Radnor High School | Archive | January, 2015

WEST GOSHEN — It was hard to tell if Radnor was playing goaltender Tessa Landry or if, somehow, NHL legend Patrick Roy had taken her spot in net.

The freshman made an astounding 63 saves en route to a 2-2 tie against Unionville in a girls varsity game Wednesday night at Ice Line.

“Holy smokes,’ said Unionville coach Dave Elvin. “If you look at the number of shots, it’s phenomenal. We had a lot of offense going to the net. We had some plays the players executed, but we just could not solve the riddle of the Radnor goaltender tonight.’

It wasn’t one of those games where Landry saw every shot either. There were several instances where she was drawn out of position and left Unionville (8-1-2) with a gaping side of the net to shoot out, only to have a leg pad flash out of nowhere to stop the puck from crossing the goal line.

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RADNOR — For the 299th time in his storied coaching career, Tom Robinson led the Radnor boys swimming team to a dual meet victory Saturday. The post-meet activity featured no speeches, no celebrations. Instead, Robinson retreated to the far end of the pool, reset the pace clock and scrawled a practice set on the whiteboard that would occupy his boys for the next hour. Like any of the previous 298 wins, Saturday’s 95-82 triumph over Ridley wasn’t about Robinson. The 300th, likely to come as soon as Tuesday against Penncrest, won’t be either. And therein lays the principle underlying Robinson’s immense success. Robinson is the first to admit that an accolade like 300 wins is a peculiar milestone in a sport where the dual-meet season is merely an intermediate goal. Many of Robinson’s fondest recollections of 31 seasons on the job pertain to championship meets, to the 10 District One titles and the 2002 PIAA Class AA title he’s amassed.

More than statistics or trophies, though, the teams that earned them and the individuals comprising those squads are what are most dear to Robinson. Even Saturday, his attention is more drawn to kids like Tim Caulfield and Rich Patten in the pool — seniors who’ve taken massive strides in their careers — than the banners adorning the wall.

“I like seeing the kids go from being a scared, immature freshman to be a mature leader in their senior year,’ Robinson said. “That’s really a neat thing to see all the time.’

Ever so briefly suspending his discomfort at discussing his achievements, Robinson can admit that the sheer volume of victories is reflective of the program he’s sustained.

“I think it’s an accomplishment that comes from a lot of hard work, both from having talented athletes and putting in the time for myself,’ Robinson said. “You had to have a lot of talent to be able to do that over 30 years and a lot of hard-working kids. It also rewards you for the hard work you put in yourself.’

Robinson’s efforts have followed an unusual trajectory. A track and field athlete at Interboro, Robinson cut his teeth coaching on the track at his alma mater and Chichester. Swimming became a tangential interest, Robinson filling summers coaching clubs like Folcroft, Drexel and Prospect Park. By adapting his track methods and intermittently adding nuggets of swimming expertise, Robinson ushered in a golden age at Prospect Park, which he piloted to 13 straight undefeated summer seasons.

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A junior captain of both the Radnor girls’ indoor track and field team and girls’ cross country squad, Cooper had a fine performance in the 800-meter run at the recent Hispanic Games at The Armory in New York City, clocking 2:26.6 to finish second in her section. According to Radnor head coach Tom Flanagan, she has a good chance of qualifying for the PA Indoor State Championships in March in the 800-meter indoor run. She also won a medal in the mile run at the Delco Indoor Championships this month.

Main Line Media News: What are your most vivid memories of the Hispanic Games?

Olivia Cooper: I had just gotten over the flu, so I was not sure how well I would run. I vividly remember coming around the final turn and seeing the timer. That was when I realized I could run an indoor personal best, which pushed me to finish hard.

Main Line Media News: What was the key to your fine performance at the Delco Indoor Championships?

Olivia Cooper: I also ran the 4×200 and 4×400 in that meet, and I think the key to be able to run all those races in one day is mental focus. I think what helped me run a good mile was that I wasn’t nervous because I don’t normally run that event, so I was able to relax and focus on the race.

Main Line Media News: Briefly describe for us your pre-race preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a race.

