To date, winter season features 3 undefeated teams, 2 teams with a single loss, all undefeated in RIIL play
WARWICK, RI (January 16, 2019) – Coming off a fall season that saw a Cross Country team ranked #4 in the nation and #1 in the state, some gridiron redemption over a longtime rival from Varsity Football, and a state title 3-peat from Unified Volleyball, Bishop Hendricken’s winter athletics line-up was on the hot seat to keep Hawk Country cheering.
And, so far, they’ve delivered.
Varsity Hockey kicked off their 2018-2019 campaign with a blistering 11-0 start. In Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) competition, the Hawks defeated rivals Mount St. Charles, La Salle, Smithfield, and Prout. Over the winter break, Coach Jim Creamer and the Hawks won the 23rd Annual Mount St. Charles Holiday Face-Off, defeating La Salle College High School (PA), La Salle Academy, and 11x New York Catholic champion, St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, en route to the crown.
After dropping only one contest to Pope Francis Preparatory School (MA), the Hawks strung together another three wins to bring their season record to 14-1 (8-0 league), including impressive wins over out-of-state competition from Greenwich (CT), St. Joseph Regional School (NJ), and Reading (MA).
But, hockey isn’t the only sport finding success against regional foes. Varsity Basketball has amassed an undefeated 11-0 record (7-0 league) on the season, including wins over Bridgewater-Raynham (MA), Brighton (MA), Mt. Vernon (NY), and J.E. Burke (MA). In RIIL play, Coach Jamal Gomes’ Hawks swept the steepest part of their 2018-2019 schedule, downing Division I powerhouses La Salle, Cranston East (twice), and a thrilling double-overtime win over then-undefeated North Kingstown in back-to-back-to-back victories.
On the mat, Wrestling has seen the same success, enjoying a 10-1 overall record. Coach Kevin Hennessy’s team has won all but one match thus far, picking up wins against regional opponents like Grand Street Campus (NY), Hewlett (NY), and Wantagh (NY) on a New York swing that kicked off their 2018-2019 season. Against Massachusetts opponents, the Hawks are perfect, defeating Framingham and New Bedford in December. In league competition, Hendricken has earned a 5-0 record to date, with key victories over tough Ponaganset and Chariho clubs.
Though still early in its schedule, Swimming is poised to continue its history of Division I achievement en hopeful route to its 32nd state title. Coach Dave Hanson’s Hawks are undefeated through 3 meets, out-swimming La Salle, Cumberland, and Prout/Narragansett/Chariho Co-op, each in convincing fashion. One of Hendricken’s toughest meets of the year is slated for Tuesday, January 29 at 6pm when they take on Barrington at McDermott Pool.
And, if stellar performances was the expectation for Indoor Track & Field, it’s delivered, too. In tournaments, the Hawks have been crowned victors of the Ocean Breeze Freedom Games (NY), and runners-up at the Dartmouth Relays (NH). In league competition, Coach Jim Doyle and his squad of runners, throwers, and jumpers have gone a perfect 7-0, including a record of undefeated dual meets.
Individually, multiple Indoor Track & Field athletes are ranked high in the nation in their respective events, including Jack McMahon ’19 (2nd in the two mile), Aidan Tierney ’19 (6th in the two mile), Luke Henseler ’20 (7th in the two mile), Ryan Morel ’19 (7th in the weight throw), the Distance Medley Relay team (5th), and the 4×800 Relay team (16th).
All records as of Wednesday, January 16, 2019.