STROKES OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Brophy heads to victory in a freestyle race earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior star Brophy placed first in both the 200-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Brophy’s superb performance helped PHS finish first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight team crown for the Tigers at the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. Brophy, for his part, was named the Most Valuable Swimmer for the boys at the meet. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton High boys’ swimming team locked in a tense battle against rival WW/P-South for the team title at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) meet last Saturday, the contest came down to the final event of the competition, the 400-meter freestyle.

Swimming the anchor leg for PHS, senior star David Brophy came through, out-sprinting Nick Straka of Lawrence to the wall at the WW/P-North pool as PHS took first to clinch the title. more

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Princeton High girls’ swimming star Annie Flanagan displays her freestyle form in a race last season. Last Saturday, junior star Flanagan placed first in both the 50-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Flanagan’s heroics helped PHS place first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight title for the Tigers in the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Annie Flanagan got into the starting block for the 50-meter freestyle race at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships last Saturday, she couldn’t stand still.

“I try to hype myself up,” said Princeton High junior star Flanagan. “I jump around, I will slap my chest, my legs, and kind of shake it out.” more

LETTING IT FLY: Princeton High senior star Sean Wilton lets the shot put fly last Sunday at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Championships meet (formerly known as the Mercer County Championships). Last Sunday, Wilton set a personal record of 61’00.50 in winning the shot put. Wilton’s win helped PHS tie for second in the team standings at the meet. (Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)

By Bill Alden

While the athletes in the Princeton High track and field program train hard physically, they have been increasingly emphasizing the mental aspect of their sport.

“We have been talking a whole lot as a team and actually having sessions with a more sports psychology focus and growth mindset,” said PHS head coach Ben Samara. “It is talking about the mindset of being an athlete and all of the things that come with that. I think our athletes have really embraced that. It is how you approach a challenge, how you approach failure, and how you approach setbacks. The mental approach is really starting to pay off for us as a program as a whole.” more

LIFE OF REILLY: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Reilly Gilligan gets ready to spring into action last Wednesday as PDS hosted Lawrenceville. Senior defenseman Gilligan scored the lone goal for the Panthers as they fell 4-1 to the Big Red. The Panthers, who dropped to 5-6-1 with the defeat, host Seton Hall Prep on January 30. (Photo by David Bremer)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton Day School hosting the annual boys’ hockey border war against Lawrenceville last Wednesday evening, McGraw Rink was packed and the tunes from disc jockey Darius Young were pumping as the foes took the ice.

Having suffered a frustrating 6-4 defeat to Delbarton a day earlier, PDS senior defenseman Reilly Gilligan and his teammates were fired up for their clash with the Big Red. more

GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Liam Campbell goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Junior forward Campbell has helped PHS post three straight wins in 2025 after a 1-5 start. In upcoming action, the Tigers, who moved to 4-5 with a 4-3 win over Paul VI on January 13, will look to keep on the winning track as they face Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27 with all three games to be played at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Getting off to a 1-5 start in December action, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team reached a crossroads as it headed into 2025.

“Going into the New Year, we had one practice on the 29th of December,” said PHS head coach Rik Johnson. “I was going to do a lot of evaluation, checking to see where we are at. We lost five in row, the wheels were kind of falling off the bus there. We had good numbers, a lot of guys showed up.” more

TAKING IT TO THE HOOP: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Anna Winters puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior guard Winters scored 14 points in a losing cause as PHS fell 52-47 to Monroe. The Tigers, who moved to 8-5 with the loss, play at Trenton Central on January 23, at Delaware Valley in January 25, and at Princeton Day School on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Anna Winters and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ basketball team, their 45-38 loss to Robbinsville last Thursday proved to be a microcosm of a tough week.

After enjoying a smooth ride in starting 8-2 this season, PHS hit some bumps in the road, falling 52-43 to Notre Dame on January 14 and 52-47 to Monroe last Saturday in addition to the setback to the Ravens. more

SHOOTING STAR: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Sophia Rae Barber dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Last Friday, junior guard Barber scored nine points to help PDS defeat WW/P-South 34-27 as it won its third straight game. The Panthers, now 7-4, play at Trenton Central on January 22 and at Lawrence High on January 23 before hosting Princeton High on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sophia Rae Barber got off to a rough start as the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team hosted Hamilton West last week.

PDS junior guard Barber scored just two points in the first half of the January 14 contest and ended up on her knees vomiting in a bucket behind the Panther bench just before halftime. more

DRAWING A CROWD: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States, right, looks to make an inside move in a game last winter. Last Friday, junior forward States posted a double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as Stuart lost 35-32 to Hamilton West. The Tartans, who moved to 2-6 with the loss, host Haddonfield on January 23 and WW/P-North on January 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Stuart Country Day School basketball team having lost five of its previous six games as it hosted Hamilton West last Friday, the Tartans came out firing.