Olivia Cooper: Before a race, I like to listen to music and use a roller to loosen up my muscles. I also talk to Coach [Tom] Flanagan about strategy.

Main Line Media News: What’s your favorite running venue (indoor or outdoor), and why?

Olivia Cooper: My favorite venue is the Armory in New York City, because it is so big and every meet there has so many teams. There’s also music and the energy of the crowd really pumps me up, so I usually run pretty well there.

Main Line Media News: Does your running strategy change at all, running indoors versus running outdoors?

Olivia Cooper: I like to think of the indoor and outdoor seasons as one big training season. I run fastest at the end of spring track because I have been training since cross country [season]. Basically I work hard every season, but I taper more and put everything into the very end of outdoor track [season].

Main Line Media News: As a junior captain of both the Radnor indoor track and cross-country teams, how do you see your leadership role on the team — how do you feel most comfortable exercising your leadership?

Olivia Cooper: I love being captain of both teams because I am so happy to be able to lead a group of such talented and dedicated girls. We love hanging out and being together as a team. I like to think that I help the younger girls develop a love for the sport, because that is what I think is most important.

Main Line Media News: You’ve also competed at the Penn Relays. What is your most vivid memory (to date) of the Penn Relays?

Olivia Cooper: The Penn Relays are one of my favorite events in spring track because they are not only an opportunity to run at a historical venue, but to see successful college and professional runners. My most vivid memory would have to be when I first ran there as a freshman, and realized just how many people were watching.

Main Line Media News: What do you think you might want to major in at college?

Olivia Cooper: I am considering majoring in some combination of English, Journalism and Government, because I am interested in a possible career in one of those fields.

Main Line Media News: Outside of cross-country and track, do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Radnor High School?

Olivia Cooper: I am a member of Radnor High School’s student council, where I have served as Secretary for three years. I am also a member of the Radnor Matters club, which focuses on the importance of kindness in school. Additionally, I helped start Radnor Badminton Club, which has become a popular activity at my school. It is a great way to release energy during the school day.

Olivia Cooper’s favorites

Book: 1984.

Author: George Orwell.

TV show: How I Met Your Mother.

Movie: Life of Pi.

Pre-race pump-up song: Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Athlete: Mary Cain.

Person I admire most: “I admire my coach, Mr. Flanagan, most, because not only does he really know what he’s talking about, he also has a great sense of humor and dedicates so much time and energy to the team. He cares about everyone and is so well respected. It is his dedication that inspires us to work hard and run fast.’

Team: Phillies.

Place to visit: Long Beach Island.

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Pacifico, a senior guard, has been on fire since Christmas, averaging 17 points per game, being named the Most Valuable Player of the Scholastic Play by Play Classic at Philadelphia University Jan. 10, and hitting at least three treys every game since mid-December. She came back from multiple knee surgeries that sidelined her for her entire sophomore season to help the Red Raiders win the PIAA Class AAA District One title last winter.

Main Line Media News: What do you think has been the biggest reason for your recent scoring success?

Lauren Pacifico: As you know, each year the dynamics of a team and its players will change. Losing Myonie Williamson, a key player and scorer, [to graduation] forced us to switch things up. We needed new girls to become big scoring factors. It was only a  matter of time for our team to adapt and create good chemistry on the court. Coach [Mark] Jordan has done a phenomenal job with our team. He has drawn up great offensive plays which have given me opportunities for good shots. I have a lot of confidence in my shot, which has contributed to my scoring success.

Main Line Media News: You came back from multiple knee surgeries that cost you your entire sophomore season. Can you tell us a little about your rehab, how long it lasted, and the activities a typical rehab session involved? What to you was the biggest challenge in your rehab?

Lauren Pacifico: Rehab lasted a good six months and it played a vital role in getting me back on the court. Physical therapy became my second home. I literally started off taking baby steps, as I was not able to walk. A typical session consisted of various exercises to strengthen my leg muscles and restore range of motion in my knees. My biggest challenge was coming back after surgery and fearing that I would re-injure myself. At first, I was a timid player, for I wanted to protect my knees. As time went on, I started to become more of an aggressive player. I had confidence in the strength of my knees which led me to overcome my fear.

