Upper Moreland Athletics
Winter 2016-17 Team Previews
Upper Moreland High School
Athletics & Activities
Email: dlandgraff@umtsd.org
Website: http://www.umtsd.org/hs
Location: 3000 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA, United States
Phone: 215-830-1500
Twitter: @umgoldenbears
Girls Basketball
Upper Moreland Girls’ Basketball Preview
Coach: Matt Carroll (1st year at Upper Moreland)
Assistant coaches: Scott Merrill, Mark Wasson, Pete Williams
Last year’s record: 5-17 overall (2-12 conference)
Notable losses : Jenna Getz and Julia Gatto
Key returners: Madison Pisut (Sr., Guard) Noelle Woodman (Sr., Forward)
Others to watch: “The coaching staff is excited for the upcoming crop of varsity players who are ready to step up to the challenge of high school varsity basketball. We have a lot of girls who will be given an opportunity to make an impact on this year’s team.”
Strengths/Question Marks: “This is a relentless group of girls who work hard every day. What we lack in overall team size we make up for in toughness and tenacity.”
Outlook: “Starting with a great off-season, the girls are buying in to the new coaching staff’s demands and expectations. They understand that winning at the varsity level is not easy and know what needs to be done in order to accomplish their goals. We expect to improve upon last year’s record, both overall and in the league, and to play every opponent tough.”
Boys Basketball
Head Coach: Matt Heiland 3rd Year
Assistant Coaches: Sean Feeley & Dan Heiland
Last Year's Record: 9-14
Notable Losses: Brendan O'Donnell - 2nd Team Suburban One League American
Key Returners: Damian Washington Sr. (3rd Team SOL American); Shane Stone Sr.; Casey Decker Sr., Ryan Coyle Jr.; Brett Brossman Jr.; Jake Villanueva Jr.;
Other Players to Watch: Anthony Green Sr.; Tommy Jacob Sr.; Christian O'Donnell So.; Tanner Herb Sr.
Strengths: Experience & Shooting
Question Marks: Rebounding & Defense
Outlook: We return a lot of guys to the team this year and they have worked extremely hard in the weight room and the gym this off-season. The guys have a sour taste in their mouth after last years Double OT loss to Holy Ghost Prep in the first round of the playoffs. We lost a key part in PG Brendan O'Donnell ( 11 PPG and 6.7 APG) so we need to replace that. However we do return 21 PPG and 13 RPG with Washington and Stone. We need our other starters and our bench to identify their roles and the quicker we can do that the better we will be. Our long term goal is to get to Temple which is where the 5A Final Four is scheduled to be at, which will guarantee a spot in the state tournament. This group of seniors wants to leave a stamp on the program and try and accomplish some specials things this year that are rarely done at Upper Moreland.
Games to Watch:
Upper Moreland Tip Off Tournament vs. Upper Perk & CR North December 9th & 10th
Friday December 16th @ Hatboro-Horsham
Saturday December 17th vs. Lower Moreland
Friday January 6th vs. Wissahickon
Saturday January 7th @ North Penn SOL Challenge
Wrestling
Head Coach: John DeFranco - 5th season
JV/Assistant Coaches: Bill Marino, Nick Shute and Sam Newsham
Last years Record: 5-2 SOL American, 8-13 overall
Notable Loses: Pat Walker, 195 pounds, State Qualifier last season is currently wrestling on scholarship at Gannon University
Key Returners: Jason Amy, senior, 126 pounds, 30 -8 last season, SOL American Champion and placed sixth in the Region.
Others to watch: Amanda Walker, junior, 113 pounds, 22 -10 last season, District 1 qualifier,
What is your outlook for the season? We are a very young team with a nice group of returning wrestlers who gained valuable mat time last season as freshman and sophomores. Hopefully, that experience will pay off this season and bring us a few more team wins.
Swimming
UMHS Swimming Girls
Head Coach: Shelly Lawn 1st Year
JV/Assistant Coaches: Jess Healy
Last years Record: 1-11
Key Returners: Melanie Wittick (SR. Sprints); Colleen Rodrigues (SR. Diving); Kaylee Hermann (JR. Diving); AnnaMaria Stylianou (SO. Sprint); Johanna Spaeter (JR. Back); Colleen Davis (JR. Fly)
Others to watch: Olivia Pervall (FR. Free) and Emily Sanceciz (FR. Back and Fly)
Strengths: Young team with plenty of room to build
Question marks: Numbers are low
Outlook: This year is going to be a building year for the Bears we have a young team that is learning the “ropes”.
