An Update from Xavier Athletics
By Peter Barbieri '10 and Michael P. Batten '10
The outdoor athletic season is well underway. Despite a chilly beginning to the season, Xavier athletes have showed little rust, offering terrific competition against all competitors.
So far, the outdoor track team is picking up where they left off from their state championship-winning indoor season. The team finished 3rd in the NYC Mayor’s Cup, defeating all other CHSAA schools in the meet. John Rice ’15, who will attend the University of Texas next year on a track scholarship, presently has the fastest time in the nation for the 3000-meter steeplechase, and Charlie Lambert '15, who just committed to the University of Virginia, is ranked as the top American long jumper at the upcoming Penn Relays.
Xavier rugby is enjoying yet another season of great success on all three levels, with over 130 players in the program. Coming off a 72-0 drubbing of Fairfield Prep, the freshmen are 4-1 and are looking forward to a big game against archrival Greenwich High School this weekend. The JV rugby team is off to a great start and is currently 3-0 with a combined score of 188-5 spread out over their three matches. Last weekend, the JV team hosted Gonzaga High School from Washington, D.C., and put up an impressive 48-5 victory.
Varsity B is 6-0, including five victories against other teams’ A-sides. Varsity A is ranked 5th in the nation and is looking to defend that ranking against 7th-ranked Greenwich High School this Saturday.
The tennis team has two matches under its belt and is currently seeking its first team win. Despite a challenging start, the team will visit both Iona Prep and Fordham Prep again this coming week, in addition to a makeup game against St. Francis Prep, and players and coaches are hopeful that their first win will come soon.
The Xavier lacrosse program is doing great. As a first-year CHSAA varsity and JV program, they have 23 and 25 players on each team, respectively, a fantastic success. Varsity lacrosse is ranked 3rd in their conference with a 2-3 record. JV lacrosse, meanwhile, is busy progressing and improving. This is the lacrosse team’s second year in operation. Starting a new program is never easy, but with the tremendous support of Xavier President Jack Raslowsky, Headmaster Michael LiVigni, and Athletic Director Tony Paolozzi, in addition to the dedication of all coaches and players, the path has been made smoother.
Xavier golf has posted a 3-3 record to begin the season, though they have won their last two games. The team is tied for second place in their division within the CHSAA and is chasing a playoff spot for the first time in five years.
Mother Nature has not been too kind to the Xavier baseball program this season. Snow and rain have played equal roles in delaying the start of season and the ability to practice outside. However, it has not affected the Knights’ hot start on all levels. The varsity team has a solid 5-2 record, followed by JV with a 6-1 record, and the freshmen with a 4-0 record. Pitching has been the key to the impressive start for each of the three programs. They all take on a tough opponent this Friday in Iona Prep. Varsity plays at the Red Hook baseball fields, JV plays at Iona Prep, and freshmen play at the Randall’s Island fields. All games begin at 4 p.m. Come out and support our Knights!
For further information and schedule information, please visit Xavier Athletics online.