Stuart jumped out to a 10-3 first quarter lead as junior star forward Taylor States scored six points and her younger sister, freshman guard Lia, added two. more

BACK IN ACTION: Princeton University men’s hockey player Tyler Rubin, left, chases down the puck in a 2022 game. Last Friday, junior defenseman Rubin scored a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 4-2 to Quinnipiac. The Tigers, who lost 3-0 to Quinnipiac on Saturday in the second game of a home-and-home set to move to 6-8-1 overall and 3-5-1 ECAC Hockey, host Cornell on January 17 and Colgate on January 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Tyler Rubin wasn’t fazed even though the Princeton University men’s hockey team found itself trailing Quinnipiac 3-0 in the second period last Friday night.

“We were in the same situation last weekend and we have a lot of belief in ourselves in how we compete and our detail,” said Princeton junior defenseman Rubin, referring to a rally by the Tigers against New Hampshire on January 4 which saw them claw back from a 3-0 deficit to knot the game at 3-3 before losing 4-3. more

RISING STAR: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Michael Bess Jr. floats with the ball in a game last season. Junior guard Bess has emerged as the go-to scorer for the Tigers this winter, averaging a team-high 20.0 points a game. PHS, who moved to 2-7 with a 60-44 win over Pioneer Academy last Saturday, plays at Robbinsville on January 16 and at WW/P-North on January 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Michael Bess Jr. was part of the supporting cast last winter in his sophomore season for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team.

Making his varsity debut, Bess was the third leading scorer for the Tigers behind senior stars Jahan Owusu and Jihad Wilder. more

TURNING THE CORNER: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Adam Stewart, left, looks for room along the baseline last Friday as PDS hosted Willingboro. Senior star Stewart scored eight points in the game to help the Panthers edge Willingboro 36-35. PDS, who improved to 4-5 with the win, plays at South Brunswick on January 16 before hosting Trenton Central on January 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Adam Stewart beamed as he was introduced last Friday on his Senior Night for the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team.

With posters of Stewart and fellow senior Abdoulaye Seydi on the wall in the gym and joined by his parents, Stewart soaked in a loud ovation from the crowd packing the stands. more

By Bill Alden

Patrick Donoghue and his teammates on the Hun School boys’ hockey team were primed to get off to a good start in 2025 when they hosted Notre Dame last Wednesday in their first action of the new year.

“We were ready,” said senior goalie Donoghue. “We had practice yesterday and were fired up for our first game. We came in guns blazing.”

In the first period, Donoghue was on fire between the pipes, making 12 saves as Hun jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal from Bailey Cook assisted by Ezra Broomer and Andrew Darst. more

CREASE CONTROL: Princeton University men’s hockey player David Ma (No. 4) helps guard the crease in action earlier in his career. After having been sidelined last season due to injury, junior defenseman Ma has returned this winter with a bang, tallying four goals and two assists so far this winter. Princeton, which fell 4-3 to New Hampshire last Saturday to move to 6-6-1 overall, plays a home-and-home set against Quinnipiac this weekend, hosting the Bobcats on January 10 before facing them in Hamden, Conn. the next day. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

David Ma was determined to make a big impact for the Princeton University men’s hockey team this winter after being sidelined last season due to injury.

“It has been a work in progress, it was a long break,” said junior defenseman Ma. “It was a shoulder injury. Since it was my second one, I decided to take the year off because I would have missed a good amount of time with that. It was just getting it healed up, making sure I am 100 percent good to go and then coming back and joining a new group. I am excited to be here.” more

HOLDING ON: Princeton High wrestler Danny Monga, right, battles a foe in a bout last season. Last Saturday, senior Monga posted a pair of wins at 126 pounds as PHS went 0-3 in a quad, falling 54-18 to Hightstown, 42-34 to A.L. Johnson, and 54-18 to Moorestown. The Tigers, now 1-3, host Nottingham on January 8, wrestle at Hopewell Valley on January 9 and then have a quad at Hamilton West on January 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton High wrestling team features a blend of experience and new faces that it has been testing week-by-week so far this season.

The Tigers boast some well established stars like seniors Blasé Mele and Cole Rose. They have added a budding star in Forest Rose, Cole’s brother and the only freshman on their varsity. And then they have a significant group of wrestlers who are competing in their first full season of varsity action after the program graduated some and lost some past team members to other commitments. more

PASSING IT ON: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Nandini Kolli passes the ball in recent action. Senior forward Kolli posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds as PDS defeated Steinert 33-27 in the MCCC (Mercer County Community College) Showcase on December 28 in its last action of 2024. The Panthers, who improved to 3-3 with the victory, host Hopewell Valley on January 9 and Hamilton West on January 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team, ending 2024 by edging Steinert 33-27 in the MCCC (Mercer County Community College) Showcase was proof of concept.

