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2020-2021 Sports Recaps: Spring
Over the course of the summer, we are taking a look back and sharing highlights from our 2020-2021 shortened sports seasons. With high hopes for a return to regular athletics in the fall, we would like to celebrate and reflect back on the hard work of all our student-athletes and coaches last year. Next up are the spring sports, which were played from April 17 to June 18 last school year. Each recap below has been provided by our Gonzaga head coaches.
From Head Baseball Coach Chad Carroll:
From Head Crew Coach Andy Bacas:
From Head Baseball Coach Chad Carroll:
The 2021 Gonzaga baseball team was extremely talented and mentally resilient. The past couple of Spring seasons have been anything but normal and you wouldn’t have had a single inclination watching this group of young men practice and play day in and day out when given the opportunity. We had an awesome senior class full of great ball players and exceptional leaders. I’d like to wish all the seniors the best of luck in college. These boys are ready to conquer anything life throws at them.
Click here to watch a video honoring the Varsity Eagles.
Click here to watch a video honoring the Varsity Eagles.
From Head Crew Coach Andy Bacas:
2021 Gonzaga Crew was an up and down year for us and very top heavy in terms of quality of experience. By that I mean the 1v8 got a full season in, but for everyone else it was a very truncated experience of limited training and very limited racing. On April 17, we won our first 1v8 race on the Potomac versus St. Albans and BCC, our first opening season win over BCC since 2017 - 3v8 also won while 2v8 came in second to BCC. We won our 1v8 and 2v8 races against Central Catholic Pittsburgh on April 24 and retained the Shrewsbury Cup. The full program was able to compete in the Foley Cup (with the Frosh8, 2v8, 3v8 and Frosh8 earning wins) on May 2 and in the WMIRA Championship on May 8. We were allowed to take only our 1v8 to Stotesbury in Philadelphia on May 14-15, and we came in 5th in a tight race against the best in the region.
We made some line up changes in the 1v8 and changed the rigging on the boat in the two weeks between Stotes and SRAA Nationals and finally got our real mojo back. We were going much faster in practice and it showed on May 28-29, which if you recall was the "frigid rain" of Memorial Day weekend. We were back in Philadelphia to face a national field -- we first won our heat on Friday by open water, with the second fastest heat time of 4:19.5. In the Saturday morning semis, it was cold, windy and raining, but our guys were totally ready for it and crushed Central (who had the fastest time on Friday) by 3.5 seconds in a semi winning time of 4:03.7. In the other semi in a closer race St. Albans beat out BCC by only 2.4 seconds, and clocked in at 4:02.8. We were eagerly awaiting the chance to face off with St Albans (and four other crews) one last time later that day in the grand final. Unfortunately due to the cold, wind, and fast flowing river, once the boys varsity 8 semis finished in the morning, the officials called off the remaining semi finals in other categories and all of the finals. By rule, the last fully complete round of racing settles final awarded results in situations like this. Thus, initially the heat times of Friday were used to rank crews for championship and medal awards -- giving the Eagles the silver this year.
Our last race of the season was Youth Nationals in Sarasota, FL against the best club and school crews in the country over 2000 meters in the Florida heat. In the C final, the only 2000 race the guys rowed all year, we were 2nd (14th overall) to Saugatuck Rowing Club of Connecticut, but open water (more than 4 seconds) up on Dallas Jesuit and New Trier HS and ultimately 12 seconds up on Central Catholic and only 2 seconds back to Whitman (11th). So, a much improved performance over both Stotes and Nationals against all rivals and our result was our best finish at Youths since 2017. If overcoming adversity was the measure, this was one of our best 1v8 crews ever and certainly the best I have coached in my three seasons at Gonzaga.
We made some line up changes in the 1v8 and changed the rigging on the boat in the two weeks between Stotes and SRAA Nationals and finally got our real mojo back. We were going much faster in practice and it showed on May 28-29, which if you recall was the "frigid rain" of Memorial Day weekend. We were back in Philadelphia to face a national field -- we first won our heat on Friday by open water, with the second fastest heat time of 4:19.5. In the Saturday morning semis, it was cold, windy and raining, but our guys were totally ready for it and crushed Central (who had the fastest time on Friday) by 3.5 seconds in a semi winning time of 4:03.7. In the other semi in a closer race St. Albans beat out BCC by only 2.4 seconds, and clocked in at 4:02.8. We were eagerly awaiting the chance to face off with St Albans (and four other crews) one last time later that day in the grand final. Unfortunately due to the cold, wind, and fast flowing river, once the boys varsity 8 semis finished in the morning, the officials called off the remaining semi finals in other categories and all of the finals. By rule, the last fully complete round of racing settles final awarded results in situations like this. Thus, initially the heat times of Friday were used to rank crews for championship and medal awards -- giving the Eagles the silver this year.
