November has been an exciting month for Storm King Athletics. For the first time in the School’s 150-year history, all five teams on SKS’ fall sports roster have swept the Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL) Championships. According to Athletic Director Joseph Graziosi, it’s also the first time since 1983–the year Storm King joined HVAL–that a single school captured all five championship titles. “This is an achievement that has never been accomplished. It could very well be the greatest single season in the history of Storm King Athletics,” said Mr. Graziosi when the girls soccer and girls volleyball teams brought home SKS’ fourth and fifth trophies out of five on Wednesday, November 14.

 

SKS Girls Cross Country team- 2018 HVAL Champs!

 

The excitement began building in late August with the addition of the girls cross country team to the fall athletics roster, giving Storm King representation in all five sports offered in the HVAL Conference. It didn’t take long for Mr. Graziosi to declare the Drive for Five – a challenge for all five teams to bring home their league titles.

The Drive was led by the boys and girls cross country teams who had exceptional records throughout the season. While the girls ran their first season on record at the top of their league, the boys team was working toward their fourth consecutive league championship. After two extraordinary championship races at Oakwood Friends School, both teams brought home trophies #1 and #2 for Storm King on Wednesday, October 31.

 

The boys and girls cross country teams celebrate with their HVAL trophies

 

SKS’ third league trophy came more than a week later when the boys varsity soccer team won their third consecutive HVAL  championship and fourth in five years by defeating arch-rival Marvelwood School 3-0 on Monday, November 12.  The win also pushed their conference winning streak to 35 matches, a record that dates back to 2015.

The Drive for Five was completed shortly after when SKS’ two remaining teams–Girls Soccer and Girls Volleyball–battled for their respective championships. Due to unplayable field conditions on the Mountain, the girls soccer team traveled to West Point Prep to host Faith Christian Academy on Wednesday, November 14. With their determination and teamwork, the girls succeeded in winning their third consecutive conference championship, beating Faith Christian 4-2.

Later that same afternoon, the volleyball team hosted three-time defending conference champion Faith Christian and put the final stamp on the Drive for Five, winning in straight sets 25-21, 25-19, and 25-17.  Coach McMahon said after the game that this is probably the best match the girls had ever played.  Their win brought Storm King its first volleyball league championship in 15 years.

 

The girls volleyball team celebrates with Storm King’s 5th league trophy to complete the Drive for Five

 

Headmaster Jonathan Lamb was very pleased with the wins as he thanked the coaches, student-athletes, and the rest of the community. “Our five HVAL Championships represent tremendous work and commitment by both players and coaches. Not just this season, but for the many years leading up to this one. Thank you to all of the coaches, parents, and fans who supported each team and each player.  This surely will go down as one of the best sports seasons in Storm King history, perhaps the greatest,” commented Mr. Lamb.

 

2018 Boys Varsity Soccer Team