A Message from Director of Athletics Erica Perkins Jasper
Dear CMS Alumni, Families and Friends,
Winter Break is here and CMS fall sports seasons are now in the books and what a fall it was! Among the highlights were Athenas Cross Country winning Regionals and placing 10th at Nationals, Stags Cross Country finishing second at Regionals and 15th at Nationals, Athenas Volleyball hosting Regionals at Roberts Pavilion for the first time, reaching the Round of 16 and having an undefeated regular season, Stags Football winning a share of the SCIAC title and Athenas Soccer making an appearance in the SCIAC Tournament finals. SCIAC titles were won this fall by CMS in 3 of seven fall sports: women’s cross country (12th straight and 31st overall), football (sixth time) and volleyball (5th-straight and ninth overall).
The winter sports of basketball and swimming & diving are off to excellent starts and before you know it, springs sports teams will start practicing. I hope you will take some time to read through the CMS Fall/Winter Newsletter to learn more about the accomplishments this past few months by the Athenas and Stags.
The CMS community continues to be an integral part of these important moments and I am so thankful for the tremendous support. Here's to a fantastic 2023. Go CMS!
Sincerely,
Erica Perkins Jasper - CMS Director of Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation
Fall Sports Recap
Cross Country (Athenas)
For the 12th season in a row, the Athenas won the SCIAC championship. The Athenas then went on to win the NCAA Division III West Regionals and qualified for Nationals for the 14th-straight year, where they placed 10th. Natalie Bitetti ’23 (CMC) captured All-America honors in addition to winning the regional and SCIAC championships.
Volleyball
For the fifth straight-season, the Athenas won the SCIAC championship and were ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season. The Athenas finished with a 30-1 record and advanced to the Regional Championship match (right here at Roberts Pavilion) of the NCAA Division III Tournament. This was the first time that CMS has hosted Regionals and it served as a good practice run for the CMS staff with CMS being the host of the 2023 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships next November. Outside hitter Jenna Holmes '24 (CMC) earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Player of the Year Award in addition to being SCIAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-Region. Right-side hitter Brenna Bell '26 (CMC) and Holmes earned first-team All-America honors from the AVCA, and Georgia McGovern '24 (CMC) captured second-team All-America accolades. In addition, middle hitter Audrey Sawyer '25 (CMC) and libero Dede Carranza '25 (CMC) were honorable-mention All-America selections.
Football
With its 42-0 win over Redlands, the Stags earned a share of the SCIAC title, marking the 6th conference championship in program history and second in the last 4 seasons. The Stags finished the season with a 7-2 record and 5-1 in SCIAC games. Cornerback Ben Cooney ’23 (CMC) was a first team All-American and earned the SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year Award, first-year defensive end Michael Houk ’26 (CMC) won the Newcomer of the Year honor, and Stiles Satterlee ’23 (CMC) captured the John Zinda Character Award. Cooney, running back Justin Edwards ’25 (CMC), offensive guard Kamarion Porter ’23 (HMC) and junior defensive end Joey Asta ’24 (CMC) were also All-Region.
Cross Country (Stags)
The Stags placed 2nd at the SCIAC Championships, 2nd at the West Regionals and 15th at Nationals. This marked the 14th year in a row that the Stags qualified for Nationals. Oliver Pick ’25 (HMC) placed fourth at SCIACs and Henry Pick ’23 (HMC) was second at Regionals to pace the Stags for All-SCIAC and All-Region accolades.
Soccer (Athenas)
The Athenas qualified for the SCIAC Tournament (top-4 teams) for the first time since 2016 and won their SCIAC semifinal match 2-1 over Cal Lutheran, before falling in the SCIAC championship match. Overall, the Athenas were 9-6-6 and 5-2-5 in SCIAC matches. Center back Emma Fogg '25 (SC) earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Division III All-Region second team, while midfielder Kaitlyn Helfrich '25 (CMC) was also All-Region. Both were also first team All-SCIAC while forward Cate Lewison '26 (HMC) was SCIAC Newcomer of the Year.
Water Polo (Stags)
The Stags were 12-15 this season and finished at 6-4 in SCIAC competition which was fourth place in the regular season standings. Aidan Nettekoven '24 (HMC) was named the SCIAC Men's Water Polo Defensive Player of the Year, Luke (Bear) Weigle '26 (CMC) earned the Newcomer of the Year, and Ben Weldon '23 (CMC) captured the league's Character Award.
Fall Highlights for Spring Sports
Winter Sports Update
Basketball (Athenas)
After a 1-3 start, the Athenas have bounced back by winning five games in a row, which includes a 3-0 start in SCIAC play. The five-game winning streak includes wins over Cabrini, Pomona-Pitzer, Occidental, Chapman and Lewis & Clark heading into the Holiday break. The next game for the Athenas is Dec. 29 vs. Webster at Roberts Pavilion.
Basketball (Stags)
The Stags are off to a 9-1 start and ranked 15th in the country in the latest top-25 poll. In the season-opener, the Stags defeated then No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor 81-70 and have been on a roll since. The Stags have won six in a row heading into the Holiday break, including their first two SCIAC games, which were wins over Chapman and Occidental. The next game for the Stags is on Dec. 30 vs. Haverford at Roberts Pavilion.
The Ted Ducey CMS Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is set and 13 Athenas and Stags have been selected to be inducted at the Hall of Fame Ceremony, on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Roberts Pavilion. The 13 inductees selected by the Hall of Fame Committee for the Class of 2023 are David Austen (CMC ’73 – Football), Tim Behrens (CMC ’97 - Water Polo), Darcy Burton Harlan (CMC ’99 – Water Polo, Basketball) Jonathan Byers (CMC ’93 - Soccer), Raymond “Bim” Jollymour (Stags Golf Coach), Tain Lee (CMC ’12 - Golf), Jeff Manassero (HMC ’07 - Football), Suzy Nicoletti (CMC ’02 - Swimming), Annie Richardson Wright (CMC ’06 - Water Polo), Evelyn Ross-Shapiro (SC ’09 - Cross Country and Track & Field), Pam Tanase (CMC ’88 - Athenas Swimming & Diving/Water Polo Coach), Larry Wang (CMC ’09 - Tennis) and Kevin Zitar (CMC '96 - Basketball).
Upcoming CMS Alumni Events and Reunions
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 - Athenas Softball Alumnae Game and Reunion
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 - Gerry Lahanas Athenas Tennis Alumnae Classic
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 - Stags Tennis Alumni Ducey Cup
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 - Ted Ducey CMS Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 - Track & Field Alumni Meet and Reunion
Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 12, 2023 - Athenas Lacrosse Alumnae Reunion
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