Men’s Water Polo
STARS: Tom Meyer, J.J. Connor, Ryan Hianik
UNDER THE RADAR: Bob Meyer, Danny Correa
YOUNG GUNS:
Brand Bozcek, Daniel Landgren, Cole Hamilton
Compete for Conference and Sectional title
Keep up a competitive vibe around the team
In 2011, the Men’s Water Polo team had a 9-2 record in Conference. However, the team must replace graduate Igor Gryniv who accounted for 63.8 percent of the team’s scoring last year with 148 goals. The team hopes to make up for this production with the addition of J.J. Connor, who Illpolo.com ranks as third-team all-State, despite missing last year with a heart ailment. Coach Dave Lieberman will also look to seniors Ryan Hianik and Tom Meyer for strong play.
Softball
STARS: Jen Zucker, Alyssa Strapko
UNDER THE RADAR:
Sam Bielanski
YOUNG GUNS: Jordan Davis, Katie Rossman, Amanda Strapko
Win Conference
Advance as deep as possible into playoffs
Have everybody be “on board”
With only two varsity players returning for another season, senior Jen Zucker and junior Alyssa Strapko will be seeing a lot of new faces trying out for the softball team. Zucker has committed to play softball at Beloit College next year and will be the go-to pitcher this year for the Titans, according to head coach Kay Sopocy. The beginning of the season will primarily be focused on re-grouping and getting the whole team on one page ready to compete day in and day out.
Men’s Gymnastics
STARS: Kevin Hamilton, Austin Zimmer
UNDER THE RADAR: Emilio Isasi, Trace Powers
YOUNG GUNS: Riley Theriault
Work hard, perform as well as possible
Treat practices as if they were competitions
In returning all-State senior Kevin Hamilton, and junior State-qualifier Austin Zimmer, Coach Brandon Tucker has the star-power to make an impact at the State gymnastics meet this year. The team hopes its performance that won the CSL championship last year will carry over into this season despite the loss of all-State Adam Klosowiak to graduation.
Women’s Water Polo
STARS: Anne Edwards, Sarah Grieve
UNDER THE RADAR: Jessie Kerndt
Get better from beginning to end of season
Win their conference
Have individuals make their own goals
Head coach Robert Rosinski has high expectations going into the season after a successful playoff run last year. Despite graduating key players including Luke Harrison and Cody Libman, Rosinski still feels he has enough talent on this year’s squad. Zach Jones and Sully Stadler, who committed to play college baseball at Northwestern University and Indiana University, respectively, lead this year’s team.
Men’s Track and Field
STARS: Gus Shipp, Sam Stanek, Brad Berg, Max Leonard
UNDER THE RADAR: Austin Dickholtz, Caleb Hill
YOUNG GUNS: David O’Gara, Omar Duran, David Harris
Place in top half of Conference.
Have strong senior leadership and role models
With many returning athletes, head coach Kurt Hasenstein aims to finish in the top half in Conference. He is pushing for individual time and performance at each meet. So far Hasenstein is satisfied with the team’s performance at the invites that have been completed thus far. Team leadership is largely coming from the senior class, and they keep the team aspect of the sport together where it can be easily lost due to its individual slant. Hasenstein plans to keep pushing the team and hopes to get the highest number of team members to State as possible.
Men’s Volleyball
STARS: Charley Tisch, Peter Rafalo
YOUNG GUN: Will Kozloski
Reach 20 victories
Keep competitive focus in every game
This volleyball season, seniors Charley Tisch and Peter Rafalo lead the team. Head coach Tim Monahan is expecting success from the strong junior class this year, as well. He wants to keep his team mentally focused in every match and practice. Throughout the season Monahan intends on building his players’ skill each and every day, and does not want to waste a minute of this 13-week season.
Women’s Lacrosse
STARS: Molly Holden, CC Hoogland, Jackie Leibrandt, Lexi Rodgers
UNDER THE RADAR: Caroline Collins, Stephanie Mitchell, Jessie Dickman
YOUNG GUNS: Autumn Koh, Calie Nowak
Be in the top four in the state
To become a true “team”
Strong leadership from captains and seniors
In the 2011 women’s lacrosse season, their only two in-state losses came to number one ranked Loyola, and number two ranked New Trier. This year, however, they have a very strong senior class consisting of nine girls, who head coach Annie Lesch believes can lead her team to a top four finish in State. According to Lesch, these Titans plan to carry their momentum over from last year, and challenge the top seeded New Trier and Loyola for the top spot in the state.
