Hamilton College’s winter athletics teams officially began practicing on Nov. 1 in preparation for what is sure to be another exciting and record-breaking season. Last Thursday marked the first day of practice for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s squash, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s hockey, and men’s and women’s track and field. With plenty of returning talent across the board, incoming first-year’s ready to make steady contributions, and coaching turnover there is plenty to look forward to in the winter athletic season.
The men’s basketball team is coming off one of its more successful campaigns in recent memory, finishing last season with an overall record of 24–5 before losing a heartbreaker in the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Continentals are led by standout junior Kena Gilmour ’20, who averaged 18.5 points per game on his way to garnering all-district and all-regional honors. The men’s team is anchored by a strong group of seniors — Tim Doyle ’19, Mike Grassey ’19, Andrew Groll ’19 and Pete Hoffman ’19 — who will be looking to avenge what many on the team consider to be an early exit from both the NESCAC and NCAA playoffs in their final season as Continentals. Hamilton is coached by Adam Stockwell and Sherry Dobbs. You can catch the men’s basketball team, ranked 9th in the country by a d3hoops. com preseason poll to start the season, in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House ten times this year and help propel them towards another successful season.
The women’s basketball team kicks off their 2018–2019 campaign with turnover in the coaching department. This year, the Continentals will be coached by Mahogany Green, who is excited about her opportunity on the Hill. On the upcoming season, she said she is “looking forward to taking Hamilton women’s basketball to a new level. We will compete every day on and off the court and have fun doing it.” Paired with Coach Green is Nanyamka Moore, a former assistant coach at Roberts Wesleyan College who Green considers “one of the rising stars in this business.” The women’s team is coming off a 14–10 season and will look to feature standouts Halie Serbent ’19, Carley O’Hern ’19, and Mari Steiner ’20. Fans can cheer on the women’s basketball team nine times this year in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.
The men’s and women’s squash teams are coming off statistically similar seasons. The men finished 10–12 last year and the women 10–11. Both teams finished 8th in the NESCAC championship tournament and will return a majority of contributors to the roster this year. Having graduated only two seniors and with the addition of a few promising first-years, men’s squash will look to build on some of the momentum they gained with strong tournament showings to close out the 2017–2018 season. On the women’s side, there will be heavy roster turnover as seven members of the thirteen-person squad graduated last spring, but there is no shortage of optimism for another strong season. Both teams are lead by Head Coach Jamie King and Assistant Coach Dan Jones. Fans will have the opportunity to support the men’s and women’s squash team six times in the Little Squash Center, located adjacent to the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.
The men’s and women’s swimming and diving team is looking to bounce back after a tough gauntlet of NESCAC competition last year. As a result, the department hired Coach Brogan Barr, previously an assistant men’s and women’s swim coach at Williams College, who will fill an assistant role on the Continentals’ staff. Having graduated only three members of the team, the men’s program will pair experience with an influx of first-years, making for a worthy opponent at any given dual meet. The women’s team, though they lost six seniors in last year’s graduating class, will pose an equally tough challenge throughout the season. The Continentals are led by Head Coach John Geissinger, who is starting his second season in the position, and Assistant Coach Brogan Barr. Those hoping to cheer on their peers can watch the men’s and women’s swim team compete five times this season at Bristol Pool.
Men’s hockey is returning this year after a NESCAC tournament quarterfinal appearance and a 15–7–3 overall record (9–6–3 NESCAC). After graduating goaltender phenom Evan Buitenhuis ’18, who is currently playing with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL, the team now looks to Anthony Tirabassi ’20 to backstop the talented team. In his 11 games last season, Tirabassi had an impressive save percentage of 0.926. The team is also returning lead point scorers Jason Brochu ’19 (22 points), Rory Gagnon ’19 (19 points), and Nick Ursitti ’20 (19 points). Key returning defensemen include Sean Allen ’21 who led the defense in scoring last season and Bennett Morrison ’20 whose two-way play has been an asset to the team. The team’s first home game will be next Friday, Nov. 16 at Sage Rink.
Women’s hockey also had a winning season with a record of 13–8–4 (9–4–3 NESCAC) and a tough quarterfinal championship loss against Bowdoin College. The team is returning top point scorer Michaela Giuttari ’20 (who was also the top point scorer for field hockey). Other impressive forwards who are returning include Missy Segall ’21 (17 points, team-leading 11 goals) and Andrea Rockey ’19 (15 points). Defense-woman Taegan Blackwell ’19, who led the defense in points last season, looks to guide the rising sophomores in their second season at Hamilton. After the graduation of Sam Walther ’18, Sammy Johnson ’20 will step between the pipes for the 2018 season. The team’s first home game will be Saturday, Nov. 17 at Sage Rink.
Men’s and women’s indoor track are coming off a strong season and looking to grow with strong incoming first years and standout returners. For the men, Lucas Wright ’21, fresh off of being named NESCAC Rookie of the Year last spring, projects to be in the Atlantic Regional — perhaps even Division III national — conversation for the 800 meter as the defending champion in that event. The women return two of the program’s top runners from last season. Grace Heller ’19 is coming off a record cross country campaign and will be a contender in the three-kilometer and five-kilometer races at every meet this season.
Cat Berry ’19, fresh off a trip to outdoor nationals, will look to continue her record-setting performance this season in the 60, 200, and 400 meter races. The head coaches for the men’s and women’s team are Brett Hull and Ellen Hull, respectively. John Hartpence, Jake Tyksinski, and Ben Jackson serve as assistant coaches for both squads. Come to Margaret Bundy Scott Field House on Friday, Jan. 18th to support both teams in their only home appearance of the winter season.
