Audrey Hua '26 < Back South Central PA's Finest Audrey Hua '26 Sep 22, 2023 What’s a Day Student Ambassador? Well, you might be familiar with their former title: Day Student Prefects. Led by a tight group of qualified seniors and upper-middlers, this revamped position seeks to bridge the gap between the day/boarding life, while simultaneously enhancing the day students' experience on campus. Roz Remzikas ‘24 was inspired by her past Day Student Prefect, Hannah King ‘23. “I'm super sad she's gone, but I'm happy I can be that for other people,” she said. Day Student Ambassador Augie Bennett ‘24 was inspired by his friend Holden Walker ‘23, while Ava Guzic ‘25 and Eliana Sandy ‘24 were motivated by their desire to advocate for other day students. Guzic said, “I've noticed problems over the years, and I want to help fix that for others.” Sandy lived in the basement of Fowle Hall during COVID in her freshman year, where “there was no electricity, [it was] always too hot or too cold, and smelled like mold.” She ate meals alone in the locker rooms, unable to dine with her friends in the gym because “it wasn’t my assigned day student space.” Her experience left a strong impression, urging her to “create that sense of equality which I feel like hasn't been there for a while.” The role of a Day Student Ambassador is multifaceted. Remzikas noted her assistance in ferrying students to school, providing a wardrobe for last-minute athletic changes, and scheduling lunches with tight-knit day student groups. Sandy said, “We're going to be very involved with SAC events.” Guzic added, “We have direct meetings with Mr. Brown regularly, so we get to talk directly to him about issues.” “The big thing is we don't have to do a lot of dorm duty,” Remzikas said, comparing the roles of Day Student Prefects and Ambassadors. “There was never an opportunity for us to really meet and engage with our students as Prefects,” Sandy said. “We have a greater chance for advocacy in the role of Ambassador.” “I like the freedom an Ambassador has,” Guzic said. Bennett added, “It’s a nice way to stay involved in the community but also not take a whole bunch of time.” Sandy is passionate about introducing the Mercersburg student body to the local day student communities, including “the Saturday farmer's market in my hometown, Waynesboro, and the most adorable bookshop I’ve ever been in, Wee Scot.” “I've heard students say, Mercersburg is in the middle of nowhere, but they aren't really given the opportunity to explore all the little towns around here,” Sandy wrapped up. A huge step for the community would be to connect with our local friends. “We’re in such a beautiful place; I just wish there was more appreciation.” Previous Previous Next Next

Kate Sui ’29 < Back Catya Bookhammer Kate Sui ’29 Oct 3, 2025 Catya Bookhammer has joined the counseling department. Bookhammer brings experience working in community health centers with both children and adults. After initiating a public school mental health clinic, she “fell in love working with children and students.” Bookhammer has previously worked in government programs. Bookhammer has found the school community especially welcoming: “I really appreciate the friendliness and warmth from both students and faculty, which makes the community feel so pleasant and welcoming.” Looking ahead, she is eager to collaborate with fellow counselors and strengthen relationships with students. “I want students to feel comfortable and willing to come for help.” Outside of counseling, Bookhammer enjoys spending time outdoors: “I love hiking, gardening, and spending time in nature.” Having lived in the Mercersburg area for many years, she already feels a strong sense of home: ”I’m happy to be part of a school that cares about both academics and well-being. I look forward to bringing warmth and dedication to my role.” Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang < Back Engineering Cub Article Carrie Yang Feb 17, 2026 On Wednesday, February 11, the Engineering Club met with members of the Mellott Company, including alumnus Paul Mellott ‘70, to learn about the professional world of engineering and plan a tour of the Mellott Company’s factory. The Mellott Company specializes in rock crushing, and students had an opportunity to ask professionals questions about the inner workings of the field. Club President James Coors ’27, who orchestrated the meeting, has long aspired to become an engineer. “One way I've always thought of a good way to educate myself on that and other people in the Engineering Club was to have people from different companies come talk to us about what they do,” said Coors. “I met Mr. Mellott last year when I was doing a Zoom call for the alumni office. I heard about the Mellott company, and that's when I thought it'd be a good idea to meet with them because we had that connection.” Coors continued, “I thought it would be a good way also if we could get some students who couldn't go on the factory tour, and they could still ask questions about the company.” Students–leadership council and members alike–delved into the nuances of engineering career paths, with employees graciously fielding questions. Randy Bates, the Vice President of Systems at the company, noted, “ The Mellott family and the company [have] always reached out to the community. They instill that into the employees here as well. You'll see Mellott employees at county fairs and different parades