Fall Athletics Updates
Fall Athletics Updates
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Fall Athletics Updates
Fall Athletics Updates
US Girls' Volleyball
In the Fishtank, 28 Cutthroat Upper School girls’ volleyball players have been bumping, spiking, and serving their way to a stellar season under coaches Natalie Heurkins (Varsity), Nicole Kessler (JV), and volunteer assistant Candice Pate. Varsity ended their season at an impressive 8-0 in Conference and headed into the District Tournament as the number one seed. The result from the first round? Cutthroats beat Camas County 3-0. In the semi-final, they then lost to Carey 0-3, and despite a valiant effort, lost to Richfield in the loser-out match, dashing hopes for a state tournament run. Junior Maeve Bailey earned All Conference First Team for 1A Division 2 and teammate senior Allie Wilson was named to Second Team. Coach Natalie Heurkins was also named Sawtooth Conference Coach of the Year. “I know this team will be more determined than ever to build on this solid foundation,” said Director of Athletics Richard Whitelaw. “We all should be incredibly proud of them.” The turnout for volleyball was so strong this year that a JV team was fielded with 15 girls. The future for Cutthroat volleyball looks bright!
US Boys' + Girls' Soccer
Another exciting season for Upper School Cutthroats on the pitch! Both the girls’ and boys’ varsity teams ended their regular seasons with records to be proud of heading into the High Desert Conference Tournament. The boys, led by returning Head Coach Richard Whitelaw (assisted by Jeannie Woller and Will Thomas) were ranked number one in the 3A level and stood at 15-1-2, 12-0-2 High Desert Conference. In an exciting final District match against Kimberly, the 'lads' went into sudden death overtime, and won 4-2 on penalties. It marked the boys' fourth consecutive District title. With the title in hand, they headed to the 3A State Tournament (the 9th time in 9 years!) as the number one seed. They lost a heartbreaker to Kimberly. They won their first match (v CDA) in the consolation bracket 3-0, but lost to American Falls 6-5 in penalty kicks at the end of the consolation final after a 1-1 tie at the close of regulation. "Although the team came back from the State Tournament without a state title, their accomplishments this season should not go unnoticed," said Richard, who recently received the 2021 High School Coach of Significance Award for the state of Idaho by United Soccer Coaches. "We won both the league title and District Tournament and will be ready to compete again in 2022 while retaining 16 of the players that participated at State. Experience and desire will be on our side."
Returning Head Girls’ Soccer Coach Kelly Feldman was assisted by Erika Daly ‘03 and Jordan Fitzgerald ‘14. After capturing the District title, the girls’ record was 14-4 heading into the State tournament. Kelly says, “We ended the regular league season 12-4 (12-2 league). With 28 girls this season, it made numbers tight for both a varsity and a JV. The JV played only one true JV game against Wood River, and otherwise all players have seen some time with the Varsity. After years of little league competition, nearly every game was close, especially in the run up to the 3A State Tournament. We know that that put us in a better position to face the intensity and challenge of the State Tournament. It’s a great group of girls who have worked hard all season. I'm proud of this team!” At the State Tournament, the girls beat Kimberly 2-1 in a golden goal overtime match and followed that with a second overtime match-winning 2-1 over Teton to make it to the State Championship game where they faced a tough #1 seed—Fruitland. In the Championship game the Cutthroats left it all on the field but fell short losing 4-3, ending their season with a record of 17-5. Coach Erika Daly '03 says, "This team hit their stride at the end of the season which is exactly when you want that to happen. The senior leadership was incredible. They inspired and motivated the entire team and played for each other. Of course, it would have been great to end with a state title, but this team dug deep to get to the final game and gave it their absolute best. They learned a lot this season, had a lot of heart, and I am so proud of them!"
Congratulations to both the girls' and boys' teams on being named 2021 Idaho Fall State Academic Champions by the Idaho High School Activities Association for 3A. Both teams also received the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award!
US Cross Country
Eight dedicated Upper School runners have been training and competing all season. Highlights of the season include the SVCS Sagewillow Invitational, co-hosted with Wood River High School, where more than 700 runners competed from 36 schools. Most recently, Cutthroat runners competed at the Clear Lake Invitational, posting impressive results for some of our first time runners including 9th grader Mikayla Wesley (11th place) and 10th grader Berkeley Canfield (18th place) out of 43 runners and 10th grader Ben Haynes (31st place) out of 66 runners. At the recent District Meet in Gooding, Greta Leitheiser and Mikayla Wesley qualified for the State Meet to be held in Boise this week. Entering his 19th year as Head Coach, Rick Kapala is assisted by Ashley McQueen-Knox and Fiona Ahearne.
MS: Soccer + Volleyball + Cross Country
More than 80 Middle School runners and volleyball and soccer players participated this fall. The boys' soccer team under coach Kevin Hansmeyer and assisted by Emily Siegel '16 fielded 35 boys. Under returning coach Tizz Strachan with help from Mackenzie Price, 28 girls took to the pitch, with close games versus Wood River and Robert Stuart. Coaches Cara Frost, Dana Covington and Joel Vilinsky returned to the Fishtank to coach 17 girls on the volleyball court and they showed significant improvement. Under Coach Tom Downey, six Middle School runners turned out for cross country. Some highlights include 8th grader Addie Parmenter taking the Sagewillow Invitational by storm and winning the girls' Middle School division out of 132 runners and finishing second at the Clear Lakes Invitational.