Prep Sports: Kenwood Kicks Off Spring Season

Can the baseball team repeat as county champions?

Will the softball team take the next step with several key players back?

How will the boys and girls lacrosse teams improve in their second year in the county's top division?

Will the track team build on solid cross country and indoor seasons? 

These are just some of the questions Patch examines as Edgar Walker previews the spring season for .

Here are the previews for each squad:

BASEBALL

Coaches: Jay Diggs (Head), Don Keener (Assistant)

Last Year’s Record: 14-6

Top Returnees: Shane Campbell (Sr, OF/LHP), Gene McGeeney (Sr, SS/RHP), Eddie Cole (Sr, IF), Brett Schappell (Sr, C/3B)

Top Newcomers: Brandon Hovel (So, SS), Anthony Pelekakis (Jr, 3B/RHP), Chad Goings (Sr, OF/RHP)

Outlook: By winning Baltimore County’s top division last season, the Bluebirds could unofficially claim they were county champions.

Leading a relatively inexperienced team that graduated seven senior starters last year, pitcher/outfielder Shane Campbell looks to build off his stellar junior season.

The Maryland-bound senior had a 0.47 ERA last year, and was named first Team All-Baltimore County and First Team All-Metro. Aside from Campbell, the team features some good depth at nearly every position, and St. Frances transfer Chad Goings will be a solid hitter and base-stealing threat, playing center field.

After winning their division two of the past three seasons, all signs point to this season being a rebuilding year for Jay Diggs’ squad, but the team will have enough talent to compete with nearly every team on their schedule.

BOYS LACROSSE

Coaches: Tony Ruocco (Head, 12th year), Phil Rossetti (7th year), Nick Ruocco (7th year)

Last Year’s Record: 4-10

Top Returnees: Jake Kryglik (Sr, Attack), Josh Leese (Sr, Goalkeeper), Zach Temple (Sr, Defense), Nick Eliadis (So, Attack), Walt Dolata (Jr, Midfield)

Top Newcomers: Kyle Chaillou (Jr, Midfield), Jesse Greifzu (Jr, Midfield), Taylor North (Sr, Defense)

Outlook: After a fairly disappointing season last spring, the Kenwood boys lacrosse team is determined to make 2011 a much better year.

Being called up to Baltimore County’s top division for lacrosse, a young Bluebirds squad faced some transitional pains, playing against a very high level of competition each and every game. Last year’s team MVP and top scorer Jake Kryglik is returning to lead a potent attack, while third-year starting goalie Josh Leese will be between the pipes, supported by defensemen Zach Temple and Taylor North.

Kryglik has scored a combined 82 points in two varsity seasons, and was named 2nd Team All-Baltimore County last year. Veteran head coach Tony Ruocco believes his senior-laden team will markedly improve on its performance from last season.

“This is our second year in Division 1,” Ruocco said, “Now that we know what to face with our schedule, a winning season should be our goal.”

The first step to a winning season pits the Bluebirds against rival Eastern Tech, hosting the Mavericks on March 23.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Coaches: Kate Smith (Head, 5th Year), Mark Dranbauer (5th Year)

Last Year’s Record: 3-9

Top Returnees: Megan Schoen (Sr, Attack), Angie Abel (Sr, Goalkeeper), Amber Hanlin (Sr, Midfield)

Top Newcomers: Elana Urie (Jr, Attack), Chelsea Garrison (Jr, Attack)

Outlook: Similar to the boys, Kenwood’s girls lacrosse team had some trouble adjusting to the level of play in Baltimore County’s top division last season.

Also similar to the boys, the team expects to be more successful this year. Angie Abel is a strong senior leader in goal, and Megan Schoen, who was the team’s leading scorer as a sophomore, returns after missing last season due to injury.

While head coach Kate Smith appreciates her team will face a difficult schedule, she has confidence they will compete.

“We play in a tough division, but we will make some noise in the division. The .500 mark is definitely the goal,” Smith said.

SOFTBALL

Coaches: Jackie Davis (Head, 10th year), Allison Maier (3rd Year), Casey Wheat (2nd Year)

Last Year’s Record: 10-10

Top Returnees: Amanda Hensler (So, C), Alyssa Williams (Jr, SS/2B/RHP), Beth Anderson (S, 2B/RHP), Katlynn Red (Jr, SS/2B), Faith Ledford (So, 3B)

Top Newcomers: Shaneira Terry (So, UT), Lexis Knotts (So, C/IF)

Outlook: The Kenwood softball program is on the rise, with a great young core having success at the varsity level. This season, the team is returning all but three players, including two freshmen that started last year. Assistant coach Allison Maier stresses that the team is very young and has great potential.

“We have a young team,” Maier said. “So we’re building on skills and refining skills to be more competitive.”

With the additional year of experience, the team is hoping to be a legitimate contender in the division. Junior pitcher Alyssa Williams and sophomore catcher Amanda Hensler form a strong battery, and Hensler boasts outstanding power from the plate, enough to be considered a home run threat every time she hits.

With a very tough schedule, including two games against state powerhouse Franklin, the key to the Bluebirds’ success this year will be whether their young team can play with composure and utilize their talent to make up for their lack of experience.

TRACK AND FIELD

Coaches: Mark Planamente (Head Varsity Girls, 1st year coaching at Kenwood), Jimmy Roeder (Head Varsity Boys, 6th year), Lauren Meekins (Varsity Girls, 2nd year), Ken Bouchat (Varsity Boys, 1st year)

Top Returnees: Tavon Lucas (Sr, Sprints/Jumps/Hurdles), Travis Jenkins (Jr, Sprints/Jumps/Hurdles), Shaun Stradauskas (Jr, Mid-Distance/Distance), Keith Moody (So, Sprints), Saj Johnson (So, Mid-Distance)

Top Newcomers: Jada Boyd (Soph Mid-Distance/Distance), Jaime Nixon-Alark (Soph, Sprints/Jumps/Hurdles), Rachel Bauer (Fr, Mid-Distance/Distance), Jessica Nwachukwu (Jr, Shot Put), Bethany Herold (Jr, Jumps/Hurdles), Elijah Grant (Fr, High Jump)

Outlook: Kenwood track and field is certainly on the upswing this year. After strong cross country and indoor seasons, the Bluebird runners are hoping they can end the year with a strong outdoor showing.

Tavon Lucas and Jaime Nixon-Alark, two sprinters who should be state championship contenders in sprint events, lead the team. Both runners were among the best in the county during indoor season in the 55-meter dash, and Nixon-Alark finished fifth at the 4A state championship in the 55-meter hurdles.

After coaching the cross country and indoor teams for Kenwood, Planamente is very optimistic for the outdoor season.

“We have a lot of new people,” Planamente said, “Right now we have 60 altogether; last year they had about 30.”

Planamente, who has previously coached indoor track at Pikesville and Patapsco, is also very excited about the program’s future, as the Bluebirds’ JV squad looks poised to have a successful season.

“The JV teams should be really good. The boys JV has a legitimate shot at a county championship.”