Medfield High School's Spring Athletics Aim for Continued Success in 2012

Correction (March 29, 2012 at 9:20 p.m.): This story has been revised. An earlier version incorrectly suggested former Medfield High School boys’ lacrosse coach Bob Aronson violated the MIAA’s out-of-season coach-contact rule and the following clarification is needed: Medfield High School's administration made the decision not to renew Aronson's contract. No further details on that decision were given as the administration has declined to comment on personnel issues. Presently, any suggestion that the boys' lacrosse program was in violation of any MIAA rules this past off-season, as previously quoted from a Dec. 7, 2011 e-mail to lacrosse families from MHS principal Robert Parga, is conidered opinion and not fact.

It's hard to duplicate the kind of success spring athletic programs had in 2011 – but then again it's Medfield High School and the Warriors' 2011 achievements have practically become the standard for student athletes in Big Blue Country.

Students, players, coaches, parents and fans have come to expect their MHS teams to make the state tournament and win state championships year in and year out.

Medfield Athletic Director Jon Kirby said he's "lucky" to work in a school that thrives in athletics year after year and that he looks forward to the start of each season.

"It's like playing golf," Kirby explained, "you're always looking forward to the next hole."

After a brief hiatus from the end of the winter season to the start of the spring season, Kirby is excited to see what 2012 has in store for the spring programs.

"You take a little bit of a rest and then you get pumped up for all the spring teams," Kirby said. "There’s just so much excitement around all of these programs."

It's hard not to share Kirby's enthusiasm as eight of the school's nine varsity athletic programs qualified for postseason play last season and the Medfield High School boys' lacrosse team won its second straight MIAA Division 2 State Championship and .

With each new season comes new challenges, however and 2012 will be no different. From roster turnover due to graduation and coaching changes in boys' lacrosse and softball, the new season already has a few storylines to keep an eye on at 88R South St.

Old Era Ends, New Set to Begin in Boys' Lacrosse

Perhaps the biggest story this spring centers on the back-to-back defending Division 2 state champion boys' lacrosse team. This season will be the end of one era and the beginning of a new after and replaced at the helm by assistant coaches Mike Douglas and John Isaf as co-head coaches. During the off-season, Aronson’s contract was not renewed by Medfield High School’s administration for undisclosed reasons. Medfield Superintendent of Schools Bob Maguire declined further comment, citing school policy and state law that the administration cannot comment on personnel issues.

The administration's decision not to renew Aronson’s contract for the 2012 season led to the appointment of Douglas and Isaf as co-head coaches of the program.

Many members of the Medfield lacrosse community voiced their disappointment with the administration's decision and repeatedly called for Aronson to be reinstated. A citizen group, , formed to in a resilient effort to see Aronson brought back to coach the program. Maguire said he supported his administration, calling the decision "final."

On March 14, Aronson he received from current and former players, parents and community members alike. He asked in the best interest of the team and its players that everyone "move forward" with the high school's decision not to renew his contract.

"I believe it is in their best interest to go forward without distraction and allow them to be the focus of attention as they prepare for the upcoming season," Aronson said in a written statement. "It would be unfair for them to get caught up in any part of this situation."

And so, under the leadership of Douglas and Isaf, the 2012 Medfield High School boys' lacrosse team aims to "move forward" and begin a new era, without distraction. Just as their former coach and leader instructed.

Softball Team Headed in 'New Direction'

Boys' lacrosse wasn't the only team at Medfield High to endure a coaching change this off-season. Longtime softball coach Sue Pratt informed Kirby she was retiring. Replacing Pratt is Travis Taliaferro, a social studies teacher at .

"He was the JV coach," Kirby said of Taliaferro. "We are excited about him and for the girls under new leadership. Just like boys' lacrosse we kept it in the family so it is a similar module. Travis is stepping up."

Capsule Preview of the 2012 Spring Sports Seasons

Here's a roundup of how Medfield's nine varsity programs look heading into the 2012 season:

Medfield High School Baseball

• 2012 Record: 17-5, 16-2
• Tri-Valley League Finish:
• MIAA Division 3 South Seed: Third
• MIAA Division 3 South Tournament Finish:
• Head Coach: Matt Marenghi
• Player to Watch: Joe Shebertes, TJ Valente, Brian McCloud, Matt Dresens, Corey Chung, Will Cousins and Beau Nixon.
• Key Losses: Medfield lost five players to graduation last June, including Mike Keleher and Jim Magrath.
• Season Opener: Thursday, April 5 vs. Norton, 3:45 p.m.
• Notes: Medfield ended a 14-year Tri-Valley League Championship drought in 2011, capturing its first league title since 1997. That success was followed up by a thriller in the MIAA D3 South Sectional State Tournament against then defending state champion Norton. In 2012, the question is pitching. Medfield loses the dominant arm of Keleher but gets back pitchers Shebertes and Chung. The Warriors are expected to be led by the veteran presence of 12 seniors this year.

