MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player McKenzie Blake runs past a foe in a 2025 game. Blake produced a historic senior campaign as she set the Ivy League single-season record with 89 goals and the program mark for career goals with 228. Blake’s heroics helped the Tigers go 11-7 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
With Princeton University athletic teams and local high school sports programs generating a slew of milestones for teams and individuals, 2025 proved to be a year to remember.
Over at Princeton University, the Tiger women’s basketball team enjoyed another stellar campaign as it made the NCAA tournament for the sixth straight season, an unprecedented run in program history. Zeina Zein made history for women’s squash as she won the College Squash Association (CSA) individual national title, becoming the sixth player in program history to earn that title.
In the spring, a pair of Princeton lacrosse players, Coulter Mackesy and McKenzie Blake, rewrote record books. Mackesy set the men’s lax program record with 167 career goals on his way to earning All-American honors. Women’s lax standout Blake, for her part, set the Ivy League single-season record with 89 goals and the program mark for career goals with 228.
On the water, the Tiger women’s lightweight rowing team won its fourth straight Commissioner’s Cup at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) championships, awarded to the program with the most team points. Riccardo Fantinelli starred as men’s golf placed first in the Ivy League championships. Fantinelli placed first individually as the Tigers won their 27th Ivy team title.
In the fall, the Princeton field hockey team produced one of the great seasons in program history as it reeled off 14 straight wins on the way to winning the Ivy League tournament and advancing to the NCAA championship game for the fifth time. Coach Carla Tagliente’s squad fell 2-1 in overtime to Northwestern in the NCAA final to end the season with an 18-4 record. Senior star attacker Beth Yeager was named the Ivy Player of the Year for a fourth time and a first-team All-American for a fourth season, both firsts in league history.
On the pitch, Princeton men’s soccer enjoyed a historic campaign. The Tigers went 7-0 in Ivy League play and didn’t allow a single goal in conference action, the first time that has ever happened in league history. Princeton finished with a 15-2-2 record with 13 shutouts, setting a program single-season records for wins and shutouts.
The Tiger football team struggled to a 3-7 record, but newcomer receiver Josh Robinson was a bright spot as he set Princeton freshman records for both receptions (46) and receiving yards (569) and was named the Ivy Rookie of the Year.
Two Tiger fall teams added to runs of excellence as men’s cross country team won its fifth straight Ivy League Heptagonal title, while men’s water polo earned its fifth straight Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) tournament crown.
On the high school scene, the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team overcame a shaky 1-5 start to edge Lawrenceville B 9-8 in the Prep Tournament state final. In the fall, the Raider girls’ volleyball team won its first-ever Prep A state title, topping Mount St. Mary 2-0 (25-23, 25-18) in the final.
Over at Princeton Day School, the girls’ hockey team made history as it rolled to the program’s first-ever New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state title. The Panthers routed Immaculate Heart Academy 7-0 in the state final to end the winter with a 14-2-1 record. The PDS girls’ soccer produced a remarkable reversal of fortune, posting a 20-1-1 record after going 8-9-1 in 2024. Along the way, the Panthers won the program’s first-ever Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament title, edging Allentown 1-0 in the final.
Senior standout Blasé Mele achieved a first for Princeton High boys’ wrestling, winning the NJSIAA title at 144 pounds, becoming the first state champion in program history. Another PHS senior, Sean Wilton, made some history for the Tiger track program, winning the shot put at the NJSIAA Group 4 state championship meet. Wilton set a program outdoor record of 60’ 7.5 in winning the title.
A trio of senior stars — Naomi Lygas, Charlotte Woods, and Kaelin Bobetich — helped PHS girls’ volleyball achieve its goal of a winning a third straight NJSIAA Group 3 state championship. The Tigers rolled through the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional and Group 3 tourney, not losing a set along the way culminating with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) win over Millburn in the state final.
At Stuart Country Day School, Allison Lee concluded a remarkable career for the lacrosse program, tallying 81 goals and eight assists in her final campaign, giving her a program-record of 386 points on 335 goals and 51 assists.
SIX SHOOTER: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea looks to unload the ball in a game last season. Star guard Chea’s sharpshooting sparked the offense as Princeton made the NCAA tournament for a sixth straight season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
PU – Winter
Led by the trio of Ashley Chea, Skye Belker, and Fadima Tall, the Princeton University women’s basketball team enjoyed another superb campaign. Coach Carla Berube’s squad went 21-8 and received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, making the national tournament for the sixth straight season. Princeton fell 68-63 to Iowa State in a first-round contest to end its season. Chea, for her part, was a first-team All-Ivy League selection while Belker and Tall earned second-team All-Ivy honors.
Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce starred for men’s basketball as they both passed the 1,000-point mark in their Tiger careers. Despite their heroics, coach Mitch Henderson’s squad struggled down the stretch, going 5-6 in its last 11 regular season games and then losing to Yale in the Ivy Tournament semis to end the winter at 19-11.
Star guard Lee earned first-team All-Ivy honors while forward Pierce was a second-team All-Ivy selection. After the season, Lee transferred to Florida for his senior year. Pierce stayed at Princeton, but decided to sit out his senior year to use his final year of college eligibility elsewhere in 2026-27.
The one-two punch of Issy Wunder and Mackenzie Alexander spearheaded the offense for women’s hockey as Wunder tallied 50 points on 26 goals and 24 assists while Alexander chipped in 14 goals and 32 assists. Coach Cara Morey guided the Tigers to an 18-12-2 record as they advanced to the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals.
Over the summer, Morey left the program to become the general manager of the Vancouver expansion franchise in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Former Tiger assistant coach Courtney Kessel returned to the program to succeed Morey.
Under new coach Ben Syer, men’s hockey made progress as it went 12-15-3. Brendan Gorman sparked the offense for the Tigers as he tallied 12 goals and 14 assists while goalie Ethan Pearson starred between the pipes, posting a 2.33 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
Marc-Anthony McGowan and Luke Stout provided highlights as wrestling placed fourth in the team standings in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament. McGowan took first at 125 pounds while Stout prevailed at 197. Coach Joe Dubuque guided the squad to an 8-9 overall record in duals.
Mitchell Schott and Aidan Wang led the way as men’s swimming placed first at the Ivy League Championships. Schott was named the High Point Swimmer of the Meet, thanks to three first-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle, 200 individual medley, and 200 butterfly. Wang repeated as the High Point Diver of the Meet, taking first in 3-meter diving and second on the 1-meter board. Coach Matt Crispino’s squad went 10-1 in regular season dual meet action.
Sparked by Eleanor Sun and Charlotte Martinkus, women’s swimming placed first in the Ivy League Championships. Sun earned High Point Swimmer of the Meet honors, placing first in the 200-yard individual medley, the 400 IM, and the 200 butterfly. Martinkus was the High Point Diver of the Meet as she swept the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. It marked the third straight Ivy title for coach Abby Brethauer’s squad.
Joey Gant set the pace as men’s track placed first in the Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championship meet. Gant was named as the Most Outstanding Track Performer of the meet as he placed first in the 400 meter run and second in the 200 meters. Coach Jason Vigilante’s squad earned the program’s 10th straight Ivy Indoor Heps crown with the victory.
Georgina Scoot flew high to help women’s track and field win the Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championship meet. Scoot placed first in the long jump and was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer of the meet. It was the first time that coach Michelle Eisenreich guided the Tigers to a win in the Ivy Indoor Heps and marked the 10th title for the program in the event.
Henry Wedbush had a big season to help men’s volleyball advance to the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) final. Wedbush was honored as the EIVA Player of the Year. Wedbush recorded a team-high 759 assists for an average of 9.37 a set, which put him third in the league and 24th nationally. Coach Sam Shweisky’s team finished with a 15-11 overall record.
Zeina Zein made history for women’s squash as she won the College Squash Association (CSA) individual national title. Zein joined Julia Beaver (1999, 2000, 2001), Katherine Johnson (1997), Demer Holleran (1986, 1987, 1989), Nancy Gengler (1976), and Wendy Zaharko (1972, 1974, 1975) as Princeton players to take the CSA national title. Coach Gaił Ramsay’s squad advanced to the CSA team semis, where it fell to Harvard to finish the season with a 12-3 record.
Ahmed Hussein enjoyed a superb final campaign for men’s squash, earning first-team All-Ivy honors as he compiled a 4-4 record in duals this season between first and second positions. Coach Sean Wilkinson’s team posted an 11-2 record as it made the CSA team semis where it lost to Yale.
Producing another solid effort at the NCAA Championships, fencing placed fourth in the team standings. Coach Zoltan Dudas’ squad featured eight All-Americans as junior foil Brandon Lee (third), sophomore épée Alec Brooke (seventh), and senior épée Nicholas Lawson (ninth) earned the honor for the men by getting top-12 finishes at the NCAA competition while sophomore saber Alexandra Lee placed third, freshman saber Emese Domonkos placed seventh, freshman foil Chin-Yi Kong finished ninth, and sophomore épée Hadley Husisian came in third to achieve All-American status for the Tiger women.
