The Hook
"Winners don't wait for chances, they take them."
Country Day Athletics is a source of great pride, not only for the athletes, but for the excited, devoted fans. Each season is filled with opportunity.
The WINTER SPORTS: Basketball, Swimming, Ultimate Frisbee and Wrestling, Dance Team, Cheerleading
The SPRING SPORTS: Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Mens Golf, Mens Tennis
Check in next year for recaps of Spring sports!!
Sports Editor: Redmond T. ('15)
Varsity Boys Soccer
2nd in State
Courtesy of Marcus K. ('14)
The boys soccer team did what only one other soccer team in the last 35 years at Country Day has done: make it to the state championship. Although falling short in the finals to North Raleigh Christian 3-1, the Bucs had a great season going 13-4-1. The team defeated Ravenscroft in the second round of the playoffs to move onto perennial state championship challenger, Wesleyan Christian. In the semifinals, the Bucs beat arguably the best team in the state in what was one of the biggest wins in Country Day soccer history. The loss to North Raleigh Christian in the finals ended one of the best seasons in Country Day soccer history.
All Conference: Bradford W. ('14), Jack S. ('14), Will K. ('14), Ben L. ('15), and Axel R. ('15)
All State: Ben L. ('15) and Axel R. ('15)
MVP: Will K. ('14)
“The leadership on this team was shown throughout the season” –Eli R. ('16)
“Harding Upchurch was the heart and soul of this team” –Joey V. ('14)
Varsity Football
The Bucs finished their season with a hard-fought overtime loss to Latin in the semifinals of the NCISAA tournament. Despite playing one of the hardest schedules in Country Day history, the Bucs managed to finish with a solid 6-5 record behind a strong senior class. Among those six wins, the team had a huge win over public school powerhouse Durham Hillside, and an emotional, last-minute win over Charlotte Latin. The Bucs were also only a few plays away from winning the always-coveted Cook Cup against a formidable Charlotte Catholic team, and from beating Latin for a second straight game. Overall it was another successful season for Coach Whitman and the football team.
All State and All Conference: Hunt B. ('14), Michael S. ('14), Joseph H. ('14), and Michael “Big Mike” S. ('14)
MVP: Thomas J. ('14)
“The best part about our team was how close we grew to one another. We learned to depend on each other not only on the field, but off of it as well. That’s what a true team is all about.” – Sheppard W. ('15)
“We had a great group of guys on this team… and we also beat Mr. Hillside” –Richard C. ('15)
“It was a great year and we came up short. But next year I think we will have another solid team, especially with David Kraynik skipping the draft and deciding to stay for his senior year.” –Miles M. ('15)
Courtesy of Jamie M. ('15)
Varsity Field Hockey
State Champions 2013
Courtesy of Marcus K. ('14)
The Bucs started off the season by going 4-3-1 with tough losses to Durham Academy, Charlotte Latin, and Charlotte Catholic. However, the field hockey ended the season by reeling off ten straight wins and winning the state championship. The number three seeded Bucs defeated Durham Academy in OT in the semi-finals, and rival Charlotte Latin, the number one seed, to win another state championship under Coach Thompson.
All Conference: Shannon B. ('15), Anna C. ('15), Kathryn H. ('16), Megan M. ('15), Madison P. ('14), and Princess S. ('14)
All State: Shannon B. ('15), Kathryn H. ('16), Megan M. ('15), and Princess S. ('14)
“It was a family atmosphere on this team; we all loved each other” –Anna R. ('16)
“I’m really proud of the girls. The heart and the power was in the unity of the team. It was fun to be a part of.” –Coach Thompson to the South Charlotte Weekly
Varsity Volleyball
State Champions 2013
The girls’ volleyball team had a great season finishing 31-6 and winning the state championship. The team started off the season going 12-0 in dominating fashion, and only lost one game to a Charlotte area school the entire season. In the state championship, the Bucs beat Covenant Day 3-1 and dominated the last set 25-13. The victory was even more special due to Charlotte Latin having claimed the last nine state championships. It was the first state championship since 1992 for the Bucs, and the first conference championship since 1998. With a lot of talent coming back, the Bucs will have a great opportunity to start a championship streak of their own.
All Conference: Hanna K. ('15), Katharine F. ('15), Rachel J. ('15), and Taylor P. ('15)
All State: Katharine F. ('15), Rachel J. ('15), and Taylor P. ('15)
CISAA Player of the Year: Katherine F. ('15)
Courtsey of Taylor P. ('15)
Varsity Girls Tennis
State Champions 2013
The Girl’s tennis team was the final of three state championship teams, but definitely not the least. The Bucs had a dominating season going 19-2 with only two extremely close losses to Charlotte Catholic and Providence Day, the winner of four consecutive girls’ tennis state championships. The Bucs handled Providence Day 5-1 in the state championship to earn their first title since 2003, and their thirteenth overall. Coach Calvin Davis earned NCISAA coach of the year, and has won all thirteen of the state championships at Country Day.
All Conference: Lara H. ('14), Avery H. ('16), Ishana N. ('16), and Rachel C.
All State: Lara H. ('14) and Avery H. ('16)
Courtesy of Avery H. ('16)
Varsity Girls Golf
Courtesy of Helen D.
Under Coach Stephanie Harner, the girls’ golf team finished seventh out of twelve teams in the state tournament. While not capturing a state championship, the team experienced a huge level of improvement. All members of the team improved on their game, with Helen D. ('15) and Sloan C. ('15) taking ten strokes off their game from the beginning of the season to the end. With so much improvement, the Bucs will look to improve even more next season and start to get some more wins.
All State and All Conference: Brook V. ('14)
“ Everybody improved a lot this season and we had a lot of fun in the process” –Helen D. ('15)
Cross Country
The Cross Country Team worked hard all year with a lot of people setting their personal bests. While no one earned individual accolades, there is a lot of young talent on this team and a huge opportunity for the Country Day Cross Country team to be extremely strong in the coming years. Along with that, many runners such as Claire L. ('15), Ellie S. ('15), and Currie E. ('15) were inspired to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles), and Coco M. ('14) to run a full marathon (26.2 miles).
“Dig.” –Watson D. ('17)
