It has been a very different experience for most of the 70-plus St. Markers playing intercollegiate sports this year. Not only were spring seasons abbreviated or cancelled outright, but many winter campaigns were cut short in the midst of tournaments or championship runs.
Next year, 20 members of the St. Mark's Class of 2020 will be committed to participating in college and university athletic programs. Five will be in Division I, one will be playing Division II, and 14 will be suiting up for Division III programs. This week, these talented St. Mark's athletes are being recognized by the School.
On Thursday, March 5, the Winter Athletic Awards ceremony took place in the Putnam Family Arts Center's Class of 1945 Hall. In addition to team awards, 28 St. Markers earned All-Independent School League (ISL) honors, highlighting a strong season for several St. Mark's teams.
Eight individuals—seven athletes and a coach—along with two historic St. Mark's teams will be inducted into the School's Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 9, during Reunion Weekend 2020. The inductees include one of the most successful boys' varsity tennis coaches in St. Mark's history, a pioneering Southborough School grad who has seen national and international success as a racing sailor and triathlete, and athletes who played football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball, and field hockey; who wrestled; and who rowed crew. They achieved athletic success in both school and college, and they represent the best of independent school athletics. They will join the 41 athletes, nine coaches, one manager, and two teams already enshrined in St. Mark's Athletic Hall of Fame, which was first established in 2001.
After a two-year hiatus, St. Mark's hosted the 38th Peabo Gardner Alumni Hockey game on the evening of Saturday, February 29.
After a successful winter Groton weekend, with three of four varsity teams winning over their longtime rivals, both St. Mark's varsity hockey teams are in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) playoffs.
February has been an outstanding month for St. Mark's athletics.
Heading into the midpoint of the winter sports season at St. Mark's, six varsity teams have posted records of .500 or better to date, and overall the School's varsity programs have a record of 43-30-2. Wrestling, boys' and girls' ice hockey, girls' squash, and boys' basketball are all looking strong.