David Fritz

Junior David Fritz raises the volume of his music as he attempts to cover up the noise of his quickened heartbeat. Fritz is nervous before his big race at the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) cross country championship but draws strength from his season-long preparations. 

Throughout the season and at the PVAC league championship as well as the Boys Varsity Small Private School Maryland State Championships, Fritz led the CESJDS boys varsity cross country team to victory and unprecedented highs. 

The team made school history when they won the state title for the second time ever. This win was a high note at the end of an already impressive season where the male team broke a PVAC record for the best team finish in a meet. 

Fritz contributed to these successes by winning each of his in-season races and placing second in his race at States, both of which led to him being named first-team all PVAC. Fritz recounted that the season was defined by chasing after the league record with his team, which was ultimately beaten by a very close margin when freshman Jonah Berman narrowly outran an opponent from the Sandy Spring Friends School in the final meters of the race. 

Fritz’s favorite memory of the season occurred moments prior to the shotgun at the start of the championship race. Before this race, despite having won all season, he was quite apprehensive. 

“There was a good amount of pressure, but I listened to music before the race, tried to be calm and performed. We ended up getting the record, and personally, it was a great race for me,” Fritz said. 

Fritz said that the season was full of accomplishments, both personal and group-wise, and that he is looking forward to the winter track and field season to come. 

“I’m really proud of the team,” Fritz said. “We worked really hard, and I’m glad the team was able to show that and be as successful as we were.” 

Talia Sporkin

Junior and co-captain of the girls varsity soccer team Talia Sporkin had an exciting fall season in which positive interpersonal dynamics and passion for the sport led the CESJDS team to success. The varsity girls soccer team finished the regular season with a record of 8-2, which seeded them first in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) heading into the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the semifinals. 

Sporkin, as well as sophomore Leah Harrison, were named first-team all-PVAC by the league. Sporkin attributed a significant proportion of the team’s great record to the new coaches the team had this year. 

“This year we had two new coaches and it was really amazing to see how we bonded with them over the course of the season, and how the dynamic of the team changed with the great fit since we responded so well to their coaching,” Sporkin said. 

Team relationships are crucial to Sporkin, who got her start in the sport by kicking a soccer ball with her classmates during recess in first grade. 

“I play soccer because it’s a lot of fun and I really enjoy the feeling that it gives me on a fast break when I run up and down the field,” Sporkin said. “Soccer gives me a lot of great experience to learn how to be on and a part of a team.” 

Sporkin noted that the team success was experienced off the field as well, and she stated that the entirety of the season was very enjoyable. 

“This season was a lot of fun because we had not played in two years together, so we were all very excited to come back and actually be able to have a season and that the team did so well,” Sporkin said.