ABBY ROAD: Princeton University women’s basketball star Abby Meyers puts up a shot in action last winter. Meyers enjoyed a superb final campaign for the Tigers, averaging 17.9 points a game, getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year and selected as an honorable mention All-American. Meyers’ heroics helped Princeton go undefeated in league play and win the league postseason tournament. The Tigers went on to upset Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament and ended up with a 25-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With COVID-19 concerns abating and the Ivy League resuming winter and spring competition and high schools playing a full regular season and tournament slate, there was an air of normalcy around the local sports scene in 2022.

Thrilled to be back in action, Princeton winter athletes produced some memorable performances. Abby Meyers enjoyed a superb final campaign for women’s basketball, getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year and selected as an honorable mention All-American. Meyers’ heroics helped Princeton go undefeated in league play and win the league postseason tournament. The Tigers went on to upset Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament, their second NCAA tournament win ever, and ended up with a 25-5 record.

On the wrestling mat, Patrick Glory and Quincy Monday made history. Glory advanced to the NCAA final at 125 pounds while Monday made the final at 157, becoming the first Princeton wrestlers to make the NCAA final since Greg Parker in 2002. Freshman Maia Weintraub made a memorable debut for the fencing team, winning the NCAA women’s foil title to become Princeton’s first champion in the event since 2000. Sondre Guttormsen produced a historic performance for men’s track as he placed first in the pole vault at the NCAA Indoor Championships. In so doing, he became the first individual NCAA indoor champion for the Tigers since 2002 when Tora Harris won the high jump.

PASSING THE TORCH: Jenn Cook, right, and Chris Sailer are all smiles this May after Cook was named to succeed Sailer as the head coach of the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team. Cook served for 10 years as an assistant and associate head coach for the Tigers before getting promoted to the top job. Sailer, a Hall of Fame coach who led Princeton to a 433-168 record and three NCAA titles in her 36-year tenure guiding the program, announced last fall that she was retiring after the 2022 campaign. (Photo provided by Princeton Athletics)

In the spring, women’s lacrosse senior star Kyla Sears helped give legendary Hall of Fame coach Chris Sailer a special sendoff in her final season after 36 years at the helm of the program. Senior attacker Sears sparked the attack, ending her career as the program’s all-time leader in points (307), goals (209), and assists (98). Princeton advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament where it fell 13-9 to Syracuse to end with a 15-4 record. Sailer retired with an overall record of 433-168. Men’s lacrosse enjoyed a special season, going 11-5 and making the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2004.

On the diamond, softball produced a championship campaign as coach Lisa Van Ackeren’s squad placed first in Ivy League regular season and then edged Harvard 2-1 in the best-of-three Ivy playoff series. The Tigers competed in the NCAA tournament where they fell to host Arkansas and Wichita State in the double-elimination competition to end the spring with a 27-17 record.

Capping a dominant campaign, the women’s lightweight varsity 8 placed first at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta to earn the program’s second straight gold medal and finish the spring undefeated. With the women’s doubles sculls taking gold and the varsity 4 placing fourth, the program earned its first-ever IRA overall team title.

In May, men’s track won its fourth straight Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Track Championships. Weeks later, Guttormsen went on to win the title in the pole vault at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships, becoming the program’s first NCAA outdoor champion since Donn Cabral won the steeplechase in 2012.

In the fall, field hockey continued its dominance of the Ivy League, going 7-0 in league play and earning its 27th Ivy championship. Coach Carla Tagliente’s team went 7-0 in league play and ended the fall by losing 5-2 to Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA tournament to post a final overall record of 13-5. Over at DeNunzio Pool, men’s water polo enjoyed a historic campaign. The Tigers went 27-6, setting a program single-season record for wins. Princeton won the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) tournament and then topped Fordham in the opening round of the NCAA tournament before falling to USC in the next round.

Over at Hun, the baseball team achieved a special milestone, winning its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title. The Raiders went 20-4 and nearly won a second title as they were the runners-up in the Prep A state tournament. The Hun softball team was dominant, posting an 18-1 record and rolling to the Prep A state title, earning its first state crown since 2017. The Raider boys’ lacrosse team won its first-ever MCT title and advanced to the Prep A state final on the way to a 12-6 record. In the fall, the Hun football team overpowered its foes going 9-0, posting its second straight undefeated campaign.

Across town, the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team made some history, winning the Prep state title and advancing to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) girls’ championship game in its first trip to the tournament. With New Jersey Hall of Fame coach Jill Thomas having announced that she would be retiring after the spring, girls’ lacrosse gave her a special farewell, winning both the Prep B state title and the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B title. The girls’ tennis team won its second straight NJSIAA Non-Public South Jersey sectional title.

Featuring a mix of veteran stars and some precocious freshmen, the Princeton High boys’ swimming team emerged as a force, taking first place in the Mercer County championship meet, winning the NJSIAA Public B Central Jersey sectional title, and advancing to the Public B state final on the way to a 14-1 record. PHS continued to excel in the growing sport of girls’ wrestling as Ava Rose won the title at 114 pounds at the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling State Championships. Jonathan Gu produced a brilliant spring for the Tiger boys’ tennis team, winning the NJSIAA state boys’ singles title as he went undefeated on the season. The girls’ volleyball team developed into a powerhouse, winning the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament title and making the NJSIAA Group 3 Central Jersey sectional final as it went 21-5. Displaying its depth, the Tiger boys’ cross country team took first at the Mercer County championship meet a year after missing the title by one point.

