Collingswood Spring Sports: Year in Review

Well fans, the spring sports season has finally come to a close for all of your favorite teams. Here’s how your Panthers did this season:

Baseball

The Panthers finished their season a mere two games away from a .500 record, ending the year at a solid 8-10. Their first round playoff exit at the hands of Lower Cape May completed their 2011 campaign in which the team recorded several notable victories. None more impressive, perhaps, than their 5-4 win comeback win against Haddon Township on May 12. The team is returning several key players in 2012, including junior shortstop Chris Michael and sophomore outfielder John Cappelli.

Softball

In spite of a disappointing 5-14 overall record in 2011, the Collingswood High School varsity softball team showed glimpses of better days ahead this season. Aside from a from sophomore pitcher Stephanie Williams early on in the season, junior first baseman Stephanie Fultano is almost a certainty to appear on the all-conference team for a second consecutive year. The Panthers will return several key starters in 2012, including sophomore third baseman Morgan Worthington, junior centerfielder Nicole Hall and a healthy Erika Witherbee. The junior second baseman missed six weeks of action this season with a stress fracture in her foot.

Tennis

The boys' varsity tennis team finished 2011 the same way the Panthers finished in 2010, with a 10-8 overall record. Head coach Wesley Topeka will return one of his top competitors, Peter Siv, in 2012, along with Ryan Dick, a sophomore who competed with the team’s second doubles in 2011. Graduating are Randy Watkins and Ryan Phillipe and David Phillipe who competed first doubles, as well as Albert Charles Cavallaro, who was with the Panthers’ second doubles.

Lacrosse

The Collingswood High School varsity lacrosse team finished above five games above .500 in 2011 with an 11-6 overall record; a nice change from what the team saw in 2010 when they finished 5-15. While their on a 17-10 loss to Seneca High School, they saw plenty more ups than downs in 2011, recording big wins against teams such as Sterling and West Deptford. While the team is graduating senior captains Jordan Calderone and Beth LaBar, they will return key players Ellie O’Neill, Alli Hawco and goalie Ashley Walters next season.

Volleyball 

The Collingswood High School varsity volleyball team saw one of their most successful seasons in recent memory in 2011. The team finished 20-2 overall, and will graduate senior Julian Welsh-White who has enrolled in Ball State for the fall semester and will play varsity volleyball for the Cardinals.