Becca Harrison-Yan Hip < Back Let’s talk about mental health Becca Harrison-Yan Hip Oct 6, 2026 On Thursday, October 1, the Civic Engagement Student Advisory Board hosted its first Cookies and Current Events, with the topic of mental health on the table. The event was coordinated by the student members with the assistance of Director of Civic Engagement and History Department Head Emily Schoenberger. In addition to mental health, the group touched upon ethics within the judicial system as well as gender discrimination and bias in media coverage. A wide range of people from the Mercersburg community attended the meeting. Michelle Jiu An Pan ’30 said, “I definitely heard a lot of new stuff that I never heard before. I feel like the space was pretty neutral.” Many of the attendees just came to listen and learn. With fact-checking from Schoenberger and additional pieces of information coming from others, those who popped in were able to quickly gather the context needed. The Jane Ford Lounge was filled with people from all grades who wanted to discuss current events in a comfortable, open environment. Belle Cleveland ’28 said, “It makes it easier to talk about those harder topics, because if you have an opinion that might differ, or you have a question, you’re always welcome to ask.” The flow of the conversation guaranteed that everyone’s voices were heard. Although the original subject of discussion was mental health, thought-provoking questions made for transitions to related topics. From the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, the question, “What effect would this case have on the media coverage if it were not the mother but the father who committed the crime?” arose. This led to discussions surrounding racial discrepancies and bias within the judicial system. Jiu An Pan said, “It’s not just mental health; it’s not just the awareness part of it; it’s more like, ‘what is the system?’” Mental health as a topic has many nuances. The social challenges of mental health cannot be solved without increased awareness. The discussion prompted each participant to take a broader view than simply the Mercersburg community. Civics hopes to broaden such discussions, so they do not remain hidden in the confines of the lounge. The goal is to expand and occupy the empty side of the dining hall, so more people see the group and spontaneously join the conversation. Schoenberger noted, “I also noticed that there was a pretty big gender imbalance. It [the participants] were mostly girls or female-identifying students that appeared to be here.” Civics is about the entire community, so by expanding and gaining more attention, we will generate more dialogue and feature more viewpoints. On the first Thursday of every month, Civics will post a new topic and follow with a discussion. Community members are encouraged to stop by to hear the unique perspectives shared in the space. The positivity of the atmosphere was evident throughout the event, leading Schoenberger to state, “The ability to dive headfirst into such a complicated issue is something I find just so impressive. One of my favorite parts of working here is getting to work with such thoughtful students.” Unlike in a forced academic deliberation, there were no awkward pauses but instead actual discussion. Proper communication, active listening, and adding to others’ ideas made this gathering rewarding for all who attended. Previous Previous Next Next

Alice Yoo ‘27 < Back Stenger makes a Splash Alice Yoo ‘27 Apr 19, 2024 Last week, Solie Stenger ’25 received accolades for her competitive water-skiing performance, despite its not being offered as a sport at Mercersburg Academy. After placing second in slalom and fourth in jump at the 2024 Melbourne Moomba Masters—an esteemed annual water-skiing competition hosted by the Victorian Water Ski Association in Melbourne, Australia—she shared her experiences in the school meeting recognizing various student accomplishments. Stenger began her season early in the year, at the 2024 Moomba Masters March. Stenger said, “I have done relatively well, seeing that it is only April and the main season starts in the summer! I skied [the] Moomba [Masters] in Australia, which had always been on my bucket list.” Throughout her waterskiing career, she has trained in multiple locations. “We own a house on a lake in Gettysburg, P.A., where I sometimes train. However, my coach is based in Virginia, so oftentimes I’ll drive down there to ski on the weekends,” stated Stenger, “During the winter, I am often in Florida; then, in the summer, I work at waterski schools [where I] teach kids to ski, and get to ski myself while I’m at it.” Nonetheless, she mentioned that a struggle for her was maintaining a balance between school work and sports as a student-athlete. She explained, “I think it is definitely a harder thing to maintain, especially [since] it is a small sport not offered by Mercersburg. However, the school and my teachers have been extremely flexible in aiding me [in doing] online work, and [allowing me