SMCPS Athletics

January 2025

SMCPS Athletics

Happy New Year,

After six amazing years in athletics, I will be transitioning to a new position within SMCPS. To say I am grateful for the time I’ve spent working with ADs, coaches, administrators, officials, colleagues, parents, support staff, community partners, and student-athletes is an understatement. The dedication and passion of these groups of people is unmatched and I have been very fortunate to be a part of it. Fortunately, I am leaving the care and continued advancement of SMCPS athletics to someone who is equally as passionate about education-based athletics.

I would like to take a moment to introduce Mr. Ryan Hanley. Mr. Hanley is the newly appointed Supervisor of Physical Education, Secondary Health, and Athletics for SMCPS. Mr. Hanley previously served as the Activities Resource Teacher at Great Mills High School for the past 7 years. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Hanley and wishing him the best in his new role.

SMCPS Press Release

Warm Regards,

Mike Watson

MPSSAA Winter Officials Appreciation Week: January 13th - 18th

The MPSSAA and Districts across Maryland are celebrating Winter Officials Appreciation Week! Let's remember to show our appreciation to and support of those who help make our high school sports a reality. A simple gesture to let the officials know that we are thankful for their time and service would be well received.

Additionally, If you would like to become an official and are looking for more information, please visit the MPSSAA website at: Officials Association Central.

Student-Athlete Spotlight

Madelaine Becher

This month's Student-Athlete spotlight is on Great Mills' Madelaine Becher. Maddy is a senior foreign exchange student from Saxony, Germany. She is one of 6 girls on the Great Mills Wrestling team and has already won 3 matches in her first season wrestling, with all 3 wins coming by way of pins. Maddy had never played organized sports before coming to the United States. She was a member of the Varsity Field Hockey team in the Fall before joining the Wrestling team this winter. Maddy says that wrestling forces her out of her comfort zone and was scary at first but is actually really fun.

Student-Athlete Spotlight

This month’s Student-Athlete Spotlight is focused on Leonardtown’s AJ Kuntz. AJ is a four-year varsity wrestler, who has started off the 2024-25 campaign with a bang. In the first dual meet tournament of the year, AJ collected his 100th career win and was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the Grindstone Tournament. AJ and his teammates are looking forward to a competitive 2024-25 season. The Raiders will be participating in the War on the Shore Tournament on January 3-4, 2025.

Coach Spotlight

Dane Kramer

Dane Kramer has been the wrestling coach at Chopticon High School for 43 years. He taught Math at Leonardtown Elementary and Middle School for years until he retired. Dane continued to teach math, P.E. and drama at Mother Catherine Spalding after he retired from St. Mary's County Public Schools. Coach Kramer won a MPSSAA State Title in 2003-04 and has also coached 7 Individual State Champions. At the end of this season, Coach Kramer will have over 500 wins for his career. He also received the Rich O'Donnell Award in 2023, recognizing him for his service and excellence to the SMAC Conference.

Chopticon High School

Upcoming Events:

January 6- Indoor Track at PG Sports Complex
January 9- Wrestling at Great Mills
January 10- Boys Basketball at Leonardtown
January 10- Girls Basketball home vs Leonardtown
January 10- Swim at St. Mary's College Pool

For full Chopticon schedules: https://www.smacathletics.org/public/genie/561/school/2/

We only sell tickets through GoFan.

Please use this link to purchase tickets. https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24767

Spring Tryouts will start on March 1. 2025 Fall Tryouts are on August 13, 2025

Great Mills High School

Upcoming Home Events:

January 6th- Boys Basketball will host King George High School (5PM JV/ 6:30PM Var)
January 6th- Boys and Girls Indoor Track at PG Sports and Learning Center (4:00PM)
January 7th- Wrestling will host Digital Harbor High school (5:00PM)
January 8th- Girls Basketball will host North Point High School (5PM JV/6:30PM Var)
January 8th- Swimming will compete at St. Mary's College Pool (6PM Var)

Please visit https://www.smacathletics.org/public/genie/561/school/152/ for all schedules.

Please visit https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24791 to purchase tickets for all GMHS games.