Medfield High School Softball

• 2011 Record: 5-15, 4-14
• Tri-Valley League Finish: Last.
• MIAA State Tournament Seed: Did not qualify.
• MIAA State Tournament Finish: Did not qualify.
• Head Coach: Travis Taliaferro
• Players to Watch: Lucy Allen, Kristin Foster, Kara Pelosi, Amanda Kane, Emily Kafka, Gabriella Schilling, Danielle Vaclavik and Jesse O'Loughlin.
• Key Losses: Julia Biedrzycki.
• Season Opener: Wednesday, April 4 @ Seekonk, 3:45 p.m.
• Notes: Medfield showed its youth last season, finishing with just four league wins in 2011. The Warriors lose starting pitcher Julia Biedrzycki but bring plenty of experience for new head coach Travis Taliaferro to lead. Medfield's captains for 2012 are Lucy Allen and Kristin Foster. Medfield will field seven seniors this year and welcome Curt Schilling's daughter, Gabriella to the team. She is expected to play a utility role and DH this season.

Medfield High School Boys' Lacrosse

• 2011 Record: 17-7, 9-2
• Tri-Valley League Finish:
• MIAA Division 2 East Seed:
• MIAA Division 2 State Tournament Finish: .
• Head Coaches: Mike Douglas, John Isaf
• Players to Watch: Conor Roddy, Clay Richard, David Parsons, Ben Cox, Tom Conlon, Cam Donnelly, Chris Diana, Conner Davis.
• Key Losses: Bob Aronson (coach), Sam Aronson, Peter Gill, Garrett Read, Ben Mastrogiovanni, Derek Etzkorn, Tommy Graham, Nicholas Farmer.
• Season Opener: Tuesday, April 3 vs. Holliston, 5:30 p.m.
• Notes: The biggest question is how will the Warriors respond to an off-season of distraction and turmoil when it is time to get on the field and play? The loss of Aronson as head coach is significant but the experience and familiarity with Douglas and Isaf leading the team in his absence should soften the blow. Gone from last year's back-to-back state title team are captains Sam Aronson (goalkeeper), Garrett Read (defenseman) and Peter Gill (midfielder). Medfield will turn to the senior leadership of 12 seniors, including David Parsons, Conor Roddy, Chris Diana, Clay Richard, Doug Nelson, Calvin Given and Cam Donnelly in 2012 as the Warriors aim for a three-peat as Division 2 State Champions.

Medfield High School Girls' Lacrosse

• 2011 Record: 17-3, 10-2
• Tri-Valley League Finish: First
• MIAA Division 2 South Seed: First
• MIAA Division 2 South Sectional Tournament Finish: Lost to Norwell,
  9-8, in MIAA D2 South Sectional quarterfinals.
• Head Coach: Jason Heim
• Players to Watch: Emily Zlevor, Sarah Honan, Natalie Gill, Abby McQuillan, Ali Gold, Molly Crabtree and Alex McDevitt.
• Key Losses: Katie Ott, Kate Wasley, Isabelle Hackett, Meara Stack.
• Season Opener: Tuesday, April 3 @ Holliston, 3:45 p.m.
• Notes: The Warriors came off an impressive 2011 season that ultimately fell short against state tournament nemesis Norwell in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA D2 South Sectional tourney. Medfield lost four key contributors to graduation last June, including the offensive prowess of Ott and on-field leadership of Wasley. The question heading into the year is who will step up to replace the offense lost from a year ago? Honan returns in net to give Medfield a strong boost defensively.

Medfield High School Boys' Volleyball

• 2011 Record: 13-6, 9-3
• Western Alliance Boys' Volleyball League Finish: Third
• MIAA Division 1 Central Seed: Ninth
• MIAA Division 1 Tournament Finish: Lost 3-0 to Milford in MIAA Division 1 Central quarterfinals.
• Head Coach: Jack Hastings
• Players to Watch: Captains Jack Bissell and John Averill, Bobby Hunter, Dan Pucci and John Powers.
• Key Losses: Wesley Cheung, Elliot Nolan and Kevin Whelan.
• Season Opener: Thursday, March 29 @ St. John’s Prep, 6 p.m.
• Notes: Medfield goes from a young, inexperienced team in 2011 to a veteran-led team in 2012. The Warriors will be led on the court by senior captains Jack Bissell and John Averill. There are seven seniors on the roster, four juniors and one sophomore.

Medfield High School Boys' Outdoor Track

• 2011 Record: 7-2, 7-2
• Tri-Valley League Finish: Second
• Head Coach: Tom Woods
• Season Opener: Monday, April 2 vs. Millis, 3:30 p.m.

Medfield High School Girls' Outdoor Track

• 2011 Record: 8-1, 8-1
• Tri-Valley League Finish: Second
• Head Coach: Melinda Lohan
• Season Opener: Monday, April 2 vs. Millis, 3:30 p.m.

Medfield High Boys' Tennis

• 2011 Record: 17-3, 13-1
• Tri-Valley League Finish: Co-champions.
• MIAA D2 South Sectional State Tournament Result:
• Head Coach: Vinnie Joseph
• Season Opener: Wednesday, April 4 vs. Xaverian, 3:45 p.m.

Medfield High Girls' Tennis

• 2011 Record: 22-1, 16-0
• Tri-Valley League Finish:
• MIAA D2 State Tournament Result: .
• Head Coach: Chris Dubose
• Season Opener: Monday, April 9 vs. Hopkinton, 3:45 p.m.