UMHS Swimming Boys
Head Coach: Shelly Lawn 1st Year
JV/Assistant Coaches: Jess Healy
Last years Record: 4-7-1
Notable Loses: Jacob Winter and Devon Pickard
Key Returners: Sr. Jake Matthews (fly), Sr. Brennan Coleman (distance free), Sr. Mike Cebzanov (IM and breast), Jr. Zach Litvin (sprint fr), Sr. Dylan Walker (diving)
Strengths: All events are covered
Question marks: low numbers
Outlook: Usually have a good showing in the post season and expect that of this year as well. Strong upperclassman group that we will be looking to as leaders- especially facing being bumped up to AAA classification.
Indoor Track & Field
Girls Winter Track.
Head Coach - Keith Parker-Washington (first year)
Returning Student-Athletes - Sr. Christina Kane, Jr. Victoria Leister, Jr. Debbie Park, Soph. Mary Thompson and Soph. Olivia Metz
New to the Program - Chloe Moros and Amelia Przychowicz
Under UM alum and new Head Coach Keith Parker-Washington the girls team is smaller but the girls are working hard in preparation for a productive season. Penn State bound (for soccer) senior Christina Kane will lead the sprinters this winter. Mary Thompson and Victoria Leister will hope to keep their momentum after a very successful Cross Country season. Thompson is focusing on the mile and 800 while Leister will be running middle distance races but will also hoping to improve on her 6th place finish at last year's SOL Championships in the triple jump and long jump. Debby Park will also look to increase her personal best in both vertical jumps as well. Coach Parker-Washington is confident in knowing that no matter how many girls he has out on the team that they will perform to the best of their ability because they are all working hard in practice and pushing themselves.
Boys Winter Track
Head Coach - Doug Smith (7th season)
Top Returning Student-Athletes - Sr. - Scotty Murphy and Mark Kirschenmann, Jr. Connor Hurst, Immanuel Thomas and Ciaran Mullen and Soph. - Logan Hurst, Shane Coll and Chris Stewart.
The attitude from the boys team this season is amazing. Connor, Chris, Shane and Ciaran have come in from Cross Country in good shape with a great outlook. Each of them dropped minutes off of their personal bests. Connor and Shane are hoping to make the Meet of Champions in the 800 and Mile respectively. Immanuel Thomas has a legitimate shot to make the PTFCA State Championships in February in the 200 and possibly the 400. Scotty, Mark, Sr. Zane Ajlani, Ciaran and Chris give Coach Smith a lot of flexibility in terms of preparing line-ups and relays to get as many individuals and relays in to the Meet of Champions as possible. The boys also have a hard working group of young/new throwers that are working hard in the weight room and learning their trade. Coach Smith is really looking forward to seeing their progression as the year progresses.
Bowling
Bowling Preview
Head Coach: Howard Cohen
Although I’m new to the position of Bowling Coach, I’m lucky enough to have a strong group of returning bowlers who will make it easy for me this year. The Boys Team will be led by 2015-16 All-Suburban Bowler, senior Jon Searles, whose goal is to improve on his 2nd place finish in the District Championships. Also returning are senior bowler Vince Isabella and promising sophomore, AJ Borell. The team is young with several freshman and sophomore boys who look like they will get stronger and better as the season progresses. The team expects to improve on its .500 record from last year.
The Girls team lost a number of strong seniors but still has some strength returning in Amanda Tardiff, a sophomore, Madison Mull and Hannah Long, both seniors. They will be joined on the varsity squad by a mix of sophomores and juniors who also hope to improve on their .500 record from last year.
We are also relocating our home matches this year to Thunderbird Lanes in Warminster. We hope that you will be able to come out and enjoy the camaraderie and excitement we’ll bring to the lanes this year.
District Band & Orchestra
Congratulations!
Upper Moreland High School had three students successfully audition into the PMEA District 11 Band and Orchestra ensembles this past Saturday.
Christian Stoltz, Clarinet (Band)
D.J. Roos, Trumpet (Band)
Debby Park, String Bass (Orchestra)
Booster Club pancake Breakfast
Volunteers are needed to assist at the next Pancake Breakfast, which will be held on Sunday, January 22nd. If you are able to help out (for all or part of the time), please sign up at the following link:
Upper Moreland High School Athletic Department
Athletic Secretary: Maureen Meade
Athletic Trainer: Jackie Barainyak
Faculty Managers: Sean Feeley & Nick Zegestowsky