Taking A Look Back At September (Walt Whitman High School)
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Gerard Riley, a Wildcats senior wide receiver, has been one of his team's most explosive options on offense. (Long Islander News photo/Andrew Wroblewski)
Wake up, September is over; and as it turns out, Walt Whitman High School has been more than awake through the first month of the fall season – sending its varsity squads out to the fields, into the gyms and onto the courts. So let’s take a look at how the teams are doing.
On the football field, the Wildcats have more than held their own. Through three games in Division I, Whitman (2-1) has showed the competition it’s not a team to be taken lightly, thanks to big wins over Central Islip (0-3) and Bay Shore (1-2). Quarterback Parrish Respass, a senior, has been key for Whitman thus far – when he’s on, the Wildcats have rolled. Next up, a 1 p.m. test at home against Lindenhurst (1-2) today will be key for Whitman’s playoff hopes.
Also on the winning track has been the Wildcats boys soccer team, which sports a 3-2 record in League II. After dropping two divisional matches to start, Whitman has rallied with three straight wins, thanks, in part, to junior Michael Lorello’s team-leading 5 points over the span. On Wednesday, the boys faced Bay Shore (2-4-2) after press time; on Friday Central Islip (5-1) comes to town for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
Teeing off to a winning start has been Whitman’s boys golf team, which, as of Wednesday, sported a 3-2 record. After facing Smithtown West (4-0), the boys will travel to the golf course at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park to face Stony Brook on Oct. 6.
The volleyball court was a site of success for Whitman in September. Both the boys and girls teams have combined for eight wins this year.
Point-wise, the boys currently sit in the 13th spot in Division I, but as of Wednesday they rode a two-match winning streak after edging both Connetquot (3-4) and Smithtown East (1-5). On Friday, Whitman (4-2) will welcome Huntington (2-5) for a 3:30 p.m. start.
As for the girls, the Lady Wildcats have yet to get a rhythm going in league play, but still stand tall with four wins. Hoping to get that spark, Whitman (4-5) heads to Centereach (5-4) today at 3:30 p.m.
Whenever Whitman has won at field hockey this year, it’s done so with a shutout. All three of the Wildcats’ (3-5) wins this year have come when they don’t concede a goal – and in those games they scored 15 times. Leading scorer Christina McFelia (7 goals), will be key for the Wildcats moving forward as they head to Bay Shore (2-5) on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Cross-country teams have seen their fair share of highs and lows for the Wildcats this year.
For the boys team, the highs have come with an undefeated start after edging Bay Shore (2-0), North Babylon (0-2) and Copiague (0-2) in September. Next the boys will head to Sunken Meadow State Park to face Half Hollow Hills East (2-0) on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.
For the girls, September was a bit rocky – the Wildcats still seek their first meet victory of the year – but they’re hoping October will welcome smoother sailing, beginning with a trip to the annual Tom Knipfing Invitational at Fireman’s Field in Ridge today at 4 p.m.
If a few more balls had bounced in their favor, the Lady Wildcats would be looking at a much different start to the soccer season. Through 10 games, Whitman has gone home four times with a draw. The Wildcats (1-5-4), led by scorers Rebecca DeWitt and Kaitlyn Neuman (8 combined goals), will start October with a trip to Smithtown East (5-4) today at 4:30 p.m.
With four meets under their belts so far this season, the Whitman girls gymnastics team is still searching for its first win as of Wednesday – but that could have changed as the Wildcats (0-4) traveled to William Floyd (1-3) after press time. On Oct. 6 they welcome Port Jefferson (0-4) to town for a 4:30 p.m. start.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Wildcats girls tennis team – which was tied for third place in League II as of press time. Whitman (3-6) may have improved, though, as it traveled to Hauppauge (2-4) on Wednesday before welcoming Kings Park (1-8) on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m.
