HSMSE’s Indoor Track and Field team competed Saturday, February 22nd at the 2020 PSAL City Championships at the Armory in Washington Heights. At the meet, HSMSE’s boys’ and girls’ teams placed 12th and 21st respectively in the city.
This marks a season-ending event for the HSMSE Flying Dragons in which their star players’ skills were displayed on the city’s greatest stage. Thirteen HSMSE athletes competed in a total of six events against other top schools in the city.
Among the most significant performers in the City Championship was junior Whralston Anderson. He finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 42-5 ½, beating his previous school record by two feet.
Additionally, Anderson tied for second with a 5’-8” high jump. His performances were the Flying Dragons' only top-three finishes in the meet. His triple jump score made him the only HSMSE athlete who qualified for this year’s state meet.
Also, the girls’ pole vaulting team had an outstanding performance. In the event, junior Sophie Levine earned fourth place with a height of seven-feet and eight-inches. Additionally, sophomore Lara Bernard and freshman Penelope Larkin tied for fifth, both with a height of seven-feet and two-inches.
According to coach Thomas Henning, the key to his athletes' success was perseverance and consistency. He believes their stellar performances weren’t anything out of the ordinary; it was the outcome of hard work and commitment.
“People did very much as I expected,” he said.
He also noted sophomore Jillian Darcy’s improvement, who managed to qualify for the city championships for her incredible endurance as a runner. At the meet, she placed 11th in the 3000 meter run with a time of 11:42.67, a minute and nine seconds behind first place.
“She did very well at the end of the season,” he said.
The team's accomplishments have led their school to a new athletic frontier. There is no doubt that the Flying Dragons' boasting multiple medalists was even more impressive with less than 500 students in their school's population. The team looks for an even brighter future next season, with a plan to recruit even more potential champions and train harder than ever before.
- Luis Andino also contributed to this article.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
For One HSMSE Track Athlete, It's All About The Journey
Sometimes even the greatest athletes don’t immediately recognize their potential. Whralston Anderson’s meteoric rise in only his second year as a triple jump athlete showed how one can go from zero to hero in the span of months.
The HSMSE junior’s best triple jump in the regular season was 42' 5", boosting his record by a whopping seven feet from his sophomore year. His incredible turnaround qualified him to participate in the New York State Championships.
“I put in a lot of work and figured out what I was trying to do in each event,” Anderson said. “I started staying later whenever I could and I was always looking for what I could do better. I was frustrated at not being good.”
Fueled by his frustration, he worked at improving in multiple events, including the 55m hurdles. This season, he was able to cut his time from 11.05 seconds to 8.88 seconds. Not only did his motivation push him to higher levels; he also received help from the best in the city.
“We’ve also been getting some help from the City College head track coach, his name is Demetrius Murray,” coach Thomas Henning said. “He’s been providing [help]… he was a national triple jump champion, so he [Anderson] got help from people along the way.”
Murray’s help was critical in Anderson’s preparation for the State Championships. Unfortunately, he could not build on his progress, jumping three feet less than his personal record. While Anderson was disappointed to end the season on a sour note, he was very proud of the progress he made.
“[The state championships] wasn’t that great for me personally since I know I could have done better, but I’m definitely proud of what I achieved this season,” he said. “I made unprecedented growth over a couple of months. It was a great experience for me and I am ready to go again next season.”
- Ryan So also contributed to this article.
The HSMSE junior’s best triple jump in the regular season was 42' 5", boosting his record by a whopping seven feet from his sophomore year. His incredible turnaround qualified him to participate in the New York State Championships.
“I put in a lot of work and figured out what I was trying to do in each event,” Anderson said. “I started staying later whenever I could and I was always looking for what I could do better. I was frustrated at not being good.”
Fueled by his frustration, he worked at improving in multiple events, including the 55m hurdles. This season, he was able to cut his time from 11.05 seconds to 8.88 seconds. Not only did his motivation push him to higher levels; he also received help from the best in the city.
“We’ve also been getting some help from the City College head track coach, his name is Demetrius Murray,” coach Thomas Henning said. “He’s been providing [help]… he was a national triple jump champion, so he [Anderson] got help from people along the way.”
Murray’s help was critical in Anderson’s preparation for the State Championships. Unfortunately, he could not build on his progress, jumping three feet less than his personal record. While Anderson was disappointed to end the season on a sour note, he was very proud of the progress he made.
“[The state championships] wasn’t that great for me personally since I know I could have done better, but I’m definitely proud of what I achieved this season,” he said. “I made unprecedented growth over a couple of months. It was a great experience for me and I am ready to go again next season.”
- Ryan So also contributed to this article.
