Lions Prepare for SPC

SPC Championships
Follow Lions Athletics on Twitter or, for updated schedules and brackets, check the SPC website.

Soccer VS. John Cooper in SPC Quarterfinal at Oakridge, Friday 10:00 a.m.
If they win, then SPC semifinals Friday at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Valley.

Basketball VS. Kinkaid - Friday 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Valley
If they win, then SPC semifinals Friday at 6:00 p.m.

Swimming - Saturday at Keller ISD Natatorium

Wrestling - Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. at Ft Worth Country Day


Weekly Sports Wrap-Up
Soccer

Needing a win to clinch the top seed in the SPC North Zone, the varsity soccer team hosted Oakridge on Tuesday night. The Lions started very well with strong combination play and productive possessions that led to a goal after only six minutes. Senior Seth Weprin penetrated the Owl’s penalty area then found junior William Holtby, whose quickness of the mark created the space necessary for a decisive finish. St. Mark’s appeared ready to dominate; however, after missing a handful of clear chances, the Lions found themselves under relentless pressure from the Owls. Ironically, a match that could have seen numerous goals was decided by the one early goal. With first place in the zone secured, St. Mark’s turned its attention to a road game at ESD on Friday night. While the Lions started well, their hosts demonstrated that they were up to the challenge with a strong defense that proved difficult to unravel. The Lions gradually increased pressure while the Eagles relied on decisive counter-attacks. St. Mark’s broke the deadlock in the thirty-seventh minute when junior Russell Wilner’s cross was taken on the half-volley by senior Seth Weprin who never broke stride as the ball struck the left side of the Eagle’s net just under the crossbar. ESD continued to counter-attack effectively and was rewarded with a penalty kick within ten minutes of the second half kickoff. Momentum took a turn in the Lions’ favor when ESD failed to convert their penalty kick. Within minutes, St. Mark’s doubled their lead when sophomore Michael Anderson crossed from the left side to the near post. Holtby dummied and sophomore Knobel Hunt perceptively followed with an emphatic finish from close range. The Lions struck again in the sixty-ninth minute when junior Alex Piccagli’s cross was redirected back across the goal by senior Lyle Ochs and senior Emmett Berger crashed the Eagles’ goal. Finally, seconds before the final whistle, Holtby scored an unassisted goal. The varsity team greatly appreciated the strong presence in the stands provided by their peers which culminated in the singing of the alma mater at full time. St. Mark’s finishes zone play undefeated on nineteen points with a run of six consecutive counter game victories and three consecutive shutouts. The Lions will now face the winner between John Cooper and Cistercian in an SPC quarter-final match at Oakridge on Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Basketball
The varsity basketball team played a pair of important conference games this past week. Against Oakridge on Tuesday, it was Senior Night for the Lions. Dylan Osimetha, Austin Nadalini, and Kyle Smith donned the blue and gold for the last time in Hicks Gymnasium. All three were a part of the starting five that helped generate a quick lead in a battle of the two SPC North Zone's undefeated squads. Oakridge made a run of their own, but junior Andrew Laczkowski had 23 points to go along with 18 rebounds to help keep the Lions ahead. Sophomore Harrison Ingram also had a big statistical day, recording 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks. Freshman Noah Shelby made six threes on his way to being the third 20+ point scorer for the Lions, and fellow freshman Colin Smith notched 12 points and 5 rebounds as the Lions pulled away in the second half for a 96-69 win. On Friday, the Marksman made the short trip to ESD where the crowd was ready for an energetic game. The players did not disappoint, and several Lions made rich contributions to help St. Mark's secure a 19 point victory and finish SPC North Zone play undefeated. The aforementioned Laczkowski led all scorers with 32. The Lions will now prepare for the SPC tournament that starts this Thursday in Ft. Worth at Trinity Valley and Ft. Worth Country Day Schools. The Lions’ first game will be Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. against the winner of Kinkaid (S4) and Casady (N5), and if St. Mark’s wins, they will play again at 6:00 p.m. Friday night in the SPC semifinals. You can follow the team on Twitter @SMTXbasketball.

Swim
The varsity swim team celebrated its 12 seniors on Senior Night against Trinity Valley and Ft. Worth Country Day on Thursday evening. The team had some strong performances across the board in an amazing atmosphere in the Rogers Natatorium. The swim season will culminate this Saturday, February 16, at the SPC Championships which will be held at the Keller ISD Natatorium.

Wrestling
The varsity wrestling team was off this weekend and is preparing for the SPC Championships which will be held at Ft. Worth Country Day on Saturday, February 15. Matches begin at 9:00 a.m. You can follow the results on Twitter @SMTXwrestling.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.