A look back at sports in 2012

They are all champions in their own way: the Little Leaguers smacking a ball for the first time, blossoming soccer players netting their first goals and the high school and college athletes who have finally broken in as starters after riding the bench. 

Cheers to the jocks who have improved their jump shots, their passes and their catches; their speed and their aim. 

Below, we reflect on some of the year’s most outstanding teams and athletes and the coaches who led them to victory. 

Outstanding teams

Clinton girls race to mayor

The DeWitt Clinton girls’ track and field team won the prestigious Mayor’s Cup in January. The Lady Governors’ total of 35 points in 17 events was nearly double the 21 points of second-place Medgar Evers.

Science soars to second in city

The Bronx High School of Science girls’ gymnastics team captured second place in the city championship meet at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn in February, defeating rival Cordozo by 1.5 points. Perennial power Tottenville High School on Staten Island finished first. 

Govs make cricket sing

The DeWitt Clinton Governors co-ed cricket team captured the Bronx/Manhattan championship in May. Clinton finished with a 9-3 record. 

Knights share the Bronx crown

The John F. Kennedy Knights boys’ baseball team shared the Bronx championship with Herbert H. Lehman in May, as both teams finished with 11-5 records in the PSAL. 

Science spikes second spot

The Bronx High School of Science boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams both captured second place this past year. The boys’ team came up just short in the championship game, losing two sets to one to the Academy of American Studies from Queens in May. The girls’ team lost 2-1 in the finals in November.

Jaspers have diamond season

The Manhattan College men’s baseball team finished with a perfect 18-0 home record during the regular season. Manhattan was the only team in the country to go undefeated at home in 2012. 

Fieldston first on the green