As the weather gets brisker, and the sun sets earlier, it’s a signal that the fall sports season is coming to a close. It’s time for athletes and fans to reflect on the moments that made up an unforgettable season. From Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) champions to North Coast Section (NCS) champions, Tamalpais High School’s fall athletic success was exceptional. Let’s take a look at every Tam fall sports season in detail.
Cross Country:
MCAL CHAMPS! The boys’ cross country team had an excellent season, 3-1 in league meets with a win in their heat at the exclusive Asics Clovis Invitational. At the MCAL finals meet, it came down to a single point, the closest the meet has ever been in recorded history. Key runners for the Hawks included Marco Zink, Lucas Ruark, and Caeden Gardner. Zink and Gardner finished second and third respectively at the finals meet.
On the girls’ side, it was a fourth-place finish at the MCAL finals meet, a good showing. The team was led by Tam senior and Santa Clara University commit Emma Gardner, who finished 6th place overall in the race.
Field Hockey:
The Hawks’ field hockey had an outstanding season, a 15/2 overall record, that ended on a low note with a 1-5 loss to Redwood in the MCAL championship game. This does not take away from the three months of success the team enjoyed, including beating Redwood previously. Key contributors on the team included junior Sarah Cormier, who led the team in goals scored, and seniors Rowan Scobie (13/9 Goals/Assists) and Stela King (7/5 Goals/Assists). Junior Larkin Archibald was the starting goalkeeper and had 57 saves on the year. The Hawks finished ranked No. 21 in California according to MaxPreps.
Football:
A sluggish beginning to the season largely due to a challenging schedule ultimately gained momentum in the final four games for the Hawks. Once senior quarterback Reed Edwards took the helm, the Hawks looked like a different team. The 0-4 start quickly turned to a 2-1 run in three league games, which included a win over Redwood. Star wideout Timo Ural was almost impossible to slow all year, averaging over 100 yards per game. Ural attributed his success to the following:
“Staying consistent. Putting in the work day in and day out drove my success this season,” Ural said.
Girls Golf:
The Hawks girls’ golf team finished the year with a 6-8 record, solidly scraping some points at the MCAL round at Meadow Club. Tam’s Alessia Ducati shot 103 at the MCAL finals round, who lost out to Branson’s Lizzy Liu who shot two under.
Girls Tennis:
Girls’ tennis, who had an excellent 11-4 league season, finished third in MCAL behind Redwood and Branson. The team didn’t make NCS surprisingly; they almost always do. It’s all about the future for the Hawks though, as Maya Riisgard was one of the best players on the team as a freshman.
Girls Volleyball:
NCS CHAMPS! The girls’ Volleyball season was exceptional. They went from NCS Division III champions to Division I champions in back-to-back seasons. Takedowns of California High School, Mission San Jose High School, Monte Vista, and Campolindo led to the banner.
“Along with talent we had a great team dynamic and energy that motivated each other to keep working hard and go as far as possible,” Tam junior Annie Payne said.
Finishing the year at 24-10 (6-4 MCAL), only outshone by Marin Catholic, Branson, and Redwood, the team was consistent.
Girls Water Polo:
MCAL CHAMPS! In the MCAL championship, the Hawks handled Redwood cleanly with an 8-4 smackdown. Newly appointed head coach Bobby Palmer, a Tam water polo alumni, led the team to victory.
“I have players who have ambition. Their ambition drives them to train hard, focus, and learn,” Palmer said.
Tam senior and goalie Nola Palestrant was a standout this season. Leading scorers on the team included sophomores Julia Ulvestad and Sabine Barringer, along with freshman and senior sister duo, Cat and Laurel Philip.
Boys Water Polo:
It was a story of overcoming adversity for the Boys’ Water Polo team. In September, Redwood shocked the Hawks, taking a 15-5 win, marking rock bottom for the season. Turning quality halves into quality wins led to success for the team. After being bounced in the MCAL playoffs, the Hawks found themselves in the NCS semi-finals, where they outperformed College Park High School. As the Hawks picked their heads up, they once again faced Redwood in the NCS Division I finals. After a long battle, Redwood bested them for the second time, unfortunately ending their season.
