The boys and girls indoor track and field team looks promising this year... < Back On the right track Haris Yahaya '24 Dec 9, 2022 The boys and girls indoor track and field team looks promising this year. Though the group is less experienced than in previous years, they have a great team dynamic and will rely upon key players to help them win this year. Sydney Caretti, field events coach, said, “The team is looking for great friendships continuing and developing - the vibe in the Field House is competitive but also supportive.” Head coach David Grady said, “We have a largely inexperienced team this year. Many of the athletes are new to indoor track & field. The attitude of the athletes has been one of willingness to engage in the sport and to try a number of different events. We hope that the athletes will have a great experience and see significant improvement.” Both coaches mentioned the importance of the experienced leaders, such as Anne Sehon ‘25, Hannah King ‘23, and Erika Sowah ‘24. Grady said, “Senior Hannah King is the defending champion in the high jump in both the MAPL and PAISAA. She is the indoor school record holder in that event. Tenth grader Anne Sehon was runner up in the 800m in both the MAPL and PAISAA last year. She is the indoor school record holder in that event.” The Storm has their home opener meet in the Hale Field house on Friday. Previous Next

Sophie Han '27 and Susanna Huang '27 < Back Mixed MAPL results Sophie Han '27 and Susanna Huang '27 Apr 12, 2024 Last weekend was marked by several intense games for Blue Storm boys tennis, girls lacrosse, baseball, and softball teams competing with Mid-Atlantic Prep League rival Blair Academy. The tennis team has been training consistently. “We have been working on a lot of doubles and serves this week. I really hope we get to show what we practiced,” said Ben Cho ’24. About the team’s dynamic, Dave Nguyen ’24 explained, “The team is very united because we have the same goal: winning the MAPL [tournament]. That encourages us to practice a lot every day.” Regarding the match, head coach Matt Mehler said, “Our number one goal for this match is to win, of course. I also want to see our players relaxed in their matches. They play much better relaxed than in the nervous state.” Unfortunately, the team wound up on the wrong end of a 0-7 score. Despite the loss, Max Zhang ’26 put a positive spin on the match, “We lost, but we did identify the problems we had to improve upon, so we are hopeful of strengthening our flaws for our next match.” The girls' lacrosse team ended their game down 8-13. Despite that, the results were satisfactory for the team. “We want to improve daily, regardless of big or small. It’s going really well!” stated head coach Kristin Ahlgren, “We are having a great time, and the hard work is paying off.” After the game, Lexi Chepren ’26 remarked, “We all went into the game with a very good mindset. We worked hard on defense and targeted difficult and important parts of the game to try our best chances.” Scarlett McArthur ’24 described the remarkable bond the team established collectively, “We have a lot of awesome seniors and returning players who kept the chemistry in our team high by communicating during practices and games.” Nora Smith ’24 added, “We are currently focusing on the quality in games, such as valuing each player.” As the baseball team prepared for its double-header, head coach Josh Edgin ’06 said, “We have worked hard all week, [spending] time to get better. For this matchup against Blair, we want to win both games.” “We are confident going into this weekend. We have a good pitching rotation set to prepare for the games. Our main goal is pitching and defense to take some pressure off our offense, and have more quality at-bats as a team,” elaborated Thomas Davenport ‘24. The team won both games against Blair, 11-6 in the first game and 8-1 in the second. “We are very happy with the results, and we hope to maintain the steam we picked up throughout the last few weeks for our next match!” explained Thomas Marchesi ’24 after the victories. The softball team was also hard at work preparing for their game. “We feel ready to play with the stronger team. We are pretty prepared and aware of what’s coming up this weekend,” stated Allister Caretti ’26. “The team is doing so well so far. We are off to a brand-new start with the team bonding helping us,” said head coach Lauren Jacobs, “For the game against Blair, unfortunately, the weather made us stay inside all week. [However,] we are prepared, and we will stand firm for this game.” The softball team was blanked in the opener 0-5 and was also edged out in the second game 4-2. Despite the losses, the team is looking forward to the rest of the season. According to Pritz Pritzker ’24 , “ Something amazing about this team is there’s always an abundance of energy. Whether it’s a dugout dance party or a hype talk, we’re always ready for anything!” Previous Next