Over at Stuart, Giselle Jean-Marie displayed an amazing versatility for the track team, placing first in the high jump, triple jump, shot put, and 100-meter hurdles at the Prep B state outdoor championship meet. In the fall, field hockey star Lily Harlan achieved a milestone, passing the 100-point mark in her Tartan career.

FLYING HAWAIIAN: Princeton University football star Andrei Iosivas leaps up for a catch this fall. Wide receiver Iosivas, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, led the Ivy League in receptions (66), receiving yards (943), and touchdown catches (seven) as Princeton went 8-2 overall and 5-2 Ivy. He earned first-team All-Ivy honors and was named to four different Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American teams. Iosivas also starred for the Tiger track program, earning All-American honors in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships and excelling in the decathlon during the spring season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU – Winter

After having the 2020-21 winter season canceled by the Ivy League due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, Princeton teams returned to action with a vengeance, making the 2021-22 campaign one to remember.

Sparked by a career year from sharpshooting senior guard Abby Meyers, the Princeton University women’s basketball team produced a historic campaign. Coach Carla Berube’s squad went 25-5 overall and 14-0 Ivy League, becoming the first program to post two straight perfect Ivy seasons.

The Tigers went to defeat Columbia 77-59 in the Ivy postseason championship game to clinch the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Making more history, 11th-seeded Princeton upset sixth-seeded Kentucky 69-62 in the first round of the NCAA tourney, earning the program’s second-ever win in the national tournament. The Tigers nearly pulled another upset in the second round, falling 56-55 to third-seeded and host Indiana. Meyers, for her part, averaged a team-high 17.9 points a game and was the unanimous Ivy Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-American selection.

The emergence of forward Tosan Evbuomwan helped men’s basketball produce a superb season. Coach Mitch Henderson guided his team to a 23-7 overall record and 12-2 Ivy league, winning the league’s regular season title.

The Tigers dropped a 66-64 heartbreaker to Yale in the Ivy postseason tournament final and then headed to the NIT where they ended the winter by falling 90-79 at VCU. The multi-talented Evbuomwan was named the Ivy Player of the Year, averaging 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists a game. His assist total of 142 was second best single-season total in program history.

GLORY DAYS: Princeton University wrestler Patrick Glory, top, controls a foe in a bout last season. Glory advanced to the NCAA final at 125 pounds last March, becoming Princeton’s first NCAA finalist since Greg Parker in 2002. He was joined in the finals by teammate Quincy Monday, who advanced at 157. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Patrick Glory and Quincy Monday made history for the wrestling team as they both advanced to the finals at the NCAA Championships. Glory, who wrestled at 125, and Monday, who competed at 157, were the first Tiger wrestlers to make the national final since Greg Parker did so in 2002. Coach Chris Ayres led his team to a third-place finish at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships. The Tigers went 6-5 overall and 3-2 Ivy League in dual match competition.

Ian Murphy and Corey Andonovski starred for men’s hockey, earning All-Ivy League honors. Senior forward Andonovski led Princeton in scoring with 22 points on 10 goals and 12 assists while sophomore Murphy contributed nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points. Coach Ron Fogarty’s young squad took its lumps as it went 8-21-2 overall and 7-14-1 ECAC Hockey.

Senior goalie Rachel McQuigge saved her best for last as she put together a superb final campaign for the Tigers, posting a 1.87 goals against average and a .939 save percentage, earning first-team All-Ivy League honors. Coach Cara Morey’s team caught fire down the stretch, going 2-1-1 to end regular season play and then upsetting Harvard 2-1 in a best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series. The Tigers fell 3-1 to Yale in the ECACH semis to end the winter at 13-15-5 overall and 9-10-3 ECAC Hockey.

Raunak Khosla produced a brilliant performance as the men’s swimming team placed second at the Ivy League Championships. Khosla was named as the Phil Moriarty High Point Swimmer of the Meet with the maximum 96 points for the second time in his career. He placed first in the 200-yard individual medley, 400 individual medley, and the 200 butterfly at the meet. Colten Young was named the Ron Keenhold Career High Point Diver. Coach Matt Crispino guided the Tigers to a 7-1 overall record in dual meet action.

Nikki Venema starred for the women’s swimming team, helping it take fourth at the Ivy League Championships. Venema took first in the 100-yard butterfly and helped the 200 medley relay prevail. Coach Bret Lungaard’s squad went 8-1 in dual meet competition.

The multi-talented Andrei Iosivas starred as men’s track won its seventh straight Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal title. Iosivas, who is also a standout receiver for the Princeton football team, won the heptathlon, placing first in six of seven events, and posted an Ivy League record score of 6,036. He was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer of the meet. Coach Fred Samara’s squad was named the Ivy Coach of the Year, the ninth time he has won that honor.

Later in the winter, Sondre Guttormsen capped the campaign with a historic performance as he placed first in the pole vault at the NCAA Indoor Championships. In so doing, he became the first individual NCAA indoor champion for the Tigers since 2002, the year Tora Harris won the high jump.