and functions. We're out there.” Students affirm that the meeting broadened and deepened their understanding of engineering. Club member William Sellery ’26 explained , “What stood out to me particularly is their focus on culture and really being able to work on something hands-on and not just in theory.” Jacob Curry ’27 was impressed with the company’s longevity. “Engineering is starting to become a very polarized field in the sense that there are actually a lot of people who leave jobs within two years, and then there are people who stay at jobs for fifty-plus years,” said Curry. “They all knew each other–they all liked each other. They seemed a lot more relaxed than the typical engineer archetype.” “You have big, massive companies where you can work on a massive range of different things, and you can be working hands-on,” said Sellery. “Or you can also be in smaller companies, which are often, I'd say, nowadays overlooked by a lot of people.” Like Coors, other students aspire to pursue engineering in higher education or explore fields adjacent to engineering. Curry said, “It's been a pretty [long-time] goal of mine to obtain an engineering degree and become an engineer.” On the other hand, Sellery, who is President of the Robotics Society, noted that “there’s a lot of overlap [between the two clubs].” The Club hopes to visit the Mellott Company in April. “It will be a lot of learning to see what day-to-day the engineers do, what happens…around their company, and [we’ll] get to see a lot of the facilities that they run,” said Coors. The upcoming visit and similar off-campus events will set a precedent for future club activity. Curry explained, “I feel like more real-life young professionals and even older professionals are what Mercersburg students need to hear from.” Previous Previous Next Next

Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 < Back Learn to make a difference Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 Oct 7, 2022 In 2021, Mercersburg Academy partnered with the online-tutoring program Learn to Be, a non-profit organization that allows students in high school to tutor younger students in underserved communities. Learn to Be has a pay-if-you-can policy, meaning if families are able to pay for lessons they can; however, it is not a required payment, making tutoring more accessible to more students. Although the program is based in California, it has broad outreach, with students and tutors located across the US. This partnership was established by Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons, who reached out to Learn to Be after several students expressed interest in tutoring at the local elementary school but were restricted due to COVID limitations. “I looked around for online tutoring programs that could partner with us, and I found Learn to Be. Their platform allows us to manage our tutors through our own partner portal which really helps me keep an eye on tutors and the connections that they're making,” said Parsons. “They're dedicated to helping students who could really benefit from tutoring and could fall behind easily without extra help. They select their students and then manage the communication between the family and the student.” Peter Rice ‘23, one of the first volunteers, said, “I started tutoring because I saw it as a fun way to give back and help others during a time when it was harder to do community service because of COVID. It also seemed fairly easy to do and it has a real impact on the students you tutor.” Finding time for tutoring at Mercersburg can be difficult. Parsons explained, “Tutors are asked to give one hour a week to their student which can be tricky considering our schedule.” However, students have been able to navigate their way around this issue. “I first told them the times I was free then let them pick which one worked for them. We set up weekly meetings during that time and if an unexpected event ever came up during our tutoring time we rescheduled for the following week,” said Chuks Ugori ‘23. Student volunteers also mentioned that they were able to develop several skills through tutoring. Maia Somma ‘24 said, “I tutored French primarily so that I could strengthen my own French skills as well as be a mentor to students who need extra help. I’ve definitely improved my communication skills and my ability to organize information in a cohesive way for the lessons I designed.” Ugori also commented, “I learned to teach concepts in innovative and fun ways to ensure that the kid getting tutored doesn’t get bored and shut off.” Learn to Be is an extremely beneficial organization for both the tutor and the student, as both leave the session having gained new strengths. Tutors have the opportunity to practice their time management as well as organizational skills, while students are able to receive help on areas they struggle with, free of charge. Previous Previous Next Next