A Look At HSMSE's Indoor Track Team's Future Stars
Despite a very successful season, the High School for Math Science and Engineering indoor track team is already focusing and training for 2021. Coach Thomas Henning is confident in his underclassman for next season. Sophomore Jory Lee and freshman Penelope Larkin are two athletes extremely capable of making a difference for the Flying Dragons.
Lee's results in the long jump and the triple jump were stellar this season. He jumped 39' 6” at the Jim Mckay Games and finished first at the PSAL Gobbler Classic. Henning credited Lee's success to his strength and focus.
“He was very focused on the triple jump,” Henning said.
Larkin demonstrated great leadership and future potential among the freshmen. Henning noted her impressive 11.01-second performance in the 55-meter hurdles at the Manhattan Borough Championships.
“She was amazing," he said. "She's very good at triple jump and hurdles.”
Larkin also excelled in pole vaulting. She finished first in the PSAL Last Chance meet, with a height of 7' 2''.
Henning believes for the athletes to compete at a high level for next season, they have to condition their bodies during the off-season. He mentioned how extremely important it will be for the team increase their strength through weightlifting if they want to compete at a high level.
“I am serious, everyone needs to do weight training,” he said.
For many HSMSE freshmen and sophomores on the indoor track team, they must start training now in order to compete against many of the other schools who are farther along in their strength and development. Through a year of intense training and a strong work ethic, both Larkin and Lee have the potential to lead the Flying Dragons to another successful season.
- Nii Adjei Nortey also contributed to this article.
Lee's results in the long jump and the triple jump were stellar this season. He jumped 39' 6” at the Jim Mckay Games and finished first at the PSAL Gobbler Classic. Henning credited Lee's success to his strength and focus.
“He was very focused on the triple jump,” Henning said.
Larkin demonstrated great leadership and future potential among the freshmen. Henning noted her impressive 11.01-second performance in the 55-meter hurdles at the Manhattan Borough Championships.
“She was amazing," he said. "She's very good at triple jump and hurdles.”
Larkin also excelled in pole vaulting. She finished first in the PSAL Last Chance meet, with a height of 7' 2''.
Henning believes for the athletes to compete at a high level for next season, they have to condition their bodies during the off-season. He mentioned how extremely important it will be for the team increase their strength through weightlifting if they want to compete at a high level.
“I am serious, everyone needs to do weight training,” he said.
For many HSMSE freshmen and sophomores on the indoor track team, they must start training now in order to compete against many of the other schools who are farther along in their strength and development. Through a year of intense training and a strong work ethic, both Larkin and Lee have the potential to lead the Flying Dragons to another successful season.
- Nii Adjei Nortey also contributed to this article.
HSMSE's Boys Varsity Basketball Team Wins The Division For The First Time In The School's 15 Year History
The HSMSE Boys Varsity Basketball team won their division for the first time in 15 years. The team’s strong defense, experienced players, and improved ball movement led to a 13-1 record for the Dragons.
HSMSE’s returning players have developed their skills and gained experience, leading a more mature team on the court. The team’s growth led to them winning close games they lost in previous years.
The Dragons’ superior defense was the result of hard work and dedication. Turnovers and empty possessions were common for opposing teams who couldn’t handle their relentless pressure.
“The players love to play defense, to double team, get steals, and shut down their opponents,”coach Richard Epstein said. “That was inherent in their style of play. You can't teach that type of commitment.”
They focused a lot of their energy on gaining a defensive advantage. The team relied on their defensive prowess to stop opponents from scoring many points.
“We scouted teams more and we would shut down their best player and that became part of our identity,” junior Elijah Axt said. “We were a defensive team; we’d hold [the opponents] to 40 points, and we’d score 60.”
Junior Alex Guimaraes led the team with 16 rebounds per game. It was part of the team’s increased focus on rebounding, as their starters averaged 11 more rebounds per game than last season. The players were more equipped to collect the loose balls due to their better positioning and larger size.
“We all grew and got bigger and stronger and boxed out more and had a bigger commitment to rebounding,” Axt said. “This created many second chances for our offense while also limiting the opponents’ possession.”
Junior Tomer Oron led the team in scoring with over 22 points per game due to his multidimensional offensive style. Oron’s willingness to go right at defenders and score in the paint perfectly complimented his excellent shooting ability from beyond the arc. His aggressive drives to the basket forced defenders to back off giving him more wide open looks and enabling him to knock down more shots.
The team advanced to the third round of the playoffs before their season ended with a loss to the top seeded Uncommon Charter High School. The Sabers were already the favorites for the game, but once HSMSE’s star center Alex Guimaraes suffered an injury early in the game, the Dragons struggled to keep up and lost by a wide margin.