to] make up assignments when I leave to go train.” Stenger elaborated that although it was easier for her to balance school work and sports, it remained challenging nonetheless. “[It] is definitely doable, but [it] does take a lot of work trying to put an equal amount of focus [on] both,” commented Stenger. In addition to thanking the school, Stenger recognized her coach, Corey Vaughn, for supporting and helping her start her waterskiing career. She said, “My coach is from Virginia and runs a water ski school called Peace Love and Waterskiing (PLW). He is not only my coach, but also one of the main people who first got me involved in the sport. He got me my first job and so much more.” Stenger added, “With that, [I would] definitely [thank] my parents, who gave me all these opportunities, and have been with me the whole way!” Stenger is looking forward to potential victory in upcoming summer tournaments. “First, I want to qualify for the US Masters in Georgia. This is the most prestigious tournament in waterskiing and the hardest to get into, so simply skiing in it would be a dream come true,” added Stenger “With this, I want to win nationals this year in August. I have taken home a lot of titles, but I am not a national champ yet, which would be a huge accomplishment for me!” Previous Next

Sheily Ramirez ’28 < Back Fighting until the end Sheily Ramirez ’28 Oct 17, 2025 Last Saturday, October 11, the Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team hosted Pennington School for their annual Pink Out game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite a 6–0 loss, the match was challenging and competitive, the Storm pushing themselves with every play. For one of their biggest games of the season, a Mid-Atlantic Prep League matchup, the team prepared diligently and showed their spirit by decorating themselves with pink glitter, ribbons, and pink shin covers. The sidelines were filled with cheering pink-clad families, and students wore ribbon pins to show their support. Team captain Lexi Chepren ’26 said, “I believe our team has grown so much closer and we all have such a better connection than we did in late August. The team even goes out to dinner all the time, and we simply hang out together outside of practice. Team chemistry plays a key role on the field. Since pre-season, this team has been working really hard on passing and teamwork, which I feel like really showed during the second half of the game.” Chepren also reflected on the team’s mental toughness throughout the season. “Even when the score isn’t for us, we never stop playing for each other. Every game is a chance to grow and prove how much we want this as a team,” she said. Emily Guzic ’28 added, “Head Coach Michaela Singer tells them [the team] to give their 110 percent every day, to keep pushing themselves on the field, and get a break when they need it.” Assistant Coach Katie Shank said, “As a small team, we value the importance of encouragement. We are resilient and have pushed past various injuries along the journey.” In addition to noticeable team growth, several exceptional plays marked the game. Filippa Kriependorf ’27 earned a stroke, an opportunity for a one-on-one shot against the goalie. Chepren explained, “It was a stand-up moment. We have been practicing this specific play and finally got it. Along with that, we also had many good passes.” Shank added, “During practice, we found that using flat and through passing really helped carry the ball forward, and we applied this skill throughout the game.” Kamden Jenkins ’26 reflected on the team’s energy during the match. “Even when things got tough, everyone stayed positive and kept talking on the field. The support from the bench and the crowd really helped us keep pushing until the end,” she said. One factor that likely influenced the score was the assumption about how the opposing team would perform. Whitney Webb ’27 said, “It was interesting to see how much the Pennington Girls’ Field Hockey Team had improved since our last match. It was honestly pretty unexpected.” Even so, the Storm did not let up. Kriependorf added, “We don’t only play for the win but to give 110% and to give our best.” She and the rest of the team believe that not winning is not necessarily a loss. With this mindset, the varsity girls field hockey team will continue to practice and focus on teamwork as they look to finish the season strong. Previous Next

