Courtesy of Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/11/24 – From Press Release

Rothman Head Coaching Chair for Men’s Lacrosse Jon Torpey announced the additions of James Chakey (Haverford School) and Logan Wisnauskas to the staff ahead of the 2025 season.

Chakey and Wisnauskas both join the staff after spending the 2024 season at High Point under Torpey.

In 2024, Chakey helped the Panthers to a 9-7 overall record in 2024 and guided a defense that ranked in the top half of the NCAA. In two years at Washington College under coach John Nostrant (his high school coach), Chakey helped five Shoremen earn All-Centennial League honors.

A 2016 Penn State graduate, Chakey was a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse and earned the Big 10 Sportsmanship Award and Penn State’s True Grit Award as a senior.

Wisnauskas arrives to College Hill after spending the 2024 season as a volunteer assistant coach at High Point under Torpey.

Read more at Philly Lacrosse

Courtesy of Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/5/24

Chris Burnetta said he never felt overwhelmed as a 16-year-old while playing for Team Ireland in the recent U20 European Lacrosse Championships in Wroclaw, Poland.

“I was the youngest player on the team, but none of my teammates treated me any differently,” said Burnetta. “I feel like my whole team was a bunch of big brothers.”

If Burnetta was considered a little brother, he more than held his own. The Haverford School 2027 attackman led Ireland in scoring (15 goals, 10 assists) and helped his team win its first U20 title 9 days ago.

“Playing for the Irish U-20 national team in Poland was awesome,” said Burnetta, who plays club for Team Ten. “It was super cool to represent Ireland, especially since my mom grew up and met my dad there.

“When I played against guys who were way older, particularly this defender for Switzerland who goes to RIT, it certainly took some getting used to. However, it was a fun challenge and I didn’t feel out of place on the field at all.”

Burnetta learned of the tournament just a few months earlier during a talk with Performance Academy owner Todd MacFarlane during a training session. MacFarlane had experience in International play since he’s a Scotland National Men’s Team assistant and recommended he try out for the Ireland team (children of those born in a country are eligible).”

Ireland (7-0) won the crown with a 10-7 conquest of defending champion England. Burnetta had 2 goals and 2 assists in the title win and earned all-tournament selection – rare for a 16-year-old.

“My teammates were incredible, and everyone was genuinely excited to be there,” said Burnetta. “The team was fully committed to the goal of winning a championship, which made playing so much easier and enjoyable.

“Our coaches were so dedicated to our team, so it was awesome to see their hard work pay off at the end of the tournament with a championship win. The city of Wroclaw was incredible, so exploring it with my team was an unforgettable experience.”

Ireland opened the championships on July 19 with an 8-3 win over Germany, then on Saturday, Ireland beat Switzerland 14-1. Ireland returned to play Monday, July 22, against Latvia and won 11-5 and then dominated Israel, 11-3, on July 23. On Wednesday, July 24, Ireland beat the Netherlands 10-3, and it defeated Sweden 11-3 on Friday, July 26 as Burnetta had 4G and 3A (Haverford High’s Nils McCallion had one goal for Sweden).

In the championship match against England, Ireland jumped to a 6-3 lead in the first two periods, before England cut it to 6-5 going into halftime. Ireland then scored four goals to take a commanding 10-5 lead.

“Everyday, we’d wake up for a morning practice, usually a walk-through, before heading back to the hotel or into town for lunch,” Burnetta said. “Then, we’d get prepped for the game of the day. After our game, we’d eat dinner together and then review film in preparation for our next game.

“Spending all this time together, our team grew super close, and it helped us with our on-field chemistry. Overall, I absolutely loved my time over there, and I know my teammates are going to be my friends for life.”

Burnetta credited Macfarlane for encouraging him to try out for Team ireland.

“When Coach Mac first told me, he was extremely enthusiastic about me joining the team,” Burnetta said. “I didn’t know at the time that there would be a U-20 team competing in Poland, but I was aware such tournaments existed. It was really just Coach Mac’s enthusiasm which made me so excited to try out for the team.”

MacFarlane sounded like a proud parent after hearing how well Burnetta performed. “I could not be more proud of Chris,” said MacFarlane. “He works hard in and out of the classroom, is a multisport athlete, crushes grades and is just a solid individual. Playing international lacrosse is really a celebration of the game and I’m excited that Chris and his family were able to enjoy the experience.”

Read more at Philly Lacrosse

By Bruce Adams

The senior goalie has been a key reason the Haverford School lacrosse team has posted an undefeated Inter-Ac record each of the last two seasons. He is averaging nearly 10 saves per game this season, with a save percentage close to .600. As a junior, he was on the All-Inter-Ac, All-State and All-Main Line boys’ lacrosse team. Murphy will attend the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, and will play lacrosse for the Spiders. Haverford School lacrosse head coach Brendan Dawson said, “The best part of Brody’s game from my perspective is his poise. He never gets rattled and is always in the moment. It’s been a pleasure to coach him.”

Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?

A: Growing up I played all over the field and I probably committed to the position in middle school. In township league I got thrown in goal and was pretty good at it so I thought I should stick with it. My dad played goalie in high school and one of my close friends growing up also played goalie.

Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?

A: I’m currently working on being more patient in net and talking more to my defense.

Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped the Haverford School lacrosse team this season?

A: Good communication is the most important part of a defense. Without talking to each other no one would know what was going on and everyone would be confused and it would be a lot harder to play good defense.

Q: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: I think that Coach Dawson has been a big influence in my lacrosse game and also my life. He’s taught me so much and I’m very grateful. I’ve also been lucky enough to be from an area where lacrosse is so popular so I know so many other players and goalies that I can reach out to when I have questions about anything.

Q: What first sparked your interest in lacrosse?

A: I’ve grown up in a very lacrosse loving family. My mother played lacrosse at Conestoga and the University of Richmond, my dad played in high school and both of my brothers played lacrosse at Conestoga as well. My brother Brendan also played lacrosse for the University of Richmond.

Q: Were your two older brothers also lacrosse mentors for you?

A: Yes, my brothers were huge mentors. I would always play with them in my backyard, and I watched them play while I was growing up

Fun facts – Brody Murphy

Favorite book: Ready Player One.

Favorite TV show: Entourage.

Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting.

Favorite pre-game song: Brasilian Skies.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Costa Rica.

Favorite subject at Haverford School: History.

Person I most admire, and why: “My dad. He is a very strong man and sets good examples for me and my brothers.”

Family members: parents Peter and Samantha, brothers Toby and Brendan, dog Bo.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)

The Inter-Academic Athletic League Directors of Athletics named 13 student-athletes as recipients of the annual Inter-Ac AD’s awards. The AD’s Award is presented annually to a senior girl and/or senior boy who has been a multi-sport varsity athlete and has exemplified dedication to their team and school. Recipients are considered to be outstanding representatives of the Inter-Ac League in sportsmanship and leadership. 
 
The AD’s Award began as the Willard Award in 1997 and from 1997-2010 the award recognized accomplished three sport athletes within the Girls Inter-Ac League. After the Boys’ and Girls’ Leagues merged in 2013, the award became the AD’s Award. Boys were first recognized with this award in 2019.

Connor Scanlan: The Haverford School
Sports: Football / Basketball / Baseball
College Attending: Fairfield University—Baseball

"I am honored to represent The Haverford School as the Inter-Ac AD award winner. 
 
Playing in the Inter Ac the last four years has helped me not only become a better player but also most importantly it has helped me become a better leader and teammate because of the challenging competition playing some of the best athletes around. 
 
Haverford has been an amazing experience for me on and off the field/court. Including the high academics, competitive sports, and the friendships made. But nothing says Haverford sports more than looking up into the stands while playing a game and seeing and hearing your “brotherhood” student section cheering. It is truly something I will never forget. 
 
I am forever grateful for all my coaches, teammates, teachers/faculty, and friends at Haverford for pushing me athletically, academically, and helping me become the person I am today."—Connor Scanlan
 
"Connor has been a tremendous part of the basketball program for four years. He has improved each season and as a senior was a leader on and off the court for the Fords! Connor was a cerebral player who was able to out work and out-think people on the court. He had a knack for helping his team in so many ways whether it was taking a charge, talking on defense, making the extra pass or simply leading from the bench!"—Coach Bernie Rogers, Basketball
 
"Connor continued to push his limits as an athlete this year. Deciding to play football his senior year has made him even a tougher competitor this Spring. He plays with a high athletic IQ and utilizes his skills while making an impact for our squad as a senior leader."—Coach Bob Castell, Baseball
 
"For Connor, only playing one year of high school football was courageous, he was coachable and maximized his talents. He was cool, calm and had a can-do attitude. It was great to have Connor as a part of the program."—Brian Martin, Football

Learn more at interacathletics.com >

By Bruce Adams

The senior pitcher has been a key factor in the Ford baseball team’s success this spring, posting a 5-2 record and 2.68 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched (as of April 27). Next spring, White will play baseball for East Carolina University – a top 10 ranked baseball program this year. Off the baseball field at Haverford School, White is the leader of the school’s Star Wars Club, and is a member of FOCUS and the school’s game day crew. Haverford School baseball head coach Bob Castell said, “Ian has continued to improve during his four years as a varsity performer. He has displayed a mature work ethic and emerged as a team leader and a role model for our younger players. He waited for his time behind the likes of Ryan Reed (University of Pittsburgh), Colby McNeely (Rider University), Grayson Walker (Dickinson), Jac Campbell (Norwich University), and has learned how to embrace his role as one of our senior leaders. Ian, along with pitchers Kevin Reavey (West Point) and Fred Jordan, give us a chance to win every game they throw.”

Q: What is your best pitch? What do you think has been the biggest key to your impressive strikeout total?

