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West Hartford Resident Among KO College-Bound Athletes

Kingswood Oxford seniors with plans to pursue college athletics, including Jack Barry of West Hartford (back row, far right) were honored Thursday night. Submitted photo

Kingswood Oxford honored its college-bound student athletes on Thursday evening with a ceremony at Alumni Hall.

Submitted by John Nestor, Kingswood Oxford School

KO Athletic Director Deb Fiske offers a few opening remarks to college bound student-athletes. Submitted photo

A total of 10 Wyverns were celebrated for their college commitments in tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, softball and swimming. Kareem Burton (Rhode Island football) and Meghan Dalton (Bryant soccer), who were honored at a ceremony earlier in the school year, were also on hand.

After some opening remarks from KO Head of School Dennis Bisgaard, Athletic Director Deb Fiske announced each athlete, listing their accomplishments and engaging each of them with a question and answer session to get some insight into their careers both as Wyvern athletes as well as students and members of the KO community.

The athletes honored were:

Jack Barry – Swimming – Bowdoin College

Jack, son of David and Anne Barry, heads to Maine to swim for the Bowdoin Polar Bears after helping to lead Kingswood Oxford to back-to-back New England Championships.

He placed second in the 200 Freestyle and 3rd in the 100 Butterfly at this year’s New Englands and was a part of the 200 Free relay team that won the New England title and recorded the second fastest time in KO history. Jack was no stranger to KO athletics as he also competed on both the soccer team as well as Track & Field.

Swim coach Alex Kraus said of his captain “Jack was a good leader all season, willing to work hard, willing to set a good example. He put his personal goals in perspective, allowing the goals of the team to have priority.”

Isabella Pratt– Softball – Keene State CollegeIssie, daughter of William and Diane Pratt, has been a part of a successful softball program during her time at KO, playing Varsity Softball for six years and serving as a captain during her junior and senior years. She has been voted to play in the New England All-Star game this season. She was a part of the New England championship winning team her freshman year and runner-up squads when she was in eighth grade and as a sophomore. Issie was also a contributor for the Varsity Volleyball team for the past three years, starting two.

“The passion Issie has for the game is undeniable, probably one of the most passionate players I’ve coached,” KO coach Jason Bradley said. “A six year varsity player Issie has been teaching the game to newer players year after year. Her dominant pitching has helped carry KO for many years and it’s been awesome to spend the last two years with her at KO, watching her love every minute of being on the field, every pitch. We will miss her next Spring but we are thrilled she will be following the game to college and we wish her all the best.”

Mark Billingsley – Basketball – Emmanuel College

Mark, son of Carmen Rivera and Kendrick Washington, has been an important part of the recent turnaround that the KO boys basketball program has undergone over the past few seasons.

The year before Mark arrived on campus the boys team had a one-win season. Mark’s junior year saw the team improve to 7-14 and this past season Mark was a captain as the Wyverns returned to the NEPSAC playoffs and were one of the top team’s for New England in Class B.

As Mark heads to Boston to play for the Saints, he leaves the Wyvern program in great shape in large part thanks to his work ethic and commitment.

“One of my goal’s was leaving the program better than I found it,” Mark said. “My goal as the captain from the beginning of my time at KO was to contribute to rebuilding the winning culture that Coach Adams preaches about every year. I am glad that I am a part of that process.”

Kayla Glemaud – Basketball – Hamilton College

KG, daughter of Stanley Glemaud and Karlene Chacon-Glemaud, was a four-year starter for the varsity basketball team. Kayla scored her 1,000th point as a senior and was a NEPSAC Class B All Star for the third consecutive season. A team captain the last two seasons, Kayla was also selected to the 2016 KIT All Tournament team. Kayla has also been a key component for the Track & Field program.

Coach Kyle Chapman – “Kayla has been our leading scorer, best defensive player, hardest worker and heart of our team this year. She has dedicated the last four years of her life to making the Kingswood Oxford girls’ basketball program better. The power of her influence can not be measured in just statistics, her leadership goes far beyond mere numbers. She has achieved both personal and team success in her senior year and I am happy for her and proud of all that she has achieved over the past four years.”

Brian Gould – Tennis – Connecticut College

Brian, son of Steven and Lisa Gould, played three years of tennis at KO and was named a tri-captain his senior year as well as earning a spot in fourth singles and third doubles. He heads to New London to play for the Camels after being an important part of an extremely successful era for KO tennis.

“Brian is not only a dedicated, hard working student and solid citizen, but he is also as classy a player on the court as I have ever coached,” KO tennis coach Andy Krugman said. “Opposing coaches go out of their way to comment on Brian’s sportsmanship and competitiveness. He is a leader by example, never one to draw attention to himself. His attitude and effort led to his becoming a tri-captain this year, after just two seasons with the team. Lastly, his teammates will never forget his clutch performance vs. Hopkins coming from down 7-4 in a third set super tiebreaker to keep an undefeated season intact.