Cate Dougherty '25 < Back Golfin' Eagles Cate Dougherty '25 Apr 12, 2024 Last weekend, the Mercersburg girls golf team competed against the Hill School for their first Mid-Atlantic Prep League match of the season. Although the girls suffered a close loss with a score of 200-190, head coach Dough Smith and the players are confident in the team's ability to produce good results going forward. "Weather has made it very difficult to even practice,” stated Smith, “[I think] that we have not got into a rhythm this year [and] we have had multiple matches and even more practices canceled.” Although the team can use the golf simulator during the rainy and windy weather, captain Kate Kalowinski ’24 commented, “It isn't as effective as going to the range.” The team's dynamic this year has been excellent due to the abundance of senior leadership. “ We encourage and support each other,” said captain Sihyeon Bae ’24. “We always smile even though we [may] lose our match. I think it’s because we focus more on having fun regardless of the result.” This season also welcomed two new players, Zoe Duffy ’26 and Pema Namdol ’27. “The girls’ team is so supportive. The other girls welcomed me when I joined,” said Duffy, “We want to create the best team dynamic we can, have as much fun [as] we can, and win more.” Looking past the recent gloomy weather, upcoming games include the MAPL championship, the state championship, and the Swing Against Cancer golf series. The team remains optimistic about the rest of the season. “When we are locked in and ready to go, I am confident about… [the] spring,” said Smith. Kalinowski added: “We have a real shot; everything just needs to click.” With the worst of the weather hopefully out of the way, the teams will finally be able to get into the swing of things and have great matches this weekend in an upcoming tri-match against Blair Academy and Hill. Previous Next

An exciting moment for the girls indoor track and field team took place two weeks ago when Hannah King ’23, Erika Tso Sowah ’24, Anne Sehon ’25, and Adrienne Howard ’26 broke the 4x400m relay record, turning in a time of 4:23.83, nearly two seconds faster than the previous record... < Back Racing into the recordbooks Ivy Chan '24 Feb 3, 2023 An exciting moment for the girls indoor track and field team took place two weeks ago when Hannah King ’23, Erika Tso Sowah ’24, Anne Sehon ’25, and Adrienne Howard ’26 broke the 4x400m relay record, turning in a time of 4:23.83, nearly two seconds faster than the previous record. (Uniquely, the record setting relay represents every grade in the school.) Grady noted that the four girls have been standout runners since the beginning of the season. “Hannah King recognized early on that with herself, Anne Sehon, and Erika Sowah, there was the potential to approach the school record. After seeing Adrienne run in workouts, Hannah realized we had a legitimate fourth runner who could complete the relay team. From then on, it was really the girls who motivated each other to work together towards the goal of beating the record.” Head indoor track and field coach David Grady shared the different things the girls did to prep for their race. “The girls ran hard in interval workouts to improve their ability to perform well at racing 400 meters. They also worked together on baton handoffs for the relay. The challenge for a relay is to get everyone to run their best on the same day. So, mental preparation is important as well, and it really was the girls who encouraged each other to be ready on race day.” King explained their mentality going into the race; “We knew we could break the record, and it was just a matter of doing it. Although we also made it a point to tell each other we could only do our best and that there are more opportunities to not be very hard on ourselves.” Erika Sowah shared how she prepped race; “I always listen to music to hype myself up before warming up. Then as a group, we would do warm-up laps outside and stretches together. Right before we run the four of us hold a baton and pray to Beyoncé–it’s funny so it calms our nerves a bit.” About the ritual King quipped, “Before our first race together, we thought of someone we all respected, and [Beyoncé] was the clear winner.” About the possibility of breaking the record, Sowah said, “Our mentality was to run the best we could because we realized that if we went into the race trying to break the record, we might jinx ourselves. So instead, we each said we would give it our best shot, and see what happens from there.” Meet strategy also played a part in the record-breaking performance. Sehon revealed, “My coaches and I also decided to run in the 1600 meters instead of the 800 one so that I would have some more energy in my legs for the 4x400.” Sehon added, “We went on a warm-up run and talked about how we just needed to treat it like any other race. We wanted to give it our all without feeling the pressure of attempting to break a record because that mentality could make or break a race for someone.” Similarly, Howard said, “To prep, I made sure to stay hydrated and eat well before the meet. I also made sure to stretch the nights leading up to the meet and even took an ice bath. Going into this meet, our thought was to sprint as hard as we could and to leave all our energy on the track. When we felt like giving up, we just reminded ourselves that it was only two laps.” Grady also shared the plan going into Mid-Atlantic Prep League and Pennsylvania independent schools championship meets. “For the championship meets, the athletes will focus primarily on individual events. That said, they are all capable of coming back with a strong relay performance at the end of the meet. Hannah King is hoping to defend her high jump titles in the MAPL and PAISAA. Anne Sehon was runner-up in both the MAPL and PAISAA in the 800m and she is hoping to win the 800m in those meets this year. Erika Sowah is looking to challenge for the top spot in the triple jump and long jump, and Adrienne Howard will look to place well in the long jump and 200m.” King hopes the relay team will place well against the other MAPL and PAISAA schools. She said, “We don’t have a particular time we are working towards. It is really important to the four of us that we relax because we are our own worst critics when analyzing our races.” Sehon expressed similar ambitions; “I’m really excited for PAISAA’s and MAPL’s because I think we all have a shot to PR in both our single events and the 4x400. Both meets will have very competitive relay races, so we might be pushed to break the record again in search of a MAPL and state title.” Previous Next

