With the school year just beginning, the seasons for many fall athletics are well under way. This year, many of the teams have freshmen that will look to make themselves known by having an impact on the team, so we at The Mirror will be taking a closer look at them.
On the men’s cross country team, there are four freshmen all of outstanding merit. Brendan Pratt of Dudley, Mass., earned three varsity letters at Shepherd Hill High School and served as a team captain. Additionally, he lettered in both indoor and outdoor track, while also being named to the All-League First Team his senior year. Patrick Shea of Haddonfield, N.J. attended Haddonfield Memorial High School, where he earned four varsity letters and helped his team go undefeated in dual meets during his time there. Additionally, he runs a 15:55 5K, which is impressive for somebody his age.
Dan Lehman of Tenafly, N.J. earned four varsity letters at Tenafly High School, where he served as team captain as a senior. He was named to First Team All-League Big North in 2014, in addition to lettering in both indoor and outdoor track, where he picked up First Team All-Bergen County Indoor honors as a senior. Mickey Kozak of Brookfield, Conn. earned four varsity letters at Danbury High School, where he served as team captain. He was a four-time All-League selection, as well as a three-time All-State and All-New England honoree.
The women’s cross country team also has four freshmen, with similarly impressive accolades. Charlotte Molloy of Garden City, N.Y. earned four varsity letters at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, where she served as team captain as a junior and senior. She earned All-Long Island honors as a senior, and runs an impressive 19:30 5K and 5:15 mile. Shannon Lavin of Floral Park, N.Y. earned three varsity letters at Archbishop Molloy High School. Additionally, she had the honor of serving as captain of her team during her senior year.
Sami Carey of Mansfield, Mass., earned two varsity letters while attending Mansfield High School. She ran a 19:04 at the Division 2 Championships as a senior captain, and helped her team to a Hockomock League Championship. Ashley Cambisaca of Hamden, Conn. earned four varsity letters at Hamden High School. She served as team captain for three seasons, and runs an excellent 19:16 5K.
There are nine freshmen players for the men’s soccer team, all of various backgrounds. Steven Valente of New Canaan, Conn. came to Fairfield after a successful soccer career at New Canaan High School and South Kent School. Joe Harding of Elkins Park, Pa., played for Abington Friends School before attending Fairfield. Jack Robinson of St. Louis, Mo. previously played goalkeeper for St. Louis University High School.
Ben Wignall of Hartlepool, England, played soccer for Manor College of Technology before deciding to attend Fairfield. Jonathan Uy is from New Hyde Park, N.Y. where he played soccer for Kellenberg High School. He was listed on Top Drawer Soccer’s Top 150 rankings during his career at Kellenberg. Additionally, he played with the New York Red Bulls U15/16 and Albertson SC U17/18 programs.
Angus Hastings of Bradford, England, played for Woodhouse Grove School before attending Fairfield. Charlie Reed of Annandale, N.J. played soccer for North Hunterdon High School. Jordan Emsley of Harrogate, England attended Rossett School. He was a successful swimmer when he was younger, reaching the national final.
Sam Klippel of Auckland, New Zealand attended Kings College and Kalle Ronn of Stockholm, Sweden and played soccer for Vrg Jarlaplan before attending Fairfield.
With so many talented young faces, these teams are sure to have great seasons and witness the rookies gain experience and become serious role players at Fairfield.
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