GOING TO GOAL: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy heads to goal in a game this spring. Standout attacker Mackesy set the men’s lax program record with 167 career goals on his way to earning All-American honors as the Tigers went 13-4 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
PU – Spring
Coulter Mackesy and Chad Palumbo sparked the offense while Colin Mushine and Ryan Croddick anchored the defense as men’s lacrosse enjoyed a superb campaign. Mackesy set the program record with 167 career goals on his way to earning All-American honors and being named as a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, the highest individual honor in college lacrosse. Midfielder Palumbo earned third-team All-American honors while defender Mulshine and goalie Croddick were honorable mention selections. Coach Matt Madalon’s squad went 13-4 as it made the Ivy League championship game and the NCAA quarterfinals.
McKenzie Blake enjoyed a record-breaking campaign for women’s lacrosse as it advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. Attacker Blake set the Ivy League single-season record with 89 goals and the program mark for career goals with 228. Coach Jenn Cook’s team ended the season with an 11-7 record.
Pitchers Jacob Faulkner and Andrew D’Alessio starred for baseball as it endured a rough spring. Faulkner earned first-team All-Ivy honors while D’Alessio was a second-team choice as coach Scott Bradley’s team posted a 12-31 record.
The pitching of Brielle Wright and the batting production from Julia Dumais, Karis Ford, Allison Ha, and Braeden Hale helped softball produce a memorable spring. All five players earned first-team All-Ivy honors as coach Lisa Van Ackeren’s team won the Ivy regular season title. The Tigers fell to Brown in the final round of the Ivy tournament to end the season with a 28-18 record.
Greg Foster came up big as men’s track placed first in the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championship. Foster won both the long jump and the 110-meter hurdles at the meet. Other individual victors for Princeton at the meet included Jackson Clarke in the 200, Harrison Witt in the 1,500, and Casey Helm in the discus. By virtue of the victory, coach Jason Vigilante’s program completed its second straight triple crown (winning the Ivy cross country, Indoor Heps, and Outdoor Heps in one school year).
Georgina Scoot soared for women’s track as it won the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championship. Scoot placed first in both the long jump and the triple jump at the Heps. Other individual victors for the Tigers at the meet included Shea Greene in the javelin, Siniru Iheoma in the shot put. Mena Scatchard in the 1,500 meters, and Julia Jongejeugd in the heptathlon. Coach Michelle Eisenreich’s program clinched the triple crown with the win, the first for the Tiger women since 2011.
Paul Inchauspe enjoyed a superb campaign for men’s tennis, earning first-team All-Ivy honors in both singles and doubles. Coach Billy Pate’s squad earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and advanced to the second round where they fell to Virginia to end the spring with a 22-9 record.
Alice Ferlito proved to be a bright spot women’s tennis as she earned All-Ivy honors at first singles. Coach Elizabeth Johnson’s squad posted an overall record of 10-11 as it went 3-4 in Ivy action.
Kayla Yelensky had a big year for women’s water polo as it enjoyed another winning campaign. Yelensky was named the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Most Valuable Player, tallying 89 goals and 109 points overall. Coach Derek Ellingson’s squad posted a 21-7 record as it advanced to the CWPA championship game.
The men’s lightweight rowing varsity eight placed fifth in the grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championships and the second eight placed fourth as the Tigers placed fourth in the team standings at the regatta. After the season, longtime coach Marty Crotty stepped down from the program. He was succeeded by Tiger men’s heavyweight associate head coach Matt Smith.
As for the men’s heavyweight rowing team, its varsity eight placed fourth in its IRA grand final. Coach Greg Hughes’ program placed fifth in the team point standings for the Ten Eyck Trophy at the event.
Continuing its dominance of the national scene, women’s lightweight rowing won its fourth straight Commissioner’s Cup at the IRA championships awarded to the program with the most team points. Coach Paul Rassam’s varsity eight and varsity four both placed first in their grand finals at the competition.
The second varsity eight provided a highlight for women’s open rowing, placing third in its grand final at the NCAA Championships. Coach Lori Dauphiny’s squad placed sixth in the team standings at the event.
Riccardo Fantinelli starred as men’s golf placed first in the Ivy League championships. Fantinelli placed first individually as the Tigers won their 27th Ivy team title. Coach Will Green’s squad went on to place 12th at the NCAA regional held on Amherst, Va.
