From the Desk of the Athletic Director: Winter Sport Season Intro

Hard to believe, but we have closed an excellent fall Cranbrook athletic season and jumped right into the winter sport season! Where did the fall go? Cranbrook returns teams that will have to adjust to depletion through graduation, up and coming athletes ready to establish themselves in keeping up with tradition, and programs charged with defending State Championships.

 

Coach Weidenbach (21^st season) and the Boys Hockey Team returns seniors Captain Christopher Brown and Assistant Captain Noah Gilreath along with key returning juniors Austin Alger and Sam Miletic to defend their State Championship. There is offensive talent at the forward position and good competition for ice time. Experience at the defensive & goalie positions is a plus. Coach Weidenbach has brought in Scott Lock to his staff. Coach Lock has served as head coach of the Gross Pointe North hockey team for the past 15 years.

 

Cranbooks’s Figure Skating Team in its’ third season as a varsity sport will be working to defend its’ second straight State Championship. This season, the team has five returning Cranbrook students on the team comprised of skaters from Marian, Country Day and Cranbrook. Anastasia Worthy, Lauren Messner, Katherine Blake, Leslie Hicks, and senior Captain Meghan Koehler will be joined by freshman newcomer, Cate Cowel. CDMCK will be competing in 3 district competitions this season in Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, and Dearborn. The team is looking to qualify for the State Championships, and hopefully taking home a 3rd consecutive State Championship trophy. The team will have a new coach this season in Laura Lepzinski who brings a wealth of national level skating experience to her team.

 

Second year Head Coach Karl Hodgson and the Boys Swim and Dive Team is very excited for the up and coming season. After last year’s League Champion and a 2nd place finish at the State Meet, the squad is looking to take it to the next level. Led by captains, Ben Schneider and Nate Tattrie, returning state qualifiers Mitch Buccalo, Giorgio DelGrosso, Andrew Guan, Alessandro Guttilla, Spencer Keoleian, Frankie Misra, and Andrew Trunsky, the team has the potential for an extraordinary season. First year coach, Carly Sevald, will continue her role as diving coach for the boys team.

 

Coach Eileen Hilliard (6^th season) and the Girls Basketball Team is going into the 2013-14 basketball season with optimism despite losing 2 All-league performers to graduation. Seniors Katie Payne, (captain and 1^st team All-League) and Esme Roddy return for their 4^th year on varsity, while Juniors Jaimee Beckett and Betsy Hafke, HM All-league, have been big contributors in the past. Senior Lexie Jones, and freshman Lexie Dietz will be relied on for scoring and ball handling. With another handful of seniors, and a solid group of returners, team chemistry will play a large role in the success of this year’s teams. The JV squad will be a blend of youth and experience, with an eye on developing players for the future. Former varsity assistant Monica McCallister will also assume the head Junior Varsity Coach title.

Coach Shane Finney (13^th season girls and boys) and the Boys Basketball Team will be led by seniors Sam Orley, Belvin Lyles, and Alex Roed.  With only four returning varsity players it could be a challenge within the Catholic League.  Things should be okay, as last year’s JV team was 17-2.  Juniors Joey Files, Zach Lebeda, Max Hermelin, and Will Lee are expected to be key contributors this season.  Look for the Cranes to put the pressure on teams this year and run an up-tempo style of play.  Coach Finney is extremely high on the freshman class as it’s the deepest class CK has seen in years.  The future looks bright. We have also added two new assistant coaches to the program in former Cranes hoops standout Eric Fishman CK ’09 to the varsity and Bill Whitlow to the freshman team.

 

Coach Bruce Rosengren (7^th season) and the Cranbrook Ski Teams graduated 5 seniors last year, (4 boys and 1 girl). The boys proved to be a very strong team last year going to State finals after finishing 2^nd at the Regional race. The loss of 4 starters will affect the team and it may be a rebuilding year with several strong underclassmen filling these starting positions on Varsity. Last year’s MVP, junior Gregory Aikens, will be a force at Pine Knob this year and will be a great mentor to the rest of his team. The girls team was a true powerhouse last season but had a tough day at Regionals and failed to qualify for State Finals. Seniors Julia Briggs and Sydney Shuert did qualify as individuals. Julia, Sydney, along with seniors Brooke Boccia and Holly Meers will team up with juniors Jazz Teste and Natalie Baxter will all return stronger than last year. The unknown question is how a strong group of freshmen and underclassmen will play into the formula. The coaches are sure the team will step up to the task and have a very successful season.

 
Best of Luck to all and Happy Holidays!