Our last race of the season was Youth Nationals in Sarasota, FL against the best club and school crews in the country over 2000 meters in the Florida heat. In the C final, the only 2000 race the guys rowed all year, we were 2nd (14th overall) to Saugatuck Rowing Club of Connecticut, but open water (more than 4 seconds) up on Dallas Jesuit and New Trier HS and ultimately 12 seconds up on Central Catholic and only 2 seconds back to Whitman (11th). So, a much improved performance over both Stotes and Nationals against all rivals and our result was our best finish at Youths since 2017. If overcoming adversity was the measure, this was one of our best 1v8 crews ever and certainly the best I have coached in my three seasons at Gonzaga.
From Head Golf Coach Mike Hanagan:
The Gonzaga Golf Team was able to complete a shortened and unique season in 2021. The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams kept all interested golfers for the year leading to a combined program of nearly 50 players, double the size from a normal year. The Varsity team was able to compete in 8 regular season WCAC matches, and was limited in practice time and qualifying matches. Despite these obstacles, the Eagles were able to go 7-1 on the season and also compete in the Metro Championship. A strong core group of seniors led by Marshall Meisel (Wake Forest 2025) and Connor McGarrity (Loyola University-Baltimore 2025) set the tone for the season and were joined by teammates Conor Gallagher and Tommy Siracuse.
The highlight of the season was the culminating Metro Championship. Gonzaga was the defending champion from 2019, and competed at Worthington Manor Golf Club against DeMatha, Georgetown Prep, and St. Alban’s. Gonzaga finished with an amazing team score of 368, defeating the runner up by 16 strokes. Marshall Meisel and freshman Matt Moloney each recorded 2-under rounds of 70. Connor McGarrity, Michael Gardiner, Conor Gallagher, and Josh DiZinno each posted rounds in the 70s to help bring the trophy back to Eye Street.
Current and former Gonzaga golfers have put together a summer of performances unrivaled in recent memory. Jack Teuschl, Class of 2023, won the prestigious Bobby Bowers tournament. Marshall Meisel made it through to the Round of 32 in the US Junior Amateur and won the Williamson Cup with teammate Connor McGarrity. Matthew Barnes (2017), Brad Whitaker (2018), and Jimmy Taylor (2019) put together a feat unlikely accomplished by a single high school golf program locally. Barnes (Georgetown) won the Washington Metropolitan Amatuer Tournament, Whitaker (Georgetown) won the Maryland Amateur, and Taylor (William and Mary) won the Virginia Amateur, leaving the three big local amateur titles in the hands of former Gonzaga Eagles! Despite the challenges of the last year and a half, Gonzaga Golf is currently celebrating some of its greatest accomplishments.
From Head Lacrosse Coach Casey O'Neill '96:
The 2021 spring Lacrosse season was unlike anything our program has ever experienced. It had similarities to the 2015 season when there was no Buchanan Field as the parking garage was being built and the Eagles traveled to every practice and game. The biggest difference was the preparation leading up to the official start of the season. No weight room, no film room, no bus rides, no fall or winter league, no field work leading up and rarely on the campus at the same time. The Eagles made the best of the situation and traveled to practices and competitions in Maryland or Virginia everyday. Scrimmages were put together last minute, 10 games were played in total for the varsity -- while the JV/Frosh joined forces to play six games. Nobody complained about the situation, they simply made the best of what was in front of them and competed.
Our 18 seniors were not able to play one more time on Buchanan Field but rallied and led this team everyday. And now some of those seniors are off to the next level to play at places like: Princeton, Penn State, Villanova, Gettysburg, Navy, Michigan, Salisbury, Holy Cross and UMASS. The program is beyond loaded with talented, athletic, smart, young student-athletes to continue the legacy of Gonzaga Lacrosse. Special thanks to the coaches who sacrificed so much to travel all over to be with the players. And congrats to US Lacrosse All American Bob Scott Award Winner Michael Bath who also represented the Eagles in the Under Armour Senior All American Game.