Tahir Hasanov '25 and Anderson Wang '26 < Back Free Mercersburg Tahir Hasanov '25 and Anderson Wang '26 Apr 4, 2025 Disclaimer: Satire edition Following a winter term filled to the brim with behavioral infractions, at 9 AM on Saturday, March 29, 275 students walked guard—a new school record. In response, students began an unprecedented protest which has now turned into an encampment. Dozens of students, led by student body president Taimur Rehman ’25, pitched tents on the retired football field. Exhausted from walking around the track, students demanded an end to the dreaded practice of guard, which they denounced as “a barbaric measure of oppression.” “Our demands are simple,” Rehman stated in a fiery speech to the gathered masses. “We demand justice! We demand reform! We demand the right to sleep-in on a Saturday morning!” The crowd erupted in cheers, waving banners and flags with slogans such as “No Guard, No Peace” and “More boring than watching developmental swim practice.” Among the students at the encampment was William Choi ’26: “I was given 188 hours of guard for letting in too many goals during our lacrosse game. Although we’ve underperformed recently, I don’t believe that justifies my harsh punishment.” Not everyone was there for punishment. Frank Bonsal IV ’25 (Holderness ‘26) was also spotted at the encampment. “I skipped the entire winter term, but for some reason I wasn’t given any guard. I just followed my friends and ended up here.” The administration was swift in its response. At precisely 4:00 AM, under the cover of darkness, Mercersburg Academy’s newly armed campus security guards were ordered to dismantle the encampment. Reports indicate that security, in full tactical gear, announced, “This is your final warning,” before confiscating camping equipment and escorting students off the premises. Wyatt Parks ’25 and William Feaste ’25 remained unfazed, chaining themselves to the goalposts and declaring themselves “the anchors of the movement.” Campus security proved to be no match for the pair, forced to retreat at the sight of them. The Mercersburg administration was outraged. In an unprecedented disciplinary measure, the leaders of the encampment were deported to none other than The Hill School. The official school statement described this as “a temporary relocation program designed to instill discipline and appreciation for Mercersburg values.” As the chief leader of the encampment, Rehman was the first to be deported. In his farewell speech, he said: “They may take our tents. They may take our signs. But we’ll never walk guard!” The administration, for its part, has remained firm. “Mercersburg is committed to maintaining order,” Head of School Quentin McDowell declared. “We respect our students’ right to protest, but actions have consequences. The Hill School has refused to house these rogue individuals, but who is Hill to defy the Blue Storm. There, under the new Dean of Students Coleman Weibley, they will learn valuable lessons.” Previous Previous Next Next

Matthew Orders < Back First Home Track Meet Matthew Orders Apr 14, 2026 On April 8th, 2026, the Mercersburg Academy Boys and Girls Outdoor Track teams opened the season with the first home meet of the spring. With over a hundred athletes competing for the Storm, the excitement and joy was high! Head Coach Nikki Walker explained, “ We did great in the meet and we dominated the day. Everybody showed up and did their best. They were happy to give their best effort.” Ben Doyka, sprints and hurdle coach, added, “I think that it was really cool to see everyone rally behind all of the Mercersburg runners whenever they were on the track. It's fun to see them all stand and line up along the track and cheer everyone on, tell them their time, yell for them from across the track. But I think one of my favorite moments was watching the hurdlers go and to see them in action. We've been training a lot at the beginning of the season, and getting to see them run their first races of the season was really fun.” As this meet became the first meet for some athletes on the team, some of the athletes participated in events they had not done before. Grant Wilkinson ’26 said, “I was lining up for 300 meter hurdles, a race I’ve never run before. Mark [Swetland ’27] hadn't either, so we were saying that we'd get through it together, and I got a personal record in the 300 hurdles too!” Assistant Running Coach Mariana Manzo explained, “Our athletes really went out there and tried out something different. Some of them are not interested in trying out the mile but really liked it, which was really great to see. Also, it was nice how everyone just adapted to the event they were put into without any idea what the event was. I appreciate their flexibility.” With a lot of people filling up the track, there were numerous highlights during the meet. Liam Beighley ’26 recalled his highlights during the meet: “I think it's a good start and the team looked very promising in both events as well. In the mile, I think Chris [Carbone ’26] did great. He stayed up with me for most of it and ended up matching his PR. I think a lot of the freshmen, like Kaden [Yang ’29] also did well. I think he also stood out in the meet. Siyuan [Wan ’27], I think he did great too, especially fixing his form