Broadneck High Spring Sports Preview

The fields at Broadneck High School are full of activity as the 2011 spring sports season gets underway. The coaches are preparing their teams for the challenges ahead by running drills, teaching techniques and conducting physical conditioning.

As the athletes are working on the practice field, the coaches are assessing their team’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as formulating their goals, expectations and strategies for the season.

Here are some observations from coaches as the season begins.

Tennis Coach, Mike Hudson:  Returning starters from last year’s 10-1 team include Grant Hudson, Brandon Keech, Chandler Corbin, Mia Proctor, Jay Sachtjen, Matt Bruzenski, Allie Burt, and Danielle Naftali, so we are expecting to have another good season.

Girls Lacrosse Coach, Karen Tengwall: The Broadneck Girl’s LAX 2011 season looks to be another competitive one. A solid defense anchored by goalie Julia Burns and returning starters and seniors Allie Dawson and Lexi Bristow will challenge the top scorers in the county. The offense will continue to flourish under the leadership and skill of Paige Duncan and Addison Deaton. Broadneck will also rely on strong play from many underclassmen. As in most years, the Bruins seek a championship, but hope to finish with a disciplined and commanding season.

Softball Coach, Deanna Romeo: Coming off of back-to-back 4A State Championships, the Broadneck Bruins softball team has their eyes set on making it three in a row. Top returning players include Florida International recruit senior pitcher Rebekah Kiser, Ohio University recruit senior catcher Adrienne Gebele, Shippensburg University recruit senior outfielder Tyler Thompson, senior outfielder Lauren Tolliver, junior outfielder Nikole Blackwell, junior infielder Kimber Salvas, and sophomore infielder Jordan Thompson. Top newcomers include sophomore infielder/catcher Kristina Dillard, junior infielder Kasey McDowell, and junior pitcher Emilee Pflueger.

Baseball Coach, Jason Wohlfarth: In offense, we graduated most of last season’s top producers, led by Ryan Kroll (now CCBC Catonsville). This year’s Scott Nickerson and Bret Strader should fill some of the void. The big question for us will be who else will step up offensively. Scott Nickerson (committed to Mount St. Mary’s) will lead our pitching staff along with Nick Gonzalez and Kevin Bitter. Defensively, we hope to be improved from last season.

Gymnastics Coach, Danielle Mayne: We have a lot of returning players this season. The talent level is very high, so I'm feeling very confident this year. We placed fourth in the 2010 County Championship and I expect to place at least third this year.

Track and Field (Girls) Coach, James Cowan: Broadneck High School is poised for a great season. Perennial standouts are senior Stephanie Crane and junior Brianna Moore who are looking to lead a young women's squad to a successful season.As vital as these two are, it will be the depth that includes the seniors Caitlyn Rienauer and Lauren Riffle, junior hurdler Kayla Cook, as well as the sophomore and freshman distance standouts Ellie Smith and Ashleigh Sullivan who will be key to the season.

Track and Field (Boys) Coach, James Cowan: We have great leadership with shot putter Jonathan Greene, sprinter Dominick Johnson, jumper Mark Bickley, and the multi-talent of Ben Hannon. The team will look to establish itself as a growing power in Anne Arundel County, but in order to be successful, the team will rely heavily on rising athletes such as Evan Uthus in distance, Cameron Garrett in sprinting as well as the 80 other young athletes in the program. The Track and Field team has a very strong presence in the county, but it is certainly a goal to build a team that will be a contender for a very long time.