A: My best pitch this season so far has been my slider. Throwing this pitch more often has been important for me and helped me get more batters out.  I think the biggest key for me though has been the improvement of my changeup, which has helped me pitch to left-handed hitters. I have also gained a much better understanding of my whole pitch arsenal, which has been important for deciding what pitches to throw in certain counts depending on what hitter I am facing.

Q: What aspects of your pitching did you work on most during the past off-season?

A: I spent most of the offseason creating a more repeatable delivery as well as improving my understanding of how different pitches can be used by certain hitters. I spent a lot of time in Harrisburg at the pitching facility Full Reps. The people over there helped me improve my fastball and make my delivery more repeatable. I also did a lot of training virtually, where we focused on my movements and strength so that I could sustain a long season.

Q: As a pitcher, you probably have a better idea of how to pitch to a batter the more you see him. Can you tell us a few of the things you look for when a hitter that you’ve seen before comes to the plate?

A: The process starts the night before where our coaches will give me a scouting report on the hitters we will be facing the next day. I like to look at the report for a while but don’t want to spend too much time on it, as that could make me overthink it. What I am looking for in the scouting report is the hitters’ tendencies, whether they like to swing early in a count or late, and whether they hit off-speed pitches or fastballs. I also look to see who the other team’s most dangerous hitters are, and where they bat in the lineup. I want to know which hitters to be more careful with. With that plan in place for the next day, once I get to the field I just focus on executing one pitch at a time and trusting my catcher and pitching coach to call the pitches based on the plan we created.

Q: You’ve also served as a designated hitter for Haverford School. What aspect of your hitting did you work on most during the past off-season?

A: My biggest focus was to see more live reps off pitchers as well as trying to keep my swing as simple as possible. I spent a lot of time in the cages focusing on hitting the ball in the gaps and driving the ball for power.

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 7 for Haverford School baseball – is there a reason you chose that number?

A: Since I was little playing in the youth travel tournaments I had always worn the number 77. Once I got to high school that wasn’t an option so for my first three years I just went with what was given to me my freshman year, which was No. 16. After a rough year last year, I felt like I needed to change something up and go back to my routines. So starting this season I went back to No. 7 because that’s what I had always worn. I have always liked the number 7 the best.

Q: You mentioned that your favorite experience to date with the Haverford School baseball team was the state championship run your sophomore year – tell us a little about it.

A: That whole second half of the year was kind of magical, but the run we had in the state tournament was something special. Coming off a rough regular season where we were given a low seed, to playing in front of a packed stadium at Villanova was a surreal experience that I will never forget. The joy of running onto the field after the final out was something you can never really explain and getting to send the seniors off to college that way was an amazing feeling.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in organized baseball – have you played any positions other than pitcher and designated hitter?

A: Once I started playing baseball around the age of 5 or 6, I played every position, but my favorite was probably catcher — I loved controlling the game and getting to throw runners out stealing.

Q: Who have been your most influential baseball mentors and what has been the most valuable thing each of them have taught you?

A: My most valuable mentor has probably been the owner of my gym, Chez Angeloni. He has taught me everything I know about baseball and has helped keep me on track to reach my goals. He has taught me to never get too high and never get too low. What he has taught me through his experience in the baseball world has been one of the biggest keys to my development.

Q: What has been your favorite memory of your baseball career outside of Haverford School?

A: My favorite memory has probably been getting to pitch at Chase Field in Arizona this past summer. Growing up and going to major league baseball games, I always dreamed of pitching on those mounds so getting to do that was very special.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a contest.

A: I like to wake up around the same time every start day so my body’s schedule doesn’t get thrown off. Then I will get a good breakfast and drink a specific tea — that is sort of a superstitious thing. During the day I try to keep my mind focused on the goal and not let myself get distracted. Once school gets out I will throw some music in and drink an energy drink. From there I’ll start my warmup routine and then once I finish that, it’s game time and I’m ready.

Q: What is your favorite baseball field, and why?

A: My favorite field is T-Mobile Park because that is the field I went to first, and I have a lot of memories there.

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player and why?

A: My favorite player is Julio Rodriguez because he is a true team-first player and he has every tool a baseball player could need.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Haverford School? What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: My favorite subject is History. I am going to major in Criminal Justice, and the field that interests me the most is working in some sort of governmental agency like the CIA or FBI.

Fun facts – Ian White

Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Favorite author: J.K Rowling.

Favorite TV show: Star Wars the Clone Wars.

Favorite movie: Star Wars Return of The Jedi.

Favorite athlete: Joel Embiid.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: "You've got the touch" – Stan Bush.

Favorite team: University of Washington football.

Favorite place to visit: Seattle.

Favorite pre-game meal: Steak and potatoes.

Person I most admire, and why: “My mom because no matter the situation she always gives me good advice and is there for me always.”

Family members: parents Michael and Erinn, brothers William, Delaney and Conor.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)