Winter Sports Season Update

and 3-1 in the Skyland Conference. However, the team’s record does not truly reflect its strength; for example, Pingry recently finished second out of eleven teams at the Lenape Valley Tournament. Matteo Littman (V), Charles Levine (V), Reilly Cavanaugh (VI), and Jason Weaver (VI) all placed first individually in the tournament.

After talking to many wrestling players, it is clear that they all share the goal of going to states. Captain Jason Weaver expresses, “The team is looking forward to districts where we can move on to regions and then states.” Littman mentioned, “We’re working hard and getting ready for [the] post-season, and hopefully, we have some more guys at regions and in Atlantic City this year.”

The season is not over yet, Littman explains. “With a young team, the freshmen are coming along and have shown lots of progress,” he says. “The team is making sure we do the little things right every day to ensure we are ready for matches.”

Boys’ Squash

The Varsity Boys’ Squash team is ending their season on a high note and preparing to compete in the second division of High School Nationals. Led by Coach Ramsay Vehslage and Coach Francis Odeh, with captains Adam Bauhs (VI), Charlie Cooperman (VI), Spencer Jahng (VI), and Evan Wen (VI), the team has put up a strong performance against many schools, such as Delbarton, Blair Academy, and Princeton Day.

Despite members missing parts of the season because of injuries, Jahng observes how the team is enthusiastic this season. “The lower team is super strong,” he says. “I am proud of the team because those who do need to play up still do really well. It is really impressive.”

During practice, the team splits court time with the Junior Varsity team, focusing on drills and conditioning and finishing with a game. The teams lift weights once a week. Wen, who has been on the team for seven years (including middle school), notes friendliness as a defining aspect of the team. “I think it is a very tight-knit group, and everyone is so supportive of each other and excited to be a part of the team,” he says.

“Everyone likes playing squash [with] each other. It is a great atmosphere.”

Girls’ Squash

After last year’s outstanding season, the Girls’ Varsity Squash team has high hopes for this season. Led by captains Meher Khan (VI) and Alexandra Ouzounian (VI), the team hopes to have a successful season.

So far, the girls squash team has won meets against schools including the Hackley School, City Squash, Rye High School, and St. Andrews School, and had a stellar performance at the Blair Academy Invitational. Coach Francis Odeh said the girls have had a successful season so far. Looking forward to the upcoming Girls’ Squash Nationals Tournament, Khan says, “I am really proud to work with such a dynamic and energetic team. Our team is super young, yet these girls have improved immensely over the past two months, and I am so excited to bring this team to High School Nationals in Philadelphia!”

Boys’ Hockey

The Boys’ Ice Hockey team has had an impressive start on the ice this season. Despite losing their first bout to Ridge High School, the team went on a five game win streak, pulling out victories over Bridgewater and MorristownBeard. Senior captain Henry Pyne (VI) has been a strong player for the team, with back-to-back hat tricks against Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and Hillsborough High School. Another star of the team has been junior goaltender Javi Trujillo (V) who currently has a 93% save percentage. Head Coach Scott Garrow commented on the team’s recent success, stating, “We are trying to establish the way we want to play hockey and how we think we need to play to be successful”. The Big Blue are currently 7-4-1 and will be a powerful contender in the Skyland Cup Champions, with aims to make a run in the state tournament as well.

Girls’ Hockey

With a current record of 8-3, the Girls’ Ice Hockey team hopes to continue this season’s success as it heads in exciting directions. Led by Head Coach Mr. Alex Nanfara and six senior captains, the team has immense talent coming from players in all grades. When asked what accounts for the team’s success, forward Grace Fernicola (V) says, “Our unity. We all work really well together, and being a coherent team is really important. Our coach really helps with that—he’s all about hard work.” Throughout the season, the team has had strong showings in close games including a 4-3 victory over Princeton Day School and a 1-0 win over Oak Knoll to keep their long winning streak alive. They are now going on seven straight wins and will be facing Clarkstown North next game.