Main Line Media News: Playing for the district title at Villanova last winter must have been quite an experience. What is your most vivid memory of that district championship final?

Lauren Pacifico: My most vivid memory of the district championship game was when Myonie made her foul shot with seconds remaining, which put us ahead by four points. In that moment, I knew we were going to be the district champs.

Main Line Media News: Was there one play in that district final that stands out in your memory? Can you describe how the play unfolded and your role in it?

Lauren Pacifico: In the fourth quarter of that game, we started to make a run on Villa. I remember I had a tough time getting my shots off that game because Villa played really tight defense. With under two minutes remaining in the contest, I had been wide open behind the three-point line. The ball was swung over to me and I found myself wide open for the three. I made the shot to put our team up by eight.

Main Line Media News: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most at present?

Lauren Pacifico: Shooting is definitely the strongest part of my game. I am currently working on my defensive game. I am concentrating on my quickness so that I can beat girls to a spot and get back on defense faster.

Main Line Media News: As a senior, how do you see you leadership role on the Radnor girls’ basketball squad?

Lauren Pacifico: I try to follow Coach Jordan’s leadership approach. He has been coaching me as long as I can remember and has always pushed me to reach my full potential. As a senior, I try to encourage the underclassman to work hard, stay focused, and give it all they got.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite class in school? What do you think you might like to major in at college? What colleges are among your current favorites?

Lauren Pacifico: My favorite subject is math. I plan on becoming a business major. My current favorite schools are UConn and the University of Tampa.

Lauren Pacifico’s favorites

Book: The Last Song.

Author: Nicholas Sparks.

TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.

Movie: Coach Carter.

Pre-game pump-up song: Winner – Jamie Foxx (ft. Justin Timberlake).

Athlete: Alex Morgan.

Person I most admire: “My mom because, in her eyes, the glass is always half full. Her positive attitude and encouragement has always inspired me to do the best that I can.’

Team: Villanova Wildcats.

Place to visit: Bahamas.

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TREDYFFRIN — Every season, Laura Packer witnessed the same drill. The Radnor senior heard the same aspirational if not always realistic goal articulated in the preseason, then saw it dashed in fairly undramatic fashion at the hands of one superior Conestoga team after another. Early in this preseason, though, Packer and her teammates sensed things maybe, just maybe, could be different.

“We always have a team goal at the beginning of the season, and for the past 15 years or so, it’s always been, ‘˜beat ‘Stoga, beat ‘Stoga,” Packer said Friday. “But we always know we never really had a chance. They were such a powerhouse. But this year, when we took a step back, saw who we were getting and who got good and who they lost, we put it together and were like, ‘˜we actually have a chance.”

Friday, that chance came to life in spectacular fashion, with Radnor swimming to a 100-86 win at the Upper Main Line Y, the first loss for Conestoga in a Central League dual meet since the 1999-00 season, a string of over 140 meets.

Coupled with the Radnor boys claiming a 97-89 win, it’s the first time both Radnor teams have topped Conestoga in the same season since 1990.

The performance put together by the girls typified the rallying cry of “15th time’s the charm’ that Packer said they’ve (only half-jokingly) employed all season. It started right out of the gate with a stirring 1-3 finish in the medley relay, extending straight through a 200 freestyle relay win orchestrated by a great comeback from Packer and freshman anchor Julia Cullen.

And by the time Grace Wakiyama (another freshman) led Julia Condran and Samantha Lee in a 1-2-3 finish in the 100 breaststroke to reach the 94-point threshold, it was time for the celebration to begin.

“It’s so surreal,’ Packer said. “… We’ve been working so hard. It’s so nice that it’s finally paid off, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the team and how well we’ve all performed.’

As it has been all season, the source of the Raiders’ success has been their youth. Whether that was sophomore Anna Duffy leading the charge in the medley relay to see the B squad claim a crucial third place or classmate Sasha Smolyansky winning the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke in dominant fashion, the pattern held Friday.

“When I was a freshman, I was terrified,’ Packer said. “But these girls have been so welcomed to the team. They’re scoring big points, and they know it.’

The medley was a particularly vital race, one that got the Radnor swimmers truly believing that this could be their day.