Paxton Diana ‘26 < Back Driving through adversity Paxton Diana ‘26 Oct 11, 2024 Last week, Mercersburg Academy’s girls’ field hockey team’s game versus the Lawrenceville school was canceled and subsequently rescheduled giving the group more time to hone their skills before facing the expected high-level competition. To date this Fall, the team has faced tough opponents, but despite disappointing losses, the girls continue to train diligently and play with resilience and determination. The team has trained hard throughout the season, with Head Coach Michaela Singer saying, “ We have been taking advantage of Mr. Canida's workouts every Monday to build strength, agility, and endurance. We had a lot of first-time players this year so it started slow at first, but now we are moving at a good pace. The defense has been solid in controlling the pace of the game while the offense has shown consistent improvement in set pieces and creating scoring opportunities.” Alishya Thurmond ’26 said, “During practices, we tend to focus on the fundamentals but we are always trying new things to expand our skill set.” Adi Rinker ’27 explained, “We focused on a lot of stick work such as when to move and where to move in specific positions. We also worked on corners since that is where lots of goals are made”. The team has had to reshape its dynamic this year. Pritz Pritzker ’25 said, “We started this season with a lot of new players. We have new freshmen, sophomores, and juniors but also kids who haven't played before. [However,] it's a great sport to start even later in high school because of how fun and fast-paced the game is.” Coach Singer observed, “Stevie Keck is a first-year field hockey player who learned the game fairly quickly. Stevie is playing the sweeper position and has recorded three defensive saves so far this season.” The team bonded very quickly as they trained together. Ava Guzic ’25 explained, “Our team dynamic is very chill and welcoming because we have a lot of players from all different skill levels.” Thurmond added, “I’d consider us a family. We always say Mercersburg field hockey is like no other team when it comes to our connections. We treat each other like sisters, always have each other's backs, and strive as a team to succeed.” Despite a rough record so far, the field hockey team remains positive. Lexi Chepren ’26 said, “Our goal is to have a strong work ethic. Since we work hard on the field during practices, that mindset, and hard work can also be put into our games.” Goalie Gray Beard ’25 added, “Our main goals are to truly just get better in skill, have fun, and bond as a team.” Pritzker stated, “My goal as team captain is I want people to continue to play even for next fall. I want people to love this sport as much as I've loved it for the past 4 years.” On Tuesday, the team will play a home game against an always-strong Forbes Road High School on Regents Field. Previous Next

By Sophie Han '27 < Back Craving crêpes? By Sophie Han '27 May 9, 2025 In an effort to bring students together and offer a break from spring-term stress, the 2027 Class Council hosted a crêpe night open to the entire Mercersburg Academy student body. What began as a small idea in a dormitory common room turned into a widely attended event, potentially establishing a new tradition for the community. The Class Council worked to make sure the event would go smoothly. “We were planning for the entire spring term,” said Susanna Huang ’27, Class President. “We looked at dates and chose a weekday because weekends are packed, and we thought people would enjoy a gathering before Long Spring Weekend.” Class Council members met to brainstorm ideas, weighing options like ice cream before landing on crêpes. “We sat in the common room of the Three North Wing in Fowle Hall and talked about what we wanted our event to be,” said Ellie Yang ’27, Class Historian. “Our motive behind creating this event was not only to think about what we wanted to have as students ourselves and implement it,” said Madeline Chu ’27, Class Vice President, and Paris Zhang ’27, Class Director of Student Activities. “We also had a larger purpose. Our decision to open this event up to the whole student body was for a signature activity for our class to continue in the future.” With this objective in mind, faculty and student volunteers supported the event. “Big shoutout to Electa Willander, Admission Officer and Assistant Dorm Dean of Fowle hall, and Carrie Yang ’27, who both stayed the whole time and wiped down tables with us. Our event’s success was achieved because of their patience with a bit of our inexperience,” said Huang. Zhang admitted that execution was a learning curve. “None of us knew how to make crêpes at first, but we learned it in less than ten minutes. Carrie and I ended up becoming pros at it, and we had so much fun!” Tim Kerr, history teacher and Class Adviser, said, “I was impressed by how self-directed and collaborative they were. The whole thing was student-run — from the formation of the idea, the email correspondences, the trips to Food Lion, and the organization of the event — they handled it with notable care and creativity.” The turnout surprised even the organizers. “We didn’t expect that many people,” said Yang. “We ran out of strawberries so fast, and people kept coming back for seconds and thirds.” Chloe Quaye ’28 said, “I don’t think the Class Council expected a big crowd. There was a long line of people who went back for more, but there were only two or three people behind the table to make crêpes.” Previous Previous Next Next