Maggie Hock and Caroline Timm set the pace as women’s track placed second in the Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championships. Hock placed first in the 800 meters at the meet while Timm won the 1,000. Coach Michelle Eisenreich also got wins at the meet from Tia Rozario in the triple jump and Siniru Iheoma in the weight throw.

Ben Harrington produced a superb debut season for men’s volleyball as the Tigers won the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) championship. Harrington was named the EIVA Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team All-EIVA honors, leading the Tigers in kills (260) and kills per set (3.17), along with service aces (49), and service aces per set (0.60).

Coach Sam Shwiesky’s team went on a dramatic run in the EIVA tournament, knocking off top-seeded and No. 2 ranked Penn State in the semis and then topping NJIT in the final. The Tigers fell to North Greenville in the opening round of the NCAA to end the season at 15-13.

Andrea Toth emerged as star for women’s squash, moving into the No. 1 spot in the lineup and earning All-Ivy League honors. Coach Gail Ramsay’s team went 12-3 and finished fifth at the Howe Cup national championships.

Youssef Ibrahim enjoyed a superb final campaign for men’s squash. Senior star Ibrahim went 6-0 in Ivy League play at No. 1 and was named the league’s Player of the Year. Coach Sean Wilkinson’s squad posted an 8-6 record and took fifth at the Potter Cup national championship tournament.

Freshman Maia Weintraub made history for the fencing team, winning the NCAA women’s foil title to become Princeton’s first champion in the event since 2000. Coach Zoltan Dudas’ program finished fourth in the team standings at the NCAA Championships where championship is combined between men and women. As for the Tiger men, freshman Nicholas Lawson starred, advancing to the final of the épée competition.

BY GEORGE: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player George Baughan races upfield in game this spring. Star defender Baughan spearheaded the Tiger backline as Princeton went 11-5 and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2004. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU – Spring

Chris Brown led the attack and George Baughan spearheaded the defense as men’s lacrosse enjoyed a superb season. Senior star Brown was Princeton’s leading scorer with 63 points on 29 goals and 34 assists while classmate Baughan had a team-high 20 caused turnovers along with 31 ground balls. Coach Matt Madalon’s team saved its best for last, making a memorable NCAA tourney run that saw it advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2004. The Tigers fell to eventual national champion Maryland in the national semis to end the spring at 11-5.

With senior star Kyla Sears triggering the offense, women’s lacrosse gave legendary Hall of Fame coach Chris Sailer a special sendoff in her final season after 36 years at the helm of the program. Senior attacker Sears tallied 97 points on 67 goals and 30 assists and ended her career as the program’s all-time leader in points (307), goals (209), and assists (98).

The Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League play and won the league’s postseason tournament. Princeton advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament where it fell 13-9 to Syracuse to end with a 15-4 record. Sailer retired with an overall record of 433-168. Her 433 wins are the fifth-most all-time by a women’s lacrosse head coach, second-most in Division I, and most by a coach at one school. She was succeeded after the season by her associate head coach Jenn Cook.

Sparked by the pitching of Alexis Laudenslager (11-8, 2.24 ERA, 138 strikeouts) and Ali Blanchard (10-4, 2.78 ERA, 155 strikeouts), along with the hitting of Sophia Marsalo (.317 batting average, 46 hits), Lauren Sablone (.330, 30 RBIs), and Serena Starks (.355, 54 hits), softball produced a championship campaign. Coach Lisa Van Ackeren’s squad placed first in the Ivy League in the regular season and then edged Harvard 2-1 in the best-of-three Ivy playoff series. The Tigers headed to the NCAA regional in Fayetteville, Ark., where they fell to host Arkansas and Wichita State in the double-elimination competition to end the spring with a 27-17 record.

Brendan Cumming (.366 batting average, 67 hits) Nadir Lewis (.329, .613 slugging percentage), and Matt Scannell (.294, 44 RBIs) powered the batting attack for baseball as they each earned second-team All-Ivy honors. Coach Scott Bradley’s squad struggled to hold down the opposition with a team ERA of 7.61 as it went 7-33 overall and 3-18 Ivy.

The doubles tandem of Ryan Seggerman and Justin Barki starred for men’s
tennis, earning first-team All-Ivy League honors as they went 12-3 in regular season matches. Coach Billy Pate’s squad went 18-9 overall and 4-3 Ivy, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. It fell to Arizona in the first round.

Singles stars Daria Frayman and Neha Velaga led the way for women’s tennis as it won its third straight Ivy League title. The Tigers went on the defeat Army in the first round of the NCAA tournament before falling to Virginia in the Round of 32, finishing the spring with a 12-11 record. In June, head coach Laura Granville stepped down ending a superb tenure that saw her guide the Tigers to six Ivy League titles since she took the helm in 2012. Jamea Jackson, who coached for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Oklahoma State, succeeded Granville.

Producing a dominant performance, men’s track won its fourth straight Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Track Championships. The Tigers piled up 231 points, a Heps record for most points at a meet. Princeton scored 95 more points than runner-up Harvard University who had 136. Sprinting star Daniel Duncan was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer of the meet as he won both the 100 and 200 meters and helped the 4×100 relay take first. It marked the 21st outdoor Ivy championship won under the guidance of legendary head coach Fred Samara.

