Prep Sports: Eastern Tech Ready for New Challenges

Last fall, Eastern Tech had a very successful season. The Mavericks had four teams—football, boys soccer, girls soccer and volleyball—win region titles and advance to the state playoffs.

However, with a new year brings new challenges. Eastern Tech moves up from Class 2A to Class 3A, a move that will force the Mavericks to face tougher competition this year. Each sports program at the Essex school believes they are up for the challenge.

Here’s a preview of the upcoming fall season (Football will be previewed on Friday):

VOLLEYBALL
Coach: Sarah Nugent, 2nd year

Last year's record: 16-3, Class 2A North champion

Top returning players: Abi Green (Sr./ Libero), Alexis Peay (Sr./ MH), Aliyah Levy (Jr./ OH), Danielle Cockey (Sr./ OH), Kristen Porter (Sr./OP), Lauren Thompson (Jr./S), Samantha Paulus (Senior/ DS, OP)

Outlook: Nugent said she is excited about the progress the team can make this year as she brought on Walter Bonderanko to coach the junior varsity and Megan Pahr as a new varsity assistant coach.  

At the same time, the Mavericks’ schedule includes matches against Class 3A champion Towson and perennial power Dulaney. The move up in classifications will also make it more difficult for Eastern Tech to win a region title for a fourth straight season.

“We have a tough schedule ahead of us this year, including a brand new pool of teams in our region and we are preparing to go head to head with some of the counties power house teams,” Nugent said.

“We have been working extremely hard and with the shortened practice time we've had to make some adjustments, but we are ready to start our season. Eastern Tech is not a team to overlook, we have a great group of athletes with solid volleyball skills and we are ready for the challenge.”

BOYS SOCCER

Coach: Peter Glaudemans, 20th season

Last Season: 8-9-1, 2A North Regional Champions

Top Returning Players: Austin Reisig (Sr., CB), Nick Glaudemans (Sr., LB), Brandon Funk (Sr., CB), Zach Crowther (Sr., M), AJ Sibiski  (Sr. M), Matt Wright (Sr., G), Tony Westerman (Sr., M), Nikk Breslin-Spinnato (Sr. M), Jake Poetzel (Jr., D), Logan Miller (Jr., M), Robby Alexander (Jr., F)
Trevor Hagy (Jr., M), Charlie Kulakowski (Jr. G). 

Top newcomers:  Alex Rodriguez (Jr., M), Ryan Wagner (Jr., D), Ben Glaudemans (So., D/M), Billy Knoerlein (So., D), Dimitri Tsapalas (So., M), Brady Hall  (Sr., M), Eddie Miklekski (Sr., D/M), Ayden Vickery-Roby (Jr., D), Jordan Babischkin (Jr., D).

Outlook: The Mavericks overcame a 0-5 start to the 2010 season to capture the Class 2A North region title. Long-time coach Peter Glaudemans, whose staff also includes assistant coach Brian Desmond and junior varsity coach Andy Corbett, believes that experience, along with the return of 13 players from last season, will help make the Mavericks a stronger team in 2011.

“This year’s team has tons of experience and excellent team chemistry,” Glaudemans said. “With focused training and hard work the Mavericks expect to compete at all levels of play it faces this year.”

GIRLS SOCCER
Coach: Name Kim Williams (13th season)

Last year's record: 10-6-1, Class 2A North champion

Top newcomers: Ryan Jones (Fr., G), Brandie Bryant, (So, M).

Top returning players: Kelly Fernandez (Sr., M), Kelsey Schanberger (Sr., sweeper).

Outlook:  The Mavericks had an up-and-down season in 2010. The team started the season 2-3 before winning five straight and then closing out the regular season 0-2-1. Eastern Tech then reeled off three straight wins in the playoffs to capture a region title.

What will happen in 2011 remains to be seen, as the Mavericks move up to Class 3A.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting season,” Williams said. “We have a young team looking to mesh in the postseason as we enter a new 3A region.”

GOLF

Coach : John Thorn ( 1st year )

Last year’s record: 1-6

Top Returning Players: Nick Childers (Sr.), Spencer Adams (Jr.), Jeffrey Zahner (Jr.), Don Anderson (Jr.), Brandon Clemens (Sr.).

Top Newcomers: Shane Mizelle (Jr.) Justin Cooper (Jr.)

Outlook: The Mavericks had a rebuilding season in 2010, but this year’s team shows a lot of potential, Thorn said. Thorn said all six top players have demonstrated the ability to drive the ball far, which should provide many opportunities for the boys to go low. 

The team plays a tough schedule against perennial powerhouses Hereford and Dulaney and hope to improve on last year’s 1-6 record.  Nick Childers has the game to fair well in this year’s county and regional tournaments.

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Diana Hegmann (3rd season)

Last year's record:  Baltimore County, Division II (10-0); Overall (10-2)

Top returning players: Marissa Swecker (Sr., M), Lindsay Meyers (Jr., M), Brooke Bartko (Sr., M/D)

Top newcomers: Mollie Swindell (Jr.)

Outlook: This is a young varsity squad with only seven seniors and nine returning players.

Additionally, the team has been moved to Division I of Baltimore County due to its continue success in Division II over the last several years.  Hegmann said this varsity squad is definitely the underdog for 2011 with games against Class 4A finalist Dulaney, Hereford (12-3 in 2010) and Towson (8-8) among those on the schedule.

However, Hegmann believes Swecker, Bartko and Meyers can keep the Mavericks competitive as they move up in divisions. 

“We have a lot of potential but a lot to learn this year,” Hegmann said. “It will be a year for growth and opportunity to find one goal for each game we face.  This way we don't get ahead of ourselves and don't get frustrated as we play teams who have continuously been strong in not only Baltimore County but in the state.”