Volume 68, Issue I
By Charlotte Sendek
All the excitement for fall sports usually centers around the soccer, football, and cheer teams, but what about the swim/dive, field hockey, and cross-country teams? The 30 Briarcliff swimmers/divers are on a combined swim/dive team with Pleasantville, Valhalla and Westlake, called BPVW, and the Briarcliff captains are Megan Donoghue and Claire Goldstein.
“I think it’s fantastic that we are a combined team,” said team member Leila Freitag. “Meeting girls from the other schools makes the team experience so much more special.” After the team sent three Briarcliff swimmers to states, beat Horace Greeley (who had been undefeated for 6 years), and came in 2nd place in sectionals all last year
, BPVW has earned a place at the top. Since the beginning of this season, they have been undefeated, beating Foxlane, Bronxville, Greeley, and tying SHEDI (Sleepy Hollow, Edgemont and Irvington) and they hope to win sectionals this season. BPVW will be sending ve swimmers and one diver to states this year. Sophomore Carly Schwab made the state cut in 100-meter breast stroke, early into the season and later in the 50 freestyle. Sophomore Anna Ketron made the state cut in the 200 freestyle, as well as the 200 freestyle relay along with Carly. Senior Claire Goldstein qualified for states as the backstroke leg of the 200 medley relay. For the first time in the past decade BPVW is sending a diver to states. Freshman Yasmin Hill has crushed the competition at the Section 1 Diving State Qualifier Meet, grabbing her states spot with a score of 460. “Everyone participates in meets and plays an important role no matter what their abilities are,” said Isabella Wang. “You should check out our Instagram too! It is @bpvw_swimanddive.”
The Briarcliff field hockey team is off to a great start as well this season! After saying a sad goodbye to 11 seniors last year, the team has still won many games including ones against Henry Hudson, Hastings, and Irvington.
“Although the team is small, everyone is working really well together, and we are able to have fun playing the sport,” said captain Becca Rubenstein. “I love playing with the team because when we do well, everyone is celebrating together, and when we don’t, we are able to pick our heads up and improve our skills.” If you’re looking for good exercise, a fun sport, and friends that feel like family, join field hockey. They run a lot, work very hard and are also welcoming any new members due to the big loss of seniors last year.
The Briarcliff Cross Country team is off to a great start this season. The boys team finished second in its league. With only the minimum number of girls to be eligible to race, the girls team of 5 also enjoyed success this season. The teams enjoy nature and scenic views of rivers, lakes and beautiful trees while practicing in Rockefeller State Park. On the weekends, the team travels as far north as Albany to race in Invitational meets, where the competition is greater and runners can compare themselves to others in the state. Their goal for this season is to win the league meet.
“We all love the sport and nothing makes us happier than to see each other succeed and continue to strive toward our personal and team goals,” said captain Harrison Landau. The other captains are Oliver Blum, Cassie Keenan and Ben Cooper. Be sure to check out their Instagram page @briarcliffxctf!
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