Women’s Track and Field
STARS: Danielle Devito,
Mary Andersen, Melissa
Bastanipour, Jessica
Galemore
UNDER THE RADAR:
Shannon Carroll
YOUNG GUNS: Anastasia
Athas, Danielle Yapor, Michelle Dume
Finish in the top three in conference
Keep up the team spirit
Stay unified as one team
This year, head coach Fred Kocian is expecting a successful women’s track season. Kocian sees a self-motivated team that puts their best competition forward, every time they compete. Their top competition includes schools placing very high in State such as Evanston and New Trier. He also wants to get as much of his team to qualify for State as possible.
Men’s Tennis
STARS: Michael Selitto, Michael Levin, Luke McCanna
UNDER THE RADAR: Will
Lyon, Michael Baddeloo, Merrick Topping, Ross Gann
YOUNG GUNS: Konrad Zieba, Sam Hoogland
Finish in the top five in the State
Utilize the wide range of talent
Have fun
According to assistant coach Scott Greenspan, the Titans this year have more talent than he has ever seen in his 17 years at South. Senior captains Luke McCanna, Michael Selitto and Michael Levin provide not only leadership, but also bring a winning tradition back to the team. Greenspan says that the talent brought on by younger players including Sam Hoogland and Konrad Zieba is certainly something to get excited about.
Men’s Lacrosse
STARS: Spencer Ford, Charlie Day, Billy Savino,
Ben Ach
UNDER THE RADAR: Cam Irwin, Jack Washburn
YOUNG GUNS: Jackson
Irwin, Will Reynolds
Improve from last season
Continue to grow as a team
The men’s lacrosse team is looking forward to a year of improvement in its second year under head coach Stephen Brooks. Brooks believes his team can improve upon a season that saw them finish 5-13 in 2011. Led by veteran seniors and a myriad of talented juniors, Brooks and his team look to avoid close losses after losing 10 games by a single goal last season.
Women’s Soccer
STARS: Colleen McDonagh, Keeley Nolan, Kelsey Byers, April Cronin
UNDER THE RADAR: Lauren Sroubek, Carolyn Nash, Lindsey Oldshue
YOUNG GUNS:
Kaily Bruch, Madison Krug, Taylor Fuderer
Avenge 2011 early exit from playoffs
Have strong leadership from experienced players
According to head coach Seong Ha, after losing deep in the playoffs last year, this women’s soccer team is going to come out and play this season with a vengeance. Junior April Cronin, who recently committed to play collegiate soccer at Valparaiso University, is projected to lead the team this year, not only physically, but vocally as well. The Titans will surely benefit from their experience of playing in the regional final last year and hope to come out and make an even stronger push this year.
Badminton
STARS: Olivia Nelson, Diana Diaconu
UNDER THE RADAR: Mackenzie O’Brien, Vicki Powers, Ellen Takagi
Beat New Trier
Take a full team to State.
Win conference
Keep up great team spirit
After losing only three seniors from last year’s team, head coach Terri Kimura has high expectations for this badminton season. Kimura hopes to place first in Conference after last year’s second place finish behind New Trier. Singles will be the team’s best aspect, and will aid them the most in reaching their first place goal. She also hopes gets the maximum number of players to State as possible.
Baseball
STARS: Sully Stadler, Zach Jones, Josiah Carlson, George Stellas
UNDER THE RADAR: Sam Koloms, Kyle Pauly, Max Cohen
Get better from beginning to end of season
Win their conference
Have individuals make their own goals
Head coach Robert Rosinski has high expectations going into the season after a successful playoff run last year. Despite graduating key players including Luke Harrison and Cody Libman, Rosinski still feels he has enough talent on this year’s squad. Zach Jones and Sully Stadler, who committed to play college baseball at Northwestern University and Indiana University, respectively, lead this year’s team.
