By Paige Jaenicke, Sports Editor

In the midst of our athletic community’s success here at Trinity Hall, it is often easy to neglect the importance of bonding and the shared comradery that accompanies a winning team at heart.  However, it is certain that the Monarchs of Trinity Hall spring sports embody in every way the sisterhood of faith, perseverance, leadership, and respect that has united us all from the very beginning.

Lacrosse

In spite of senior captain Haven Dora’s season-ending injury, the Monarch lacrosse team of the 2022 season continued to stay hungry and fight for recognition at the conference and state levels of excellence.  With an undefeated record in the Shore Conference A Central Division (6-0), Trinity Hall lacrosse captured the projected third seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public A Group and is currently ranked number fourteen in the state.  Their momentous victory against top-tier Rumson-Fair Haven earned them the very first Shore Conference Championship title in school history, following a legendary comeback against Manasquan in the tournament finals, during which seven goals were scored in the remaining 5:57 of play.  Juniors Alex Popham and Peyton McGuire each scored their one-hundredth career goals this season, and junior goalie Isabelle Darman also acquired her one-hundredth save.

“Based on our success this season, we have definitely grown closer as a team in spite of the many challenges we faced from the beginning of the year,” said McGuire, a captain for the Monarch squad this year.  “Our victory against RFH showed everyone what a tightly knit team we are. The support from our coaches and community has pushed us to work hard and stay hungry to achieve our goals.  We trust each other and continue to prove ourselves as a reputable force in the Shore and beyond.”

Golf

In the seven years of Trinity Hall golf’s existence, the Monarchs have “driven the green” of tournament titles and statewide rankings.  With a remarkable match record of 13-0, the Monarch golfers have proven themselves to be far from “sub-par.” Their individual and combined team performances have been nothing short of exceptional.  Achieving a team score of 368 to open the season, Trinity Hall acquired the Monmouth County title, with junior Catharine Little shooting the top individual score (76), and junior Isabella Scanapicco and senior Anna Clements placing third (81) and tenth (95) overall.  Weeks later, the Monarchs also took home the Shore Conference Championship title with a team score of 386: Scanapicco placed third overall (83), Clements finished fourth (86), Little scored eleventh (95), and sophomore Jordyn Talucci finished respectively as well (122).  In the Central Jersey Sectional, the Monarchs placed third with a score of 377 and most recently finished seventh as a team (391) in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions.

“We have placed in all of the tournaments we’ve been to and all of our girls are killing it,” said Little.  “I would say this is our best season together because we are closer and working together more and there is a balance of focus and fun contributing to our success.”

Spring Track and Field

The Trinity Hall outdoor track and field team has sprinted, thrown, and high jumped on the straight-aways of success this spring season, and are looking forward to competing in the championship season during late May and early June.  At the start of the year, the Monarch 4×1600 m relay team, composed of juniors Eileen Bergin, Jill DeSio, and Paige Jaenicke as well as senior and Bucknell-commit Madeline Barber placed second at Monmouth County Relays.  The 4×800 m relay of freshmen Cate Bonan, Lily Meulener, and Caitlin Williams and junior captain Sophia Almeida finished fifth at Monmouth County Relays.  The 4×1600 m relay team also placed in the top six at the Matawan Regional Husky Relays and Howell Rebel Relays, earning bronze medals.  At Monmouth County Championships, the Monarch 4×400 m relay team- freshmen Mariead Kane, Cate Bonan, Elizabeth Farrington and Sophia Almeida- finished third.  Sophomore Cadence Zink set a new school record in the javelin of 85’7, and senior captain Caroline Cashman also made Trinity Hall history in the discus event as well (70-4).  At the Holmdel Twilight Series, senior Sarah Nejame, freshman Bridget Kennedy, Kane, and Farrington set the school record in the Swedish relay (2:35.1).

“Earlier this year, I was honored to be named one the team captains for Trinity Hall’s Spring Track team,” said Almeida.  “As I have taken this position, I have had the privilege of watching the girls grow together as a community and into their individual events. Not only have the girls grown physically, which is apparent by the personal records they achieve each meet, but they have also naturally grown into a spirited team that thrives on the success of their peers. We continue to improve each week, and I am more than excited that all of our hard work paid off in our final meets as we concluded the season.”

Sailing

The Trinity Hall Sailing team has made great strides- both on and off the water.  The team competed in numerous spring fleet regattas for the NJSIA division throughout the season at the Toms River Yacht Club.  “The sailing team has been growing tremendously,” said junior Camila Monzon.  “Last season, we won a trophy which was a huge accomplishment for us.  Our team bonds very well with one another and we are always supporting each other on land and on the water.  We […] are looking forward to next fall!”

Softball

Even though the Monarch softball season has come to a close, the young Trinity Hall squad experienced remarkable growth and development.  With a winning record of 7-5 in the Shore Conference B Central Division, the softball team worked tirelessly together to achieve landslide victories against Henry Hudson, Asbury Park, Ranney, and Mater Dei.

Senior leader Emma Rokovosak has signed to continue her softball career at the collegiate level next year at Gettysburg College.  She is excited to pursue her athletic endeavors and reflects fondly on the memories made as a Monarch student-athlete.

“This year has definitely been a season of growth,” said Rokovosak.  “I have seen so much diversity and flexibility amongst the players.  My teammates always know how to step up and be there for one another. Regardless of whether we are winning by ten or losing by ten, we always maintain positive energy.  I am so proud and honored to be captain this year, and I could not have asked for a better team to lead!”

Flag Football

The inaugural flag football team of Trinity Hall received overwhelming enthusiasm and participation from the Monarch community as students were excited by the prospect of competing in a sport previously unknown in female sports.  From the beginning, the team attended a kick-off event at MetLife Stadium (USA Football’s Tri State Blitz Fan Fest), running through drills and discussing football fundamentals with former NFL players Eli Manning and Sandro Platzgummer.  The team has experienced remarkable victories against Middletown South and Mater Dei.  Faculty leaders Dr. Melissa Whelan, Ms. Gina Jaedelis, and Mr. John Polivka are excited by the team’s progress and look forward to seeing what else lies ahead for the Monarchs of flag football.

“I am excited to be a part of the inaugural flag football season at Trinity Hall!” said Polivka.  “Being a part of a brand new team and sport, my measure of success is simply to see the team improve every week and that is clearly happening.  I have also enjoyed watching the girls come together as a team, supporting each other and showing strong camaraderie.”

“We are very excited to be part of the league this year,” said Whelan.  “Our team has been progressing nicely. Each week, we saw improvement in our game, both on offense and defense. It was exciting to start the year off with the Giants and being put through some skills drills on the field. Coach Polivka and Coach Jadelis have been wonderful and I’m excited to see where the program goes next spring.”