HSMSE looks to build on their success next season with most of their squad intact. Senior Jasper Saar is the only starter not returning to the team. Junior Justin Lin, this year’s sixth man, will be expected to join the starting lineup and make an impact. They’re excited to defend the division crown and prove this year wasn’t a fluke.
- Thomas O'Shea also contributed to this article.
HSMSE’s returning players have developed their skills and gained experience, leading a more mature team on the court. The team’s growth led to them winning close games they lost in previous years.
The Dragons’ superior defense was the result of hard work and dedication. Turnovers and empty possessions were common for opposing teams who couldn’t handle their relentless pressure.
“The players love to play defense, to double team, get steals, and shut down their opponents,”coach Richard Epstein said. “That was inherent in their style of play. You can't teach that type of commitment.”
They focused a lot of their energy on gaining a defensive advantage. The team relied on their defensive prowess to stop opponents from scoring many points.
“We scouted teams more and we would shut down their best player and that became part of our identity,” junior Elijah Axt said. “We were a defensive team; we’d hold [the opponents] to 40 points, and we’d score 60.”
Junior Alex Guimaraes led the team with 16 rebounds per game. It was part of the team’s increased focus on rebounding, as their starters averaged 11 more rebounds per game than last season. The players were more equipped to collect the loose balls due to their better positioning and larger size.
“We all grew and got bigger and stronger and boxed out more and had a bigger commitment to rebounding,” Axt said. “This created many second chances for our offense while also limiting the opponents’ possession.”
Junior Tomer Oron led the team in scoring with over 22 points per game due to his multidimensional offensive style. Oron’s willingness to go right at defenders and score in the paint perfectly complimented his excellent shooting ability from beyond the arc. His aggressive drives to the basket forced defenders to back off giving him more wide open looks and enabling him to knock down more shots.
The team advanced to the third round of the playoffs before their season ended with a loss to the top seeded Uncommon Charter High School. The Sabers were already the favorites for the game, but once HSMSE’s star center Alex Guimaraes suffered an injury early in the game, the Dragons struggled to keep up and lost by a wide margin.
HSMSE looks to build on their success next season with most of their squad intact. Senior Jasper Saar is the only starter not returning to the team. Junior Justin Lin, this year’s sixth man, will be expected to join the starting lineup and make an impact. They’re excited to defend the division crown and prove this year wasn’t a fluke.
- Thomas O'Shea also contributed to this article.
Monday, March 30, 2020
The HSMSE Girls Basketball Team Overcomes Injuries In A Historic Season
The HSMSE Girls basketball team made it to the first round of the 2020 PSAL “B” Division Playoffs after finishing second place in their division. The Dragons maintained a 9-3 record, all while losing two valuable players during the season.
The Dragons were a resilient team, so giving up was not an option. Losing players due to injury did not demoralize the team, in fact, it boosted team morale. They had to play harder in support of their sidelined teammates.
“It gave everyone an opportunity to step up and support their teammates,” coach David Scheiman said.
Before a pre-season scrimmage, starting center Nicole Ogen broke a finger during warm-ups. The Dragons lost another starter midway through the season when shooting guard Barbara Ceci broke her ankle during the first quarter of a league game. Less experienced players stepped up and helped the Dragons take victory.
“[The injuries] makes everyone work harder because everyone wants to come through for that person and win,” junior point guard Agnes Heffner said.
Following the injuries, sophomores Sandy Liang and Taylor Jeffrey filled starting positions, while freshmen Sherry Li and Lily Yan earned more playing time. The Dragons’ ability to deal with adversity sets them up for a strong upcoming season, as their younger players gained valuable experience that will help the team in the future.
- Siddhaarta Venkatesh also contributed to this story.
The Dragons were a resilient team, so giving up was not an option. Losing players due to injury did not demoralize the team, in fact, it boosted team morale. They had to play harder in support of their sidelined teammates.
“It gave everyone an opportunity to step up and support their teammates,” coach David Scheiman said.
Before a pre-season scrimmage, starting center Nicole Ogen broke a finger during warm-ups. The Dragons lost another starter midway through the season when shooting guard Barbara Ceci broke her ankle during the first quarter of a league game. Less experienced players stepped up and helped the Dragons take victory.
“[The injuries] makes everyone work harder because everyone wants to come through for that person and win,” junior point guard Agnes Heffner said.
Following the injuries, sophomores Sandy Liang and Taylor Jeffrey filled starting positions, while freshmen Sherry Li and Lily Yan earned more playing time. The Dragons’ ability to deal with adversity sets them up for a strong upcoming season, as their younger players gained valuable experience that will help the team in the future.