over these last few days. I think he has a lot of promising potential.” Chris Carbone ‘26 added, “In the 1600 meters, we had a lot more competition than I was expecting. So it was nice to run in a better, faster field of runners. It definitely pushed me to run faster so I could feel very strong, controlled, and my form was also very good. It was a very strong and very fun race. Also, I was happy I got to run behind Liam because he's a really experienced runner.” As the outdoor season opened up again and brought strong passion and love of the track and field, Walker explained the Mercersburg outdoor track and field team’s goal: “I just want everybody to give their best every day, finding small improvements each week. And hopefully by May 9th, we are able to win the MAPL.” Previous Next

Sophie Han ‘27 < Back MAPL Champions and Runners Up Sophie Han ‘27 Nov 8, 2024 Last Saturday, the girls and boys cross country teams competed in their respective MAPL championship races on Mercersburg’s home course, delivering impressive performances. “We are very excited for the girls team,” captains Anne Sehon ’25 and Linden Wallace ’25 said prior to the race. “It’s understandable how nerve-wracking it can all be with us talking about this meet every day, but we are both very proud of what the team has done, and we look forward to what we are capable of this weekend.” Madeline Chu ’27 added, “Our captains and teammates have always made the team a big family to everyone, and although that sounds cliché, it really is a team of hard-working student-athletes.” Gabriella Cechini ’28 shared her preparations in the days leading to the meet. “Coach Cunningham and Coach Bright helped and coached us to learn so many things throughout this season, such as running hills and positively competing.” Ella Blanco ’26 added, “Besides tapering a bit more, we reinforced normalcy — treating this championship mentally and physically like any other meet we have done.” Christopher Bright, the assistant coach of the girls team, emphasized, “We want them to feel that this meet is not much different than any other meet.” On the boys’ side, team captain Winston Watkins ’25 expressed confidence in his team’s abilities. “From the four years of experience I have had until now, I can say from our performances throughout the season that this is the best team we ever had. We are very excited and prepared for MAPLs this weekend.” Indeed, the boys team was hard at work. “We have been practicing a lot of hard sets and speed work, “said Joseph Cechini ’28. “But the great thing is that this meet is hosted at home, so we are already very familiar with its courses.” Assistant coach Rich Heffron noted, “Due to some scheduling adjustments, we have had two more weeks for structuring and conditioning than in previous years. This gave us the perfect time for our team to rest and get ready to run fast.” Imangali Zhakan ’26 said, “I know we will all be trying our best collectively to win this race, not just for each other but also for our coaches.” Meanwhile, Ryan Du Plessis ’25 offered a different perspective. “We all want to win, and while our team is undeniably looking exceptional this year, there’s no doubt that Lawrenceville and The Hill School are both looking great, too. That said, I think our goal is to try our best, run personal records, and have fun.” When race day ended, the varsity girls team had claimed first place, with Gabriella Cechini securing the individual gold. The varsity boys team came in second, finishing merely three points behind the Lawrenceville School, with Joseph Cechini placing second overall. Reflecting on their victory, girls team head coach Betsy Cunningham said, “It is the second time the girls cross country team has won since we joined the MAPL. It’s so exciting and such a tribute to the leadership by Anne Sehon and Linden Wallace of this team. This is such a wonderful team in so many ways and winning the MAPL felt like a wonderful validation to the hard work done each day by this team.” Boys team head coach David Grady described his mixed feelings. “I was really hoping the boys would pull it off because they have worked so hard throughout the season to be ready for this race. However, it’s hard to be disappointed when every runner went out and had a great race. For each runner to have their best race is precisely what you want to do in your league championship. ” Previous Next

Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy hosted the Mid-Atlantic Prep League swimming and diving championships; the Blue Storm swimmers and divers did not disappoint, bringing home two shiny trophies... < Back Freestyle? More like free win! Reagan Houpt '25 Feb 14, 2023 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy hosted the Mid-Atlantic Prep League swimming and diving championships; the Blue Storm swimmers and divers did not disappoint, bringing home two shiny trophies. The boys' team swam away with the lead, scoring over 180 points above the second-place Peddie, an outstanding total of 522 points. On the other hand, the girls' had a more challenging path to victory. Nevertheless, the team secured first place, beating Peddie by 2 points, for 487 points in total. The swimmers and the divers didn't win the championship by luck but instead claimed gold through their hard work, dedication, and intense discipline. These athletes seemingly live in the Floyd Aquatic Center when classes are not in session. Finia Steeg '23 praised the team's dedication. "Having practice for two hours six days a week is not always easy," but championship victories prove that practice indeed pays off. The divers spent the week leading up to the championship learning and practicing new dives, "even if it meant having to sacrifice our time in the hot tub," explained Clare Ip ‘23 Although swimming and diving are "individual sports," the team dynamic was essential to the MAPL victory. "Knowing that you have a team that stands behind you and supports you gives you the confidence and power to always do your best for the team," Steeg stated. Team members surrounded the pool and wholeheartedly cheeed on the relay team as they won the first points of the meet. Alex Van Ess '24 had an especially outstanding performance, walking away with first place in the boys' diving competition. The girl's diving team secured the 3rd, 4th, and 5th places, narrowly earning the points needed to win the championship. As Frank Betkowski, head coach of the diving team, put it, "Without the divers, the girls team wouldn't have won the MAPL championship." As for the swimmers, Xiomara Del Rosario '26 won the 100-free event putting forth an altogether exceptional showing at the meet. Despite the significance of the MAPL victory, the swimmers’ and divers’ attention is on the upcoming Easterns tournament. "Focus throughout the whole year has been on Easterns, and the performances that came during the MAPL championship was just a byproduct of that," said Teddy Blake, '23. Betkowski confessed that the team treated it like any other meet, and perhaps this low-stakes mindset gave the Blue Storm a necessary advantage. The Blue Storm swimmers and divers will face their MAPL rivals once again at Easterns. They plan to use their momentum from the championship to repeat as Eastern Champions. Previous Next

By Maddie Weiss '26 and Mae Van Hove '27 < Back Thunderjackets: don't crosse LaCult By Maddie Weiss '26 and Mae Van Hove '27 Apr 4, 2025 Disclaimer: Satire edition After 17 consecutive seasons of losses, and touting more captains than wins, the Mercersburg Academy boys lacrosse team shocked the prep sports world this spring by securing an unexpected invitation to the National Prep School Lacrosse Championships in Seattle, Washington. But just as they were finally on track to achieve greatness, or at least finish a game with double-digit goals, their chartered flight mysteriously crashed somewhere in the Pacific Northwest wilderness. While traditional rescue efforts have failed, the Mercersburg News has been receiving grainy Snapchat videos, Capcut edits, and the occasional TikTok thirst trap updates from the team. According to these transmissions, the team has adopted several strategies for survival, including fashioning lacrosse sticks into spears, using their Ralph Lauren polos for warmth, and hunting—well, chasing squirrels until they die of confusion. Food, however, remains scarce. “I would take unseasoned dining hall chicken over anything out here,” said Ian Kopp ’26, while chewing on what appeared to be bark. “All we’ve found are psychedelic mushrooms and one bag of Cool Ranch Doritos someone packed.” Hunger is clearly affecting morale. According to anonymous sources (Taimur’s private story), Reed Warner ’25 was spotted nibbling on Dylan Ridgeway ’26’s calf in his sleep. “It was just a joke,” Warner later clarified. “Like a team bonding thing. But with teeth.” Equipment managers Ali Young ‘26 and Mattie Welch ‘26 are feeling especially vulnerable. “I can confidently say I would choose the bear,” said Young after enduring another session of the “gas chamber,” also known as BO. Frank Bonsal ’25 has reportedly taken on a leadership role in what some are calling a cult. “We need to become one with the wilderness,” Bonsal said, now going by the name “Alpha Antler King.” The first to go was Winston Watkins ’25, who allegedly froze to death during a chilly night after refusing to cuddle with Wyatt Parks ’25. “The wilderness has spoken,” exclaimed Bonsal. “We must now eat him.” Watkins was then ceremoniously slow-roasted over a fire built entirely from no-longer-necessary lacrosse gloves and cleats. Soon after, head coach Tim Kerr became the next offering. After burning down their stick-and-leaf shelter, the team held a democratic vote (3 to 2 with one abstention) and proceeded to turn him into a pre-game protein source. “Coach always said we needed to be hungry for the win,” noted Simba Nguyen ’27. “So we took that literally.” Back on campus, conspiracy theories are swirling. Sources confirm that Director of Athletics Lauren Jacobs, still reeling from alumni outrage over the recent football team cancellation, may have tampered with the flight. When confronted, Jacobs explained: “Look, it was either cut the team or cut the fuel. And frankly, if I had to listen to Will Lavan ’27 say, ‘I could’ve gone D1’ one more time, I was going to lose it.” The school community has mixed feelings. A vigil will be held Tuesday at the lacrosse field, where students can gather around a candle-lit lacrosse net and read excerpts from Lord of the Flies . Alumni are reportedly divided: half are outraged, the other half impressed that the boys finally showed some teamwork. As for the team? Their final TikTok showed ten shirtless boys dancing around a fire, faces painted in charcoal and deer blood, chanting, “Wilderness forever. Go Storm.” Previous Next