Catherine Rao placed third individually to help women’s golf take first in the team standings at the Ivy League championships. It marked the eighth Ivy team crown for the program. Coach Erika DeSanty’s golfers ended up placing ninth in the team standings at the NCAA regional held in Charlottesville, Va.
LEGEND OF THE FALL: Princeton University field hockey star Beth Yeager heads upfield in a game this fall. Senior midfielder Yeager helped Princeton enjoy a memorable 2025 season as it won the Ivy League tournament and advanced to the NCAA championship game where it fell 2-1 in overtime to Northwestern. Yeager, for her part, was named the Ivy Player of the Year for a fourth time and a first-team All-American for a fourth season, both firsts in league history. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
PU – Fall
Beth Yeager triggered the attack while Ottilie Sykes and goalie Olivia Caponiti spearheaded the defense as field hockey produced a memorable fall. Catching fire after a loss to Harvard in late September, the Tigers reeled off 14 straight wins on the way to winning the Ivy League tournament and advancing to the NCAA championship game. Coach Carla Tagliente’s squad fell 2-1 in overtime to defending champion Northwestern in the NCAA final to end the season with an 18-4 record.
Senior star Yeager, who tallied 15 goals and 10 assists, was named the Ivy Player of the Year for a fourth time and made first-team All-America for a fourth season, both firsts in league history. Junior midfielder Ella Cashman and sophomore midfielder Clem Houlden joined Yeager as first-team All-Ivy selections. Junior goalie Caponiti, who recorded a 0.86 goals against average, was a second-team All-Ivy selection as was Sykes and freshman midfielder Caitlin Thompson.
Led by a group of 11 battle-tested seniors, men’s soccer put together an extraordinary season. The Tigers went 7-0 in Ivy League play and didn’t allow a goal in conference action, the first time that has ever happened in league history. Coach Jim Barlow’s side went on to win the Ivy tournament and earn the third seed in the NCAA tournament. Princeton’s dream season ended in disappointment as Duke rallied from a 1-0 second half deficit to pull out a 2-1 win over the Tigers in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
GETTING HIS KICKS: Princeton University men’s soccer goalie Andrew Samuels boots the ball in a game this fall. Samuels was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year as the Tigers enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history. Princeton went 15-2-2 and posted 13 shutouts as it won the Ivy regular season title and the league tournament. The Tigers didn’t allow a goal in Ivy regular season play, the first time that has happened in league history. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
The Tigers finished with a 15-2-2 record, setting a program single-season record for wins. Senior striker Danny Ittycheria was named the Ivy Offensive Player of the Year, while junior goalie Andrew Samuels was named the Ivy Defensive Player of the Year. Ittycheria and Samuels were named as first-team All-Ivy performers along with senior defender Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch, senior midfielder Jack Jasinski, senior midfielder Sam Vigilante, and junior forward Bardia Hormozi.
Hampered by several injuries to key players, women’s soccer struggled in the early going, starting 2-5-3 overall and 1-2 Ivy League. But displaying grit and competitive fire, coach Sean Driscoll’s squad got on a roll down the stretch. The Tigers won their last five regular season games to finish first in the Ivy standings and host the league postseason tournament. Princeton fell 1-0 to Dartmouth in the league tourney final to end the season at 8-6-3.
NO JOSHING: Princeton University football player Josh Robinson races upfield against Columbia in early October. Freshman receiver Robinson was a bright spot in a disappointing 3-7 campaign as he set Princeton freshman records for both receptions (46) and receiving yards (569) and was named the Ivy Rookie of the Year. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
Starting 3-2 overall and 2-0 Ivy League, football seemed poised for a big campaign. But coach Bob Surace’s team faltered over the last half of the season, losing its final five games with three of those defeats coming by three points. Freshman receiver Josh Robinson was a bright spot for the Tigers as he set Princeton freshman records for both receptions (46) and receiving yards (569) and was named the Ivy Rookie of the Year.
Sydney Draper and Valerie Nutakor led the way for women’s volleyball as it won both the Ivy League regular season title and the league tournament. Draper was named the Ivy Player of the Year and was selected as a first-team All-Ivy performer along with Nutakor. Coach Sabrina King’s team fell to Southern California in the first round of the NCAA tournament to end the fall with an 18-7 record.
Kristóf Kovács, Gavin Appeldorn, and Logan McCarroll starred for men’s water polo as it won its fifth straight Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) tournament title. Goalie Kovacs, utility Appeldorn, and utility McCarroll were all named first-team All-NWPC performers. Coach Dusty Litvak’s team lost 15-11 to UCLA in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament as it posted a final record of 23-10
Myles Hogan emerged as the frontrunner for men’s cross country, helping it win its fifth straight Ivy League Heptagonal title. Hogan placed first individually at the Heps, winning by more than 45 seconds. Coach Jason Vigilante’s squad finished the fall by taking 27th at the NCAA Championships.
