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WORTH NOTING Accomplishments of our Athletes and Teams

By Angela DelVecchio, 11/28/16, 11:15AM EST

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WORTH NOTING: Trophies, championships and titles culminate the fall sports season, here are just a few of the “Worth Noting” accomplishments that our athletes and teams in the Philadelphia Catholic and Inter- Academic Leagues have achieved this year. Every student athlete and team that we cover continues to amaze us with their dedication, teamwork, strong academics and sheer passion for being the best they can be.

Congratulations on a great fall season!


Hallahan's Xhovana Konda - PSD Photo

John W. Hallahan High School   Philadelphia, PA

Senior and No. 1 singles tennis player Xhovana Konda went undefeated the entire season. Despite her team just missing a playoff spot (4-4), Konda won the PCL AAA Singles Championship.

“It feels great to have been named All-Catholic because all the hours of training finally seemed to pay off,” said Konda. “I am thankful I had the opportunity to do so.”


O'Hara's Charlee Borcky /PSD photo

Cardinal O’Hara High School   Springfield, PA

Senior Charlee Borcky set the all-time Aces record this year in volleyball with a total of 168.

“After the game and when it set in, I realized how proud I am to be leaving my mark on this school and its volleyball program,” said Borcky.

Cardinal O’Hara’s football team was the first Catholic League team to have a perfect 10-0 record.

O’Hara won the Blue Division Championship 27-26 going in two overtimes against West Catholic for the title. Cardinal O’Hara’s Kevin Calamita kicked the game winning point to seal the win.

“Back to back 1-9 seasons to now being 10-0 and playing for a District championship is very special. To win the PCL on our home field with the students storming the field was a great night those kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” said O’Hara head coach B.J. Hogan.  


MBAP's Riley Dolan /photo: Dolan

Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast    Drexel Hill, PA.

On Friday, October 14th senior field hockey standout Riley Dolan set her school’s all-time-record of 100 assists during a game against Radnor HS. The three-time All-Catholic, is also ranked #1 in her class. Dolan will continue her field hockey career at the University of Delaware.

“Tallying my 100th career assist was an unbelievably special moment and a feeling I've never experienced before,” said Dolan. “It made the journey of playing at Bonner & Prendie, playing for a dedicated coach, playing with amazing teammates, and playing for a one-of-a-kind school worth all of the handwork, sacrifices and dedication I put into my game. It was a moment I will treasure forever.”


SJP's D'Andre Swift /PSD Photo

St. Joseph’s Prep   Philadelphia, PA

 On October 22, St. Joseph’s Prep senior star running back and University of Georgia-bound D’Andre Swift scored 7 touchdowns and accrued 275 yards rushing to lead the Hawks to a 63-35 victory over rival La Salle. The win clinched the Catholic League championship for the Hawks.

“It’ a great memory to have, but I really don’t think about it too much anymore,” said Swift. “I’m worried about going all the way and winning the state championship with my team. I just wanna play with my brothers for as long as I can.”


Wood's Karly Brown /photo: Brown

Archbishop Wood    Warminster, PA

Senior Karly Brown finished third, two strokes from forging a three-way tie for first in the PCL Golf Championships.  Brown also won the girls’ individual title for the 4th consecutive season. 

“Winning was a great way to finish my high school experience, and I am really fortunate to have had a great four years with the team," said Brown. "Placing well within the boys' championship kind of turned everything around for me.”


La Salle Golf Team /photo: La Salle

La Salle College High School   Wyndmoor, PA

After going undefeated in the regular season, La Salle’s golf team won its 14th consecutive PCL Championship.

“Our teams have experienced success because we have talent that pushes one another to maximize that talent,” said La Salle coach Marty Jackson, who has been at the helm for the last 17 years. “I am proud of the grit our golfers have displayed over the years.”


Malvern Prep's Michael Beard /photo:Malvern Prep

Malvern Prep   Malvern, PA

Malvern Prep wrestling was ranked #7 in the nation by USA Today in its preseason poll. Junior Michael Beard won the "Who's Number One" wrestling match at 182 pounds on October 2. Beard was ranked #2 in the nation by FloWrestling at the time of the match.


