By LINDSAY SILVERMAN and GABRIELLE KATZ
Jericho athletes had an outstanding fall sports season. From the soccer field to the tennis courts, Jericho students fed the nest.
The Jericho girls soccer team had a fantastic season. With a record of 5 wins and 4 losses, the team finished in third place in conference AB-3. Co-captain and homecoming queen Bela Kirpalani said, “We had very high hopes for the season and I know that we had a strong team of girls who are excellent players.” The girls lost in the first round of the playoffs to Island Trees 2-0.
The girls and boys cross country team also had a successful season. Mr. Smith, who has been the coach for over 10 years said how proud he was of the team. When asked about the departing seniors he said, “It’s hard to have somebody that you’ve coached and seen develop for over 4 or 5 years and then they leave and you don’t necessarily know how they are going to be replaced next year.” Varsity cross country runner Juliette Milman is one of the top 25 cross country runners in Nassau County with a time of 20:20 for a 5K. In order to make the All-Conference team, a time of 22 minutes or below is needed. Senior Jessica Huang, with a time of 21:33 for the 5K, said, “I always thought that 22 was kind of impossible to achieve, but with great coaching, great teammates and confidence in myself I was able to accomplish it junior year and senior year.”
Members of the girls varsity tennis team juniors Sam Galu and Jiya Singh made it to states. In order to prepare, Jiya Singh said, “We practiced a lot and we went to tennis lessons together and just did a lot of practicing with each other.” At the start of the season both girls played singles, but coach Colleen O’Connell thought the girls had a better opportunity to qualify for states if they were doubles partners. The coach of 29 years had a lot to say about the last minute pair up, “It was a last minute decision and I’m so proud of them for making it to states.” Sam Galu thinks they’re going to go to counties, and will go to states again next year as double partners. They lost at states 3-6, 6-2, 4-6.
Boys varsity soccer had another winning season making it to the playoffs again. The team beat Southside 3-2 in the Nassau County semifinals. They played against Floral Park in the next round of the playoffs, but lost 3-2.
The girls varsity swimming team also excelled with a 4th place spot in the divisional championship.
The boys varsity volleyball team made it to the Nassau County semifinals with a win against Floral Park. Senior Ryan First said, “I couldn’t be more proud. We did a lot better than I thought we would do. We were in the county finals for the first time since 2008.” Unfortunately they lost against Bellmore John F. Kennedy in three sets of the county finals.
The fall season was a great success for all Jericho High School sports teams. We can only hope the winter season is as fruitful.
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Correction
This article previously stated the girls tennis team lost at states 6-0, 6-1.