Anna McNatt and Meg Madison led the way as women’s cross country placed first at the Ivy League Heptagonal championship meet for the second straight year. McNatt finished first individually with Madison taking second for coach Brad Hunt’s team. McNatt and Madison went on to run as individuals in the NCAA Championships with McNatt placing 67th in a field of more than 260 runners and Madison coming in 147th.
It turned out to be a rough fall for women’s rugby as it went 0-6. Coach Josie Ziluca’s side came closest to winning when it fell 40-33 to Queens.
NET GAIN: Members of the Hun School girls’ volleyball team celebrate after they defeated Mount St. Mary Academy 2-0 (25-23, 25-18) in the Prep A state final in October. It marked the first-ever state title for the program. (Photo provided by Vicky Santiago)
Hun
Blake Hargrove made a big impact in his debut season for the Hun School boys’ basketball team as the guard led the team in scoring. Coach Jon Stone’s squad went 8-15, falling in the first round of both the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) and the Prep Open state tournaments.
Star guard Gabby D’Agostino poured in 633 points and had 125 assists to lead the way for girls’ basketball. Coach Sean Costello guided his team to a 23-6 record as it advanced to the MAPL tournament final.
Jake Beck, Andrew Darst, Luca Jean, and Anders Van Raalte each had double figures in points for boys’ hockey as coach Eric Szeker’s team went 5-15-1.
Sam Jolly batted .627 to spark the hitting attack while righty pitcher Anna Murphy starred in the circle as softball produced another superb campaign. Coach Kathy Quirk’s squad went 14-2, winning the MAPL title and making the Prep A tournament semis.
Will Kraemer (.385) and TJ Francis (.413) had big years with the bat and Yanni Moraitis (2.50 ERA, 38 strikeouts) led the mound corps for baseball. Coach Tom Monfiletto’s squad went 15-7 as it tied the Hill School (Pa.) for the MAPL championship and advanced to the semifinal round of the Prep A tourney.
Overcoming a shaky 1-5 start, boys’ lacrosse caught fire down the stretch. With Jake Beck triggering the offense, first-year coach Joe Donnelly’s squad edged Lawrenceville B 9-8 in the Prep Tournament state final to end the spring with an 8-9 record.
It was a rough spring for girls’ lacrosse as it went 1-15 in coach Samantha Schwartz’s debut campaign guiding the program.
Quarterback Lukas Prock passed for 4,330 yards and 41 touchdowns and running back Nick Diamond rushed for 1,157 yards and 10 TD to lead a high-powered offense for football. Coach Todd Smith’s squad posted an 8-4 record.
Newcomer Delaney Jones sparked the attack for field hockey in her debut season for the program, scoring a team-high 16 goals. Coach Tracey Arndt’s team went 4-1 down the stretch to end the fall at 11-7.
Sasha Mykhalchuk tallied 14 goals to lead the way for boys’ soccer. Coach Pat Quirk guided his team to an 8-9 mark as it advanced to the Prep A semis.
Under new head coach Brynn Hanson, girls’ soccer got off to an encouraging 4-4 start but struggled after that as it posted a final record of 5-11.
Eva Cannon starred as girls’ volleyball produced a championship campaign, winning its first-ever Prep A state title. Cannon recorded 17 kills and 11 digs in the Prep final as Hun topped Mount St. Mary 2-0 (25-23, 25-18). Coach Vicky Santiago’s team ended the season with a 14-5 record.
SUPER SAVER: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey star goalie Kelly Stevens guards the net in a game last winter. Stevens stood tall between the pipes as PDS won the program’s first-ever New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state title. Stevens posted a sparkling save percentage of .941 on the season to help the Panthers go 14-2-1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
PDS
Despite a lineup that only included nine skaters at times, the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team rolled to the program’s first-ever New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state title. The Panthers got production at forward from Eibhleann Knox, Grace Ulrich, and Della Gilligan while the Dandy sisters, Sammy and Brynn, spearheaded the defensive unit and also piled up points from the blue line. Kelly Stevens emerged as one of the top goalies in the state, posting a save percentage of .941. Coaches Jamie Davis and Jade Meier guided the Panthers to a 14-2-1 campaign which culminated with a 7-0 win over Immaculate Heart Academy in the state final.
