Players return to fields at boarding schools

KENT — Students are now back on campus at all three of Kent’s independent schools, and are preparing for fall athletics.

At the all-male South Kent School, Athletic Director Owen Finberg said his students are looking forward to cross-country, crew and, of course, soccer.

“We’re ready to get cranked up after a very good summer,� Finberg said. “The soccer team is looking good this year and we’re more than ready to defend our New England Championship.�

Last year, the team won the New England Class B Championship after a very successful season of 17 wins, two losses and one tied game.

Finberg said this year’s team has several returning players, including midfielders Tre Ming and Anthony Hunter and defender Curtis Weir.

“I forecast a strong campaign this season,� Finberg said. “We have some very talented players this year who have all come together off and on the field.�

As for the school’s crew team, Finberg said the team had one of its strongest seasons last year, and rowers Connor Greene and William Speight are returning  this season.

“I think we might need to find some more good, strong rowers to add to the quality of the team,� Finberg said. “It takes a lot of people to be effective in a boat. We continue to look forward to the recent successes of the program.�

Finberg also has high expectations for the cross-country team this season. Last fall, the runners had their best finish ever in the New England Championships, in the individual races.

Finberg said returning captain Rong Xin Wang is a very strong runner and so is returning athlete Andrew Jansen.

At Marvelwood School, Athletic Director Glenn Sanchez said, “Our strongest team is boys varsity soccer. Last season, we got to the quarter finals of the Hudson Valley Athletic League playoffs. We should be up there again in the standings this year.�

Returning players include starter Toby Albert-Faluyi and defensive player Woody Diallo.

“I’m not worried about the offense this year, because we will score,� Sanchez said. “It’s the defense that I’m concerned about. We lost some defenders from last season. But we can create a defense as we go along.�

As for the girls varsity soccer team, Sanchez said last season was very tough but this season should be somewhat better thanks to returning players including Kaylee Henderson and Elizabeth Hackney.

Marvelwood’s girls volleyball team won four games but lost 10 last season; Sanchez hopes to see improvement this year with the help of Claire Cheng, the team’s strongest returning player.

In cross-country, this will be a season for rebuilding.

“We have a lot of newcomers this season,� Sanchez said. “They’re all fairly competitive.�

At Kent School, Athletic Director Todd Marble said the school is ready for interscholastic football, field hockey, boys and girls varsity soccer and boys and girls cross-country, but he was mum about the teams’ chances this season.

“I don’t want to make any predictions,� Marble said. “We have a hard-working group of kids who are all looking forward to their first games.�

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