The Blue Storm girls varsity basketball team is enjoying its most successful season in recent years with a current record of 9-9 overall and a 3-2 finish in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League... < Back Shooting the lights out Derrick Park '25 Feb 3, 2023 The Blue Storm girls varsity basketball team is enjoying its most successful season in recent years with a current record of 9-9 overall and a 3-2 finish in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. The positive dynamic between returning and new players explains the team’s success. All players have stood up as leaders on and off the court and have proven their talents to bring home numerous wins Head coach Paul Sipes said, “Our team is awesome. Each player does something different to help us win and push each other to get better in their practices. Different players have stepped up at different points of the season.” The leadership shown by co-captains Maddie Goodhart ’24 and Rachel Hull ’23 consistently elevates the team. The team is also full of talented young performers. Key players like Leilani Isel-Register ’24 and Annie Mohr ’26 consistently prove themselves on the court. “Leilani really carried us through Blair, a comeback win at Washington HS and a win against Hill, but in other games, Annie had gone crazy and scored over 20 points in a few games this season. Madison and Rachel have had huge roles as captains leading our teams in rebounds and steals respectively,” said Sipes. Sipes added, “We have had a few really solid games including a near upset of central OH powerhouse Hathaway Brown at the Western Reserve Tournament, a revenge win against St. John Paul the Great at the She Got Game tournament, knocking off Hill and Lawrenceville at home, beating Goretti, and the comeback win at Washington. We are a wild team to watch.” The players also feel the positive atmosphere that the team has built. Mohr said, “It was very hard for us to bond at the beginning of the season because there were only three returning players. As the season went on, we bonded more as a team and learned how to play better together.” The team’s goal is to make it to the championship games for both Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletics Association (PAISAA) and MAPL tournaments, no easy feat, but their hope is that their strong morale will push them to exceed even their own expectations for the rest of the season. Previous Next

Sophie Han ’27 < Back Rookie Ricks places first Sophie Han ’27 Jan 24, 2025 Last Saturday, Mercersburg’s diving team kicked off its home season with a solid performance. With a larger team than in past years, the group has been working hard on both individual performances and team chemistry. The athletes’ progress is steady as they look toward the upcoming MAPL meet and Eastern Championships. First-place finisher Trevi Ricks ’28 summarized the highlights. "I had a rocky incident in the warm-ups during one of my jumps where my feet hit the board, but my dives were good, and my hard work paid off," Ricks said. "The team did really great. A lot of people were nervous before their dives, but you couldn't even tell because they did so well and dove confidently." The strong results resulted from many factors. Ali Young ’26 said, "Our team is really focused this season, and it's great to see both returning divers and new teammates stepping up. Practices have been hard, but quality time in the hot tub always helps. It's a good way for us to relax and connect as a team after working hard." Head diving coach Frank Betkowski explained, "Our team this year has twice as many divers as we have had in past years, having to do with the decision to not cut anybody. Our returning divers are in great shape. Ricks is new this year and a great addition. The boys, all new, tend to learn pretty fast. I'd say the team is looking pretty good." The team has been making significant progress in their training, focusing on individual improvement. “We have divers with different experiences and familiarities with the team or the sport; regardless of it, each of our personalized plans [contributes] collectively to our team,” said Anouk Wandeler ’26. Despite the individualized training, the divers feel very connected. Eve Gunkelman ’28 added, “Mr B’s and the seniors’ feedback for me after every dive keeps me on track. Even when we occasionally mess up dives, we tend to laugh it off and focus on getting better.” The team's work during the season builds toward significant events like the MAPL Championships and the Eastern Championships. Will Donovan ’25 noted, "I'm personally working on going to the Eastern Championships meet in February like many of our other divers. For many of us, this weekend is only our first meet of the season." Betkowski elaborated, “Some people learned new dives this week in preparation leading up to this meet, and there are divers [that competed for] the first time in front of judges. However, our ultimate goal is to earn as [many] points as possible in the Eastern Championships to help the program, so the meets leading up to it are good opportunities for us to practice and compete.” With the strong performances this weekend, the team is poised for a promising season under the leadership of their coach and seniors. The positive energy and determination the divers have committed to the team demonstrate serious preparation for the upcoming MAPL and Eastern Championships. Previous Next

