![Spartan Fall 2023 Preview: Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Swim & Dive, Tennis, and Volleyball]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1691689472/stpaulsummit/vdr1hbyqrppmpfteaew0/Fall2023Preview.png","width":2000}])
The 2023 fall athletic season is underway and our student-athletes and coaches are gearing up for a great season! Read more below for a preview of each of our varsity teams and get ready to join us this fall to cheer on our Spartans.
Girls’ Cross Country
Coming off last season's conference championship and an individual state meet appearance, Girls’ Cross Country has a lot to be excited about for the 2023 season. The team returns State and All-Conference performer, Paloma Good ‘27 as well as Taylor Barkwell ‘25 and All-Conference Honorable Mention honorees, Alyda Overgaard ‘28 and Johanna Pierach ‘25. Joining Barkwell as captains are Violet Benson ‘24 and Ingrid Johnson ‘24.
Boys’ Cross Country
Cross Country Coach Sophie Schmitz is excited about the potential of the Boys’ Cross Country team for the 2023 season. After finishing sixth in the conference last year, the team returns talent with IMAC experience from last season. Captains for the 2023 season include Andrew Drake ‘24, Ian Grewe ‘24 and Ford Reedy ‘24.
FootballThe SMB Wolfpack, a cooperative program between SPA, Minnehaha Academy, and The Blake School looks forward to what should be another solid season after the team's 4-4 record in 2022. The team returns talent with experience from last year and will look to returners for major contributions this season on and off the field.
Boys’ Soccer
Coming off an exceptional 2022 season in which they captured the program's second State title and fifth championship overall, expectations for Spartan Boys' Soccer are high. The team returns a roster of experienced players, led by captain, All-State & All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree and the reigning IMAC goalie of the year, Cooper Olson ‘24, All-Conference honoree, Ezra Straub ‘25, All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree and fellow captain Awaale Osman ‘24, and senior captain Orion Kim '24 for the 2023 season.
Girls’ Soccer
After finishing the regular season with a 6-5-3 record a year ago, SPA girls' soccer made quite the postseason run, advancing all the way to the State championship game for the first time since 2004. Led by Captain, All-State, and All-Conference player Annie Zhang ‘25 the team also returns captains Annika Lillegard '24 and Aurelia Meza '24 along with All-State and All-Conference honoree, Sawyer Bollinger Danielson '25, and All-Conference Honorable Mention athletes Lucia Gonzalez ‘26, Clare Ryan Bradley ‘26 and Elizabeth Tuttle ‘26 for the 2023 season.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving (Co-Op)
The Sparks team, a co-op between SPA and Highland Park Senior High, is coming off of a strong season in 2022, where they captured the top three spots on the podium finishing first, second, and third at the varsity diving championship meet. At the varsity swimming conference meet, the Sparks were crowned St. Paul City Conference Champions, edging Central by one point. Captains this year include All-Conference performers Clara Ann Bagnoli '24 and Claire Kim '24.
Girls’ tennis spent the 2022 fall season developing individually and collectively as a team. Notable victories for the year included victories over Highland Park, St. Paul Central, Minnehaha Academy, and Cretin-Derham Hall. The team returns All-Conference honoree Nellie Larson ‘26 and All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree and captain Georgia Ross ‘25 for the 2023 season. Joining Ross as captains are Liza Rose Thomas ‘25 and Audrey Senarata ‘24.
Volleyball
Spartan Volleyball spent the 2022 season focusing on mastering fundamentals and establishing its rhythms as a team, finishing with an 8-11 regular season record. Expectations are high for the 2023 season as the Spartans return young talent from last year's team that won a first-round section game, including captains Nadia Degnan '24, Eliana Mann '24, and Natalie Vogenthaler ‘24.