“(First-year coach) Garrett (Clark) was saying that we had to get off to some great swims because that would motivate everyone else for the rest of the meet,’ Cullen said. “Our relay was really excited, and we knew we had to get off to a good start. That’s what we did.’

Cullen is the leading light of the strong freshman class, evidenced by her composed win in the 50 free, followed by controlling the 100 fly to claim another win. She was left with work to do in the 200 free relay, with Packer’s strong third leg cutting slightly into a deficit inherited from Lucy Fulton and Emily Moyher. But Cullen responded with a stellar 50 split of 24.16, besting Conestoga’s Amber Zimmerman (24.87) by a wide enough margin to bring home a .31-second win.

With diving conducted Thursday afternoon and won by Radnor’s Nicole Cohen, the Raiders (4-0, 4-0 Central League) entered Friday knowing they had a leg up. By the time the diving results were tabulated into the team score, the spread was 16 points.

It was whittled down by wins by Conestoga in the 100 free courtesy of Madison Ledwith and the 500 through Zimmerman, but Cullen’s comeback in the relay stemmed the tide with Conestoga getting no closer than 10 points.

Smolyansky’s win in the 100 back prevented the Pioneers from gaining any substantial ground, and Wakiyama and Conrdan made it a two-man race in breaststroke, with Lee jumping up late to get third and make the result of the 400 free relay academic.

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RADNOR — The keen observer at Radnor’s gym will notice something different this year.

At midcourt hang a pair of changeable-text signs displaying names and numbers of the Raiders’ hoopsters. But where most displays would clearly delineate the teams — varsity on one board, JV the other — coach Chris Monahan has one roster of 16 names, filling the first sign and snaking onto the second.

That’s the ethos of this year’s Radnor team, a collection of players that all began with similar amounts of varsity experience: Roughly zero. From that pool, Monahan has made a daily task of culling rosters for varsity and JV games; it’s common to see half the JV team finish their game, then warm up with varsity and prepare for minutes there.

That peculiarity is part of the process for Radnor this season, and it’s starting to pay dividends, which included a three-game win streak over the holidays that demonstrated the progress from a 1-7 start.

“It’s definitely been a learning experience, but we just take every game how we want to play and execute our things,’ guard Vinnie Kelly said at practice this week. “It’s not really about wins and losses, but it’s about executing what we want to execute. It’s been hard, but the last three games, we’ve started to pick it up, and we’re starting to get better.’

Monahan’s predicament didn’t catch anyone by surprise. The fourth-year coach braced himself for this necessary rebuilding after last year’s senior-laden team made its first ever trip to the District One Class AAAA tournament, posting a 14-9 record thanks to a rotation of six players, all seniors.

The returning experience this year consists of 13 varsity games for Jake Schug and two for Thomas Mogan, leaving Monahan to fabricate a team almost from nothing but JV promise.

The only consolation in that the process feels familiar to Monahan: It’s the same arduous task he undertook with the stars of last year’s team through a three-win 2011-12 campaign.

It’s a fact that he illustrates to his players every chance he gets.

“We talk about it every day, and I think these guys do buy in,’ Monahan said. “… The energy level has been good, the buy-in has been good. And that’s because we talk about that it’s a process, and that group that graduated last year, they went through the process. You guys have got to go through the process.

“We definitely remind them of that on a daily basis, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel if we do what we need to do.’

Much more than just trite talking points, the exploits of last year’s team serve as concrete motivation. Players often watch film and compare stats of where they are compared to where last season’s group was three years ago, at similar points in their progression. That dose of reality is a potent bromide for a record that could be otherwise frustrating.

“We know they started not too hot, and they built it up to a playoff team,’ guard Alex Hino said. “And we want to be just like that. We’re a young team out here. We’re just going to do our stuff and see what happens.’

The flip side of the roster uncertainty to start the season is that it breeds opportunity. Players like Jake Bodenger and Billy Donahue have established themselves as regulars for both teams. Jack Thompson, who started exclusively as a JV player, forced his way into the varsity picture, then scored 16 points in the win over Collegium Charter that launched the three-game winning streak and the resulting surge in confidence.

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