Spring Athletics Preview

The temperature is creeping back into the 60s, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring, and the St. Albans Bulldogs are returning to playing fields, tracks, rivers, and courses with high expectations.

With baseball, crew, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field returning to action, it’s time to look ahead to their seasons. Multiple reigning IAC and DCSAA champion teams compete this spring, so Bulldog fans have a lot to look forward to.

The 2023 Bulldogs ended their season with a dogpile on top of DCSAA Championship MVP Owen Basso ’23 after he retired the final batter to secure the first championship for the program since 2016. The Diamond Dogs concluded the 2023 season with a top-10 ranking from the Washington Post’s top 10 and a 25-9 record, and are hitting the field with high hopes for the 2024 season. When the season kicks off on Saturday, March 9, the team will be eager to defend their title and seek to add the program’s 50th IAC banner to the walls of Martin Gymnasium. 

 

Head Coach RJ Johnsen shared: “We are fortunate to have another great group of guys who have put in the work and are ready to come out and take another step forward. This program has remarkable history, and the boys feel that and desire to be good stewards of the traditions of St. Albans baseball. The Florida trip is such an integral part of who we are, and testing ourselves at schools like Vero Beach and Okeechobee is the best way for us to prepare for a great season.”

 

Baseball takes on Gilman and Sidwell Friends School on Saturday, March 9, at home. First pitch time is to be determined.

The St. Albans rowing team has high hopes for the 2024 spring season. With strong senior leadership—including multiple Division I rowers—there is a strong core ready to push the squad to new heights.

Coach Ted Haley expressed confidence in his squad: “We have a strong, experienced and dedicated senior class that looks to build upon the success from last year. We are also bringing in an energetic crop of freshman athletes who will be learning the sport this spring.”

The team’s biggest showdowns of the season include Gonzaga for the Foley Cup and the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Association championships. The season is capped off in Philadelphia with the Stotesbury Cup regatta in mid-May. 

Coming off a DCSAA title and the team’s first-ever IAC championship, the golf team is returning to the links with new levels of confidence for the 2024 season. Last season concluded with a top-20 finish in the National Invitational, competing against 52 state championship teams.

With tryouts now complete, Head Coach Tom Carroll is ready for the season to start: “After three days of tryouts at East Potomac Golf Links, the golf team teed it up for the first time, officially, on Tuesday. Fourteen boys made the team this year including three varsity players from last season’s IAC and DCSAA championship team: Team Captain Oliver Wang ’24 and Assistant Captains Sam Malm ’25 and Henry Tracy ’25. The team is getting ready for its traditional opening matches next week against St John's College High School, which will be at the University of Maryland's Golf Course."

The Bulldogs brought home the 2023 DCSAA title and are filled with optimism this year, despite the departure of their star-studded 2023 class.

Coach Colin Heeter is excited about the young talent on his roster: “Junior attackman Andrew Allen ’25, a dynamic dodger bound for Colgate, remains a standout on the squad. On the defensive end, Dutch Lohnes ’25 is a formidable cover man with versatility.  Additionally, keep an eye on players like senior midfielder Charlie New ’24, junior midfielders Lacy Rice ’25 & Rezin Wiegmann ’25, sophomore attackman Ben Palma ’26, and senior defenders John Grennan ’24 and Cal Schaberg ’24. While the team is expected to be young and inexperienced, there's a sense of anticipation. Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs, with their emerging talents, manage to pull off some unexpected victories and upset a couple teams along the way.”

Tennis returns to the court as the reigning DCSAA and IAC champions. With a deep roster led by returning brothers Cameron Zia ’24 and Cyrus Zia ’25, the Bulldogs are looking forward to a competitive season.

“As we gear up for the season, we're looking forward to our spring break trip to Atlanta. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to bond and gear up for the upcoming challenges. Our team's strength lies in the unique contributions of each player, and it's our cohesive teamwork that sets us apart. Demonstrating true sportsmanlike conduct we're focused on a clear objective: to uphold our championship legacy by aiming for our fourth consecutive title in the IAC and securing a third DCSAA championship.”

The reigning IAC championships are off and running already in the 2024 season. Having returned a talented roster, the team is looking to continue their stretch of success.

Coach Ted Findler shared: “The track & field team is excited and ready for another season. Coming off an IAC championship last spring, we are looking to repeat that achievement. Along the way, we expect to challenge ourselves every day, be great teammates, and also have fun.  We have plenty of home track meets, so come on out to support us!”