Fencing

The Fencing team has had a recent winning streak, with the girls going 2-01 and the boys going 3-0. Co-captains Zala Bhan (VI), Charles Jiang (VI), Andrew Overdeck (VI), and Delaney Swain (V) have been working hard to organize weapon-specific lessons, bouting, technical work, and team- bonding activities. Advised by coaches Mr. David Barr, Ms. Aye Thuzar, and Mr. Ted Li, the team has shown significant improvement throughout the season and is working to integrate their firstyear students. “The season has had its ups and downs, but the team has a ton of talent and great energy! We had a big pickup in team spirit last year, and the freshman came in and matched it,” Swain said. At the Cetrulos and Santellis tournament, the world’s largest high school fencing competition, the girls’ foil team took 4th, and the boys’ saber team took fifth. Following Districts on February 12th, the team is looking to advance to the state tournament.

Boys’ Swimming

Boys’ Swimming led by Coach Megan Bull and co-captains Roman Jones (VI), John Grissinger (VI), and James Thomas (VI), are excited to continue the season after many successes at meets and tournaments. The team started the season strong by winning their first meet against Watchung Hills. They had significant victories against long-time rivals Ridge High School and Montgomery High School. At Montgomery, Jones broke a meet record in the 50-meter free and then a national record in the 100-meter fly at a home meet. With a team record of 7-2, tight teamwork, and fun, they are determined to finish the season strong in the state bracket.

Girls’ Swimming

Girls’ Swimming has had an incredible season, going undefeated with a 7-0-2 record. The team is currently ranked second in the state and won the Prep A Championships, beating longtime rival Mount St. Marys. They also made it to the state finals against Immaculate Heart Academy. One of the teams’ most impressive meets has been a 10961 win over a previously undefeated Hillsborough High School. Head Coach Deirdre O’Mara describes this year’s squad as a “cohesive, supportive group of strong, athletic young people” with the potential for even further growth and success this season. According to Coach O’Mara, the team captains have played an integral role in being “great leaders and creating positive team culture.” As the winter season progresses, the team seeks to continue its success, both in winning meets and smashing records.

Skiing

Due to warm temperatures throughout this winter, the Pingry Ski Team has been off to a slow start, with the first two races being canceled. On January 20, the girls and boys were victorious in their openers as they were full of top performances. With new freshmen and key returning racers, the girls hope to win States for the second year running. Captain Camille Collins (VI) highlights enthusiasm and well-roundedness as critical components in this year’s run. The boys look to keep up the excellent form to qualify for States and the Race of Champions at the end of the season. While top racer Dylan Jay (V) will be away for a semester abroad, junior captain Matt Lombardo (V) maintains faith in his squad. “Despite [Jay’s] departure,” said Lombardo, “we will be able to continue to dominate the competition.” Both ski teams are in good shape and optimistic for the rest of the season.

Winter Track

Halfway through its season, the Winter Track team remains small but spirited! Since the program is currently too small to separate into boys and girls like most teams at Pingry, all of the teammates “practice together, have the same coaches, and go to the same meets,” Captain Alex Henry (VI) stated. The constant togetherness has helped the athletes form a “well-bonded team.” Recently, the team attended the meet at Armory Track in Manhattan. Led by Captains Henry and Alexis Matthews (VI), and trained by Coaches Mr. Stephen Barnes, Ms. Sarah Christensen, and Mr. Christopher Shilts, the team has reached many successes. Henry broke the men’s 300-meter dash record, only for Sebastian Talarek (V) to break Henry’s new record ten minutes later. Olivia Murray (V) placed third in the women’s varsity 2-mile and won the women’s varsity 3000-meter run. Graham Houghton (IV) placed fifth in the men’s Varsity Gold 55-meter dash, breaking the school record. He then went on to win both the men’s novice 200-meter dash and the men’s varsity long jump, breaking both of those school records as well. In the future, Matthews hopes “that our team bond gets a lot stronger and that we have a fun time in such challenging weather.”