OUTLOOK: Over the years, Brooks and Phillips have been among the top prep schools in New England.
After years of great success, Brooks has been rebuilding the last two years while Phillips has enjoyed considerable success. The roles could be reversed this year.
Brooks, led by Andrew Konovalchik and Nate Gibeley, should have its best team in years and compete for the Independent School League title. Phillips is rebuilding around star junior Christian Vallis.
Brooks
2011-12 season: 10-11, 3rd at ISL Meet
Returning starters (9): Ryan Miles, Sr., 195, Groveland; Andrew Kimball, Sr., 152; Andrew Konovalchik, Jr., 160, North Andover; Nate Gibeley, Jr., 170; Geoff Fulgione, Jr., 220, North Andover; Tommy Connelly, Jr., 285; Chris Cervizzi, Soph., 145, North Reading; Tom Caron, Soph., 113, Andover; Andrew Bolte, Soph., 138
Returning lettermen: Gavin Ugone, Sr., 145; Jun Yabuki, Jr., 132; Jake Bradford, Jr., 160; Graham Grieve, Jr., 152; Cole Millington, Soph., 145
Promising newcomers: Will Collins, Soph., 285; Hamilton Coke, Jr., 132; Jake Gottfried, Frosh., 182, North Andover; Jake Hesse, Frosh., 132, North Andover
Candidates: 25; Captains: Andrew Kimball, Andrew Konovalchik
Returning ISL top-4 placers: Andrew Konovalchik 1st, Nate Gibeley 1st, Andrew Bolte 3rd, Andrew Kimball 4th
Fast facts: Andrew Konovalchik, who was 29-3 last year and second in New England, missed the football season with an injury but should be back in action by the first of the year. ... Former All-American Sean Bilodeau, a four-year starter at Lehigh, is a new assistant. ... Senior Ryan Miles, who started as a sophomore, is back after missing all of last year with an injury. ... Sophomore heavyweight Will Collins is a transfer from Bishop Guertin. ... Junior Nate Gibeley was 3-2 at the Super 32 tournament in November and has looked terrific. .. Freshman Jake Gottfried of North Andover was a youth school New England champion last year. ... Brooks faces a tough schedule that includes home meets with powers Natick (Friday night) and Franklin. Pjhillips will be at Brooks Jan. 30.
Assistants: Sean Bilodeau, Mel Graham
Coach Alex Konovalchik (19th year): “We were young last year, but I’m really optimistic this year. We don’t have the holes we had last year and we’re strong from 138 (pounds) up. I think we’ll contend for the (ISL) title. This should be one of the better teams I’ve had.”
Phillips Academy
2011-12 season: 8-6
Returning starters (5): Sven Lerner, Sr., 145; Nikhil Baradwaj, Sr., 138; Christian Vallis, Jr., 120; James Palmer, Jr., 170; Matt Simon, Jr., 220
Promising newcomers: Chase Gottlich, Jr., 126; Justin Muchnick, Jr., 126; Auggie Horner, Jr., 152; Alex Rubin, Jr., 182; Henry Curtis, Soph., 195; Alex Humphreys, Soph. 285; Andreas Shiekh, Soph., 106; Tom Daly, Frosh., 113
Candidates: 38
Captains: Christian Vallis
Returning N.E. Prep placers: Christian Vallis 1st, Sven Lerner 4th, James Palmer 5th
Fast facts: Phillips finished second in the Prep Class A league and fourth in New England prep meet. ... Phillips opened its season last week with a 35-31 win over Nobles. ... Phillips has a tough schedule and will face Wyoming Seminary at the NMH Duals. ... Jason York, the former head coach at Bridgewater State College, and Methuen’s Kassie Archambault, a 2006 Phillips grad now teaching Russian at the school, have been added as assistant coaches.
Assistants: Chip Dunn, Jason York, Kassie Archambault, Noah Warren, Emmanuel Odjo
Coach Rich Gorham (17th year, 179-82-1): “It’s a rebuilding year with only two seniors slated to start. The best coaching staff I’ve ever had will work hard to develop the young talent. Vallis, Palmer and Lerner should have big years. Coaches (Jason) York and (Kassie) Archambault are big additions to the program.”
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