The quartet of Wyatt Ewanchyna (15 goals, 20 assists), Filip Kacmarsky (15 goals, 17 assists), Jake Harrison (10 goals, 15 assists), and Fred Ringblom (11 goals, 12 assists) led the offense for boys’ hockey as it enjoyed another superb season. Coach Scott Bertoli’s group posted a 10-9-1 record and advanced to the NJSIAA Non-Public state quarterfinal round.
Star guard Gary Jennings poured in 338 points to spark boys’ basketball. Coach Eugene Burroughs guided his team to an 11-11 record and a run to the Prep B state final.
Nandini Kolli provided inside punch and Sophia Rae Barber starred from the perimeter with some sharpshooting for girls’ basketball. Coach Pat Reddington’s team posted a 13-10 record and made it to the Prep B state semi.
Shelby Ruf (60 goals, 12 assists) and Ava Fairbanks (36 goals, 34 assists) triggered the attack for girls’ lacrosse. Coach Lucia Marcozzi’s squad went 5-1 down the stretch to end up with a 9-9 record.
Hart Nowakoski’s offensive production in the midfield sparked boys’ lacrosse. Nowakoski tallied 33 goals and 20 assists to help coach Sam Kosoff’s team advance to the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) semis on the way to a 7-10 record.
AJ Doran’s power hitting in his debut campaign was a bright spot for baseball as he batted .385 with three homers and 22 RBIs. Coach Eric Schnepf’s squad went 10-17 as it found its stride after a 0-9 start.
Faizan Mohammad and Archibald Douglas provided a highlight for boys’ tennis as it won the second doubles title at the Prep B tournament to help PDS take third in the team standings at the event. Coach Michael Augsberger’s squad posted a record of 9-6 in dual match play and advanced to the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public quarterfinals.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Players on the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team celebrate after a goal this fall. Achieving a stunning turnaround, PDS went 20-1-1 this season as it bounced back from an 8-9-1 campaign in 2024. Along the way, the Panthers won a Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) division title, the CVC tournament, and advanced to the final of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament. The CVC tourney title was the first for the Panthers. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
Achieving a stunning turnaround, girls’ soccer went 20-1-1 as it bounced back from an 8-9-1 campaign in 2024. The Panthers featured offensive balance with six players scoring at least seven goals and a stingy defense that recorded 13 shutouts. The attack was sparked by Ava Katz (11 goals, 11 assists), Juliana Hartman (9 goals, 3 assists), Mackenzie Brodel (8 goals, 8 assists), Nica Martin (7 goals, 6 assists), Ava Szalabofka (7 goals, 6 assists), and Sophia Vriesendorp (8 goals, 9 assists) while defenders Emma Burns and Ella McLaren, along with goalie Mae Braswell, spearheaded the back line. Coach Chris Pettit’s team won a CVC division title, the CVC tournament, and advanced to the final of the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B tournament. It marked the first time the program won the CVC tournament.
Star forward Keegan Fullman and stalwart defender Aiden Luciano led the way for boys’ soccer. Coach Gary Roberts guided his squad to a 9-13 record and made it to the final of the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B tourney.
Sammy Dandy had a huge season for field hockey as she tallied 28 goals and had six assists. Coach Heather Farlow’s team went 11-5 as it advanced to the CVC semis and the NJSIAA Non-Public North Jersey quarters.
Shuchi Vanga starred at second singles for girls’ tennis, taking the title in her flight at the Prep B state tournament and the semis at the CVC tourney. Coach Michael Augsberger guided his squad to an 11-7 record in match play and the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA Non-Public South Jersey tournament.
Jasmine Li recorded 177 kills and 151 digs to help spark girls’ volleyball to a 10-15 campaign. Coach Ryan Gelenitis led the Panthers to the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B tournament semifinals.
Grayson McLaughlin and Alexander Chia set the pace for boys’ cross country as it enjoyed a superb campaign. Coach Mike Mazzei’s squad placed first at the Prep B state meet and third at the NJSIAA Non-Public B Group championships.
Freshman Kayla Peckens emerged as the frontrunner for girls’ cross country. Coach Mazzei led his team to second place at the Prep B state meet and 12th at the NJSIAA Non-Public A Group championships.
FOR THE RECORD: Princeton High throwing star Sean Wilton heaves the shot put in a meet last winter. In May, Wilton set a PHS outdoor record of 60’7.5 to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 championship. Wilton’s 62’2.25 shot put at New Balance Nationals Indoor in March stands as the best ever in school history. (Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)
PHS
Michael Bess Jr. produced a huge season for Princeton High boys’ basketball as he scored 447 points. Coach Pat Noone’s squad won three of its last four games to post a final record of 5-18.
