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

The Blue Storm diving team is jumped headfirst into competition, kicking off the season at the 32nd Annual Eagle Invitational in York.. < Back Diving into the season Reagan Houpt '25 Dec 9, 2022 The Blue Storm diving team is jumped headfirst into competition, kicking off the season at the 32nd Annual Eagle Invitational in York. Luntu Redebe '25 scored first place in her division with a score of 183.35 — third overall among both boys and girls. Additionally, Clare Ip '23, Alex Van Ess '24, and Davis Noone '23 placed in their divisions and scored points for the team. Frank Betkowski, head coach of the diving team, says, “ The ultimate goal is for as many divers as possible to place and score points at Easterns.” Such a performance would optimally lead the diving program to win its respective championship. The team is excited about the arrival of the talented Radebe, who has shown great skill already. They are also extraordinarily grateful for their dedicated captains, Ip and Van Ess. Betkowski confidently states, “The future's so bright we have to wear shades.” The diving team has a meet at home on Saturday, December 10 against Hill School in what will surely be0 a spectacle for fans. Previous Next

Adrienne Howard ‘26 and Jack Pollinger ‘26 < Back Winter sports (p)review Adrienne Howard ‘26 and Jack Pollinger ‘26 Dec 13, 2024 With the winter term off to a strong start, Mercersburg Academy’s winter sports teams are showing no signs of slowing down. The boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, and boys’ and girls’ swimming teams are gearing up for some of the biggest events of their seasons: basketball tournaments at the Hill School and the Peddie School, and a swim meet at Penn State. Blue Storm athletes’ preparation for tough competitions has set the stage for strong performances. With just five days of practice after fall break, the Mercersburg Storm girls’ basketball team has been prepping for the upcoming Hill School Invitational Tournament. Paul Sipes, the team’s head coach, said, “We have to learn how to play together first. We have a lot of really talented kids coming back and new ones that came in. I don’t think you can be a confident team until you understand how everybody plays.” Looking ahead to the tournament Annie Mohr ’26 said, “We purposely didn’t set very many goals for this tournament. I think [Coach Sipes] wanted us to go out there and not be afraid to mess up and see where we’re at.” Sipes continued, "I think the number one thing is just getting a chance to get our feet out there and look at what we do and start improving it right away.” The boy's basketball team has been preparing for the Basketbull Hoopsfest next week. Head coach Sean Crocker noted his team’s efforts, saying, “We’re making progress and getting better every day. We’re just going to remind ourselves of how we play and try to do the best we can.” Josiah Wright ’25 said, “A key thing is we are working on holding and containing pressure.” Thaddeus Lee, ’25 added, “We’ve been figuring things out, so I’m very optimistic for the season. [I want the team] to win the championship, and my personal goal is to win the tournament MVP.” The Mercersburg swimming teams prepared for the meet at Richmond and USSA Junior Nationals with diligence. “We had a successful meet at State College on Wednesday even after dealing with some less-than-ideal circumstances,” said Olivia Glick ’25. The team is determined to keep their momentum. “We’ve been focusing on setting up a plan for how we want to race our events,” explained Glick. “We’ve been working on the minute details, and making sure we’re ready.” Head coach Matt Hurst said, “The goal for those going to Juniors is just to be seen on the introduction to the international scenes. And for those going to Richmond, we are looking for season-best times and competing as a collective.” Previous Next

Hustle & Bustle

Hustle & Bustle