Unsung Senior Athletes, Winter 2020

Charlotte Palmore’s athletic focus is lacrosse – she’s signed on with Amherst College – but her contributions to the basketball program in a support role at guard have been significant.

 

“Charlotte is committed to everything she does,” said Coach Rives Fleming. “She gave her all in basketball. She was always focused on getting better and always played hard in every practice, every game, every situation.

 

“Charlotte is a really strong defender. She’s physical and intense, and her teammates fed off her effort. When she made a mistake, she learned from it. She’s friendly, supportive, and encouraging and a great role model.”

 

Milan Mehta is a three-season varsity wrestler who competed as a sophomore in the 113 weight class and at 120 the past two years.

 

A team captain as a junior and senior, he twice earned All-VISAA honors with sixth- and eighth-place finishes, respectively.

 

“Milan has been a great role model for our younger wrestlers,” said Coach Andy Stone. “He helped us create a culture of hard work and love of the sport. Milan put a great deal of thought, reflection, and work into his wrestling. He was fun to coach and work with. He led by example and will be greatly missed by me and the wrestling program.”

 

A two-year veteran of the varsity swimming team, Thomas Spivey placed 14^th in the 50 freestyle and 11^th in the 100 freestyle in his final Prep League championship meet. His times of 24.03 (50 free) and 53.72 (100 free) were lifetime bests. Two weeks later at the VISAA meet, he dropped a half-second in the 50 free and swam a 52.57 relay split in the 100 free.

 

“Thomas joined the team as a junior, having swum summer league previously,” said Coach Mike Peters. “Through immense dedication, he improved his 50 free time by three seconds in a little over 15 months.  Thomas was consistently one of the hardest workers in the pool and the weight room.”

 

Lilly Hall pulled double duty as a diver and multi-event track and field performer.

 

In the LIS track championship, she placed second in the triple jump and third in the high jump and ran a leg of the runner-up 4x200 relay team. A week later in the VISAA meet, she finished second in the triple jump and fifth in both the long and high jumps and ran on the third-place 4x2 team.

 

She ended her five-year varsity track career with impressive personal bests: 4-10, high jump; 15-11, long jump; 34-4, triple jump; and 8.4 in the 55, and 45.59 in the 300.

        

“Lilly has played a key role in the success of our field events, specifically the jumps,” said Coach Beth Kondorossy. “She always looks to get the most out of each practice. She has a competitive edge and desire to win. We’ll miss her presence on the winter track team next year.”

 

J.P. Mintz has found his athletic calling as a pole vaulter. During the past three years, he’s improved his personal best from 10-0 to 14-0.

 

In the penultimate competition of the winter season, he won the Prep League title with a 13-6 vault. The following week, he equaled his personal best to place second in the VISAA championship.

 

“J.P. has quietly developed into one of the top pole vaulters in the state,” said Coach Brent Miller. “Not only has he dedicated the time needed to improve his skills, but he has led by example to encourage and push the other vaulters on the team. His effort and leadership helped both the boys and girls vaulters achieve some of the best places in the league and state meets Collegiate has ever seen.”

  ~Weldon Bradshaw