Weeks after the Heps, Sondre Guttormsen won the title in the pole vault at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, becoming the program’s first NCAA champion since Donn Cabral won the steeplechase in 2012.

Throwing star Kate Joyce made history as women’s track placed third in the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Track Championships. Joyce was honored as the Most Outstanding Field Performer after winning the javelin and setting new Ivy League, Heps meet, and school records in the process with a throw of 51.96 meters. Siniru Iheoma also starred for coach Michelle Eisenreich’s squad, winning both the shot put and the discus at the Heps.

Jovana Sekulic (74 goals) and Laura Larkin (28 goals, 20 assists) earned All-American honors for women’s water polo. Coach Derek Ellingson guided the Tigers to a 21-10 record and a third-place finish at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) tournament.

The varsity four provided a highlight for men’s heavyweight rowing, winning a gold medal at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta. It was the first gold medal for Princeton at IRAs since the third varsity earned one in 2016. Coach Greg Hughes top varsity 8 placed ninth at the IRAs while the second varsity 8 placed sixth.

Continuing an impressive streak, the men’s lightweight varsity 8 placed sixth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta. The 1V has recorded a top six finish at the regatta each year since 2007. Coach Marty Crotty also got a sixth-place finish at the IRAs from his second varsity 8 with the varsity 4 taking ninth.

Making program history, the women’s open varsity 4 placed first in the grand final as the NCAA Rowing Championships. It marked the first V4 medal ever for Princeton at the NCAA regatta. Coach Lori Dauphiny’s top varsity eight earned bronze at the NCAAs while the second varsity 8 placed fifth.

LIGHTS OUT: Members of the Princeton University women’s lightweight crew program show off the spoils of victory this June after they earned their first-ever team title at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta. The Tigers took first in both the varsity 8 and the double sculls at the IRA competition on the way to the overall team title. Both boats went undefeated this season. (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

Capping a dominant campaign, the women’s lightweight varsity 8 placed first at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta to earn the program’s second straight gold medal and finish the spring undefeated. Coach Paul Rassam also got a gold at the IRAs from his women’s doubles sculls while the varsity 4 took fourth as the program earned its first-ever IRA team title.

Max Ting and Willam Huang starred as men’s golf took fourth at the Ivy League Championships. The pair finished tied for ninth individually to earn second-team All-Ivy honors for coach Will Green’s team.

Victoria Liu produced a stellar effort for women’s golf at the Ivy Championships, placing first individually by five strokes. Freshman Liu’s heroics helped Princeton finish first in the team standings at +28, three strokes ahead of runner-up Columbia. Coach Erika DeSanty’s squad ended the spring by taking sixth at the NCAA Regional at Stanford, the best finish ever for the program in its six trips to the NCAAs.

CROATIAN CANNON: Princeton University men’s water polo player Roko Pozaric is pumped up in a game this fall. Pozaric, a Zagreb, Croatia native, earned All-American honors and was named the Northeast Water Polo Conference Player of the Year, leading the Tigers with 62 goals and adding 39 assists. The Tigers went 27-6 this fall, setting a single-season program record for most wins. They advanced in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, another first for the program. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU – Fall

The passing attack of quarterback Blake Stenstrom and star receivers Andrei Iosivas and Dylan Classi sparked the offense while linebacker Liam Johnson keyed a rugged defense as football got off to an 8-0 start. The Tigers, though, stumbled down the stretch, losing tight games to Yale and Penn to end the fall at 8-2 overall and 5-2 Ivy, tied for second place with the Quakers behind the champion Bulldogs. Junior transfer Stenstrom passed for 2,742 yards and 16 TDs while Iosivas made 66 catches for 943 yards and seven touchdowns, and Classi had 61 catches for 915 yards and four TDs.

Coach Bob Surace had 16 players earn All-Ivy honors including first-team selections Johnson, Iosivas, Classi, offensive lineman Henry Byrd, linebacker Matthew Jester, defensive back Michael Ruttlen Jr, and defensive back C.J. Wall. Johnson was named as the co-winner of Bushnell Cup for Ivy Defensive Player of the Year along with Harvard defensive lineman Truman Jones. Iosivas, who also stars at track, earned Associated Press Second-Team FCS All-American and HERO Sports FCS All-American honors.

All-Americans Beth Yeager (12 goals, 8 assists) and Hannah Davey (1 goal, five assists) led the way as field hockey rolled to another Ivy League title, the 27th in program history. Coach Carla Tagliente’s team went 7-0 in league play and ended the fall by losing 5-2 to Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA tournament to post a final overall record of 13-5.

Star midfielder Ryan Clare and defender Lucas Gen were standouts for men’s soccer as they both earned first-team All-Ivy League honors. Coach Jim Barlow’s squad saw the bounces go against it as it went 1-2-2 down the stretch and finished the fall at 6-6-4 overall and 1-3-3 Ivy.

Freshman forward Pietra Tordin produced a superb debut campaign for women’s soccer, scoring a team-high eight goals, getting named as the Ivy League Rookie of the Year and earning second-team All-Ivy honors. Coach Sean Driscoll’s team ended the season on a high note, topping Penn in its finale to post a final record of 9-7-1 overall and 2-4-1 Ivy.