Catherine Orders '23 and Greta Lawler '23 < Back On this episode of law and order Catherine Orders '23 and Greta Lawler '23 Dec 9, 2022 To learn more about the Conduct Review Committee (CRC), the Mercersburg News sat down with the committee’s chair, Justine O’Connell, director of global initiatives and Spanish teacher. Mercersburg News: What does a typical CRC look like? What are the proceedings and who is involved? Justine O’Connell: The student in question sits down with Ms. Wrzesinsky and Mr. Weibley to talk about what happened and be informed that they will be going in front of the CRC. Ms. Wrzesinsky tells me what happened, and I choose three students and three adults from our committee to hear the case. The student can bring their adviser and an extra person for support, usually a captain, prefect, or close friend. To open proceedings, I ask the student: Do you understand that the CRC can recommend warning, final warning, and required withdrawal, and do you understand what those mean? Then, Ms. Wrzesinsky reads the narrative, which is what happened and why the student is at the CRC. She'll also read behavior points to see if there are patterns in the student’s behavior. Next, members of the committee ask questions: talk to me about what was going through your head at that moment. What has been the hardest part about this for you? Do you feel there are any relationships that have been damaged because of this incident? If you could go back, what would you do differently? These questions help the student process what happened and also allow us to see that sometimes students have committed infractions because there was a lot going on in their lives. We are not meant to be a committee that punishes a student. We fully believe the purpose of the committee is to help a student understand their mistake and move on from it. There’s going to be a consequence, sure, but we don’t want them to feel that one mistake will define them as a human being. They can move on from it, learn from it, and grow from it. After the questions, the adviser and support person can say something on behalf of the student. The student is the last person to talk. Finally, the committee discusses what we heard and makes an appropriate recommendation. If we recommend warning, it is because we think the infraction affected only the student. If we recommend final warning, it’s because a student did something that also affected, in a negative way, other members of our community, for example, harassment. Required withdrawal is a really serious recommendation that is not often put forth. MN: What are the different types of CRCs and how are they determined for each case? JO: Cases that are egregious in nature, like sexual harassment, are dealt with by Mr. McDowell, Ms. Wrzesinsky, the student, and the adviser. A CRC may not be held in front of students if an infraction happens in the last week before the end of a term. In that case, there would be an administrative CRC conducted by Ms. Wrzesinsky, Ms. Craig, Dr. Maurer, Mr. McDowell, and me. In regular cases, a student chooses whether or not they want their case to be heard in front of a full committee or just adults. MN: How are student and faculty representatives chosen for each case? Can representatives be disqualified from hearing a case? JO: My role as the chair is to choose three faculty members and two students to hear each case. Our student chair participates in every case. I try to give everyone an even number of cases and make sure that someone doesn't always see the same type of case. I also try to balance the students by grade level. Faculty and students can recuse themselves from a case. For example, if someone cheats in my Spanish class, I would recuse myself because I was the one that turned them in. Sometimes people automatically abdicate because they feel too close to the person to be able to deliberate without bias. MN: How does the whole committee stay up-to-date and consistent with recent cases and consequences? JO: On weeks when we don't have a case, we still meet, usually to debrief a case from the week before, allowing members who weren’t there to ask questions about the case and its outcomes. All members of the committee, both students and faculty, are held to strict confidentiality. The purpose of confidentiality is to maintain the dignity of the students, knowing that this is not part of the highlight reel of their time at Mercersburg. We also hold mock CRCs to train new members. We’re hoping to meet with each grade this year to talk about the differences between warning and final warning and do a mock case so that more students understand what happens. MN: What are the benefits of having a discussion-based disciplinary system over a more objective set of consequences? JO: I believe it's important that students know they can make mistakes. We've all made mistakes in our lives and sometimes you are in a situation where you break a big rule and you need to own up to it and process it. Students need to know that there are consequences that come with breaking rules, but it doesn't define who you are as a person or make or break you and the rest of your life. MN: Is there anything you would like to see changed or improved about the CRC process? JO: We’ve had a record number of cases this term and I've been thinking about what in our community is causing more students to be breaking major school rules. I don’t have an answer to that. I think what could make the CRC process better is figuring out if it’s our systems in our institution or if there’s something deeper going on. I think that getting to a place with fewer cases starts with our community and our culture. As Mr. McDowell was talking about at our school meeting, the culture of our community is what we are willing to tolerate. I think that there is some conversation and reflection that we need to do as a whole community. Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang < Back MRSU Takeover Carrie Yang Jan 20, 2026 The Multi-Racial Student Union (MSU) hosted a “takeover” in the Simon Student Center last Friday, offering Mercersburg students an opportunity to share and hear different experiences. The event marked the group’s first major event since its founding earlier this year. Inspired by other unions on campus, the MSU was founded to provide a welcoming community for individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. President Jazlyn Garnett ‘27 said, “ I went to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) last year, and they had an affinity space for multiracial people, and I thought it was such a great and welcoming community. People understood what it was like to not fit into one specific identity, and I thought it would be perfect to start at Mercersburg.” Vice-president Alex Ferrari ‘28 added, “Jaz and I started it together, to make sure that we, identifying as multiracial, have an affinity space for other people who identify with us.” The union aims to support racial and cultural diversity on campus. Garnett said, “Our mission is to provide a space for people who fit into multiple identities, and have a voice in our community as a whole, especially the younger people who don’t know many people at Mercersburg yet. Because so many people at Mercersburg come from so many different places, even if you don’t identify as multiracial, this student union is a great opportunity to start a network of people who are becoming more comfortable with all forms of themselves.” Garnett continued, “I identify as Black and white. I don’t see the Black half of my family, so it's really hard for me to connect with the Black half of me. Just being able to accept that and just be my own person is the hardest part of trying to figure out what multiracial means.” The Multi-Racial Student Union takeover introduced the group to the community. Featured activities included bracelet-making, coloring, snacks, trivia, and music. The student response centered on community and connection. William Luo ‘27 said, “Being able to attend this multiracial event is fun, and I can interact with my friends who also share this diverse culture with me.” Ani Spitzer ‘27 added, “ I think [this event] brings everyone together. We played trivia, got some free snacks, and had some fun times with friends. It was great!” As the Multi-Racial Student Union continues to grow, the leaders hope it will foster connections among students, giving them a space to explore and ensuring that the union’s mission will continue. Previous Previous Next Next

Jelly Nguyen '24 < Back MENtal health matters Jelly Nguyen '24 May 5, 2023 In the last few weeks, the counseling department of the Rutherford Health and Wellness Center began hosting a series of lunches for students and faculty who identify as male to discuss men’s wellness. The topic of men’s health and well-being is often neglected, so the creation of these lunches allows students to talk about any topics they want, such as masculinity or mental health, in a safe space. The lunches will span four weeks which started on April 19, with one lunch each week. Social-emotional learning counselor Amy Shaffer Post hopes that these lunches will help students to be open to their own feelings and others. “ Students that participate will hopefully recognize that they are not alone in wanting to discuss wellness and improve circumstances around wellness for male-identifying individuals,” said Shaffer Post About the launch of these special lunches, Shaffer Post said, “The counseling team decided to offer several men's wellness lunches after we noticed that our typical Wellness Wednesday lunches are nearly entirely students who identify as females. We wanted to create a space that was specific for students who identify as male to talk with each other and with male-identifying faculty. It is important that we think about wellness for everyone on our campus and try to meet specific needs.” Science teacher Brendan Daly, one of the faculty members present at last week’s lunch, believes, “It is important to provide an opportunity for young men to talk about their experiences; I worry too many young men think sharing their thoughts with others is read as a