This Week in Sports
By Michael P. Batten '10
Xavier athletes experienced another successful week across the board. Good luck to the Knights in their upcoming contests, and as always, please visit the Xavier Athletics site for the most complete, up-to-date information.
Freshman basketball boasts a 6-7 record. The Xavier Knights suffered a tough loss to LaSalle on January 16, but they rebounded with a quality win against Kennedy Catholic on January 19.
JV basketball is on quite the upswing. On January 16, Xavier defeated LaSalle 64-54, and on January 19, they pulled off a convincing 48-42 win against Kennedy Catholic. According to head coach Rich Duffell, “The team is getting better with each game they play. They’ve done a fine job of talking to each other and going to the basket.”
Varsity basketball split the two games they played last week. The Knights first defeated LaSalle 56-48 on January 16, when they overcame an early first-quarter deficit to take the victory. On January 19, Xavier lost to Kennedy Catholic, the fifth-ranked team in the state, 68-59, despite playing a great defensive game.
Varsity hockey defeated Archbishop Stepinac 6-3 on January 21, their ninth consecutive win. JV Hockey bested Monsignor Farrell 3-1 on January 20.
JV bowling took second place in the city championships on January 15. Head coach Chris McCabe was pleased by how much the team improved during the course of the season, saying, “They went against traditionally strong teams, but the guys put in their work all season long. They should be proud of their accomplishments.”
Track & field saw a number of school records fall at the Stanner Games on January 17. University of Texas-bound senior John Rice ’15 set a school record (and one of the top times in the country) in the 3200-meter run. Charlie Lambert ’15 also set a school record in the long jump, as did the freshman 1600-meter sprint medley relay.
Varsity swimming ventured to Houston, Texas last weekend, where they matched up against Strake Jesuit and Lamar High School. Though Xavier lost to both schools, head coach Dennis Murphy believes the trip was altogether positive. “I’m sure the team fostered memories that will last them a lifetime,” Mr. Murphy said. “The weather was beautiful, the boys got to compete in an outdoor pool, and they swam well. I’m sure that the boys are primed after the Houston trip to dedicate these next few weeks to making certain that they are at their peak for the championship season.”
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, January 23
Freshman Basketball vs. Regis (@Xavier), 3:45 p.m.
JV Basketball vs. Regis (@Xavier), 5:15 p.m.
Varsity Basketball vs. Regis (@Xavier), 7 p.m.
Track-Jesuit Relays (@Fordham University), 4-8 p.m.
Saturday, January 24
Varsity Swimming-Novice Championships (@Lehman College), 9 a.m.
JV Hockey vs. St. Peter’s Prep (@Bayonne HS), 10 a.m.
Sunday, January 25
Track-NYCHSAA Freshman/Varsity Championships (@Armory), 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monday, January 26
Freshman Basketball vs. Scanlan (@Scanlan), 4:30 p.m.
Varsity Basketball vs. Scanlan (@Xavier), 4:30 p.m.
JV Basketball vs. Scanlan (@Xavier), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
Varsity Hockey vs. Mount (@Bayonne HS), 5:30 p.m.