Winter sports are the second season of sports in the school year. There are Winter sports at Padua: basketball, swimming, and indoor track. Parents attended an informational meeting on October 30. All participants must have a physical on file to tryout for any sport.

Basketball is coached by Coach Matthews, Coach Grugan, and Coach Leonard. According to the schedule at this time, basketball will be playing 8 home games that are either near the beginning or end of the season at Padua Academy. Tryouts will be held November 15th and November 16th.. Letters will be sent out to let one know if they made the team. “The tryout process was, for lack of better words, tough. It was tiring and you really needed have physical endurance. To get ready, I played in a fall basketball league and participated in the preseason conditioning Padua Basketball offered. Both of these activities helped me to get in shape and feel ready for the tryouts,” Teresa H. said as she remembered about her tryout experiences. “Practices for varsity were after school from 3-5 every Monday through Friday, and we had early morning practices on Saturdays. Practices consisted of skills and conditioning. However, on days that we had games, we would eat dinner as a team and talk about plays and strategy. For away games, both varsity and JV take the bus there and back,” Teresa explained about training. If one did make the team, a bonfire will be held that night in celebration at Coach Matthew’s house. Teresa also exclaimed that , “The team got along great! We made it our team goal to complete different types of service throughout the year. I think that Padua played with heart and determination. There were many teams who lacked spirit and compatibility so they got down on each other and acted defeated during the game. We were aggressive but respectful, which sometimes got in opposing team’s head made them frustrated. In my opinion, a person who is planning to tryout should look forward to all the team events, making new friends, and improving their basketball skills. Although basketball is a long season, it is worth it to play!” And Teresa encourages everyone to come and tryout!

Swimming is coached by Coach Olsen and Coach Ostapkovich. “The tryout process was a little rough for me last year because I had not been swimming since the middle of the summer. If you are planning on trying out, look forward to hard work and fun times. The practices can be tough but they really get you in great shape for the meets. Also look forward to a lot of team bonding,” Marguerite B. explained about the practice process. Swimming will be having 4 home games that are mostly at the beginning of the season, but one is the last competition of the season.  In the past, practice has been held at Fraims’ Boys and Girls club lasts from 1 ½ hours to 2 hours six days a week. “Fridays are land practice. For the pool practices we usually do a warmup set, drill sets, hypoxic training, a hard set, and then some cool down stuff,” Marguerite thoroughly explained about practices. “Meets are well organized and before each meet is when we give out the secret buddy gifts. The team is like one big family. We all get along great. There were some parties put on by the team captains last year and they were really fun. We also have a secret buddy system where you pick a name out of a hat and secretly get them a gift before each meet,” Marguerite explains about meets and team bonding. “Padua swim team always has great sportsmanship. After each race we shake hands with the other swimmers in our heats and after the whole meet we shake hands with everybody. Every team member always cheers everyone else one when they are not swimming. It’s a lot of fun.” Marguerite cannot wait for another season to swim with a team that will be just as amazing.

Indoor track is coached by Coach Giunta. The team won the Winter Track Delaware State Title and Coach Giunta won Winter Track Delaware State Coach of the Year. The indoor track schedule has not been decided. The season begins November 11th, 2013 and ends February 2014. Former player, Karlina P., said “The tryout process isn’t bad. You just need to be able to run to Baynard and back. The first few weeks may be hard, but after that you will be in good shape.” If you cannot run that distance then the coach will encourage a daily workout. Preseason for all players should have them running a minimum of four times a week or work themselves up to being able to go running five times a week. All players should also be doing regular core conditioning three days a week. The first day of tryouts is November 11th and the team roster will be finalized on November 26th. The team practices Mondays through Fridays after school until 5:00pm and on Saturday from 9:00am-11:30am at the Baynard Track. “Meets, for specially chosen athletes, can be held  at anytime or any day over the weekend. The team gets along very well because winter track isn’t that big of a team, so we all get close. We even volunteer as a team sometimes. New team members should look forward to team dinners too! They are so good!” Karlina exclaimed while reminiscing of the past few seasons.

All athletes are encouraged to try out for any of the three winter sports available. By playing a sport one is staying active, making friends, and having fun. For information about basketball, swimming, and indoor track before and during the season, check out www.pandassports.com for all the Padua Academy sports information.