weakness.” Mike Conklin, Director of College Counseling, who was also in attendance at the lunch, thinks that the lunches are an excellent opportunity to give students the spotlight to express their opinions and thoughts. “ I've come of age at a time when it is increasingly socially acceptable to identify and address issues of toxic masculinity, and I hope by being in dialogue with others in a shared space, I can offer a perspective that moves the conversation forward.” Students were able to give their thoughts about issues and struggle they face as men that are often overlooked. Samuel Zhao ’24 attended one of the lunches and was grateful for the opportunity to share his feelings. “We got to talk about things that I’ve never thought about before. Since I was young I was told that I needed to be brave and never to show my weaknesses to others because I was a boy. This opportunity gave me the chance to speak up my mind as well as to listen to what others have to say about their experiences,” Zhao said. According to Zhao, many general topics arose during the discussion. “General topics I observed were the stereotypical view about men such as strength and independence and how boys are often pressured to live up to their masculine image, but personally we still have moments of emotions and vulnerability that we rarely have the chance to express.” Dean Tae ’24 agrees with this common theme of being able to express his personal experiences: “I think the best part of it was that we were able to share our experiences and thoughts in a safe space. It could be challenging for some students to talk about certain sensitive issues openly. However, the discussion allowed us to exchange thoughts without worrying about being judged by other people had we had this conversation elsewhere.” Previous Previous Next Next

Maddie Mamoudis '27 < Back Arigatō! Maddie Mamoudis '27 May 3, 2024 On Saturday, April 13, Mercersburg’s Japanese students held an event to raise money for the Red Feather Central Chest of Japan. The evening involved selling food in the Simon Student Center. All proceeds went to the organization, raising money for families impacted by the most recent earthquake which occurred on January 1, 2024. Fundraiser organizer, Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, spoke passionately about the planning. “It was a long process, we had to write a proposal and the proposal had to be approved by several committees so that took a while.” Efforts to create the fundraiser began at the beginning of the winter term, but it was difficult to proceed due to scheduling. Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons said, “It took a while to get done, so I was proud of her for sticking with it.” According to Karin Sugiyama ‘27, “Cocona made everything possible.” The earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale, causing hundreds of people to pass away and leaving thousands in shelters. “Cocona did a great job; she saw a need in her home and decided to do something about it,” said Parsons. “She came to me wanting to do a fundraiser to help with the earthquake victims in January.” Sugiyama commented further, “The fundraiser was also to raise awareness about the natural disasters that happen in Japan because Japan’s a place where natural disasters occur a lot.” The Central Chest of Japan aids in disaster and social relief and is currently helping those harmed by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. They provided immense support for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, contributing a significant amount of money. That earthquake had a magnitude of 9.1 on the Richter scale, caused a deadly tsunami, and damaged a nuclear reactor. The Central Chest of Japan has been operational for 77 years, and donations have totaled JPY 950 billion (which is approximately USD 6 billion). Elie Shimaoka ‘26 said, “I personally experienced the 2011 earthquake; it affected me quite a lot. I had to leave Japan for a while due to radiation, so I really wanted to help others going through similar experiences.” The proceeds from the event came from snack and crepe sales, each purchase representing a small gesture of solidarity with those impacted by the earthquake. Yamamoto said, “I told everyone [involved with the fundraiser] to buy snacks from Japan, and those were the snacks we sold during the fundraiser.” Overall, Yamamoto’s event showcased compassion and altruism, earning a total of USD 880 for the organization. Previous Previous Next Next

