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In Review

SCOUTING REPORTWhat’s the Outlook for the Yellowjackets? Rochester’s fall varsity sports teams are looking forward to successful campaigns in 2017. By Dennis O’Donnell
sportsLOOKING FOR A FOURTH? Rachel Bargabos will help lead the women’s cross country team this fall. The squad is looking to make a fourth straight appearance at the NCAA championship meet. (Photo: Athletics and Recreation)

Men’s Cross Country: The team returns a good nucleus of Yellowjackets who ran in the UAA and NCAA regional championships in 2016: Ivan Frantz ’20, Benjamin Martell ’19, Hunter Phinney ’19, and Nate Conroy ’18. Frantz was the team’s top runner at the 2016 regionals, finishing 66th overall, and Martell finished in the No. 2 spot both at UAA and regionals.

Women’s Cross Country: Rochester has appeared in the NCAA championship meet for three straight years—finishing 14th as a team in 2015 and qualifying individual competitors in 2014 and 2016. Will it be four straight in 2017? The team is led by four returnees from last year’s regional squad: Rachel Bargabos ’19, Ayumi Yuasa ’18, Ariane Hasbrouck ’19, and Clara Wolfe ’18.

Field Hockey: With back-to-back 18-win seasons, Rochester has established itself as a contender. Aiming for a third straight NCAA playoff bid, the Yellowjackets return with top scorers Claire Dickerson ’18 and Maya Haigis ’20, goaltenders Gabrielle Cantley ’18 and Kiran Sundaram ’18, and backfielders Courtney Dunham ’19, Samantha Dow ’18, and Colleen Maillie ’20. In midfield, look for Olivia Denny ’18 and Miranda Lakis ’19.

sportsFACTOR IN FOOTBALL: Dan Bronson takes his skills to wide receiver this year. At quarterback in 2016, he passed for 1,523 yards and 12 TDs plus ran for 668 yards and five touchdowns. (Photo: Athletics and Recreation)

Football: As the 2016 quarterback, Dan Bronson ’18 led an offense that generated almost 380 yards per game. He’s a wideout in 2017. Emanuel Calmar ’19 ran for five touchdowns. Bronson and punter Paul Mokrzycki ’20 made the All–Liberty League team. Ricky Sparks ’18 and Josh Churchin ’18 were among the tackle leaders.

Golf: Rochester won the Liberty League title and advanced to the NCAAs last year. All-Region golfers Jack Mulligan ’20 and Jason Paek ’18 lead the way this year. Both were first team All–Liberty League, and Mulligan was the league’s Rookie of the Year. Corey Mitchener eyes a return to the lineup, and five first-year students look to make an immediate impact.

Rowing: At the state championships last spring, Rochester produced solid performances in the varsity 4+, open 4+, and novice 8+. That may bode well for 2017–18. In the fall, Rochester will compete in the Challenge on the Canal, the Head of the Genesee, and either the Head of the Schuylkill (Philadelphia) or Head of the Fish (Saratoga Springs).

Men’s Soccer: With plenty of experience in the soccer ranks, defense remains a strength. Last year, Rochester posted six shutouts and held five teams to one goal in a season that included the team’s 17th NCAA playoff appearance, its 10th in the last 12 years. Lasha Alkhazishvili ’19, Zach Lawlor ’20, and Lucas Loecher ’19 return to anchor a seasoned group at the back. On attack, the goals will come by committee with Bryce Ikeda ’19, Aleks Dombrowski ’18, Alex Di Perna ’18, Geoffrey Rouin ’18, and Mitch Volis ’20 all returning.

sportsSQUAD SUCCESS: All–UAA honorees Sydney Melton and Clara Martinez return to help anchor soccer and volleyball. (Photo: Athletics and Recreation)

Women’s Soccer: Rochester beat two Final Four teams last year, including the eventual NCAA champion. Eight starters are back for a team that held 12 of 18 foes to a goal or less. The veterans include All–UAA honorees McKenzie Runyan ’19, Megan Runyan ’19, and defender Sydney Melton ’18. Three vets return in goal: Madilynne Lee ’18, Samantha Hlavac ’19, and Gwen Haffenden ’20.

Men’s Tennis: The Yellowjackets were ranked No. 18 regionally in the spring. Masaru Fujimaki ’19, Aaron Mevorach ’18, Jun Yuminaga ’18, and Andrew Nunno ’18 head up the returnees. Rochester will play at the St. Lawrence Fall Classic and at the ITA Regionals at Skidmore this fall.

Women’s Tennis: Rochester has two All-UAA honorees returning to a lineup that was ranked 33rd nationally. Leaders include Sravya Gudipudi ’20 and Camila Garcia ’19, who was ranked No. 24 in the Northeast regional singles rankings. Rochester will play in three fall tournaments, highlighted by the ITA Regionals at Skidmore in late September.

Women’s Volleyball: Rochester looks to build on last year’s success behind Clara Martinez ’20, an All-Region and a first team All–UAA honoree. Courtney Vidovich ’19 led the UAA in aces per set. Rochester’s balance will help in the offense: Alara Kocak ’19, Beth Ghyzel ’20, and Alexandra Nelligan ’18 all return.

Dennis O’Donnell is director of athletic communications.