Spring Sports Preview

BASEBALL
Returning: Josh Richardson (12), Max Eckert (12)
Lost: Liam Bowen, Will Fassett, Thomas Kaufman, Mike Coe
Last year's record: 10-9
Big games: Apr 3 vs. Sherwood, Apr 26 at Springbrook
Outlook: The baseball team is fielding a lineup composed of only three returning starters. Catcher Eckert and shortstop Richardson, who was named to the pre-season All-State team, look to avenge last year's first-round playoff loss.

SOFTBALL
Returning: Carly Vieira (12), Emma Simson (12), Lily Hamburger (12)
Lost: Juliana Stevenson, Gray Vargas-Regan
Last year's record: 11-5
Big games: Apr 5 at Quince Orchard, Apr 23 at Blake
Outlook: The softball team finished fifth in the county last season and kept most of its starting lineup intact. Rallying behind a talented group of seniors, the Blazers are legitimate contenders for the county championship.

BOYS' TENNIS
Returning: Lella Alemu (12), Michael Price (11), Gordon Su (11)
Lost: Rahul Satija, James Phillips
Last year's record: 10-2
Big games: Mar 21 vs. Whitman, Mar 29 vs. Walter Johnson
Outlook: After last season's disappointing showing at Counties, the boys' tennis team has a chance to redeem itself this spring as leaders Price and Su return.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL
Returning: Tim Yang (11)
Lost: Michael Li, William Hwang, Robert Day
Last year's record: 10-3
Big games: Mar 28 vs. Richard Montgomery, May 1 vs. Springbrook
Outlook: Last year's squad looked to Hwang, Li and its other seniors for production and leadership. This spring, the team must rely on younger talent to be successful.

COED VOLLEYBALL
Returning: Amanda Hsiung (11)
Lost: Jennifer Alyono, Lan Le
Last year's record: 12-2
Big games: Apr 3 vs. Quince Orchard, May 1 vs. Springbrook
Outlook: Reigning as one of the top coed volleyball teams in the county last season, the Blazers will likely have an excellent spring. Hsiung, who was the star of the girls' volleyball team, will lead the squad this season.
Note: Correction made from Print Edition

BOYS' LACROSSE
Returning: Ben Schwengels (12), John Selby (12)
Lost: Andrew Ginsberg, Brian Matheron
Last year's record: 6-6
Big games: Apr 7 vs. Churchill, May 2 at Whitman
Outlook: Despite a late-season slump in which the team went 1-5, the squad showed much promise during the rest of the year, giving up only 70 goals in 12 games. The team's defense, arguably its greatest asset, is manned by Schwengels and senior Ben Field-Pickering. The team must be able to withstand the offensive firepower of Sherwood and Churchill to be successful this season.

GIRLS' LACROSSE
Returning: Kristina Cammen (12), Brigid McCarthy (12)
Lost: Karin Brown, Sara Hirschler
Last year's record: 5-9
Big games: Mar 28 at Gaithersburg, Apr 4 at Walter Johnson
Outlook: In its fifth year at Blair, the girls' lacrosse team has yet to produce a winning season. This season's squad will be highlighted by McCarthy, one of the county's top defenders, but winning will be difficult without Brown and Hirschler, the program's all-time leaders in scoring and assists, respectively.

TRACK AND FIELD
Returning: Briand Djenodjilem (12), Laurel Jefferson (12), Jamie Kovach (11)
Lost: Ashley Moorefield, Rebecca duRivage-Jacobs, Julia Elliott
Last year's record: 5-0 girls, 4-1 boys
Big games: Apr 1 vs. Blake, Apr 29 vs. Kennedy
Outlook: Last year's track teams dominated their regular-season meets and showcased a number of talented athletes, including duRivage-Jacobs, who qualified for States in four events. Although staying competitive this season will be a daunting task for both the boys' and girls' squads, Kovach and junior Perry Smith should make an impact in the long jump and the triple jump.

GYMNASTICS
Returning: Ilene Arnsdorf (12), Jessica Stamler (12), Lizzie Bryant (11)
Lost: Maryn Valdez
Big games: Mar 27 at Walter Johnson, Apr 8 at Quince Orchard
Outlook: The bad news: Last year's team had trouble even filling a full roster in its early competitions. The good news: This year's squad is more experienced and has a talented core group of gymnasts that includes Arnsdorf and Stamler, the only two Blazers to qualify for last year's state competition.