Lindsey Kelly, Cameron Dames, and Lucia Scalamandre enjoyed superb campaigns as women’s volleyball finished in a tie with Yale for the Ivy League regular season title. Kelly was named Ivy Player of the Year while Dames was selected as Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in her career, and Scalamandre was the Rookie of the Year. Coach Sabrina King’s squad fell to Brown in the semis of the Ivy postseason tournament to end the fall at 21-4 overall.

Roko Pozaric (62 goals, 39 assists) and Keller Maloney (57 goals, 51 assists) led the offense while Antonio Knez (13-4, 178 saves, .538 save percentage) starred at goalie as men’s water polo enjoyed a historic campaign. Coach Dustin Litvak led his team to a 27-6 record, setting a program single-season record for wins. The Tigers won the Northeast Water Polo Conference tournament and topped Fordham in the opening round of the NCAA tournament before falling to USC in the next round.

Antony Monte and Connor Nisbet set the pace as men’s cross country won its second straight Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships. Monte took third individually with Nisbet one spot behind in fourth. Coach Jason Vigilante’s team went on to place third in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional to qualify for the NCAA Championships where they took 30th.

Abbey Loveys and Fiona Max led the way as women’s cross country took second at the Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships. Loveys placed eighth and Max finished ninth in the meet. Coach Brad Hunt’s squad then took fourth at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional to end the fall.

Making it debut as a varsity sport, women’s rugby went 0-7. Coach Josie Ziluca’s squad showed fight and learned some key lessons as it laid the groundwork for the future.

BIG APPLE: Hun School baseball player Carson Applegate takes a swing in a game this spring. Star shortstop/pitcher Applegate helped Hun produce a memorable campaign as it won its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title and made the Prep A state final on the way to a 20-4 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Hun

The one-two punch of star guards Jack Scott and Dan Vessey triggered the offense for Hun boys’ basketball as it produced another winning campaign. Coach Jon Stone’s team went 14-1, advancing to the semifinals of the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament and Prep A state tourney.

Dynamic guard Erin Maguire led girls’ basketball in points (509), assists (94), and steals (120) as Hun caught fire down the stretch. The Raiders reached the finals of both the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament and Prep A state tourney as they finished 12-6. Later, coach Bill Holup stepped down after 23 years guiding the program and was succeeded by Sean Costello, who had previously coached at the Shipley School (Pa.) and at the college level.

Postgraduate Seth Kaplan made the most out of his one season with boys’ hockey, leading the team in points (31), goals (12), and assists (19). Coach Ian McNally’s squad posted a 9-11 record, making the semis of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) and Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) tournaments.

Carson Applegate and Michael Chiaravallo were the offensive catalysts while Brody Pasieka, Ryan DiMaggio, and Jackson Kraemer led the mound corps as Hun baseball made history by winning its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title. Kentucky-bound leadoff hitter Applegate hit .460 with 31 runs and 29 hits while Chiaravallo hit .381 with 9 homers and 32 RBIs, and the trio of Pasieka, DiMaggio, and Kramer combined for 128 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings. Coach Tom Monfiletto’s squad posted a 20-4 record and nearly won a second championship as it was the runner up in the Prep A state tournament.

BRINGING THEIR A-GAME: Members of the Hun School softball team display the hardware they earned after topping Lawrenceville 11-2 in the Prep A state title game in last May. Hun ended the season at 18-1 on the way winning its first Prep A crown since 2017. (Photo by Jamie McKee/The Hun School)

Lexi Kobryn led the way with her arm and bat as Hun softball rolled to the Prep A state title. Kobryn hurled six no-hitters with 190 strikeouts in 87 innings and hit a team-best .500 with team highs in homers (7), RBIs (28), and runs (30). Coach Kathy Quirk’s squad had a final record of 18-1 on the way to winning its first Prep A title since 2017.

Danny Cano, Andrew Heubeck, and Brendan Marino sparked the offense while the back line of Ty Jameson, Ryan Donahue, and goalie Ryan Croddick held the fort as boys’ lacrosse made some history of its own. Coach Jim Stagnitta’s squad won the program’s first-ever Mercer County Tournament championship, edging host Hopewell Valley 13-10 in the MCT final. The Raiders advanced to the Prep A state title game and ended the spring with a 12-6 record.

Abby O’Brien, Olivia Kim, and Ava Olender led the attack for girls’ lacrosse. Coach Kathleen Jaeger’s squad posted a final record of 7-8.

Olivia D’Aulerio starred for girls’ track, placing first in the 200 meters and second in the 100 at the Prep A outdoor championship meet. Coach Todd Smith also got a superb performance at the Prep A meet from Tooni Olaleye, who placed second in the 400 and seventh in the 200.

Distance star Eric Scully set the pace for boys’ track at the Prep B outdoor state meet, winning the 3,200 and taking second in the 1,600. Coach Todd Smith got an outstanding effort at the Prep A meet from basketball star Anthony Aririguzoh, the first-place finisher in the 400 and the runner-up in the long jump.

