6 SQT Records That Are Least Likely To Be Broken This Year
Wayne Stark - SQT Correspondent
October 2015
The 2014-15 season was such a roller coaster for the Slytherin Quidditch Team that most people – SQT members included – did not even realize history was being made. The team was so focused on keeping their Quidditch Cup dreams alive that none of them noticed that several SQT records had been broken by multiple players. In March, Opal Curare overtook Faye Roderick as the player with the most games played for Slytherin. Thomas Lewis set the record for goals in a game while his brother, Cody, became SQT's all-time leading scorer – a record that had previously belonged to Xavier Dalen since the 2007-08 season.
Some records, like these, are attainable with the right amount of hard work and dedication. Other records require a bit more. Here are six of the SQT records that are least likely to be broken during the 2015-16 Quidditch season.
The 2014-15 season was such a roller coaster for the Slytherin Quidditch Team that most people – SQT members included – did not even realize history was being made. The team was so focused on keeping their Quidditch Cup dreams alive that none of them noticed that several SQT records had been broken by multiple players. In March, Opal Curare overtook Faye Roderick as the player with the most games played for Slytherin. Thomas Lewis set the record for goals in a game while his brother, Cody, became SQT's all-time leading scorer – a record that had previously belonged to Xavier Dalen since the 2007-08 season.
Some records, like these, are attainable with the right amount of hard work and dedication. Other records require a bit more. Here are six of the SQT records that are least likely to be broken during the 2015-16 Quidditch season.
Most Goals, Season
Cody Lewis, 87 (2013-14)
After sitting out the entirety of the 2012-13 season, Cody Lewis exploded back onto the scene as SQT's new lead Chaser. Lewis netted over seventy percent of the team's goals that year, and, despite a rule change that forced several games to end after twenty-five goals, managed to prise this record away from former teammate Alexander Greb.
Why Not?
After a brutal Bludger hit forced Lewis out of the first match of the 2014-15 season, SQT adopted a more team-centric approach to goal-scoring. Lewis even stepped out of the Chasing lineup a few times to give his teammates a few reps. Will Lestrange might be ready to take over lead Chaser duties while Lewis has hinted at a potential position change. This one is certainly not the most unbreakable of records, but it probably is not in the cards for this year.
Cody Lewis, 87 (2013-14)
After sitting out the entirety of the 2012-13 season, Cody Lewis exploded back onto the scene as SQT's new lead Chaser. Lewis netted over seventy percent of the team's goals that year, and, despite a rule change that forced several games to end after twenty-five goals, managed to prise this record away from former teammate Alexander Greb.
Why Not?
After a brutal Bludger hit forced Lewis out of the first match of the 2014-15 season, SQT adopted a more team-centric approach to goal-scoring. Lewis even stepped out of the Chasing lineup a few times to give his teammates a few reps. Will Lestrange might be ready to take over lead Chaser duties while Lewis has hinted at a potential position change. This one is certainly not the most unbreakable of records, but it probably is not in the cards for this year.
Most Hits, Game
Ashley Margaret, 47 (vs Hufflepuff, Apr. 20, 2013)
Slytherin's all-time leading Beater, Ashley Margaret, turned in a Beating performance on April 20, 2013 that can only be described as oppressive, helping the SQT defense shut the opposing team down completely. Prior to the 2012-13 season, no Slytherin Beater had ever managed to land more than twenty hits in a single game. Margaret doubled that number and then some.
Why Not?
Margaret was not the only player to hold this record during the 2012-13 season. Rosemarie Halliwell totaled thirty-three hits against Gryffindor just three months earlier. This past year, the Lewis brothers both inched towards the record, but neither could deal the finishing blow. Despite all the impressive Beating performances we have seen in the past few years, none of them can quite match up to Margaret's. I think that trend will continue for at least one more year.
Ashley Margaret, 47 (vs Hufflepuff, Apr. 20, 2013)
Slytherin's all-time leading Beater, Ashley Margaret, turned in a Beating performance on April 20, 2013 that can only be described as oppressive, helping the SQT defense shut the opposing team down completely. Prior to the 2012-13 season, no Slytherin Beater had ever managed to land more than twenty hits in a single game. Margaret doubled that number and then some.
Why Not?
Margaret was not the only player to hold this record during the 2012-13 season. Rosemarie Halliwell totaled thirty-three hits against Gryffindor just three months earlier. This past year, the Lewis brothers both inched towards the record, but neither could deal the finishing blow. Despite all the impressive Beating performances we have seen in the past few years, none of them can quite match up to Margaret's. I think that trend will continue for at least one more year.
Most Blocks, Season
Isabelle Aude, 69 (2002-03)
In the second year of SQT's existence, Isabelle Aude played all six games in front of the goal posts. She spent the year going head-to-head against many players that would go on to become Quidditch legends – Matt Whisp of Ravenclaw, Ron Diggory of Hufflepuff, and Seven Ashitaka of Gryffindor, among others. Aude defended the hoops fiercely even against the top talent of the day and set a record for blocks that has remained untouched for twelve straight seasons.
Why Not?
Even the team's most dedicated Keepers of the past – Isabelle Lestrange and Megaera Selwyn come to mind – have failed to match Aude's blocks, and in recent year's, SQT's lineup has been more like a game of musical chairs. Last year alone, the team fielded four different players at the Keeper position. Unless Slytherin goes back to having a full-time Keeper, Aude will remain at the top.
