WORTH NOTING: Trophies, championships and titles culminate the winter sports season, here are just some of the “Worth Noting” accomplishments that our athletes and teams in the Philadelphia Catholic and Inter- Academic Leagues have achieved this season. 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 WINTER SEASON!

SAINT HUBERT HIGH SCHOOL – PHILADELPHIA, PA

The St. Hubert’s Bambies bowling team became the first program in Catholic League history to finish their season undefeated. The Bambies were led by senior Victoria Cross, juniors Regan McGuinness, Shannon Lee and Michelle Morrissey and sophomore Gabrielle Smith on the way to their 64-0 record and 2017 PCL title.

The Bambies varsity cheerleading squad placed first overall in the Large Varsity DII category at the 2017 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships held in Walt Disney World.

“Our cheer is definitely what made us standout. Our famous ‘BAM! We’re the Bambies!’ chant always gets the crowd really loud,” said senior Maddie Chatham. “Hearing our name called for first place was the best feeling in the world…Winning with this group of girls and coaches was the best way to end my senior year.”

CARDINAL O’HARA HIGH SCHOOL – SPRINGFIELD, PA

Cardinal O’Hara girls’ indoor track and field captured the 2016-17 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship on Feb. 12 at Lehigh University. Senior Olivia Arizin won the 800m run in a meet-record time of 2:14.95

LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL- LANSDALE, PA

Lansdale Catholic varsity cheerleading squad placed first overall in the Small Varsity Game Day competition at the 2017 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.

FATHER JUDGE HIGH SCHOOL– PHILADELPHIA, PA

On January 3, Father Judge senior guard Marc Rodriguez became the first player in Crusader’s history to score 1,000 points. Rodriguez scored his monumental basket at the free-throw line during the teams’ first PCL match-up vs. Archbishop Wood. Rodriguez, a PCL First Team All-Catholic Selection, needed to score 19 points to hit the 1,000-point mark - he ended the night with 27 points in the Crusader’s 68-60 victory.

“It's an amazing feeling to know I am the first to accomplish this goal, but my teammates and coaches helped me to get here, and I appreciate them,” said Rodriguez.”

On Jan 31, the Father Judge wrestling team won their third Philadelphia Catholic League title in the last four years. The team defeated Archbishop Wood, 32-27.

ARCHBISHOP RYAN HIGH SCHOOL- PHILADELPHIA, PA

Archbishop Ryan captured its second Philadelphia Catholic League girls' swimming Title in three years.  Sophomore Meghan Kidd finished first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:06.97), freshman Allison Henry took first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.53), and junior Sydney Aston placed 2nd in the 200-yard medley and 100-yard freestyle to clinch the win.

ROMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – PHILADELPHIA, PA

The Roman bowling team won the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship with their 3-0 victory over Father Judge. It’s their fourth title win in school history and their first since 1956.

NEUMANN-GORETTI – PHILADELPHIA, PA

Neumann-Goretti’s girls’ 4x400 meter relay team set a new Philadelphia Catholic League record during the indoor-track championships at Lehigh University on Feb. 12. The unit is comprised of juniors, Eliza Brooks and Sydni Townsend and sophomores, Mykala Perry and Jazmyn Ellis who hold the new record time of 4:02.37.

“Our girls’ team broke the (PIAA AA) state record two years ago, when Eliza and Sydni were freshman with a time of 3:49:00,” said Saints track & field coach, Lincoln Townsend. “We won the state meet last year for two-way schools in the 4x400m relay and have been the state champion the past four years. They also currently hold the state record for the outdoor 4x400m relay.”

      University of Kentucky commit, Quade Green, was named to the 2017 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Team. Green’s name will go down in history alongside McDonald’s All-American alumni such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Lebron James – just to name a few.

LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL – WYNDMOOR, PA

La Salle College High School swim team won its 29th consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League Championship Title and 9th consecutive PIAA District 12th championship.

“This year's team is a great mix of senior leadership and younger class men bursting through the door with great success.  We take nothing for granted and fully understand that we are up against some amazing competition both locally and throughout the state,” said head coach Stephen Duncheskie.

Explorers were led by senior Jake Sannem who captured gold in both the 200-yard freestyle (1:38.91) and 500-yard freestyle (4:35.22) events. Sannem also received the Frank J. Lichtner Award for the second year in-a-row.

“Receiving the Frank J Lichtner award is really humbling. This award not only represents what it means to be a good swimmer, but an all-around good person as well. As a senior, it is always special to look back and reflect on how we as a class contributed to the swimming legacy over our four years. Not many teams can say they won this many PCL and District titles in a row, and I am honored to have been a part of this legacy,” said Sannem.