With star quarterback Marco Lainez III producing a huge final season, Hun football went 9-0. Iowa commit Lainez had career highs of 2,182 yards passing and 23 touchdown passes, and rushed for 573 yards and five TDs. Coach Todd Smith’s team was dominant this fall, outscoring foes 413-75.

Joey Bucchere (17 goals), Connor Frykholm (12 goals), and Mass Verduci (11 goals) triggered the offense while Diego Pena stood tall in goal as boys’ soccer enjoyed a superb campaign. Coach Pat Quirk’s squad went 12-4-2, winning its second straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title and advancing to the semis of both the Mercer County Tournament and the Prep A state tourney.

Newcomer Ana Dios, a native of Spain, made a big impact for field hockey, tallying eight goals and five assists. Coach Tracey Arndt guided her team to a 9-8 record and the Prep A state semis.

Riley Hayes sparked the offense and Zoey Palmer starred in goal for girls’ soccer as it produced another winning campaign. Coach Jenn Barrett’s squad went 8-7-2 and made the Prep A state semis.

Amanda Francis provided a highlight for girls’ tennis, reaching the first singles final at the Mercer County Tournament.

Coach Lucy DiPastina took the helm of the program and led the Raiders to a 4-7 record in dual match play.

Eric Scully led the way for boys’ cross country as it enjoyed a big fall under coach Kurt Wayton. Hun placed first in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) championships, second in the Prep A state meet, and fifth at the Mercer County Championships. Scully, for his part, placed second individually at all three meets. Julia Espinosa came over to girls’ cross country from soccer and emerged as star, taking eighth at the MAPL meet and 16th at the Prep A championships.

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey players, from left, Lauren Chase, Lily Ryan, and Logan Harrison celebrate after scoring a goal last winter. The Panthers produced a historic 2021-22 campaign, going 14-6 and capturing the Prep state title and advancing to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state final as they made their debut in the competition. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PDS

The one-two punch of Eibhleann Knox (14 goals, 11 assists in 2021-22) and Logan Harrison (18 goals, 13 assists) along with star defenseman Lauren Chase (11 goals, 16 assists) helped spark PDS girls’ hockey to a historic campaign. Coach John Ritchie guided the Panthers to a 14-6 record as they won the Prep state title and advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state final along the way. This fall, Richie stepped down from the program and was succeeded by assistant coach Julie DeSimone.

Adam Teryek (11 goals, 7 assists) led the offense while Timmy Miller (415 saves) starred in goal as boys’ hockey went through an up-and-down season. Coach Scott Bertoli guided his squad to a 6-7-6 record as the program made its debut in both the high-powered Gordon Conference and NJSIAA play.

Riding a late surge, PDS boys’ basketball advanced to the final of Prep B state tournament where it fell to Doane Academy. Coach Eugene Burroughs posted a 5-13 record as Connor Topping was the team’s top scorer with 214 points.

Mia Hartman provided production (a team-high 150 points) and leadership for PDS girls’ basketball. Coach Seraphine Hamilton led her team to a 5-13 record.

FOND FAREWELL: Members of the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team celebrate after the Panthers defeated Holy Spirit 17-11 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state final in early June. It marked the second title in 2022 for the Panthers as they had previously edged Montclair Kimberley Academy 13-12 in the Prep B state final. The triumph gave head coach Jill Thomas, far right, a special going away present as the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Famer previously announced that she was retiring at the end of the season after 34 years at the school. PDS ended the spring with a 14-9 record.  (Photo by Bill Alden)

New Jersey Hall of Fame coach Jill Thomas announced last fall that 2022 would be her last season guiding PDS girls’ lacrosse, and she enjoyed a final campaign for the ages. Featuring a high-powered attack led by Paige Gardner (78 goals, 20 assists), Tessa Caputo (52 goals, 37 assists), Ali Surace (39 goals, 27 assists), Elle Anhut (32 goals, 30 assists), and Sophie Jaffe (38 goals, 14 assists), PDS won both the Prep B and NJSIAA Non-Public B state titles as it went 14-9.

Sebastian Rzeczycki (36 goals, 22 assists) triggered the offense as boys’ lacrosse made a stirring run to the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B semifinals. Coach Joe Moore’s team won three of its last four games to end the spring at 6-11.

Ryan Babecki (.389 batting average) and Michael Carroll (.385) had big seasons with the bat for baseball. Coach Jeff Young’s squad took its lumps as it posted a final record of 3-16.

Adriana Salzano stood out for softball, hitting .679 with 22 runs, 3 homers, and 9 RBIs. Coach Angela Adams’s square showed progress as it went 5-7.

Sparked by its doubles teams, PDS edged Pennington by one point to win the Prep B state tournament. Neel Adusumilli and Oliver Silverio prevailed at first doubles while Jaylen Peng and Albert Ming took the title at second doubles as the Panthers edged the Red Hawks 11-10 in the team standings. Coach Michael Augsberger’s squad posted a 7-6 record in dual match play, advancing to the NJSIAA Non-Public South Jersey semifinals.

Gaining momentum after a 0-3 start, PDS field hockey produced a dramatic postseason run. Led by the all-around play of Jadyn Huff and some clutch finishing by Logan Harrison and Lily Ryan, coach Heather Farlow’s squad advanced to the final of both the Mercer County Tournament and the Prep B state tourney. The Panthers finished the fall with an 8-9 record.

