By Sam Rosenblatt
Managing Editor of Sports
Sometimes we don’t realize that we’re living in the glory days until the moment has already passed.
Newton South teams have been clicking on all cylinders of late. In this academic year alone, Lions teams have captured two state championships (as well as two individual state titles) and three DCL championships. Last year, the Lions also captured a state title and multiple DCL crowns.
Success does not come easily in the Dual County League, in which most South teams compete. The Lions take on perennial state powers in multiple sports such as Lincoln-Sudbury, Acton-Boxborough, and Cambridge on a regular basis.
Nonetheless, the South athletic program has now asserted itself as a force to be reckoned with across the state.
The frequency of championships and general success our sports teams have enjoyed over the past few years reminds me of the abundance of titles that Boston area sports teams have won in this century– nine championships (and nine subsequent duck boat parades) in the past 15 years. Columnist Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe dubbed this era the “High Renaissance of New England Sports.”
Presently, we are in our own era of unparalleled success – the High Renaissance of Newton South sports.
It’s hard to believe that in 2011, one year before the Class of 2016 entered high school, the South football team went 0-11. That’s right, zero wins.
But then the team improved steadily, going from just a handful of wins in 2012 and 2013 to a playoff team in 2014. Led by the dynamic duo of junior quarterback Austin Burton and senior receiver Anthony DeNitto, the team finished 8-3, one of the best seasons in program history. On the way, they made the sectional semifinals after winning their first home playoff game and then knocked off bitter rival L-S on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since 2004.
Speaking of dynamic duos, junior Clare Martin and senior Rebecca Grusby have dominated competition across the state in girls’ cross-country and track. The pair raced South to a cross-country state championship in the fall by finishing first and second, respectively, in the championship meet.
Martin and Grusby’s standout performances have carried on to the indoor season as well. Martin and Grusby went 2-3 in the mile at the DCL Championship Meet, then Martin finished second in the 1000 meters and Grusby won the two mile and finished third in the mile at the D1 State Championship Meet this past Saturday.
Just a few years ago, the girls’ hockey program was struggling with youth and underenrollment as victories became few and far between. Now, in their second season after joining forces with Brookline as a co-op team, the Warrior-Lions are en route to the playoffs and are ranked No. 21 in Mass. High School Hockey.
On the other hand, the girls’ basketball team has seen varied but consistent success over the past four years. This year, however, features the most accomplished team, as the Lions opened the season 18-0 before falling to North Andover this Monday. They are ranked No. 2 in the state by The Boston Globe. Senior Emily Chang and sophomore Veronica Burton’s sharp-shooting have powered South to many wins, while a great supporting cast behind them has played a large role in producing wins as well.
The girls’ soccer team advanced to the sectional quarterfinals after defeating North Quincy, 3-0, in an electrifying victory played under the portable lights at South. Though the Lions fell in the quarterfinals, they cruised to a 13-4-1 record in the regular season, enjoying one of their best seasons in recent memory.
The all-Newton boys’ gymnastics team has won two consecutive state titles, with South freshman Sam Arber claiming the individual state crown this season.
Senior William Rhatigan of the nordic ski team won South’s other individual state championship this year.
The South girls’ gymnastics team won the DCL championship this winter, with senior Kalena Wang earning DCL Gymnast of the Year honors.
We are just on the heels of a 47 game win streak by the boys’ volleyball team, which propelled the team to two straight DCL titles and a state title in the spring of 2014. The girls’ team also enjoyed playoff success, advancing to the sectional quarterfinals this fall.
The boys’ track team won the DCL Championship and finished in sixth place at the D1 State Championship. In the spring, the Lions will look not only for a DCL title, but also will set their eyes on the state crown with a strong team of returning varsity runners.
The boys’ basketball team defeated rival Newton North (ranked in The Boston Globe’s top ten at the time) and is poised for a deep postseason run. Boys’ hockey went from an afterthought to a sectional finalist two years ago and is one point away from clinching a third straight tournament appearance.
The list goes on and on, and I apologize for the teams that I did not get to mention in this article.
But that’s the amazing thing. South athletics have become so successful, it’s impossible to select a top performance from all of our notable teams and athletes.
It’s truly been fun to watch this High Renaissance of Newton South Sports. Our friends, our peers, our classmates, have made this success possible. Lion teams are winning across the board this year, and each and every team deserves to be recognized and celebrated for its success.
While we do not know how long South will sustain this prowess, one thing is certain: let’s enjoy this moment while it lasts.