Anna Winters (552 points) and Katie Sharkey (383 points) led the way as girls’ basketball enjoyed a stellar season. Coach Joe Smiegocki guided the squad to a 19-10 record and appearances in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) semis and the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 tournament. After the season, Smiegocki left the program and was succeeded by Mary Pat Lelinski.
Brendan Beatty starred for boys’ hockey as he tallied 14 goals and 10 assists. Coach Rik Johnson’s team went 7-12 and reached the CVC semifinals.
Cassie Speir (17 goals) and Taylor Davidson (15 goals) triggered the offense for girls’ hockey. Coach Christian Herzog guided his team to a 4-7 record.
STROKES OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Brophy displays his freestyle form in a race last winter. Brophy placed first in both the 200-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships to help PHS win the team title for the fourth straight season. Brophy was named the Most Valuable Swimmer for the boys at the meet. PHS posted a 9-1 record in dual meet action as advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group B tournament semis. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
The quartet of senior standouts — David Brophy, Daniel Guo, and the Xu twins, David and Jaiden — helped boys’ swimming produce another stellar campaign. Coach Carly Fackler guided her squad to a 9-1 record in dual meet action as it placed first at the CVC championship meet and advanced to the NJSIAA North 2 Group B tournament semis. After the season, Fackler stepped down from the program to join the staff of The College of New Jersey women’s swimming team as an assistant coach. She was succeeded by Pat Remboski, who had served as the head coach of girls’ squad in 2024-25.
As for the girls’ swimming team, Annie Flanagan, Jenna Barry, and Sabine Ristad starred as it went 8-2 in dual meet competition. Coach Remboski’s team won the CVC championship meet and reached the semifinal round of the NJSIAA North 2 Group B tourney.
BLASÉ OF GLORY: Princeton High star wrestler Blasé Mele, top, controls Pope John’s Donny Almeyda in early March on the way to defeating him 7-1 in the 144-pound final at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) State Wrestling Championships. Mele became the first boys’ state champion in PHS history, and only the fourth boy champion from Mercer County. (Photo provided by Jess Monzo)
Blasé Mele made history for wrestling, winning the NJSIAA title at 144 pounds, becoming the first state champion in program history. Coach Jess Monzo’s team finished sixth in the CVC tournament.
Leah Bornstein (63 goals, 35 assists) and Quinn Gallagher (40 goals, 40 assists) triggered the offense for girls’ lacrosse. Coach Katie Federico guided her squad to a 12-10 record as it advanced to the CVC tournament semis.
Brendan Beatty produced a big final season for boys’ lacrosse as he tallied 47 goals and 33 assists. Coach Chip Casto’s team made the CVC tournament semis and ended the spring at 10-9.
Chase Hamerschlag starred with his bat and arm for baseball, leading the team in hitting with a .397 average and strikeouts with 58. Coach Dom Capuano’s team went 3-1 down the stretch to finish with a 9-12 record.
Star shortstop Natalie Hester had a big season for softball as she batted .523 with 14 runs and 23 hits. Coach Marissa Soprano guided the Tigers to a 4-13 record.
Throwing star Sean Wilton had a big senior season for boys’ track as he set a PHS outdoor record of 60’7.5 in the shot put in winning the (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship. Coach Ben Samara’s squad took 10th in the Central Jersey sectional meet and 15th in the Group 4 state meet.
Kajol Karra starred for girls’ track as she placed fifth in the 1,600-meter run and sixth in the 3,200 at the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional meet. Coach Samara’s team took 15th in the Central Jersey and 34th in the Group 4 state meet.
Andrew Kuo provided a highlight for boys’ tennis as he placed first at second singles at the CVC tournament to help PHS take second in the team standings at the event. Coach Sarah Hibbert’s team went 9-3 in dual match play and advanced to the semifinal of the NJSIAA Tournament North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 tournament.
Walter Gumbinger led the way for boys’ golf as it placed first in the CVC tournament. Gumbinger finished first individually with a 3-under score of 69 at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course (West) to help PHS top runner-up Notre Dame by 16 strokes. Coach Pat Noone guided his team to an 11-0 record in dual match play and eighth place in the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 3 tournament.
Jacqueline Zang came up big for girls’ golf as it rolled to first place at the CVC tournament, topping runner-up WW/P-South by 38 strokes. Zang fired a 3-over 75 at the Mountain View Golf Course to win the individual title by three strokes. Coach Jess Monzo’s team went 8-1 in dual match play and placed first in both the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group A tournament and Public A championship and fourth in the NJSIAA State Championships.