Adriana Salzano (12 goals, 6 assists) and Grace Romano (5 goals, 11 assists) sparked the attack as girls’ soccer produced a winning campaign. Coach Chris Pettit’s squad went 12-7, advancing to the Prep B state semis and the NJSIAA Non-Public A South Jersey quarterfinals.

Joaquin Rodriguez sparkled in the midfield for boys’ soccer with some dazzling playmaking and dynamic leadership. Coach Brian Thomsen led the Panthers to a 3-11-4 record and a spot in the NJSIAA Non-Public B South Jersey quarterfinals.

Featuring a strong singles lineup led by Neha Khandkar at first singles, Kristina Wang at second, and Amy Zhou at third, girls’ tennis won its second straight NJSIAA Non-Public South Jersey sectional title. Coach Michael Augsberger’s team fell to Pingry in the Non-Public state final to end the fall with a 9-6 record.

Arun Patel set the pace as boys’ cross country took third in the Prep B state meet. Arun placed seventh individually with Ben Jerris coming in ninth, and Grayson McLaughlin placing 11th. First-year coach Mike Mazzei also guided his squad to a fifth-place finish in the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship meet.

Emily McCann established herself as one of the elite runners in the state as she led the pack for girls’ cross country. McCann placed first in both the XC Fall Classic at Thompson Park and the Jerry Hart Cross Country Invitational, third in the Mercer County Championships, fourth at the New Balance Shore Coaches Invitational, and 13th in the NJSIAA Non-Public A group meet. She capped her stellar campaign by taking second in the Prep B state championship meet, pacing the PDS girls’ program to its first-ever Prep team title. Coach Mike Mazzei’s squad ended the fall by finishing 11th in the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship meet.

STROKES OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton High boys’ tennis star Jonathan Gu blasts a forehand in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) boys’ singles championship match last June. Gu defeated East Brunswick’s Jack Wong 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 6-2 to win the title and cap an undefeated season. Gu is the first state boys’ singles champion from PHS since Jacob Leschly in 1984. Christina Rosca won the girls’ state singles crown in 2013 to earn the most recent individual title for PHS. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PHS

Veteran stars Daniel Baytin and Julian Velazquez along with precocious newcomers like David Xu, Jaiden Xu, and Daniel Guo led the way as PHS boys’ swimming produced a historic campaign. Coach Carly Misiewicz’s squad took first place in the Mercer County championship meet, won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Public B Central Jersey sectional title, and advanced to the Public B state final on the way to a 14-1 record.

Beatrice Cai, Courtney Weber, Kyleigh Tangen, Sabine Ristad, Tracey Liu, and Abby Walden provided depth and versatility as girls’ swimming enjoyed a superb season. Coach

Carly Misiewicz led her team to first place at the Mercer County championship meet and the NJSIAA North 2 Group B sectional semifinal as it posted an 11-1 record.

Cole Rose, Aaron Munford, and Martin Brophy starred as wrestling took fourth at the Mercer County Tournament. Rose placed first as 106 pounds and Munford prevailed at 150 while Brophy was second at 132. Coach Jess Monzo’s squad went 18-5 in dual match competition, advancing to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinal. In addition, PHS continued to excel in the growing sport of girls’ wrestling as Ava Rose won the title at 114 pounds at the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling State Championships.

Cooper Zullo sparked the offense for boys’ hockey, tallying 71 points on 39 goals and 32 assists, all team-highs, as the Tigers went 16-5-3. Coach Dave Hansen guided the squad to the Mercer County Tournament final. After the season, Hansen left the program and was succeeded by assistant coach Rik Johnson.

Cece Gibb tallied 11 goals to lead the way for girls’ hockey. Coach Christian Herzog’s team posted a 2-5-1 record.

Jaxon Petrone produced a superb final campaign, scoring 229 points to pace boys’ basketball. Coach Pat Noone’s team struggled down the stretch as it ended the winter at 4-15.

Nora Devine led girls’ basketball in points (177) and rebounding (148). Coach Dave Kosa guided the Tigers to a 10-11 record and spot in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals.

Jonathan Gu made history for boys’ tennis as he won NJSIAA state singles title, capping an undefeated campaign. Gu was the first state boys’ singles champion from PHS since Jacob Leschly in 1984 while Christina Rosca won the girls’ state singles crown in 2013 to earn the most recent title for the Tigers. Gu helped the Tigers excel in the state team tournament as they won the NJSIAA Group 3 Central Jersey sectional title and advanced to the Group 3 state final. Coach Sarah Hibbert led the team to a final record of 16-2.

Kate Becker was the go-to finisher for girls’ lacrosse, scoring a team-high 74 goals. Coach Katie Federico led the program on an interim basis while Meg Dunleavy was out on maternity leave and guided the Tigers to a 12-6 record and the Mercer County Tournament semifinals.

Will Doran had a huge final campaign for boys’ lacrosse, leading the state in scoring with 128 points on 55 goals and 73 assists. Coach Chip Casto guided the Tigers to a 9-7 record and spot in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals.

