Alex Welsh, Reporter
@WelshCourant
Rhian Ball/Field Hockey– Ball is a field hockey captain and spectacular defender for the lady rams. Mainly known as a shot blocker, Ball is a senior captain looking to finish in style in her last year at NCHS. The team has great success now as their record shows they are 10-2-1.
With tough competitions like Darien and Wilton in their way, the field hockey team can defend their title and slowly make their way towards winning an FCIAC and even State Championship.
“Consistency is something we need to work on, making sure we show up and play hard to every game” she added. Ball’s strength and natural sense of leadership makes her one of the athletes to watch this fall.
Peter Swindell/Football– You may have seen him from his trick kick on YouTube. Swindell was a standout kicker his freshman and sophomore year, but, he has slowly and surely made an impression for himself at receiver. This year has been completely different for Swindell.
With 3 touchdowns against Ridgefield and 2 against West Hill, Swindell has turned into one of the top targets for the senior quarterback Mike Collins. I asked him about how he has turned into the spotlight as a receiver.
“Being a receiver you have to rely on the quarterback. Mike Collins has been playing unbelievable this season, that has made not only me, but all the receivers look better.”
Swindell’s transition has been impressive, making him one of the most interesting athletes to watch this fall.
Haley Paddock/Volleyball– She has height and she is strong. Haley Paddock is a very talented volleyball player and she is one of the anchors to the team this fall. The volleyball team is 5-11 but has a couple more games to rebound.
“I am so proud of how far our team has improved and overall, how much we have been able to accomplish this year with the loss of five seniors this year.” Paddock is the tallest member of the team and plays in the lower center position.
The volleyball team has struggled this season, but can make a spark in the postseason, and even bring home a championship.
Michael St. George/Cross Country– St. George is only a junior and he is already a captain of the cross country team. St. George has performed at an exceptional level this fall and has excelled in his running. What is most incredible is that he is consistently getting better.
St. George trains year round and broke 17 minutes in a 5k at the Brewster Invitational. He clocked in at a time of 16:56.5. I talked to St. George about his offseason training and how he prepares for the season.
“I, along with a few other members of the team, ran 300 miles to prepare for this season. That base training has helped me perform in my meets and get faster and stronger every week.”
St. George is confident in the cross country team this fall. “Even though our two best runners last year graduated, we have had other people step up and get faster. The team is looking stronger every week.” He has put up impressive numbers this season, making him without a doubt one of the best athletes to watch this fall.
Braeden Dial/Soccer– Only a sophomore and she has been on varsity soccer both years. Braeden Dial is one of the more talented underclassmen. She is a three sport varsity athlete and one of the top goalscorers on the soccer team. Being the reason the team beat Norwalk and Darien, she scored the lone goals in both games.
I asked Dial about what it’s like to be on varsity as both a freshman and sophomore. “It’s a real honor to be on the varsity soccer team. The team has a sense of family that I’m really glad to be a part of.”
Dial is quickly becoming a very important asset to the varsity team with still two more years to play after this season.