Ally Snyder ’28 < Back Last laps at home Ally Snyder ’28 May 16, 2025 From May 2 to 4, Mercersburg Academy’s boys and girls swim teams hosted a three-day meet—the final high school meet for seniors. While the season for high school swimming usually peaks in winter, Coach Matt Hurst said, “For us, there really is no off-season.” The spring roster was smaller than the winter’s, with some seniors now committed to other PGAs, like track and field. Still, the team spirit remained strong. “I mean, there’s more lane space, which you’re always happy with,” said Caiden Bowers ’25. “But I miss having a bigger team … It was such a good time.” Even within the tight-knit team, swimmers approach competition in their own ways. Boden Keim ’28 said, “I work better under pressure, because it helps me mentally prepare and go faster.” Yet, Antonina Sech ’26 described a very different mindset: “Before my two hundred backstroke, I was talking to [Hurst], saying, ‘How do you want me to swim this?’ And he goes, ‘Don’t think about it, just swim it’ … and the no pressure of that helped me achieve something that I haven’t in a year.” “Going into this meet, the team's goals were to improve technique instead of explosiveness,” Hurst explained. “Outside of the high school season, we focus more on the skills of swimming than the skills of racing… the actual skills, like how to swim, buoyancy, those types of things come into play.” Sech reflected on her mindset going into the meet: “I just competed in Irish Nationals not long ago, so I didn’t really have any expectations.” Despite this, she added, “I actually did very well, and I’m proud of myself for that.” For some swimmers, the meet was also a way to mark personal growth. Sophie Koroma ’26 noted, “It reminded me how far I’ve come. Even when the races were tough, I felt more confident now than I did just a few months ago.” The swimmers concluded the meet with an array of accomplishments. Beliz Kaya ‘28 set a personal record in her one hundred fly, and Gabby Cechini ‘28 did well in her first time competing in the two hundred backstroke. Thomas Cechini ‘25 and Raphael Sibuet ‘25 fought a close competition in the one hundred freestyle. As Bowers recounted, “[Sibuet] went out first, and Thomas came back on him and won literally by a hundredth of a second. It was really exciting!” Meets like this one can be incredibly helpful in preparing for the main season. Keim explained, “This meet helped me understand where I am as a swimmer and allowed me to refocus on the goals I had already set.” Hurst looked back on the season, saying, “Being able to compete and train together for three terms is a privilege that the swimming program does not take for granted. It can be a long season… I've been extremely fortunate with the coaches we've had this year and their support of not only me but of the athletes and the program.” Previous Next

Sidharth Shah '26 < Back Squash(ed): MASO Tournament Sidharth Shah '26 Jan 17, 2025 The boys' squash team dominated at the Mercersburg Academy Squash Open (MASO) Tournament on Saturday, cruising to an easy victory on the home courts. The team showcased its skill by dropping just one game throughout the entire competition. This win pushed the season record to 10-1 and extended the winning streak to 10 matches. Additionally, due to weather conditions, the Mercersburg varsity team played against its junior varsity counterpart in a friendly home match as a warm-up. It was the first time in the program's history that the two teams faced each other in an official tournament setting. While the varsity team won, the match showcased the talent and depth of the program as a whole. Prior to the tournament, the team was in high spirits. Gilberto Aceves Moreno ’25 explained, “We are all excited for the matches, and we want to win the whole tournament.” Marcus Lee ’27 agreed, stating, “Team spirit was high before the match as we had a good team breakfast and team warm-up that really allowed us to perform our best at this high level.” Blue Storm’s overall record was 4-0 over the weekend, with players like Rayyan Khan ’27 and Finn Mauro ’27 extending perfect individual records of 10-0 and 8-0, respectively. The team’s overall prowess was clearly displayed; most players contributed a 3-0 match to each win. Khan commented, “It feels good to be undefeated, and we are hoping to keep it that way throughout the season.” Mauro added, “I’m proud of the work I have put in preparations, and it’s been a great season so