Jensen Bergman (.348 batting average), Drew Petrone (.391), Jaxon Petrone (.325), and Dylan Newman (.373) sparked the offense as baseball enjoyed a solid season. Coach Dom Capuano guided the Tigers to an 11-14 record with wins over Lawrenceville, Allentown, and Lawrence along the way.

Clare Johnson and Molly Brown starred for softball as it battled through a tough season. Coach Marissa Soprano’s squad posted a final mark of 3-13.

Zach Della Rocca emerged as one of the top sprinters in the area for boys’ track, winning the 400 meters in a school-record time of 48.52 and taking first in the 200 meters at the Mercer County Track Championships. Coach Ben Samara led his team to a fourth-place finish in the team standings at the county meet.

Peyton Reynolds provided a highlight for girls’ track, winning the pole vault at the Mercer County Track Championships. Robin Roth also starred at the county meet, placing third in the 3,200 meters and fourth in the 1,600. Coach Ben Samara’s team tied for sixth in the team standings at the county meet.

Brooks Cahill-Sanidas led the way for boys’ golf at the Mercer County Tournament, taking fifth individually with a one-over 73. Coach Pat Noone’s squad tied Peddie for second in the team standings at the MCT with a score of 305, three strokes behind winner Lawrenceville.

Even with a lineup featuring five new faces, girls’ tennis maintained its winning tradition. Coach Sarah Hibbert guided her revamped squad to the NJSIAA Group 3 Central Jersey sectional title and the Group 3 state title on the way to a 15-3 record.

Powered by the one-two punch of Sarah Villamil and Naomi Lygas, girls’ volleyball produced a championship campaign. Coach Patty Manhart led her team to the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament title and the NJSIAA Group 3 Central Jersey sectional final as it went 21-5.

Led by junior stars Felipe Matar-Grandi and Nick Matese, boys’ soccer started out 6-0. But hampered by injuries, coach Wayne Sutcliffe’s squad took its lumps over the home stretch and finished 8-8-1.

Holly Howes (8 goals, 3 assists) and Alysse Kiesewetter (7 goals, 4 assists) emerged as standouts for girls’ soccer. Coach Dave Kosa led the Tigers to an 8-8-2 record.

Erin Liggio (30 goals), Hannah Christopher (20 goals), and Delaney Keegan (14 goals, 8 assists) led the attack for field hockey. Coach Heather Serverson’s squad brought a 12-0 record into the postseason and then advanced to the Mercer County Tournament semis and the NJSIAA Group 4 North Jersey quarterfinals, ending the fall at 14-3.

Travis Petrone passed for 1,029 yards and Ryan Friedman made 32 catches for 441 yards to give a lift to football. Coach Charles Gallagher’s team went 1-9, edging Palmyra 23-21 in late October to earn its only win of the campaign.

Marty Brophy set the pace as boys’ cross country finished first in the team standings at the Mercer Country championship meet a year after missing the title by one point. Brophy placed fourth individually with Charlie Howes taking fifth and Zach Deng coming in eighth. Coach Jim Smirk’s squad went on the finish second at the NJSIAA Group 4 Central Jersey sectional meet and seventh at the Group 4 state meet.

Lucy Kreipke led the way as girls’ cross country took fifth at the Mercer Country championship meet. Kreipke took sixth individually with Robin Roth finishing ninth. Coach Jim Smirk guided the Tigers to a fifth-place finish at the NJSIAA Group 4 Central Jersey sectional meet and 16th at the Group 4 state meet.

CENTURY CLUB: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Lily Harlan dribbles upfield in a game this fall. Senior star and Boston University commit Harlan passed the 100-point mark in her Stuart career in October and led the Tartans in goals (20) and assists (10) in 2022 as they went 8-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Stuart

Leila Washington starred for Stuart basketball, leading the Tartans in points (201), rebounds (87), and assists (48). Coach Justin Leith guided his squad to an 8-8 record and the Prep semis. Over the summer, Leith, who also served as Stuart’s athletics director, left the school to take the helm of the Bullis School (Md.) athletic program. He was succeeded by Tony Bowman, who previously guided the Stuart hoops team from 2003-11.

Giselle Jean-Marie displayed an amazing versatility as Stuart track finished third in the Prep B state outdoor championship meet. Jean-Marie placed first in the high jump, triple jump, shot put, and 100-meter hurdles at the meet. Coach Len Klepack’s team piled up 71 points in taking third with Montclair Kimberley tallying 111 to win the title and Villa Walsh coming in second at 71.50.

Allison Lee made a spectacular debut for Stuart lacrosse, tallying 84 points on 66 goals and 18 assists. Coach Mark Maser led the Tartans to a 6-8 record as they thrived down the stretch after a 1-5 start.

Lily Harlan sparked the attack for field hockey, leading Stuart in goals (20) and assists (10). Coach Missy Bruvik’s squad posted an 8-5 record, making the quarterfinals of both the Mercer County Tournament and the Prep B state tourney.

Mizan Chennault and Lola Lopez-Spencer led the pack for cross country. Chennault placed 11th individually at the Prep B state championship meet with Lopez-Spencer coming in 12th. Coach Len Klepack’s squad placed sixth in the team standings at the Prep B meet.