Lions Sports Update 01/17

Basketball
The varsity basketball team competed in their first two SPC North Zone counter games last week. On Tuesday, the squad traveled to Fort Worth Country Day. The Lions jumped out to a quick lead, as senior Sam Sussman imposed his will en route to 8 early points. However, turnovers hindered the Marksmen in the second quarter, and they led by only 8 at the break. In the second half, the game seesawed back and forth until Andrew Laczkowski ’20 (who posted 10 points and 8 rebounds in the 3rd & 4th quarters) broke things open for St. Mark’s, who cruised to a 59-42 win. On Friday evening, the stands were packed for a wild tilt against ESD. St. Mark’s faithful arrived clad in suits to support the “strictly business” theme, and the team’s on-the-court play further indicated the importance of this game. Despite a strong start from ESD, Sussman, Laczkowski, and freshman Harrison Ingram combined for nearly 50 points and 25 rebounds to give the Lions a late lead. However, clutch free-throw shooting by senior Reece Rabin and stellar defense, combined with mistake-free point guard play from senior Garrett Mize sealed the deal for a 55-48 St. Mark’s victory. This week, the Lions host CHANT on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and Greenhill (the only other undefeated North Zone team) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Coach Guiler wanted to thank the fans who supported the team so well this past Friday! You all made a huge difference in that game and will be important to the team’s performance against Greenhill this coming Friday. 
 
Wrestling
The varsity wrestling team attended the Rumble at the Ridge Tournament at Fossil Ridge High School this past Saturday. This tournament had some of the best DIV VI-A and Prep Schools in the area. St. Mark’s placed 10th as a team out of 24 Wrestling Teams. Our two place winners were freshman Cooper Ribman (145lbs) placing 4th and senior Tucker Ribman (138lbs) won the championship by beating Alex Maestas from McKinney Boyd High School, the top seeded wrestler in Texas. Senior standout and Harvard Commit, Tucker Ribman, is still undefeated in Texas wrestling. The team will compete in the Prep State Duals at Bishop Lynch High School this Saturday, January 20.
 
Soccer
The varsity soccer team played its most complete match of the season by shutting out Fort Worth Country Day on the road this past Tuesday. Rossacker Field has always been a difficult place for the Lions to get a result; however, St. Mark’s demonstrated patience and unity in methodically gaining momentum throughout the match. In a match that was closer than the score would indicate, the Lions needed fifty-one minutes to find the back of the Falcons’ net. Arjun Singh ’18 opened the scoring when he took senior Owen Berger’s pass on his favored right foot from the left side of the goal and convincingly beat the Country Day keeper. Ten minutes later, the Lions had an outburst of offense, scoring three goals in ten minutes with sophomore William Holtby scoring twice and earning an assist on junior Mateo Guevara’s goal. Sophomore Colin Campbell and Guevara assisted Holtby’s goals. Unheralded but outstanding midfield play from freshmen Knobel Hunt and Eric Yoo were a huge factor in helping the Lions dictate play. The Lions followed up a strong performance at Country Day with a home shutout against ESD. The Lions’ back five of seniors Owen Berger and Cal Rushton, junior Lyle Ochs, sophomore keeper Billy Lockhart, and freshman Henry McElhaney often bent but never broke as they recorded a second consecutive clean sheet in counter play. Lockhart’s timely saves in goal thwarted several good offensive opportunities that kept the Eagles from scoring. St. Mark’s scored both goals in the first half. The first came when freshmen Eric Yoo converted junior Seth Weprin’s pass into a goal from outside the penalty area with sweet strike full of venom that gave the ESD keeper little chance. In first half injury time, an opportunistic Kabeer Singh (senior) found his way through a melee of bodies in the Eagle goal box caused by senior Owen Berger’s long throw-in and coolly struck from point-blank range to double the lead. The Lions lead the SPC with six points and a +6 goal difference. They will need to be at their best this Friday when they host a strong Greenhill team that is among the favorites to win the North Zone.
 
Swimming
The varsity swimming team hosted Bishop Lynch in the Rogers Natatorium last Tuesday and won the meet easily, 137-27. Then the Lions traveled to Southlake Carroll (6A State Champions and National Champions) on Thursday and had a good show. Most of the Lion swimmers posted their best life/season times. While the Lions typically lose this meet by a big margin, this time they kept it closer! The Lions travel to Highland Park on Tuesday and then host Greenhill on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.