SERVING UP A WINNER: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas blasts a serve in a game this fall. Senior star Lygas helped PHS make history as it won its third straight New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state championship. Lygas piled up a team-high 435 kills and 243 digs on the season to help the Tigers go 27-5. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
Led by a trio of senior stars — Naomi Lygas, Charlotte Woods, and Kaelin Bobetich — girls’ volleyball made history as it won its third straight NJSIAA Group 3 state championship. Lygas piled up 435 kills and 243 digs while Woods tallied 259 kills and 289 digs and Bobetich had 189 digs and 670 assists as the Tigers went 27-5. Coach Patty Manhart’s squad rolled through the Central Jersey sectional and Group 3 tourney, not losing a set along the way and culminating with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) win over Millburn in the state final.
Chase Hamerschlag starred at both ends of the field for boys’ soccer, anchoring the defense from his center back position and tallying eight goals and three assists when he moved up the field to spark the attack. Coach Ryan Walsh guided his squad to the CVC tournament final on the way to a 16-5-1 record.
Lavinia Lord (9 goals, 2 assists) and Taylor Hamerschlag (11 goals, 6 assists) sparked the offense as girls’ soccer enjoyed a superb fall. Coach Meghan Brennan’s squad posted a 13-7 record, advancing to the quarterfinal round of both the CVC tournament and the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 tourney.
Ellinton Hinds and Carmine Carusone starred on both sides of the ball for football as it produced one of its best seasons in years. Hinds made 31 receptions for 504 yards and seven touchdowns, and had eight interceptions, while Carusone rushed for 474 yards, made a team-high 66 tackles, and handled the kicking duties. Coach Charlie Gallagher led the Tigers to a 7-2 record as they posted the program’s most wins in a season since going 8-2 in 2014.
Sarah Cate Walker tallied 16 goals and nine assists to lead the way for field hockey. Coach Heather Serverson guided the team to a 10-7 record as it advanced to the final round of the CVC tournament and Serverson earned the 200th win of her PHS tenure along the way.
The pair of Kseniya Petukh and Luna Xu came up big for girls’ tennis as they won the second doubles flight at the CVC tournament to help the Tigers take third place in the team standings at the event. Coach Sarah Hibbert’s team went 12-2 in dual match competition, advancing to the final of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 tournament.
Saboor Qureshi, Lachlan Arnold, Braedyn Capone, and Finn Wedmid set the pace for boys’ cross country as it took first in the CVC championship meet. Coach Jim Smirk’s squad went on to take second in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 championship meet and fifth in the Group 4 state championships.
Kajol Karra, Grace Hegedus, Eowyn Deess, and Phoenix Roth all placed in the top 10 individually as girls’ cross country rolled to first place in the CVC championship meet. Coach Jim Smirk led his group to a second title as it placed first in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 championship meet. The Tigers went on to place second in the Group 4 championships and sixth in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
ALL IN: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Allison Lee races upfield in a game this spring. Senior midfielder and Williams College commit Lee ended her Stuart career with 386 points on 335 goals and 51 assists, setting all-time program records in points and goals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Stuart
The States sisters, Taylor and Lia, provided an inside-out punch for Stuart Country Day basketball. Junior Taylor dominated in the paint with 300 points and 230 rebounds while freshman guard Lia scored 252 points and had a team-high 41 assists. Coach Tony Bowman guided the Tartans to a 6-15 record.
Allison Lee came up big in her final season for girls’ lacrosse, tallying 81 goals and eight assists. Williams College commit Lee ended her Stuart career with 386 points on 335 goals and 51 assists, setting all-time program records in points and goals. Coach Paige Meszaros’ team won its last three games to end the spring with a 6-10 record. Kirsten Brenya starred for track at the Prep B state championship meet, taking first in the triple jump and second in the high jump. Brenya’s heroics helped the Tartans take fifth in the team standings at the Prep B meet.
Abby Chirik (9 goals, 2 assists) triggered the offense and goalie Najma Tahiry (230 saves) excelled in the cage for field hockey. Coach Missy Bruvik guided the Tartans to a 5-13-1 record.
Vlada Sokol, Taylor States, and Georgia Spirko-Noto provided punch in the front row for volleyball. Coach Anna Kachmarski’s squad went 12-6 and advanced to the semifinal round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B tournament.
Claire McLaughlin finished 22nd at the Prep B state championship cross country meet to lead the way for coach Chelsea Moran’s runners.