Notre Dame's Quinn Maguire /PSD photo

Notre Dame Academy    Villanova, PA

Senior captain Quinn Maguire not only helped her team secure the 2016 Inter-Ac title this year, but the St. Joseph University commit scored her 100th goal during her last league game of the season against Penn Charter on November 3, 2016.

“I couldn't have imagined doing it with any other team and the fact that it was during our senior day made it so much better,” said Maguire. “I am just really lucky to have gotten the opportunity to experience such an accomplishment. It was really important for me to take in every game I had left because of how fast it goes by. It was so special to have been able to finish off my high school career with such great memories.”


Baldwin Soccer Team /photo: Baldwin School

Baldwin School     Bryn Mawr, PA

Baldwin Varsity Soccer had an overall 17-6 record, marking the most wins in its program’s history. The team recorded 11 shutouts only allowing 22 goals, the fewest in its history. The team scored a record 53 goals. Scoring the school’s single season scoring record was sophomore forward Gia Vicari who netted 27 of those goals.

“There was truly no "I" in team,” said Vicari. “I believe the fun and enthusiastic atmosphere that the coaching staff brings to this program becomes very infectious. My teammates and I came to practice every day wanting to improve and develop, so then by game time we're ready to compete.”

“Our program is on the rise and we know there is a lot more work to do to make Baldwin School soccer relevant in the highly competitive Inter-Ac League and Philadelphia area,” said head coach Adrian Cox. “We are a hungry and determined program and now focused on putting our stamp on the Inter-Ac League.”


Agnes Irwin's Julianna Tornetta /PSD photo

Agnes Irwin    Rosemont, PA

Senior Julianna Tornetta, a Princeton University commit, helped lead her field hockey team to the PIASAA semifinals against Academy of Notre Dame. Tornetta set the all-time scoring record with 128 career goals.

My last goal, was actually during “EA/AIS Day”, there were, I think, 15 minutes left in the game, and it made the score 1-0, and honestly I don’t think I have ever been more excited in a single moment, ever,” said Tornetta. “After such an intense game, and with myself and every player on my team trying so incredibly hard being so fatigued, for me to score just felt like I was on top of the world. My entire career and experience at AIS has been nothing short of a dream come true. All four years have been filled with so much passion and heart (and yes: blood, sweat, and tears too), from every single person in this program, and I couldn’t have asked for any better ending to an already perfect few years.”

“Julianna's work ethic has made her such a positive contributor to the team. She has set the bar for the program's future and we couldn't be more excited for the next chapter in her life at the college level,” said head coach Alison Monzo.


GA's Kyle McCloskey /PSD photo

Germantown Academy     Fort Washington, PA

On November 5, Germantown Academy’s football team upended defending champion Haverford School, 21-14, for their first win over the Fords in a decade. The victory helped the Patriots ultimately share an Inter-Ac League title with Malvern Prep, its first such accomplishment since 2004.

“That was truly a huge win for us,” said GA senior quarterback Kyle McCloskey. “We weren’t expected to win this year. We played great as a team, our defense stopped their offense, and our offense stepped up its game and made plays. It was one game that could truly define our program.”


GA's Sammy Popper /PSD photo

On November 12th during GA-PC game day, sophomore center midfielder Sammy Popper scored her 100th goal helping her field hockey team defeat Penn Charter team 8-0.

“Scoring my 100th goal on such a special day, our last game of the season and GA/PC day was incredible,” said Popper. “The cheers of my teammates from the sidelines as I was closing in on my 100th goal was so motivating. To know that my whole team was so proud and happy for me made the moment even more special. It was not just about a personal achievement, but about sharing the honor with my teammates who supported me along the way.”


GA's Cross Country Team pictured with Abbe Goldstein holding Inter-Ac trophy /photo: GA

Senior cross country runner and Harvard University commit Abbe Goldstein, won her fourth Inter-Ac League Championship title and her first PAISAA State Title running the Belmont trail in 19 minutes 18.10 seconds. Goldstein also helped her team win the PAISAA Title and clinch the Inter-Ac Championship with an undefeated season. 