far thanks to that work. The next thing I’m looking forward to is our high school Nationals.” Head coach Dominic Benacquista reflected on the tournament with pride. “We approached this event as a simulation, preparing the boys for the level of competition they’ll face at the MAPL Championships and High School Nationals. With limited opportunities to compete in such formats before it truly counts, it was crucial for us to get the mindset, approach, and execution right - on and off the court. This year, we’ve drawn inspiration from the swim program, looking to emulate their athletes’ and coaches’ seriousness and attention to detail in and out of competition. With time and effort, we aim to make a similar impact—something I believe the players are striving for, as well. Overall, this was a positive step forward and I truly believe we aren’t far off from the best in the nation.” The next challenge for the team will be the MAPL Tournament, where they will compete against their longtime rivals, Lawrenceville. Benacquista explained, “The MAPL will be a great test of our athlete's preparation and we are looking to win the MAPL and make Division 1 of High School Nationals.” After that, the team will head to the High School Nationals to wrap up the season. Previous Next

William Luo < Back Girls Varsity Volleyball Team Battles Back Against Holten-Arms William Luo Sep 22, 2026 The Blue Storm girls varsity volleyball team competed against Holton-Arms School last Saturday in what became a five-set match. After much battle in the fifth set, the Blue Storm won 3-2. Head coach Will Hill said he was extremely proud of the team. “The team performed great. We battled back from adversity and ended up on top,” Hill said. “We were down in the game during the second and third sets, but everyone showed how important it is to never give up.” Spectators saw the same resilience. “The game wasn’t won by just one person. I really think everyone did an amazing job staying together and not letting Holton pull away after they won back-to-back sets putting them up,” Kellen Greene ‘28 said. Player Clare Mohr ‘29 felt the unified effort. “The team could have done better communicating and just being able to end runs, but I thought we did a great job of pushing through the long and hard five sets,” she said. On a personal level, she felt her play improved as the game continued. “I think I played pretty well in the third to fifth sets, but in the first two I was not as satisfied. However, I was very happy with my serving throughout the game.” The match had no shortage of standout moments. “We had girls diving for balls, helping each other,” Hill said. Mohr pointed to one player in particular. “I was very impressed by the play where Ella Daniels ‘30 somehow got the ball over the net with one hand to the opposite end line,” she said. Hill also commended the backrow defense. “McKenna Koch ‘28 had amazing defense on the back line, along with Ella and Sofia Monroy ‘28 trailing shanked passes and making plays from them.” Players credited many teammates who have shifted positions on the court. Clare highlighted Lena Wilke ‘27. “For a very recent change, I thought she did a great job tooling their block and finding spots for kills,” she said. Sofia pointed out McKenna’s versatility. “She has been playing every position under the sun and has always been putting in one-hundred and ten percent effort,” Monroy said. Mohr herself drew much praise from the stands. “She was super good, and you could tell the power she brought to the court,” Thanasi Akaras ‘28 commented. Hill is optimistic and excited for the rest of the season. “I feel really good about this team. I feel we’re stronger than last year and the girls have done a great job of coming together,” he said. “They’re close with each other both on and off the court, and that proves their support for one another.” Hill hopes the team will maintain camaraderie and grit throughout the season. “The main goal that I want for the girls is to always keep fighting, to never give up,” he said. Hill kept his advice short and sweet: “Never give up; not only fight for yourself, but fight for your team.” Previous Next

Ally Snyder '28 < Back Another Flanagan victory Ally Snyder '28 Dec 12, 2025 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy hosted the Thomas Flanagan Invitational at the Davenport Squash Center. Both the girls and boys squash teams faced high-ranking programs from across the country. Head coach Dom Benequista noted the high stakes of the tournament, saying, “We obviously wanted to defend our title in this tournament.” The boys team delivered, not losing a single game on their way to a repeat championship. The girls battled hard and finished fourth out of six teams. Each team has grown and changed over the last year. Riley Choi ‘28, a captain on the girls' team, said: “Last year's team was better than this year's because many of the best players graduated. This year, the team will be almost developmental.” Sarah Howley ‘26 added, “We are not as strong as last year, but we can still win some for sure. We know we have to step up, and I think