Saints gathered Nov. 19 to celebrate the fall athletics season in Engelhard Hall.  “I want to thank the athletes for their hard work, dedication, and commitment on behalf of Saint Athletics,” said Director of Athletics Neil Cunningham. “It doesn't matter what level you play, I appreciate every single one of you. You show a passion for your sport and your teammates, and you show up, no matter how exhausted you are, or if you don’t feel 100 percent, or if you’d rather nap than get on the Spirit Bus to go cheer on your friends. You show up because that’s the kind of community we are.”

Cunningham also voiced his gratitude for the athletics and coaching staff. “It is a difficult task to teach, coach, and do the many other things you are asked to do at a boarding school,” he said. “You have my utmost trust, respect, and admiration for what you give each day for St. Andrew's Athletics. It's tireless.”

After rounding out his Top 5 moments of the season—which included a dominant opening day for football with a 42-6 win over Dickinson, and a 4-0 field hockey shoutout against local foe Middletown High School that was largely supported by the school’s top two girls squash players, Charlotte Green ’27 and Marion Lindsay ’28—each program celebrated challenges, triumphs, and each other.

 

Boys Cross Country

“In the first week we have a workout we call ‘knockout intervals.’ The way these work is you run around the soccer field in a certain time and then you're asked to run again, faster, and if you don't, you're out. The third time faster and the fourth time faster and faster and faster. One of the reasons we do this is it's a good workout, but it also sends a message to the incoming students early, that we really love a challenge and we want to be showing up.”  Varsity Boys Cross Country Head Coach Dan O’Connell P’19’24

• JV Most Improved: John Heaney ’28

• JV Coaches Award: Jack Grant ’27

• Varsity Most Improved: Ryerson Li ’27

• Varsity Coaches Award: Bo Vaughn ’27

• Varsity Most Valuable Player: Henry Bird ’27

 

Girls Cross Country

“Over 11 weeks, the Saints faced hot runs, rainy runs, challenging courses, and all the ups and downs of training and racing. From day one to the state championship, it has been amazing to watch these athletes grow, challenge themselves and support each other.”  Varsity Girls Cross Country Head Coach Kat Celata

• JV Most Improved: Clara Toole ’28

• JV Coaches Award: Carine Leon-Rosenfield ’28

• Varsity Most Improved: Amelia New ’27

• Varsity Coaches Award: Claire Hulsey ’26

• Varsity Most Valuable Player: Alexi Onsomu ’28

 

 

Field Hockey

“The field hockey program here has improved and it's because of … a team that fosters athleticism, spirit, comradery, tenacity, integrity and grace on and off the field. At the center of it all is doing the hard work, the failing, the getting back up, and working toward something better and greater that makes all of this possible and worthwhile.”  Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach Kate Cusick

• JV Most Improved: Julia Lancaster ’29

• JV Coaches Award: Stella Read ’28 and Eva Griffin ’27

• JV Most Valuable Player: Veda Ipnar ’29

• Varsity Most Improved: Ari Marcus ’26

• Varsity Coaches Award: Marion Lindsay ’28

• Varsity Most Valuable Player: Piper Langston ’27

 

Football

“Football is like building a house, and building a foundation is messy, messy work. It is not the pretty stuff. It's not building the facade and the front. It's not taking care of the interior design. It's hard grueling work. And we're putting together a special culture here.” Varsity Football Head Coach Rick Barron

• Most Valuable Player: Damar Harding ’27

• Most Improved Player: Welby Smith ’28

• Robert M. Colburn Award (for the player who serves as an inspiration to their teammates through their selflessness, determination, perseverance, and good sportsmanship): George Lindsay ’26

• Virginia DeGenniro Award (for the lineman who displays courage, perseverance, and commitment to the success of the team): Leo Teti ’26

 

Boys Soccer

“Thank you for everything that you've given this program for the whole team. Thank you for giving me, the alumni, your families, this school community, a team that they can love and believe in and have so much fun with.”  Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach Ben Horgan ’19

• Thirds Most Valuable Player: McLean Baker ’29

• Thirds Most Improved Player: Grant Paun ’29

• Thirds Coaches Award: Jack Lunsford ’28

• JV Most Valuable Player: Louis Stiles ’28

• JV Most Improved Player: Charlie Round ’27

• JV Coaches Award: Billy Petrone ’29

• Varsity Most Valuable Player: Liam Robinson ’26

• Varsity Most Improved: Jacob Smith ’28

• Varsity Coaches Award: Liam Wilson ’27

 

Volleyball

“We had a really special team this year. I was grateful to work with them every single day. The consistency they brought to practice was incredibly impressive. The players came into the season really determined to build consistency, intensity, and passion in the program, and that's exactly what they did.” Varsity Volleyball Head Coach Jonah Kai-Baker

• Thirds Most Improved Player: Mikaila Mastrandrea ’28

• Thirds Most Valuable Player: Esther Lin ’29

• Thirds Coaches Award: Mekaila Gallimore ’28

• JV Most Improved Player: Faith Taylor ’28

• JV Coaches Award: Anjola Adepoju ’27

• JV Most Valuable Player: Eliza Berry ’28

• Varsity Most Improved Player: Cole Friedrich ’27

• V Coaches Award: Gibby Cronje ’26

• V Most Valuable Player: Julia Ho ’27