Our 18 seniors were not able to play one more time on Buchanan Field but rallied and led this team everyday. And now some of those seniors are off to the next level to play at places like: Princeton, Penn State, Villanova, Gettysburg, Navy, Michigan, Salisbury, Holy Cross and UMASS. The program is beyond loaded with talented, athletic, smart, young student-athletes to continue the legacy of Gonzaga Lacrosse. Special thanks to the coaches who sacrificed so much to travel all over to be with the players. And congrats to US Lacrosse All American Bob Scott Award Winner Michael Bath who also represented the Eagles in the Under Armour Senior All American Game.
As summer hit, more Eagles committed to play in college, tons of them represented Gonzaga in National showcase events, and the Eagles placed fourth out of 40 teams in the National High School Lacrosse Showcase. Incredible things are ahead!
From Head Rugby Coach Peter Baggetta:
The 2021 Gonzaga Rugby season was a season of overcoming a variety of challenges including not knowing if there would be a season; practicing in numerous different locations; following all of the Covid regulations; playing all of games away; having a short season. However, through all of the challenges, the players and coaches stayed positive and resilient with the mantra of "Whatever It Takes" and had an overall excellent season. The Freshmen/Sophomore team finished with a record 4-3, the Varsity Black finished with a 4-2 record and a young but talented Varsity Purple team finished the season with a 6-2-1 record and finished 3rd at the National High Championships losing a close semi-final game, but coming back to win the 3rd/4th place game on the last play of the game on senior captain Jack Ries's penalty kick to win the game. In addition, Gonzaga made a record 12th straight National Championship semi-finals appearance.
The highlight of the season was the Senior Recognition followed by the Alumni game where 42 former Gonzaga Rugby players from the classes of 2010 to 2020 came to play against the Varsity Purple team on the Monday before the National Championships to help prepare the team for the National Championships. Seniors from both the 2020 and 2021 team were recognized before the alumni game. Conor Hutchison was awarded the Neil York Man for Others Award for the Class of 2020 and Miles Gilroy for the Class of 2021. The 2021 rugby seniors were: Adam Bilbo (captain), Declan Dolan (captain), Miles Gilroy (captain), Jack Ries (captain), Gavin Brady, Sean Carley, John Degnan, Arthur Ferridge, Liam Jones, Charlie Neill, Michale Roginski, Quinn Rowe, Matthew Seiler, Joseph Tramonte, Cole Wofford.
From Head Tennis Coach Randy DeGuzman:
The Gonzaga tennis team this season had a big number of freshmen tryout, most of which made the team and a handful filled critical positions. They highlighted the spring with both JV and Varsity teams sweeping the regular season matches, with multiple players posting undefeated records.
In lieu of the end of season WCAC championship for the varsity team, the Eagles entered the DCSAA championships to close out the year. The team was composed of Burke Pablo, Carson Foley, Jack Sherner and Brendan Hanneberry. Foley and Pablo (who will play at Georgetown University) made the finals in doubles, and Gonzaga finishing 2nd place in the overall team standings. We look forward to getting back on the courts this year!
From Head Track & Field Coach Conrad Singh '00:
The final season under legendary Head Coach Alvin Maddox was one to remember as the Track & Field Eagles came together to compete in two meets at O’Connell, one at Paul VI, one at Good Counsel, and in the DCSAA Championships at Dunbar High School. The team was lead by seniors Patrick Donnelly (distance), Owen Ellington (sprinter/hurdler), Patrick Rooks (sprinter), and Jack Wood (sprinter/jumper). On June 11, Donnelly won two DCSAA titles (3200 at 9:49.20 and the 800 at 1:57.45) -- and it is also important to note that although we did not have an official winter indoor season as a program, Donnelly set a new DC indoor track 2 mile record at 9:10.63 to rank 19th in the nation.
In our Celebration and Launch Event held on July 18 at Gonzaga, the following awards were distributed: Alvin Maddox Award (MVP) - Patrick Donnelly '21, Joe Jackson Award (Man for Others) - Kevin Kiernan '22, Unsung Hero - Erik Hjelm '22, and the Eagle FLIGHT Award - Jude McGroarty '24. Additionally, the seniors were especially honored and recognized for their leadership and willingness to help work toward building on Coach Maddox’s great success over his 39 years on Eye Street. Click here to watch Gonzaga Track & Field - Take Flight (2021-2022) which shows highlights from the Spring competitions and shares reflections, feedback, and motivation from the four outgoing seniors.
Thank you Coach Maddox for all gave to Gonzaga — we will do our very best to honor your legacy and FLY high during the 2021-2022 school year and beyond!
Celebrating 200 Years of Jesuit Education in the Nation's Capital