- Siddhaarta Venkatesh also contributed to this story.
HSMSE Girls' Basketball Finds Victory Within Defeat
The HSMSE's Girls Basketball season ended early after losing to the 35th seeded Clinton School Hawks in the first round of the PSAL Class B playoffs at the Nat Holman Gymnasium. To an outsider, this may seem like a failure; however, the 2019-20 season was a great improvement for the Dragons. Last season, HSMSE lost a majority of their games, completely missing the playoffs.
The Dragons were able to advance farther this year, largely due to alterations in their practice style and to changes within their division. Coach David Scheiman had the team practice more often, and introduced rigorous versions of previously used drills.
“[There were] a lot more practices, a lot more dedication, a lot more leadership,” Scheiman said. “[We had] more intensity, more in-game drills, more practices, and a lot more conditioning in there.”
HSMSE benefited from changes in the PSAL’s division alignment. They avoided playing seven of the eight teams they lost to last season.
“We’re in a division in which I think we could be more competitive than we were in the past,” he said. “Some of the other teams that got out of our division [were] notoriously some of the best teams in the B division.”
The team’s newfound resolve and motivation has them eager for the upcoming season. The girls have high hopes, believing they can go much farther with their new players.
"We still have many of our starting players and many new players that can help us achieve more than we did this season," sophomore guard Taylor Jeffery said.
The team’s aspirations of a winning season will not be easily achieved, but with the Dragons continuous hard work, dedication, and practice, their ambitions could very well become a reality.
- William Reusing also contributed to this story.
The Dragons were able to advance farther this year, largely due to alterations in their practice style and to changes within their division. Coach David Scheiman had the team practice more often, and introduced rigorous versions of previously used drills.
“[There were] a lot more practices, a lot more dedication, a lot more leadership,” Scheiman said. “[We had] more intensity, more in-game drills, more practices, and a lot more conditioning in there.”
HSMSE benefited from changes in the PSAL’s division alignment. They avoided playing seven of the eight teams they lost to last season.
“We’re in a division in which I think we could be more competitive than we were in the past,” he said. “Some of the other teams that got out of our division [were] notoriously some of the best teams in the B division.”
The team’s newfound resolve and motivation has them eager for the upcoming season. The girls have high hopes, believing they can go much farther with their new players.
"We still have many of our starting players and many new players that can help us achieve more than we did this season," sophomore guard Taylor Jeffery said.
The team’s aspirations of a winning season will not be easily achieved, but with the Dragons continuous hard work, dedication, and practice, their ambitions could very well become a reality.
- William Reusing also contributed to this story.
HSMSE Girls' Basketball Rising Star: Unni Isaksen
Nearly quadrupling a personal best is nothing but a jaw-dropper. HSMSE junior Unni Isaksen dramatically increased her offensive role this year for the girls’ basketball team.
Isaksen only averaged 3.5 points per game during her sophomore year. It was not until this season where she increased her output to a remarkable 11.4 ppg. HSMSE's girls' basketball coach David Scheiman noted her immense progress this year.
“Her skillset got better [and] her footwork got a lot better,” Scheiman said.“She knows how to hit lay-ups more consistently now, and she knows how to drive to the basket, not being afraid.”
Between her sophomore and junior year, Isaksen didn’t just improve her skills, but she also gained confidence on the court. However, Isaksen’s on-court actions were not the only contribution that caused the change, but a new motivation outside played into it as well.
“I think she understands how important she is to the team, and that she is getting the hang of what her role is,” he said.
Isaksen's ambition to enhance her skills and to devote herself to the game, combined with coach Scheiman’s recent practice changes created the perfect recipe for improvement. With Isaksen on the rise for her senior year, the future seems bright for the Dragons.
- Andy Jiang also contributed to this article.
Isaksen only averaged 3.5 points per game during her sophomore year. It was not until this season where she increased her output to a remarkable 11.4 ppg. HSMSE's girls' basketball coach David Scheiman noted her immense progress this year.
“Her skillset got better [and] her footwork got a lot better,” Scheiman said.“She knows how to hit lay-ups more consistently now, and she knows how to drive to the basket, not being afraid.”
Between her sophomore and junior year, Isaksen didn’t just improve her skills, but she also gained confidence on the court. However, Isaksen’s on-court actions were not the only contribution that caused the change, but a new motivation outside played into it as well.
“I think she understands how important she is to the team, and that she is getting the hang of what her role is,” he said.
Isaksen's ambition to enhance her skills and to devote herself to the game, combined with coach Scheiman’s recent practice changes created the perfect recipe for improvement. With Isaksen on the rise for her senior year, the future seems bright for the Dragons.
- Andy Jiang also contributed to this article.
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