Girls and boys outdoor track

Written by Brandon Na

With the indoor season having come to an end, the boys and girls track and field teams now face an immediate transition into the 2016 outdoor season.

After ranking second in the borough for the cross country and indoor seasons, the girls aim high this upcoming outdoor season. Senior Yasmin Ally expressed confidence in her team and stated, “everyone has been training extremely hard, and we’re all expecting more PRs [personal records] in the upcoming season.” Senior Nancy Yone added, “The weather gradually gets nicer and the stadium where we race is outdoors so the air isn’t as stuffy. Plus, the transition to outdoor from indoor is a little easier than from cross country to indoor.” Sophomore Connie Rim concluded, “Every girl on the team has a lot of potential so I think we’re all going to improve significantly as a whole”

The boys, who have been borough champions for the past four seasons, look to extend their reign. With this recent surge in the rankings, the team is poised for their very first outdoor season victory. With a win in the upcoming outdoor season, the boys will be the first to be borough champs in all three seasons of the same school year in school history. The boys look to become “triple crown” winners with the Queens Champs victory this outdoor season. A “triple crown” is an accomplishment made by a team that wins championships in three consecutive seasons. Senior Abdoulaye Diallo explained, “I think we have a really good chance at winning outdoor on a borough level. If indoor can be used as a precursor for outdoor then I have no doubt we’ll win. Outdoor is a season with a greater variety of events that apply to more people on the team…As a team, we can only improve from season to season.”

Girls fencing

Written by Daniel Singh

Coach Katherine Yan is preparing to coach some returning fencers and some newcomers into the playoffs. When asked about what she thought about the team and how they would do this season, she said, “I anticipate another great, successful season. We have returning fencers who are dedicated and experienced and I know that they will help the newer fencers.”

Maspeth High School’s fencing team has recently joined the division and Coach Yan said that this would just give the Townsend Harris fencers another opportunity to showcase their skills and what they have learned.

Freshman Eunbin Cho commented on the 2016 girls fencing season saying, “As an individual I feel like I am going to be an amateur player since I am inexperienced. However, as a team, I am sure we are going to be strong. I had the chance to meet one fencer on the team and she told me about practice and the rigorous exercises which get tenser as the season progresses. However, I am really excited to become an athlete of such an advanced and sophisticated sport.”

Boys baseball

Written by George Adamou and Omar Daoud

The boys baseball team, led this year by senior captains Evan Noblesala, Michael O’Neill, and Mason Rivero, plan on doing everything within their power to help propel their team toward a successful playoff run this season. Though the upcoming season will include some inevitable struggle due to the loss of several important seniors, the future still looks bright, as a number of their core players remain on the team.

Nevertheless, this deficit of players requires a strong regimen and chemistry between the new teammates.

In terms of improvement, captain Mason Rivero stated, “Practicing as a team and bonding off the baseball field will develop a bond that makes this team tougher and more secure.”

As for their goals for this season, junior Louis Nicolosi commented, “We’ve won in the first round of the playoffs and lost in the second both times [in my tenure on the team]. This year, I think we still have a really good team…I think we should go further than the second round.” Emphasizing this point, Mason went on to add that “the second round of the playoffs is not an option.”

Aiming to set a good example as captain, Mason made it known that he wants to be remembered as “a great teammate and as a hard worker.” He espoused his philosophy on training and setting goals for athletes.

“Realistic goals are hard to set because anything not absurd is achievable depending on how much work you put in on the diamond and

in the cage.

According to Mason, the ultimate goal is to win a championship. “Yes, we should all have fun doing it, but we will also work harder than ever. Winning is the biggest reward. I hope to become a PSAL champion this year,” he concluded.

Boys volleyball

Written by Benjamin Chang

A year removed from finishing the regular season with a stellar record of 9-1, the boys volleyball team is preparing for a deeper run in the playoffs in 2016.

Last year, the team’s only other loss was against Laguardia High School in the second round of the playoffs, a result that was bittersweet for senior Patrick Nian. “We were ranked 8th in the city and even beat [eventual champions] Grover Cleveland in their tournament,” Patrick reflected on the season, saying, “It was sad seeing [the seniors] leave and play for the last time, but in a way we celebrated our superb season.”

Under the leadership of senior captain Yoonho Cha, the team looks to not only match, but surpass last year’s feats. “I want to be someone who can lead and motivate my teammates both on and off the court,” said Yoonho.

Senior Nick Laikhram conveyed his high expectations for the team. “Last year, we were division champions. This year, we are going for the city championship,” he said.

In order to accomplish this, however, there are things that the team will need to improve on. “We need to have more chemistry and more of a winning mentality so we can play to our full potential,” Yoonho explained.

With a team full of seniors, there will undoubtedly be a drive within the players to elevate their performances to the next level.

Nick described his larger role in the team, saying, “I’m filling in a big spot this year as the starting outside hitter, so I have to give it my all.”

The team will begin its conquest for the city title on March 22 with a game against Martin Van Buren at home.