George School’s Indoor Track & Field teams delivered a statement performance at the Friends Schools League (FSL) Invitational at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ott Center, winning both the girls’ and boys’ team titles behind a wave of personal records and clutch relay finishes.

Head Coach Mike Bailey said the day began with a clear charge. “Before we stepped off the bus, I reminded everyone of our focus: PRs and passing anyone we could in every event,” he said. “Pre-meet scoring had both teams projected to win — barely for the girls — so there was no room to relax.” 

Final Team Scores

Boys: George School 117; Germantown Friends 78; Westtown 38; Shipley 30; Abington Friends 29; Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 4.

Girls: George School 78; Westtown 47; Friends’ Central 43; Abington Friends 42; Germantown Friends 39; Shipley 22.

Both squads banked early points in the opening 4x200 and 4x800 relays and never looked back. “Our veterans delivered exactly as expected, but it was our younger athletes who exceeded projections and made the day truly special,” Mike said.

On the girls’ side, leaders Emma Kanyi ’26, Margaret Massengill ’26, and Lorna Brackenridge ’27 paced the team. At the same time, Zion Ladigbolu ’28, Satchel Ross ’29, Ayda Clifton ’29, Emma Diaz ’29, and Athena Mehling ’29 provided breakout performances — many scoring across multiple events, taking on new races, and posting PRs. “Each of them stepped up,” Mike added. “Some competed in events they didn’t want to do, some for the first time, and they scored everywhere.”

The boys mirrored that surge. Ben Ferrenz ’26 broke his own school record in the 60m hurdles and scored in all four of his events. Samuel Pereira Kiernan ’28, a sophomore, also scored in four events in his first championship meet. Newcomer Deagan Hopkins ’28 won the 800m and mile, then anchored the 4x400 to finish just one second off the school record. “Young athletes stepped into big moments and delivered,” Mike continued. “Our staff couldn’t be prouder.”

For Emma Kanyi ’26, the championship resonated deeply. “Winning FSLs meant so much to me,” she said. “I thought about the seniors who pushed me when I was a freshman and the underclassmen who are just starting out.

"Our track community is tight knit; this win represents growth as a team and gratitude across generations.”

Emma also credited a balanced mindset. “Focusing on PRs and passing competitors can be daunting, but it fuels the ‘I can do it’ mentality,” she said. “I went in determined to have fun and enjoy my season. That balance helped me perform and score big points for the team.”

She highlighted the impact of George School’s culture on newcomers: “Watching younger athletes compete and support each other was powerful. When they see veterans model good competition habits, they feed off it, and suddenly they feel part of the team.”

Emma will especially remember one moment in the field: “I’ll never forget my jump coach Rick Scutt's reaction to my big pole vault improvement,” she said. “His excitement makes me eager for what’s next, especially with PAISAA coming up.”

Mike summed up the day: “Our athletes embraced challenges and performed at their best when it mattered most. From relays to hurdles to distance and the vault, this was a total team win.”

Both the girls’ and boys’ teams carried that momentum into the PAISAA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ott Center, where they each earned impressive fourth place finishes.

The girls scored 48 points to secure fourth place in a deep field, while the boys’ squad delivered an outstanding 81-point performance to finish fourth as well.