Highlights from spring athletics

As student-athletes hit the trails and the weight room in preparation for fall sports, take a look back at the 2022 spring season.
By Josh Scouten, Athletics Director

The spring 2022 season provided many opportunities for the Tigers to showcase their skills including several athletes and teams competing for state titles. Here are the highlights: 

Baseball
The baseball team completed one of its most successful seasons in program history. Signature wins from the year included the first-time wins over Montgomery Bell Academy and Davidson Academy, as well as the team's first no-hitter since 2016. What's more, the team advanced to the region tournament for the first time since 2012. Owen Block '23 was named to the All-District Team, Mahoney Daunic '24 was named to the Super Sophomore Team, and Carson Darr '25 and Alexander Peck '25 were named to the Fab Freshman Team. With an overall team grade point average above 3.0, the American Baseball Coaches of America recognized the team for its academic excellence too. 

Boys Lacrosse
The boys lacrosse team advanced to the state tournament and lost to the tournament runner-up, a tough Evangelical Christian School team. USN saw three players recognized for All-Region with Carter Brooks '22, Lincoln Alphin '24, and Max Lapidus '24 all earning the distinction. 

Girls Lacrosse
The girls lacrosse team had a strong season led by the stellar play of Lia Payne '22 who finished her career as a Tiger with 132 goals and All-Region honors. Kate Vaughn '24 also had a strong season in goal. 

Boys Soccer
The boys soccer team advanced to the state final four for the first time since 2016 and dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision against Boyd-Buchanan School in the semifinals. Russ Petty '22, Cameron Wooten '23, Elijah McKnight '23, and Jordin Palmeri '23 were all named to the All-District team. Russ and Cameron were named to the All-Region Tournament team too, and Russ participated in the Senior All-Star Game hosted by Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Boys Tennis
With a solid run throughout the season, the boys tennis team made its way back to the top of the region standings. Henry Stack '23 finished in the singles tournament state semifinals and the Tennessean named him to the All-Midstate team. The Tigers advanced to the state quarterfinals and dropped a touch decision against Collegedale Academy.

Girls Tennis
The girls tennis team blitzed the regular season schedule and finished the year 20-1 with a state semifinal appearance for the first time since 2018. Led throughout the season by Gabby Siew '23, Meera Boyapati '23, and Mills Morgan Ratliff '23, the Tigers saw their title hopes fall in the semifinals against University School of Jackson. Gabby and Meera teamed up in doubles action and advanced to the state quarterfinals. The majority of the young team will return to compete for another run at the state title in spring 2023.

Boys Track & Field
The state meet featured several USN Tigers from the boys' team. The team earned state championship hors in the 4x800m relay and a runner-up finish from Josh Scretchen '22 in the 400m; the 4x400m relay team finished as state runners-up as well. Collin France '23 and Jonathan Nichols '22 scored points in the 800m with their third and eighth place finishes, respectively. The team left the meet with a sixth place overall finish.

Girls Track & Field
It truly was the year of the Tiger for the girls track and field team. Despite a season-ending injury for University of Pennsylvania commit Morayo Kassim '22, the team battled its way throughout the meet picking up critical points in nearly every running event. The team effort catapulted the girls to the school's first-ever team state championship in track & field.

The Tigers were led by four podium finishes from multiple runners: Auldyn Plant '23 (3200m, 1600m, 4x800m, and 4x400m), Olivia Jelsma '23 (Heptathlon, 800m, 4x800m, and 4x400m), and Alima Kassim '24 (100m, 200m, 4x200m, and 4x400m). Chloe Bruce '22 reached the podium three times in the 400m, 4x400m relay, and 4x200m relay.  And, Holly Schreiber '23 helped in the team scoring with her third consecutive state championship performance in pole vault. After a runner-up finish in 2021, the team's first state championship in track and field was a statement by the athletes on the team.

Boys Ultimate Frisbee
The boys ultimate frisbee team competed in the state tournament and made a valiant run to the state title where the boys finished as runners-up. The team had a solid senior group that included experienced veterans Oliver Entrekin '22, Christopher Laibinis '22, Ian Manz '22, and Wesley Smail '22 who led them throughout the year. This was the team's first state finals appearance since 2019. 

Girls Ultimate Frisbee
The girls ultimate frisbee team made the most of its state tournament winning the title and bringing home the team trophy for the second consecutive year with a victory over Independence High School. The team was led by returning players Els Shepard '23 and Clara Smail '24 and seniors Nia Chetkovich '22, Laura Harris '22, and Christiana Haynes '22. 

Congratulations to all our spring 2022 student-athletes. The tone is set for an exceptional fall and opportunities for success next spring.
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.