that challenge is bringing us closer as a team.” The boys' team, on the other hand, has only gotten stronger. Dior Mitchell ’26, a captain of the boys team, said, “We lost a few pieces, but I think we got deeper from our new recruits.” Sid Shah ’26, the other boys captain, continued, “The team is looking better than last year; we’ve got a lot more depth.” The chemistry on the squash courts is unparalleled. Benequista explained: “A lot of the players worked all fall together, and within our practice, the girls and guys mix in, so it's not really two separate teams. They really support each other.” Audrey Hua ‘26 agreed, saying, “It doesn’t feel like there's a hierarchy, it just feels like a very supportive environment to be in.” The players all around seem to agree that the program is supportive. Rayyan Khan ‘27 added, “Everyone has good connections, and we all carry each other through hard times.” To prepare for the invitational, the teams worked hard together every practice. Choi said, “The boys' varsity team has been helping us, feeding us balls.” Mitchell continued, “We’ve been staying consistent, doing tempos, trying to bond as a team.” The squash players entered the tournament with enthusiasm and anticipation. Khan explained, “My goal for the team [was] just to work hard, give our best, and stay connected.” The idea of prioritizing effort and improvement over results is common amongst the players. Hua added, “For me, even if I don’t win my matches, I want to learn from my opponents.” Benequista summarized the goal of the program as a whole: “I hope that all of them just enjoy it. That everyone wants to come back the year after. If they look forward to it, year after year, that's what we're looking for.” Previous Next

Susanna Huang ‘27 < Back Campus Expansion Susanna Huang ‘27 Apr 12, 2024 With the commission of Mercersburg’s Campus Master Plan, Mercersburg Academy aims to refurbish buildings on campus and construct one STEM building and a new dormitory. Head of School Quentin McDowell explained, “The goal is that our facilities can always support our programs; that is a very critical part of any planning process. We have identified several areas paying attention to our academic spaces, making sure we expand our academic spaces enough to house the programs we want to deliver.” One of the first anticipated renovations will be Ford Dining Hall. “It is a high priority for the school,” Julie Maurer, Associate Head of School for School Life, stated. “There will probably be some visual and spatial changes to the patio,” said Jennifer Craig, Associate Head of School. In addition to the dining hall, students should expect a new STEM building in the near future. McDowell explained, “Education changes very rapidly, and facilities don't change as quickly; as we are thinking of our new facilities and the growth of our campus, its really about making sure it is as flexible as possible so that they are adaptable to the future of education that we are aware and partially unaware of.” Currently, Irvine Hall accommodates math, science, languages, and academic departments, so moving some offices out of the building will create more space for innovation and collaboration. “We are at maximum capacity in our classrooms right now, we want to have a more advanced and up-to-date space. We are very cramped for the maker and robotic spaces, and we don't have enough space for these programs to grow like they should,” said Maurer. Thomas Zhu ‘26 said, “We definitely need a building dedicated to the sciences because currently the science facilities are housed in Irvine which limits the capacity a lot.” With the addition of a new STEM building, more space will open up to reassign in Irvine Hall. Craig explained, “If you look at our square space per student, it is very great, but if you look at the academic space per student, we don't really have enough classroom and creative academic spaces for students to really create, collaborate, study, and bring groups together to work on a project.” Renovations to academic buildings aren't the only improvements on the docket – changes in the dormitories may also be on the horizon. “We are also being very thoughtful about our the demands on our residence halls in the next 10 or 20 years; we are likely going to build a new dormitory so we can accommodate students while refurbishing the old buildings,” McDowell stated. “I think a new dorm would be a really good idea, especially with the number of girls that are in Fowle Hall right now; there are just a lot of people in one building,” said Stella Johnson ‘25, a prefect in Fowle Hall. Students also suggest inspiring ideas regarding dorm facilities. “Our campus is missing a place for residents to cook, especially for boarding students,” explained Jaidee Promphan ‘25. As the school paints a bright future regarding campus expansion, Craig explained, “Fundraising is really at the heart of whether you can build a new building or not.” However, “It is in the near horizon, hopefully in the next 5 years working on at least the dining hall and the science building,” said Maurer. Previous Previous Next Next