Lucas Chen '27 < Back The latest buzz on campus Lucas Chen '27 Apr 12, 2024 Last fall, Tippetts Hall gained a new function -The Shop: the first and only barbershop on Mercersburg's campus. This establishment, founded by Jamar Galbreath, Acting Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has added a new dimension to campus life. Galbreath stated, “I have been seeing lots of buzz cuts on campus, and one of my goals is to create more opportunities for students to get haircuts in The Shop and utilize it on their own or with some of us nearby who can help.” Run with the expertise of Lance Walker, barbershop proprietor in Chambersburg, PA, The Shop has received a sea of positive feedback from students and become a favorite place on campus due to its convenient location in the basement of Tippetts Hall. William Luo '27 said, "I do believe that getting a haircut at The Shop would be the most efficient thing I would do since I live in Tippetts and also in the Mercersburg area, and I don't need to leave campus either." Grant Kurmakov '25 agreed and commented, "Before, when I wanted a haircut, I would have to go back home or off campus. But The Shop made it convenient. I didn't have to leave campus, and I could get a haircut while being at school." The Shop has won students over not only because of its proximity and convenience but also because of its professional and welcoming atmosphere. Yule Kwon '26 commented, "I have never had a black barber before because I live in Asia, and I never thought he would actually know how to cut my straight Asian hair. It's different from the hair of other races, so I was worried, but then it was a very good process, and he did me right." Luo praised the experience: "The atmosphere was amazing, and the designs—I absolutely loved them because everything was so organized. What I like to comment most about it is that the music was absolutely spot on, no matter if it was the material or the atmosphere. It feels like a normal barbershop or even a cafe. I really enjoyed it there." The only flaw the students mentioned was the long wait, due to only having one barber. Luo gave the overall experience a solid nine out of ten, citing the wait time as the only negative. "The only reason I took off one star is because I think there could be two barbers available simultaneously. I had to wait about an hour and a half to get my haircut, but overall, the barber was professional, and I really enjoyed it." The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Taimur Rehman ‘23 said, "I would say that whenever The Shop is open and you need a haircut, it should be your first option." Additionally, Kwon remarked, “It’s hard for international students to go to a barber and get a haircut when you are in Mercersburg. I would definitely recommend The Shop, especially if you live in Tippetts and want a good style.” Nevertheless, The Shop has a ways to go and a bright future ahead. If looking for a clean haircut and a fashionable style, don’t hesitate to visit The Shop on a Monday night and enjoy its professional haircut. Previous Previous Next Next

Adrienne Howard < Back Swimming & Diving Adrienne Howard Feb 17, 2026 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy’s boys and girls swimming and diving teams competed at the Eastern Interscholastic Championships, one of the most competitive meets in the nation. The boys captured first place overall, while the girls finished second, narrowly behind Germantown Academy. Combined, the teams secured the overall meet victory. The boys program is now ranked fourth in the country. In diving, Michaela Kasmire ’26 was girls runnerup, while James Boardman ’26 won the boys meet. Head Coach Matt noted, “The results were wonderful. We dove well and swam well. It was extremely close. The girls only lost by 15 points, which is an incredibly small margin.” Joachim Meyer ’26 said, “Going into Easterns, I felt excited and a little nervous because it is the biggest meet of the season.” He continued, “Swimming at Mercersburg is part of a high-level program with a strong history of success, so there is always pressure to perform well. But we trained and prepared well, so I felt ready to race.” Matthew Brennan ’28 shared similar emotions, “Going into Easterns personally, I was nervous. I tried to be as calm as possible, but because of the stakes, I knew how much pressure there would be.” Despite not meeting every personal goal, he noted positives: “I felt good in my 100 free and relays, and I am proud of my team and what we accomplished.” On the girls’ side, Zoe Kerf ’27 said, “We have been training for Easterns all season and it paid off.” Teagan Mewett ’27 added, “I was honestly really excited since MAPLs went really well. I didn't perform exactly like I