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Kolstad fires up Trevians (+ New Trier team page)
Niles West's Tommy Galanopoulos (13) gets tackled by New Trier's Michael Henderson (48, top), J. Harry McCaffrey (55, front), and Conor Kolstad (23, far back) in Skokie on Friday. | Jon Durr~For Sun-Times Media
This Week
New Trier
BOYS and GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday
At CSL Conf. Meet at Waukegan, 9 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Today
At Lakes Comm., 5 p.m.
Wednesday
At Regional, TBD
FOOTBALL
Friday
At Evanston at Northfield, 7:30 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Friday
At 3A State Finals, The Den, Fox Creek, Bloomington, TBA
Saturday
At 3A State Finals, The Den, Fox Creek, Bloomington, TBA
BOYS SOCCER
Today
Hosts Hinsdale Central at Northfield, 7 p.m.
Tuesdsay
Hosts 3A Regional vs. Mather, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SWIM/DIVE
Friday
At Glenbrook South, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
At Evanston Dive Invite, 10 a.m.
Hosts Relays at Winnetka Campus, 1:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Friday
Hosts Sectional at Winn. Pk. Dist Courts, TBD
Saturday
Hosts Sectional at Winn. Pk. Dist Courts, TBD
Thursday (10/18)
At State Finals, TBD
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Today
Hosts Maine South at Winnetka, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
Hosts Evanston at Winnetka, 6 p.m.
Article Extras
Updated: November 12, 2012 11:23AM
SKOKIE — Before New Trier exited the locker room for the second half Friday, Conor Kolstad got the ear of the team.
The senior captain and cornerback saw the dull look on some faces and knew he needed to say something.
“I decided to get everyone together and sure everyone was going to play like we wanted it,” Kolstad said after the team’s 29-7 win against Niles West. “I let them know it was going to be a big second half for us. We couldn’t take any plays off.”
The Trevians, who led by 10 at intermission, got the message.
On the third play of the third quarter, New Trier forced a fumble and followed up with a touchdown by quarterback Frank Nicholas. The Trevians then got two more fumbles the next two times the Wolves touched the ball and effectively put the game away.
“We need to keep reminding ourselves we can’t take anything for granted,” Kolstad said.
A year ago, Kolstad was in no position to take on such a role. As a varsity rookie, he played on special teams and was the scout team’s running back.
But Kolstad has grown into a leader for the Trevians.
“The seniors last year set a good example for me,” he said.
Anthony Sernus is another player who went from backup to starter for his senior season. The safety plays alongside Kolstad in the secondary.
“Me and Anthony talked in the offseason about wanting to start as seniors,” Kolstad said. “We wanted to get in the weight room in the offseason and work hard to get better.”
Like Kolstad, Sernus didn’t see much action as a junior. Sernus was a backup on special teams before becoming a starter on defense this year.
“I tried to prepare myself as much as I could in the offseason,” Sernus said. “I really pushed myself to make a commitment.”
The contributions of both Sernus and Kolstad aren’t lost on New Trier coach Dan Starkey, whose team improved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the CSL South with Friday’s win.
“They have both been extremely reliable and consistent in practice every day,” Starkey said. “They have worked really hard to put themselves in position to have great senior years.”
New Trier most likely is one win away from qualifying for the state playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. The Trevians can do that Friday at home against rival Evanston.
Such an accomplishment would mean a lot to players such as Sernus and Kolstad, two players who followed a long road to the varsity field.
“My dad played for New Trier and lost to Evanston his senior year,” Kolstad of his father Roy. “He told me how terrible he felt after that game. He doesn’t want me to have any regrets about anything after the game.
“I am very much looking forward to it. I’m excited.”
Names in the Game
Laura Swenson
Noteworthy efforts: The sophomore won a CSL South championship at No. 3 singles as the Trevians won the team title with 53 points. Swenson was one of six spots in the lineup that finished in first place. Other champions included Taylor Tamblyn (No. 2 singles), Cammie Frei and Kirstie Woodbury (No. 1 doubles), Lily Schroeder and Alexandra Wolff (No. 2 doubles), Audrey Mang and Alyssa Ritchie (No. 3 doubles) and Brooke Bondurant and Katherine Ritter (No. 4 doubles)
Austin Rendell
Noteworthy efforts: The senior golfer will be on familiar grounds Friday when he tees it up at the Den at Fox Creek. He played there last season as a junior and tied for 13th. He has one more chance for bragging rights among his siblings. Older brother Mills, now on the golf team at Vanderbilt, tied for sixth as a senior. Austin already has sister Brittany, who played golf at Bucknell, beat.
Quick Hits
Big Numbers
0 | Set losses by the New Trier girls volleyball team Friday and Saturday at Glenbrook North’s invitational. The Trevians went 5-0 to win the title and improve their record to 25-0 entering this week’s action. Hayley Fauntleroy and Brittani Steinberg each had eight kills in the 25-23, 25-21 win over Libertyville in the final.
Sound Bites
“I did think about playing at the state tournament. But I don’t have any goals or a number in my this weekend. I just want to play my best.”
— Sophomore golfer Jack Junge talking about his preseason thoughts.
Don’t Miss
Saturday
Girls tennis: Trevians at own sectional, TBA
Carol Finke is back at No. 1 singles after an injury sidelined her for part of the season. The team is seeking its fourth consecutive sectional title and then third state medal in a row. The Trevians placed second at the state tournament a year ago.
Tuesday
Boys soccer: Trevians host Mather at own sectional, 7 p.m.
In his farewell season, New Trier coach Craig Fairbairn and the Trevians, seeded sixth at their own sectional, open the playoffs against 12th-seeded Mather in the regional semifinals at New Trier.
Culture Grid: Nick Iserloth
Nick Iserloth is a freshman golfer for the Trevs and possibly played the best round of his life Monday at the Winnetka Golf Club.
What is your favorite golf course? “Skokie Country Club. I’ve played there three times. It’s a tough test of golf. If you play well there, you know you can play well anywhere.”
What are you watching on TV these days? “ ‘Shark Tank.’ It’s a show about investing. It’s fun to watch people coming up with crazy ideas.”
Who are you listening to right now? “I like rap. Eminem is my favorite. I like his stuff. He has come out with anything new, but I like the old stuff. I also like the Black Keys.”