“It was good, giving us confidence going into the break; it helped the girls understand the work that we are doing is paying off,” said PDS first-year head coach Pat Reddington reflecting on the December 28 contest. more

BREATHLESS PACE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Xu takes a breath during the breaststroke leg as he placed first in the 200 individual medley to help the Tigers produce a dramatic rally in edging WW/P-South 86-84 on December 19 in their last action before the holiday break. PHS, now 6-0, starts the 2025 portion of its schedule by hosting WW/P-North on January 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

David Xu was primed to give his all for the Princeton High boys’ swimming team as it looked to rally past WW/P-South in a battle of unbeaten squads in the final meet of 2024.

The Tigers found themselves behind the Pirates 82-74 heading into the 400-yard freestyle relay, the final event of the December 19 clash between the rivals. more

GOING THE DISTANCE: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Elizabeth Chorba heads to a third-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle as PHS faced WW/P-South on December 19 in its last meet of 2024. Chorba took second at the 500 free in the meet as the Tigers fell 91-79 to the Pirates. PHS, now 5-1, starts 2025 action by hosting WW/P-North on January 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton High girls’ swimming team ended 2024 by losing 91-79 to WW/P-South to suffer its first loss in a regular season dual meet since December 17, 2019 (a 93-77 defeat to South), Elizabeth Chorba saw no reason for the Tigers to hang their heads.

“Seeing the score at the halfway mark, some people were a little disappointed,” said senior star and co-captain Chorba reflecting on the December 19 meet. “After that, we shifted our focus to yeah we want to try to get points, but it is also OK if we lose, so just swim for fun and enjoy it. Have a good time.” more

HARD DRIVING: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Sephora Romain drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Saturday, junior guard Romain scored eight points and had three rebounds as PHS fell 50-47 to Delaware Valley in the semifinals of the WW/P-South Tournament. The Tigers, who dropped to 4-1 with the loss, were slated to play Somerville on December 30 to wrap up action in the WW/P-S event and then play at Nottingham on January 3 before hosting Hopewell Valley on January 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High girls’ basketball team trailing Delaware Valley 20-10 after the first quarter last Saturday in the semifinals of the WW/P-South Tournament, Sephora Romain went into overdrive.

“I feel like we needed to move more,” said junior guard Romain. “I tried to take it and pick it up. I just took it and went to the hoop.”

Making several forays to the basket, Romain scored eight points as the Tigers outscored Del Val 13-11 in the second quarter to keep PHS in the contest.

Continuing to battle back, the Tigers drew to within 40-37 heading into the fourth quarter. Putting together a 10-3 run, PHS forged ahead 47-46 with 1:33 left in regulation. The Terriers, though, responded by draining four free throws in the waning moments of the contest to pull out a 50-47 win. more

By Bill Alden

Taylor Davidson didn’t waste any time setting the tone for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team as it hosted Newark East Side in its last action of 2024.

Racing up the ice at Hobey Baker Rink, sophomore defender Davidson blasted the puck into the back of the goal to give PHS a 1-0 lead 1:50 into the December 20 contest.

About 11 minutes later, Davidson struck again, tallying her second goal as the Tigers doubled their lead to 2-0. more

FAST START: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Jake Harrison races up the ice in action last season. Junior forward Harrison scored a goal for PDS as it fell 7-2 to Don Bosco Prep last Wednesday. The Panthers, now 2-1-1, are on a holiday break and will return to action when they host La Salle College High (Pa.) on January 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team trailing undefeated powerhouse Don Bosco Prep 2-0 in the second period last Wednesday, Jake Harrison seized opportunity.

“They were on the power play, we were short-handed and their defenseman got the puck flat-footed,” said PDS junior forward Harrison. “I jumped him and I got a breakaway. “ more

FINE AND DANDY: Sammy Dandy goes after the ball in action this fall for the Princeton Day School field hockey team. Sophomore Dandy, who led the Panthers in scoring in 2024 with five goals, has brought her finishing touch to the ice for the PDS girls’ hockey team. Dandy has piled up six goals to pace the Panthers as they have produced a 3-0-1 start. PDS, which defeated defending New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state champion Pingry 7-3 last Thursday, hosts Immaculate Heart on January 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sammy Dandy helped spark the offense this fall for the Princeton Day School field hockey team, emerging as the squad’s leading scorer with five goals.

This winter, sophomore star Dandy has brought her finishing touch to the ice for the PDS girls’ hockey team, piling up six goals to pace the Panthers as they have produced a 3-0-1 start. more