Fall 2023 Athletics Recap

This fall, George School spectators witnessed athletes competing at every level. From beginners to undefeated all-league-all-stars, to league champions, first-place race finishers and “trust the process” team performances, our student-athletes honed their self-discipline and collaboration skills, and had fun along the way.  

Sports are much more fun with cheering fans! During the second annual George School Spirit Week in October, Student Council, Prefects, the Student Activity Board, and the Office of Student Life organized themed dress days and activities throughout the week leading up to an all-school Pep Rally on Thursday night. On Friday, October  13, over 250 GS students—athletes and fans—traveled to Westtown for our Fall Play Day. The weather was amazing and the competitions were exciting as the schools played for Patterson Cup “Moose Points” and Friends League positioning.

Dating back to 1969, the Patterson Cup is awarded to the school that has won the most George School vs. Westtown Varsity and JV competitions in the year. This competition was instituted by the Patterson family, who sent two children to Westtown and two (twins) to George School.

George School earned points in Girls’ Tennis, Boys’ Cross Country, Girls’ Cross Country, and Field Hockey, while Westtown School earned points in Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ JV Soccer, and Girls’ JV Soccer. Heading into the winter season we are tied at 4-4. 

In the Athletics Department, Tonia Maschi joined the team as an Athletics Coordinator, and George School launched its first Varsity Rowing team. 

 

 

 

 

Varsity Cheer: New coaches Robyn Weisser and Jennifer Beccaris brought several years of competitive cheer experience to the program this year. The coaches’ foundational season focused on conditioning, cheer fundamentals, proper stunting, and leadership, and plan to compete in cheer tournaments this winter.

Cross Country: Both the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams placed second in the Friends Schools League (FSL) final standings; the boys finished the season 7-1, and the girls finished 5-1. George School had outstanding performances during the Friends League Championship meet. Margaret Massengill ’26 won in a blistering personal record of 18:56, placing her sixty-first among all Pennsylvania schools and second among all private/independent schools in the state. Matteus Fontes ’24 finished eighth with a personal record of 17:32. 

“The 2023 Cross Country season was by far our strongest season since I started as head coach in 2019,” said Head Coach Mike Sherman. “We continue to focus on the mental strength and resiliency it takes to pursue our sport.” 

Equestrian: The varsity team is off to a strong start and according to Head Coach Tiffany Taylor, “the riders have been working very hard and it is paying off. With three IEA Shows completed, we have two wins and one 3rd place under our belts.” Both Ace Snyder ’24 and Ava Myers ’26 have already qualified to compete as individuals at the IEA Regionals in February with other team members on the verge of joining them. 

Field Hockey: The team grew together and finished with a 5-2 record, losing 0-1 to eventual FSL Champion Academy of the New Church in the semi-finals. “They worked hard all year long, always with smiles on their faces and amazing energy and spirit. I hoped they enjoyed the season as much as I did,” said Head Coach Kim Stone ’96.

Football: In the face of a challenging 0-8 season, the spirit and determination of the team shone brightly. “While the win-loss column may not reflect the heart and effort these young athletes put into every game, it’s important to remember that football is about more than just numbers on a scoreboard. The growth, camaraderie, and life lessons gained by these players will far outlast the season’s record,” said Head Coach MacAdoo Harrison-Dixon.

Rowing: Practicing on the lake at Core Creek Park, the new varsity rowing team had a successful start to the program this fall. “In September, we had two boats participate in our first-ever regatta at Core Creek,” said coach Patrick O’Dunne. “In October, the team competed in a huge regatta in Philadelphia called ‘The Head of the Schuylkill.’”  

Soccer: The Boys’ Varsity Soccer team’s play improved greatly as the season progressed. Led by team captains Drew Mirarchi ’24 on defense, Efram Krasovic ’24 in goal, and team scoring leader Sam Tchoumandrine ’25, the team finished the season at 5-5-1 in the FSL and earned a Quaker Cup title with a 2-0 win over Friends Select in the final. Coach Glenn Curry said of the Quaker Cup, “The win was fun, but also tangible proof for the players that our daily demand of effort, focus, and energy during practices will eventually lead to positive game day results.”

Girls’ Varsity Soccer finished the season 7-6-2 with an FSL Quaker Cup championship to conclude the year. Payton Radosti ’25, Olivia Carcich ’25, and Taylor Whiteside ’25 led the team in goals and assists. Coach Ginna Lewing praised her players, “The team battled in every game, played as one unit, and supported each other every step of the way.” 

The team missed making the FSL playoffs by one point in a tough overtime loss to GFS. “It was a joy to coach such a motivated group, and we are already looking forward to a very productive season in 2024,” said Ginna.  

Tennis: Girls Varsity Tennis finished 8-3 overall in the regular season and 7-2 in the FSL, beating Shipley School in the FSL Semifinal and traveling to Germantown Friends School for the FSL Championship where GFS edged GS 3-2, with the deciding match going to 6-4 in the third set. “We felt super pleased and blessed as a team to get to the finals for a second year in a row,” said Head Coach Elena Harris. 

Leena Kuittinen ’24 led the way for GS with a stellar undefeated season at First Singles. The team’s Second Doubles duo of Katharine Coleman ’25 and Christina Makris ’26 finished their season with an excellent 9-2 record.   

Volleyball: It was a historic season for Varsity Volleyball, who won the Independent Volleyball League Championship for the first time since 2003, defeating the perennial favorites, Perkiomen 3-1.  

“A major highlight was beating Perkiomen to win the IVL Championship. In this match, senior captain and team MVP Emily Starling led the way with a record-setting 28% hitting percentage.  It was a beautiful culmination of a season filled with blood, sweat, and tears,” said Head Coach David Nolan.

For the first time in seven years, George School had four players with double-digit blocks and two players with over 100 kills (Kylie LaDuca ’24 and Emily Starling ’24). Setter Maia Hoffman ’24 assisted kills on 29% of her 888 sets this season.  George School finished the season with a league record of 7-2. 

Watching athletes taking pride in representing George School, and fans, friends, and family cheering them on the sidelines made this another special fall season of athletics at George School.