Harding Athletic Highlights - February 3, 2023
2023 Spring Athletic Information:
Parents and Athletes:
Please find information below for the Spring Athletic Season at Harding Academy. Questions on any aspects of the programs should be directed to the Head Coach of each sport.
Track and Field
Start date: Practices will begin on Tuesday, February 21. The week of Feb. 27-March 3 will not include members of the cast and crew of the all-school musical. Those athletes will resume practices on Monday, March 6.
Practice time: 3:30-5:00 M-F. Pickup will be in the depot at Harding at 5:10pm, though parents may pick up athletes at the track on Hwy 70 before the bus leaves.
Uniform: Athletic gear and running shoes/spikes. Please be sure to dress appropriately the first several weeks of practice...sweatpants/running pants, long sleeve tops/sweatshirts, and beanie will most likely be necessary at least through spring break.
Parent Meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list.
We are presently working on hiring a Head Track and Field coach…please reach out to Asst. Coach Jordan Graham (grahamj@hardingacademy.org) with any questions about the season.
Girls Lacrosse
Start date: Practices will begin on Tuesday, February 21. The week of Feb. 27-March 3 will not include members of the cast and crew of the all-school musical. Those athletes will resume practices on Monday, March 6.
Tryouts will be held February 21 (at Kever Park) and February 22 (at Sohr Track and Field). The Varsity/JV team rosters will be posted on CompassNet at some point after the completion of tryouts. Practices will run from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. daily and girls will be expected to be at practice promptly after school lets out. Pick-up is at the depot between 5:05-5:10 pm daily or up at Hwy 70 at 5:00pm when practice takes place there. We will alternate practice weeks at Hwy 70 and Kever with the boys team.
Girls will be required to have face masks, sticks, cleats, and a fitted mouthguard in order to participate. Please make sure that they dress appropriately for the inconsistent weather this time of year—gloves (with sticky/grip on the fingers), hats and scarves are essential, as well as light rain gear. The girls will also need to bring running shoes to every practice in the event weather forces practices indoors.
Parent Meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Head Coach Anna Vogt (vogta@hardingacademy.org).
Boys Lacrosse
Start date: Practices will begin on Tuesday, February 21. The week of Feb. 27-March 3 will not include members of the cast and crew of the all-school musical. Those athletes will resume practices on Monday, March 6.
Tryouts will be held February 21 (at Sohr Track and Field) and February 22 (at Kever Park). The Varsity/JV team rosters will be posted on CompassNet at some point after the completion of tryouts. Practices will run from 3:30-5:00 p.m. daily and boys will be expected to be at practice promptly at dismissal. Pick-up is at the depot between 5:05-5:10 pm daily, or up at Hwy 70 at 5:00m when practice takes place there. We will alternate practice weeks at Hwy 70 and Kever with the girls lacrosse team.
Players should bring sweatpants/sweatshirts, or other acceptable cold weather gear, until it warms up. Players should also have both cleats and running shoes daily in case of bad weather and indoor practice.
Parent meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Head Coach Gene Flathmann (gflathmann@comcast.net).
Equipment Requirements: Harding provides a helmet, but all other equipment is the responsibility of the player: shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, cup, mouthpiece (would be smart to keep extras in gym bag), cleats, lacrosse stick- *if your son plans on buying a new stick, please get a mesh pocket.
Approved Goalie Chest Protector and Field Player Shoulder Pads Mandatory for the 2022 Season
Other Options:
Shoulder Pads: Warrior Evo, Maverik M5 EKG, Nike Vapor, Maverik Max EKG, STX Cell V, STX Shadow Pro, True Temper Zerolyte, Maverik M5 EKG Speed,
Liners: Maverick Max EKG Speed, STX Cell V, Nike Vapor Elite, True Temper Zerolyte
This link also has some good information on the reason for the new shoulder pad requirements. http://www.usalaxmagazine.com/fuel/industry/why-you-shouldnt-wait-for-the-2022-nd200-mandate
Baseball
Start date: Practices will begin on Tuesday, February 21. The week of Feb. 27-March 3 will not include members of the cast and crew of the all-school musical. Those athletes will resume practices on Monday, March 6.
Baseball will practice at the HWY 70 baseball field from 3:30pm-5:15pm daily. You may pick up your son at HWY 70 at 5:15 pm or back in the depot at 5:25pm, whichever is more convenient for you.