La Salle College High School’s indoor track & field team captured its third consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League Championship at Lehigh University. It also marked the 7th consecutive seasonal championship for the program (Including 2 cross country and 2 outdoor championships).

The team scored in 15 of the 16 events, scored 2 or more places in 12 of the 16 events, and finished at least 2nd in the 4 relays.

“We believe, and preach, that everyone on our team can make contributions that matter. We believe that that trickles down such that everyone is always preparing to be the best version of themselves they can hope to be and with 100+ guys on the team, we approach the championship meets as a test of both our depth and breadth as a team,” said head coach Gregory Bielecki.

MALVERN PREP- MALVERN, PA

Malvern Prep wrestling team won its third consecutive Inter-Ac championship this season and, took second place at the independent school state championship. Head Coach Nate Lautar ’98 was named PAISAA Coach of the Year and Asst. Nate Wachter was named Assistant Coach of the Year. 

Junior Michael Beard was named the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) “Wrestler of the Year” after winning first place in the 195-pount weight class. Beard was ranked first in the nation at 182 pounds and second in the nation at 195.

BALDWIN SCHOOL – BRYN MAWR, PA

Baldwin varsity squash remained undefeated this season winning their 7th Inter-Ac title in the last 8 years. The team, who is ranked number two in the nation, also captured its fifth MASA (Mid-Atlantic Squash Association) Championship title Feb. 4.

WILLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL- PHILADELPHIA, PA

Penn Charter junior swimming standout Reece Whitley broke the National Independent High School and overall High School Record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 52.35 during the preliminary meet at the 2017 Eastern Championships at Franklin and Marshall College. He then went on to beat his own record in the finals (51.84). Whitley also won the 200 IM and clocked a meet record of 1 minute, 44.91 seconds. For the third straight year, Whitley also won the “Eastern Male Swimmer of the Meet” award.

“Setting the record in prelims was really a confident booster for me. Typically, we rest between events but at Eastern’s we did not, so by the time finals came around I was free to do what I needed to do to win for Penn Charter… to get in, go fast and don’t hold back. It was pretty cool,” said Whitley.

Penn Charter’s first Indoor Track program began this season. Led by seniors Akeem Blake, Chris Tucker and Dylan Burnett. The team made an impressive presence at the Track and Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia Meet of Champions on Feb. 18. 

Blake placed second in the high jump and third in the triple jump.

Tucker placed third in the 60 dash and sixth in the long jump. Burnett clocked 6th at 8.49 in the 60 hurdles.

Notables on the day also included Freshman Akeel Blake who placed 7th in the high jump and 11th in the triple jump. Sophomore Patrick Gabor tied for 9th in the high jump.

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY- NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA

For the second year in-a-row, EA’s girls’ swimming and diving team won the Inter-Ac Championship remaining undefeated for a second year.  Wren Sablich ’18 set an EA pool record (269.90) in the 1 Meter diving. The team also claimed their first ever win at The Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships held at Franklin and Marshall College Feb.25-27.

Alex Sumner ‘18, Sally Stockett ‘17, Emma Seiberlich and Isabel Handal ’20 won the girls’ 200 Medley Relay with a time of 1:45.67. Sumner and Hadly DeBruyn ’20 took first and second in the 200 IM.  With a come from behind win, DeBruyn broke the 500 free-style school record with a time of 4:50.

Seiberlich broke both the EA and the F&M pool record in the fly with a time of 54.65

Sumner, who also won the 100 M Backstroke (53.41) was voted “Outstanding” girls swimmer of the meet.

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY- FORT WASHINGTON, PA

THE HAVERFORD SCHOOL- HAVERFORD, PA

On February 18, Haverford senior Chris Kober won the 220- pound wrestling title in the Pennsylvania’s Independent Schools Wrestling tournament.

Haverford’s varsity squash team won their first National Title on Feb. 12 beating Brunswick 5-2 at the U.S High School Team Squash Championships in CT. The team also won its third straight MASA (Mid-Atlantic Squash Association) championship title this season and the Inter-Ac title on Jan. 11 finishing their regular season undefeated.

For the first time in 53 years, Haverford School’s swimming & diving team won the Inter-Ac Championship title outright finishing undefeated (6-0). They shared the title once with Episcopal Academy and Malvern Prep in 1968.

“Winning the title this year was surreal. Since I took over the program in 2001 the goal has been to bring a championship to Haverford. We came close quite a few times, but to finally put it together this year is not only rewarding, but also motivating to continue working harder to win,” said Haverford head coach Sean Hansen.