecca “Becca” Bianco, sophomore Madeline Zimmerman and freshmen Sophie Feuer and Lauren Miller has Sean Ryan’s spring competitors on the verge of accomplishing great things.

“All four of these young women are outstanding athletes with strong work ethics. It is a plus that they are great friends who support one another in training and at meets,” Ryan wrote in an e-mail. “I am confident we will see many more great races in their future!”

Ryan credits the foursome in bringing the Briarcliff girls track program back to prominence with their speed having closed in on the Briarcliff High School record of 4:18.0 set in 1987.

The team dramatically improved their overall best from 4:46.3 to 4:24.2 this past winter season. Look for the 4:18.0 to be surpassed this season and a great continued start for the Briarcliff High School track program overall.