had hoped, but it was what the team needed, and that was what was important.” She called the closing relays “incredible,” adding, “It is such an incredible feeling to win Easterns, I can’t even describe it.” Alice Zha ’26 said, “Our team was amazing, our energy was on top.” She pointed to the tight races against Germantown Academy. “They were all supposed to be close, and we ended up winning most of them,” she said. “Despite some challenges like limited sleep after arriving late at the hotel, I feel like our bond strengthened this weekend.” Hurst emphasized preparation, saying, “Before the meet, the coaching staff sat down and looked at what it would take to put ourselves in a position to win, and the way we mapped out the meet is exactly how the athletes swam and dove. It’s a testament to the kids, they were prepared and focused.” He highlighted the record-breaking relays, noting, “On the women’s side especially, we demolished all three program records—the 200 medley relay, the 200 freestyle relay, and the 400 freestyle relay.” On the boys side, he added, “Two out of three relays were program records—the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay.” With record-breaking relays and exciting finishes, Easterns marked a strong finish to the season for Mercersburg swimming and diving. Previous Next

Paxton Diana '26 < Back Marseille, Gierasch set MAPL record Paxton Diana '26 May 10, 2024 Last Wednesday, the Blue Storm boys varsity golf team traveled to Blair Academy to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship. The team finished third with a score of 225. The team has participated in the MAPL championship for the past three years. The tournament has a unique format, which includes alternate shots, followed by the best ball. Regarding the team’s preparation, head coach Doug Smith said, “For two straight days, the boys went out and tried the format. We plotted who would tee off on which hole at the golf course and strategized for the front nine.” In addition to strategizing, the boys were hard at work practicing. Argyle Downes ’24 said, “Over the past years, the alternate shot portion of the championships has always been a challenge for us to overcome, but practicing as much as possible in preparation helps a good bit.” At the tournament, some players played extremely well. Smith commented on the exceptional performances: “Isaiah Marseille [’24] and Cameron Gierasch [’26] tied the MAPL championships record.” Each year, the golf team undergoes a significant change, with many new faces coming in. “The team's dynamic on a culture level is strong, everyone gets along,” said Smith. “It’s interesting; we are going through a transition where we have the top end of our team [that] is very experienced, and the bottom end, [which] is not so experienced; so, there is a little bit of a gap. There is work to be done to bridge the two and [to get] the new players up to speed.” Despite the new players, the boys foster a strong team dynamic. “We all rely on each other in and out of practice. We have a nice combination of younger guys along with the older guys, and we come together to form our unique team,” explained Jason Jones ’24. Similarly, Ryan Kothari ’25 added, “I am able to ask all of them [my teammates] for help or tips; I know I will get an answer that will make a positive impact on my game. I am happy to be on a team with great and supportive teammates.” Although the MAPL championships are behind them, the team still has some work to achieve. “A good goal would be to try [to] incorporate some of our younger guys in more competitive matches in hopes that next year they would be prepared to compete when it is their time,” explained Downes. The team has one final match this weekend on Saturday at Brookside Country Club against the Hill School. Previous Next

Boys and girls swimming teams bring their trademark hard work to a season that is sure to go swimmingly... < Back Hot off the block Gabe McGuire '24 Dec 9, 2022 Boys and girls swimming teams bring their trademark hard work to a season that is sure to go swimmingly. The winter season is their time to shine, as, throughout the term, swimmers compete against MAPL schools in tough competition. The end of the winter season also holds “Easterns,” one of the most elite prep school meets in the nation. Led by Glenn Neufeld, the boys and girls teams are destined to succeed. “[We are] hoping to have a good season. The goal, as always, is to win the MAPL and Easterns. Last year the boys won Easterns, girls [were] second, so the bar is set pretty high, but that's what makes it exciting,” claimed Neufeld. Their previous achievements only set a standard for the team to surpass. “[We have had] no school competition yet; [we’re] looking forward to USA Junior Nationals this week and the Hill [School] dual meet. We have looked very solid in early season club competition,” said Neufeld. This solid precursor suggests a bright prospective season. Some key athletes to watch in the pool are “four-year senior boys Teddy Blake, Mason Green, Jake Thompson for sure, as well as PG Deniel Nankov who is representing Bulgaria at the World Championships in Melbourne next week. Girls to watch include Ingrid Janney, Ava Harrington, and Crystal Yuen who were all on school record-setting relays last season,” concluded Neufeld. With such a diverse, yet strong set of competitors, this upcoming season is bound to be record-breaking. Previous Next