“Winning the individual title for the first time along with winning the team title for the first time since 2006 was such an amazing experience,” said Goldstein. “I felt really happy being able to contribute to the two team wins. Cross country is a true team sport and I am so proud of my team for all that they have accomplished this year.”


EA's Maddie O'Reilly /photo: O'Reilly

Episcopal Academy     Newtown Square, PA

Senior captain Maddie O’Reilly set her school’s scoring record in water polo with an astounding 509 goals.  O’Reilly helped lead her team to a 19-1 record, winning the Eastern Prep School Water Polo Championship 21-13 over the Hill School on November 6, 2016.

“Leaving this legacy at EA means so much to me since I have technically grown up on this team since I began as a 13-year-old,” said O’Reilly. “I want people to remember me so that they continue to aspire to be the best they can be. I love my team with all my heart. Our success this year is thanks to our unity and camaraderie.”


EA's Golf Team /photo: EA

Senior Golf Captain Matthew Marino birdied the final hole in the league’s final tournament match to lead Episcopal Academy to its first Inter-Ac golf championship in 17 years. The Churchmen won the tourney by one stroke.

“We knew whoever won that final Inter-Ac tournament would win the league,” said Marino. “We didn’t know that we won right away. It is just really cool to be a part of that experience.”


Epicopal Academy senior midfielder Quinn Dudek /photo: Episcopal Academy

On October 18th, EA boys’ soccer did something they haven’t done in almost 10 years. The Churchmen beat Haverford School compliments of the winning goal made by senior captain midfielder Quinn Dudek.

“We hadn't beat them in 21 games, so being the player that scored the winning goal to beat them after that much time felt like a huge milestone, not only for me, but for the program,” said Dudek. “However, because we were contenders for the Inter-Ac title, the last couple years seem like one big highlight. Every moment was thrilling and enjoyable. Hopefully, I left a mark on the rest of the team and I look forward to what they can do next year.”


The Haverford School Varsity Cross Country Team /photo: Haverford School

The Haverford School   Haverford, PA

On October 17, Haverford School’s cross-country squad captured its first Inter-Ac title in 15 years in dramatic fashion, a five-point victory over second-place, defending champion Episcopal.  Senior Anthony Calvelli spearheaded the triumph by placing fifth, followed by junior Will Merhige in ninth, senior Nick Magnani in 12th, senior Taj Bland in 15th, and sophomore Khalil Bland in 17th.

“It was a great moment,” said senior Anthony Calvelli, who spearheaded the triumph by placing 5th. “I’ll never forget it. This year is arguably the strongest team we have had since the turn of the century. Being a part of that is difficult to describe.”


SCHA girls' soccer PIASAA Final Championship Game /PSD photo

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy   Philadelphia, PA

For the first time in the history of the program, SCHA girls’ soccer team went to the PIASAA state finals after beating Inter-Ac champs Penn Charter 1-0, on November 10th.

I told the team at halftime that they were 40 minutes away from making school history, and they did. I have seen shades of brilliance with the girls all throughout the year,” said first-year head coach Maria Kosmin. “I think if you asked anyone, including the girls, if we would be going to the state final in the beginning of the year, the answer would be no. Now the girls believe they can win the state championship and just to see their confidence shift from the beginning of preseason to now is incredibly rewarding as a coach.”


PC's Mike Hnatkowsky /PSD photo

William Penn Charter School   Philadelphia, PA

During his four-year varsity career, Penn Charter senior Mike Hnatkowsky established Inter-Academic League records with 394 completions, 6,172 yards, and 60 touchdowns on 722 passing attempts. As a sophomore, Hnatkowsky was the first sophomore in city history to throw for more than 2,000 career yards. As a junior, he was the third player to throw for more than 4,000 career yards, and as a senior, he broke his school and league’s passing records, His highlight, he said, was finishing 3-2 in 2015, the school’s best record since 2006.

“I did not foresee the success I have had on the field,” said Hnatkowsky. “I worked really hard each year hoping, but I don't think anyone would have expected this. It has been a great run at Penn Charter. I can't believe it went by this fast. Over the past four years it has been great to see how the culture of football has changed within our school and our team.”