Madison Kalkstein – Basketball – Rochester Institute of Technology

Madi, daughter of Denise and Seth Kalkstein, played varsity basketball at KO for five seasons starting when she was in the eighth grade. She earned 2015 KIT All Tournament Team honors and was a 2014 NEPSAC All Star and is a Senior captain this season. Madi also eclipsed the 1,000-point mark during her senior campaign.

Madison chose RIT because she really liked the team atmosphere, and the academic offerings of the school are well suited to what she is interested in studying. “I had been looking at other, smaller schools, but I decided I wanted to attend a larger school, and RIT is the largest division three school in the country,” Madi said. “It also helped that there is a Chipotle right next to campus!”

Madi is joining a program on the rise. The RIT women’s basketball team won its first conference title in the 30-year history of the program with an 85-72 win over Clarkson University in the Liberty League Tournament championship, earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. It marked the first time in program history the Tigers would appear in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Kyle Chapman – “Madi has been a part of KO Hoops for five years now, spending countless hours playing basketball for her school. She has played through injuries and adversity during her time here and has reached personal milestones, 1000 point plateau, and team success as well. Her career is a statement of perseverance and longevity.”

Trevor Krupp – Soccer – Union College

Trevor, son of David Krupp and Gretchen Hall, heads to Union College after a four-year career as a varsity soccer player for the Wyverns. He earned All-State honors for his play in goal for KO.

One of three captains on the soccer team this fall, Trevor heads to a Union program that has won 10 games in each of the last two seasons and that appears on the verge of taking the next step into postseason play. Outside of soccer, Trevor competed on the Varsity Baseball team this year as well.

Matthew Lord – Tennis – University of Virginia

Matt, son of Alman and Iona Lord and step-son of Jackie Lord, is the top tennis recruit in Connecticut as well as New England and is ranked as the no. 9 overall recruit in the COUNTRY! The Cavaliers are getting a good one.

Matt is the only player to win the KITT no. 1 singles title four straight years and he led KO to the Class A New England Tennis Title and an undefeated season in 2016. He should fit right in at Virginia, which has won three of the last four NCAA Championships (2013, 15 and 16), have advanced to the Round of 16 each of the last 14 years and, just earlier today, got their 13th-straight trip to the quarterfinals with a 4-0 win over Florida. Virginia has reached the semifinals in each of the last seven years and nine of the last 10 seasons.

“Matthew is a coach’s once in a lifetime player, but not just due to his remarkable talent, ridiculous record (in six years he has only lost two singles matches) and dedication to tennis. What people do not realize is how unselfish and modest he is, which is rare for a superstar at any level, especially high school,” KO tennis coach Andy Krugman said. “Matthew bought into the concept of team tennis from day one, always putting the team first. Matthew is a great person with high character, who has balanced a demanding tennis life with his academics. We wish him the best in the years to come on and off the court at the University of Virginia!”

Samantha March – Soccer – Trinity College

An honor student, Sam, daughter of Matt and Lisa March, was selected All-New England for her outstanding soccer performance this fall. She played on the Varsity soccer team for four years and in her time as a Wyvern she has earned many accolades, including making the All-State and All-WWNEPSSA for the past two years. She has also been named a Boston Globe All-Star twice.

In her career at Kingswood Oxford, March scored 10 goals or more as a sophomore and junior. In her senior year, she led the team in scoring with 18 goals on the year and seven assists. Her ability to finish helped the team make the Class B NEPSAC tournament the past three seasons.

Sam will now try to continue her success just a short drive away at Trinity College. The Bantams went 11-5-4 in the fall including a 7-3 mark in NESCAC action to earn a bid to the league’s championship tournament for the fourth straight season. Trinity advanced to the NESCAC championship game for the first time in program history. Despite falling in the championship game, the Bantams earned a bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament where they reached the second round.

KO soccer Tracy Deeter, said “Sam has been an integral part of the Girls’ Varsity soccer team for the past four years. She is one of the most dynamic forwards in our league and in the history of KO soccer.”

Robert Siuta – Baseball – Union College

A power hitting outfielder, Robert, son of Larry and Ellen Siuta, has been a varsity baseball starter in both of his years at Kingswood Oxford. This season Robert showed off some of that power at the plate with a two home run game against Hopkins.

Away from Baseball, Robert was part of the Soccer and Varsity Basketball programs here at KO.

Robert heads to a Union College program that has won 20 or more games in five straight seasons, the longest active streak in the Liberty League. Union won the Liberty League title in 2014 and 2016 and went to the NCAA Tournament in 2016 as well.

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