TCS varsity girls and boys volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams competed against top Caribbean schools at the CISA Tournament, held at TCS from April 17th to 20th, 2024.
With six international schools in attendance, including The Baldwin School from Puerto Rico, Carol Morgan School (CMS) from the Dominican Republic, and Cayman International School (CIS) from the Cayman Islands, alongside local schools, Colegio Nueva Granada (CNG) and Colegio Marymount from Medellín, the stage was set for a thrilling showdown at The Columbus School, serving as the host of the event.
“We are truly excited to host the first-ever CISA tournament. The excitement in the air reflects the joy of the entire TCS community, and I have a feeling this will be a truly memorable event.” Freddie Badillo, Athletic Director, said.
The tournament format was structured with five teams in each sport advancing to the playoffs, where every team faced off against each other. Points accumulated determined the rankings, with the top team claiming first place and subsequent rankings following spots. Additionally, teams in 2nd and 3rd place battled for a spot in the final, while those in 4th and 5th competed for a chance to challenge the top-ranked team in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to the final round.
“We are going to do our best to end in the first place, it will make everything easier for us. I know my teammates and I know we are capable of facing all rivals and still win with a big difference,” Sara Galeano, girls basketball player, said.
In the girls’ soccer final, Baldwin faced off against CMS, resulting in Baldwin securing victory with a 1-0 scoreline. Meanwhile, TCS sealed third place with a 1-0 win over CIS. As for the boys’ soccer semifinals, TCS faced off against CNG, while TCS Tigers (the junior varsity team) competed against Baldwin. However, TCS failed to secure victory in either of the semifinals. The finals saw CNG and Baldwin competing intensely, with CNG emerging victorious with a 1-0 score. TCS claimed third place with a 2-0 victory.
“Even though we lost the semifinal we gave everything we had for the third place. If you are a team player you know that every day isn’t going to be the same, we always have our ups and downs. But we are still able to win some incredible memories and trophies,” Mariana Mesa, girls soccer captain, said.
TCS triumphed in the girls’ basketball final, defeating Baldwin with a score of 48-25. CMS secured third place in a closely contested match against CNG, with a final score of 21-20. Meanwhile, the boys’ basketball title was claimed by CIS after another closely contested match against CMG, with a final score of 41-39. TCS secured third place by defeating Baldwin 29-27.
“The victories achieved by TCS and CIS in the basketball finals showcased the resilience and talent of our student-athletes, leaving a lasting impression on all spectators,” Maria del Mar Aaron, Grade 10, said.
The TCS girls’ volleyball team secured second place after the final match against Baldwin, scoring 0-2 sets. However, the TCS Tigers claimed third place by winning 2-1 against CMS. Alternatively, TCS boys’ volleyball was victorious in the final with a 2-1 score against CNG. Third place went to Baldwin after defeating CMS with a 2-0 score.
“It was really sad seeing both of our TCS teams lose, but we are happy that both of them ended up on the podium of the girls’ volleyball. The ongoing improvement of our volleyball teams never fails to amaze us. Congratulations to Nestor, the girls’ coach, and Anibal, the boys’ coach, for their unwavering dedication and passion for their teams,” Badillo said.
Throughout the tournament, members of the NHS played a pivotal role in organizing and ensuring the hospitality of the event. Before the tournament, two NHS seniors warmly welcomed CMS and CIS at the airport, escorting them to their designated hotels while presenting them with posters and traditional Colombian candy. During the event, NHS appointed two ambassadors per delegation to assist with any inquiries the visiting schools may have had. Additionally, NHS was responsible for vending tournament souvenirs to all attendees of the games.
“We departed from TCS filled with joy and gratitude. The warm hospitality extended to us from the moment we arrived at the airport was truly remarkable. Everyone we encountered was incredibly kind, and the organization of the event was impeccable,” Richard Britton, CMS Athletic Director, said.