Equipment: Harding will issue baseball hats and 2 sets of uniforms for home and away games. All players need to supply a glove, white baseball pants (for practice), navy blue baseball socks, baseball spikes (black, white, gray or navy), and navy blue sleeves under the uniform jersey for cold weather games and practices. All baseball bats must be BBCOR, players may not use BESR bats anymore.
The early part of the season is cold and breezy at the baseball field. Please come prepared with long sleeves and sweatshirts for practice.
Parent Meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Head Coach Matt Burns (mattburns20@gmail.com).
Varsity/JV Golf
The golf programs at Harding are open to middle school boys and girls who are interested in learning to play golf at the junior varsity level or who have attained a high enough skill level to play at the varsity level. Both levels of golf have practice days, some golf clinics (JV), and a schedule of playing matches against other HVAC schools.
Tryouts for varsity golf will be held Monday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 22 at a course to be determined. Due to daylight constraints, we will get in as many holes as possible each day. Tryouts will include a double par maximum per hole. We encourage all players that have a passion for the game to try out for Varsity! Varsity players will practice Monday-Friday and will have 1-2 matches per week from early March through the end of April.
Varsity Golf Parent Meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list. Any questions about varsity golf can be directed to Head Coach, Aaron Burnett (atburnett11@gmail.com).
JV Golf
There are no tryouts for Junior Varsity; everyone will play. The JV golfers will have practices, clinics and some matches at Harpeth Valley Golf Center off of Old Harding Pike in Bellevue. The schedule is currently being set and will be communicated to the JV golfers and parents once the teams are set. Practices will begin the week of March 6.
JV Golf Parent Meeting: Information on the parent meeting will be sent separately to the parent distribution list. Any questions about JV golf can be directed to Head Coach, Josh Hall (jrefhall@gmail.com).
Varsity Boys Basketball Goes 2-0 This Week
The Hawks traveled to BGA on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The boys came out strong and took a 9-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. The final score was 40-24 in favor of the Hawks. Quinn Taylor was on fire for the entire game. He led the team in scoring with 27 points. Chase Embry played a solid game running the point. He added 8 points in the win.
On Thursday, February 2 the Hawks hosted Christ The King. After coming off a big win at BGA on Tuesday, the team never let down and continued to play with a ton of energy and fight. Chase Embry had another solid game at the point guard position. He finished with 10 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Quinn Taylor pumped in 17 points and Daniel Maumus added 9 points in the win. The final score was 50-21. Next week, the Hawks will host St. Matthew at 4:30 on Monday, February 6 and Holy Rosary at 5:30 on Tuesday, February 7. Come out and support the Hawks as they close out their regular season!
JV Hawks Handle Business Against Christ The King
The Hawks won in impressive fashion versus Christ The King with a final score of 47-27. They were led by a three-point barrage from Walt Sanders, who tallied 15 points from five three-pointers. The team made nine three-pointers in total. Along with the impressive offensive performance, Luke Anderson, Luke Fields, and Avin Burditt anchored the team defensively. The Hawks scored an impressive fifteen points in the second period, led by Briggs Waddey, who scored seven of the second-period points and fourteen points total. Elijah Westbrook tacked on six points and quit a few strong rebounds also. This was a complete team win to cap off the week. The JV Hawks will face Holy Rosary Tuesday, February 7 in their final game of the season at 6:30.
Girls Developmental Basketball
The girls developmental basketball team played their 6th game on Wednesday, February 1. Coach Vogt led the white team to victory with a 12-2 win over Coach Folger's blue team. Grace Thigpen, Blythe Darden, and Reagan Reynolds all scored baskets to help the white team to victory. Anne McCarley scored the lone basket for the blue team. The Hawks are back in action for their last game of the season on Monday, February 6th.
Girls Developmental Basketball
The girls developmental basketball team played their 6th game on Wednesday, February 1. Coach Vogt led the white team to victory with a 12-2 win over Coach Folger's blue team. Grace Thigpen, Blythe Darden, and Reagan Reynolds all scored baskets to help the white team to victory. Anne McCarley scored the lone basket for the blue team. The Hawks are back in action for their last game of the season on Monday, February 6th.
Inspiring The Mind • Nurturing The Spirit