Homecoming 2016 Festivities Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present

 

Homecoming 2016 kicked off a day early this year as the Athletic Department arranged a Middle School football game on Thursday evening between Rivers and Weston Middle School under the lights on Waterman Field. The Red Wings used several big plays to put points on the board against a well-coached Weston team, ultimately emerging victorious.

 

The Friday afternoon and evening schedule also got a boost this year with the addition of a varsity volleyball game in Benson Gymnasium to the already-action-packed slate of cross country races and “Friday Night Lights” field hockey game. The volleyball team fell in three sets to an ISL-leading Middlesex team, nearly taking the third set before falling 25-23.

 

Over at Elm Bank, the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams posted 2-1 and 1-1 records, respectively, in their lone home meet of the season. Nic Stathos ’18 broke the 10-year old Rivers course record with a time of 17:01, besting Nate Biagetti ’06 by eight seconds and taking first place in Rivers race against BB&N, Thayer Academy, and Dexter School. Caroline Phelps ’18 was the top finisher for the girls with a time of 19:45, which was good for third-place overall in the girls’ race against BB&N and Southfield School.

 

The second night of Homecoming games came to a close with a 4-2 win over Brooks School for the varsity field hockey team under the lights on Waterman Field. A packed Fan Zone then made its way over to the Nonesuch Field parking lot for the annual bonfire where they were treated to pizza and music courtesy of Student Council.

 

JV girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, and field hockey got Saturday started with competitive games against Brooks before making way for the varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer games. The boys gave Brooks their toughest game of the season, but ultimately fell to the unbeaten visitors 2-1. The girls played an entertaining and fast-paced game, but in the end neither team could find the back of the net and they shared a 0-0 tie.

 

As the sun began to set, the varsity football team took the field for its annual Homecoming game under the lights on Waterman Field. Playing without several key players due to injury, the Red Wings held the visiting Noble & Greenough Bulldogs to a 6-0 lead through three quarters before dropping a 28-0 result.

 

At halftime of the football game, Interim Athletic Director & Boys’ Soccer Head Coach Bob Pipe welcomed back the 2001 varsity boys’ soccer team to honor them for their ISL and NEPSAC Class A Championships. Nearly a dozen members of Coach Pipe’s team as well as Assistant Coach Steve Morrison were in attendance as the crowd recognized them for what was one of the most significant seasons in Rivers’ athletic history.

 

“It was wonderful to see so many alumni spanning all decades back on campus for homecoming,” said Marc Stroum’98, Director of Alumni Engagement. “We really want to make this a day that alumni and their families look forward to each fall.”

 

Click here to check out highlights from Homecoming 2016