Kate Sui ’29 < Back David Stephenson Kate Sui ’29 Oct 3, 2025 David Stephenson brings a broad international background to Mercersburg. Though he is from the United States, he has worked abroad, most recently serving as a college counselor at an international school in Mexico. One factor in his decision to come to Mercersburg was “feeling the kindness of the community and the faculty while interviewing online.” Since arriving at school, he’s been amazed by the welcoming atmosphere and the natural beauty of the school: “The chapel especially stood out to me. There’s a real sense of peace here.” At Mercersburg, he is excited about collaborating with a team of experts to provide students with broad support. Stephenson greatly values working as part of a strong college counseling team, stating: “There’s a real focus and depth of expertise here and it’s exciting to be part of something that’s working so well.” His primary goal is to get to know students personally and help them discover the best-fit college for their individual strengths and ambitions. In addition, he is excited to grow into the role and learn more about how he can best support students. “Right now, I’m just enjoying being here and getting to know people. I’m looking forward to gaining more experience and becoming even more effective in the role.” Outside of work, Stephenson enjoys traveling, reading, and going to concerts. Previous Previous Next Next

main page Front Page News Opinions Hustle and Bustle Arts Sports Features Staff More We Do REPORTING View Our News Front PageNews Explore Sports Explore Explore The Arts Features Explore Explore Hustle & Bustle Opinion Explore WELCOME TO THE MERCERSBURG NEWS ABOUT US The Mercersburg News aims to give students a voice on campus and provide meaningful and important news to the Mercersburg Academy community. Explore Staff Check out the archive articles! Old articles are still available @mercersburgnews.com Enter Now

Alice Yoo '27 < Back Showing up & handing off Alice Yoo '27 May 3, 2024 Last week, the Blue Storm girls and boys relay teams traveled to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania to compete in the 4x400m event at the historic Penn Relay Carnival, which dates back to 1895 and in which Mercersburg Academy athletes have participated for over a century. The girls team, consisting of Madison Goodhart ’24, Nia Henley ’24, Erika Sowah ’24, and Anne Sehon ’25, finished third in the independent school division with a time of 4:11.88, and the boys team, including Winston Watkins ’25, Arnav Rao ’26, Konrad Spory ’26, and Iman Zhakan ’26 finished 14th in 3:42.10. The team did not have to prepare in any special way for the race. Outdoor track & field head coach Nikki Walker stated, “These relays are just part of our season and not something that we train specifically for.” The team ran regular workouts and tried to get enough rest. Watkins added, “Nothing changed too much out of the ordinary. We’re still running workouts with the rest of the team.” As the team prepared for the Penn Relays, a mix of emotions filled the air. “I was extremely excited because the 4x400m is an event that I always look forward to every meet,” said Goodhart, “Once I got there, I was immediately blown away by the amount of people…. My nerves were through the roof, but as the race got closer and closer, there was no time to be nervous.” Spory added, “We all felt excited to run in such a big meet and to have the opportunity to run as a team on such a big stage.” The teams were satisfied with their performances. “We all did a great job; that was the first time that the four of us ran a 4x400m together, and overall, we were really happy with the result. It was pretty tough running with 18 other teams in our heat,” said Watkins, “At the beginning, all teams slowed down a lot since it was so crowded. Coach Walker also mentioned that our team this year is the youngest team she'd ever brought from Mercersburg to [the competition].” Henley said, “While I was moving onto the track to run the last leg of the race when I saw Erika came around the curve moving towards me, I knew in my head we were doing a great job and had a chance to place and run one of our fastest times as a team together.” She added, “Once I saw my team, they were so excited, clapping and cheering. That made me feel really accomplished and proud. Given everyone’s health status, we performed well and were running as a more cohesive team than ever.” The strategic order of the runners also contributed to the successful results. Watkins explained, “I ran first, then Arnav, then Konrad, and Iman last. The idea was to have our most experienced runners go first and second to get out of the mess of people, and that way, Konrad and Iman had more space to focus on running.” Regarding the order for the girls, Henley said, “Sehon knew the gist of the waterfall start. She knew how to be physical when she ran to make it to the front. Next was Maddie Goodhart because she was a very strong runner and could extend our lead, which she did, moving us up four places. The third leg was Erika because she is a powerful runner, and we knew she could maintain our work and place. And I ran the anchor leg to finish the race, and the strategy there was to be a complete competitor—to compete as hard as I could to get us to that finish line.” The Blue Storm relay teams agreed that the Penn Relays was a memorable few days. Walker said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I appreciate being at an institution with a history as rich as ours in these relays.” Previous Next