GATOR ATHLETICS

GA's Varsity A squash team will be looking for another 3peat for the 2019-2020 season with their eyes set on the FAA, New England and National Championships. While the tournaments do not occur in that order, the stakes raise with each successive event. Thus far the team is off to an undefeated start with wins against Choate, Hotchkiss and Taft. For more on the GAVAS team, please read this Greenwich Time article.

Three members of the GA varsity A squash team competed in the British Junior Open held in Birmingham, England January 2 – 6. Group XII’s Emma C. and Binney H., also co-captains, competed in the U19 division while Group IX’s Emma T. competed in the U15 group. Our veteran players were seeded in the top half of their respective draws, while the younger of the two Emmas made the deepest run into the tournament from the 37^thseed! Emma T. played her way to the quarter finals where she was defeated by the 9^thseeded player hailing from Egypt. Though jetlagged we are hoping this experience will have this trio primed for their first match of 2020 against Taft.

GA ran the fastest collective time at the FAA cross country championship race held at Sherwood Island State Park under perfect atmospheric conditions. Though the course was a bit muddy, Maddy L. '24, like she has all season, was the first to break the tape. True to form, teammates Emily G. '22 and Elena T. '21 were not too far behind coming in 4th and 5th with all three earning First-Team FAA honors. Emily Goodman, with a 16th place finish, earned Second-Team FAA status for her strong performance which included a PR. The PRs did not stop there with 5 of GA's seven runners hitting their best time in their penultimate race. A mere two points prevented the Gators from hoisting a second FAA trophy but they will take their momentum into the New England championship race on November 9th at Northfield Mount Hermon.

It has been 5 years since GA claimed the FAA League Championship in cross country so yesterday's result at Allen's Meadows in Wilton was welcomed with great enthusiasm. This year's harriers have had a number of great races with GA's top three turning in consistently strong performances. Maddy L. '24 has come across the finish line in 1st place at every all-league meet! Close on her heels in the FAA and at other invitationals have been newcomer Emily G. '22 and co-captain Elena T. '21. Emily was 4th, 4th and 2nd in FAA races while Elena's experience has not only proved invaluable in providing advice to her younger teammates it has allowed her to hold steady earning the Gators valuable points. GA will compete in the FAA Championship race held at Waveny Park in New Cannan Monday the 28th at 1:40 and will follow that up with the New England Championship race at North Field Mount Herman on Saturday November 9th! Go GAtors!

GA's Group XII Grace A. has qualified for the Cressy High School Singleahanded National Championship! Out of the national field of 29 sailors, Grace stands out as the only woman on the water! And one of 3 from Connecticut. She qualified for the event based on her performance in Hyannis over the weekend of October 5th and 6th. Grace will travel west for the event to be held the first weekend of November at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. Go Grace!!