Isabelle Aude, 69 (2002-03)
In the second year of SQT's existence, Isabelle Aude played all six games in front of the goal posts. She spent the year going head-to-head against many players that would go on to become Quidditch legends – Matt Whisp of Ravenclaw, Ron Diggory of Hufflepuff, and Seven Ashitaka of Gryffindor, among others. Aude defended the hoops fiercely even against the top talent of the day and set a record for blocks that has remained untouched for twelve straight seasons.
Why Not?
Even the team's most dedicated Keepers of the past – Isabelle Lestrange and Megaera Selwyn come to mind – have failed to match Aude's blocks, and in recent year's, SQT's lineup has been more like a game of musical chairs. Last year alone, the team fielded four different players at the Keeper position. Unless Slytherin goes back to having a full-time Keeper, Aude will remain at the top.
Most Blocks, Game
Isabelle Lestrange, 26 (vs Gryffindor, Dec. 15, 2007)
In one of the most brilliant performances I have ever witnessed, Isabelle Lestrange held Gryffindor Chaser Seven Ashitaka to a mere eight goals. Lestrange set the record for most blocks in a single game, but Slytherin ultimately lost the game 100-130.
Why Not?
Opposing Chasing teams have broken twenty-six shots on goal against SQT only once in the past twenty matches. Ravenclaw put up thirty-six shots against Will Lestrange last year, but he would have had to block 75% of those attempts to break the record – a tall order against talented players such as Pavel Lagrange and Matilde Rayne. Slytherin's Beater lineup looks to be even better than last year, so thirty-six shots on goal might not even be a possibility going forward.
Isabelle Lestrange, 26 (vs Gryffindor, Dec. 15, 2007)
In one of the most brilliant performances I have ever witnessed, Isabelle Lestrange held Gryffindor Chaser Seven Ashitaka to a mere eight goals. Lestrange set the record for most blocks in a single game, but Slytherin ultimately lost the game 100-130.
Why Not?
Opposing Chasing teams have broken twenty-six shots on goal against SQT only once in the past twenty matches. Ravenclaw put up thirty-six shots against Will Lestrange last year, but he would have had to block 75% of those attempts to break the record – a tall order against talented players such as Pavel Lagrange and Matilde Rayne. Slytherin's Beater lineup looks to be even better than last year, so thirty-six shots on goal might not even be a possibility going forward.
Most Catches, Season
Faye Roderick, 4 (2008-2009)
I almost considered including Faye Roderick's record for career Snitch catches, but this article is for the unlikely, not the impossible. From 2006 to 2013, Roderick caught a total of seventeen Snitches, but her best season came in 2008-2009 when she managed to catch four of them. That season alone qualifies her as the single greatest Seeker in SQT history.
Why Not?
Wraith Ternarius came close last year with three catches, which makes this record seem less elusive than it really is. We still have no idea who Slytherin's next Seeker will be or how they will stack up against the opposing team's Seekers. Many of the players on SQT with Seeking experience are flat out more useful handling Quaffles or deflecting Bludgers. I highly doubt we will see the same person Seeking more than four games for Slytherin this season. It might be possible, but very, very unlikely.
Faye Roderick, 4 (2008-2009)
I almost considered including Faye Roderick's record for career Snitch catches, but this article is for the unlikely, not the impossible. From 2006 to 2013, Roderick caught a total of seventeen Snitches, but her best season came in 2008-2009 when she managed to catch four of them. That season alone qualifies her as the single greatest Seeker in SQT history.
Why Not?
Wraith Ternarius came close last year with three catches, which makes this record seem less elusive than it really is. We still have no idea who Slytherin's next Seeker will be or how they will stack up against the opposing team's Seekers. Many of the players on SQT with Seeking experience are flat out more useful handling Quaffles or deflecting Bludgers. I highly doubt we will see the same person Seeking more than four games for Slytherin this season. It might be possible, but very, very unlikely.
Most Times Bludgered, Career
Darcey Goode, 14
Historically, SQT has been pretty awful at dodging Bludgers and nobody has been on the receiving end of those vicious Bludger attacks more than Darcey Goode has been. From 2002 to 2010, Goode appeared in eighteen matches for Slytherin and was knocked off her broomstick a total of fourteen times. Just to put that into perspective, SQT as a team has been hit by only seven Bludgers in the past four years. This is more than just being at the wrong place at the wrong time – Goode is a Bludger magnet.
Why Not?
Since the rule change following last November's match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw, the number of Bludgers have plummeted – some games end without any Bludgers at all. No current member of SQT – other than Goode, of course – has been Bludgered more than twice in their careers, so it would require a lot of failed dodges to break this one. Maybe I am just optimistic, but I expect Slytherin to keep their failures to a minimum this year.
Darcey Goode, 14
Historically, SQT has been pretty awful at dodging Bludgers and nobody has been on the receiving end of those vicious Bludger attacks more than Darcey Goode has been. From 2002 to 2010, Goode appeared in eighteen matches for Slytherin and was knocked off her broomstick a total of fourteen times. Just to put that into perspective, SQT as a team has been hit by only seven Bludgers in the past four years. This is more than just being at the wrong place at the wrong time – Goode is a Bludger magnet.
Why Not?
Since the rule change following last November's match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw, the number of Bludgers have plummeted – some games end without any Bludgers at all. No current member of SQT – other than Goode, of course – has been Bludgered more than twice in their careers, so it would require a lot of failed dodges to break this one. Maybe I am just optimistic, but I expect Slytherin to keep their failures to a minimum this year.