On Monday, Nov. 11, the Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony celebrated the amazing work of SAS athletes. Across the board, from thirds to varsity, fall athletic teams found tremendous success. Football embraced an entirely new team of coaches, varsity volleyball and field hockey posted winning records–for field hockey in particular, the team recorded the most wins in two decades. Both cross-country teams were runners up in the DIAA DII State Championship, and varsity soccer had an unbelievable run to the DIAA DII Boys Soccer Championship Finals for the third time in St. Andrew’s history. Although collectively, our teams secured historic milestones this season, the evening celebrated the individual contributions of athletes who left it all on our fields, courts, and courses.

During the ceremony, Director of Athletics Neil Cunningham and fall coaches expressed their immense gratitude to all of the people who make athletics at St. Andrew’s possible: the grounds team, for keeping our fields and facilities in good condition; their fellow coaches, for all the knowledge they offer; Al Wood and his team of trainers, for helping athletes recover and keeping them healthy; and Head of School Joy McGrath ’92 and all of the employees who consistently show up to support SAS athletics. The fall coaches voiced their appreciation for Cunningham, too, who keeps the program running.

St. Andrew’s athletes continue to bring the values of St. Andrew’s into all of their arenas of play, Cunningham told the students gathered in Engelhard Hall. “I’m proud of the way you represent the school on and off the field,” he said. Throughout the evening, coaches praised their athletes’ resilience, determination, and sportsmanship. This historic fall season proves that St. Andrew’s athletes are committed to improving and lifting each other up, and that the school community has a lot to look forward to in athletics.

You can watch the full event here.

Boys Cross-Country

“Our team has a simple three-word guiding principle that what we’re all about is challenge, fun, and support, and those are the principles that we try to live. We want to challenge ourselves at every practice, we want to have fun, and we want to support each other.” Head Coach Dan O’Connell

• JV, Coaches Award: Jack Grant ’27
• Most Valuable Runner Award: Peter Bird ’25
• Most Improved Runner Award: Henry Bird ’27
• Varsity, Coaches Award: Chris Onsomu ’25

---

Girls Cross-Country

“To arrive on campus and have my very first coaching experience with all of you was a gift. You showed up mostly on time, you ran hundreds of miles, sang during long runs, and returned with lots of bugs plastered to your faces. You ran 200s, 400s, digging deep when it got hard and always supporting each other.” Head Coach Kat Celata

• Most Valuable Runner Award: Leah Horgan ’25
• Most Improved Athlete Award: Pope Brown ’25
• Varsity, Coaches Award: Claire Hulsey ’26
• JV, Coaches Award: Amanda Meng ’25

---

Varsity Field Hockey

“To coach a team that fostered spirit, resilience, tenacity, and grace—on and off the field—truly, it was wonderful to be a part of. There was a real sense of togetherness and belonging on that team, and I’m grateful.” Head Coach Kate Cusick

• Most Valuable Player Award: Lindy Black ’25
• Most Valuable Player Award: Ember Theeke ’25
• Varsity, Coaches Award: Piper Langston ’27

JV Field Hockey

“[This team] brought a distinct energy and light to my life that I am grateful for, so thank you.” Head Coach Anabel Barnett

• JV, Coaches Award: Grace King ’25
• JV, Most Improved Player Award: Kadence Sun ’27
• JV, Most Improved Player Award: Eva Griffin ’27
• JV Most Valuable Player Award: Charlotte Green ’27

---

Football

“Every week was a battle, and you showed up. It is a difficult thing to put pads on and to hit another human being, yet there was never a complaint. You showed up ready to go, you competed, you embraced a brand new coaching staff, and a new philosophy. … The memories I hope my seniors take from this season is that they can still line up every day regardless of the wins and losses, that they have that heart and that integrity to keep playing hard. That’s  important, and it will carry you beyond the game.” Head Coach Rick Barron

• Dedication and Commitment Award: Luke Ketzner ’25
• Most Improved Player Award: Ted Williamson ’25
• Virginia DiGennaro Award: Grey Durham ’25
• Most Valuable Player Award: Spencer Fairbanks ’25
• Robert M. Colburn Award: Spencer Fairbanks ’25

---

Varsity Boys Soccer

“I could talk about results and wins, but I want to focus on how much joy I find from being at practice and around this squad every day. ... This squad is resilient. We've been kicked down at times in this year, but ... they never split apart. They stuck together, trusted, and believed in one another. ... this group never quit, and they especially did not quit on each other.” Head Coach Ben Horgan ’19

• Varsity, Coaches Award: Porter Read ’25
• Most Valuable Player Award: Nanda Pailla ’25
• Most Improved Player Award: Ethan Williams ’26

JV Boys Soccer

“I am immensely proud, and am excited for the growth of these athletes that they’ll undergo in the coming years.” Head Coach Connor Doughty

• JV, Most Valuable Player Award: Jacob Smith ’28
• JV, Most Improved Player Award: Lewis Stiles ’28
• III, Most Valuable Player Award: Alden Arndt ’28
• III, Most Improved Player Award: Byers Corrigan ’28

---

Volleyball

“From the first day that I came into the gym with this group, I could tell that it was a really special group. Each and every player showed up every day ready to work and strove to be the best teammate they could be. … I think the defining trait of our team was their grit and their determination.” Head Coach Jonah-Kai Baker

• Varsity Most Valuable Player Award: Catherine Foster ’25
• Varsity Most Improved Player Award: Bahar Bekirefendi ’26

• JV, Most Improved Player Award: Josie Denny ’26
• JV, Most Valuable Player Award: Juliet Klecan ’25

• III, Most Valuable Player Award: Jessica Tian ’27
• III, Most Improved Player Award: Faith Taylor ’28